asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information with reference to any persons who are at present in prison without trial in India under Regulation 111 of 1818; and will he give particulars?

The position is the same as it was when I answered a similar question by my hon. Friend on 5th May.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the men who are detained have been accused of seditious activities in India?

I can give the hon. Member particulars if he will put down a question.

What is the reason why the right hon. Gentleman cannot give the names and the number of these persons?

The information as to the number was given, as I have stated in my answer of 5th May.

Can we have the names?

I will consider that point. The information is not asked for in the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India if any casualties have been suffered by the Khassadar force in Waziristan; and if members of the force will be eligible for medals and decorations?

My reports show that there has been at least one casualty, but I have asked for further details. The rules do not definitely provide for awards to members of the Khassadar forces, but this fact will certainly not exclude them from consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if it is still the intention of the Government, before presenting proposals to Parliament for the amendment of the Government of India Act, to invite Parliament to refer these proposals to consideration by a Joint Committee of both Houses and to facilitate the presentation to that, Committee both of the views of the Indian Central Legislature by delegations, who will be invited to attend and confer with the Joint Committee, and also of the views of any other bodies whom the Joint Parliamentary Committee may desire to consult?

In the correspondence of October last between the Chairman of the Statutory Commission and the Prime Minister, which was published at the time, it was contemplated that the procedure by Joint Parliamentary Committee would still be appropriate for the examination of the proposals finally laid before Parliament as the result of the conference. The question whether it may be necessary or desirable to modify in any respect the procedure originally contemplated is one which the Noble Lord will no doubt agree it would be premature to consider until the results of the round-table Conference are known.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the fact that when an Indian civilian was recently accidentally killed by a rifle bullet fired by a British soldier in the North-West Frontier Province the chief commissioner of the province immediately offered monetary compensation; and whether he will take steps to see that when British soldiers called out in aid of the civil authorities are killed by Indian civilians similar compensation is afforded in their case?

As I have already explained, the case of a soldier whose death is directly attributable to service wherever performed is treated in precisely the same way as that of a soldier killed on active service, and the regulations already provide for awards to the dependants under certain conditions.

Am I to understand that, where the civil authorities are unable to keep order and British troops are called in to do so for them, the British taxpayer has to bear the burden of any compensation—

The hon. Member cannot expect to have an answer to that question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the attitude of the Government concerning the recommendation of the Indian Sandhurst Committee that suitable Indian students of British universities should be granted direct commissions in the Army, and that therefore the reopening of the Officers' Training Corps at the British universities should be proposed, any expense incurred in, such a step being borne, if necessary, by the Government of India?

I am afraid I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any decision has been arrived at by the Government of India in regard to the publication of the report of the Indian Tariff Board inquiry into the salt industry; and whether it is proposed to make public at the same time the views of the Government of India concerning the Tariff Board's recommendations?

I have not heard what the intentions of the Government of India are, but the procedure indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend is regularly followed in regard to reports of the Tariff Board.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India to publish the proceedings of the Conference of Provincial Governments and Medical Faculties which was convened by the Government of India at Simla in June?

I have not heard whether the Government of India intend to publish these proceedings, but am inquiring.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the attention of the Government of India has been drawn by any of the news agencies or newspapers in India to the losses suffered by them owing to the promulgation of the Press ordinance; and if the Government of India have under consideration the question of making any compensation to a news agency or newspaper in India in view of losses so incurred?

No compensation is contemplated on account of the voluntary cessation of publication by newspapers whether as a protest against the Press ordinance or on failure to deposit security.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now give the House details of the composition of the British representation upon the round-table conference?

asked the Secretary of State for India who will be the British and Indian representatives, or how they will be selected, to attend the roundtable conference on Indian affairs called for the autumn, and where it will be held?

The conference will be held at St. James's Palace at the conclusion of the Imperial Conference. I am not yet able to state what will be the composition of the delegations.

Will a statement be made before the House rises?

Yes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman considering the advisability of including some special representatives of Indian women as members of the Conference?

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

I am circulating a statement of the Government of India's appreciation of the situation up to 26th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the report of the Simon Commission is to be translated into the principal foreign and Indian languages?

As regards translation into Indian languages I am not yet in a position to add anything to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Gains-borough on 17th July, of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy. As to translation into European languages, careful inquiries which have been made through His Majesty's representatives in foreign countries as to the prospects of sales of such translations have shown that there is little or no prospect of such sales as would induce the publication of special translations by private commercial enterprise. Full commentaries on the report did of course appear at the time of its publication in leading world newspapers.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to the results of the recent interview with Mahatma Gandhi by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar?

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made in the negotiations between Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru and Mr. Jayakar and Gandhi and other Congress leaders?

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement.

May I ask whether it will be possible to arrange for a joint consultation between Mr. Gandhi, Pandit Motilal Nehru, and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and the moderate leaders rather than being interviewed separately?

That is not really a matter for my decision here. It is a matter for the Indian Government.

Will the right hon Gentleman be prepared to inquire in India as to the possibility of such a conference?

I will note the hon. Member's suggestion and see that it is made known in the proper quarter.

Would not an official conference with Gandhi while in prison be merely a confession of weakness on the part of the Government?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that officers who, on transfer to the Indian Army, forfeited nine months' service for promotion only under Army Order VII, of 28th June, 1917, are being denied the increments of pay, to which they are entitled on completing 15 years' service, until they have completed 15 years and nine months' service; and, seeing that such action is contrary to the conditions laid down in the above-mentioned Army Order, will he look into the question?

If the hon. and gallant Member will allow me I will circulate a statement showing the practice and the reasons for it.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what ground Mr. Keithahn, an American missionary, was on or about 23rd June ordered to leave Madura by the Madras Government?

No, Sir, but I have asked for information.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that Mr. Keithahn does not take any interest in politics, and that, although he is an admirer of Gandhi, his only offence has been to give shelter for one night to an Englishman; and is my right hon. Friend also aware that the missionary societies are very much concerned about this matter?

At my hon. Friend's suggestion I am making inquiries as to the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the misconceptions prevalent in the United States of America with reference to the situation in India, be proposes to take any steps to give publicity in that country to the facts of the Indian situation?

The matter is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the latest information in his possession concerning affairs in China, including the position of the Customs at Tientsin and the position if the negotiations as to extra-territoriality; and whether the British subjects held to ransom have now been released?

There has been no important change in the military situation. The Customs machinery set up at Tientsin by the Northerners appears to be working, but there is considerable dislocation of trade. As regards extra-territoriality, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the right hon. Gentleman on the 16th of July. His Majesty's Consul at Foochow has succeeded in evacuating a number of British subjects from the interior, but I regret that the British subjects held to ransom have not yet been released.

Are further efforts to be made?

Certainly. We are in constant communication with our representatives in China.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect to be able to effect the release of these people before the House rises?

I cannot say when we may hope to effect their release, but we shall leave no stone unturned to do so.

Is it a question of ransom?

Yes, Sir. Ransom is being demanded for these British subjects.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes before the end of the Session to make a statement concerning the progress of the investigation which is being made into questions relating to Soviet propaganda and other matters?

This investigation has not yet been completed. I have, therefore, nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on the 14th at July to the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) and the hon. and gallant Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall).

Will the hon. Gentleman say why it is impossible at any rate to make some interim statement so that the House can be satisfied that some steps are being taken?

The investigation, as I have informed the right hon. Gentleman, is still continuing. My right hon. Friend in previous answers has stated that when the investigation is complete the Government will decide what action, if any, is to be taken and will inform the House of such action at the first opportunity.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this investigation has been going on for months? Why cannot some report be made to the House?

Has not the investigation already made given the Government—[Interruption.]

Is it not a fact that the delay in settling debts and claims is a policy of sheer humbug on the part of the Soviet?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct our representative in Soviet Russia to report upon the conditions of employment of those who are engaged in the production of timber within the Soviet Union?

His Majesty's Ambassador has already furnished my right hon. Friend with reports on Soviet labour legislation, and the House was given the substance of these reports, as applying to the timber industry, in the reply to the question asked by the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Majoribanks) on the 7th of July.

Do the Government propose to take any action as a result of that investigation?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the reasons given by the Soviet Government for its refusal to take part in the Lena arbitration?

As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, statements of the Soviet Government's attitude in this matter appeared in the Press on the 13th of May last; and my right hon. Friend is not in a position to add anything to those statements.

Will the hon. Gentleman ever be able to give an answer to this question?

This particular case is still sub judice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-Soviet committee appointed for the purpose of discussing Russia's debts to this country has yet held its first meeting; and, if not, when he expects it will be called together?

According to present arrangements, the first meeting of this committee will be held on the 2nd of October.

What is the reason for this great delay, having regard to the urgency of the matter and the fact that the other committee is still in session?

I suspect that some members on the British side at any rate are looking forward to having their summer holidays.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the police authorities are now in possession of information that M. Moses Roisenman, Chief of the Foreign Section of the Soviet Secret Police, recently arrived in this country; and if he can state whether he is still here or has left this country?

My right hon. Friend has no such information, but if the hon. and gallant Member is in possession of trustworthy information in this matter, my right hon. Friend will be grateful if he will communicate it to him.

Has the Home Secretary been in communication with the Scotland Yard authorities, and are the Scotland Yard authorities satisfied that the gentleman referred to in the question has not been here?

The hon. and gallant Member had better put that question down.

I would not have put down this question unless I was aware of the facts and was satisfied. Therefore, I beg to press the hon. Gentleman to reply to the question.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must put down a question, but, as far as my right hon. Friend is concerned, we have no information at all.

Has the Home Secretary inquired from the Scotland Yard authorities? That is my question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the latest information in his possession concerning affairs in Egypt; the number of casualties to date; and whether he can give any account of damage to property and the nature of any of the further steps taken to protect foreign nationals?

The High Commissioner reported on the 23rd of July that all was quiet, and no further disturbances have since taken place. The total casualties reported since the 15th of July are police, 279 wounded; others, 26 killed and 204 wounded, including the figures quoted in the reply to the hon. Member for Kidderminster on the 21st of July. The only serious damage to property reported since my right hon. Friend's reply to the right hon. Gentleman on the 23rd of July is the setting fire to the municipal stables at Port Said. In view of the disturbances at these ports His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies" has proceeded to Port Said and His Majesty's Ship "Waterhen" to Suez; His Majesty's Ship "Queen Elizabeth" remains at Alexandria.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any information as to the meeting of the so-called Parliament yesterday or the day before?

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that foreign nationals are being given adequate protection, and have any instructions been given to the British Army in Egypt?

Yes, Sir; we are satisfied that foreign nationals are receiving all the protection that is called for in the circumstances. I am very glad to say—and I hope my satisfaction will be shared by all parties in the House—that it has been considered unnecessary to call upon the British troops in Egypt to take any part in the recent disturbances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can state the number and position of the British military establishment guarding the Suez Canal?

I have been asked to reply. The main raison d'etre of the British military establishment in Egypt is this safeguarding of the Suez Canal. Approximately 10,000 troops compose this establishment and their peace stations are Cairo, Alexandria, Ismailia and Port Said.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has received from, or sent to, Nahas Pasha any further communication?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why he instructed the High Commissioner to inform Nahas Pasha that the British Government holds him responsible, together with the Government of Egypt, for any acts of violence which may be perpetrated against foreign subjects in Egypt?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the Government took the course of holding the leader of a political party in Egypt jointly responsible with the head of the Government for the protection of the lives and property of foreigners?

In view of their ultimate responsibility for the protection of foreign lives and property in Egypt, and the danger to public order which had manifested itself, His Majesty's Government considered it necessary to hold strictly to account the leaders of both parties in the present constitutional conflict in Egypt. His Majesty's Government's communication was intended, by dealing in practical manner with the situation, to make this unmistakably clear.

Are the Government aware of any precedent, for taking this course, of holding the leader of a party not in office responsible for what happens in his country?

There may not be a precedent for the action that we have taken, but that does not prove that the action was not well advised. The person in question is the leader of a large majority in the Egyptian Parliament.

What do the Government mean by the words "ultimate responsibility"? How do they know what the responsibility in the future may be?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman has not understood what I had in mind in using the word "ultimate." The immediate responsibility rests with the Egyptian authorities. If they fail, the ultimate responsibility rests with us.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that Nahas Pasha has given an adequate response?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state the number of British visas attached to American passports at the British consular office in New York during June this year; and how this figure compares with that of June, 1929?

The number of visas issued at the British Passport Control Office at New York in June, 1930, was 16,410, as against 14,650 in June, 1929.

Is not this very satisfactory increase largely due to the activities of the Travel Association of Great Britain and Ireland, whose duty it is to advertise this country?

It would be difficult for me to give any reason with certainty for this increase, which affords ground for much satisfaction. But the fact that the right hon. Gentleman is associated with my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Overseas Trade Department in connection with the association to which he has referred is a guarantee to all sections of the House that its work is being well carried out.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the trade mission to the Far East will include India in their itinerary; and, if not, whether, in view of the falling off of British trade there, he will cause the scope of the misision to be extended?

In view of the importance and scope of the work of the mission and the time required to visit China and Japan it is not possible to include a visit to India.

In view of the importance of this matter, will the hon. Gentleman suggest to the Government the necessity of reconsidering it?

As I say, it is quite impossible for this mission to go to India, but, if the hon. Member thinks that there is any need for another mission to go to India, I shall be glad to hear from him his reasons and any information which he may have on the subject.

Would it not cause unnecessary expense to send another mission to India?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of exports of agricultural machinery of United Kingdom manufacture to Soviet Russia to cover the period from 1st November, 1929, to 30th June, 1930?

The total declared value of the exports of agricultural machinery and parts thereof manufactured in Great Britain and Northern Ireland and registered during the period from 1st November, 1929, to 30th June, 1930, inclusive, as consigned to the Soviet Union (Russia) amounted to £14,527.

Is there any prospect of increasing this amount considerably?

In view of the trivial amount, will the hon. Member allow some inquiry to be made in Lincoln? Will he consult the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. R. A. Taylor?

asked the Minister of Labour whether her attention has been called to the recent decisions of the representatives of cotton operatives in regard to the rationalisation of that industry, and in particular to their demand that all operatives displaced by that policy should receive compensation; and whether she proposes to take any action in this direction?

No, Sir. So far as I aim aware, the conclusions reached by the operatives' representatives have not been officially announced.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that a week ago the whole of their demands were publicly broadcast, and one of those demands was that if rationalisation took place, they should be compensated if they were displaced, and, this being a matter of public interest, should not they be entitled to consideration?

I am aware that this matter was published in the Press, but it has not yet been officially announced by the operatives' organisation concerned; consequently, we have no official information.

Has anything been done for the extremely hard hit cotton areas in the country?

That is another matter altogether.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the Soviet delegation has placed with other British boot and shoe manufacturers the order for 3,000,000 pairs of footwear not accepted by the Northamptonshire boot and shoe manufacturers?

No, Sir, not so far as I am aware.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Noble Lord, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, made a statement in which he said that the order had been placed, and will he tell me how the Noble Lord had the information if the hon. Gentleman has not?

I have no knowledge of the information on which the Noble Lord based his statement. So far as I am concerned, I know nothing about any order having been given.

If I send the hon. Gentleman a newspaper report of the speech in which this statement is definitely made, will he make inquiries?

Does my hon. Friend know that there are three distinct newspaper reports of that speech, all varying on that point?

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the re-enactment of the Trade Facilities Acts?

As my hon. Friend is aware, Part I of the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, affords assistance to statutory public utility companies in this country either by way of guarantee as under the Trades Facilities Acts or, as an alternative, by way of grants in respect of interest payments. The reasons for not reviving a system of guarantees for ordinary companies were explained by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs during the course of the debates on the Development Act and I cannot usefully add to the statement then made. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Statement I refer to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the quantity and declared value of Chinese eggs in shell and not in shell imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; what steps are being taken by his Department to improve the marketing of home-produced eggs; and what success any such action has met with?

I have been asked to reply. As the reply is necessarily long, I propose, with the permission of hon. Friend, to circulate it in the 0FFICIAL REPORT.

Can we have a statement as to the quantity of these eggs?

Will the hon. Gentleman give the House some indication, before the reply is published, of the quantity of eggs, not in the shell, which comes into this country?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of loans applied for to the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation under the Agricultural Credits Act, 1928, to date; and the amount of money advanced in respect of these various applications?

As the reply is long and contains a number of figures I propose, with the permission of my hon. Friend, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to cases in which imported butter is made up in English wrappers and sold to the public as English butter; and what measures are being adopted by his Department to secure that foreign butter shall be offered for sale to the public with the correct description of the country of origin?

This matter has been receiving the close attention of my right hon. Friend for several months past. It is now understood than an application from certain home and Dominion butter interests for an Order to require the marking of imported butter may be expected shortly. When this application is received it will be referred to the appropriate committee for inquiry in accordance with the Statute.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to his right hon. Friend the necessity of taking steps, when the report is received, to ensure that butter sold in this country is branded with the name of the country of origin and to see that foreign butter is not substituted for British butter?

Is the butter put into these wrappers in this country, or in foreign lands?

The matter is dealt with in the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.

Would butter made from imported milk be called English butter?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that during the month of June, 1930, 66,676 cwts. of tomatoes were imported into this country from Holland as compared with 26,322 cwts. during the same month last year, and that the prices obtained by English growers were from 2d. to 3d. per lb. less this year than last; and whether he will take steps by means of import boards for fruit and vegetables to secure an economic price for the English grower?

The quantities of tomatoes imported into the United Kingdom from Holland in June, 1930 and 1929, were approximately as stated in the question. The average wholesale price of English tomatoes in June last was about 2d. per lb. less than in June, 1929. The whole question of enabling the grower in this country to secure better prices for his fruit, vegetables and other produce is engaging the close attention of my right hon. Friend.

Is it not greatly to the advantage of English consumers that they should be able to get these tomatoes cheaply?

Will the Minister do something in this matter; and will he be able to give a report upon it before the House again sits?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many agricultural education committees have submitted during the past 12 months enlarged schemes of agricultural education for their areas; how many such schemes have been improved; and how many county agricultural committees have not yet submitted enlarged schemes?

51 counties have submitted schemes for an extension of agricultural education in their respective areas, all of which have been approved either as submitted or in some modified form. Two counties have enlarged schemes under consideration which have not yet been submitted to the Ministry. Six authorities have neither submitted schemes for development, nor (so far as the Ministry is aware) have at present any such schemes under consideration.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he intends to announce any proposals before the Recess?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to make a statement on this subject at present.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has received further representations requesting that the gardens at the rear of Whitehall Gardens should be devoted to the use of the public; and, if so, whether he can state the nature of his decision?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what amount, if any, of timber produced within the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics has been used by his Department in the course of the last 12 months?

The Department's standard specification in connection with softwoods permits the use by contractors of British Columbia Pine, Silver Spruce, Oregon Pine, Baltic and White Sea timbers of approved quality. No information is available as to what proportion, if any, of the timbers actually used by contractors comes from the source mentioned by the hon. Member.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman through his Department discover the places from which this timber comes; and, in view of the answer he has given in regard to other places, cannot he give the House some information in regard to Soviet Russia?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put down another question on the subject.

Has your attention been called to the fact, Mr. Speaker, that the hon. Member for North Newcastle-on-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) has four questions on the Paper?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the sample morocco skin, to which supplies have to conform when tendering for upholstery to be used in the houses of Parliament, is made from a goat skin of Empire origin; and whether he will give an assurance that all leather used by the Office of Works shall in future be made from raw material originating from within the Empire?

The exhibited sample is a skin of European origin. I am not prepared to give the assurance asked for in the latter part of the question, but my Department, when placing contracts, will in fact give preference to skins of Empire origin provided that they are up to sample standard and are prepared and finished in accordance with specification.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the goat skin in question is of German origin, and does he want British goats to follow the example of German goats?

asked the First Commissioner of Works what decision has been reached regarding the employment of men on the work of his Department in Edinburgh; and whether he will take into direct employment those workers who have been engaged through contractors on that work?

I regret that it has not yet been possible to arrive at a decision, but I will not fail to advise my hon Friend when the time arrives.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has now reached an accommodation with the Corporation of Edinburgh regarding the design of the building to be erected upon the Calton Gaol site; whether the Fine Arts Commission or the corporation will have the deciding voice upon the present or any modified plans; when the erection of new buildings on the site will commence; whether he will state definitely if the Sheriff Court House will be included in the scheme; and if the last-named building will be capable of housing a Scottish Parliament?

asked the First Commissioner of Works (1) whether he will make available to Members of this House the report of the Fine Arts Commission on the plans of the Office of Works for the Calton site, Edinburgh;

(2) whether he will make available to Members of this House and to members of the Scottish public photographs of a model of the proposed buildings on the Calton site, Edinburgh;

(3) whether, having regard to the division of opinion in the Edinburgh Corporation as to the proposed plans for the Calton site, Edinburgh, as shown by a vote of 32 to 17, with 22 abstentions, he will reconsider the attitude of his Department with a view to making the provision of plans for the works open to full competition?

In view of the lengthy nature of the reply, I should like to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the fact that this is one of the last chances the House will have before the Recess to raise the matter, that we should have the announcement in full now?

I will read the reply: Within the last two days it has been represented to me that the corporation of Edinburgh approve in principle the first scheme prepared by my Department for Government buildings on the Calton Gaol site, Edinburgh. The corporation consider that the Sheriff Court House should be erected in the vicinity of the High Street.

It is quite clear that no other site but that of the Calton Gaol can be acquired within a reasonable time and, as it is essential that the Sheriff Court House shall be erected as early as possible so as to free the site of the present building at George IV Bridge for the extension of the National Library, the Government has decided that there is no alternative to putting the new Sheriff Court House on the Calton Gaol site.

From the previous report of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland, I came to the conclusion that no scheme for a Sheriff Court House and for Public Offices containing sufficient accom- modation for the staff for which it is necessary to provide is likely to meet with the approbation of the Commission. In view, however, of the representations of the Edinburgh Corporation, I am asking the Royal Commission whether, on reconsideration, there is, in their opinion, a reasonable prospect of obtaining a satisfactory architectural scheme on the lines of the original scheme and, if not, for their views as to the design and siting of a Sheriff Court building. On receipt of a reply it will be necessary to consider whether the proposal to erect Government buildings on the Calton Gaol site shall be proceeded with.

My Department is under covenant to obtain the approval of the Edinburgh Corporation to the plans, etc., of any buildings on the site in question, and will, in the future as in the past, avail itself of the advisory services of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland in the preparation of the scheme. I am not prepared to make the designs of the buildings the subject of open competition.

The plans and model of the scheme now under reconsideration were prepared at a very early stage and represent merely the preliminary ideas. If they represented a finished design I should have been prepared to make them available to the Members of the House and, probably, to the public generally, but I have come to the conclusion, after careful consideration, that the publication of the designs and of the report of the Fine Art Commission would only be misleading. I can give the House an assurance that, in the event of a finished design being prepared, full publicity will be given to it at the stage when the plans are submitted to the Edinburgh Corporation.

I regret that, in the circumstances, I cannot state when the buildings will he commenced, but no avoidable delay will occur. I am not in a position to express any opinion as to whether the proposed Sheriff Court House would be capable of housing a Scottish Parliament.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the illustration that is published in an Edinburgh newspaper, a copy of which I now hand to him, is a fair representation of the proposed new building that has received modified commendation from the Edinburgh Corporation, and if he thinks that this building is in keeping with its surroundings?

I cannot add anything to the answer I have given. As to the pictures that are being handed round, I do not know where they come from or anything about them.

Before any final decision is taken to erect a building on modified plans, will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that it will be in Session, and that no decision will be taken before we meet again at the end of October?

I am not sure that I am entitled to give that assurance. The answer to the hon. Member is that the late Government entered into an agreement with the Edinburgh Corporation that no buildings should be erected on that site except with their concurrence and approval. The present Government, through the Office of Works, have confirmed that agreement, and to that we hold. As to whether we should hold up any proceedings between now and the time when Parliament reassembles is a matter for consideration, on which I should not like to give an answer offhand.

The right hon. Gentleman seems to object to these photographs. Is he aware that his Department refused to allow photographs to be taken of the actual model in the anteroom of the corporation buildings, when the decision was taken, and that therefore those who desired to let the public know had no option but to make sketches? Will the right hon. Gentleman now, in view of the great public feeling about this matter, in relation to this very important site, pledge himself that the Department will take no definite decision to build on plans until this House has had an opportunity to express its opinion?

I am not responsible for the imagination of people. I think the hon. Member cannot have heard my reply. The reason, and the only reason, why we have not published any photographs of the drawings is quite simple; they are not complete, and they are being modified. When there is an agreement, we shall be only too pleased to hang them up in the Tea Room and also to publish them broadcast.

I beg to give notice that, at the end of Questions, I shall ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the decision of the Government to erect unsightly buildings on the Calton site, Edinburgh.

On a point of Order. The Government have decided on no buildings at present.

rose—

As the hon. Member for Leith (Mr. E. Brown) has given notice that he intends to move the Adjournment, we cannot pursue the matter further at the moment.

rose—

Mr. Mathers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say anything further with regard to the proposals for increasing the amount of old age pensions in necessitous cases and/or lowering the age?

I have been asked to reply. This matter is one which falls to be considered by the Cabinet Committee at present engaged in a general survey of the existing insurance and pensions legislation, and nay right hon. Friend will not be in a position to make any statement on the subject until this Committee has reported.

The words "with slum clearance" ought to be deleted from this question.

I hope that two of the Measures referred to in the hon. Member's question, namely, those dealing with Housing and Slum Clearance in England and Scotland will be passed into law before the end of the Session. As regards the other Measures, while the Government regret that they have not been able to, carry out their full programme, I would remind the House that throughout the Session, which is now drawing to a close, there has been no attempt to restrict discussion on any of the substantially important matters like the Finance Bill which have been brought before the House. With regard to next Session, the House will remember that it is proposed to set up a Select Committee to overhaul the whole question of Parliamentary procedure, and I can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government will, while refraining from making excessive calls on the capacity of the House, do their best to attain at least the same standard of achievement as has been reached this Session.

Is it not the case that, with the exception of the other Measure in connection with slum clearance, the Coal Mines Bill is the only important Bill passed in the last year; and is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the legislative output of the Government?

I should never be satisfied with anything, but there are two first-class Measures, and, if the hon. Member compares that record with previous records, he will find that he ought to be satisfied as well as me.

Does the right hon. Gentleman retain his desire for the Trade Disputes Bill?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government will guarantee effective protection of the Roman Wall and its surroundings before amending legislation is introduced?

As I have already explained to the House, the wall and the vallum are in no danger. The quarrying has not yet begun and as the House is aware, I have under preparation a Bill which will give adequate powers for the protection of the wall and the surroundings. It is unlikely that any appreciable amount of quarrying can be carried out before amending legislation is introduced.

May I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that all that is possible is being done in the interim?

Yes, I am quite satisfied.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the existing system of ventilation of the House of Commons was first installed; and when any alteration or improvement was last effected and in what respect?

The existing system of ventilation in the House of Commons was first installed in 1854 and modified in 1892. A minor alteration was recently effected whereby the air inlets beneath the benches. have been covered with canvas.

Have any of the streptococci been forcibly fed since this recent alteration; and was the result the same as before when they were fed on broth for some months and very largely propagated?

The hon. Gentleman had better give me notice of these questions.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the risk of injury, especially to elderly people, attendant upon the climbing of Arthur's Seat in the King's Park, Edinburgh, owing to the slippery nature of the rock near the summit; and whether he proposes to take action to minimise the danger?

I am informed that as there are several well-defined and easily negotiated tracks leading to and from the summit, there is no need for visitors to climb over the rock. In these circumstances, it would not appear that any action on my part is necessary.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the propriety of having a kilt fitted to Arthur's Seat?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the estimated cost during the period of the Treaty of maintaining our construction on the basis of the requirements mentioned in Command Paper 3620?

The hon. Member is mistaken in supposing that Command Paper 3620 indicates with precision our requirements for naval construction over the period of the Treaty. On the contrary, it is there explained why His Majesty's Government were unable to put forward a programme of building to cover that period at the present time. As was stated in the reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on 2nd July (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1941) any estimate of the sort could he neither accurate nor useful, as it would have to be based upon all sorts of assumptions for which there is at present insufficient warrant.

Is my hon. Friend aware that his answer destroys the whole purpose of the White Paper, which lays down certain minimum requirements, and my question is, what will be the cost to the country if those minimum requirements are met?

I would draw my hon. Friend's attention to the latter part of paragraph 2 and to paragraph 3 of the White Paper, which he will see bears out what I stated in the reply to this question.