asked the Secretary of State for India whether he proposes to take any steps to secure that the 31 Labour and Youth Movement officials now on trial at Meerut shall be transferred to a court where they can be tried by jury?

No, Sir. The case has passed into the hands of the courts, and I am not prepared to interfere.

Was it not an executive decision to hold the trial at Meerut, and is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to reverse a decision made before his accession to office?

I have nothing to add to the answer, because, as the case has passed into the hands of the courts, I am not prepared to interfere.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this case is causing considerable ill-will in India against this country, and is he not prepared to do anything in the matter to relieve the state of strain?

I can add nothing to the answer which I have given to my hon. Friend. The case is before the court, and I cannot interfere.

Does the right hon. Gentleman subscribe to the opinion that the hon. Member has just put forward, that this case—

I do not think that that arises out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India what special arrangements have been made for the reporting of the proceedings of the Meerut trial for the Press; and why the Government of India has deputed the director of public information to Meerut for this purpose?

I have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press in India. I assume that the director of public information will arrange for the grant of all possible facilities to the usual agencies and I have telegraphed to make sure that this is done.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also make sure that the reports of this trial are not circulated through India and over here at the expense of the Government of India, instead of in the usual way?

Inasmuch as the ordinary agencies will have the opportunity of making their own reports, I think that probably the case is met.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the feeling concerning the question in India, he will consider the advisability of reversing the policy followed by the late Government in withholding from publication the report of the sub-committee of the Indian Sandhurst Committee?

Sir Andrew Skeen's Committee had this report before them and founded many of their conclusions on it, where necessary quoting it in extenso. My difficulty in consenting to publication is that it was understood by the witnesses that they were expressing personal and to some extent confidential views.

Is there any evidence that as many as one in ten thousand of the population in India has ever heard of this report?

The report and the inquiry are both very important matters, and I cannot see any reason why the hon. and gallant Gentleman should show contempt of them.

But has one in ten thousand ever heard of it?

asked the Secretary of State for India under which section of the Indian Penal Code or under what regulation or ordinance the order was issued restricting the movements of Mr. Pratul Chandra Ganguly, an ex-detenu, who was returned unopposed for Dacca in the recent elections to the Bengal Legislative Council?

I am informed by the Government of Bengal that there is no order in force restricting the movements of Mr. Pratul Chandra Ganguly.

asked the Secretary of State for India what status is held by the Indian Princes or their representative on the League of Nations and the International Labour Office; whether all the Indian Princes and the Indian States are represented by such representative; by whom he is appointed; and whether all the Indian States and Indian Princes, or only the Princes and States represented, are bound by the conventions or agreements entered into by such representative at Geneva?

An Indian Prince who is included in the Indian delegation to the Assembly of the League represents India as a whole in exactly the same way as the other members of the delegation, and is appointed by the Secretary of State in consultation with the Government of India. The question whether a convention or agreement which is accepted by the Indian delegation applies to the whole of India or only to British India depends entirely on its nature and terms and not on the way in which the delegation is composed.

Do I understand that he represents the whole of the States ruled over by Princes, as well as British India?

He represents India, in as much as India is a signatory to the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the legal adviser to the Foreign Office has been nominated for election as a Judge of the Permanent Court of International Justice and that the election will take place during the sittings of the forthcoming League of Nations Assembly, it is proposed that the legal adviser should attend the assembly as a delegate and engage in possibly controversial business down to the day of the election?

Sir Cecil Hurst as legal adviser to the Foreign Office has been included in the delegation each year since the commencement of the League. He has been closely connected with some of the legal questions on this year's agenda and I considered it desirable that he should complete his work. I am aware of no grounds for the suggestion that Sir Cecil Hurst's nomination for election to the Permanent Court disqualifies him in any way for the exercise of his normal routine duties at the Assembly.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment to-morrow night.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it will be the policy of the Government at the League of Nations Assembly in September to support any increase in the contribution payable by this country that may seem to be necessitated by the expanding work and increased responsibilities of the League of Nations?

The contribution of His Majesty's Government is a fixed proportion of the total expenditure of the League. Any additional expenditure necessitated by the work of the League will be considered by His Majesty's Government having regard to the importance of the work to be undertaken.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman intends to reverse the reactionary policy of the late Government in this matter?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Have all the other members of the League paid their proper quota towards these expenses?

I think all the other members have paid their quota, except one, and I think that is China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position in China?

I have been anxious to give the hon. Member as full information as possible, but as this would involve occupying the time of the House unduly at Question Time, I am arranging to have the statement circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Perhaps the item of major interest concerns the report that the Soviet Government have issued an ultimatum to the Chinese Government arising out of the situation in Manchuria. On this matter I have no information except that which has appeared in the Press.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what troops we have at Shanghai or in other parts?

I am afraid that I shall have to include that in the long statement which I propose to circulate.

As the Home Secretary has said that relations still exist with Russia, will the right hon. Gentleman appeal to the Soviet Republic to lay the Manchurian dispute before the League of Nations?

I will consider that when I get some official information, but at present, as I have stated, I have nothing but what appeared in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the political importance of Outer Mongolia and the fact that Urga, the capital, is an important point on trans-Asian trade routes, His Majesty's Government will apply to the Chinese Government for permission to appoint a Consul to Urga?

I am asking His Majesty's Minister at Peking for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that Skipper Warrender, of the Grimsby trawler "St. Malo," was recently fined 12,000 kroner for alleged breach of the Icelandic fishery laws; that an appeal has been lodged against this decision of the Icelandic court at Reykjavick; will be instruct His Majesty's Consul at Reykjavick to render all assistance possible to Skipper Warrender; and will be obtain a report of the court proceedings?

Yes, Sir. I have received a report to this effect, and am sending the necessary instructions to His Majesty's Consul-General at Reykjavik.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to see the report when he receives it?

If the hon. Member will see me, I will consider how far that is possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the complaints of West Country fishermen in respect of their loss of gear owing to the large number of wrecks lying on the sea-bottom in the English Channel; and if he is able to make any proposal for assistance towards these losses?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is yet in a position to be able to announce a policy of insurance of gear for those fishermen whose losses off the south coast of Devon and Cornwall have been so great because of the War wrecks?

I am well aware of the difficulties to which the questions refer, and have seriously considered the various proposals for alleviating them which have been put forward from time to time. I regret, however, that I have been unable to discover any practical means by which the Government could give assistance to the fishermen in the matter of losses of gear through contact with wrecks.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation representing the West Country fishermen on this important matter?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he has yet come to a conclusion in answer to a deputation which was received by the Minister on this matter only a short time ago?

No deputation has been received by me, but I searched the records for any proposals, and I did not find any that could be adopted.

May I take it from that that the right hon. Gentleman is not in favour of an insurance policy for gear?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to consider the advisability of establishing a separate Ministry of Fisheries?

The Government are fully alive to the importance of the fishing industry, and, while they are unable to adopt the proposal put forward by the hon. Member, I have no reason to suppose that the interests of the industry will suffer in any way in consequence.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to institute an official investigation into the problems of the fishing industry, with a view both to the development of the industry and to the amelioration of the lot of fishermen and their families; and, if so, what form will such investigation take and what will be the exact scope of the inquiry?

I have been asked to reply. The Fisheries Department, which is in daily contact with the fishing industry of England and Wales through the Coastal Staff of Inspectors and Fishery Officers, is familiar (with the problems of the industry, as I am assured is the Fishery Board for Scotland. I am, however, considering with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether there is any occasion for any formal official inquiry to supplement the general review in which we are both engaged.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a definite pledge that such an inquiry would be held was given at the last election, on the strength of which many fishermen were asked to support the party opposite?

I have already said that we are engaged in a general review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a definite pledge was given that, immediately a Labour Government was returned, an official investigation would be set on foot?

We are carrying out all our pledges.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see if this carrying out of pledges can be expedited for the benefit of the Opposition?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if any steps have yet been taken by his Department to assist the fishing port of Brixham, in Devon?

During the past 10 years Brixham Harbour undertaking has received generous assistance from the Exchequer. I will send my hon. Friend a statement on the subject, which is too long for an oral answer. My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry is going to discuss the financial situation of the harbour undertaking with representatives of the harbour authority on Wednesday next.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look on this harbour with as friendly an eye as his predecessor did?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has been able to take any steps to facilitate the improvement of the harbour at Staithes in the interests of the fishing community?

A scheme for the improvement of the Harbour of Staithes has been approved and arrangements have been made for Grants-in-aid through the Development Commission subject to a contribution from local sources. Tenders have been invited by the Harbour Commissioners, and it is hoped that the work will be commenced before the end of the summer.

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his efficient action.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if his attention has been called to the statement embodied in the recent Report on the economic situation in Italy that the position of the United Kingdom in the import trade of that country has fallen to fourth place in 1928 in contrast with second place in 1925; and if he will state the causes which have brought about the change?

I have been asked to reply. The fall to fourth place in the United Kingdom share of the Italian import trade is attributable in large measure to the heavy decrease in the value per ton of imported coal. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, coal forms by far the largest item in Italian imports from this country. The quantity imported from the United Kingdom was in 1928 only 4½ per cent. below 1925, but the value had fallen by nearly 40 per cent.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that that shows the folly of the general strike and the coal dispute?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether in view of the recommendations from time to time made by trade commissioners as to the possibility of improving trade in different parts of the Empire, he can state what steps are taken to bring to the notice of those branches of industry specially affected the advice which may be given by the commissioners; and whether he will instruct these commissioners to record in all future Reports any improvements which have been made in respect of the shortcomings to which they have called attention?

I have been asked to reply. The Department employs various methods for bringing to the notice of the commercial interests concerned the information and advice which is transmitted by overseas officers. If confidential it is issued by letter to selected recipients. If suitable for public circulation it may be communicated to suitable Press organs or published in volume form. Since under standing instructions officers report to the Department in regard to the effect of any action initiated by them, I hardly think that the new instructions suggested by the hon. Member are necessary.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has received communications from chambers of commerce and various trade organisations on the contemplated changes in the United States tariffs; and if representations have been made to the Government of the United States on the subject?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the effect upon our export trade of the proposed United States tariff, he has yet taken any steps to register a protest?

I have received some communications on the subject of the proposed tariff increases, but no representations have, up to the present, been made to the United States Government by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The matter is being carefully watched.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say when he contemplates that representations will be made by His Majesty's Government to the United States Government?

I do not think it is possible at the moment to add anything to the answer which I have already given.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the gravity of the situation to the trade of this country?

I have already stated that the position is being carefully watched by the Government.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary urge the Cabinet to do their best to induce all other countries to reduce their tariff walls?

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that these proposed changes are having a much worse effect upon our trade than up the trade of any other country; and, in view of the fact that 40 other countries have sent representations, will he also send representations to the United States?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government in Great Britain have received any telegraphic comments from any of the Dominions, Possessions, or Colonies upon the proposals of the Government in regard to Imperial Preference; and, if so, whether he will communicate the same to the House?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As the hon. Member will have gathered from Press reports, a telegram has been received from the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia. With regard to the second part of the question, as has been explained to the House on many occasions in recent years, it would be impossible for there to be a frank interchange of views between the Prime Ministers of the various parts of the Empire if the course suggested in the question were adopted.

Have any communications been received from Queensland?

I think not, but I should like notice.

What opportunity does the hon. Gentleman sug- gest the House should have of being informed on this matter before it is asked to take a decision?

The right hon. Gentleman will understand that piecemeal publication of telegraphic communications from the Dominions would be very undesirable.

I accept the objection to piecemeal publication, but, when the correspondence is complete, will the hon. Gentleman see that it is laid?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question.

How did this first dispatch get into the Press?

I have no control over the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the report of the Uganda Cotton Inquiry Commission recommending immediate legislation to fix a minimum price for the growers; whether he is aware that at present Empire cotton growing is suffering from a serious set-back owing to low prices; and whether, to make the Cabinet plans to stimulate cotton growing in the Empire effective, the Government proposes, first of all, to deal with cotton prices as suggested?

I have seen a summary in the Press, but it is not expected that copies of the Report will be available in this country for a few weeks. In the meantime, I can only assure the hon. Member that the Report, and the recommendations contained in it relating to the fixing of cotton prices, will receive the most careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that advertisements have been inserted in the newspapers on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board urging the public to buy Irish eggs and Irish butter; and whether, in view of the state of agriculture, he will take steps to discontinue advertisements paid for by the British taxpayers of produce from countries that give us no preference in their markets?

The declared policy of the Empire Marketing Board is to invite the public to buy first the produce of their own country, and next the produce of the other parts of the Empire. Full weight has been given to the claims of the home producer in every branch of the Board's activities, and during the last few months, in addition to much general publicity on behalf of the home farmer, special press advertisements have been widely inserted in favour of such homo agricultural products as National Mark Eggs, Tomatoes and Cucumbers. In reply to the second part of the question, without discussing the principle involved, I would remind the hon. Member that it is not the case that no preference is accorded by the Irish Free State.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the cause of the serious decline in the export of grindstones to the United States of America in 1928?

I am unable to say what was the particular cause of the decrease in exports of grindstones from this country to the United States in 1923. Those exports have been decreasing since 1924, and the total imports of grindstones entered for consumption in the United States have also decreased markedly in the same period. It is known that the use of artificial abrasives has been increasing.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the preparation of another report on the lines of the 1925 Report on the Agricultural Output of England and Wales?

It is proposed to take the next census of agricultural production in the year 1930–1931 and the results will subsequently be embodied in a report as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage of land lost to agriculture since 1925 by being built upon or absorbed by local authorities, local government legislation, and others for schemes of planning, development, and drainage, etc.?

I regret that this information is not available.

Is it not a fact that hundreds of thousands of acres of good agricultural land are being taken away every year from agriculture by these big roads and buildings, and is that in the interests of agriculture?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what action, if any, the Government propose to take on the Report of the Standing Committee on Tomatoes?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether an Order will be made for the marking of tomatoes imported into this country in accordance with the recommendations of the Committee under the Merchandise Marks Acts?

I would refer the hon. Members to the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds (Mr. Guinness) on 11th July, in reply to a similar question, from which they will see that the matter is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to an excess of weeds in Barton Stacey; and whether he will serve an appropriate notice upon the delinquent?

The position in regard to certain land at Barton Stacey has been engaging the attention of my Department for some time past. As recently as last week notices were served calling upon the occupiers to cut or destroy injurious weeds on the land within three weeks from the date of the notice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the serious financial condition of many agriculturists and the disparity which exists between the prices paid for cattle, corn, fruit, and vegetables, and the prices charged to the public for these commodities, he proposes to take any action in the matter: and, if so, upon what lines?

As I stated, in reply to a question put to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) on 4th July, the situation envisaged by the hon. Member illustrates the need for improved marketing methods, a subject which is engaging the close attention of my Department.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of calling together a three-party conference to deal with this urgent matter? As the Prime Minister urged us to co-operate with the Government, does he not think that this is a suitable matter for a conference of the three parties to try and find an agreed solution?

I am afraid that question does not arise. Perhaps the hon. Member will put down another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government have under consideration the compulsory provision and use of weighing facilities at all public auctions where fat pigs are sold?

The Pig Industry Council, which sits under the ægis of my Department, has recently discussed this matter with the National Farmers' Union. The Union is proceeding to consult its county branches whose views will, no doubt, be shortly available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will supply the average rate of wages and average standard of working hours of farm workers in those European countries which are importing food and farm produce into Great Britain?

The conditions of employment and the classification of farm workers in different European countries varies so greatly that it is impossible to prepare any tabular statement showing average wages and hours which would not prove misleading. I am, however, sending to my hon. Friend separate particulars respecting the wages and hours of agricultural workers in a number of European countries which I trust will be of interest to him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he intends to introduce legislation to increase the number of small holdings?

I am not in a position at present to make any announcement on this matter.

Are we to take it that the right hon. Gentleman has no intention of introducing legislation on these lines before Christmas?

I think it will be better to wait and see.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications for small holdings made to the county councils under the Small Holdings Act, 1926; the number approved; the total acreage applied for; and what steps are being taken to satisfy the requirements of the applicants?

As the reply is rather long, I propose, with my hon. Friend's permission, Jo circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the fact that while producers and wholesalers, under the egg-marking scheme, sell their eggs in three grades, the retailers either mix them to the general public or sell them without stating what grade they are selling; and will he consider introducing legislation to protect the consumer?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The problem is largely one of educating the consumer, and, in the first instance, I am considering what further steps can be taken in this direction.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this is an increasing trouble of the consumer—that, owing to the recent legislation on this subject, there has been a considerable amount of mixing of eggs, and that the consumer suffers?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is quite correct, and steps are being taken to educate the consumer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is in a position to give any information as to the agricultural legislation which he proposes to introduce this Session?

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he intends to make a statement of the Government's policy on agriculture?

I am exploring the action, both administrative and legislative, which will be necessary and practicable in order to carry out the agricul- tural policy of the Government, and I hope to be able to make a statement in due course.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to adopt the Majority Report of the inter-Departmental Committee on Agricultural Unemployment Insurance, submitted to the Minister of Agriculture in August, 1926, in favour of the extension to agricultural workers of insurance against unemployment?

As my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary informed the hon. and gallant Member for Buckrose (Major Braithwaite) on 10th July, the question of unemployment insurance for agricultural workers is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Prime Minister if, before the Summer Adjournment, he will abolish the genuinely seeking work restriction of the Unemployment Acts and the waiting period, and indicate what increase in unemployment benefit is to be made?

I have been asked to reply. While we are seeking to humanise the administration wherever it is possible, these changes could not be made without legislation; and, with regard to this, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. A. Bevan) on 10th July.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us roughly what he means by the word "humanise"?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in schemes of development for promoting employment such as road making, he will in the case of Government schemes insist and, in the case of other developments, advise that all material used should be British; or whether he will lay down as a maxim that for materials of equal quality purchases should be made in the cheapest market?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Minister of Transport. I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply which my hon. Friend gave on the 9th July to the hon. Member for the Bosworth Division (Sir W. Edge), and of which I am sending him a copy.