asked the Secretary of State for India if he will take steps to see that suitable provision is made for the dependants of policemen who have lost their lives in British India in the discharge of their duties in connection with the recent disturbances?

I fear I am unable to add to the reply given to the Noble Lady on the 26th May.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give information as to the number of trade disputes which have occurred in British India during the last 12 months; and the number of instances in which the local governments have utilised the powers given them under Section 3 of the Indian Trade Disputes Act to set up courts of inquiry or boards of conciliation?

The total number of trade disputes in British India during 1929 was 141. During the present year I have received reports of 36, but some disputes of minor importance may not have been included in these reports. I have heard of the appointment of one court of inquiry and two boards of conciliation, but do not know whether there have been others.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether officers have yet been appointed to the Indian trade com-missionerships, the establishment of which at Mombasa, Alexandria, Hamburg, Milan and New York was recently announced by the Government of India?

So far as I know, none of these appointments has yet been filled.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made with the Indian Railways (Amendment) Bill; and whether it is the intention of the Government of India to bring the Bill before the Legislative Assembly at the forthcoming session?

The Indian Railways (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Indian Legislature during the last session.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give particulars in respect of the action of the authorities in the Bhagalpore District of Bihar and Orissa in seizing the camp erected by the volunteers of the Indian National Congress and used by them as a drill centre; and if he will state the powers under which this action of the local authorities was taken?

My knowledge of the incident is confined to the report in the Gov- ernment of India's appreciation of the situation which I circulated on 23rd June.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information in respect of the Department of Civil Aviation in India, showing the services for which this Department is responsible, the total cost of the Department to India revenues since its creation, and the number of Indians and Europeans employed and the method whereby they are recruited?

I am asking the Government of India to supply the information asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is his intention to visit India during the Parliamentary Recess?

No, Sir. Such is not my present intention.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information to show the number or cases in which the extraordinary powers vested in the Viceroy and Governors have been employed to restore grants which had previously been thrown out by the Indian Legislative Assembly; and the amount of the grant in each case and the subject matter?

The information asked for could not be given without reference to the Government of India and Provincial Governments, and its collation would entail much labour. Perhaps the purpose of my hon. and gallant Friend will be served by certain references in the memoranda submitted by the Government of India and each of the local Governments reproduced in the recently published volumes of the Indian Statutory Commission, of which I am sending him particulars.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the special committee set up to inquire into the origin of the troubles which occurred at Lucknow on the 25th May and into the measures employed by the local authorities in the pursuit of law and order has presented its report; and, if so, whether he will inform the House of the terms of that report?

I have not yet received the report of the inquiry into the disturbances at Lucknow.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information in regard to the consultations between the Government of India and the local Governments on the Sarda. Act, and of certain relevant private Bills introduced into the Indian Legislative Assembly; and if the Government of India have under consideration the possibility of limiting or changing in any way the scope or operation of this Act?

I understand that certain amending private Bills are pending and have been circulated by the Government of India for opinion. I am not in a position at the present time to make any further statement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of money spent for the quarter ended 31st December, 1929, by Paymaster-commanders in charge of general messing in His Majesty's Ships "Excellent "and" Vernon," and the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, with private traders; and the amount spent with the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of the lath February [OFFICIAL REPORT, cols. 616–7].

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of money paid into the sullage fund of His Majesty's Ship "Vernon," His Majesty's Ship "Excellent," and the Royal Naval Barracks, Portsmouth, for the year 1929; the amount of expenditure under the various items; and how the disbursements were decided upon?

Inquiries are being made, and I will let the hon. Member have the required information as soon as it is available.

asked the First, Lord of the Admiralty the total cost each year of the "Nelson" and "Rodney" battle-ships?

The inclusive annual cost of maintenance in full commission is approximately as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of scholars on the register of non-provided public elementary schools during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The average number of scholars on the registers of non-provided public elementary schools for the year ended 31st March, 1929, was 1,905,079.

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children on the registers of provided elementary schools for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The average number of scholars on the registers of provided public elementary schools for the year ended the 31st March, 1929, was 3,669,175.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give particulars of any treaties with foreign Powers which preclude Great Britain from giving preferences to the Dominions; and what notice is réquired to terminate such restrictions on our freedom to make preferential arrangements within the Empire?

There are no treaties which would compel His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to extend to any foreign countries any privileges in the matter of Customs duties which are accorded to another part of the Empire.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the amount to date that his Department has been called upon to pay under its guarantee of bills drawn upon importers under the present scheme of the Export Credits and Guarantee Department; and the amount of this sum which has been recovered from the importers concerned and the nationality of the importers?

Under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme payments on dishonoured bills up to the end of March last amounted to approximately £122,000, of which £23,000 had been recovered up to that date. Further recoveries are anticipated. The acceptors of the dishonoured bills were domiciled in upwards of 40 different countries.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he win agree to obtain the advice of the independent medical experts whom he has appointed in connection with the over seven years' claims on all other types of claim where there is a difference of opinion between his local War pensions committee and his advisers at Sanctuary Buildings, and where the applicant has not, under the existing warrants, the right of appeal to an independent tribunal?

While I may consult independent medical advisers on occasion in suitable cases, I cannot in discharge of my responsibility as Minister undertake to refer to them all other types of case than those with which they are at present associated, as the hon. and pliant Member suggests.

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of new pensioners who have been accepted by his Department in the last 12 months, and the number of applications for pensions which have been rejected in the same period?

During the year ended at the 31st March last, approximately 3,500 fresh applications from ex-service officers and men, widows wm dependents, were accepted by the Ministry and 11,000 were rejected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of horses exported with permits during 1929, and the number of horses exported under the Diseases of Animals Act through certificates given by veterinary surgeons who are not port inspectors?

During 1929, 12 horses were exported under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1910, with permits exempting them from veterinary examination. No horses, as far as I am aware, were exported under certificates issued by veterinary surgeons who are not port inspectors.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the acreage under cultivation in this country in 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively, and the corresponding figures for cereal cultivation?

The acreage of arable land and the area under cereals in 1928 and 1929 were as follow:

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to amend the present Probate Acts so as to provide that the distribution of legacies from intestates' small estates may be obtained in less than one year after probate has been secured?

Administration of small estates within 12 months is now possible under the law as it stands, and I am informed that the number of cases where the administration is delayed beyond this period is very small.