asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department in what circumstances it has been decided that the cotton and textiles section of the British Industries Fair for 1932 shall be in charge of Exhibition Organisers, Limited, in view of the fact that hitherto the textile section has been in the hands of the Department of Overseas Trade; and, in view of the recommendations of Lord Chelmsford's Committee, what are the terms of the arrangements between the Department of Overseas Trade and Exhibition Organisers, Limited, and to what extent State money is involved in them?

I am afraid that the hon. Member has been misinformed as to the arrangements for the British Industries Fair of 1932 which are fully in harmony with the principles laid down in the report of Lord Chelmsford's Committee (paragraph 61). The Textiles Section of the Fair will in its new and extended form continue to be under the control of and organised by the Department of Overseas Trade. Exhibition Organisers, Limited, have been deputed by my Department, at the special request of a committee representing various trade associations of the textile industries, to undertake on a commission basis certain work in connection with the organisation of the Textile Section and further to arrange the erection of stands and decorations, and to provide a mannequin parade for that section. The arrangement made by my Department with Exhibition Organisers, Limited, entails no change in the policy under which the British Industries Fair is (except for the special grant for publicity) organised on a self-supporting basis so as to involve no charge on public funds.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of the furniture imported into the United Kingdom from each country each month from January, 1929, to the latest date available?

The following statement shows the total declared value of "Furniture and Cabinet ware of Wood" imported into the United Kingdom, registered during each month from January, 1929, to April, 1931, inclusive, as published in the monthly "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom."

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the notice recently issued by the corporation of Colchester to the effect that from 30th June next no light will be exhibited on the Knoll Buoy, off Brightlingsea; and whether, in view of the danger surrounding the channel which it indicates, he will cause an inquiry to be held before this light is withdrawn?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the notice in question. This lighted buoy was established, in substitution for an unlighted buoy, by the corporation of Colchester under their Act of 1892, and has been maintained by the Trinity House on the understanding that the corporation should pay the additional cost. The Trinity House state that, as the lighted buoy is required only in the interests of local traffic, the cost of maintaining it should be borne by the local interests. It has accordingly been suggested to the corporation that if they are no longer prepared to defray the cost from their own revenues, an application should be made, under the Merchant Shipping Acts, for an Order in Council enabling a local light due to be levied on the interests deriving benefit.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) the number of claims made under the over-seven-years' arrangement, and the number of claims admitted;(2) the number of claims made under the over-seven-years' arrangement from the North of Ireland war pensions area, and the number of claims admitted?

During the 18 months which have elapsed since my announcement in 1929, some 25,000 applications have been received, though this figure includes a substantial, but not precisely determined, number of renewed applications. During the same period 1,466 applications have been recognised by the Ministry by way of medical treatment or award of compensation in the form of pension or other pecuniary grant. I have no separate record of the numbers belonging to the North of Ireland which are included in these aggregate figures.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any further statement arising out of the rebellion in Burma and the number of British Europeans who have been killed or injured?

I am circulating a statement covering the events of last week. Since the beginning of the rebellion, one British police officer, Mr. Austin, has been killed in action, and two others, Mr. H. C. Smith and Captain Jones, have been injured. Mr. Fields Clarke, a British forest officer, was murdered in the early stages of the rising.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps it is proposed to take to put a stop to the system of child marriages in India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to-day to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone).

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement as to the methods adopted and the progress achieved in the Indianisation of certain units of the Imperial Forces in India?

The existing policy is to Indianise the officer ranks in eight selected units of the Indian Army, and at present 105 Indian officers hold commissions. As the House is aware, further proposals are now being made, and I hope to be able to announce details shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will consider the inadvisability of giving passports and other facilities to scientific expeditions in India not conducted by British subjects, in view of the treatment of Indians by such expeditions on recent occasions?

Applications by foreigners for visas to enable them to enter India are considered on their merits, and the question whether any, and, if so, what facilities shall be given in India to a foreign scientific expedition is primarily a matter for the Government of India and the local Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will reconsider his decision and publish the report of the findings of the committee set up to inquire into the working of the mate scheme?

No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary the number of arrests in Hyde Park and the number of convictions of the persons so arrested for each of the years 1929, 1930 and 1931 to 31st May?

The desired figures are not available, and I regret that I do not feel justified in asking the Commissioner of Police to undertake the very considerable labour that would be involved in obtaining them.

asked the Home Secretary when he hopes to be able to introduce the Bill amending the procedure of the trial of children and young persons under the Summary Jurisdiction Acts; and whether he intends to-incorporate in such Bill provisions for the proof of service of summonses by certification instead of by personal attendance or declaration, as at present?

The question of procedure in juvenile courts will be dealt with in the Children Bill. I am unable to make any statement at present as to when the Bill can be introduced. The point mentioned in the second part of the question will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if all consignments of plants, shrubs or trees imported from foreign countries in wooden cases or other materials are opened for inspection in order to prevent the spread of disease in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the question put by him on 16th April which explained the procedure followed with regard to the importation of plants, trees and shrubs. I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what are the names of the drainage authorities which have stated to the Ministry that the statutory provisions laying down that drainage rates shall be levied on an annual value basis only will involve such authorities in excessive expense in the ascertainment of the particulars necessary to compile a rate book?

A number of drainage authorities have raised the question of the difficulty and cost of preparing the new assessments required by the Land Drainage Act, 1930. As this matter has in many cases been raised in the course of correspondance on other subjects, I regret that I could not comply with the hon. and gallant Member's request without a great deal of research, which in the circumstances would not seem to be justified.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the first delivery of English mail in the county and city of Londonderry is now later than it was in 1914; and whether he proposes to take steps to remedy this state of affairs?

As I have previously informed the hon. and gallant Member, the delivery of cross-Channel mails at Londonderry now commences at 11.45 a.m. as compared with 10.45 a.m. (Irish time) in 1914, and it is impracticable, under present circumstances, to advance this hour.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the number of daily deliveries in the city of Londonderry to-day and in 1914, respectively?

The number of deliveries at present in Londonderry is three as compared with five in 1914.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the number of daily deliveries in the borough of Coleraine to day and in 1914, respectively?

There are at present three deliveries of letters a day at Coleraine as compared with four in 1914.