asked the Secretary of State for India (1) the result of the interview granted by the Viceroy to Mr. Gandhi;

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information with regard to the attitude of the Congress party towards the Round Table Conference proposals?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make a statement in rgard to the discussions between the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi and certain Indian political leaders at New Delhi?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to tell the House the result of the interviews which took place between the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi?

As the conversations are still proceeding, I am not at present able to make any statement. Needless to say, I will seek the earliest possible opportunity of giving the House information.

While we are anxious that these conversations should be successful, may I ask whether sufficient time has not been given for some kind of co-operation in reply to the very generous offer made to them at the Round Table Conference, and whether, in the circumstances, these conversations are not doing rather harm?

I will ask the House to exercise a little patience. Needless to say, I am anxious for the earliest possible sign of co-operation.

Are these negotiations being conducted on the advice of His Majesty's Government or entirely on the initiative of the Viceroy?

The hon. and gallant Member does not understand the position. The responsibility for Indian policy rests on these benches.

Are not these conversations having a disastrous effect on our prestige?

Are the principal points at issue still the Salt Tax, picketing and the alleged brutality of the police?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to make any statement as to His Majesty's Government's plans for carrying on the work of the Round Table Conference; and whether the next session will be held in India?

I am afraid I am still unable to make a statement on this on subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to hold any separate inquiry into the proposals for the future government of Burma, or whether this matter will only be considered in conjunction with the Round Table Conference proposals generally?

I am not yet able to make any statement as to the methods to be adopted for framing a new constitution for Burma; but since the intention is—as already announced by His Majesty's Government—that this constitution should be for a Burma separated from India, there can be no doubt, I think, that it must be worked out—in the main at all events—by machinery different from that to be devised for carrying on the work of the Round Table Conference in framing a new constitution for India.

Will there be an opportunity of reconsidering this matter before a final settlement is reached, or is it a final settlement?

I must refer the hon. Member to the statement made at the Conference.

Does the answer of the right hon. Gentleman mean that in no case will Burma be in an inferior status to India in these negotiations?

That point also was dealt with at the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information in regard to the type and duration of the course of training given on the training ship "Dufferin," Bombay; whether this training is sufficient to enable the boys passed out of the "Dufferin" to be taken into the Royal Indian Marine; and the number of boys from the "Dufferin" who have been so absorbed?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the prospectus of the "Dufferin," which I hope will give him the information for which he asks in the first part of the question. As regards the remainder, a special competition limited to "Dufferin" cadets was held last May with a view to facilitating the entry of such cadets into the Royal Indian Marine. The examination was assimilated in standard and type to that for the admission of candidates from mercantile marine training establishments in this country to the Royal Navy. Unfortunately none of the candidates succeeded in reaching the prescribed qualifying standard. A further competition will he held next autumn and in the meantime additional tuition will be afforded by the introduction of a special coaching class. A modification in the list of subjects is also being considered in the light of the results of the last examination.

asked the Secretary of State for India the present position in the matter of the consultations between the Government of India and the Provincial Governments on the ques- tion of centralising the whole subject of cinchona cultivation and the manufacture and distribution of quinine, as suggested by the Royal Commission on Agriculture in India, as a first step towards the reduction of the price of quinine in India to a level at which it would be possible to embark on an extensive anti-malaria campaign?

The Government of Madras have expressed their agreement with the recommendations of the Royal Commission and their willingness to transfer their plantations and factory to the Government of India. The Government of Bengal wish to retain their plantations and factory in their own hands and consider that in any case no change should be made until the future constitution of the Central and Provincial Governments has been settled. In the case of Burma no action can of course be taken, at least for the present, in view of the recommendation of the Round Table Conference in favour of the separation of Burma. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a report recently received from the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of men who served in the Indian forces during the Great War who are now imprisoned in India for political offences?

I can add nothing to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for South Derby (Major Pole) on the 6th February.

The right hon. Gentleman himself stated that there were thousands of Indian ex-soldiers in prison in India. May I ask him where he got his information?

If the hon. Member will be good enough to road the answer to which I have referred, he will see that I took special occasion for correcting what was a mishearing in the Gallery.

asked the Secretary of State for India what cost has been incurred by the Government of India to date in connection with the Meerut trial?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom (Commander Southby) on 26th January. I have no later information.

In view of the financial situation in India, are any special steps being taken to hasten this trial and thus cut down the costs?

We have made every endeavour to shorten the trial, but I hesitate to do any more as the proceedings are now concerned with the defence.

Has the possible release of these prisoners been taken into consideration in connection with the questions that are being discussed?

I think we must await the judgment of the court.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information of the recent attack made upon a party of military police at Zaingthwe, near Tharawaddy?

The only recent attack upon the police of which I have official information was one in the Henzada District in which 250 villagers attacked two police officers and a few constables. Nine villagers were killed and, on the Government side, the driver of a motor omnibus was seriously injured.

May I ask whether any police were injured?

I have given the hon. Member that information.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information to give the House regarding imports of cotton goods of Soviet Russian origin into India?

No, Sir, I have no information.

May I ask whether there is any possibility of ascertaining whether Soviet Russia are exporting cotton goods into India?

I think the hon. Member is under a complete misapprehension. The imports of cotton of Soviet Russia into India are so negligible that they are not even classified.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long His Majesty's Government have been privy to the proposed increase in cotton duties and whether Lancashire interests have been consulted at all?

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

asked the Secretary of State for India if it is intended that any proposals put forward at the recent Round Table Conference which do not require an amendment of the Government of India Act in order to be effected shall be put into operation; and, if so, whether he will state which proposals will be so treated?

The Government of India have already announced that a committee will be set up at an early date to formulate plans for the Indian Military College which it is intended to establish. There may be other administrative action which can be taken in the near future, and sympathetic consideration is being given to any such possibility.

Will the right hon. Gentleman publish a White Paper or otherwise inform the House of the intentions of His Majesty's Government having regard to the great importance of this matter?

Certainly. I will take every means of informing the House of Commons of anything that is intended.

Will the right hon. Gentleman further consider publishing a White Paper explaining exactly what is meant by the speech of the Commander-in-Chief in the Assembly on behalf of His Majesty's Government in which he foreshadowed a very extensive increase in Indianisation, about which we have had no information yet in this House?

Perhaps the Noble Lord will put a specific question on that point, to which I shall he glad to give a detailed reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to give the figures, for any later period than the end of 1929, of arrests in British India for the following offences: sedition, incitement to violence, unlawful assembly, breaches of the salt and forest laws and breaches of the ordinances issued by the Governor-General in Council to maintain law and order?

I have asked the Government of India to let me have such information as is available and will communicate with the Noble Lord in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for India when the Government of India is expected to start its own air mail service from Karachi to Calcutta, via Delhi; whether in the meantime it could be arranged for this service to be run by Imperial Airways, so as to connect England with Australia, via Burma and the Straits Settlements; and what is the present position with regard to air mails across India?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend on 23rd February, the extension of the Indian State Air Service to Calcutta is expected to be in operation by the end of this year. No proposals for the working of the Karachi to Calcutta section of the air route to Australia by Imperial Airways Limited are before the Government of India. Mails are at present being carried from London by air as far as Delhi only.

May I ask whether this was not one of the questions exhaustively discussed at the Imperial Conference, and is there no way of hastening the completion of this Imperial air route?

I have stated that it is intended that the link between Delhi and Calcutta shall be put into operation as soon as practical considerations permit.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by the words "no proposals" in his answer?

What is meant is that where the line is worked it will be worked by the Government of India.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what practical considerations stand in the ways of this proposal being carried out except the refusal of the Government of India to implement their promise?

I cannot admit that there has been any refusal to implement any promise on the part of the Government of India. The policy of the Government of India is that this line shall be operated by the Government of India and that policy is being carried through.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress is being made in the establishment of training colleges in India for officers for the Indian Army; how many of these colleges it is proposed to establish; whether it is proposed to start an aviation school; and whether it is intended to train India gentlemen as officers in the artillery and engineers?

A full statement of the Government's policy in these matters was given in the speech made in the Council of State on the 25th February by the Commander-in-Chief.

I am aware of that speech. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to answer the first part of my question. Apart from speeches, may I ask what progress is being made in this matter?

It was for the express purpose of dealing fully with and with knowledge of this question that the Commander-in-Chief made his speech, and I can really add nothing to what he said.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter has been in the stage of setting up committees for some years? When are we going to get progress?

If the hon. and gallant Member will read the speech, he will see that it has long passed the stage of setting up committees. It is now a practical subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that on 27th July, 1929, there were signed by representatives of Great Britain, the Dominions, and India one convention relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, and a new Geneva convention for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick of armies in the field, he will say why these conventions have not been presented to Parliament with a view to ratification?

A number of legal questions have had to be examined in connection with these two conventions, one of which will require legislation to bring it into effect. The conventions will be laid before Parliament very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations are proceeding with the Portuguese Government with a view to the abolition of the discriminatory Customs duties on cargo?

A decree was issued on the 3rd of February by the Portuguese Government abolishing discriminatory quay dues. My right hon. Friend regrets, however, that, in spite of repeated representations by His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon, no satisfaction has yet been obtained on the question of flag discrimination on cargoes.

If the Foreign Secretary were to tell the Portuguese Government that we would discriminate against their wines coming into this country, would we not get a more favourable reply?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information he can give to the House in connection with the results of the British Industries Fair?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will make a general statement to the House on the success which has attended the British Industries Fair in Birmingham and London; the number of visitors to each section; and the views of his expert advisers on the volume of business done?

So far as can be ascertained from inquiries among the exhibitors at the Fair, the business done in practically all sections has been thoroughly satisfactory. The total number of attendances by overseas buyers was 4,854 in London and 1,984 in Birmingham, a total of 6,838. Until it has been possible to analyse the cards received at both sections of the Fair, I cannot give the exact number of overseas buyers who attended, but we know that there is an increase of about 25 per cent. over last year's numbers. The visits by home buyers numbered 167,259 in London and 106,682 in Birmingham, a total of 273,941, showing an increase of 30,000 over last year's figures. Visits by the general public numbered 34,679 in London and 14,215 in Birmingham, a total of 48,894. The. increased attendance and volume of business done are particularly satisfactory in view of the present condition of world trade.

Is it not possible to give some approximate figure representing the value of the orders placed?

I could not give any figure.

Can the hon. Gentleman do anything to call the attention of our Commercial Secretaries and Consuls-General throughout the world to the success of these Fairs?

I shall take note of the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has yet come to a decision to publish an annual report upon trade conditions in the Soviet Socialist Republics or to issue some publication dealing with trade in that country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Lewisham East (Sir A. Pownall) on Monday, the 2nd February.

Why is the hon. Gentleman so nervous and frightened of dealing with this matter?

I think the right hon. Gentleman cannot be aware of the answer I have referred to, because I gave there very definite information.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the embargo on imports from Russia by the Canadian Government?

Order, Order!

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what British firms have, up to date, opened branch offices in Soviet Russia; what classes of goods they offer for sale; and what improvement in the British export trade with Russia has taken place during the past three months in those classes of goods?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned on 2nd February, to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald). In reply to the second part of the question, three of the firms concerned deal in material required by the engineering industry, and of the remaining two, one is a mining corporation, and the other a telegraph company. With regard to the third part of the question, the latest statistics available of exports of goods of British manufacture to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics during the period of three months ended January, 1931, as compared with a similar period ended January, 1930, are as follow:

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that we were told by the Socialists that when trade with Russia was re-opened, it would put unemployment right; and is this all the export trade we are doing with Russia?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the obligation imposed on this country by Article 23 (a) of the Covenant of the League of Nations, he will give instructions to the Export Credits Committee to suspend the grant of export credits to Russia until the Soviet Government agrees to an inquiry into the conditions of work in the Russian timber camps?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend does not consider that the objects of the Covenant of the League of Nations are likely to be promoted by the particular course of action suggested. I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by me to his question on the same subject on Monday last.

Can the hon. Gentleman yet suggest any effective action that the Government propose to take to carry out their obligations under the League of Nations Covenant?

I do not think I can add anything to the very numerous replies to practically identical questions which have been returned on many occasions.

Can the hon. Member tell us when we may be able to expect any answer as to how the Government propose to carry out their obligations?

It is not admitted on behalf of the Government that they have failed to carry out their obligations.

Does the hon. Gentleman propose to palter with slavery?

Is it not the object of the League of Nations to promote good will between nations instead of bad feeling?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state what has been the course of the export trade in coal from the Tyne ports since the coming into operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930?

I have been asked to reply. The quantity of coal shipped as cargo from the Tyne ports (i.e., Newcastle and North and South shields) for each month from August, 1930, onwards was:

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the recent change which has taken place in Italian law relating to selling agents or representatives of foreign firms in that country; and if his Department will call the attention of British trade organisations to any obligations which the new law imposes upon them?

As regards the first part of the question I have no knowledge of any change in Italian legislation affecting the persons referred to; the second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Will the hon. Gentleman have inquiries made to see if any change in this direction has taken place in Italian law, affecting our trade in Italy?

Inquiries were made when the hon. Member put down his question, and we have not been able to obtain any information.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he has given full consideration to the recommendation made in the report of the British trade mission to South Africa, namely, that the efforts of the Empire Marketing Board in this country on behalf of the Dominions and Colonies should have their counterpart in a State- aided campaign to advertise British goods in all parts of the British Empire; and what action he proposes to take?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government will not fail to bear in mind the views expressed in this report and I hope that at some future time it may be possible to take steps in the direction which the mission had in mind. I fear, however, that any substantial increase of expenditure on these lines is impracticable at present having regard to the financial situation.

Is it not most important, if we are to carry on in this country, an intensive propaganda in favour of the sale of Imperial products —that is, the products of our Dominions and Colonies—that we should institute some corresponding propaganda in the Dominions and Colonies in favour of the sale of our own British products; and will the hon. Gentleman take that matter into immediate consideration?

Before the hon. Gentleman replies—[HON MEMBERS: "Answer!"]—may I ask him if he is aware that in the railway stations in South Africa advertisements of British goods are to be printed in both Dutch and English?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of that fact. I shall certainly bear in mind the point raised by the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon), and, if he sees any opportunity of doing anything, I shall be only too glad to consider the matter.

Why is this Government always waiting? The South African Government have already offered to help, and why cannot His Majesty's Government do something?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will state how many officers and how many men who were drawing war disability pensions died as the result of their war disability in the year ended 31st March, 1930; and how many of these left widows or children who were then granted pensions under the War Pensions Regulations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Wrekin Division of Shropshire (Miss Picton-Turbervill) on Thursday, the 26th February, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state the number of mechanically-propelled tricycles supplied by the Ministry at present in use by disabled men in receipt of pensions; and can he state the amount expended by the Ministry during the previous 12 months for the upkeep of these vehicles?

The number of mechanically-propelled tricycles now in use by pensioners of the Ministry is 2,204. The cost to the Ministry of upkeep of these tricycles was approximately £4,800 during the year 1929–30.

How often are these vehicles renewed?

They are renewed as often as necessary and kept in proper repair.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the growing danger from grey squirrels, as set out in the literature issued by his Department, he will suggest to the different local authorities the desirability of offering a reward for each grey squirrel killed in its area?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that local authorities have no power to offer rewards such as the hon. Member suggests. I am, moreover, advised that the experience of this and other countries in connection with other pests indicates that such a method of securing the destruction of grey squirrels would probably prove unsatisfactory, and would be liable to abuse.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in cases where farmers outside the factory areas are unable to obtain remunerative contracts for sugar-beet owing to being required to pay the full cost of railway freightage, he will consider recommending Parliament to make a special grant for the purpose of meeting part of the cost of carriage

I cannot accept the suggestion of the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that farmers outside these areas are precluded from receiving any benefit at all from the present contracts made by the factories?

The arrangement recently entered into took account of all these matters.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the farmers who are now outside should be brought in; or are they to be left out of these arrangements altogether?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the result of his consultation with the Postmaster-General with regard to the advertisement of Danish bacon in postage-stamp books?

My hon. Friend has arranged that the Post Office will not accept for stamp books or other Post Office publications any advertisement of an avowedly foreign article of agri- cultural produce which competes with a home-produced commodity.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what representations he has received from firms, members of the National Poultry Council, with regard to the leaflet hostile to the Marketing Bill issued by the National Poultry Council on behalf of poultry and chicken food manufacturers?

I am unaware to what extent the firms on whose behalf the circular is alleged to have been issued, are members of the National Poultry Council. I am, however, informed by the Scientific Poultry Breeders' Association, which is a very large manufacturer of feeding stuffs on behalf of its members and is affiliated to the National Poultry Council, that it is not associated with the issue of this circular, which in my opinion, is inaccurate and misleading propaganda.

Is it not a fact that one of the greatest experts in the marketing of British eggs, who has handled over 12,000,000 is very strongly in favour of the principles of the Bill?

I think that is so.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to imply by his answer that the National Poultry Council has issued a spurious manifesto?

No, but I say that statements in the manifesto are inaccurate and misleading.

Is it not the case that the National Poultry Council considered the Bill on its merits, and that, like any other public body, they are entitled to make representations upon it?

I have no doubt that they did so. All I say is that their statements are inaccurate and misleading.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, according to letters in the Press, the Council think his speech inaccurate and misleading.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of fresh cases of outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that have been confirmed by his Department during the six months ended to the last convenient date; and whether it has been possible to identify the origin of the initial cases in any of these centres?

10 cases of foot-and-mouth disease, distributed between six separate centres, have been confirmed by the Ministry during the six months ended 26th February last. In none of the initial cases was it possible definitely to identify the origin of infection.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of male workers in employment on agricultural holdings of above one acre on 4th June, 1928, 1929, and 1930, respectively; and how many of these were adults?

The total numbers of male workers returned on 4th June, 1928, 1929, and 1930, as being in employment on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in England and Wales, were 670,137, 667,870, and 644,777 respectively. The adult male workers numbered 529,656 in 1928, 531,325 in 1929 and 515,280 in 1930.

Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the grave decrease in the figures during his administration?

The figures went down long before I came into office.

How is it that the figures decreased so little during the administration of the Conservative Government, compared with last year?

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the relief given to farmers for the year 1930, under the provisions of the Local Government Act, has been followed by an improvement in the wages of the farm-workers in any counties a England or Wales?

I have no definite information as to improvements effected, other than statutory. The only improvements during 1930 in the minimum rates of wages fixed under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, were increases of 1s. per week in the rates of all classes of adult male workers in Glamorganshire, and in the rates for certain classes of such workers in Merioneth and Montgomery.

Is it not a fact that the greater part of this relief has already gone into the pockets of the landowners?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement showing the extent to which use is being made of the credit facilities afforded by the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation to improve the permanent equipment of farm holdings?

Up to and including Tuesday, 24th February, 1931, the Agricultural Mortgage Corporation had granted 43 loans amounting to £18,503 unde the Improvement of Land Acts (England and Wales). In addition to the above, the corporation have granted 2,302 loans amounting to £6,837,000 on mortgages. I am unable to say what part of this sum has been used by the borrowers to improve the permanent equipment of their holdings.

asked the Postmaster-General when he intends to replace existing telephone instruments in the Houses of Parliament by the newer type of one-piece instruments?

The new type of instrument has been fitted in the 21 telephone cabinets used by hon. Members.

Is it a fact that the Postmaster-General had forgotten all about the House of Commons previous to this question being placed on the Notice Paper?

No. I communicated with the Serjeant-at-Arms several weeks ago on this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General why applicants for the installation of a telephone service in the Bristol area are being asked to wait at least 12 months for connection with the service?

Service to new subscribers in certain parts of the Bristol area involves the provision of new cables, and circuits will be available in about six weeks. The reference to 12 months seems to have been due to a misunderstanding, which may have arisen from the fact that the conversion of the Bristol exchanges to automatic working will not take place till next year.

I cannot agree that the—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"] Am I correct in saying—[Interruption]. I have a letter which is in direct contradiction.

Order!

We cannot have letters read at Question time.

asked the Postmaster-General if his attention has been called to the suggestion contained in the Constabulary reports for 1930 of the advantage in having telephones available outside certain selected police-station houses on the main roadways; and what action he proposes to take?

The question of providing telephone facilities for police forces is primarily one for consideration by the police authorities, but I shall be happy to collaborate with them in devising any scheme such as that to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to provide a Sunday collection of letters from Abbey village, near Charley, where there is a population of about 700 persons who are at present, on an average, one mile away from the nearest pillar box which is cleared on Sundays?

I am having inquiry made and will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General what would be the cost of establishing and maintaining a sub-post office and a telephone call-office at Berghers Hill, in Buckinghamshire, to serve Berghers Hill, Hedsor, and Wooburn Common?

Without making detailed inquiry I am unable to give an exact figure, but in any case the cost would not be less than £30–£35 a year.

In view of this small cost, does the hon. Gentleman not think he could grant these facilities, which are wanted by a great number of people?

asked the Postmaster-General if he will consult with the suitable authorities and arrange for the installation of more cab-rank telephone boxes in the Marylebone district; and will he also arrange that the telephone boxes at cab ranks should be painted pillar-box red and should state their telephone numbers so that the facilities offered may be brought to the notice of the public?

Telephones are provided free of charge at cab-ranks where the estimated traffic warrants their provision; and 10 cab-ranks in the Marylebone district are already fitted with telephones. The question of extending the facility is reviewed from time to time, and if the hon. and gallant Member has any particular case in mind, I will have inquiries made. If the telephone boxes were painted red there would be some risk of confusion with fire telephones and other appliances used by the Fire Brigade; and I do not propose to adopt this suggestion. Arrangements have been made for the telephone numbers of all cab-rank telephones to be displayed in white block letters and figures on a black background.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is, for example, a cab-rank telephone box in Marylebone, and that., as I came down by it, I saw that there was no number on it? Further, do we understand him to say that there are only 10 cab-rank telephone boxes in the whole Metropolitan area?

No, I meant in Marylebone. I did not say that these notices had been erected; I said that arrangements had been made.