asked the Secretary of State for India when it is expected that the work on the Juhu landing ground near Bombay will have advanced far enough to make possible the establishment of a regular air-mail service between Karachi and Bombay?

The latest information I have received is that the landing ground is expected to be fit for regular use throughout the year in 1932. It is at present fit during the dry season only.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the powers under the Indian Telegraphs Act given to local post office telegraph officials, apart from authority to refuse or delay telegrams which they consider objectionable, permits the censorship of messages submitted for transmission?

Yes, Sir, but as regards the use of those powers I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald) on the 26th May.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position in regard to the direction and maintenance of the Indo-European telegraph department; and if any decision has been arrived at in the discussions between the Government of India and the authorities is this country concerning the future of this department?

The question is still under discussion with the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been reached regarding the translation of the report of the Indian Statutory Commission into foreign languages and into the principal languages in use in India; and, if so, what arrangement have been made?

The question is still under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when a decision will be come to in view of the urgency of this question?

I am afraid I cannot fix an exact date, but we have been pursuing inquiries for some time as to the practicability of the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what? obstacles are in the way? I cannot understand the difficulty of translating this report into European languages, though there may be difficulties in translating it into some Indian languages.

The obstacle is not concerned with the problem of erudition, but of publication.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to issue a summary, at a popular price, of the reports of the Indian Statutory Commission, in view of the length of the complete reports and of the cost of the two volumes thereof?

This question is being carefully examined. I may, however, point out that, so far as circulation in this country is concerned, large numbers of the full report have been and are still being bought, and that several newspapers have issued full and excellent summaries.

In view of the comparatively small number of copies of this report which have been made available, will the right hon. Gentleman consider this proposal?

I answered a question on that point a few days ago.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the Round Table Conference which is to meet in the autumn; and, if not, when he expects to be able to make a statement?

asked the Secretary of State for India when the Government proposes to announce the further procedure in detail with respect to the consideration of the Simon Commission?

For the moment I have nothing to add to the statements that have already been made.

Is it pro-posed to make a full statement before the House adjourns at the end of the next month?

I cannot say at present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether a free copy of both parts of the Indian Statutory Commission's Report is being sent to every public library in this country; and, if so, how soon they will be despatched to the libraries?

The answer is in the negative. I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that all public free libraries maintained out of the rates may obtain copies of Government publications at one half the published price.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any progress has yet been made with the arrangements necessary for carrying out the proposals in regard to the Indian military service family pensions contained in the circular letter issued by the India Office in July, 1927?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 5th May.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of the electorate who are now entitled to vote for members of the Indian Legislative Assembly; and how many of such electors voted at the last election?

The latest information I have is contained in the return presented to Parliament Command Paper 2923 of 1927.

Will the right hon. Gentleman send me a copy of the Command Paper, or give me these two important figures now?

The hon. Member will exercise his own right and secure a copy in the Vote Office if he wants it. As to the aggregate numbers, they are, 1,125,000 voters, or about 48 per cent.

Have not large numbers of these voters long distances to walk or travel to the polling booth?

That depends on the Provinces; and that is the reason why I put a very full reply at the disposal of the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison).

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) why, in deciding upon the nature of the present inquiry into allegations of maladministration in the state of Patiala, the Government of India did not conform to the procedure recommended in paragraph 309 of the Montagu-Chelmsford Report which deals with the question of inquiries into the administration of native states;

(2) why the inquiry into the allegations of maladministration in the State of Patiala is being held in camera?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it has been decided to hold an inquiry regarding the charges made against the Maharajah of Patiala?

The Government of India have not assumed that the allegations in question bring this case within the definition of the class of cases for which the recommendation of paragraph 309 of the Montagu-Chelmsford Report was intended to provide. The inquiry decided upon was with the object of testing the allegations, and it was considered to be generally desirable that such an inquiry should be held in camera. As I have previously stated, I am in entire agreement with the course of action which the Government of India have adopted.

By whom is this inquiry to be made?

The agent to the Governor-General of the Punjab States, Mr. Fitzpatrick.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the agent actually in the State concerned is the most suitable person for making an impartial investigation?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the statement that has been made that under Article 7 of the Treaty with Patiala, it is not possible for the paramount Power to appoint the tribunal, but only to suggest?

I cannot go into the interpretation of the Treaty unless proper notice is given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these matters have been investigated by a competent judicial authority years ago and dismissed; and is he also aware of the doubtful character of some of the persons making these allegations?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information he has as to the position of affairs in India?

I am circulating a statement giving an appreciation of the situation by the Government of India up to 28th June.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what grounds the workers' training college at Lahore has been declared illegal; and if the order is permanent?

I have no information but if my hon. Friend desires it I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report of the committee of inquiry into the disturbances at Peshawar?

No, Sir. I have not yet received the report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects this report, and whether he proposes to issue it as a White Paper?

I cannot say when it will be received. The question of publication will need to be carefully considered.

May I ask whether the evidence given before the inquiry does not suggest that the official communique grossly or gravely under-estimated——

Order!

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the court-martial sentences have yet been promulgated upon the Indian soldiers who declined to obey orders to shoot at Peshawar; and, if so, what the sentences are?

I would point out that these soldiers were tried for refusing to obey orders to proceed from their lines to the city. The sentences have been confirmed by the General Officer Commanding in Chief, Northern Command, and have been duly promulgated. One man was sentenced to transportation for life, one to transportation for 15 years, and sentences were passed on 15 others ranging from 10 years transportation to three years rigorous imprisonment.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman regard such sentences——

Order!

On a point of Order. May I ask in what way my hon. Friend's supplementary question is out of order.

It is out of order to ask a Minister for his opinion. He can be asked for a statement of facts.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to leave unreviewed these vindictive sentences—

Order!

I cannot allow adjectives of that sort.

May I withdraw the adjective and ask whether the right hon. Gentleman proposes to leave unreviewed these sentences upon Indian soldiers whose sole crime is that they refused to proceed against their own fellow countrymen?

That is a matter of military discipline.

asked the Secretary of State for India how the pay of the Indian police in British India compares with the pay of agricultural labourers in India?

It is impossible to make any satisfactory comparison on account of the variations in the pay of the police and wages of agricultural labourers in the different provinces.

Having regard to the immense importance of the police in the future development of personal liberty in India, will the right hon. Gentleman not consult with the Government of India with a view to increasing the pay of the Indian police?

The hon. Gentleman asks a totally different question in his supplementary from the original question.

Sir Kingsley Wood.

On a point of Order. The right hon. Gentleman has described my question as different. I think I am in order in asking in what way it is different?

I did not hear the hon. Member's supplementary question, but it appears to have been out of order.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the present position in China, particularly relating to the Customs?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make respecting the situation in China?

With regard to the general situation in China, the only development of importance since my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark, Central, on the 23rd June, has been the occupation of Tsinan by the forces of the northern coalition. As regards the Customs, the Nanking Government have issued an order the effect of which is that the duties on the Tientsin trade must be paid to the Customs at Shanghai and other ports, Whether paid to the Customs at Tientsin or not. Efforts are being made to find some solution in the nature of a compromise between the rival Chinese parties.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's information go to show that it is still possible to carry on British trade at all at Tientsin?

Yes, I have not found anything to the contrary as yet.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that interference with the administration of the Customs Office is an impediment to our export trade, and will he take some steps to hurry things up in regard to it?

This occurred only within the last few days, and I do not see what can be done to hurry things up. In some of these cases you can hurry up too much.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the names of the British members of the joint committee to negotiate with Soviet representatives on claims and counterclaims?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any intimation from the Soviet Government as to the composition of the delegation to negotiate on claims and counter-claims; and, if so, whether he will state the names of the Soviet delegates?

If the hon. Members will repeat these questions next Monday, I hope to be in a position to announce the composition of the Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make certain that representative business men are members of our Committee?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to report any further progress in the Lena abitration proceedings in Berlin?

No, Sir. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that a sitting of the Court of Arbitration took place in London on the 19th June, and that the proceedings of the Court are not yet concluded.

Will the right hon. Gentleman at least ask the Soviet Ambassador on his return for the reasons why the Soviet Government have not taken part in these proceedings according to contract?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a full statement of these reasons was sent to the "Times," and that the "Times" refused to publish it, or has not yet published it?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received notice of any relaxation in the law in Soviet Russia forbidding the teaching of religion by foreigners?

No, Sir. I have not received notice of any change in the law relating to this matter.

As soon as the right hon. Gentleman finds out whether the reports in the Press as regards relaxation of persecution are true, will he inform the House?

Perhaps the hon. Member will assist me by saying which Press he refers to?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that all the temporary clerks in the clearing office, Enemy Debts Department, have been given notice of discharge to take effect from 30th August; what is the average length of service of the officers concerned; and whether he can give an assurance that alternative employment in the Civil Service will be available for these officers before the notice of discharge expires?

The progress in the work of the Clearing Office for Enemy Debts enables a further reduction to be made in the routine staff at the end of August. Sixteen temporary Grade III Clerks have been warned that their appointments will terminate on the 30th August. The average length of Government service of these 16 men is 10 years. Their names have been reported to the Joint Substitution Board, and there is good reason to expect that alternative employment will be available for them.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that notices of discharge have been served on some 16 temporary clerks in the Clearing Office, Enemy Debts Department, he will arrange that no further recruitment of boys and girls of adolescent age through open competitive examinations shall take place in any department of the Civil Service until these officers have been found posts?

I have been asked to reply. While no difficulty is anticipated in finding in normal cases further employment without break in service for the temporary clerks whose work in the Enemy Debts Department is coming to an end in August, the requirements of the public service make the hon. Member's suggestion quite impracticable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether, in view of the change of Government that has taken place in Egypt, the draft treaty which was offered to the late Egyptian delegation is still available to the new Government;

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make with reference to the present position in Egypt as affecting treaty negotiations with this country?

The treaty proposals remain open in the conditions as to ratification which I defined in this House on the 23rd of December last.

Is this not a very suitable opportunity to withdraw the offer and revert to the status quo?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any resolutions' and, if so, how many have recently been received by the Secretary- General of the League of Nations from representative bodies in Hungary with reference to the Treaty of Trianon; and whether he will inquire as to what action has been taken thereon?

I have no information that any resolutions of this nature have been recently received by the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, but I am making inquiries.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that the setting up of a more democratic regime in Hungary would ease the situation?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether export credit facilities will be made available for the purchase of aeroplane engines on behalf of the Soviet trade commissar?

The Advisory Committee to the Export Credits Guarantee Department will consider on their merits any applications made to them by exporters in this country provided that they fall within the scope of the scheme.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information concerning a special commission in this country for aeroplane engines?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down that question.

Would aeroplane engines fall within the scope of the scheme?

As the hon. Member is aware, anything that may be used for military purposes, always has to be very carefully considered.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) the number and total face value of the contracts definitely concluded between his Department and exporters in Great Britain in respect of exports to countries, other than Russia, under the Exports Credits Scheme during March, April, and May, respectively, and the share of the risk which the Government have accepted under these contracts;

(2) the number and total face value of the contracts definitely concluded between his Department and exporters in Great Britain in respect of exports to Russia under the Exports Credits Scheme during March, April and May, respectively; and the share of the risk which the Government have accepted under these contracts?

With the right hon. Gentleman's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures for which he asks.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department Whether he can give any particulars concerning the proposed Government Trade Commission to China?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is yet in a position to make any announcement regarding a possible Economic Mission to the Far East, and particularly with regard to the representation of cotton interests thereon?

As the result of the recommendations of the Overseas Trade Development Council, who have consulted leading industrialists, His Majesty's Government propose to send an Economic Mission to the Far East. The necessary arrangements have not yet been completed, and I am not therefore in a position to supply any detailed information.

Can the hon. Gentleman say, without going into details, whether the commission is to be confined to China, or is to include other contiguous countries?

I am afraid I cannot give any definite information as to that point.

Will it include members who do not belong to the Government Department, as was the case with the commission which we sent to Australasia; or will it contain only members belonging to the Government Department?

It is not confined to members of the Government Department.

Is it likely that any Labour man will be appointed?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the nature and extent of the organisation of his Department in India at the present time; and whether, in view of the conditions existing there respecting British trade, any special activities are being undertaken by that organisation with a view to the mitigation of difficulties?

The Department is represented in India by a senior trade commissioner at Calcutta and the trade commissioners stationed respectively at Bombay and Calcutta. As regards the last part of the question, these officers are watching the situation very closely, and, when occasion demands, are rendering such assistance as they properly can in the interests of British export trade.

Considering the parlous condition of British trade in India, and the efforts that are being made in India to injure and depreciate it, will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the need for some counter-organisation on the part of the Government to counteract those efforts?

That matter is being very carefully considered by my Department.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what practical measures have emanated from that consideration?

There is nothing which I can tell the hon. Member at the moment. The matter is being considered by the Department.

Does the hon. Gentleman refer to a new set of officers at these places, or to the trade commissioners appointed by the Government of India?

I am referring to the trade commissioners appointed to act under the Overseas Trade Department of this Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what progress has been made by him in promoting the economic reorganisation of certain industries; and if he contemplates any further action in this connection?

There is increasing evidence of the progress that is being made with industrial reorganisation, but the right hon. Gentleman will appreciate that negotiations among the large number of interests involved must of necessity be delicate and prolonged, and that it is not possible to give information as to the negotiations which are in progress.

Is any further action contemplated, and does the right hon. Gentleman propose to undertake another mission to Canada this year?

If I felt that the success attending my mission to Canada would be as successful as is indicated by the fact that within the last few hours, I am informed, 40,000 tons of bituminous coal have been shipped to Canada for the first time, I would certainly take that step.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the depression in the British shipping industry, he will consider the desirability of stipulating that the conveyance overseas of all goods bought in this country with the aid of the export credit system shall be effected in vessels registered under the British flag?

Any stiplation on the lines suggested by the hon. Member would be contrary to the navigation policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many orders have been made requiring the marking of certain articles of imported agricultural and horticultural products with an indication of origin; what are these products; and when were the orders made?

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the articles of agricultural and horticultural produce in respect of which the national mark scheme is in force; and what other articles of agricultural and horticultural produce are expected in the near future to come within the purview of national mark schemes?

National mark schemes are at present in force in respect of apples, pears, eggs, tomatoes, cucumbers, wheat flour, home-killed beef (in London and Birmingham), malt products, dressed poultry, strawberries, cherries, and canned fruit and vegetables. It is anticipated that a scheme for cider will be formulated in the near future.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has made any response to the unanimous recommendation of the Agricultural Conference that steps should be taken to make cereal growing remunerative?

The position of cereal growers in this country is a matter which is at present receiving my consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to do anything about it besides giving it his consideration?

Is it not a fact that the Opposition had four years in which to do something?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any proposals to make for the benefit of agriculture in addition to those brought forward by his predecessor; and, if so, when he proposes to lay them before Parliament?

I have under consideration a number of proposals in addition to those brought forward by my predecessor, but I am not able to-day to say when proposals will be brought before Parliament.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is faithfully following the policy of his predecessor?

Quite the contrary.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) has already given definite information?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the need of some better method of keeping the Departments concerned in touch with local authorities engaged in the preparation and carrying out of schemes of public works for the relief of unemployment and the assistance of in- dustry and agriculture; that this is particularly the case where a number of authorities are concerned with the larger schemes and that delays often occur in getting these various local authorities together; and whether he has considered some method of improvement?

I am aware of the need for securing close co-operation between the local authorities concerned in the preparation and carrying out of schemes, and between them and the Departments concerned. This was one of the subjects considered at the recent conferences with representatives of local authorities, and I hope that more will be done in this direction as the result of the conferences. A suggestion has been made to the conference that county councils should hold conferences with county district councils in their areas. This has been adopted.

Would my right hon. Friend also look into the point, which I refer to in my question, of bringing the different bodies together where there are one or two districts, even outside the county councils concerned in some big scheme; and is he aware that some of the ripe schemes are being held up by the delay in getting the bodies together?

We are now studying, as a matter of fact, all the reasons, the many reasons, for the delays that have taken place. We have discovered that that is one, and it is being dealt with.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a memorial, signed by 70 Members of the House of Commons, praying for facilities for the Bill to make certified lunacy of five years and upwards a ground for divorce; whether he is aware that there is a national demand for this reform in the divorce law; and whether he can see his way to grant facilities for the further stages of this one-Clause Bill?

Yes, Sir. As I have already informed by hon. Friend by letter, in the present state of Parliamentary business I regret it is not possible to grant facilities for the Bill referred to, and I can only refer him to the statement which I made on Business on the 25th June last.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his sympathetic reply, may I ask him Whether, if an opportunity occurs, of allowing facilities for this Bill, that opportunity will be taken?