asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make arrangements for the annual reports on economic and industrial conditions in various countries to contain information as to local taxa- tion levied per head of the population as distinct from national taxation?

In many countries information of the character asked for is not readily obtained or easily interpreted, nor if available could the results be made closely comparable with similar figures for this country. For this reason, it would not be appropriate to impose uniform instructions on reporting officers.

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?

Invitations to serve have now been issued, and as soon as the acceptances are received, the committee will be formally constituted and the names announced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present position with regard to the trade monopoly claimed by the. Persian Government; and what steps have been taken to protect the interests of British traders?

I understand that detailed regulations on the subject have now been issued by the Persian Government, and I am hoping to receive the text shortly, when particulars will be published in the Board of Trade Journal. As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's representative at Tehran has requested the Persian Government to allow the importation without restriction of goods shipped to Persia before 1st March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what was the value of the domestic exports of manufactures from the United Kingdom in 1880, 1913, and 1930; and the amount in each of those years of the exports of cotton goods;(2) what was the value of the domestic exports of manufactures from Germany in 1880, 1913, and 1930; and the values of reparation goods included in the last figure;(3) what was the value of the domestic exports of manufactures from the United States in 1880, 1913, and 1930; and what was the value of refined petroleum and other oil products, and the value of motor cars, parts, and tyres, included in those figures?

The answers to the above three questions are contained in

—	1880.	1913.	1930.
Goods wholly or partly manufactured.	Million £	Million £	Million £
United Kingdom:
Domestic exports	197·4	417·2	448·2
Of which—
Cotton goods	75·6	127·2	88·3
Germany:
Domestic exports	82·1	328·0	442·4
Of which on account of—
Reparation deliveries in 1930	—	—	24·9
United States*:
Domestic exports	25·4	246·9	495·5
Of which—
Refined petroleum and petroleum products	7·2	29·0	94·9
Motor cars and parts (including tyres and tubes)	—	7·7	63·4
* The figures for 1880 and 1913 relate to the years ended 30th June, 1880 and 1913, respectively.

Notes.1. The range of articles included as "wholly or partly manufactured" varies according to the classification adopted in the trade returns of the respective countries. Figures based throughout on a uniform classification are not available. The classes of goods included are described in the trade returns of the respective countries as follow, manufactured foodstuffs being excluded throughout:

asked the Postmaster-General when facilities will be available for absent telephone subscribers to have messages left; and what is the proposed extra cost per annum to subscribers?

No service precisely of the kind indicated in the question is in contemplation. An arrangement is experimentally in operation whereby a subscriber on the City Exchange (London) can have his calls intercepted during a period of absence. The duration and, if desired, the reason of his absence is com- municated to any person who makes a call for him while he is away, and on his return he is given the telephone numbers of the callers. The charge for this service is 6d. for a period of interception not exceeding four hours and 1s. for a longer period, in addition to a fee of 1d. for each call intercepted. Very little use is being made of this facility.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give an assurance that no telephone material discarded in Great Britain as being out of date will, in future, be transferred to Northern Ireland?

It is not the practice to transfer out-of-date equipment either to Northern Ireland or elsewhere. Telephone material is, however, often recovered while still fully serviceable, and is then reconditioned and utilised afresh. This arrangement applies equally to Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount spent on telephone development for the three years 1928, 1929, and 1930?

The figures are as follow:

				£
1928–29	…	…	…	10,199,151
1929–30	…	…	…	10,054,540
1930–31	…	…	…	10,000,000
				(estimated).

The figures cover expenditure on new works, sites and buildings, but not renewals or maintenance.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps he proposes to take to make the public at large more familiar with the air mail facilities which are available?

NET EXCISE REVENUE in India (Government of India and Provincial Governments):
i.e., Gross Receipts less refunds and compensations.
—			1927–28.	1928–29.	1929–30.
			Rs.	Rs.	Rs.
Gross Revenue less refunds	…	…	19,82,16,229	19,97,70,237	20,41,23,285
Less Compensations	…	…	28,04,533	30,82,125	29,88,449
Net Revenue	…	…	19,54,11,696	19,66,88,112	20,11,34,836
At 1s. 6d. the rupee	…	…	£14,655,877	£14,751,608	£15,085,113

Any member of the public desiring to use the air mail can obtain full particulars of the available facilities from the air mail leaflet which is obtainable free of charge at any post office; and particulars of air mail despatches are given in the Post Office daily list, which has a wide circulation among business houses. New services instituted and all important alterations made receive wide publicity through the Press, the daily list, and the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give information of the number of political prisoners at present in gaol in India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given orally to-day to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Freeman).

asked the Secretary of State for India what was the amount, in pounds sterling, of the net Excise revenue of India for the years 1927–28, 1928–29, and 1929–30, respectively; what was the recorded consumption of country spirits in each of those years in Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Sind, Bihar and Orissa, the United Provinces, the Punjab, the Central Provinces and Berar, Assam, and Burma, respectively; and what was the percentage of Excise revenue as compared with the total revenue accruing to the Provincial Governments in each case for the year 1929–30?

The following statement gives the information asked for:

RECORDED CONSUMPTION OF COUNTRY SPIRITS.*
—			1927–28.	1928–29.	1929–30.
			Proof gallons.	Proof gallons.	Proof gallons.
Bengal	…	…	591,935	583,804	575,121
Madras	…	…	1,438,524	1,596,998	1,559,746
Bombay	…	…	1,286,161	1,237,364	†
Sind	…	…	113,761	118,881	†
Bihar and Orissa	…	…	1,006,704	886,894	960,304
United Provinces	…	…	387,303	346,349	337,994
Punjab	…	…	383,000	362,000	346,259
Central Provinces and Berar	…	…	451,849‡	470,970‡	†
Assam	…	…	255,160	267,593	269,422
Burma	…	…	117,006	96,772	†
* Excluding outstill areas for which statistics of consumption are not available.
† Figures not yet available.
‡ Figures for calendar years.

PERCENTAGE OF EXCISE REVENUE as compared with Total Revenue accruing to Provincial Governments, 1929–30.
Province.			Revenue of Provincial Governments, 1929–30.	Net Excise Revenue of Provincial Governments, 1929–30.	Percentage of Column (3) to Column (2).
(1)			(2)	(3)	(4)
			Rs. lakhs.	Rs. lakhs.
Madras	…	…	1808·9	586·5	32·4
Bombay (including Sind)	…	…	1591·5	393·3	24·7
Bengal	…	…	1135·9	225·0	19·8
United Provinces	…	…	1298·6	130·3	10·0
Punjab	…	…	1127·2	114·8	10·2
Burma (including Shan States)	…	…	1085·4	128·3	11·8
Bihar and Orissa	…	…	594·5	190·7	32·1
Central Provinces and Berar	…	…	528·2	125·4	23·7
Assam	…	…	271·9	66·2	24·3

asked the Secretary of State for India what decision has now been arrived at with regard to Members of His Majesty's Government paying an official visit to India, in the near future?

I invite my hon. Friend's attention to the statement I made on this subject in my speech in the course of the Debate on 12th March, in which I explained the position.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the establishment of a State air service by the Indian Government will in any way prevent or necessitate the alteration of existing arrangements for British long-distance air services using Indian aerodromes?

There are no existing arrangements for British air services beyond Karachi over Indian territory. The air mail service between Karachi and Delhi is an Indian State air service temporarily operated by Imperial Airways under a charter from the Indian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India what was the quantity and value, in pounds sterling, of potable spirits imported into India during the year 1929–30; the amount of revenue derived therefrom; and the countries from which the spirits were exported?

The following table gives the information asked for:

IMPORTS into INDIA by sea during the year 1929–1930 of potable spirits distinguishing countries of origin.
(Values are shown in sterling converted at the rate of 1s. 6d. the rupee).
Article and Country of Origin.	Quantity in Gallons.	Sterling Value.
BRANDY.		£
United Kingdom	8,833	17,020
Other British Possessions.	123	163
Denmark	109	164
Germany	35,443	13,769
Netherlands	1,170	471
Belgium	90	47
France	392,334	319,467
Spain	48	151
Portugal	25	15
Italy	281	229
Austria	107	99
Java	297	24
Egypt	4	6
Other Foreign Countries.	26	38
Total	438,890	£351,663
GIN.
United Kingdom	107,375	72,955
Other British Possessions.	166	97
Germany	1,279	678
Netherlands	12,443	6,713
France	147	72
Other Foreign Countries.	18	28
Total	121,428	£80,543
LIQUEURS.
United Kingdom	4,225	8,193
Other British Possessions.	238	444
Sweden	17	10
Denmark	894	1,358
Germany	893	1,440
Netherlands	786	1,008
Belgium	120	160
France	11,332	12,300
Spain	25	48
Italy	185	248
Japan	2	7
United States of America.	396	1,078
Other Foreign Countries.	52	76
Total	19,165	£26,370
RUM.
United Kingdom	4,674	3,019
Other British Possessions.	9	13
Germany	6,518	1,978
France	772	485
Java	193,752	18,492
Other Foreign Countries.	197	80
Total	205,922	£24,067

Article and Country of Origin.	Quantity in Gallons.	Sterling Value.
WHISKEY.		£
United Kingdom	539,914	691,142
Other British Possessions.	196	289
Germany	4,944	1,967
Netherlands	365	207
France	237	246
Italy	1	2
Java	10	24
China	179	218
Japan	33	79
Other Foreign Countries.	14	28
Total	545,893	£694,202
OTHER POTABLE SPIRITS.
United Kingdom	22,573	70,751
Other British Possessions.	10,111	4,177
Germany	1,604	4,880
Netherlands	9,569	5,817
Belgium	10	19
France	1,750	2,915
Switzerland	32	109
Italy	74	264
Java	5,869	404
China	4,776	2,969
United States of America.	990	2,311
Other Foreign Countries.	46	82
Total	57,404	£94,698
	Gallons.
Grand total of Potable Spirits.	1,388,702	£1,271,543
The total net receipts derived from the import of spirits and liqueurs in 1929–30 was Rs. 2,12,14,054 at 1s. 6d. to the rupee=£1,591,054.

The total net receipts derived from the import of spirits and liqueurs in 1929–30 was Rs. 2,12,14,054 at 1s. 6d. to the rupee= £1,591,054.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the total fees paid or to be paid to architects in connection with the proposed building of Government offices on and adjoining the site of Montagu House?

I regret that I am not in a position to indicate the total fees to be paid to architects in connection with the proposed building of Government offices in Whitehall until the method of selecting the architect for the building has been settled.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the amount of damage to the British Legation at Managua as a result of the earthquake in Nicaragua; whether it is the practice to insure diplomatic buildings abroad; and, if not, what other arrangement is made for covering loss of this nature?

I am informed that the premises of the British Legation at Managua are in ruins. These premises were rented, and it is not expected that any loss will fall on His Majesty's Government. Following established policy of the Government's carrying its own risks, diplomatic buildings abroad are not insured against fire or any other risk.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how much of the £11,500 increase in the British contribution to the general expenses of the League of Nations is due to the failure of other countries to pay their contributions when due?

I would refer the hon. Member to the full reply given to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom on 16th February last.

asked the Home Secretary at which of the local prisons in England and Wales sold during the last five years were four bodies exhumed by the purchaser; on what date was each of the exhumed bodies originally buried; whether he has received a report as to the condition in which the bodies were found on exhumation; if so, if all the bodies in question were completely destroyed by quicklime; and whether the method of burying executed persons has been changed in any particular since any one of these burials originally took place?

The prison to which my hon. Friend refers is that at St. Albans. The four bodies there exhumed by the local authority were buried on 29th November, 1880, 19th July, 1899, 21st December, 1911, and 23rd December, 1914. The Medical Officer of Health of St. Albans reported that "the condition of the remains was such as to indicate that the method of interring had been satisfactory." The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the extent of unemployment, she will order the immediate cessation of overtime on all Government contracts; and whether she will consider legislation limiting overtime by penalties excepting where breakdowns occur in industrial plant?

With regard to the first part of the question, my right hon. Friend will bring the point to the notice of the various contracting departments with a view to such action as may be practicable. With regard to the second part of the question, the Hours of Industrial Employment Bill makes provision for the limitation of overtime and for extra payment for overtime when worked.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of juveniles who would come under the unemployment insurance scheme if the age of entry was reduced from 16 to 15 years?

It is estimated that if the age of entry into unemployment insurance were reduced to 15 years at the present time, approximately 350,000 juveniles would be brought within the scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour how the price of the 4-lb. loaf, when wheat was over 50s. but under 60s. a quarter, and over 60s. but under 70s. a quarter, compared with the present price?

The table below shows the annual average declared value of imported wheat and the annual average price of British wheat in those years since 1900, when either of these prices exceeded 50s. but did not exceed 70s. per quarter, together with the annual average retail price of bread per 4 lbs. in the same

Year.			Average declared import value of wheat per quarter of 480 lbs. (c.i.f.)		Average price of British wheat per quarter of 480 lbs.		Annual average retail price of bread per 4 lb. in Great Britain and Northern Ireland* (to nearest ¼d).
			s.	d.	s.	d.	d.
1915	…	…	55	5	52	10	8*
1916	…	…	61	8	58	5	9*
1922	…	…	52	3	47	10	9¾*
1924	…	…	50	4	49	3	9
1925	…	…	60	1	52	2	10¼
1926	…	…	55	11	53	3	10
1927	…	…	52	10	49	3	9¾
* For the years 1915, 1916, and 1922 the figures relate to the United Kingdom, including the Irish Free State area.
The average retail price of bread in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at 1st April, 1931, was 7d. per 4 lbs.

asked the Minister of Pensions if any part of a pension paid to the widow of a man killed in the War is deducted for the maintenance of a daughter who is confined in an industrial school?

The widow's flat rate pension would not be reduced in respect of a daughter maintained in an industrial school, but any additional allowance in respect of that particular child would be withheld. A corresponding adjustment would be made where a widow's alternative pension is in payment.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that years as shown by the information collected by the Ministry of Labour for the purpose of the official cost-of-living index figures.hardship is being caused to retired regular officers whose applications for commutation have been refused on medical grounds; and if he will consider placing such cases before the medical authorities' commutation board for a ruling decision, especially where officers are also in receipt of service retired pay and wounds pensions in addition to disability pension?

Under the Pensions Commutation Acts and Regulations the Minister of Pensions is required to determine whether any application for commutation should be recommended to the Pensions Commutation Board for consideration, and regard is necessarily had to the officer's state of health and expectation of life. Where my medical advisers consider that the case is unsuitable on these grounds, it is not possible for me to recommend it.