asked the Secretary of State for India how many officers and men of the British and Indian armies were killed and wounded on the north-west frontier of India from the 1st April, 1930, to the 31st March, 1931?

The figures for the British Army are seven British other ranks killed, and one officer and 20 other ranks wounded; for the Indian Army, two British officers, one Indian officer and 18 other ranks killed, and two Indian officers and 55 other ranks wounded.

asked the Secretary of State for India from what date to what date the covering force was employed on the Kajuri Plain near Peshawar; how it was housed; and if it was under active service conditions as regards rations, leave, and allowances?

The main body of the troops employed moved in on 17th October last. One Brigade was withdrawn in January and the remaining two in the middle and latter part of March. Two battalions are still maintained in the area. The troops were under canvas during the main period of operations. The area was declared a Field Service area, and Field Service conditions as regards rations, leave and allowances were applied accordingly.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think he might suggest to the Government of India that they could issue a medal for these operations in view of the casualties and hardships suffered by the troops?

I quite understand the hon. and gallant Gentleman's feelings. The initiative in these matters comes from the Government of India and the Army Department, but the hon. and gallant Gentleman's supplementary question shall be brought to their notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the fact that, no doubt, the Government of India is rather nervous about suggesting that a war took place with a Labour Government in office?

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of whole-time or part-time factory inspectors that are employed in India; and how many of these inspectors are women?

At the beginning of this year the number was 47, including one woman inspector in Bombay.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any information from the Government of India as to their present intention of increasing the number of whole-time women inspectors?

I cannot say. The hon. Member must remember the financial stringency which prevails.

Does Mr. Gandhi appoint these inspectors?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the instructions given by the Congress party at the meeting at Karachi to its delegate to future meetings of the Round Table Conference or any of its committeees, His Majesty's Government will obtain an assurance that that delegate accepts the safeguards formulated by the first session of the Round Table Conference held at St. James's Palace before he is invited to attend the forthcoming session of the Round Table Conference or the Federal Structure Committee?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now any information as to the acceptance by Mr. Gandhi of the constitutional safeguards agreed upon by the Round Table Conference?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, to avoid the danger of disappointment to him and misunderstanding in India, it will be made clear to Mr. Gandhi, before he starts for England from India, that the safeguards set out at the Round Table Conference form an essential condition of the consideration by Parliament of any federal scheme of government for India?

The published result of the conversations between Lord Irwin and Mr. Gandhi shows, in paragraph 2, that constitutional discussions were to be resumed on the scheme outlined by the Round Table Conference, and that it was explicitly recognised that just as federation and Indian responsibility are an essential part of this scheme, so also are "reservations or safeguards in the interests of India for such matters as, for instance, defence, external affairs, the position of minorities, the financial credit of India and discharge of obligations."

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that Mr. Gandhi accepted instructions at Karachi which cut right across the terms of the Gandhi-lrwin settlement?

Will it be made quite clear to Mr. Gandhi before he comes to this country that these are not mere bargaining points and that no compromise in principle will be possible at all?

I hope I have made it quite clear by my answer that discussions will be resumed on the basis of paragraph 2 as read out by me.

Is it not a fact that recent statements by Mr. Gandhi are completely contrary to the Gandhi-lrwin agreement?

Do the whole of the future prospects of this conference depend on Mr. Gandhi?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think there is a little danger arising out of the possible misunderstanding—

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the causes of the delay in deciding on the delegates or representatives, or the communities and interests to be represented, on the Federal Structure Committee of the resumed Round Table Conference?

It is necessary before attempting to settle the personnel of the Committee to decide when it can meet; the Governor-General is now engaged in consultation with delegates on this point, and I hope shortly to be able to announce the decisions taken as the result.

asked the Secretary of State for India what are the means by which the Government of India and the provincial administrations ensure publicity for their policy and correct the mis-statements spread among the Indian peoples; and whether any efforts are being made through Indian schools or otherwise to educate them in the advantages that have accrued to India from the British Raj?

The policy of Governments is made public in India as elsewhere in the first place by speeches and resolutions in the Legislatures and by special announcements. These and other forms of information are made available by information bureaux maintained by the Government of India and most of the provincial administrations, which on occasion distribute official news sheets specially prepared to meet the requirements of the province or the district. In addition it is one of the functions of District Officers to represent the Government's policy informally in conversation and otherwise. As to schools the hon. and gallant Member will he aware that education is a provincial transferred subject and it is not possible to give any complete answer to the second part of the question without making special inquiries of each Local Government.

Since the matter was raised last week, has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a letter from the late Director of Public Information making various useful suggestions as to how information could be better disseminated, and will he give that matter his earnest consideration?

Yes, I have seen letters from Professor Coatman and Professor Rushbrook Williams, and they are being considered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that our case is being presented to the Indian people?

I have given particulars as to the machinery which exists and which is being used as opportunity allows.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, besides the conversations at Simla, any discussions have been initiated in the various provinces for the purpose of seeking agreement among the communities as to the future provincial services and other matters arising out of the proposals for a federal structure; and whether provincial round table conferences have been called or are to be called?

Informal discussions on the subject of constitutional reform in all its aspects have no doubt been taking place all over India, but it is not at present proposed to set up any committees or other bodies in India to deal solely with provincial aspects except in the case of the special problems which arise in connection with the North-West Frontier Province, Sind and Orissa.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that this matter is not being overlooked as otherwise there will be no federal units decided upon to come into the federation?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether India will be represented at the Ottawa Imperial Conference; and, if so, whether he can make a statement concerning the personnel of the Indian delegation?

India will be represented at the Ottawa Imperial Conference. I am not yet in a position to announce the composition of the Indian delegation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the Suggestion that the delegation should be selected by the elected parties in the Legislative Assembly?

That is a different consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House of the steps which are being taken by the Government of India to ascertain in view of the present depressed conditions in that country, the possibility of effecting economies in expenditure under the central heads of Government?

I understand that, with the concurrence of the Legislative Assembly, an Advisory Committee is being appointed, and will shortly meet, to co-operate with the Government of India in appointing a number of committees which will examine the possibilities of retrenchment in various branches of the Administration. It is also proposed that this month representatives of the Provincial Governments should discuss the matter with representatives of the Central Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can inform the House as to when it is hoped to make public the report of the Royal Commission on Labour in India?

It is hoped to publish the report towards the end of June.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has received the report of the Commission inquiring into the Cawnpore riots; and, if so, when the report will be published?

As I stated last Monday, the commission of inquiry is expected to present its report to the local government in a few days from now. I cannot at present say anything as to the probable date of publication.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that it will be published?

I think we had better see the report.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication when it will be published so that a Debate can be held?

The information at my disposal is that it will be presented within a few days. The report will then be examined and it will take some little time. I cannot give any more precise indication than that.

I suppose that the right hon. Gentleman does not contemplate anything like a delay of a month in the examination of this report?

I cannot say. I cannot give any definite date. All I will say is that there will be no avoidable delay.

Is there any doubt about the report being published?

We must, first of all, get the report. We have no desire either to conceal anything or to delay anything, but at the same time these cases must be dealt with in proper order.

Are we not withholding any Debate upon this subject because we are waiting for this report, and, if the right hon. Gentleman throws doubt upon the date upon which we may get the report, or indicates that it may take a very long time, will not that be a reason for making it necessary, perhaps, to bring on the matter before?

Answer!

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the reasons for the revolt in Burma; what are the causes of its rapid spread to all parts of the country; and whether this is a national movement or due to economic causes?

Risings have occurred only in five contiguous districts in Lower Burma. Their origin is ascribed to political movements which have found favourable ground for growth in the severe and general economic depression due to the fall in the price of rice and paddy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the trend of this movement now is to direct it against Indian and British officers, and can he give some information about the matter?

I have not had an official account of the incident reported in this morning's papers, but I hope to receive it shortly. I shall get the fullest information as to the tread of the movement and shall publish it for the information of the House.

Why use the words "only five." Does the right hon. Gentleman think that five is a great number?

The words "only five" really deal with that part of the question which suggested that it was in all parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any of the persons released from prison, under the terms of the Gandhi-Irwin settlement, have since been rearrested; and, if so, will he state the number now in prison?

I have not been informed of any cases.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries in order to get the information for which the hon. Member has asked?

I think that such an inquiry would be an extremely laborious and difficult inquiry to make. It means searching into the cases of 16,000 or 17,000 individuals. If cases of the kind intimated by the hon. Member are brought to my notice, I shall certainly give the information if asked to do so.

Is it not a matter of great importance that we should know?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the privilege of motoring through Simla, which has recently been extended to Mr. Gandhi and his associates, will also be extended to all ruling Princes, Governors of provinces, judges, Moslem leaders, and other eminent persons?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will make a statement on the circumstances under which Mr. Gandhi's motor-car was accorded privileges on his approach to Simla which have hitherto been denied to ruling Princes?

This is a matter which I propose to leave to the discretion of the authorities in India.

Does the Secretary of State believe that privileges should be granted to Mr. Gandhi which are not granted to the Indian Princes?

Will the Secretary of State be good enough to answer Question 17, which he was answering at the same time, and which asks whether he will make a statement on the circumstances under which this motor-car was accorded privileges? He has not made any statement upon it.

My answer was that it was a matter which I proposed to leave to the authorities in India.

Mr. Smithers.

On a point of Order. May I ask whether your attention has been called to the fact that my hon. Friend here who had a question on the Paper wished to ask a supplementary question and was not afforded an opportunity of doing so?

There are so many supplementary questions that I really must draw the line somewhere.

Is it not a fact that, if my hon. Friend had received an answer from the Secretary of State, there would have been no necessity for a supplementary question?

Hon. Members must not always expect to be satisfied with the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any negotiations are being opened with a view to securing a larger share of the market for iron and steel in India for British manufacturers?

No, Sir; His Majesty's Government in this country have opened no such negotiations.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Minister with reference to the deplorable condition of the steel industry and see whether something cannot be done?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the circumstances connected with the industry at home. He is in very close touch with it and is quite willing to do all that is possible.

Why has he done nothing yet?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any proposals from the French Government as to the line of action to be adopted in regard to the proposed Austro-German Customs Union?

I understand that the views of the French Government on this subject have been embodied in two memoranda, which are now being submitted to the Committee on European Union, at present in session at Geneva. Summaries of these documents have appeared in the Press.

Can the Under-Secretary say how soon full information on this subject will be available to the House?

If the hon. Member desires to have some fuller accounts of the French Memoranda, he can obtain it very shortly. Summaries of it have already appeared in the Press. The discussions on the subject are likely to continue for some days to come at Geneva.

Is there to be a White Paper issued on the discussions of this very important Committee of the League of Nations?

A White Paper is always published of the council meetings, and I will represent to my right hon. Friend the desire expressed for the issue of a White Paper on this question.

Will it be possible to do this as early as possible in view of the great interest taken in it by hon. Members?

The earlier it is published, the greater the interest is likely to be.

Will the Under-Secretary tell the House how long the Government are going to say ditto to France in this matter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether conferences have been held between representatives of His Majesty's Government and representatives of the French Government in connection with the proposals for revising the Franco-British commercial agreement; and, if so, when will he be able to make a statement as to whether there is to be a new treaty or a revision of the 1882 agreement in order to bring it up to date?

No such conferences have taken place, nor are any steps in contemplation at present for the revision of the Anglo-French Commercial Convention of 1882 which, I may add, does not deal with Customs duties.

Is it a fact that M. Erbel and M. Arnal representing the French Government have not conferred with the British authorities in connection with this matter?

I can add nothing to the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has been informed of any negotiations between European countries for the formulation of new tariff treaties other than that in view between Austria and Germany; and, it so, has Great Britain intervened in the negotiations?

Negotiations for new commercial treaties including tariff provisions, have been in progress for some time between various European countries, but His Majesty's Government have not intervened in any of these negotiations. As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, we are entitled to most-favoured-nation treatment, speaking generally, in every country in Europe.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Portuguese Treaty comes up for revision and, if so, at what date, or whether it continues in force unless and until denounced?

The position is correctly described in the latter part of the question. Notice of denunciation can now be given by either party at any time, and if given takes effect 12 months from the date of the notice.

Has the hon. gentleman not heard that the Portuguese are likely to denounce this Treaty?

Which Portuguese?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what has been the cost involved in the sittings of Sub-Committee B of the Russian Debts and Claims Committee;

(2) how many Russian delegates attended the meeting of Sub-Committee B of the Soviet Debts and Claims Committee: if these delegates also sit as members of the main or other sub-committees; and if they will be remaining in this country;

(3) whether he can now inform the House as to the position of the negotiations on Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee; and what further action does he now propose to take on behalf of the British bondholders?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a further statement as to the progress of claims of British citizens against the Soviet Government, and particularly as to the proceedings of Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee; and whether it is proposed to continue its work?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the position with regard to Sub-Committee B of the Anglo-Soviet Joint Committee on British claims; and whether, in view of the attitude taken up by the Soviet delegates, he proposes to continue the conference?

With regard to the labours of Sub-Committee B, I have at present nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Members for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) and the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on the 11th of May. The negotiations in that Sub-Committee are continuing. As Lord Goschen and his colleagues have been so good as to lend their services to His Majesty's Government without payment, no cost is incurred by the Exchequer owing to the sittings of Sub-Committee B. There are five Russian delegates on the main committee. One or two of these take part in the discussion of the Sub-Committees, on which they are assisted by experts who are not members of the main committee. My right hon. Friend presumes that the Soviet delegates will remain in this country until the work of the committee is terminated.

As regards Question No. 22, which the hon. Gentleman answered at the same time, does he still state, as was stated on behalf of the Foreign Office last week that Sub-Committee B did not notify that it was impossible to continue proceedings usefully owing to the action of the Soviet delegates; and does he adhere to that statement?

I adhere to the statement made by my right hon. Friend which was a somewhat long one. If the right hon. Gentleman is accurately repeating the statement of my right hon. Friend, I adhere to it. If, on the other hand, he was putting in other words of his own, I should require to consider it carefully.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the reply last week was as far as information was at present available, and I now ask him definitely to state whether or not it is true that this Sub-committee intimated that they were unable to proceed with their work owing to the action of the Soviet Government?

The Sub-committee have reported to the main Committee certain difficulties which they encountered during the course of their work. That is quite a different thing from statements which appeared in certain newspapers that negotiations had broken down. Important negotiations do not break down in Sub-committees.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that he informed me on Monday that the attitude of the Soviet representatives with regard to making any payment has not yet been defined; and, as the Committee has now been sitting for eight months, does he think that any useful purpose is served in continuing when the general attitude to making any payment has not yet been defined?

I think that the hon. Member is confusing Sub-Committee B with Sub-Committee C.

Are the difficulties fundamental?

Is it not a fact that the British representatives on Sub-Committee B said that it was impossible to carry on; what has happened since then to make matters easier; and have the Soviet representatives come to their senses and are they now willing to continue?

I do not think that I can add anything to the answer which I have given to these various questions.

Has any proposal been made by this country—

Sir Kingsley Wood.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make inquiries from the Soviet Government as to where Captain George Reilly is imprisoned?

Inquiries were made early in 1929, through the Norwegian Legation in Moscow, and the Soviet authorities replied that Captain Reilly had been shot while attempting illegally to cross the frontier in September, 1925. It does not, therefore, appear that further inquiries would yield any useful results.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in a recent book by M. Brunovsky, who was imprisoned in Russia in 1926, it is reported that Captain Reilly was then alive and imprisoned in the same prison, a year after he had been alleged to have been shot by the Soviet Government?

No, I was not aware of that fact. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with any fresh evidence on which we could repeat the inquiries which were made at that time by our predecessors, and the results of which they considered to be conclusive at that time, I shall be glad to have it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the plans of the Communist International and the Bed Trade Union International of Moscow for an intensification of offensive operations against the British Empire in 1931; and, seeing that those plans are a breach of the treaty with the Soviet Government, what steps he proposes to take?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Birmingham (Sir A. Chamberlain) on Thursday last.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that that reply was most unsatisfactory?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the report sent to him from the Anti-Slavery Society on the conditions of labour in the Russian timber camps, with a request to transmit it to the Soviet Government; and what action he proposes to take upon the report and request?

This report was received in the Foreign Office on Friday last. It is now being carefully studied, but my right hon. Friend has not yet had an opportunity to give it his personal attention.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a scheme for the development and coordination of veterinary medical research is now being prepared; when it is proposed that it shall be put into operation; and whether an opportunity will be given to the House to discuss it before the details are finally decided?

I can add nothing to the reply which I give to a similar question from the hon. and gallant Member on Monday last.

Does not this scheme involve finance, and is it not right therefore that it should be submitted to the House in time for discussion?

Any scheme for research must necessarily involve finance, and I must await the scheme itself before giving any undertakings, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that I shall be glad of an opportunity of doing so.

Shall we have an opportunity of discussing the matter before a decision is taken or after it has been taken?

I have not seen the scheme yet fully prepared.

Will there be a Supplementary Estimate on this matter?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of poultry produce marketed from the County of Surrey in 1919 and 1930, respectively?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many acres of allotments there are per 100,000 of the population of England and Wales; and what proportion of the lands used for allotments in England and Wales is owned by local authorities?

The area of allotments per 100,000 of the population in England and Wales is 369 acres. Local authorities own 18.2 per cent. of the total area used for allotments, and of this figure 4.1 per cent. represents land purchased for other purposes but let temporarily for allotments.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in certain counties it is impossible to employ an agricultural labourer for three days only in the week, but that the farmer has to employ the man for the whole week or allow him to stand off; and, seeing that this course inflicts hardship both on the farmer and the agricultural worker, will he take steps to remedy this grievance?

I am not aware that the position is as stated by the hon. and gallant Member but the Orders fixing minimum rates of wages are framed to secure that a regular worker shall receive a weekly minimum wage. This principle is in accordance with the requirements of the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act that the minimum rates shall provide an adequate living wage, and I am not prepared to take any steps in a contrary direction.

asked the Minister of Agriculture by what authority officials of his Department have interviewed clerks of county councils and urged that vacancies are to be created on agricultural education sub-committees with a view to a particular political party being represented?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that officials of his Department have endeavoured to persuade certain county councils to elect members of a certain political party to county statutory committees to the exclusion of persons not members of that party; and whether he will give an assurance that this practice will now be discontinued?

These questions appear to arise out of statements made in the course of, or subsequently to, a recent meeting of the Hertfordshire County Council. The person or persons responsible for them appear to have been equally ready to neglect acquainting themselves with the facts as they were anxious to foment mischief. There is not a word of truth in the statement that I have endeavoured to persuade certain county councils to elect members of a certain political party to county statutory committees to the exclusion of persons not members of that party. Under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Act, 1919, the Minister has a statutory right to appoint not more than one-third of the members of a county agricultural committee or of any sub-committee to which powers of the agricultural committee are delegated, and in exercising these powers, I necessarily review the constitution of that part of the committee appointed by the council, since it is my endeavour to secure that each of the interests concerned—agricultural landowner, farmer and agricultural labour—is represented. I have not interfered, or attempted to interfere, with the appointment of the county council members of these committees, nor to influence in any way the appointment of members nominated by outside bodies and appointed by the council. The position, shortly, is that I have exercised, and shall continue to exercise, my powers of appointment under the Act so as to ensure, as far as possible, that all agricultural interests are duly represented on these committees.

May I ask if we can have an assurance that any appointments made by the Minister of Agriculture to these agricultural committees will be persons with an intimate knowledge of agriculture?

Yes. I do not think I have made any appointment but which fulfils that condition. The position is that some sections are not fairly represented.

May I press the point as to whether persons appointed to these committees will have an intimate acquaintance with agriculture?

Is it not the fact that agricultural workers have been grossly unfairly represented on these committees in the past?

I do not know, but there are only two out of 30 on this particular committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any grants are available from his Department for research in agricultural engineering to be carried out either by the Institute for Research in Agricultural Engineering at Oxford or by individual firms of manufacturers; and, if so, what is the extent of the grant and the conditions governing it?

Annual grants have been made since 1924 from the Development Fund to the University of Oxford in aid of the Institute of Agricultural Engineering. The grant is made for the purpose of research in agricultural engineering, and for the current academic year is assessed at £12,700. The conditions attaching to such grants are rather voluminous, and I am, therefore, sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. The Ministry is precluded from making grants from the Development Fund to individual firms.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the need for research with regard to the development of small harvester-thresher machines suitable to English conditions; and whether he proposes to encourage such research either by direct grants over a period of years or by any other method?

Yes, Sir. The question has been receiving the attention of my Department for some years, and funds are already available for investigations into the types of machine most suitable for this country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take the advice of practical agriculturists and ascertain whether the conditions in this country are suitable for this machinery?

I presume that is done at the institute.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the reduction of farm wages by the Suffolk Agricultural Wages Committee, he will consider the introduction of legislation to establish a central board with power to fix farm wages?

The situation brought about by the recent decision of the Suffolk Agricultural Wages Committee is receiving my careful consideration, including the suggestion contained in the question by my Noble Friend.

May I ask if prices have anything to do with this reduction in wages, and, if so, what the right hon. Gentleman is going to do about it?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information with reference to the import duties on pedigree livestock from this country entering Argentina?

I am glad to say that the Argentine Government has cancelled the duty of 5 per cent. on pedigree livestock imported into Argentina for reproduction.

Does not this show the importance of pressing forward with the legislation for the improvement of the livestock of this country?

Yes, I think it does.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that largo quantities of foreign butter are blended with British butter and are being sold as British butter, he will take steps to secure that such butter, when sold, has the packet or paper container suitably marked with the percentage of foreign butter and the foreign country?

Under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, provision is made for the making of Orders in Council requiring the marking of imported goods of any description with an indication of origin. Before such an Order can be made, however, an inquiry has to be held by the Standing Committee set up for that purpose. There has recently been an inquiry in respect of butter, and I am now awaiting the report of the Committee.

Is the right hon. Gentleman likely to do anything on the report of the committee?

That depends on the nature of the report.

How long will it be before the right hon. Gentleman gets the report?

I think it will be received quite shortly, but I prefer to have notice of the question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the British Government will be represented officially by a delegate at the conference at Canada House, London, on 18th May?

As I have already explained, the conference is confined to representatives of wheat exporting countries, and Great Britain is, therefore, not sending a delegate.

Shall we have any information as to the result of this conference, which is rather important?

Yes, it is very important, and I presume that we shall have information.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the British delegation at the preparatory Wheat Conference at Rome supported the policy of import boards?

The subject of import organisation was not dealt with by the conference in the form indicated in the question, but on a resolution in the following terms, which was adopted:

"At the same time the conference recommends purchasers in importing countries, where the need is felt, to endeavour to organise the purchase of imported wheats. This can he carried out, whatever form it takes, according to the particular situation in each country."

Is it the intention of the Government to implement that by legislation?

That does not arise at all out of the question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the desirability of issuing for sale at post offices stamped postcards with photographic views of British seaside and inland resorts?