asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information about the proposed agency for the purchase of stocks of British and other foreign cloths held in Bombay and elsewhere and its export out of India; and whether those selling their stocks to this agency are required to give an undertaking not to make further purchases of non-Indian goods?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received a report from the Government of Bombay informing him of the total number of merchant houses in India which have given the undertaking to the agency company that they will not replace their stock by purchases of further cotton goods from Great Britain; whether he has also been notified of the total quantity of the stocks in question when the undertakings were given; and, if so, whether he will give the information to the House?

I understand that at a meeting held on the 18th March it was decided to ascertain the extent of the stocks of foreign cloth in India. I have not heard of any further developments.

I did not catch the answer, but might I ask, in regard to the last part of the question, whether this statement, which is so freely made in the newspapers of all parties, has been confirmed or not?

In answer to an earlier question, I gave particulars on that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is two months since the agreement was signed, and cannot he get a definite report in connection with it?

If there is no information to give, I can give no information.

Does that mean that there has been no action taken under this agency company?

I have given the right hon. Gentleman all the information that I have received on this matter. There is no other information.

But surely—

Order!

If the Minister has no information to give, how can he give it?

There must be some information.

Might I ask—

Mr. Freeman.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the policy of Mr. Gandhi includes a determination that India must for ever banish foreign cloth, whether British or other, and that the first act of a popular Government in India must be the complete prohibition of foreign cloth; and whether, in view of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement, he will take further steps to safeguard the interests of the Lancashire cotton industry?

In answer to the first part of the question, the Government view was stated in paragraph 6 of the White Paper. The best method of treating this and other such matters in the new Constitution will, of course, be under consideration in the resumed discussions.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read the article by Mr. Gandhi in last week's edition of "Young India," and does he not consider that a direct violation of the agreement?

The Government are concerned with their own policy, and I am prepared to receive questions and to give answers as to it.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the agency scheme in India has yet reached a definite stage; and, if so, whether it is now possible to state its effect upon the cotton trade of Lancashire?

Not so far as I am aware, Sir. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

Can I take it from the hon. Gentleman that this company has not yet had any influence with the merchants?

I am afraid I am not in a position to answer a question like that.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now state the names of the proposed Federal Structural Committee; the terms of reference, if any; and when it will be meeting?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now state the composition of the Federal Structure Committee of the resumed Round Table Conference; and whether the Anglo-Indian community is to be represented?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can make any statement as to the setting up of the Federal Structure Relations Committee; and when it is expected that this committee will begin its labours in London?

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

Can my right hon. Friend give any indication when he will be able to make a statement on this matter?

Of course, the matter is one of constant and daily concern, but I can say nothing specific at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there were any casualties to Europeans and the Government forces, respectively, during the Cawnpore riots; and, is so, whether he will give par-particulars?

Four non-official Europeans received minor injuries. Two deputy-collectors, one deputy-superintendent, and two sub-inspectors of police were injured, while several constables also received minor injuries.

Is it proposed to publish the report of the committee of inquiry, and, if so, when will the committee make its report on these massacres?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman has not noticed that there is a further question on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give the terms of reference of the commission of inquiry into the riots at Cawnpore; at what probable date the inquiry will be concluded; and whether he will then publish the evidence in full for the information of the House?

I gave the terms of reference on 16th April. I fear I cannot say when the inquiry, which is being held in public, will be complete.

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer the last part of my question?

It has been partly answered by my statement that the inquiry will be held in public. When it is complete, I will consider whether the evidence might usefully be printed.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman made an appeal to us on this side of the House, and to myself in particular, not to raise a debate on this question until the in- quiry has been finished, will he accelerate in any way possible the finishing of the inquiry, so that this House may fully debate these deplorable circumstances?

Naturally, I should not do anything which would interfere with the full and exhaustive nature of the inquiry.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to point out to the Government of India the desire of the Opposition to have a day to discuss this matter?

It would not be appropriate to make such a representation to the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many women and children were murdered in the Cawnpore riots; and in how many instances persons have been arrested who are alleged to have committed these murders?

I have no figures but understand that several women and children of both the Hindu and Moslem communities were murdered. Over 400 persons have been arrested, but I am not aware of the number, if any, charged with murder.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain from the Government of India how many persons have been arrested in connection with these terrible murders and mutilations?

That information, with all the information that we can secure, will be given.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether any children of English parentage were murdered during the recent riots in Cawnpore;

I have no figures of casualties later than those contained in the answer given on the 16th April. No European children were murdered.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether having regard to the demonstrations in favour of assassina- tions, and notably that in honour of the murderer of the late Mrs. Curtis, by the Central Sikh League at Amritsar on 10th April, he will instruct the Government of India to bring into operation the ordinary provisions of the Indian law regarding incitements to murder and attempts to promote hatred between different classes?

asked the Secretary of State for India if his attention has been directed to a speech made by Mr. S. G. Bose to the Sikh League at Amritsar, in which he said that India was required to produce thousands of Bhagat Singhs before she could attain purna swaraj; and whether it is proposed to prosecute Mr. Bose on the ground of incitement to murder?

The question of action in particular cases must rest with the Authorities in India who are fully alive to their responsibility for the enforcement of the law.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not urge on the Government of India and point out to them that these direct incitements to murder are particularly dangerous with an excitable population like that of India?

I have no doubt the Government of India are aware of the importance of the point.

Have no steps been taken to put the law into operation in regard to this case?

That question is covered by the answer which I have given.

Has the right hon. Gentleman no influence on the Government of India to get action taken?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information concerning the progress that is being made in the creation and development of university training corps in India?

Eleven units in all have now been formed, of which I will circulate a list. The strength of the units at the beginning of the year was 13 officers and 532 other ranks out of an establishment of 26 officers and 710 other ranks.

asked the Secretary of State for India the present position in regard to the proposed addition of an air arm to the Indian Army?

I am now working out the details of the scheme in consultation with my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Air and the Government of India, and I hope it will not be long before the new Indian Air Force is definitely instituted. I should mention that it will be distinct from the Indian Army.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Committee under the Chairmanship of the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India appointed to inquire into matters connected with the existing system of tribal control and defence against risings on the North-West Frontier has now presented its report; and if it is the intention of the Government of India to make public the Committee's findings and recommendations?

The Committee has now submitted a report to the Government of India. Pending the consideration of it I am not in a position to say what the decision as regards publication will be.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many of the 816 political prisoners still in gaol come under the conditions of the Delhi agreement for release; and when the remainder will be set free?

The number of persons convicted of offences in connection with the civil disobedience movement still in jail is 729, of whom 716 are not eligible for amnesty. The cases of the remaining 13 and of five additional persons convicted since the amnesty for offences committed prior to it are under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will ask the Government of India to inquire from the local Governments concerned how many lives were lost and police killed, respectively, in disturbances of all kinds in the provinces of Madras and Bombay during the years 1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929 and 1930 respectively; and how many lives were lost in similar circumstances during each of the same years in Calcutta?

Yes, Sir. I will ask the Government of India if this information can be supplied without the expenditure of undue labour.

When will the right hon. Gentleman let the House have these figures?

I really cannot say, but I do not propose to put pressure on the Government of India. The hon. Member is asking for figures for 1925 at a time when the Governments in the Provinces are fully occupied.

Then will the right hon. Gentleman let the House have the figures for the last three years, which cannot be very difficult to obtain?

asked the Secretary of State for India the amount of financial assistance given by the Government in India for the purpose of developing civil aviation in India for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and has he any particulars of the amount contributed towards the maintenance of light aeroplane clubs during the same period?

The total estimated expenditure of the Government of India on civil aviation and connected items during the financial year 1930–31 amounted to Rs.47,40,950 (approximately £355,570). This included a sum of Rs.2,59,700 (approximately £19,477) in respect of financial assistance to six light aeroplane clubs and to the Aero Club of India and Burma, Limited.

Can my right hon. Friend give any further information in regard to the Karachi-Delhi aeroplane service?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will make that the subject of a special question.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the no-tax campaign at Gujarat is continuing; and how many persons have been arrested in the Bardoli region?

I have received no report since I replied to the question of the hon. Member for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on the 16th April. As regards the second part of the question, I have no information.

asked the Secretary of State for India if any arrests have been made in the attempted murder of Captain Heaney, R.E., in Upper Chindwan, Burma; and if he can make any statement on the matter?

I have received no official report of this incident.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information to give the House regardin the recent trouble in Burma, particularly in regard to the adequacy of the protection afforded to British officials and citizens?

I am circulating a telegram received from the Government of Burma on Friday last. I have no doubt that the question of the safety of officials and the public generally has the constant attention of authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, among the safeguards which will be insisted on by the British Government in any negotiations with the Indian Nationalists, there will be included the fullest possible protection for the freedom of missionary work in India?

This is an important matter which will doubtless be considered in the resumed discussions.

Do I understand that definite protection will be insisted upon?

I can make no statement of Government policy at this juncture beyond what I have already said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that missionaries and chaplains in the Army are protected?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement in the Preamble to the Covenant of the League of Nations that the non-adoption by any nation of a humane labour régime is an obstacle to the efforts of other nations to improve the lot of workers and in view of the fact that Soviet representatives have been invited to attend the meeting at Geneva on 15th May of the European Committee of the League, he will make it a condition that His Majesty's representatives shall refuse to enter upon any discussions at such committee until the Soviet Government has agreed to allow an independent inquiry to be made by the League of Nations into the conditions of labour in Russia?

The passage to which the hon. Member refers occurs in the Preamble to Part XIII—the Labour Section—of the Treaty of Versailles, and not in the Preamble to the Covenant of the League, as suggested by the hon. Member. It affects only the signatories of the Treaty of Versailles. I do not consider that it would be either useful or practicable to make a condition such as that suggested by the hon. Member in connection with the meeting to be held at Geneva.

Why do the Government refuse to take any practical steps to improve the conditions of the workers in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now decided to instruct His Majesty's Minister in Russia to approach the Russian Soviet Government with a view to obtaining permission for the entry into Russia of books printed and published in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet able to make a statement as to whether the importation of the Bible into Soviet Russia is permitted; and, if not, whether he can state on what grounds?

As stated by my hon. Friend in reply to the Noble Lord, the Member for Horsham and Worthing (Earl Winterton), on the 25th of March, books to which no exception is taken on political or economic grounds are admitted into the Soviet Union free of duty. I understand that in recent years the importation of Bibles into the Soviet Union has not been permitted, this prohibition being presumably based upon the proviso already mentioned. I am advised that the imposition of such a prohibition is a matter within the domestic jurisdiction of the Soviet Government, and, however much I may regret their attitude, the matter is not, in my opinion, one in which representations by His Majesty's Government would be calculated to secure the objects which the hon. Members have in view.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman will at any rate make some effort; surely he can have no objection to making some representations in the matter?

I am afraid that I am not in a position to add anything to the answer that I have given. This matter, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, has been going on for years.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a leading article on India in the "Pravda," an official organ of the Soviet Government, on 3rd April, which contains instructions for the Communist party in India to commence a general strike, an agrarian revolution, and a general attack on the British Government; and whether he will make this article the subject of a protest to the Soviet Government as constituting a breach of the agreement reached with regard to non-interference in the internal affairs of the British Empire?

I have seen the article referred to, but its contents are not accurately described by the hon. Member. It consists, in large measure, of an attack upon Mr. Gandhi, and of comments upon recent events in India. It contains no instructions to India Communists. The answer to the second part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has now received the report on the organisation of the administrative machinery of foreign trade in the Soviet Union?

No, Sir, but the commercial counsellor at Moscow has again been reminded of the urgency of the matter, and has been instructed to state definitely when the report is likely to be completed

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will set up a clearing house to handle all Russian purchases and sales transactions, in order to put an end to the system whereby the money paid by this country for goods purchased in Russia is used to finance Russian purchases from the United States of America and from other countries whose exports to Russia exceed their imports?

While His Majesty's Government are anxious in every way to promote the export trade of this country to the Soviet Union, as to other destinations, and have considered on several occasions suggestions for setting up a clearing house on lines analogous to those proposed by the Hon. Member, they have found them to be administratively impracticable.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the total face value and the Government's total liability under the Export Credits Scheme for all contracts concluded by his Department for exports to Russia during the present Parliament; and what is the total face value and the Government's total liability under the same schemes for exports to all other countries during the same period?

From 10th June, 1929, to the 18th April, 1931, the Export Credits Guarantee Department entered into contracts covering credits for £6,666,926 in respect of exports to Russia and £6,991,625 in respect of exports to all other countries. The total liability undertaken on these contracts was £4,016,923 and £4,397,244, respectively.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why this extraordinary preference should be given to Russia over all other countries and over our Dominions?

I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that these transactions are carried through on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee.

Is it not a fact that no losses have been incurred on these transactions?

This is a fact.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is yet able to announce any decision with regard to the appointment of a new trade commissioner post for Northern Rhodesia, Southern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland, with headquarters at Salisbury, and an additional trade commissioner for the Union of South Africa, to encourage the sale of British goods and manufactures in those countries, as recommended in the report of the United Kingdom Trade Mission to the Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and Northern Rhodesia?

I regret that I am at present unable to add anything to my reply on this subject to a question asked by the hon. Member for Birkenhead, East (Mr. White) on Monday, 9th February. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the export traders themselves are taking action to establish representatives there?

I am afraid I have no information on that point.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if it is his intention to initiate a scheme of national trade propaganda overseas, on the lines of the Empire Marketing Board?

There are no funds at my disposal which would enable me to initiate a scheme of the kind suggested. A small interdepartmental committee is, however, examining the means for co-ordinating the activities of the various Departments interested in this question within the limits of their available resources.

Have not the Empire Marketing Board, according to their title, the power to advertise in the Dominions as well as in this country?

I think that is so.

Have any steps been taken to make that propaganda effective in other countries?

A question should be put down on that subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to recent increases in the rate of duty on textiles entering Brazil; and what steps have been taken to secure some mitigation of the duties on British goods?

As the answer is rather long I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take immediate steps to urge the appointment of an agricultural organiser by the Isle of Ely County Council in order to secure that the results of scientific investigations at the agricultural research stations should be passed on to the Isle of Ely farmers and that the Isle of Ely may be no longer one of the few counties which derive no benefit from the setting up of these Government organisers?

; The county council are well aware of my desire that they should appoint an agricultural organiser; my views on this subject were conveyed to the education committee as recently as last October. I do not think, therefore, that any useful purpose would be served by further representations to the local authority at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to publish the report of the Rome Wheat Conference; whether the question of imports boards was discussed by this conference; whether the subject was introduced by British delegates; and what attitude was adopted towards it by the conference?

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

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there has been any increase in the number of applications for smallholdings during the present year?

I am unable to say whether there has been any increase this year in the number of applications made to county councils and councils of county boroughs as the last available returns are for 1930. My Department has received since the beginning of this year over 4,000 applications and inquiries with regard to smallholdings proposed under the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the average prices obtained for British-grown raspberries, black currants, and red currants used in jam making last year, £22 17s., £18 10s., and £16 10s., respectively, per ton, and to the fact that these prices are only about one-fifth of the prices current in 1928; and whether he has made, or proposes to make, any inquiry as to the effect of these low prices on employment in fruit-producing areas?

I am aware of the low prices ruling for soft fruits last season. The chief item of cost in the case of soft fruit is for picking, which is generally performed by seasonal labour. The prices ruling last season have not, therefore, so far as I am aware, had any substantial effect on reducing the number of men regularly employed in the chief soft fruit areas. The result of the Agricultural Returns which will be collected on 4th June next will, however, provide information as to the number of workers employed and the acreage under the various crops on that date as compared with the previous year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise how greatly the demand for fruit-picking labour is diminished if fruit has to be left on the trees or bushes because it is not worth the cost of picking?

If the hon. Member will assist me to get through the Marketing Bill, it will help the position.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I am not a member of the Committee considering the Bill?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that 600,000 boxes of Russian butter are estimated to arrive in this country during the coming season; whether there is reason to anticipate increased butter imports from other Continental sources; and whether he proposes to continue and extend the work recently carried out in the North of England with a view to encouraging retailers to stock Home and Empire butter in preference to foreign butter?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first and second parts of the question, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informs me that he has no official information as to future imports of butter from Russian and other Continental sources. As regards the third part of the question, the canvass of retailers in the North, which is directed to encouraging the sale of Empire butter from Home and overseas, is still in progress and the question of its possible extension is at present under consideration by the Empire Marketing Board. I should add that it has so far proved very successful.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to keep his weather eye on the situation, which, from the point of view of home and Empire butter, is very critical?

I have got both eyes on it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that far heavier imports of butter came from Russia before the War?

I could not say anything about that.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of full-time female manipulative officers of 21 years or over at present receiving inclusive pay below 40s. a week, between 40s. and 50s., between 50s. and 60s., and over 60s.; and the numbers in each of these groups in London and the Provinces, respectively?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state the number of full-time male manipulative officers of 21 years or over at present receiving inclusive pay below 40s. a week, between 40s. and 50s., between 50s. and 60s., between 60s. and 70s., and 70s. or over, and the numbers in each of these groups in London and the provinces, respectively?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the number of telephone boxes placed on taximeter-cab ranks in London since 1st January last, and the estimated number to be erected during the months of April and May?

Between the 1st January and the 31st March, telephone facilities were provided at two cab ranks in London. The provision of telephones at five further cab ranks is in hand.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress is being made with the new Elmbridge telephone exchange; and when subscribers will in fact be transferred to it?

Unexpected difficulties have been experienced with the foundations, and I regret that I am thus unable to offer hopes of an improvement on the programme given in reply to the hon. Member's question of 25th November last.

asked the Postmaster-General if orders are still being placed by his Department for the supply of the old-type telephone instrument; what orders he has placed for the new-type instrument; how the cost of the new type compares with that of the old; and if he will give an estimate of the relative costs of maintenance in service of the old and the new type?

There is no present necessity for placing orders for the pedestal type of instrument. Large orders for the new type have been and are being placed, but I do not think it right to make public the precise magnitude of the contracts. As I informed the hon. and gallant Member in reply to his question on the 20th instant, the new type is more expensive in initial cost, but I am unable to disclose contract prices, which must necessarily be regarded as confidential. It is estimated that the, maintenance costs of the new hand-microphone will be about 20 per cent. higher than those of the pedestal instrument.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men employed in the Royal Naval Cordite Factory at Holton Heath who are retired at 60 without pensions have difficulty in obtaining other employment pending the age at which they are entitled to old age pensions; and whether he will consider extending the retiring age to 65 for those still capable of performing the work?

The regulation for Admiralty industrial establishments is that all such persons are as a rule to be pensioned or discharged on attaining 60 years of age but they may be retained until 65 if recommended annually for retention and subject to physical fitness. No sufficient reason is seen for making an exception in favour of employés at the Royal Naval Cordite Factory.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether arrangements are being made to give naval ratings, a considerable number of whom are married men, who are about to complete their two and a-half years' foreign service in His Majesty's Ship "Queen Elizabeth," Mediterranean Fleet, the foreign service leave to which they are entitled?

In accordance with the Regulations arrangements are invariably made to relieve ratings as soon as practicable after completion of two and a-half years' foreign service, and in any case before the expiration of three years abroad. Foreign service leave follows automatically on return to the home depot.

asked the hon. Member for Central Leeds, as representing the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, if he will seek to have the present royalty rents on coal that are drawn in Durham county by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners withdrawn during the present period, in view of the fact that the mine workers are being asked to suffer reductions in wages, and that the sum paid in the said royalty rents would help materially to avoid any such contemplated reduction?

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners hold their property under Statutes which impose upon them obligations to use the revenues for certain defined purposes. It is not in their power to deal with their mineral rents in the manner suggested.

Is it not a fact that the Ecclesiastical Commissioners have funds to the extent of £61,000,000, and in those circumstances will the hon. Member not consider giving up for one year a mere £200,000?

The Ecclesiastical Commissioners cannot go beyond their statutory obligations.

Is it not a fact that the major part of the surplus of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners goes to provide better salaries for the poorest paid class in the country?

Is it not within the province of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to apply for powers to do what is requested by the question?

Does not the responsibility which rests upon the owners of royalties rest also upon the Ecclesiastical Commissioners?

May we have an answer to the question?

I do not think the Ecclesiastical Commissioners are entitled to ask for Parliamentary time at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the average selling price of coal exports for the years 1929 and 1930, respectively, and also the export price for the quarter ended 31st March, 1931?

The average declared value f.o.b. of all coal exported during 1929 was 16s. 2d., and during 1930 16s. 8d. Comparison with the quarter ended 31st March, 1931, is affected by the dispute in January, in South Wales, resulting in the export of a smaller proportion of the higher-priced anthracite and steam coal, but during the two months ended 31st March, 1931, the corresponding figure was 16s. 2d.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any report to make to the House in connection with the testing of automatic gas detectors for use in coal mines; and when action requiring the installation of safety detectors may be expected to be taken?

After lengthy discussions I have, I believe, secured the co-operation of the manufacturers of an automatic firedamp detector and of two colliery owners in making arrangements for further pit trials, under agreed conditions, during which the accuracy and reliability of the detector will be studied, on my behalf, by the Safety in Mines Research Board. The necessary preparations are already being made and the trials will, I hope, commence almost immediately. The further action to be taken will depend on the results of these trials.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the International Hydrogenation Patents Company has been registered for the extraction of fuel oil from coal, and whether it is operating in any part of this country; and is he aware that the names of the directors of this company are the names of foreign gentlemen?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that the information which has appeared in the Press concerning the formation of the International Hydrogenation Patents Company is substantially correct. It is stated that it is part of an arrangement between the interests in this and other countries which hold the principal patent rights and technical information concerning the hydrogenation process for a pooling of those rights and information, with the Object of securing the proper development of this process. The Company has not been registered in this country, but has its headquarters on the Continent, and as it is to be expected with a Company of this kind, its directorate is international in character. Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, which is principally interested in the patents rights in this country, is a party to the arrangement, and is represented on the directorate by Lieut.-Colonel G. P. Pollitt, D.S.O. The Company is not an operating company.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if it is the intention of the Government to build by-product plants for the extraction of fuel oil from coal under State ownership?

I regret that it is not yet possible to add anything to the statement on the question of the production of oil from coal which was made by the Lord Privy Seal during the Debate on Unemployment on the 16th April.