asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now obtained a full Report with regard to the bombing accident near Peshawar?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why live bombs were used instead of dummies in the bombing practice which resulted in the serious Royal Air Force accident near Peshawar; and if he will take steps to ensure that in future live bombs are only used in bombing practice over completely isolated districts?

A court of inquiry was convened on the 24th January and was expected to report within a day or two. The result will be telegraphed at once, but my Noble Friend has not yet received it. Meanwhile, I think it best not to make any statement.

May I ask whether, in the meanwhile, every step has been taken, by sending some British representative to attend the funeral or otherwise, to express our feelings with regard to the matter?

Oh, yes. I do not think that it arises out of the question, but, from information which I have received from the Press, condolences have been expressed by a number of distinguished authorities including His Excellency the Viceroy, and every step has been taken to show the victims proper respect at their funerals.

In view of the importance of the issue raised, may I ask the nature of the court of inquiry; is it constituted by the Air Force or the military forces, or the combined forces?

I understand that it is the combined force, and it will be a court of inquiry into all the circumstances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the extremist political propaganda now being carried on in certain universities and colleges in India, the Government of India are taking any steps to prevent the delivery of addresses likely to incite Indian students?

My noble Friend has received no information as to any systematic attempts to incite students to lawlessness, and is confident that, if anything of the kind is attempted, the Provincial Governments will take any steps that are desirable and practicable.

Has it been brought to the notice of the India Office that lectures of the kind described in the question are being given?

As the hon. Member knows, education is a transferred subject. He may rest assured that this question will be dealt with by the proper authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that officials of the All-India and Burmah covenanted non-gazetted railway services only obtain a free passage home at the end of their service, which may be after 25 years' service in India; whether he can authorise a more frequent free home passage in view of the strenuous conditions of service in a tropical climate; whether he is aware that a petition was submitted to the Viceroy in 1926 and again in 1928; and whether the petition has been forwarded on to the India Office and considered there?

Under existing rules free passages home are provided for the personnel in question not only on retirement but also when granted leave on medical certificate. I am aware, however, that the Government of India are considering the grant of more liberal passage concessions to the covenanted subordinate staff of Indian State Railways. The petition referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend has not been received at the India Office.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information concerning the deaths of 37 Indians in process of repatriation from British Guiana on the ss. "Sutlej" in September last; of what these people died; whether there has been a Government inquiry into the affair; and, if so, what were its findings?

My Noble Friend has been in correspondence with the Government of India regarding the report of the Committee of Inquiry held in India in connection with this matter. Of the thirty-seven deaths of British Indians during the voyage, 30 were due to respiratory diseases, most of which occurred among aged and pauper repatriates. The question of the publication of a communique in India regarding the findings and recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry is under consideration. The Committee's report has been brought to the notice of the British Guiana Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the intentions of the Government of India towards the men who are being de- tained, without trial, under regulation 111 of 1818, on the ground that if they were released they might commit crime?

No, Sir. The views of the Government of India, which, as I stated in my reply to a similar question on the 17th December, have been invited, have not yet been received.

Can the Noble Lord say when these views are likely to be received, and is he aware that these men have already been in prison for a very long time without trial?

I cannot tell the hon. Member the exact date when they will be received, but I should think comparatively shortly.

Are not the British Government ashamed to acquiesce in the prolonged imprisonment of men without trial in the way that these men have been?

If I had the opportunity of doing so in debate, I could answer the question very effectively, but the whole question appears to be controversial, and I hope that the hon. Member will not mind if I do not answer it now.

Are not the Government of India strong and powerful enough to take such measures to see that, if these men were released, they would not commit crime?

The Government of India are taking steps to exclude undesirables from India by refusing their passports.

If the Government do exclude undesirables by refusing their passports, why are they holding innocent people in prison without trial?

Are the releases already effected not justified?

These particular men were not incarcerated under the provisions of the Bengal Ordinance, but under Regulation 111 of 1818. The whole question whether or not they should be retained in prison is being considered by the Government of India, and my Noble Friend will no doubt be in a position shortly to make an announcement as to what the decision is.

The Noble Lord does admit that these men have committed no crime, does he not?

asked the Secretary of State for Air how long Colonel Lawrence, who is serving under the rank and name of Aircraftman Shaw, was stationed on the north-west frontier of India; whether during the time he was stationed there he carried out the ordinary duties of his rank; and what leave of absence, if any, was granted to him during his period of service in this part of India?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, Aircraftman Shaw was posted to No. 20 Squadron, Peshawar, from Karachi on the 26th May, 1928. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, I understand that Aircraftman Shaw was not granted any leave while with the Squadron.

Can the Noble Lord say whether the authorities at the time Colonel Lawrence enlisted knew that he was enlisting under a false name, and, if so, why they permitted that enlistment to take place?

Any question as to enlistment should be addressed to the Air Minister, but I believe that it is frequently the fact that people enlist under names other than their own.

Is it a fact that they enlist under false names when it is known to the authorities that the names are false?

As I have said, that is not a question with which I can deal—it is a question for the Air Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can yet make any statement regarding the policy of His Majesty's Government towards the changes in the constitution of Ceylon recommended by the Donoughmore Commission?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps he proposes to take in connection with the Donoughmore Report on the Ceylon constitution?

I still await the Governor's full report and recommendations in connection with the recent prolonged debates in the Legislative Council of Ceylon, and I am therefore not at present in a position to make any statement in the matter.

Is any time limit placed on the receipt of this Report?

No, but I expect it will reach me in the next two or three weeks.

Is it the intention of the Government to adopt these recommendations before the General Election?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that the recommendations of the Donoughmore Commission will not be accepted in a modified and undemocratic manner at the request of people who are elected on the old franchise, which is no longer suitable for the country in the opinion of the Donoughmore Commission?

I cannot give the right hon. Gentleman any absolute assurance that there will be no modification, and I am sure he can trust me to protect minorities.

Do the Government intend to put these reforms into operation even if they are not accepted by the Legislative Council of Ceylon?

That is the very point dealt with in my original answer.

Is it not possible for the coming election in Ceylon to be carried out on the new franchise proposed by the Donoughmore Commission, instead of on the obsolete franchise which would otherwise be used?

That, again, is a matter I can only consider after receiving the Governor's Report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken on the Report on the disturbances in the Solomon Islands; and whether wireless communication will be established at all the administrative sub-centres as recommended?

A despatch from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific commenting upon the Report has been received, and this and the Report are under consideration. I am not at present in a position to state the result. The cost of improving inter-island communication by establishing a chain of wireless stations is being investigated with a view to seeing how far it is possible to carry out this proposal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present and prospective position of British officials in the Iraqi railway service; what reply was sent to their appeal to him of I3th April last; and when it was sent?

The majority of senior British officials in the Iraq railways are still serving upon the conditions embodied in contracts entered into with the Civil Administration which preceded the present Government of Iraq. It is the wish of His Majesty's Government that these contracts, which have long since expired, should be replaced by contracts similar to those already granted to senior British officials in other Government Departments in Iraq; but the consent of the Iraq Government to this arrangement has not yet been obtained. In August last the High Commissioner for Iraq was authorised to inform representative British officials in the Iraq railways that it was the intention of His Majesty's Government so far as it lay within their power, to make the grant of satisfactory contracts to railway officials a condition of the transfer of the railways either to the Iraq Government or to an independent corporation or to a commercial group.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with regard to the deadlock in negotiations over the question of the Iraqi railways which under the financial agreement of 1924 should be transferred this year to the ownership of the Iraqi Government; what is the cause of this deadlock; and what steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to effect the transference?

I hope that it may be possible to resume conversations with the Iraq Government on the subject of the railways when a new Cabinet has been formed. Meanwhile, I think it better not to make any statement at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will make a statement with regard to all the points of dispute with the Iraqi Government;

(2) what are the terms of the military and financial agreements subsidiary to the Anglo-Iraq Treaty of December, 1927, which have been proposed to the Iraqi Government; whether it is the opinion of the Government that ratification of that treaty is dependent on the acceptance of these subsidiary agreements by the Iraqi Government; and whether, pending such ratification, the treaty of 1924 is considered to be operative?

I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the reply which I gave to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on the 24th January. I do not think that it would be in the public interest to make a fuller statement at this stage on the points at issue, as conversations with the Iraq Government are still proceeding. His Majesty's Government have already informed the Iraq Government that the Treaty of December, 1927, will not be ratified until the new Financial and Military Agreements have also been concluded. Until the new Treaty enters into force, the treaties of October, 1922, and January, 1926. will remain operative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present state of affairs on the frontier between Iraq and Nejd; and whether raids are still being carried out by Transjordanian troops against subjects of Ibn Saud?

In reply to the first part of the question there have been some isolated raids by Nejdi tribesmen, but not of a serious character. The recent incident, in which an American missionary was killed, took place not in Iraq but in Koweit territory further South. I should like to take the opportunity of expressing my deep regret at the loss of so valuable a life, and my sympathy with the friends and relatives of the murdered man. As regards the second part of the question, Trans-Jordan troops have not carried out raids upon the subjects of King Ibn Saud. There has, as in previous years, been a certain amount of mutual raiding on this part of the frontier both by Trans-Jordan and Nejdi tribesmen.

May I get it quite clear from the right hon. Gentleman that these reported raids from Trans-Jordan have not taken place?

There have been no raids whatever by Transjordanian troops.

Are any steps being taken to redefine this country with a view to settling the difficulties over the wells?

The difficulty does not reside in defining the frontier, but in the raiding habits of the desert tribes.

But the user of the wells, is not that important?

It is not only a question of the wells.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain how mutual raiding by arrangement is carried out?

I never suggested that.

So we heard you.

Mutual raiding on this part of the frontier was what I said.

Is the Royal Air Force in Iraq committed to the defence of the Koweit territory? Is that one of the responsibilities of the Air Force, or is it only in connection with this last raid that they have gone down there?

The Royal Air Force in Iraq is available to protect British interests anywhere within range.

But is one of their responsibilities the protection of the extensive frontier of Koweit as well as the frontier of Iraq; and, if so, have they got all the arrangements made for it by means of strong points and centres and all the ordinary military arrangements?

Those are obviously questionsfor the Air Ministry to answer.

But are we undertaking the protection of Koweit exactly on the same footing as the protection of Iraq?

I do not know about "exactly on the same footing," but certainly we should not allow the territory of Koweit to become the object of incursions by any foreign Power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement or lay a White Paper as to the dispute with the non-official members in the legislature of the Seychelles; and what reply, if any, was made to their representations of 1927 and 1928, and with how long delay?

I do not regard the correspondence of sufficient general interest to warrant the expense of a White Paper, but I am giving my Noble Friend a reply, the fulness of which will, I trust, justify my circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governors of Tanganyika and Kenya have yet arrived in this country; and will their comments on the Hilton Young Commission's Report be treated as confidential or be given such publicity, by the laying of Papers, as shall enable this House to appreciate any subsequent action of His Majesty's Government on the questions of native lands, native and Indian representation, the retention of Colonial Office control, and the appointment of a High Commissioner or a technical co-ordinating commission?

The two Governors have arrived, and I am at present engaged in discussion of the Report of the Commission. This discussion is preliminary and confidential, but I hope shortly to be in a position to inform the House of the procedure which it is proposed to adopt in arriving at decisions with regard to the Commission's recommendations.

That is to say, we shall have the material for forming a decision available in the House before the right hon. Gentleman announces his decision in the matter?

I am not quite sure what that means. The Report itself contains very full materials and the question was very fully discussed.

Yes, but the right hon. Gentleman is now asking the Governors to give a report on this Report. What I wish to secure is that the country as a whole shall have the advantage of knowing the views of these Governors on the Report as well as the right hon. Gentleman—that we shall have all the facts before us before a decision is come to?

I am not inviting the Governors to present reports. I am discussing with them fully, in confidence, to what extent and in what manner the valuable suggestions contained in the Report can best be dealt with.

Will legislation be required to bring the recommendations of the Report into operation; and, if not, will the House be consulted before any action is taken?

I must consider that point.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of men available for service under the Kenya Conscription Act, and the total number who have so far presented themselves?

According to an estimate published in Kenya in October last, the number of persons liable to enrol under the Defence Force Ordinance was 5,229. The number of persons enrolled at that time was 4,518, but this figure took no account of persons temporarily absent from the Colony propably numbering 300. I have no later details.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what happened to those who did not respond?

No, Sir, not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken to prevent unneces- sary deforestation in Kenya Colony, observing that one of the best safeguards against locust plagues is considered by some authorities to lie in the preservation of natural woodlands, and that rainfall is directly influenced by the presence of trees; what schemes of reafforestation are being carried out in Kenya Colony; and whether the piece of Government forest known as Kaniki Forest, in the neighbourhood of Kahawa, is to be destroyed in spite of the protests of the local inhabitants?

An account of the work of the Forest Department in Kenya is given in the Annual Report of the Department for the year 1927, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House. That Report shows that a policy of forest regeneration and reafforestation is being actively pursued; and I understand that the importance of establishing a scientific basis for future work founded on a more accurate knowledge of the Colony's forest resources is fully realised. I have received no report from the Colony of any proposal for the destruction of Kaniki Forest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that Professor Kleine has organised an expedition to Tanganyika territory, financed by the German Government among others, for the purpose of instructing members of mission stations in methods of combating sleeping sickness; whether he has any information which assures him that this expedition is to operate in agreement with the International Sleeping Sickness Bureau at Entebbe; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any sters to make sure that confusion will not be created in the minds of the native peoples by the possible introduction into that country of conflicting methods of dealing with this disease?

Yes, Sir, my attention has already been called to a Press report regarding a further visit of Professor Kleine to East Africa. The International Sleeping Sickness Commission, under the auspices of the League of Nations, of which Professor Kleine was a member, concluded its labours at Entebbe in June, 1927, and its work is being continued there at the charges of the British East African Governments by the Institute of Human Trypanosomiasis Research. Professor Kleine is not now directly associated with the work at Entebbe, but I do not anticipate that any confusion would arise if he visited Tanganyika.

May I ask whether, in connection with sleeping sickness, any steps are being taken such as were recommended by the East African Commission in 1925, to deal with tse-tse fly?

Yes, I think in a number of directions and particularly in Tanganyika, active measures are being taken.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has progressed any further in the negotiations with regard to the Dead Sea salt concessions; and whether there is any prospect of these potash deposits being properly worked and financed in the near future?

I informed the House before Christmas that I was awaiting a reply from the Trans-Jordan Government on points of detail which they had raised in connection with the draft concession. The reply has not yet reached me, but as soon as it does the matter will be gone into at once.

Seeing that British subjects are excluded from participation, is my right hon. Friend satisfied that Mr. Novameysky is the best substitute?

It is news to me that British subjects are excluded.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, (1) if any of the men who went to Canada last year under the special scheme for harvesters have been or are now being maintained by Canadian public funds or charitable agencies; and, if so, whether the British Government have any financial responsibility for such expenditure;

(2) whether he can now give an estimate of the total cost likely to fall on the British Exchequer in connection with last year's special scheme for British harvesters sent to Canada;

(3) how many men who went to Canada last year under the special scheme for Canadian harvesters have now returned to Great Britain; how many of these men received loans to assist them to return to Great Britain; what was the total sum advanced for return railway fares, steam ship passages and food; and if he can state what sum has been repaid to date on account of these loans?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will state the number of miners sent to Canada for the last harvest; the number settled there; and the total cost to the Government of the scheme?

With regard to the numbers involved and the cost of the harvester scheme, I cannot yet add anything to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Lincoln (Mr. Taylor) and Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 19th December. Further small groups of men have returned from Canada since that date, but details are not yet available. I am not aware that any of the men remaining in Canada have been or are now being maintained by Canadian public funds or charitable agencies. Arrangements were made before the scheme was started with the Canadian Government and the shipping companies for the immediate repatriation of all men who were likely to become a public charge and I understand that those arrangements have entirely fulfilled their purpose.

If I put down this question again in a fortnight, will the right hon. Gentleman give me the latest figure?

I cannot be sure that I shall be able to do so. These figures come in gradually from the shipping companies. If the hon. Member likes to put down this question in two or three weeks' time I will endeavour to give the answer, if the figures have come in.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long it will be before he is in a position to say what was the total cost of this scheme to the Government?

I did give some figures just before the House rose, which are not likely to be materially increased by such very small additional items as may dribble in in the next few weeks.

In view of the fact that there were only 10 per cent. of failures, cannot we consider that the experiment of last year was a great success?

I think from many points of view it was a success.

What difficulty is there in giving the amount of money outstanding at the moment?

I gave the figures as far as I could in December, and, when more details come in, no doubt it will be possible to ascertain how much additional expense is involved and how much is still outstanding in the way of loans.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has information showing that British timber importers have arranged to take the total export of Russian timber; and, if so, whether steps are to be taken to try and export British agricultural and other machinery in return for such timber?

As regards the first part of the hon. Member's question, I am only in possession of the statements which have appeared in the public Press. As regards the second part of the question, I can only remind the hon. Member that the foreign trade of the Soviet Union is a Government monopoly and that the disposal of the proceeds of the sale of Soviet timber is therefore necessarily entirely at the discretion of the Soviet Government.

Is it not possible to explore this situation in order to get something done in the way of a settle- ment, as has been done in America? In a situation like this, could not the Department get to work and see that something is done on the lines suggested in this question?

We are only too anxious to arrive at a settlement, but we cannot prevent the importation of this timber except by taxation.

Is this not a splendid opportunity to get into touch with the agricultural implement manufacturers in order to see if a return trade cannot be effected?

They are very much alive to the situation. They are in the same position as we are, and they are anxious to do what they can.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a deputation of British manufacturers is about to proceed to Russia, and are the Department prepared to render any special service to that mission?

I do not think that that point arises out of the question. I do not know exactly what it means, but I understand that there is some discussion as to whether or not they should proceed to Russia.

Is the hon. Gentleman no longer treating this matter as a political question?

Is it not a fact that people are ready to trade with Russia if only they can get payment for their goods?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government intend to introduce a Bill this Session to amend the legislation governing gas undertakings; if so, at what date will the Bill be introduced; and what is its main purpose?

Yes, Sir; a Bill to amend existing gas legislation is now being drafted, and I hope that it will shortly be introduced in another place.

Will the Bill cover the question brought out in the National Fuel and Power Committee's report dealing with the Midland area?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill. The particular matter to which the hon. Member refers has been referred to a committee of investigation.

The Parliamentary Secretary has not answered my question as to what is the purpose of the Bill.

I ask the hon. Member to await the introduction of the Bill.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the late introduction of this Bill is a great disadvantage to commercial companies who wish to alter their Articles, and that they are put to great expense in consequence? Under these circumstances, will the hon. Gentleman take steps to bring in this Bill as quickly as possible?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to a subsequent question on the Order Paper. The question we are now dealing with relates to gas legislation.

Is the hon. Member aware of the opinion, as expressed in the Press, that the Bill is non-contentious, and has the Government taken any steps to ascertain if it is non-contentious?

I do not think that at Question Time we can discuss the text of this Bill, and I would ask my hon. Friend to await its introduction.

May I ask if the Bill allows the gas companies to increase their dividends?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position with regard to the proposed regulations on the subject of petrol pumps; and what steps he has taken to secure that the interests of the public are duly protected?

I must apologise for the length of my reply, but I think it is desirable that the position of the Board of Trade in this matter should be clearly understood.

The preparation of the regulations has been a long and difficult task, and at every stage my officers have been in close touch with the interests concerned. A draft of the regulations was printed and put on sale in April, 1928, in order that those interested might have the fullest opportunity of making representations.

Due time was given for the receipt and consideration of criticisms, and, on the I5th November, a Conference was held at the Board of Trade with representatives of the Local Authorities, the Oil Companies, the Pump Manufacturers, the Garage Proprietors, the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club. At this Conference an amended draft of the regulations was examined point by point, and while, in the nature of the case, on certain matters of detail, there was some divergence of view, I think it may be said that the result was generally recognised as providing a set of regulations which should be generally effective and satisfactory. One or two questions of detail were dealt with subsequently in discussions with the parties specially interested.

The final revision of the draft regulations is nearly completed. It is hoped to make them shortly, to provide that they shall come into force on the 1st April, and as from that date no pump can be installed which is not of a pattern certified by the Board of Trade.

As allegations have been freely made that the regulations admit of certain types of pump which are liable to be inaccurate, I think I should explain that in the case of measuring instruments it is the statutory duty of the Board of Trade to be satisfied that the patterns used are "not such as to facilitate the perpetration of fraud." The work of examining patterns is carried out by the expert staff of the Board. These officers arrive at their conclusions by reference to technical considerations, and it is not their business to say whether one certified pattern is or is not superior to another. No pump is perfect, and one pattern may be nearer to perfection than another; the Department's business is to satisfy itself that the design reaches a certain reasonable standard of reliability, and in issuing certificates, as in drafting the new regulations, this is the end that has been kept in view.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that he has now given a complete answer to the statements that have been made by members of his own party that the present Regulations give a preference to foreign-made pumps as against British?

I have not seen any references to any particular matter of that kind. I was giving a detailed answer to the question. As far as I am aware, the Regulations are reasonable, fair and satisfactory.

Has the question of the beauty or otherwise of these pumps been gone into?

We have no control over aesthetic matters.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of proposals for re-starting the Norfolk oyster fishery; and whether he will consider inviting suitable private persons and the local authorities concerned to meet and confer with him with a view to giving technical advice as to the best method and most suitable area for the restarting of oyster cultivation off the Norfolk coast?

I am aware that the development of oyster fisheries in Norfolk has recently been the subject of discussion. The success of such an enterprise will depend upon factors as to which, I think, the best advice can be given by practical oyster planters. If and when the assistance of the Ministry is required, I shall be glad to give it. Meanwhile, I am following the discussion with sympathetic interest.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is not any particular difficulty about obtaining capital? What is urgently needed is a scientific survey, and the local authorities and the county need help in that way.

We shall be glad to give any technical advice at our disposal, but we cannot, as a Ministry, take any active part in the preliminary stages, because we have certain judicial functions to carry out before any scheme can come into effect in making a special order and hearing objections.

Is it not a fact that some 20 years ago these fisheries were very productive indeed, and a revival would be equally welcome to the local people?

I believe there were oyster fisheries in Norfolk, but, as far as I know, the conditions remain unaltered, and if the oyster cultivation could be reestablished it might lead to a valuable industry.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that those oysters are nothing like as good as Cornish oysters?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of the loans applied for under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, on mortgage of agricultural land and in respect of agricultural improvements, respectively, under the Land Improvements Act; and the amount advanced in respect of these applications?

I am informed that the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation, which commenced business only two weeks ago, has under consideration applications for approximately £500,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the number of applications?

I am afraid that I cannot do that without notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the character and extent of the State assistance given to German wheat exporters, and the volume of importation of German wheat into Great Britain?

The German Tariff Law of 1902 contained a provision, which was susupended during the War and revived in 1925, whereby exporters of grain, flour, malt, and other similar products receive an import licence entitling them to the duty-free import of an equivalent quantity of any kind of grain or pulse within a period of nine months. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving particulars of the customs duties on the commodities mainly concerned through the use of these certificates and of the imports of German wheat into this country in recent years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the price paid for the 1,954 acres of land purchased for allotments by borough and district councils during 1925, 192G and 1927?

The price paid for the land referred to was £283,027.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with that price in view of the fact that the 1925 Act was passed in order to facilitate the acquisition of land for allotments?

It is impossible to express an opinion upon this price without knowing the details of a great many transactions. Most of these prices were arrived at after valuation by the District Valuer of the Inland Revenue Department, and I have no evidence that they were otherwise than reasonable.

It is over £100 per acre.

Yes, but it must be remembered that they are in urban districts, and they are building plots.

It is a monstrous price.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in 1927 and 1928; and whether any fresh sources of infection have been discovered?

The number of separate premises on which foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed during 1927 and 1928 was 143 and 138 respectively. 72 of the 138 outbreaks in 1928 were, however, directly due to the spread of infection originating in the Midlands during December, 1927. No new sources of infection have been discovered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the investigation into the Enemy Debts Department is concluded; and, if so, what action is to be taken on the Report?

The investigation into the accounting procedure of the Enemy Debts Department, to which my light hon. Friend referred in his answer to the lion. Member on the 4th December, is now complete. The Report of the officers who carried out the inquiry was received on the 19th instant and is now under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the use of chlorine for improving certain inferior grades of foreign flour; and if it is proposed to take any action in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware that chlorine is sometimes used for the treatment of flour, but he understands that its use is diminishing, and, having regard to such considerations as the danger of increasing the cost of bread and of driving the milling trade abroad, he is not at present proposing to take any action in the matter.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to the fact that this is disadvantageous to the British producer of wheat as well as to the British consumer?

I am not aware of that, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend has any information, I shall be glad to consider it.

asked the Minister of Health, in view of the necessity for an adequate supply of radium, when he expects to receive the Report of the Sub-Committee of the Committee of Civil Research?

The Sub-Committee will not report to my right hon. Friend and he cannot say when their Report will be received. But my right hon. Friend has arranged for the inquiries made on the subject in the House to be brought to the notice of the Sub-Committee and he trusts that their Report will be available at an early date.

Is it not a fact that the lives of thousands of people in this country are seriously endangered because they are unable to receive this treatment? Could not the Ministry of Health publish such information as they have as to the amount of radium available for use in the hospitals, and is any attempt being made by holding supplies back to force up the price? Is not the Ministry of Health interested in this matter?

The Ministry of Health is very much interested in it, and I think it would be far better to await the Report of the sub-committee that has been set up to deal with the matter.

Shall we have their Report at an early date?

My right hon. Friend has communicated to the sub-committee questions such as the hon. Member has put with a view if possible of expediting the matter.

If I put down a question in a fortnight's time, does the right hon. Gentleman think we shall have the Report?

It is impossible to say when the sub-committee will report, but I may be able to communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the burden cast on the unions of this country owing to the numbers of Irish from the Free State who have become chargeable; and, in view of the fact that prior to the constitution of the Free State these persons were liable to be returned to their native land, what action, if any, does he propose taking to relieve the burden cast on the ratepayers?

I would refer to the reply given by the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs to the right hon. Member for St. Marylebone (Sir R. Rodd) on 25th June, 1928. The views of His Majesty's Government in the Irish Free State have not yet been received, but it should be added that the information available to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health does not suggest that in England and Wales the matter is one of serious general importance.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that Westminster alone has been mulcted to the extent of £2,300 for the keep of 3,000 of these Irish Free State inmates, and that, therefore, it has nearly ruined the ratepayers of Westminster? [Interrvption.]

asked the Prime Minister when the Pact of Paris, commonly known as the Kellogg Peace Pact, is to be brought before Parliament?

I have been asked to reply. The opinion of both Houses of Parliament from the first declared itself so strongly in favour of ratification, and this view was so unanimously expressed in the course of the Debates which have already taken place, that any further discussion of the Treaty appears to His Majesty's Government unnecessary. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom propose, therefore, to deposit their ratification as soon as His Majesty's Government in the Dominions are in a position to act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a very important document, and would it not be better at any rate to go through the formality of seeing whether the House is unanimous in assenting to it?

I am aware of the importance of the document, but I think it would be really wasting the time of the House to ask it to repeat a decision already so clearly marked and so unanimously expressed.

May I ask when this House was invited to give a decision on this matter, and whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that certain criticisms were levelled at him in regard to reservations in connection with the Pact?

The House was not invited to express an opinion, but it expressed its opinion of its own motion, as it is entitled to do. As regards reservations, there are no British reservations any more than there are any American.

It is most irregular.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the report of the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer at Manchester on 21st January; and whether the Chancellor's declaration of himself as a Free Trader and against a general system of Protection being made an issue at the General Election represents the Government's policy?

I have read the fuller report of the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which appeared in the "Manchester Guardian," and differed markedly from the imperfect summary telegraphed to the London Press. My right hon. Friend seems to have defended the fiscal position of the Government in every way: and I share his view that those who call themselves Free Traders as well as those who call themselves Protectionists can reasonably and sincerely support the policy of safeguarding of industries which we are now engaged in carrying forward.

Could the Prime Minister say that the view of the Chancellor of the Exchequer was the right one, or that expressed by the Patronage Secretary at Evesham in November, when he stated that if the country would not take Protection all at once it would take it bit by bit?

I hope we have succeeded in reconciling what is obviously a difficulty, as well as my hon. Friend's party.

asked the Prime Minister whether moneys raised by municipal authorities adopting mining townships and forwarded direct to local committees for distribution in the distressed areas will be supplemented by the State grant as in the case of moneys passing through the Lord Mayor's Fund?

I have been asked to reply. The Government grant is payable only to the Lord Mayor's Fund and in respect of contributions to that fund. Local contributions to that fund may, however, be earmarked for use in particular areas, and will rank for Government grant provided that the adopted area coincides with an area approved by the Lord Mayor as eligible for relief from his fund; that the earmarked contribution, together with the Government grant thereon, does not exceed the sum which the area would be entitled to receive from the fund had the contribution not been earmarked, and that the money is expended under the control of the fund organisation in that area on purposes within the scope of the fund.

Does the same position apply to money given to voluntary organisations and in the same way passed through the Lord Mayor's Fund?

I think that, generally speaking, this answer applies to all contributions which are made to the Lord Mayor's Fund and are earmarked for particular areas, but the distribution must always be through the organisation of the Lord Mayor's Fund itself.

If it is the opinion of the Government that it is desirable to deal with the question by private charity of this description, is it not possible to extend the Fund, or the circumstances in which it is now collected, to those people who prefer to give their donations in certain particular ways?

I think my answer shows that that can be done, so long as the administration is through the organisation of the Fund.

But is it not the fact that, if any particular town in the country desires to adopt some small mining district, and if it does not contribute to the Lord Mayor's Fund, it cannot have the benefit of the Government grant?

It must contribute to the Lord Mayor's Fund itself.

Then it is the fact in these circumstances that it cannot have the Government grant, and cannot the circumstances be extended to include such cases?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer I have given, I think he will see that he is incorrect.

asked the President of the Board of Education how much has been paid by the Treasury to the Lord Mayor's Fund; and the total amount of money paid from the Lord Mayor's Fund to distressed mining areas?

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state to the nearest available date how much money has been disbursed by the Lord Mayor's Fund for distressed areas; in how many areas have arrangements now been completed for dis- tributing this charity; and to how many areas and which has money so far been sent?

Up to 25th January £197,127 has been disbursed to the distressed mining areas, distributed as follows:

	£
South Wales	94,250
Durham and Northumberland	78,100
Gloucester and Somerset	2,000
West Hiding	2,000
Cumberland	1,000
Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire	2,850
Various approved organizations	16,927

Arrangements for distribution are either complete or are approaching completion in the above areas. A grant is being despatched immediately to Lancashire, where the distribution arrangements are also in an advanced stage. It has further been decided by the Lord Mayor to include the remaining coalfields, other than Kent, together with the iron ore fields of Cleveland and Cumberland within the area of application of the Fund, and grants will be made to those areas as soon as the necessary organization has been established. No sum has so far been paid into the Lord Mayor's Fund by the Treasury. The money voted by Parliament as a contribution to the Fund will be paid into it as required.

Are we to understand that, although at Christmas an appeal was made to the country pointing out the terrible distress that existed and that Parliament has been asked to grant money, no money has yet been granted? Is not the exact situation, as far as the Government are concerned, that no money has yet been paid?

The position is that some £570,000 has been subscribed; a comparatively small part of that has been disbursed and, therefore, up to now no Treasury Grant has been actually paid over to the Fund. It will be paid over as soon as required.

Do we understand that it is not required now? It is three weeks since Christmas. Does not the need now exist?

Most certainly the right hon. Gentleman is not to understand that. As he knows quite well, we have been setting up organisations in the various areas. Those organisations have to disburse the money. The rate at which the money can be disbursed depends upon those local organisations. Those local organisations are now getting going and they are disbursing the money, but up to now they have not required the full amount of the money which has hitherto been contributetd. They are now getting to work, and the money will be disbursed.