asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any information of any fresh regulations introduced in British India for the purpose of regulating British sound-cinematograph films; and whether he can give particulars of any films that have been recently prohibited from showing in India?

As to the first part of the question, no, Sir. With my hon. Friends permission, I will circulate particulars regarding four films recently prohibited.

Are they British films?

I cannot give an answer to that question without notice.

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?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is now proposed to hold another session of the Round Table Conference; and, if so, where will the renewed session be held?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to hold the resumed Round Table Conference in England or in India; and what is the approximate date proposed?

I have been asked to reply to these questions. It is hoped to make a statement on this subject very shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the next session of the Conference will be in India?

I cannot say.

With regard to my question, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the House will have an opportunity of discussing recent events in India?

That question relates to the Business of the House, and should not be addressed to me.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my

Yes, but it did not say anything about the proceedings in this House.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what is the amount of opium which has been exported from India during each of the last three years; to what countries the exports have been consigned; what revenue has been derived from these exports; and what is the total acreage now under cultivation for the opium poppy in India?

I am unable to give figures for 1930, but, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate a table of the latest available figures.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information, concerning the facilities in the form of scholarships offered by the Government of India during the last year to Indian boys either in this country or in India for training in aeronautics, and the advantage that has been taken of these facilities?

In accordance with the scheme for the training of Indians in civil aviation of which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend particulars on the 5th December, 1929, six students are now under training in this country. The last two of these scholars began their course of training in July last.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have now received the report of the committee appointed to prepare a preliminary survey of the financial relations between British India and the Indian States; and whether he will consider the desirability of placing this report upon the Table of the House?

The report referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is presumably that of the committee appointed last summer by the Government of India to investigate certain facts relevant to the economic and financial relations between British India and the Indian States with a view to these facts being before the Round Table Conference. Copies of the report were distributed to members of the Conference and I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information concerning the policy of the Government of India in respect of the future organisation and development of the services taken over from the Indian Broadcasting Company; and whether it is proposed to take any steps with a view to reduce the loss incurred on account of these services?

A Central Broadcasting Advisory Committee consisting of re- presentatives of the Legislature and of Commercial interests has been set up and has recommended the adoption of certain measures designed to increase the attractions of broadcasting in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Princes and their States have been consulted by the Viceroy and informed by him as to his conversations with Gandhi; and whether their rights or treaties are in any way affected by any arrangements that may be come to?

So far as I am aware the Princes were not consulted during the progress of the conversations. The answer to the second part of the question is No, Sir.

Is it not possible that some of the rights of the Princes may have been interfered with by arrangements of that sort?

That is a repetition of the second part of the question to which I have given an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for India what basis of co-operation has now been reached between the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi; and how it affects the position in relation to the private manufacturers of salt?

The hon. and gallant Member's question was answered by the statement issued on Thursday last.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position with regard to the boycott on British goods; and whether the economic boycott is continuing?

The Position was explained in some detail in paragraphs six and seven of the Statement which I read to the House on Thursday last.

Is the night hon. Gentleman aware that there is some ambiguity with regard to the continuance or otherwise of the economic boycott, and could he give any further information on this subject?

I do not think that it would be wise to attempt to amplify the statement as it was printed and read to the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in view of the approaching Debate, at least ascertain whether the economic boycott is continuing?

Of course, the trade figures are constantly under observation and the latest information will be gladly supplied to the House.

May we take it that the Indians will be allowed to buy where they choose?

Have Indians not as much right to say "Buy Indian goods" as the British people have to say "Buy British goods"?

Is there not a very great difference between that and bringing pressure to bear?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what steps have been taken to show the appreciation of the British and Indian peoples for the work of the police in India, British and Indian, in times of difficulty and danger; and whether the Government of India are taking steps to protect their homes and belongings?

Many well-deserved tributes have been paid by local Governments to the manner in which the Indian police have behaved in circumstances of great difficulty. Special allowances for the police have been sanctioned in several Provinces, as was stated in the House on 23rd February. As regards the second part of the question, I trust danger of the nature suggested no longer exists.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that, in addition to the local Governments, the Government of India, through Sir James Crerar in the Assembly, have expressed their approval?

Is it not a fact that credit is equally due to British and Indian police and no reference is made to the British police?

I think the tributes referred to what we call the police, including British.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present position as regards the Afridis on the Indian frontier; whether they have agreed to terms; and whether the road and defence works are being continued unmolested?

No settlement has yet been reached with the Afridis but there is some reason to believe that the peace party among them is growing in influence. The road and defence works are being continued with very little interference from the Afridis. Since the 1st January detachments of our troops have been actively engaged on only three occasions with small parties of tribesmen.

In view of the dangerous time in the coming summer, is the Commander-in-Chief satisfied that he has adequate forces to deal with any trouble that does break out?

Those were the plans which were prepared and considered appropriate, and they are being carried through, I am glad to say, without trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the position of the staff of the Indo-European Telegraph Department in Persia, who have now lost their means of livelihood owing to the handing over of the control of the land lines to the Persian Government; whether any alternative employment has been offered them; and, if not, what compensations have been granted?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the replies which I gave the hon. and gallant Member for St. Albans (Lieut.-Colonel Fremantle) on the 23rd February, of which I am sending him a copy. I am sending to the hon. and gallant Member a statement containing the main items of the scheme of compensation for officers of the Indo-European Telegraph Department, whose services are being dispensed with. Alternative employment with the Imperial and International Communications Limited has been offered to and accepted by some 74 members of the staff of various grades.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, following the settlement with the Congress party, any attempt is being made to obtain a settlement with the 70,000,000 Moslems and 60,000,000 depressed classes?

By means of the continuing work of the Conference it is hoped to obtain a settlement of the Indian problem which shall be equitable to the minorities.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, after a whole fortnight has been spent in obtaining a settlement, that the leader of the party—

Does the right hon. Gentleman accept the statement that there are 60,000,000 depressed classes, and is it not a fact that the Simon Report stated that the number was 43,000,000?

I answered the question I am afraid, without making a detailed effort to check the accuracy of the figures mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the present strength of the British Army in India; and whether all units are up to establishment?

The strength on the 1st January was 61,000 as against a total establishment of 59,770.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how that number compares with the number 10 years ago?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question as to whether all units are up to establishment?

I cannot give an answer to that without a good deal of research. The aggregate figures are established, but I cannot give without great research a detailed answer to that question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any representations have been made to the Government of India to the effect that if increased customs duties are necessary preference should be extended to British goods over those of foreign competitors?

I have been asked to reply. No representations have been made other than those which I described in my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Moss Side and the hon. and gallant Member for Clitheroe on 4th March. The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware that British cotton goods already enjoy in India the advantage of lower customs duties than those applicable to similar foreign goods. This advantage they will continue to enjoy.

Do I understand that when those proposals were submitted to the Secretary of State no representations were made to see that the increased duties should have preferential effect with regard to Britain?

I do not think that I can add anything to the reply which I gave the other day when I stated that the whole position was represented to the Indian Government and emphasis laid upon the great anxiety that exists in this country with regard to it.

Have any efforts been made to see that British goods at least shall receive priority over foreign goods—[Interruption.] It is a very vital question.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the fact that British imports from Russia for the last three years total £82,250,000 and British exports to Russia £13,250,000, he will withhold the grant of further facilities under the Export Credits Scheme till this reservoir of credit is used up?

No, Sir.

Arising out of that very short answer, may I ask why the Government continue to give unnecessary credits to Russia?

Is it not a fact that this vast balance is being used in order to purchase goods in other countries—in the United States and elsewhere—and what is the advantage to this country?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what special advantages Great Britain has obtained by reason of the trade agreement entered into with Russia by the present Government as compared with the United States of America, who have no trade agreement with Russia; and whether the direct exports from Great Britain to Russia have been greater than the exports from the United States to Russia during the period since the trade agreement has been operative?

With regard to the first part of the question, the Soviet Government have frequently stated that in future their policy will be to deal as far as possible only with those countries with whom some form of Trade Agreement exists? The concrete advantage resulting from the Trade Agreement is an increase in exports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures during the eight months ending 31st December, 1930, as compared with the eight months ending 31st December, 1929. With regard to the second part of the question, exports from the United States were greater than those from the United Kingdom. But during the period of seven months ending 30th November, 1930, as compared with the similar period in 1929, exports from the United States decreased by 6 per cent., whereas exports from the United Kingdom increased by 96 per cent.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the figures for the exports from the United States and from this country?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether a committee has yet been appointed, in pursuance of the recommendation in the Chelmsford Report, to consider the question of the acquisition of a site and the erection of buildings in which the British Industries Fair may be held in future years?

An unforeseen delay has occurred in settling the constitution and terms of reference for the Committee, but it is hoped that it will be possible to issue invitations to serve on the Committee before long.

When will it be convenient to the hon. Gentleman for me to put down a further question on this subject?

Possibly in a week's time I might have some information; I am not certain.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how the Leipzig Fair is financed, with special reference to the cost of advertising that fair?

Since my hon. Friend replied to the right hon. Member's question on this subject on the 23rd February, advice has been received from His Majesty's Consul at Leipzig to the effect that the Saxon Diet has now voted £10,000 to the Leipzig Fair, and that the Government of the Reich have not yet definitely refused to grant a subvention. In the circumstances, it appears that the cost of advertising the Spring Fair will be met from the contributions of the Government of Saxony, the Municipality of Leipzig, the Leipzig Chamber of Commerce, and the exhibitors.

Is this the first time the fair has had assistance from the Government?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any decision has yet been reached in connection with an increased Government grant towards the advertisement of the British Industries Fair?

I regret that it has not been possible to make provision for more than the existing grant of £25,000 in the Estimates for 1931.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there has been any reduction in the selling price of timber imported from Sweden and Finland during the six months ended February, 1931, and the total amount of standards of timber (softwood) imported from those countries for the same period?

I have no information regarding the selling price in this country of timber imported from Sweden and Finland. The average declared import values of soft wood (sawn and planed or dressed) and of pitprops or pitwood imported from these countries in January, 1931, compared with those in August, 1930, show a decline except in the case of pitprops or pitwood from Sweden. The total quantity of soft wood including pitprops or pitwood imported into the United Kingdom and registered during the six months ended the 31st. January, 1931, as consigned from Sweden was 693,000 loads, and from Finland 934,000 loads. Particulars in respect of February, 1931, are not yet available.

Is my hon. Friend not aware that the price of standard timber both from Finland and Sweden has been reduced on two occasions, due to the fact that the Russians have been imparting timber and have made them reduce their prices?

Hear, hear. Cheaper houses.

(for Sir FRANK NELSON), asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate loss of revenue experienced by the Governments of the Straits Settlements and Ceylon owing to the fall in the price of raw rubber since the removal of the Stevenson restriction scheme?

The revenues of the Colonies named have fallen since 1928, but not more proportionally than that of most other countries. It is quite impossible to say how much is due to the fall in the price of rubber and how much to other causes.

(for Sir F. NELSON) asked the Under-Secre- tary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that, with the price of raw rubber in the neighbourhood of 4d. per pound, the rubber-planting industry in the Straits Settlements and Ceylon is incurring losses; and will he state what His Majesty's Government propose to do to save the industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Bromley (Mr. Campbell) on the 6th of March.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the list of minority petitions received by the secretariat of the League of Nations, during the period 13th June, 1929, to 31st May, 1930, which were declared receivable but whose examination has not yet been finished?

Under the existing rules of procedure, publicity is ordinarily only given to the number of petitions received, the numbers declared to be receivable and non-receivable, and the number of petitions of which the examination by a committee of three members of the Council has been completed. My right hon. Friend regrets that he is not, therefore, in a position to give a list of the petitions to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will explain the grounds on which the committee of three decided that the petition presented to the League of Nations by three Macedonians on 14th January, 1930, could not properly be brought before the Council?

Committees of three members of the Council, when they have completed their examination of a minority petition, make a report to the Council. This report is, however, only circulated to Council members for their information, and is not published unless a special decision to that effect is taken with the consent of the Government concerned. No such decision was taken in this case, and, consequently, my right hon. Friend is not in a position to announce the grounds on which the decision of the Committee of Three was based.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the Government of the Republic of Liberia have accepted the recommendations of the recent conference arising out of the report of the committee of the League of Nations to inquire into allegations of slavery in Liberia; and whether the system of forced labour to which exception was taken in the report has now ceased?

The Liberian Government were represented on the committee set up by the Council of the League of Nations, and this committee unanimously adopted the resolutions to which the Noble Lord refers. With regard to the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government have every reason to hope that the expert on general administration, who is now proceeding to Monrovia, will be able to propose suitable action in order to bring to an end the unsatisfactory state of affairs revealed in the report of the Commission of Inquiry.

Is the effect of the hon. Gentleman's long answer to the second part of the question that this forced labour has not ceased? Has he had any information from His Majesty's representatives there?

We should not like to commit ourselves to a statement which might turn out to be untrue and damaging to the Liberian Government, who, we believe, are making efforts to improve the position in this respect; but the answer which I gave to the second part of the Noble Lord's question was that we trust that we shall soon get an accurate report of the state of affairs from this gentleman who is proceeding to Monrovia.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many sides of Home-killed and Scotch-killed beef were offered for grading in 1930; the number of sides graded at Birkenhead and in Scotland; and what proportion of cattle graded in Scotland were in fact cattle from Ireland?

As the reply is necessarily somewhat detailed, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does the written answer contain any provision for deciding on a fourth grade in which English meat shall be marked "English meat"?

Will Scotch have to he marked "Scotch-killed meat"?

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with the tests in Northern Ireland and elsewhere of the efficacy of serum treatment for bovine tuberculosis?

I am informed that the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland has not yet issued a report on the progress of the work being carried out by the Government of Northern Ireland. Otherwise, I have nothing to add to the reply I gave on the 5th instant to a question put by the hon. Baronet the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair).

Is any progress being made in this country?

If the hon. Member will put down a question about this

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many sugar-beet producers there were in each of the past two seasons in Wiltshire, Somerset, Hampshire, and Berkshire, respectively; what was their total production; and what steps are in contemplation to enable this production to be continued with profit to the producers?

As the information desired by the hon. Member is somewhat detailed, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last clause of the question, what steps are in contemplation to enable this production to be continued with profit to the producers?

The answer to that is the recent arrangement that helped the growers to obtain a price, which has been very effective.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that that shuts out entirely beet growers in very large sections of the country which are remote from factories?

The arrangement was the best that could be devised for the factories and the growers.

(for Captain P. MACDONALD) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is yet in a position to state in what districts the Anglo-Dutch group has entered into contracts with sugar-beet growers; and how these contracts affect growers outside the factory areas?

I am not in possession of information to enable me to answer this question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the Canadian Government has by order in council put an embargo on Danish bacon on the ground that foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent in Denmark; and if he is considering the means of similarly safeguarding this country from the risks of disease?

I am aware of Press reports intimating that the Canadian Government has issued such an order. I do not propose to take similar action in this country.

is the right hon. Gentleman basing his policy on recognition of the fact that foot-and-mouth disease exists in Denmark?

I am basing my answer on what I am led to believe is the right course to take.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's Department know that foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent in Denmark?

Yes, my Department is fully aware of that fact.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the spread of the Colorado beetle in countries which at present export potatoes to Great Britain, he is prepared to place further restrictions upon the importation of foreign potatoes into this country?

This subject is receiving my close attention but at present I can add nothing to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ormskirk (Mr. Rosbotham) on 2nd February. I am sending the hon. and learned Member a copy of that reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware of these very severe restrictions which are placed in various countries upon British potatoes, and will he not see that similar restrictions are placed in order to prevent diseased potatoes coming into this country?

Certain potatoes are already excluded. The only question is where the diseases exists, and that is being investigated.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to make use of the services of auctioneers and livestock salesmen and other existing well-organised selling and distributive agencies, under his marketing proposals?

The approval of a scheme submitted by producers under the Marketing Bill is contingent upon the Minister being satisfied that it will conduce to the more efficient production and marketing of the regulated product. I cannot anticipate the lines of any future schemes which only the producers concerned can submit, but I should expect them to involve the minimum dislocation, consonant with efficiency, of the existing distributive channels and trade practices.

Am Ito understand that the right hon. Gentleman intends to take into account the services of existing agencies, in consultation with the Dominions?

Of course, we take all matters into account. I hope the hon. Member will not lose sight of the fact that the object of the scheme is to help the producer.

Is it not also the purpose of the Act to use agencies that are likely to be helpful in securing that end?

So far as they help the producer, yes, but not otherwise.

British or foreign producers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of male workers on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre on 4th June, 1914, 1925, 1926, and 1927, respectively; and how many of these were adults?

The total numbers of male workers returned as being in employment on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in England and Wales on 4th June, 1925, 1926, and 1927 were 694,161, 690,343, and 672,185, respectively. The corresponding numbers of adult male workers in these years were 532,814, 535,097, and 519,913. Similar information was not obtained in 1914.

Can the right hon. Gentleman get any approximate figures for 1914 for the purposes of comparison?

I will do my best. If I can, I will send them to the hon. Gentleman.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make them public?

Certainly, I will do so.