asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further statement to make on the conditions in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has anything to report regarding the effect of the recent agreement upon the boycott against British goods entering India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any report as to the effect in India of the recent Delhi agreement between the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi?

I gave the House in my speech on Thursday all the information then available, and there is nothing which at this moment I can usefully add to it.

With regard to my question in respect of the boycott in view of the great importance of this part of the agreement to the cotton industry of Lancashire can the right hon. Gentleman say how long he is prepared to wait for an improvement before he will take steps to see that the agreement is carried out in the spirit and in the letter?

I think I said on Thursday that an improved tone was observable. Actual figures of course cannot be given without the lapse of some little time.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what would be a convenient time to put down another question?

I will have an inquiry made as to the shortest period within which the figures can be obtained.

May I ask if all the prisoners under the agreement have been freed?

That is the subject of another question.

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?

My hon. Friend's question was answered by the statement I made in the course of the Debate last Thursday.

May I ask whether, in view of the fact that the future constitution of India which is now under consideration will have to be worked by Indians in India, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the advantage of having at least one section of the Round Table Conference in India; that this suggestion will not be overlooked?

The consideration which the hon. Member puts forward will certainly not be overlooked.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Bombay Congress Bulletin has now been prescribed by Government?

The hon. and gallant Member will recall that, under the terms of the settlement, all Ordinances directed against the civil disobedience movement have been repealed.

Has the tone of this Congress Bulletin changed?

That is a totally different question.

May I ask whether, despite the proscription, the Congress Bulletin has appeared every day during the Civil Disobedience campaign?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information in regard to the present position in the matter of the representations made on behalf of the Government of India by their agent in South Africa against the enactment of the Transvaal Land Tenure Bill?

I have no recent information as to the course of the negotiations between the Government of India and the Union Government regarding the Transvaal Asiatic Tenure (Amendment) Bill. The Second Reading of the Bill has not been taken in the Union Parliament.

Is the right hon. Gentleman kept informed of the progress of these negotiations?

I imagine that the information reaches the office, but the Government of India have their own representative there.

Has it not always been understood that the Secretary of State for India will answer questions on this subject in this House?

Yes, and, as the Noble Lord knows, he is constantly asked for information on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India what provision is being made by the Government of India, in view of the growing importance of aviation in India, for increasing the size and scope of the Department of Civil Aviation in India?

I have already supplied to my hon. and gallant Friend all the information I possess. I have no reason to suppose that the strength of the Civil Aviation Department in India is inadequate.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information showing the number of men and women civil-disobedience prisoners in each of the provinces who have been released from prison as a result of the agreement recently reached between the Viceroy and certain Indian political leaders at New Delhi?

I am circulating the figures up to the 13th March.

May I ask whether the prisoners under the agreement are now free?

I cannot answer that question, but I can say that the releases total over 14,000.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) in view of the fact that on all previous occasions when increments in pay and pension have been sanctioned by the Secretary of State for India these were given without distinction to both military and civil officers of all branches of the Army, including the Indian Medical Department, why the 1929 revised rates of pay for the Indian Medical Department have been sanc- tioned for those in military employ only and have not been given to those loaned for civil medical employment in the provinces; whether he is aware that, although the Madras Government has sanctioned the increased rates of pay to its civil Indian Medical Department officers, the other provinces, as also the State railways and the Government of India, have refused it to their Indian Medical Department civil medical officers; will he state why such distinction has been made in the Indian Medical Department; and whether he is prepared to take steps to inquire into the matter and remedy this position;

(2) whether, seeing that the Indian Medical Department (military assistant surgeon branch) is an all-India service under the administration of the Government of India and the control of the Secretary of State as regards pay and pensions, he will state whether its officers are recruited in all cases under the same terms of agreement, and whether it is a cadred service; and, seeing that those of its officers whose services are loaned to provincial governments are, like similar Indian Medical Service officers, considered as the war reserve of the Army (Indian Medical Department), will he consider giving them equal treatment with similar Indian Medical Service officers?

The assumptions on which these questions are based are not quite accurate. Although the Indian Medical Department has a definite cadre, it is not an all-India service like the Indian Medical Service. Military assistant surgeons are attested as soldiers under the Army Act on first appointment. While they are in military employ their conditions of service are governed by Army regulations; but on transfer to civil employ they come under the control of the civil authorities, who have full power to determine their rates of pay. So far as I am aware, there is some degree of competition for civil employ, and the conditions of service are well understood. In the circumstances I do not feel justified in suggesting to the civil authorities an increase in the rates which they have decided are adequate.

Is it not the fact that the new pay and pensions of the Indian Medical Depart- meat sanctioned by him were for the whole unit; that there was no difference between military and civilian?

No, the position of the Indian Medical Department and that of Indian Medical Service are not quite comparable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the Indian Medical Service is entirely recruited from Anglo-Indians and domiciled Europeans, and is it not undesirable to leave them with any sense of grievance?

I cannot make out whether the hon. and gallant Member is speaking of the Indian Medical Service or the Indian Medical Department. They are separate organisations, and as I have said the conditions are not comparable.

Will my right hon. Friend receive any representations on the matter?

Gladly.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any information as to the nature of the cargo landed at the mouth of the Hugli by the Norwegian sailing ship "Tricolour," which recently blew up off Colombo?

I have no information, but will inquire if the hon. and gallant Member so desires.

Is there any truth in the report that this ship was carrying arms?

As I have said, I have no information on the matter.

Is any observation being kept on ships that might carry arms?

The ordinary procedure is followed.

Did the arms come from Birmingham?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the representations from the staff of the Indo-European telegraph department as to the terms and conditions on which it is proposed to grant pensions and gratuities to them on the abolition of the department; and whether, in considering such representations, he will have regard to the climatic conditions under which the staff have worked and to the fact that, owing to continuous residence in a foreign country and to the nature of their profession, it is difficult for them to find other employment?

Yes, Sir. I have considered in Council the memorial submitted by the staff of the Indo-European Telegraph Department regarding the terms to be granted to officers whose appointments have been terminated, and I am satisfied that all relevant factors, including those mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member have been taken into account in arriving at a decision.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the suspension of the civil-disobedience movement in India, it is now the intention of the provincial governments to commence enforcing the Sarda Act in restraint of child marriage?

The enforcement of the Act has in no way been affected by the civil disobedience movement.

Does that mean that the Act is in force or is not; and will the right hon. Gentleman say what has been the result of the circular sent to the provincial Governments in the course of last summer suggesting that the Act should be annulled or greatly cut down, what the replies were, and whether, in view of the improvement in the situation, that proposal for annulment of the Act can be regarded as suspended?

So far as the question on the Paper is concerned, I have done my best to answer it. As regards the specific question of the hon. Member, if she will put it on the Order Paper, I will do my best to give her all the information I can.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the new Customs duties in India were submitted to him; and whether he took any steps to recommend that they should be raised to a greater extent upon foreign goods than upon those from Lancashire?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 9th March by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade.

May I ask whether the proposed new duties were not submitted to him, and also whether representations were made to see that an advantage was given to Lancashire cotton goods, even assuming that an increased revenue ought to be raised?

The hon. and gallant Member is repeating a question which I have answered previously.

Cannot the Secretary of State put an extra duty on Japanese cotton goods going into India and so give Lancashire a preference?

The hon. Member does not seem to be aware of the terms under which we work. They are strictly governed by the Tariff Autonomy Convention.

Is it not a fact that these duties are submitted to the Secretary of State in advance and that he has an opportunity of making representations?

It is perfectly true to say that the Budget proposals come to the India Office, but it is equally true to say that my action is governed by the terms of the Convention.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman realise the critical position in Lancashire?

Does the Secretary of State suggest that the Convention has the force of law?

No, but it has the force of tradition and practice by all parties.

May I ask a question on the important question of this Convention?

It is no good asking the same question over and over again.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has anything to report to the House as a result of the deputation from the Master Cotton Spinners' Federation and the Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers' Association, which recently waited upon him to discuss the question of the import of cotton goods into India?

My right hon. Friend accompanied by the Secretary of State for India, received the deputation on Friday last, when the present situation of the cotton industry in this country was considered, and there was a useful exchange of views as to the prospects of trade with India. As the proceedings were confidential, it is impossible to give more detailed information.

Will the hon. Member say whether, in view of the information that was given to the President of the Board of Trade by the deputation, he is able to show any practical steps to help the cotton industry so far as India is concerned?

I must ask the right hon. Gentleman to give notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the occasions when defaults have arisen in connection with any guarantee respecting trade with Russia; and how this compares with any other country similarly quoted for risks?

If my hon. Friend refers to the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme, I may say that none of the Soviet bills guaranteed under that scheme has been dishonoured. There have been defaults on bills drawn on importers in other countries.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state the reason why the rate of premium has been increased by approximately 50 per cent. by the export credits department in connection with Soviet risks?

For Russia, as for other countries, the rate continually fluctuates and varies from ease to case and from time to time. I regret that I am unable to give reasons for any fluctuations that may occur in the case of either Russia or any other country.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree that what is stated in my question is correct, and that there has been this increase?

No; I cannot be assumed to agree with anything that the right hon. Gentleman has stated.

Will the hon. Gentleman deny that what I have stated is correct?

As I have informed the right hon. Gentleman, it is very undesirable to discuss these details.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state what was the cost to the nation of the British trade mission to South Africa; whether any, and, if so, what, recommendations in the report have been given effect to; and whether any benefit to trade accrued from this mission?

The cost to the nation of the United Kingdom Trade Mission in question was £2,920 5s. 11d. As regards the mission's first recommendation, I have presided at a number of meetings addressed by Lord Kirkley and other members of the mission upon this, and other, aspects of their investigations. These meetings were convened by representative business bodies, and were held in London, Manchester, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle, Leicester and Bristol. Other meetings have also been addressed by Lord Kirkley and his colleagues. It is known that certain firms have, as a result, reconstructed their sales organisation and other steps have been taken designed to achieve increased exports. An important exhibition of samples of textiles brought back by the mission was held in Manchester and aroused much interest. Whilst it has not yet been possible to give effect to the other recommendations, His Majesty's Government have them still under careful consideration.

Is it not a fact that the work accomplished by this mission has been of very great value to British trade in South Africa?

Yes, I have very good reason to think so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the representations sent to him from the Lace Workers' Association, representing all grades of those employed in the lace trade, calling attention to the distress among the lace workers which has followed the withdrawal of the Safeguarding Duties on lace, and urging upon the Government the renewal of the Safeguarding Duty; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I can add nothing to previous statements on behalf of the Government.

Does that mean that no representations made by the operatives' side of the industry will be attended to at all?

No. It means that the question has already been dealt with at length, and that I cannot reopen it.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will arrange for his Department to remind applicants for space at the next British Industries Fair that unsuitable staffing of stalls is likely to reduce the efficiency of the fair for securing foreign and home orders for goods?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the complaints made that some stall-holders at the recent British Industries Fair did not place at their stalls salesmen with suitable authority and efficiency for dealing with the inquiries of buyers, he will, in future, take steps to avoid such difficulties?

My Department will certainly point out to exhibitors at the next fair, as it has done in the past, the importance of having competent salesmen in attendance on their stands.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now report that any further progress has been made by the Anglo-Soviet Debts and Claims Committee, British section; and whether any additional English members have been added to the committee or sub-committee beyond the five names already notified?

The committee itself issues periodical reports to the Press. So far as I am concerned, I regret that I can add nothing to the reply given to the hon. Members for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) and Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) on the 9th of March. No additions have been made to the British members of the main committee as enumerated to the House on the 14th July, 1930. I would remind the hon. Member that the names of the gentlemen added to the list of British delegates for service in the sub-committees was announced in the House on the 26th January.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now reached a decision as to the publication of quarterly reports as to the activities and progress of the Anglo-Soviet Debts and Claims Committee and its sub-committees?

I have considered the suggestion of the hon. Member, and can see no public advantage in adopting it.

Is it not a fact that hitherto these proceedings have been nothing more than a farce?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to make any further statement with regard to the policy of the Soviet Government as to the Lena arbitration award?

I am not in a position to add anything to the statement which I made to the House on the 4th of March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not be able to do anything, in spite of his increase in prestige?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he has reached any decision as to altering the regulation regarding the importation of pulped fruit;

(2) whether he has reached any decision as to establishing a national mark for jam made from home-grown fruit?

I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply which I gave on Thursday last to a question, by the hon. and gallant Member for Maldon (Lieut.-Colonel Ruggles-Brise), of which I am sending him a copy, and from which he will see that I favour the course referred to in his second question.

What hope has the right hon. Gentleman of bringing this about?

I think there is a good hope.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the proportion of wheat to the total agricultural produce of this country in the last available pre-War year and 1929?

The value of the wheat crop sold off farms in England and Wales in 1908–9 was estimated to be 6.4 per cent. of the total agricultural output for that year. For 1929–30 the proportion is estimated at 4 per cent. It is estimated that at the present time about 75 per cent. of the wheat crop is sold off farms, compared with 80 per cent. before the War.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the approximate number of male workers on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre for the last available pre-War year; and how many of these workers were adults?

The number of male workers returned as employed on agricultural holdings in England and Wales on 4th June, 1913, was approximately 586,000, of whom about 488,500 were adult workers. The returns of agricultural workers in that year are not strictly comparable with those collected in post-War years, inasmuch as they exclude all members of the occupier's family, whereas the later returns exclude only the occupier and his wife.

What is the rough difference, excluding all the occupiers' land?

I will gladly try to get the information if the hon. Member will put a question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state the difference in the terms offered to growers of beet by those factories which have accepted the Government offer and the Anglo-Dutch group; and whether he is able to state the amount of the reserves accumulated by the Anglo-Dutch group during the subsidy period?

My information is that the companies of the Anglo-Dutch Group of Beet-Sugar Factories are prepared to operate their factories for the manufacture of white sugar from home-grown beet in the season 1931, not for the pur- pose of making profits for their shareholders, and/or increasing their reserves, but in order to utilise the whole of the net proceeds of such manufacture in payments to farmers for beets delivered. No provision for depreciation on factory buildings and machinery will be made and no charge for directors' fees or for any increase in the existing standard of remuneration to the administrative and managerial staff.

The companies of the Anglo-Dutch Group state that the grower will receive during the season payments on account at the rate of 30s. per clean ton of beet of 15½ per cent. sugar content delivered at the factory. If, in the opinion of the factories, the markets justify an additional payment on account, this will be made. The reserves, after provision for depreciation, of the five companies in the Anglo-Dutch Group amounted, on 31st March, 1930, to £1,046,845.

The terms offered to growers of beet by those factories that have accepted the Government offer provide a firm price of 38s. per ton for beet of 15½ per cent. sugar content delivered at the factory. In offering this price, the Government has required from the factories in 1931 a maximum sacrifice of provision for depreciation and other capital charges, profit and additions to reserves. All beet contracts offered by farmers are to be accepted by factories up to their normal throughput capacity, and the whole of the contracts of each factory are to be on the same terms as to price.

Have these accumulations came from the national subsidy?

Yes, to a great extent, I think. They could not possibly have been accumulated otherwise.

Have the other companies also got accumulations?

No. I think these companies have much greater accumulations than any others.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of its bearing upon British policy, he will ascertain on what scientific evidence the Canadian Government have come to the conclusion that, because of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in Denmark, the importation of Danish bacon into Canada should be prohibited?

I will ask my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, to endeavour to obtain from the Canadian Government information on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what tests are now progressing in England of the value of the serum treatment of bovine tuberculosis; and if, in the interests of the fresh milk industry, he will use his influence to expedite these tests?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 5th March to a question by the hon. Baronet, the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair), of which I am sending him a copy. I have recently had under careful consideration the possibility of expediting this research, and can assure the hon. Member that any steps that may be practicable in this direction will be taken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications that have been made to purchase their holdings by ex-service men tenants of county councils, in accordance with leaflet No. 197 of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the number of such applications that have been refused?

I have no information as to the total number of applications made by tenants to purchase their holdings under section 11 of the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, but returns obtained in 1929 showed that during the years 1927 to 1929, 79 holdings were sold under the section referred to. The number of cases in which councils applied for and obtained the Minister's consent to refuse the tenant's application to purchase during the same period was four, and the total number of such cases since 1919 is 14. The above figures include civilian as well as ex-service tenants, for whom no separate figures are available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics was represented at the recent European Grain Conference; and whether any proposals were made at that conference for checking the export from Russia of grain produced, harvested, or otherwise handled by conscripted labour?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. So far as I am aware no such proposals as are indicated in the second part of the question were discussed at the conferences.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can give figures showing comparative postal rates for printed papers and samples by air mail between London and West Africa and London and East Africa, respectively; and whether, in view of the desirability of encouraging the sending of printed papers and samples by air mail between London and East Africa, the Government will consider the advisability of making a substantial reduction in the present rates for such postal matter at an early date?

The inclusive fee for printed papers and samples to French Guinea, Senegal, Gambia and Sierra Leone is 4d. Per ½ oz.: the corresponding fee to the Sudan, is 5d. the first ½ oz., and 4d. for each succeeding ½ oz., and to Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika 7d. and 6d., respectively. The various fees have been fixed at the lowest possible point in relation to the charges made for air conveyance and, unless and until those charges are lowered, I regret I cannot offer a reduction.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it costs as much per pound to send samples and printed matter by air mail to East Africa as to send an individual who has to be housed and fed; and does he not think it excessive?

The hon. Member will realise that, in this matter, we have to make arrangements with the French company, and that is part of the explanation.

Is that in regard to East Africa or West Africa?

I am referring to French Guinea.

I am referring and the question refers to East Africa, if the hon. Gentleman will be good enough to address his mind to it for a moment. Will he consider a reduction in the rate on printed matter and samples to East Africa, which is so high as to be prohibitive?

The point which arises there is one of getting a certain proportion between expenditure on letters and on printed matter. If it is intended to reduce the rate for printed matter very much then it will be necessary to charge more for letters, and the charge for letters, which are more important in that particular district, is lower than corresponding charges elsewhere.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of letters and the total weight of postal matter carried from England on the inaugural flight of the new air mail service between London and East Africa which left Croydon on 28th February last?

The total weight carried was 164 lb., but I have no information regarding the number of letters.

asked the Postmaster-General the total number of motor vehicles in use by his Department; how many are of foreign manufacture; what various types of vehicles these are; and what foreign vehicles, if any, are on order at present?

The total number of motor vehicles of all kinds at present in Use is 5,899, of which 4,998 are of all-British manufacture. The remaining 901 are Ford vans with all-British bodies, and with chassis of which four are of foreign manufacture and the remainder of British manufacture except for a small percentage of foreign parts. No vehicles of foreign manufacture are on order; but 10 Ford vans are on order which will contain a small percentage of foreign parts in the chassis.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that, in future, as these Ford vehicles go out of employment, they will be replaced by British-made vehicles?

The hon. Member cannot have caught my answer. These Ford vehicles are all British, except for very small portions of parts which are sent ready-made from America.

But is it not a fact that the money made out of these Ford vehicles goes to the United States?

asked the Postmaster-General if the practice, followed by the last Government, of filling 50 per cent. of the vacancies occurring in the postmen's staff of the Post Office with ex-service men is still being observed?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the necessary qualifications for the recipient of a licence to sell stamps in a township; what salary is paid to such a licence holder; and what commission he receives upon the sale of stamps and money and postal orders, respectively?

No special qualifications are required for the holder of a stamp licence, but the Post Office must of course be satisfied that the person is suitable and that the issue of a licence is justified by public requirements. No salary or commission is paid to a licensee, and the licence does not cover any other class of Post Office business.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of granting a salary and commission in order that more people in these small villages may be licensed to sell postage stamps thereby saving a considerable cost in fully-established officers?

There is no difficulty in obtaining a sufficient number for this purpose.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the times of delivery and despatch of mails between England and the borough of Coleraine, County Londonderry?

Representations on this matter were received from the local authority a few days ago, and I am obtaining a report from the Postmaster-Surveyor.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the number of additional public telephones installed in Northern Ireland during the past year has been on the same scale as the number installed in Great Britain, having regard to the population of these two areas?

In relation to the population, the growth in the number of public, i.e., call-office telephones, during the past year has been greater in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain?

asked the Postmaster-General what percentage of rural railway stations and post offices in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, respectively, are still without public telephones?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my predecessor's reply of the 2nd February to his question on this subject. The position is substantially unchanged.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that there is still much to be done?

I appreciate that there are possibilities of improvement.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the present policy with regard to the giving of a preference to ex-Service men when vacancies occur in his Department?

In filling vacancies in non-industrial grades, the general policy of His Majesty's Government is followed of according a preference, as between candidates of equal qualifications, to those who are ex-Service men. Industrial grades are recruited through the Ministry of Labour Employment Exchanges, the application stating clearly that a preference is to be given to ex-Service men.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the reasons why the site at Rio de Janeiro has not been selected and the building for the new British Embassy erected thereon, although authorisation was given by the vote of this House some years ago?

The scheme for the erection of a new Embassy house on the site bought in 1928 is in abeyance pending definite information as to the development of the town planning scheme, in which it is proposed to include a new Embassy quarter. The town planning scheme is still in an immature stage, and no information is yet obtainable as to the terms and conditions on which a site in the new Embassy quarter will be available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a site was offered two years ago by the Brazilian Government, and does he now tell us that no agreement has yet been arrived at?

I have told the House exactly what I have to say in the reply that I have just given, namely, that the proposal to build a new Embassy house cannot be dealt with until the conditions with regard to the Embassy quarter are known.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Treasury sanc- tioned the purchase of a site and that a site was offered by the Brazilian Government, and does he mean to tell us now that no decision has been arrived at?

I have told the hon. Gentleman the facts, and, if he will read my answer, I think he will be satisfied.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what are the existing arrangements for the accommodation of the staff of the British Embassy at Moscow?

The diplomatic and commercial staff are accommodated in the new Embassy house; the consular staff are housed in the Consulate building.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is aware of the expediency, both for the sake of the employment that would be provided and for other reasons, of proceeding with the provision of accommodation for Government Departments in Edinburgh; and whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the matter?

In view of the necessity of restricting expenditure as far as possible, I do not anticipate that it will be practicable to proceed with the provision of accommodation for Government Departments in Edinburgh for some considerable time.

Are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is rejoicing in the fact that he is economising at the expense of Scotland?

asked the Attorney-General in how many cases, as at 10th March, 1931, the final documents have not been issued by His Majesty s Land Registry within 21 days from the date of lodging the application with the chief land registrar?

I have been asked to reply. On the 10th March, 1931, 304 cases had been in His Majesty's Land Registry for more than 21 days. Of these, 254 were awaiting action by solicitors or expira- tion of notices. In no case was there delay from causes over which the Department had control.

asked the Minister of Labour if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the wages paid to many clerks at the Employment Exchanges are lower than the amounts they have to pay to unemployed persons; and if she will state what action she intends to take?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that arrangements have recently been made to reduce the wages of the staff and pay them a lower wage than is paid by them to unemployed persons?

No. My right hon. Friend has no such information at her disposal, neither has her attention been drawn to any such case. I might inform the hon. Member that an unemployed man would have to have a wife and 10 dependant children before he received as much as the lowest paid male clerk.

If I send the hon. Member particulars of these cases, will he go into them?

indicated assent.