asked the Secretary of State for India when it is expected that the first Indian naval cadets or candidates for naval commissions will arrive for training in the Royal Navy; and how many of these gentlemen is it proposed to train in a year?

The answer to the first part is, in September next provided that qualified candidates are forthcoming. Three vacancies are being offered on the present occasion. As regards the second part, there is no fixed annual number, and I am afraid I cannot give any reliable estimate, since the Service is small and the rate of recruitment problematical.

Provided suitable candidates are available, will my right hon. Friend consider increasing the number of entrants so as to make up the loss?

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, the proportion has been fixed, and I do not think that at present I can alter that proportion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether India has started to build any warships on which these officers can be trained?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for India if it is his intention to visit India before the Statutory Commission reports?

I have already stated on 4th November that such is not my intention.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the increase of preventable malaria in Bengal and the recent Report of Sir Malcolm Watson to the Ross Institute for an inquiry; whether he will follow the precedent of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, who instituted an inquiry that led to the stamping out of Mediterranean fever; and whether he will immediately promote liaison work with British Guiana, where a similar problem with part East Indian population has been successfully dealt with?

So far as I am aware there has been no increase in malaria in Bengal in recent years. I understand that Sir Malcolm Watson's suggestion was that an inquiry should be made as to whether the embankments of the Ganges Delta produce conditions favourable to malaria, and, if so, whether a remedy could be found. This matter is now engaging the attention of the Government of Bengal. I may add that a chair of malariology will be established in the new Rockefeller Institute in Calcutta.

Is it not a fact that no policy has yet been given out that would really reduce malaria, that it requires a great deal more inquiry, and would it not be a good thing to institute a Government inquiry with the different Departments concerned with India and the Colonies generally?

That is a much wider question. I have stated what steps are being taken in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action the Government of India intend to take in view of the rejection by the Indian Legislative Assembly of the proposal of the Government to appoint a European officer of the Indian medical service as a whole-time commissioner of medical qualifications and standards; and whether the creation of this post was proposed as an alternative to the creation of a Government commission on medical qualifications and standards or as an expedient pending the setting up of such permanent machinery?

The demand for a grant for the expenses of this appointment was not rejected by the Legislative Assembly, as the House was adjourned before the termination of the Debate on it. The Government of India are consulting the Provincial Governments as to the measures to be adopted to meet the situation and to secure the continued recognition of Indian medical degrees. The creation of the post was proposed as a temporary measure pending the establishment, by legislative enactment, of an All-India Medical Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in regard to the recommendation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, made 10 years ago, that the process of revising land revenue assessment ought to be brought under closer regulation by statute, any further progress has been made towards implementing this recommendation in those provinces where legislation giving effect to this principle has not been passed?

So far as I am aware, the position is still as described in the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on the 22nd July.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any action is to be taken on the recommendation of the Indian Trade Mission, set up by the Government of India, that Indian trade commissioners should be appointed at Alexandria, Mombasa, and Durban?

I have no information, but will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed, at the conference of British Indian leaders and rulers of Indian States to be convened after the publication of the Report of the Statutory Commission on Indian Constitutional Reform, to make provision for the inclusion of the representatives of the peoples of the Indian States?

So far as the Indian States are concerned, the questions which it is contemplated will be discussed at the Conference will be confined to the broad question of constitutional policy, in regard to which the acknowledged rulers of Indian States are the only persons who can speak with authority. Questions concerning the internal government of the States will not arise at the Conference.

BECKETT asked the Secretary of State for India how much money has been allocated up to date to meet the costs of the prosecution in the Meerut conspiracy trial; how much the prosecution is spending per diem on special lawyers and witnesses; whether any witnesses have been sent from England to India, and, if so, how many; whether any of these witnesses are in public employment in Britain; to what sum of money the total cost of the prosecution in the Meerut conspiracy case is expected to amount; and from what funds this expenditure of public money is being met?

I have no information except that contained in a reply given in the Legislative Assembly on the 5th September, of which I will send my hon. Friend a copy. Nine witnesses have been sent out from England, all of whom are in public employment.

I thank my right hon. Friend very much for the information which he is sending me, but can he tell me whether these nine people who are in Government employment are members of the British Police Force or the Civil Service, or what kind of public employment they hold?

With pleasure: They represent three departments—Scotland Yard, the Post Office, and the Passport Office.

asked the Secretary of State for India what duties are placed on the imports of British cotton goods into India; whether the duties on British cotton goods are lower than those on foreign cotton goods; and whether, in view of the prevailing depression in the cotton industry, he will make efforts to secure for British cotton goods imported into India more favourable terms?

The duty on all cotton piece goods whether of British or foreign origin is 11 per cent. ad valorem, while that on cotton yarn is 5 per cent. or l½ annas per pound, whichever is higher. The hon. Member is no doubt aware of the freedom of tariff policy enjoyed by India under the Fiscal Autonomy Convention.

In view of the state of the cotton industry, will he endeavour to secure better terms?

I could not dream of interfering with the Fiscal Autonomy Convention which has now existed for some time.

Does the right hon. Gentleman approve of that policy for India?

That is the policy from which I do not intend to depart.

Do you approve of it?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has made representations to the Government in India with a view to securing a preference for British products in the terms of all contracts under their control; and, if not, whether he will consider doing so?

I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of my answer of 18th November which replies to the question he now asks.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has been in communication with the Government of India respecting the possibilities of increasing the market in India for British products; and, if not, whether, in the interests of employment in this country, he will appoint a British trade mission to visit India?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I do not think any useful purpose would be served at present by action of the kind suggested. I would remind the hon. Member that the existing organisation in India of the Department of Overseas Trade is in constant touch with the commercial situation. The Senior Trade Commissioner is at present in this country, where he has during the past few months visited many of the Chambers of Commerce and addressed trade associations on commercial matters besides interviewing a large number of individual firms.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has been informed by the Argentine Government if the tariff concessions granted to this country by the Argentine Government under the Anglo-Argentine agreement will be extended to other countries?

No, Sir. I should explain that His Majesty's Government, whilst they welcome reduced duties, do not seek preferential treatment as against other countries.

In regard to artificial silk, the concessions in regard to lower duties that have been given on our silk goods in the Argentine can be given on equal terms to Germany, France, Italy, and other countries?

We have no information on that point. There is nothing in the agreement to prevent them giving the concessions, but we have no reason to think that they will give them.

As this is a matter of great importance, will the hon. Member get definite information and give it to the House?

asked the Prime Minister whether, and when, the trade agreement with the Argentine will be brought up for consideration in this House before it is put into operation?

I understand the hon. Member's question to refer to the offer of the Argentine Government, under certain conditions, to reduce the duty on artificial silk. As already explained to the House, no action is contemplated on the part of His Majesty's Government except a declaration of existing policy, and I see no reason for submitting the matter formally to the House.

May I ask whether the declaration made by the Government will include the prohibition of any kind of imports from any other country?

The hon. Member had perhaps better address that question to the Department concerned. I have only answered from the point of view of the Business of the House.

May we know whether this is not the declaration made by the British Ambassador at Buenos Ayres on condition of which we have this reduction?

As I said, if the hon. Member desires to find that out, perhaps he will be good enough to put a question to the Department concerned.

Is the nature of this undertaking such that the future policy of this country will also be governed by it? Does that follow?

The hon. Member is now going beyond the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether, Soviet Russia having recently signed the Kellogg pact and being now engaged in war with the Chinese forces, he will consult the cosignatories to the Kellogg pact as to the steps that can be immediately taken to maintain and uphold such pact;

(2) whether he can give the House the latest information in relation to the present fighting between the Soviet and Chinese forces, particularly as to the massacres by Soviet troops of workmen who had taken refuge in the Dalai Nor mines?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the state of war which exists on the Russo-Chinese frontier; and whether either the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics or the Government of the Chinese Republic have taken any steps to submit their dispute to the League of Nations?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether the Chinese Government have approached him, through their representative, in order to ask His Majesty's Government in Great Britain to support their application to the League of Nations to intervene so as to prevent further hostilities between their forces and those of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics; whether he has been approached in the matter by any of the organisations devoted to peace in this country; and what action he proposes to take;

(2) if he has any information to show the number of casualties which have occurred as a result of hostilities in recent months between the forces of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and those of the Chinese Republic; and whether he will state, for the information of British nationals in China, whether a state of war exists between the two countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether he can make any statement as to the present position in Manchuria;

(2) whether he has been approached by the Chinese Government with a view to any action being taken by the Council of the League of Nations in respect of recent events in Manchuria?

Under instructions from his Government the United States Ambassador has invited the co-operation of His Majesty's Government in the issue of joint representations to the Chinese and Soviet Governments in regard to the situation in Manchuria, calling the attention of those Governments to their obligations under the Kellogg Pact.

I have agreed that His Majesty's Government should be associated in such representations, and they are now being made to both Governments, and we have arranged with the Government of the United States to publish a Press statement simultaneously to-morrow morning. As to the existence of a state of war, I can only say that as far as I know neither the Chinese nor the Soviet Government have informed any other Government that they consider themselves at war.

To the best of my belief the Chinese Government have taken no definite steps to bring the dispute before the League of Nations, but on the 28th of November the Chinese Minister informed me that his Government contemplated such an appeal and asked for my views on the matter. I pointed out the difficulty that arose owing to the Soviet Union not being a member of the League, and informed him of the action of the United States Government. The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs has informed His Majesty's Minister that, now that Chinese territory has been occupied, he feels the matter must go to the League of Nations.

There appears to be reason for believing that an armistice has been arranged. According to a telegram from His Majesty's Consul-General at Mukden, the Mukden authorities sent to Moscow on the 28th November a telegram accepting the Soviet terms for re-opening negotiations. The Chinese negotiators left Harbin on the 30th November for Habarovsk.

On the 28th November 12 bombs were dropped by Soviet aeroplanes on Pokotu Station. These attacks were continued on the 29th November.

In the reports on the military operations in Manchuria which I have received mention is made of heavy losses, but I have no figures of the casualties on either side, nor have I any confirmation of the Press reports of a massacre of Chinese miners at Chalainor.

I have received a resolution from the Welsh National Council of the League of Nations appealing for an early meeting of the Council of the League to deal with the Manchurian situation.

Is it not a fact that, although only one country has signed the Covenant of the League, there are provisions made in that Covenant by which steps can be taken in a case like this?

Yes. The statement which has been made by the right hon. Gentleman is strictly accurate, but we felt, and the other Powers felt, that is was very much better, in view of the fact that they were both members who had signed the Kellogg Pact, and that we should act more effectively in that way than by taking it to the League in the first instance.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any notice from any other member of the Council that this matter is being raised at the Council of the League?

No notice has reached me to that effect.

Might I ask whether, as the right hon. Gentleman stated that a state of war does not exist between these two Powers—[ Interruption ]. Well, might I ask the right hon. Gentleman what advice he gives to those nationals of His Majesty's Government who may be doing business in China as to their legal position?

I think that is so important a question that it should be placed upon the Order Paper.

It is on the Paper. May I call the attention of the right hon. Gentleman to the last paragraph of my question No. 17?

I have answered the question as to whether a state of war exists, but not the second part of the supplementary question. That is the important part.

May we take it that it is not the intention of the Government to call the attention of the Council of the League to the matter?

Not at the moment, until we see whether the effort which is being made generally by the Powers who have signed the Kellogg Pact is sufficiently effective for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at what date an exchange of ambassadors between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government will take place?

I am not in a position to give the exact date, but I hope that both Ambassadors will proceed to their posts in the course of the next few days.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to the arrest of—

Order!

That does not arise out of the question. I have already received a question to that effect and did not allow it to be put upon the Order Paper.

I understood that this question could be asked by way of a supplementary.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the delay in the exchange of Ambassadors is due to any fresh difficulties that have arisen since the discussion took place some weeks ago?

No, not at all. The hon. Member must be aware that there are a good many arrangements that have to be completed before Ambassadors under such conditions as exist, can be exchanged.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the arrangements include an expression by the Soviet Government that their understanding is the same as that of His Majesty's Government?

Answer!

That is going a long way beyond the question upon the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any communications from M. Dovgalevsky, or a representative of the Soviet Government, since the issue of the White Paper, Cmd. 3418; and, if so, whether he will state their nature?

No communication has been received by His Majesty's Government from Monsieur Dovgalevsky since the issue of the White Paper. The only communications received from the Soviet Government since that date have been transmitted to His Majesty's Gov- ernment through the good offices of the Norwegian Government, and have been of a routine nature relating to the arrangements for the exchange of diplomatic missions.

Why should it be necessary to go through the Norwegian Government?

The system of communicating through the Norwegian Government was established by my right hon. Friend the previous Secretary of State, and I hope presently to extend great thanks on behalf of His Majesty's Government for the magnificent work that they have done.

Is it still necessary?

Yes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Soviet Government to the recent statement made by the Third Internationale?

rose —

Mr. Godfrey Locker-Lampson.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Chinese Government have communicated their intention of denouncing on 1st January next the extra-territoriality clauses of the treaties with foreign Powers; and, if so, what action His Majesty's Government propose to take in the matter?

The Chinese Government have announced their intention to abolish extraterritoriality on the 1st January next. They are aware of our desire to enter into negotiations on the subject of extraterritoriality in a liberal and friendly spirit, and that His Majesty's Minister in Peking is endeavouring to initiate discussions. The Chinese Minister has been informed that the denunciation of the extraterritoriality clauses of the treaties would prejudice the prospect of a satisfactory issue. The Chinese Government will doubtless give weight to these considerations and I hope that, in the circumstances, they will not in fact carry their declared intention into execution.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the number of cases during the previous 12 months in which he was able to make grants for surgical appliances out of the voluntary funds at his disposal?

During the 12 months ended 31st October, 1929, 81 grants were made from the voluntary fund for the purchase of surgical appliances.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what the cost of the voluntary fund was, and does he not think that it should now be paid out of Government funds?

I have not the figures before me as to the cost. I should have to take the further point into consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) on what basis pensions will be assessed in those cases where application is submitted more than seven years from first removal from duty and entitlement admitted by the Government; will pension or allowance be granted for any degree of disablement as laid down in the Royal Warrant, or is it proposed to grant pension only in those cases where there is substantial incapacity; and, in the event of an award being given under the scheme recently announced by the Government, will the men have the same right of appeal to a medical appeal board on the grounds of dissatisfaction or deterioration as those dealt with under seven years;

(2) whether he will inform the House of the position of the widow of a man who, at the date of his death, was in receipt of a pension or allowance under the Government scheme for dealing with over seven years' cases; whether such widow will have a statutory right to appeal against the rejection of her claim to the House of Lords Tribunal under Article 17B of the 1924 Warrant or whether the fact that the pension or allowance to the late husband was in the nature of a special sanction award, and not a warrant provision, will debar such widow from the right of appeal; and whether the provisions of Article 17A of the 1924 Warrant will also apply to such widows?

With the hon. and gallant Member's permission, I will answer at the same time both his questions, which raise issues touching the statement I made in the House on the 18th ultimo. With regard to the hon. and gallant Member's first question, no change is contemplated in the existing principles of compensation, which are proper to the special character of these belated claims. Where grounds for dissatisfaction with an award on the score of worsening are shown, they will be considered. With regard to the second question, arrangements are in operation enabling the widow of the pensioner in the case mentioned to apply for pension and to have her case considered under the like conditions to those embodied in Article 17A and B of the Royal Warrant, though, naturally, as the hon. and gallant Member has surmised, the particular form of appeal referred to will not be available.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of re-opening the question of pensions for pre-War pensioned ranker officers of the Army with a view to placing them on a more satisfactory basis?

I have been asked to reply. The question has been under review on many occasions, and was fully considered by a specially appointed Committee whose Report was accepted by the House in 1925. In these circumstances there are no grounds for re-opening this matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is proposed in any way to alter or vary the scale of naval pensions as contained in Command Paper No. 149, of 1919; and if he is aware that, such pensions being insufficient to maintain the pensioned rating, such rating has to compete in the labour market for work to supplement such pension in order to maintain life?

There is no proposal under consideration to alter the scales of Navy Pensions, either in regard to present pensioners or to men now serving, and I am unable to recommend any increase on the grounds represented by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the reasons for the impracticability of the proposal to have a certain percentage of British wheat flour used in every British loaf, seeing that this is already being done in Germany?

As the reply is necessarily long, I propose, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Although the answer may be long, would not the advantage thoroughly outweigh the disadvantage, to the benefit, not of agriculture, but of employment?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will read my answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it a fact that a certain percentage of British flour is used in every German loaf?

Following is the reply:

I would explain that conditions in this country and in Germany are very different. In Germany the amount of the home crop of wheat represents, on average, about 60 per cent. of her requirements, whereas, in this country, the proportion is about 20 per cent. while, if allowance is made for that part of the home crop used for purposes other than milling, e.g., seed, poultry food, etc., the proportion of native wheat in the supplies of flour for all purposes is about 15 per cent.

It is clear, therefore, that the bulk of wheat flour in Germany must normally contain a substantial admixture of native wheat and that, consequently, insistence on a fixed proportion of such wheat, provided it is not too high, would not be likely to involve interference with the bread eating habits of the population or with the milling industry. In this country, on the other hand, where most of the flour used in bread-making contains little or no native wheat, the compulsory admixture of a fixed proportion of such wheat would act as a handicap on the milling and baking industries.

Moreover, in this country the supplies of native wheat are so small in proportion to the total supplies that the greatest difficulty would be experienced in fixing annually the proportion of native wheat to be used in the admixture at a level which would create an additional demand for native wheat sufficient to benefit farmers without, at the same time, enabling sellers to dictate prices. In Germany, on the other hand, there is less risk of this not only because the proportion of native wheat is so much higher, but also owing to the margin of safety provided by the fact that the population are accustomed to a higher rate of extraction of wheat in the flour and also to the use of rye and potato flour.

As I indicated a few days ago in my reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member on the same subject, I hope that the object which he has in mind may be achieved voluntarily through the medium of the National Mark Flour Scheme. For this reason and also because of the considerations which I have mentioned, I am not prepared to adopt the proposal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that a large amount of the wheat which is being imported into this country from Germany is being produced as the result of the labour of women and girls who work for nine hours a day for 3d. per hour; and, seeing that this is not a fair remuneration, whether he will undertake to introduce legislation that will afford protection to the British agriculturist against such conditions of labour?

I have had inquiries made as to the agricultural wages paid in Germany, especially in East Prussia and Silesia, and I am informed that the pro- portion of the work of cultivation and harvesting which is undertaken by women and girls in the case of cereals is very small. The rate mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member for women and girls is approximately correct in regard to East Prussia and Silesia for permanent day workers, but qualification must be made in regard to overtime, payments in kind, and piece-work.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to the last part of my question?

The Government are not contemplating legislation.

Are we to understand that the Socialist Government practise one thing and preach another?

Is it not a fact that there are thousands of small holdings in Germany where the families work for themselves and not for a "boss" class?

That is so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the wages paid in Germany are inadequate, and will he take steps to protect the workers in this country?

In making inquiries into female labour, did the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the figure paid for male labour?

If the hon. Member will put down a question, I shall be glad to go into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also discover whether the wages were any higher when large quantities of grain were imported from Germany during the period of the last Government?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has consulted the Foreign Secretary and the President of the Board of Trade as to some steps to be taken to protect our producers against the unfair dumping of German oats; and whether he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government thereon?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the last part, I can add nothing to the statements which my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and I have made on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, as the German Government have given notice that they are increasing the subsidy on exported cereals from February next, he will say what is to be the amount of bounty for licences given; and whether he anticipates an increased amount of German oats imported on our markets next year?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has received any information as to the intentions of the German Government with regard to an increase in the export bounties on German wheat; what is the alteration proposed; and whether this charge will have any adverse effect on the agricultural interests of this country?

I understand the position to be that the German Government is not able to increase the rates at which import bonds are issued beyond the present level so long as the German Swedish Commercial Treaty remains in force. I have not, as yet, any official information that this Treaty will be terminated in February next.

Then I take it that what was stated in the Press last week was not true, and that we are not going to put up prices?

It is essentially a hypothetical question, because we have no information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he classes arable farming in East Anglia among the depressed sections of agriculture; and, if so, what, if any, proposals he has made or intends to make to assist this section of the industry;

(2) what proposals he has made, or intends to make, to prevent the laying down to grass of land now growing cereals; and what plans he has for finding employment for the farm workers who will be thrown out of employment unless steps are taken to put the growing of corn on a profitable basis;

(3) whether he is aware that wheat-growing is an essential part of arable cultivation on the heavy lands in Suffolk; and what proposals he has made, or intends to make, to assist those who farm heavy lands to meet the competition of bounty-fed imports of wheat?

I recognise that a great part of the arable farming of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk has been suffering for some years from depression; that wheat growing is generally held to be an essential part of arable cultivation on the heavy lands in Suffolk and that the laying down to grass is a feature of the depression. I may add that the hon. Member exaggerates the effect of the competition of continental wheat as compared with the competition of wheat from other parts of the world, notably, Argentina. I am not prepared to single out one part of the country for special treatment, but East Anglia will, I hope, benefit not least from the general measures of interest to agriculture referred to in the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Gravesend on 25th November. I may remind the hon. Member that the severity of the depression has been mitigated to a very considerable extent by the sugar beet subsidy which was initiated by the Labour Government in 1924.

May I ask when the right hon. Gentleman proposes to expound to the House these general measures, useful and necessary to agriculture, to which he refers in his reply. When are we to have the advantage of knowing what these measures are?

Answer!

That question has been asked several times this Session.

Is it not about time that we had a definite answer?

On a point of Order.

Brigadier-General Clifton Brown.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the policy of the Government in regard to the stabilisation of prices by the collective purchase of imported grain and meat?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Kedward) on 18th November, of which I am sending him a copy.

In view of the urgency and importance of this question, will the right hon. Gentleman publish a Memorandum or White Paper containing the views of the Government at the earliest possible moment?

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he will state the policy of the Government in regard to the transference of land to public ownership;

(2) whether he will state the policy of the Government in regard to the establishment of security of tenure for efficient farmers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the policy of the Government in regard to the provision of credit on easy terms?

The Government have no present intention of introducing legislation on these subjects.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say why his party promised to do so at the last General Election?

On a point of Order. The Minister of Agriculture has constantly referred in this House to the proposals of the Government with regard to agriculture, and this House knows nothing of them.

That point has already been put several times.

Will my right hon. Friend cause inquiries to be made, through the usual channels, of the Members below the Gangway opposite as to whether they will support the proposals for national ownership of the land?

With pleasure.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state the quantity of half-meat cheese imported into this country from Holland, as promised to a recent deputation by the Parliamentary Secretary?

Precise information as to imports of half-meat cheese of Cheshire type from Holland is not available, but I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the letter which, as promised, was addressed by my right hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, to several Members of this House with whom he discussed this matter recently.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Cheshire County Council very much disagreed with some of the points raised?

I am not aware of that fact.

SMITH asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will arrange for the coming agricultural conference to give consideration to the benefits that have been conferred upon the farmers by the reduction of railway freights on farm produce, feeding stuffs, and fertilisers, with a view to a decision being reached as to whether the maximum is being done along these lines to assist the agricultural industry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if, in the forthcoming discussions of the conference on agriculture, he will include in the agenda the subject of the alteration in modern times of the incidence of the tithe rent charge, owing to the great increase in the cost of production on agricultural land; and whether he will invite to the conference a representative of the tithe payers as such?

I propose, with the concurrence of the hon. Members, to answer this and question number 59 together. I would refer the hon. Members to the reply which I gave to a question by the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Grenville) on the 28th November, of which I am sending them copies. I am not prepared to adopt the proposal in the last part of the question by the hon. Member for Ashford (Mr. Kedward).

Later —

On a point of Order. When was Question 59 answered? I see no other question on the Paper relating to tithe rent-charge.

That question was answered in conjunction with Question number 56.

But that has nothing about tithe rent-charge, and I cannot conceive that the answer should be the same to both questions.

The matter is to be referred to the proposed agricultural conference, and I thought that justified my taking them together.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave unrest in agricultural areas over tithe rent-charge, and does he think it sufficient to cover it in a general way as he has done by linking it with another question?

Yes, I attempted to deal with that in the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any information showing whether bounties are paid in the Argentine Republic on cereals for export, or if an export duty is levied upon wheat, oats, and maize; and, if the latter be the case, what are the respective duties?

No bounty is paid on the export of cereals from the Argentine. There is a provision by which export duties are levied when the current prices, as determined monthly by a Committee, are in excess of certain fixed basic prices, the rate of duty being 12 per cent. on this excess. For the month of November no export duty was leviable on wheat or oats; on maize it was leviable at the rate of 84 cents gold per 1,000 kilogrammes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, since the abolition of the entrance fee to Kew Gardens, the constabulary are still performing gate duty, although losing in allowances 3s. 4d. per week; and whether, in view of the fact that, even despite the recent increase of 1s. a week, these men are now receiving less than before, he will restore the fee mentioned in respect of the gate work done?

As entrance fees are now payable on only two days instead of on seven days a week, there is no justification for payment of the normal gate money allowance except on those two days. I regret, therefore, that I do not see my way to give effect to the suggestion of the hon. Member. I might add that while the loss of allowance is 3s. 4d. per gate, it is not much more than 1s. per constable, and the constables generally are not receiving less pay now than they did before the abolition of entrance fees.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in considering the recent disaster which involved loss of life and much damage to material of our fishing fleet, he will confer with the Air Minister to see whether the latest meteorological information with regard to the approach of bad weather from any quarter can be signalled by wireless to all fishing fleets at any time of the day or night?

I think the present arrangement under which gale warnings are broadcast at fixed times is preferable, as it enables skippers who have receiving sets to listen in at the right moment. It is as a rule impracticable to provide for continuous listening in on fishing vessels, as they have a very limited personnel.

Is not my right hon. Friend aware that at present these warnings are given at a time which is inconvenient to skippers; they have usually already gone to sea?

I will certainly take notice of that point.

Is it not true that some of these unfortunate boats received storm warnings and disregard them?

I have not heard that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange that the gales take place at times convenient to the skippers?

Shame!

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to inquire whether there is not a little danger owing to the change of time of these warnings, and whether it would not be advisable to have one fixed time, whatever may be the programme at the time, so that there will be one standard time for these warnings?

The Fishery Department will consult the fishermen concerned and will certainly try and meet their convenience.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the proposal of His Majesty's Government of the Dominion of Canada to invite certain foreign countries to participate in an international conference on trawling and the manner of regulating it; and whether he views the proposal favourably?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have received no communication from His Majesty's Government in Canada on the subject.

May I be allowed to repeat this question in a fortnight's time?

indicated assent.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to consider the reviving and restocking of the shell fisheries in suitable areas as a means of creating employment; and whether he received any Report from the Conway Research Station?

In regard to the results of experiments in oyster breeding conducted at Conway, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member on 25th November. I am, however, considering with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health proposals for the establishment of mussel cleansing tanks, on the model of those in use at Conway, in certain mussel fishing areas at present closed on public health grounds. With regard to the second part of the question, a comprehensive and most valuable report on the cleansing of polluted mussels was published in the first week of this year. The hon. Member will find reports on all the activities of the Conway station from year to year in the annual reports of my Department on Sea Fisheries. I am fully informed of the work of that station, which I recently visited in order to study it more closely.

Will the right hon. Gentleman refer this matter to the Lord Privy Seal in view of the suggestion that these fisheries might provide a source of fresh employment?

If the hon. Gentleman has any proposals which bear directly on the question of employment, I hope he will give details of them.

I have been giving details for the last three months.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state what steps have been taken, or are proposed to be taken, to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Commons which in 1913 unanimously reported to the House in favour of the introduction of a Bill to facilitate the regulation by local authorities of common lands?

I am afraid that I can hold out no hope of introducing early legislation in regard to this matter.

If the right hon. Gentleman receives applications from local authorities in connection with this matter, will he give favourable consideration to them?

Certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to ask the House to pass any of the stages of the Bill for the reduction of working hours in mines before the Christmas Recess?

I hope that a Bill will be introduced during this week to deal with this and other important matters affecting the re-organisation of the coal mining industry, and we shall ask the House to proceed with this Bill as rapidly as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the readiness of foreign coal producers to export to this country whenever there is any interference with the coal market, he will bear in mind, in connection with any legislation raising the price of home coal, the certainty of competitive imports from abroad; and whether any precautionary measures are contemplated?

The point to which the hon. Member calls attention is obviously one which those responsible for the conduct of the coal industry in this country must always have in mind in connection with the administration of marketing schemes.

Do not the Government propose to do anything to assist the home producers?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether, in view of the recent mine disasters, His Majesty's Government will set up a committee to inquire into mine accidents and measures of prevention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol North (Mr. Ayles) on the 18th July last, of which I am sending him a copy. The problem is a many-sided one, and different aspects of it are already the subject of inquiry by committees of experts and in other ways. As further inquiries on the prevention of particular classes of accident prove to be necessary, they will be undertaken. I believe that, by specialisation in these ways, we are getting more thorough and useful inquiries than it would be possible to get by charging a single committee with the investigation of the whole of the complicated and difficult questions involved.

Have all the recommendations of the previous committees of inquiry been carried out?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give the names of the delegates who will represent the British Empire at the London Naval Conference and the names of the naval advisers who will assist them on technical matters?

Our own delegates will be myself, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for India. His Majesty's Governments in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa and the Irish Free State, and the Government of India have been invited to nominate delegates, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the names. I am not yet in a position to give the names of the naval advisers, but these will include the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff. Perhaps the House will permit me to add that His Majesty the King has given his gracious permission for the use of the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster for the opening plenary meeting, and of St. James's Palace for subsequent meetings of the Conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the savings that would result from a drastic reduction in the tonnage of capital ships by international agreement, he can state if this matter will form the subject of discussion at the forthcoming Five-Power Naval Conference?

In the invitation addressed to the four Naval Powers to participate in the London Naval Conference, His Majesty's Government stated that they thought it desirable to reconsider the battleship replacement programmes provided for in the Washington Treaty of 1922. The text of the Note conveying this invitation was published in the Press on the 9th October. Pending the meeting of the Naval Conference I do not consider that it is desirable to elaborate the reference to this subject in our Note of 7th October.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration that the Governments of all the other four Powers have declared themselves in favour of such drastic reduction?

I shall be very much interested to hear that when we meet.

Is the date definitely fixed?

Yes, the 21st.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is in a position to announce the agenda of the forthcoming Five-Power Naval Conference; and, if not, when he will be able to do so?

There will be only one subject on the agenda of the Naval Conference, namely, how best the five Powers represented at the Conference can agree upon the reduction and limitation of war vessels on the basis of mutually accepted strength. The question of the procedure to be adopted at the Conference is a matter for discussion with the Governments of the countries concerned and for decision by the Conference itself, and I doubt whether there will be any information on this particular point which I can usefully give the House before the Conference assembles.

Do I understand that there is no limit laid down as to the lengths to which the Conference can go in any direction?

Not within the limits of the answer which I read out.

asked the Prime Minister if it is the policy of the Government to welcome any definite plans or schemes for dealing with unemployment submitted from any quarter of the House in order that their merits may be subjected to critical examination; and if the Government has at any time refused to consider any definite scheme or plan submitted on behalf of any political party?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second part in the negative.

In view of the nature of that reply, may I ask, does not the Prime Minister think that the suggestions made in some quarters as to the necessity of an all-party committee or conference have not any foundation?

Are we mistaken in thinking that the Government have a remedy for unemployment?