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

It is intended that the personnel of the Federal Structure Committee should be as before, with certain additions which I am not yet in a position to announce. As regards the other points raised by my hon. Friend, I would refer him to the answer I gave to two questions by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Ward-law-Milne) on Wednesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can yet make any statement as to the carrying on of the proposals of the Round Table Conference for the future government of Burma?

The matter is still under consideration.

In view of the contrary opinions expressed on the advisory committee regarding the separation of Burma, will there be an opportunity of considering the whole matter at the Federal Structure Committee later on?

I hope to make a statement of the plans when they have matured.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any further statement about the causes of the present rebellion in Burma?

I have at present nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury) on the 18th May. I hope shortly to make available to the House a more comprehensive statement on the origin and progress of the rebellion.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the operations in Burma against the rebels are under the control of the military or civil authority?

The statement which I circulated on the 2nd June shows that military and police forces are operating in conjunction, but under their own officers. The appointment of Mr. Booth Gravely as Special Commissioner in the five districts affected by the rebellion has secured unity of command over the civil forces, but is also de signed to secure unity of action between the civil and military forces.

Is the hunting down of these gangs of rebels still continuing, and are the Government satisfied with the rate of extermination of these armed and semi-armed bodies of persons?

asked the Secretary of State for India from what station the official recently appointed as a new home member to the Government of Bombay was transferred; and what was the reason of his promotion?

Mr. G. A. Thomas, who was recently appointed to be a member of the Executive Council of the Government of Bombay, on the recommendation of the Governor endorsed by the Governor-General, was previously Commissioner in Sind.

Is Mr. Thomas the official who was Commissioner of Sind on the date when a number of British officers and their wives were grossly insulted by being spat upon? Was that the reason for his promotion?

I do not think that the hon. and gallant Member, on reflection, would desire to attack a distinguished public servant who is not in a position to defend himself.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) if he will report to the House what steps, if any, have been taken by the central and local Governments of India to carry out the steps recommended two years ago by the Joshi Committee as necessary to render effective the administration of the Sarda Child Marriage Restraint Act, namely, a wide publicity campaign aided by State funds; the keeping of marriage registers in a prescribed form with details of age, etc.; universal compulsory notification of marriages and births; the issue free of charge of certificates of birth and marriage to the parties concerned; the employment of women police, women jurors and assessors, and medical women in the investigation of sexual offences; and the provision of separate women's waiting rooms at all court houses;

(2) if he will state how many complaints of violation of the Sarda Act of Restraint of Child Marriage have been received and dealt with by the courts since the Act came into force on 1st April, 1930, distinguishing between cases prior to and those subsequent to the formal cessation of the campaign of civil disobedience?

Perhaps the House will forgive a somewhat long reply on this important matter. The Child Marriage Restraint Act, generally known as the Sarda Act, which was enacted on 1st October, 1929, and came into operation on 1st April, 1930, makes it an offence punishable by fine or, in certain cases, by imprisonment or by both, to contract or arrange a marriage between persons either of whom is below the age of 18 in the case of the male and 14 in the case of the female. The Act further prescribes that to enable the appropriate court to take cognisance of an alleged offence under the Act, a complaint must be laid within 12 months of the solemnisation of the marriage in respect of which an offence is alleged. The actual inquiry into the complaint, if one is authorised by the court, is conducted by a magistrate.

I am informed that between the 1st April, 1930, when the Act came into force, and February of this year there were 29 prosecutions under the Act. I have no more recent information, but the number of prosecutions since February is probably very small if only for the reason that, as the House is no doubt aware, there are a number of private amending Bills which are either already before the Indian Legislature or of which notice has been given.

The Joshi Committee reported on 20th June, 1929, some months before the Sarda Bill was enacted in its final form, and its terms of reference were therefore framed without specific reference to that Act. Several of its recommendations, including those mentioned in Question No. 4, have been referred by the Government of India to local governments. Until the views of all of these have been received and considered the Government of India are not able to decide what further steps can be taken in regard to these recommendations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman explain why it has taken over three years to refer these administrative points to the Provincial Governments and get their replies thereon?

The hon. Lady will remember that the recommendations of the Committee were before the Legislature when the Act was enacted, and some of the recommendations were embodied or taken into consideration in framing the Act. As to others, it has been necessary to seek information. It has been a long inquiry, but all the replies have not yet been received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that this matter is not pigeon-holed in view of its great importance, and will he ask the Government of India to report as to how soon they expect a reply from the Provincial Governments on this matter?

I have no doubt that they are using due expedition. The Noble Lord is well aware that what is important is to enlist the sympathy of Indian opinion behind this report.

Is it not most important that this should not become a dead letter in view of the appalling abuses which are going on in India in regard to this matter?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall take the earliest convenient opportunity of raising this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the rents which are due in the Bardoli district have now been paid and the Irwin-Gandhi agreement carried out there; if not, how much is still owing; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

In order to be able to give the hon. and gallant Member the latest information, I telegraphed to the Government of India, but unfortunately I have not yet received a reply. If the hon. and gallant Member would be so good as to repeat his question next Monday, I hope to be able to give a full reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the agency company that has been registered in India for the purpose of buying and exporting stocks of boycotted cloth is a private or public company; if the latter, whether the public in India are to be invited to subscribe capital and who are the directors?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state whether British cloth has actually been re-exported by the Foreign Piece Goods Export Company, Limited, from India; and, if so, will he state the quantity and to what countries this cloth has been re-exported?

The Company is a public company. No shares have so far been offered for public subscription. I am circulating a list of the directors. The company has not yet acquired any stocks for re-exportation.

Are we to understand that no stocks have yet been exported at all?

As the company has not secured any stocks for exportation, the natural inference would be that no stocks have yet been re-exported.

In view of the importance of this matter, will the right hon. Gentleman keep the House fully informed as to what is happening?

I have given to the House repeatedly, in answer to questions, ah the information which I could secure, and of course I shall continue to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to say if the five lakhs have been subscribed?

Yes, I believe that the five lakhs referred to in my answer have been subscribed.

Have they been subscribed by the Bombay mill-owners?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the delay in re-assembling the Bound Table Conference in this country is to be utilised to attempt further progress in India with the outstanding questions concerning the future of provincial governments; and, if so, what means are to be taken to assist in the settlement of such questions?

Though of course many details affecting Provincial Constitutions remain to be settled, I am not aware of any fundamental outstanding questions affecting all Provinces which require discussion except problems such as communal difficulties and relations between Centre and Provinces which are essentially involved in the federal as well as in provincial constitutions.

Has the procedure of calling a series of Round Table Conferences in India been considered, and could the intervening months be utilised in that way?

There is a great deal of work in process in India at the present time in connection with the conference. I do not know that it would be wise to adopt the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that otherwise we shall be discussing federation without knowing what the federal units are going to consist of?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Mr. Gandhi has been invited to attend the Federal Structure Committee and/or the Round Table Conference which are meeting in September; and whether he has signified his acceptance of either or both?

No formal invitations have yet been issued.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the statement in "Young India" last week, and, in view of the general invitation sent to the National Congress to participate—and the fact that they themselves have elected Mr. Gandhi to represent them—will he confirm that invitation at the earliest moment?

It is known to be the desire of the Government that Congress should participate in the conference through its chosen representatives.

Is it not the case that the invitations would be to the Congress and that it would be for them to choose a representative?

The invitations will be issued through the Viceroy and will be dealt with as before.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, before the resumption of the Round Table Conference, he will take steps to elicit the opinion of the Indian States as to the effect of the import duties on English cotton goods upon the prices and the available supplies of such goods within their territories?

Customs policy in its relation to Federation is a matter which can be raised at the resumed meetings of the Federal Structure Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question and say whether he will take steps to elicit the opinion of the Indian States as to the effect of the import duties'?

I have said that, when the matter becomes relevant, and when we have a locus for making such inquiries, we shall do so, and that will be when the Federal Structure Committee meets.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise that this is an urgent and vital question and does not brook delay at all?

Has the right hon. Gentleman made himself acquainted with the enormous profits that the Bombay mill-owners are making at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the value of cotton goods exported from the United Kingdom to India for the first five months of 1931; and how does such value compare with the corresponding figures for the first five months of 1929?

The figure for the first four months of 1931 is £1,983,000 as compared with £10,874,000 for the first four months of 1930.^* The average price for this period of 1931 was some 25 per cent. lower than that for the corresponding period of 1930.^* The figures for May are not yet available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question which I put as to how such value compares with the corresponding figures for the first five months of 1929?

If the hon. and learned Member had done me the courtesy of listening to the answer which I have given, he would have heard that I have given the exact information for which he asked.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not the values for 1929? I did not ask for the figures for 1930?

I do not know whether it is a misprint in my answer. If it is I apologise to the hon. and learned Member and I will put the matter right.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that those figures are passed on to those concerned in the Ardwick by-election?

I shall publish them.

[^* "1930" in each case should read "1929."]

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information in regard to the personnel of the committee which has been set up to investigate the problems connected with the establishment of an Indian Sandhurst?

I am circulating the names in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is yet in a position to give information in regard to the personnel of the Indian Delegation to the forthcoming meeting of the League of Nations at Geneva?

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

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet been able to consider the suggestion that the elective bodies in the Legislative Assembly should have a voice in the choice of representatives?

That suggestion has often been made, but it presents great difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total cost incurred by the Government of India in the erection of the mooring mast and other ground equipment in preparation for the flight of the R 101 at Karachi; what is the annual cost of the upkeep of the mast and other equipment; and whether he will give information concerning the attitude of the Government of India towards the future maintenance of the mast and equipment, in view of the recent statement by His Majesty's Government in regard to their future airship policy?

The original estimate of the cost of construction of the mooring tower was £55,000. The figure of actual cost is not yet available, but I have heard that the estimate has been somewhat exceeded. The annual cost of maintaining the station, which is charged to the Air Ministry vote, is £3,600. The Government of India have been informed of the recent decision of His Majesty's Government regarding future airship policy, but I have not yet received their views as to future policy in India.

Does that mean that we are paying the cost of upkeep?

I do not know whether an adjustment was made; it is borne on the Air Ministry Vote.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that items on the Air Ministry Vote are frequently met by payments from other Departments or Governments—as, for example, in the case of Mesopotamia?

asked the Secretary of State for India how many riots involving loss of life, damage to property, or injury to life have taken place in India during the present year; and how many lives have been lost in these riots?

There have been 22 riots since the beginning of the year. In one of these, which took place at Rangoon between the Chinese and Burmese communities, several persons were reported to have been killed, but I have not the exact figures. In the remaining 21 riots, a total of 349 persons are known to have been killed. Of this total, 294 deaths occurred in the communal riots at Cawnpore, and 37 during similar disturbances at Benares and Mirzapur.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to stop these riots taking place?

asked the Secretary of State for India if any censorship of Press messages to this country with reference to rioting in India or Burma is in existence, or has been in existence, during the present year?

The answer to both the questions asked is "No, Sir."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now any further information as to the conditions of labour in Russian timber camps?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply of Wednesday last to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood), to which I have nothing to add.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report which was issued recently on conditions in timber camps, and is he satisfied that prison labour is used for this timber industry?

That point was referred to in the answer to which I have just referred the hon. and gallant Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman personally satisfied with the conditions in these camps?

I am very far from being satisfied with a good many things that are done.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the numerous articles which have recently appeared in the Russian official Press urging that assistance should be given to the revolutions in progress in India and in Spain, which are stated to be the two vital points at present in world revolution, and urging that the success of Communist plans in British India would deal a fatal blow to Great Britain and would spread revolution throughout Asia; whether these articles have been considered by the special committee set up last year to inquire into and advise the Foreign Secretary in this respect; what advice has been received from the committee; and whether, as the articles constitute a breach of the agreement, he will make a protest to the Soviet. Government or take other action in the matter?

The policy of His Majesty's Government on this question was stated by the Prime Minister in this House on the 18th May, and the hon. Member may rest assured that all the evidence available—and it is not restricted to Press articles such as those to which he refers—is subjected to constant examination by those competent to advise His Majesty's Government.

What is the object of appointing this special committee, which the House was informed was dealing with these matters, if daily articles in the official Russian Press, containing propaganda hostile to this country, are allowed to continue?

I do not know that their appearing has anything to do with the appointment of the committee. The committee examined very carefully the evidence submitted by the Government and gave a report.

Are the committee now discharged? Do not they deal with Press information any longer?

The committee will be called together when I think the matter is of sufficient importance.

Have any of those articles been articles attacking Mr. Gandhi?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that British nationals passing through Russia by the Siberian Railway have had their English currency confiscated at the rate of £1 a day, even in cases where they have not partaken of the fare provided under the currency regulations of 21st March last; and whether he has instructed His Majesty's Ambassador in Moscow to protest against such charges, especially in cases where none of the food provided is used or required?

As I informed the House on Wednesday last, I am in correspondence with His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow on this subject; but I have not yet received his reply.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made no protest whatever against these unjust exactions on British travellers, and are we to understand that these robberies can continue?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the present position in regard to the settlement of the Russian debts question?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) on Tuesday last.

Could the right hon. Gentleman use his persuasive influence in order to facilitate these negotiations and come to a conclusion before the end of the world?

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken any steps to collect the debts owing to this country by certain American States?

asked the First Commissioner of Works the exact amount of silver plate which has been returned to the British Embassy in Leningrad by the Soviet Government; and how much more remains to be found in order to complete the service?

The articles of silver plate that have been traced and delivered to His Majesty's Embassy comprise a number of forks, knives, spoons, and ladles. The bulk of the service, however, comprising dishes, plates, candelabra, centre pieces and miscellaneous articles of plate, is still missing.

Is there any hope of the other articles turning up?

Hope springs eternal, you know.

Were not these articles discovered by a member of the British Embassy staff when he was dining out?

I really do not know.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department which recommendations in the reports submitted by various oversea trade missions have been put into operation; and will he state specifically which are the trades that have adopted improved selling methods and which trades have materially reduced costs of production as a result of the reports?

It is too soon yet to be able to say very much, but I understand that already several firms intend to re-organise their selling methods in South Africa; that steps are being taken to reduce packing costs; and that in at least two industries one or more groups for selling overseas have been formed, while in a third negotiations to this end are proceeding.

Will the hon. Gentleman use his best influence to see that the results of these trade missions are given effect to? We are continually asked for our selling conditions and costs, and it is only reasonable, when missions are appointed that their recommendations should be followed as far as possible. The hon. Gentleman can do a great deal to have these recommendations carried out.

The matter is receiving the constant attention of my Department.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any recent information from his representatives in India regarding the effect of the boycott and picketing upon the export trade of this country?

The Department of Overseas Trade is in regular receipt of information from His Majesty's Trade Commissioners in India. It is impossible to estimate in terms of reduced imports into India from the United Kingdom the effect of the picketing and boycott.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is easier for merchants in India to import Lancashire cotton goods than it was two or three weeks ago

I must ask for notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider having direct representatives of the Overseas Trade Department in India to watch Lancashire trade?

We have representatives already who are watching trade conditions all the time.

Is there not a trade commission in India already?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state the total face value of contracts entered into between the Export Credits Department and the Soviet Republic during the last six months?

During the six months ended 30th May last, the Export Credits Guarantee Department entered into contracts covering credits for £2,534,891 in respect of exports to Russia.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state the total face value of contracts entered into between the Export Credits Department and all overseas countries, excluding the Soviet Republic, during the last six months?

During the six months ended 30th May last, the Exports Credits Guarantee Department entered into contracts covering credits for £1,419,341 in respect of exports to all countries excluding Russia.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the type of information in regard to export credits that is regarded as of so confidential a character that details cannot be furnished to the House; and whether officials appearing as witnesses before the Estimates Committee and Public Accounts Committee are similarly instructed to withhold information?

The Exports Credits Guarantee Department is pledged not to disclose particulars of individual cases submitted to it, nor is it desirable to disclose the type of information which is not ordinarily diclosed by private institutions of a similar nature. In this view the Advisory Committee concur. With regard to the second part of the question, as the hon. and gallant Member is aware, information is often given to these two committees which in the public interest is not published in the reports.

Is it not desirable that the Exports Credits Committee should ask the Russian representatives to define their attitude towards the British debt?

On a point of Order. May I ask you, Sir, in the event of a witness before the Estimates Committee being asked a question affecting a guarantee for a foreign import, will the Committee be entitled to oblige the witness to answer the question?

I do not see how that arises on a point of Order.

In the question the Estimates Committee is definitely referred to, and the question is whether a witness appearing before the Estimates Committee is entitled to refuse to disclose information?

That has nothing to do with me.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what reply has been, or will be, sent to the French Government with regard to their request to the British Government to reduce safeguarding and/or other duties which affect French exports to Great Britain?

Negotiations with the French and other Governments on the question of tariff reductions are still proceeding, and I do not think it would be desirable to make any statement as to the communications which are passing on the subject at the present stage.

Will the hon. Member answer my question in which I asked what reply has been sent regarding the French Government's request that we should reduce safeguarding and/or other duties which affect French exports to Great Britain?

I can add nothing to the answer that I have given.

Can the hon. Member say when these conversations started?

No, Sir.

Do you not know?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of smallholdings in England and Wales the freehold of which is owned by public authorities and by private persons, respectively?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it will be necessary for him to ask the House to pass a Supplementary Estimate in order to carry out the scheme now being prepared for the development of veterinary medical research?

I cannot say at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will not ask any indirect grant of the taxpayer until he has consulted the House of Commons?

No. I cannot give an absolute guarantee of that kind. These grants are made in the course of the ordinary administration of work and proposals are not submitted individually in advance to the House of Commons. The expenditure, of course, comes before the House of Commons in the ordinary way and the Minister is responsible for what he has done.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments in England and Wales the freehold of which is owned by public authorities and by private persons, respectively?

According to the latest returns, the number of allotments on land owned by local authorities on the 31st December, 1930, was 207,846, the area being 25,800 acres. The number on land owned by private persons was 739,087 on an area of 116,145 acres.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Second Reading of the Finance Bill stated that the bulk of these allotments were owned by local authorities, and how does he reconcile the statement he has just made with the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer?

I am not aware of the statement to which the right hon. Gentlemon refers, but I will inform myself of it.

May we take it that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was entirely mistaken?

Before I assume that, I must know what the statement was.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the extent of the duties of the London Trade Advisory Committee on the National Mark beef scheme; and if the consideration of the development of centralised slaughtering schemes is included?

The London Meat Trade Advisory Committee advises me on trade and technical matters in connection with the National Mark beef scheme. The committee is not concerned with the consideration of centralised slaughtering schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many drainage authorities, prior to the Drainage Act, 1930, levied rates on annual value, and how many on acreage or other basis?

According to the Ministry's information the number of drainage authorities who are known to have levied their rates on the basis of annual values is 93, and on acreage or other basis 258.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many drainage authorities, which prior to 1st August, 1930, levied rates on an acreage basis, have completed the ascertainment of the necessary particulars in order to enable such authorities to levy rates on an annual value basis as defined by the Act of 1930; and how many have levied a rate on such annual basis?

Drainage authorities are not required to furnish to the Ministry any information as to the progress made in the preparation of their valuation lists, or as to rates levied. I am therefore not in a position to furnish the particulars desired by the hon. and gallant Member.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not received this information through the catchment areas?

Of course, the information in each case is known to the authority in question, but there is no necessity to make it known.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of any considerable delay owing to the difficulty of levying on the annual value?

No, I have not heard of any.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how the number of persons engaged in agricultural pursuits in the Isle of Wight on the latest date for which figures are available compares with the number of persons similarly employed one year previously?

The returns obtained by the Ministry relate only to agricultural workers (i.e., not including occupiers) on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre. The number of agricultural workers in employment on agricultural holdings exceeding one acre in the Isle of Wight in June, 1930, was 2,190. In 1929 the number returned was 2,213.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the existing butter famine in Russia, many thousands of barrels of Russian butter have recently arrived in London and are being sold at from 10½d. to 11½d. per pound; what action is being taken by the Board of Agriculture to protect the interests of British farmers in this matter; and whether he can assure the House that none of such Russian butter is mixed with British butter and sold to the public as British farmhouse butter?

Butter has been regularly imported into this country from Russia both before and since the War. The quantity imported in 1930 was 165,000 cwts., which was about 52 per cent. of the average importation for the preceding five years. The quantity of Russian butter imported into Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the first four months of this year amounted to only about one-fifth of the quantity imported during the same months last year. Figures for May, 1931, are not yet available, but the quantities sold at Smithfield have been insufficient to enable the Ministry's reporter to quote a price for any week from 2nd April to 4th June. In view of these facts, the remainder of the question does not appear to arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have not asked for any of the information that he has very kindly given. I asked whether Russian butter has been sold in our market at 11½d. per lb. Does he not know that no British farmer can compete against this price, and is it not the duty of the Board to protect British farmers? What is the right hon. Gentleman doing?

All the information I gave was that the importations in May and lately are so small that we have not been able to fix a price.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any action to prevent the importation of noxious insects in this butter?

May I have an answer to the last part of my question?

Mr. Wells.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the situation in arable districts is deteriorating week by week; and if the Government will either introduce the quota system or apply other and more temporary means of assistance before next October?

I am aware of these difficulties but at present I can add nothing to the statement I made on 22nd May last on the Motion for the Adjournment.

Can the right hon. Gentleman hold out no hope whatever that any measures will be forthcoming for the relief of arable districts before next October?

The hon. Member is not entitled to draw that assumption.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the establishment of import boards to deal with this situation?

Yes, that is a matter which is being considered along with other matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there exists a monopoly in the supply of potash fertilisers which has prevented a reduction in price as compared with other fertilisers; and if he can take any steps to modify such monopoly and to ensure the supply of potash to agriculturists at a reasonable price?

An agreement was reached some years ago between the French and German interests which control the great bulk of the supplies, and prices in this country have risen somewhat since that time. I regret that there does not appear to be any action that I can usefully take in the matter at present.

Do the Board of Trade intend to take any action in the near future on this rather important question?

It is a difficult subject to deal with when these arrangements are made by those who control such matters.

Have the Board of Trade considered the development of Empire resources which are known to exist?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the average quantity of sugar produced per acre of sugar-beet in England?

The average quantity of commercial sugar produced per acre of sugar-beet in Great Britain was 2,838 lbs. in 1929 and 2,724 lbs. in 1930.