asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received the Report of the Committee on Load Lines of Merchant Ships, and, if so, will the House have an opportunity of discussing the full Report before any action is taken in regard to any part of the Report?

I have received this Report; and in accordance with its recommendations, it is proposed to summon, as soon as possible, an inter- national conference with the object of getting international agreement on the subject. Further action must depend upon the result of the conference, but any proposal to alter the existing Regulations will, in accordance with the usual procedure, be submitted to the Merchant Shipping Advisory Committee, on which all the shipping interests are represented, before it is approved, and any proposal to alter the existing law must be made to Parliament. I do not think a discussion at this stage would serve any useful purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is in a position to make a statement to this House on the progress which is being made with the proposals which he submitted on 9th September at the tenth assembly of the League of Nations for the consideration of a tariff truce for a period of two years; and if he will give the text of the formal request made to members and non-members of the League following upon the recommendation of the second committee?

"( d ) The Assembly therefore recommends that concerted action should be taken under the following conditions by such members of the League of Nations and non-member States as may desire to participate therein:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the total exports to foreign countries of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa in each of the last two available years; the value of such exports divided into food, raw materials, and manufactured goods; and the percentages which these exports so divided bear to the total exports to foreign countries from each of these Dominions?

The following statement shows the value of merchandise exported from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, respectively, to countries outside the British Empire, distinguishing approximately the principal classes of goods.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) what steps he proposes to take to ensure safe and well-surfaced footpaths continuous with main and second-class roads throughout the country;

(2) what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the lives of pedestrians forced to walk on the roads because of badly kept footpaths or because of the absence of footway accommodation?

My Department presses for the provision of footpaths in connection with schemes for the improvement of existing roads or the construction of new roads, and it is the rule to require such provision, where it is desirable and practicable, before any scheme of improvement or new construction is approved for grant from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has arranged with the Middlesex County Council for the completion of the remaining section of the Western Avenue in the county of Middlesex; when he anticipates that tenders will be invited for the construction work; and when it is anticipated that such work will actually be commenced?

Negotiations have been proceeding, and the Middlesex County Council have now made arrangements to complete the sections of the Western Avenue in that county. It is expected that tenders will be invited shortly after Christmas, and that the work will be commenced early in the New Year.

asked the Minister of Transport what schemes in connection with canal development have so far been submitted to his Department, the nature of the schemes, and the total expenditure involved?

Three canal schemes have been formally submitted to the Committees appointed under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, and referred to my Department for examination. I understand that certain other schemes are under the consideration of the canal authorities concerned, but that they have not yet reached the stage of formal application for assistance under the Development Act.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air the names of the light aeroplane clubs which are receiving a Government grant and the amount of grant received by each club during each of the last three years?

The following list gives the names of the clubs and the amount of subsidy paid for each completed club year during which they have been subsidised:

The club year for the clubs numbered 1 to 6 ends on 31st July, for those numbered 7 to 9 on 31st October, for number 10 on 30th November, for number 11 on 31st March, for number 12 on 31st August and for number 13 on 31st December. The clubs numbered 7 to 10 have been in receipt of subsidy for two years only and those numbered 11 to 13 have completed only one year under the subsidy agreement.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air the names of the light aeroplane clubs in existence in this country; and the number of machines in use by each club?

The following list gives the names of the light aeroplane clubs and the number of aircraft owned by each club; in addition there are aircraft privately owned by members in use at the clubs, but I have no information in regard to their number:

In addition, 27 aircraft are shown by the Air Ministry Register to be owned by National Flying Services, Limited.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether local labour is to be employed by the contractors for the aircraft assembly station at Peterborough; and whether local firms were invited to tender for this contract?

I have no doubt that the contractors for the building work will employ local labour so far as possible. So far only preliminary contracts, mainly for railway sidings, have been entered into, and for these local firms were invited to tender.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is aware that lands adjoining His Majesty's aerodrome at Manston, in the Isle of Thanet, are subject to tithe amounting to 13s. 10d. per acre, or thereabouts; that such tithe exceeds the rental value of much of the land; that in consequence considerable portions of the lands have been abandoned and no tithe paid thereon for some years; that the lands purchased by His Majesty's Government for the aerodrome were subject to tithe at about the same rate per acre; and whether, seeing that nevertheless His Majesty's Government redeemed the tithe at a price equivalent to Government stock, he will take steps in future not to redeem tithe likely to become irrecoverable?

As regards the first three parts of the question, while I have no definite information, I have no reason to suppose that the statements made are not in substance correct. The answer to the fourth part is in the affirmative. As regards the fifth part, the hon. Gentleman appears to be under a misapprehension in regard to the question of legal liability to tithe, and I cannot accept his apparent view in regard to the circumstances in which tithe can become irrecoverable. Furthermore, there can obviously be no question of abandonment of the land where it is in fact being used as an aerodrome. I see no reason for any departure from the general policy, which is to redeem tithe rent-charge when this can be done on favourable terms.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that Italy has lately ordered three DO.X. flying boats from Germany, he will say if it is the intention of the Government to secure one at least of these flying boats for this country or to build an experimental boat on similar lines here?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, but the Government experimental programme includes new types of flying boats of approximately the same horsepower as the DO.X.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether leases entered into with outside firms for accommodation in His Majesty's dockyards provide that the lessees must observe fair wages and conditions of employment?

It depends upon the circumstances and the character of the lease. Some leases granted in the last few years contain such provisions. I may add that in the event of any lessee being given an Admiralty contract such contract would contain the Fair Wages Clause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the proposed helm changes at sea will apply to naval vessels; and whether the Admiralty were represented at the International Conference which proposed the change?

If the Merchant Navy make the proposed change in the method of giving helm orders, the Navy will also change. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the total tonnage of 10,000-ton cruisers and other cruisers built, building or authorised in the Japanese, French and Italian navies respectively?

Following is the answer:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the expenditure on raising the sunken German fleet in Scapa Flow; what has been the return in money from the disposal of the vessels when raised; whether operations have now been concluded; and, if not, what further operations are proposed?

No expenditure from Naval funds has been incurred in raising these ships. The vessels were sold outright before they were raised. Operations are still proceeding, but it is not possible to forecast what further operations will be undertaken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the old British concession area in Hankow is now being efficiently administered by the Chinese municipality; and whether the rights and property of British citizens are being adequately protected?

My information is that the administration of the ex-concession at Hankow by the Sino-British council is on the whole operating satisfactorily. There appears to be no reason to believe that the present administration will not afford protection to foreign lives and property.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. Justice Feetham, of South Africa, has been invited to investigate municipal conditions at Shanghai with the abject of ascertaining whether it is possible to bring them into consonance with the Chinese desire for the abolition, of extra-territoriality; and whether, in view of this being an imperial issue, His Majesty's Government are in any way co-operating in this investigation?

His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai has reported that a telegram was sent from Shanghai on 25th November to Mr. Justice Feetham asking him whether, in the event of the Municipal Council inviting him to act as their adviser for the purpose of examining the problem of municipal reform in the international settlement in the light of Chinese aspirations, he would accept. I gather from the Press that the invitation has been sent and accepted. The Shanghai Municipal Council took this action without first consulting His Majesty's Government. They have explained to His Majesty's Consul-General that they were anxious not to embarrass His Majesty's Government in any way, and that for this reason His Majesty's Government were not being asked to accept any responsibility in the matter. The answer to the last part of the question is, therefore, in the negative, but developments will, of course, be watched.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many immune varieties of potato have passed through the research station at Ormskirk since its inception; how many varieties have been awarded the gold medal; and how many varieties have been granted the certificate of merit?

308 varieties have passed through wart disease immunity trials at Ormskirk and 148 of these have been officially approved as immune. The Lord Derby gold medal trials are not carried out by my Department, but I am informed that gold medals have been awarded to nine varieties and certificates of merit to eight.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware of the serious plight of the potato and corn growers in East Anglia and elsewhere in the country owing to the breakdown of the markets; and whether he will take steps to promote the immediate formation of marketing machinery for home-grown produce with a view to restoring confidence and security on the arable side of the agricultural industry;

(2) whether he is aware that the banks are refusing credits to potato and corn growers of East Anglia; and, in view of such circumstances, whether he will consider the immediate formation of marketing and credit schemes to help the situation?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he is prepared to make a grant to assist the establishment of improved marketing methods for the sale of potatoes, with a view to securing a fair price to the grower and a reasonable price to the consumer;

(2) whether he has received complaints from the potato-growing districts of Lincolnshire that banks are restricting credit to farmers and thus causing hardship and accelerating the fall in prices; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter;

(3) if his attention has been called to the unremunerative prices at present received by farmers for potatoes; and whether he can suggest any means whereby the growers may obtain prices that will cover the cost of production?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) what steps he can or will take to help and advise potato growers to deal with the serious economic conditions they are at present faced with;

(2) whether, as a matter of urgency, he will take immediate steps to stabilise the price of potatoes;

(3) if he is prepared to consider the advisability of asking Parliament for the necessary powers to enable him to either limit or prohibit the importation of foreign potatoes?

I am aware that potato and com growers are receiving low prices for their crops, but I have no information as to the attitude of the banks in the matter of advances. I am not prepared to introduce legislation restricting or prohibiting the importation of articles of food. I may explain that imports of potatoes at the present time are not an appreciable factor in the situation, the difficulties of which are due largely to the abundance of the home crop. In regard to improved marketing methods and machinery, I would direct the attention of my hon. Friends to the reforms suggested in the Reports issued by my Department on the Marketing of Potatoes and the Marketing of Wheat, Barley and Oats, respectively. In regard more particularly to potatoes, I shall be most happy to provide any advice or assistance in my power to growers and merchants in the task of improving the position by organising for the purpose of (1) securing the general adoption of the statutory grades, which have recently been published, after repeated demonstration by my Department, and (2) making arrangements for the disposal of below-grade and surplus potatoes. Full information has recently been supplied by the Ministry to the National Farmers' Union at the request of that body which, I understand, is convening a meeting of all interests concerned to discuss the economic situation, of the potato' industry.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the ravages of the Colorado beetle to the potato crop has come within 30 miles of St. Malo; that potatoes imported from Spain come through that infected area into this country; and, seeing that if this beetle finds its way into Great Britain it will completely ruin the potato industry here, will he say what protective measures are in contemplation by his Department?

I am not aware that the Colorado beetle has spread to the St. Malo district of France, but I am asking the French Government for the latest information on the subject. The importation of potatoes into this country from France is governed by the Colorado Beetle Order of 1923, a copy of which I sent to my hon. Friend a few days ago. As regards Spanish potatoes passing through France to this country, I am informed that they are transported in closed wagons direct from the Franco-Spanish frontier to the port of shipment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, in view of the growing menace of unemployment among farm workers, when he proposes to present proposals to provide unemployment insurance for them and also to amend the present tied-cottage system?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Minister of Labour in moving the Second Reading of the Unemployment Insurance Bill on 21st November, and, in reply to the last part, to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health to a question by the hon. Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer) on 2nd December. I am not in a position to add anything to these statements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his Department has issued any regulations to prevent the sale of a cow, shown by test to be suffering from tuberculosis, for the purpose of producing milk for sale to the public; and, if not, whether he will consider the adoption of some method, such as branding, so that the purchaser may at least know the condition of the animal he is buying?

The Tuberculosis Order of 1925 requires the notification, and provides for the slaughter, of cows shown to be giving tuberculous milk or excreting tubercle bacilli in other ways, and for the compensation of their owners. Reaction to the tuberculin test does not, however, by itself, bring animals within the scope of the Order, as that is not sufficient evidence that they are giving tuberculous milk. I do not consider that the branding of reactors is necessary; intending purchasers can protect their herds by only buying cows which have passed the tuberculin test.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has any record of the number of schemes in operation in different factories in the country whereby provision is made for pensions for elderly workers, sickness benefit, death benefit, widows' pensions, unemployment benefit, marriage gifts, in addition to the existing national schemes; how far these are under the joint control of employers and employed; and to what extent contributions are made by both parties?

I regret I have no such record.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Government have now decided how to deal with the subject of night baking?

This subject will be dealt with in the Factories Bill.

asked the Home Secretary the longest period a prisoner in His Majesty's prisons is subject to close confinement during the first stage of imprisonment; and if, in view of the injurious effects of such solitary confinement on a prisoner's mental condition, he will devise a method better calculated to help such men to recover their mental balance and self-respect?

A man sentenced to hard labour works for the first 14 days in his cell, but he is brought out of his cell for exercise and other purposes. The 14 days is a maximum period and the Governor has discretion to place such a prisoner earlier in an associated labour party. This discretion is exercised if the prisoner's mental condition is such as to suggest that cellular work might be injurious. The system of 14 days' cellular work applies only to men sentenced to hard labour—not to those sentenced to imprisonment without hard labour. The whole question of the mode in which sentences of hard labour are to be carried out is receiving my consideration.

asked the Home Secretary what proportion of British-grown wheat and British-bred and slaughtered meat is supplied to His Majesty's prisons and other institutions controlled by the Home Office; and whether he will consider the question of making an order that for the six months from October to March the personnel of these institutions shall be supplied with British-grown flour and British-bred and slaughtered meat?

I regret that it is not possible to give the information asked for in the first part of the question; and while I am anxious that so far as is reasonably practicable preference shall be given to British priducts, I am advised that financial and other considerations would render it impracticable to limit supplies in the manner suggested.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to the Ringrose firedamp detector and the Ringrose gas sentinel; and

Note. —Relief to the able-bodied poor was first authorised by the Poor Law Emergency Provisions (Scotland) Act, 1921.

whether he can recommend their use for the increase of safety to the mining industry?

My attention has been drawn to the appliances referred to. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to-day to two questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams).

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amounts expended in Scotland for Poor Law purposes during the financial years 1914 to 1929, inclusive; and what portion of those amounts were contributed by local rates?

The following table gives the information asked in respect of the financial years from 1914 to 1928, inclusive. The corresponding information for the year 1929 is not yet available:

asked the Minister of Health the total amounts expended by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales for the years 1914–1929, inclusive; and what portion of those amounts were contributed by local rates?

The following statement shows, for the years ended in March, 1914 to 1929, the total amounts expended by Poor Law authorities in England and Wales other than out of loans for permanent works, and the amount of that expenditure estimated to be payable out of rates:

The amounts shown above relate to the expenditure on all the services administered by Poor Law authorities. For particulars of the amounts included in columns 2 and 3 relating to the relief of the poor and purposes connected therewith for the years 1914–1927, I would refer my hon. Friend to Table 2 on page 8 of Part I of the Annual Local Taxation Returns, England and Wales, 1926–27.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the results of the recent conference of legal representatives of the various parts of the Empire; and what legislation is contemplated to give effect to the decisions of the conference?

The conference to which the hon. Member refers has not yet finally concluded its labours. Until its report has been received and considered by the respective Governments, it would not be possible to give any reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the name of the film company that was entrusted with the making and execution of the film made on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board; whether this film was made wholly in Great Britain and the amount paid on behalf of the Empire Marketing Board; whether this film was made under the supervision of any Government officials; and, if so, will he state particulars?

The film was produced by New Era Productions, Limited, and was made wholly in Great Britain. As regards the amount paid, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 30th October. The production of the film was directed by an officer of the Empire Marketing Board, with the cooperation of officers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Fishery Board for Scotland.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of secondary schools which at present exist in the Federated Malay States exclusively for Malays; and is there any demand for an increase of these schools?

There are two secondary schools exclusively for Malays in the Federated Malay States. Although the demand for education for both boys and girls is persistent, I am not aware of a demand for an increase in the number of secondary schools exclusively for Malays as they learn English more easily in schools open to all races.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been called to the defective port facilities at the ports in various part of the British Empire overseas; and what steps he is taking to remedy shortcomings which react on British trade?

Proposals for the improvement and extension of the port facilities in the British Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories are, of course, made from time to time, and work is at present in progress on a number of schemes. Various schemes which have hitherto been held up on account of expense, as well as a number of new schemes, are now being considered with a view to assistance being afforded by means of grants from the Colonial Development Fund.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether an Ordinance made by the Governor of Ashanti in 1907, prohibiting solicitors and barristers from appearing for litigants or accused persons in cases coming before the Ashanti courts, is still in operation; whether any protests against the said Ordinance were received by his Department; whether, if the said Ordinance is still in operation, he will state what reasons, if any, exist for maintaining the said Ordinance; and whether he will take steps to have it repealed?

The Ordinance in question which was enacted in 1906 is still in force. It was intended to define clearly the practice which had been followed since the Administration of Ashanti began. So far as I can trace no protests from Europeans or natives in Ashanti were received at the time, and, on the contrary, in 1912 the chiefs in Kumasi protested against any proposal to admit lawyers. There are weighty reasons in the interest of the native populations for the retention of this prohibition, but I may say that in view of the progress of the country in recent years the Governor has been considering for some time past whether any relaxation is necessary or desirable. The matter is obviously one which will require lengthy and careful consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report of the Tobago Sea Communications Committee, with the observations of the appropriate supervisory Government official; whether he can now state the estimates as to its probable cost; whether, in view of the economic loss and trading discomfort throughout the Island of Tobago in the absence of sea communications, he will do all he can to expedite a speedy decision; and whether he will consider the advisability of facilitating a definite and regular steamship call and itinerary at and through Scarborough as an urgent necessity for this island?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Report of the Tobago Sea Communications Committee has been before my Noble Friend for some weeks; estimates of the cost of giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee involve consultation between the Colonial Government and the technical advisers to the Secretary of State in this country, and are not yet available; as stated in the answer to my hon. Friend's question on 20th November detailed information will be furnished by the officer administering the Government of Trinidad as soon as it is available. My Noble Friend is well aware of the difficulties experienced by the inhabitants of Tobago and the desirability of improving their sea communications. Details of the steamship routes are a matter rather for the Colonial Government than for the Secretary of State.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies what was the total amount spent in 1928 on education in the Uganda Protectorate; the comparative amount spent on native education; and the total number of native children in schools as compared with the estimated number of children in the population?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Government of Uganda expended in the year 1928 on education £51,385 (including £25,800 pro- vided as grants-in-aid to missions) and of that sum approximately £49,000 were devoted to native education. The number of native children attending school was 212,535 out of a total of 628,729 children, of approximate school age.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he is aware that on 28th November, 1929, the Rochdale District County Education Sub-Committee decided that they were not in favour of the compulsory raising of the school age from 14 years to 15 years; and whether, in view of this resolution, he is prepared to ascertain the views of all the education authorities in the country on this question and report the result to this House?

The body apparently referred to is not a local education authority. I have already conferred with the representatives of the Associations of Local Education Authorities, who generally welcome the raising of the school-leaving age and are willing to give us their co-operation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that on a road scheme of £200,000, carried out by direct administration by the Monmouthshire County Council, 70 per cent. of the total cost, including land, has been spent in wages to men working on the job, in quarries, in manufacture of materials, and in haulage; and will he advise local authorities to adopt the same method in order that the maximum of public money might go to the workers?

I was not aware of this case. As my hon. Friend will appreciate, the local authorities concerned are alone in a position to decide in each case on the most practical and economic method of carrying out such works.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether, in view of the number of unem- ployed persons and the suitable land available, he is negotiating for land for afforestation in the Abertillery Division area?

Efforts have been made by the Forestry Commissioners to secure land in the Abertillery district, but up to the present they have been unable to obtain any areas suitable in extent and otherwise for afforestation.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons placed in employment by the Employment Exchanges each week since 1st June, 1929, distinguishing the placings which were for unskilled employment and of a temporary character respectively?

, pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th November; col. 1585, Vol. 232], supplied the following statement:

Separate statistics are not available in respect of placings in unskilled employment or in employment of a temporary character.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and women registered as unemployed at each of the Tyneside Exchanges during the first full week in November, 1929, and for the corresponding week in 1928?

The following table shows the numbers of men and of

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons at present registered as unemployed in the Eastern Division of Fifeshire, giving the figures for each district?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the keeper of prints and drawings and/or the secretary to the British Museum have stated that the British Museum cannot lend any of its Italian prints, or drawings, or miniatures to the Italian exhibition to be held shortly in the galleries of the

women on the registers of Employment Exchanges in the Tyneside area on 11th November, 1929, and 12th November, 1928, respectively:

pursuant to her reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 28th November, col 1588 Vol 232] supplied the following statement

Royal Academy of Arts, Burlington House, as the British Museum is forbidden by law to lend temporarily its possessions; and will he explain why the British Museum Act, 1924, which empowers the trustees of the British Museum to lend any object, duplicate, or not duplicate, for public exhibition in any gallery under the control of a public authority has been ignored by the officials of the British Museum?

The hon. Member has not fully quoted the Act. The trustees of the British Museum are only given a discretionary power to lend if the interests of students and of the public visiting the Museum are not injured. On the present occasion, I understand, it is not proposed to lend the objects in question for the exhibition at Burlington House, but the trustees have decided to hold a special Italian exhibition during the same period at the Museum, where the exhibits will be on view without charge and will, it is thought, be better seen than if merged with oil paintings at the general exhibition.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will state for the years 1914 to 1928, inclusive, the sums borrowed by the Government annually; the sums repaid in the same years; and the net national indebtedness at the end of each year?

The figures are given in the table below, but my hon. Friend will bear in mind that the sums borrowed and sums repaid are different to the figures of debt created and debt redeemed, since the latter include conversions and, further, because loans may be issued at a discount and Sinking Fund may be applied to purchasing stock below par. Particulars of the nominal amount of debt created and redeemed each year will be found in the National Debt Return (House of Commons Paper No. 8 of 1929), page 3, columns 11 and 12.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will consider equipping one of the

Members' writing rooms with typewriters for the use of Members who are compelled to deal with their own correspondence during the hours of sittings of the House?

After full consideration of my hon. Friend's suggestion, I have come to the conclusion that the expenditure involved would not be justified.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of remuneration paid by the Government to the directors who are Government nominees on private companies, giving particulars of the companies upon which they serve and the amount which they receive in addition as remuneration for their directors' fees?

As explained in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on 25th November, there is only one case in which a Government director receives remuneration from public funds, namely, that of the Government director on Home Grown Sugar, Limited, who receives £300 per annum and in return surrenders his director's fees to the Government. The remuneration paid by the several companies to the Government directors, like that paid to other directors, is determined in each case by the company.