asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is yet able to announce the membership of the Round Table Conference meeting in September?

Not yet, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether formal invitations have been issued?

I am not in a position to make any statement.

Is it not a fact that the meeting is to be held in September, and that that leaves very little time for delegates which have to come here?

The hon. Member can rest assured that the Government are as anxious as he is for the arrangements to be pushed forward.

asked the Secretary of State for India, (1) 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?

(2) whether he will assure the House that in the proposed Round Table Conference on Burma the same basis of free discussion and expression of opinion will be provided as in the original conference on India; and what method is being adopted to secure a representative delegation?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps have yet been taken for the separation of Burma from India; if not, what is the reason for the delay; and, if so, what has been done and what form of Government it is proposed to set up?

I am in consultation with the Governments of India and Burma on this matter, and am not yet in a position to make any statement.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to make a statement?

The matter naturally, has been the subject of a great deal of correspondence. The moment I have any information I shall place it at the service of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has now received the evidence given before the commission of inquiry at Cawnpore; and if he is prepared to publish it?

I received late last week copies of the evidence which is contained in 17 files amounting to 1,833 foolscap pages of typescript. I have just been informed by the Government of India that they are taking steps to print the evidence in India; and I have asked them to let me have as soon as possible copies which I will place in the Library on receipt.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects the evidence will be available here?

I cannot say how long it will take to got it printed and sent here, but the moment it reaches me it will be available.

If the right hon. Gentleman has copies of the evidence, could it not be printed at once?

I do not think that I should be justified in making a special separate print of this very bulky document.

I thought the hon. Member was in favour of economy?

Is it not a fact that it must be three or four weeks before we can see the evidence here?

That is so.

asked the Secretary of Slate for India what was the official position of Mr. Sale during the Cawnpore riots, and if in that position he had any superior officers in charge at Cawnpore at that time; and, if so, if he will state the names of those officers?

Mr. Sale's appointment was that of magistrate and collector, Cawnpore. As the report of the commission indicates, the Commissioner of the Division, Kunwar Maharaj Singh, was in Cawnpore from 26th to 30th March inclusive, and the Governor, Sir George Lambert, who was accompanied by the Home Member, Nawab Sir Muhammad Ahmad Said Khan of Chhitari, on 28th March. The presence of superior officers in the district of a collector does not involve their taking over charge from him nor does it necessarily affect the balance of respective responsibilities.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the position of the peasant farmers in India he will make representations to the Indian Tariff Commission in favour of an import duty on imported raw cotton, and the limitation of the duty on imported cotton goods to cloth of lower counts, for the manufacture of which Indian-grown cotton is suitable?

The function of the Indian Tariff Board is to consider questions referred to them by the Government of India, and, so far as I know, the question of the protection of raw cotton has not been so referred.

Is it not passible for the right hon. Gentleman to make representations to the Tariff Board in India?

I think the better avenue would be for the persons interested to exorcise their light of making representations for themselves.

Would not the change be in the interests of the workers in Lancashire as well as the producers in India?

Does the right hon. Gentleman take no interest in the Lancashire cotton trade?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will consider the advisability of inviting the representatives of the Dominions to attend the next meetings of the Federal Structure Committee?

No such arrangement is contemplated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the Dominions are vitally affected in this matter which affects the whole British Empire?

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) whether he has yet received a report from the Government of India regarding the action taken to prohibit the circulation by Congress agents of letters of covenant demanding that merchants shall cease to deal in foreign piece goods;

(2) whether he has yet received the report from the Government of India regarding the resolution recently passed by the working committee of Congress insisting upon complete prohibition both of the sale of existing stocks and of the importation of any further stocks of foreign cloth; and, if so, what action he proposes to take?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give the House any further information on the boycott of British goods in India?

I regret that I have not yet received from the Government of India the reports that I am expecting; and at the moment, therefore, I have nothing to add to the answers previously given. In regard, however, to the general effect of the boycott, I am circulating figures showing the relative imports since October of British and Japanese piece goods.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the resolution passed by Congress, and does he not agree that it is a breach of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement?

The right hon. Gentleman knows that we are communicating with the Government of India with a view-to taking what action is best in the circumstances. That is the reason for the delay, and that is why I ask the right hon. Gentleman to exercise a little patience despite the considerable delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my supplementary question?

That question was replied to either last Monday or the Monday before.

May I ask whether there is in these documents any exclusive attack on British goods, and, if not, whether there is any broach of the Irwin-Gandhi agreement?

That is exactly the question which the right hon. Gentleman asked me, and it is with a view to seeing the true implication of these two documents that I am making inquiries?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to find out whether a breach of the agreement has occurred or not?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the division of all arms on which it is proposed to experiment in Indianisation will be a newly-raised division?

The scheme outlined by the Commander-in-Chief in India contemplates in the main the extension of Indianisation in existing units of the Indian Army.

Is it not the case that, if one whole division is Indianised, it will mean a very serious weakening of the strength of the Indian Army?

That is a separate question. The hon. and gallant Member asked me a technical question to which I have endeavoured to give him a reply.

Is it true that it is proposed to make the Indian Division complete with field guns and arms?

Oh, yes. I imagine that all arms will be included.

Is it not a fact that this will be the first time since the mutiny that they have been allowed to have guns?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has consulted the Government of India with a view to the issue of a medal to the troops lately engaged under active service conditions on the North-West Frontier?

I have brought to the notice of the Government of India the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question of the 18th May, but I have not yet heard from them.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has made representations to the Government of India in connection with any conditions of preferential treatment being meted out to this country in return for the financial support promised by our Government?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 1st July.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. I asked whether he would make representations and to that question I have not received an answer.

The answer was implied in the statement made by the Prime Minister with regard to the mixing of two interests.

Does that mean that the right hon. Gentleman will never make representations in the interests of Lancashire?

That statement, which is obviously made for political purposes, is entirely inaccurate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister's statement gave no information of any kind?

asked the Secretary of State for India what action the Government of India proposes to take as a result of the recent report of the Royal Commission on labour conditions in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in view of the observations made in the report of the Royal Commission on labour in India concerning the conditions under which the Government's employés in the Government of India's salt mine at Khewara are compelled to work, he will urge upon the Government of India the necessity of taking whatever steps are possible to improve these conditions?

The Government of India will no doubt take into early consideration the numerous recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Labour, whose report was only published last week, and inform me in due course of the action which they propose to take.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the representation made to the Government of India on account of the fact that, although the Royal Indian Marine invites tenders for Bengal, Natal, and Cardiff coals, the amount of Indian coal actually purchased is very small, since the coal-burning ships of the Royal Indian Marine and the coal-burning plant in the Royal Indian Marine Dockyard at Bombay are so designed at present as not to enable the employment of Indian coal; and whether, in view of this representation, any and, if so, what steps are being taken to examine the possibility of utilising a greater quantity of Indian coal in the Royal Indian Marine?

I am making inquiries from the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of state for India if agreement has yet been reached between the Government of India Railway Board and the All-India Railwaymen's Federation; and if the danger of a general strike on the Indian railways is now averted?

No settlement has yet been arrived at, so far as I am aware. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a Press communiqué issued by the Government of India on 1st July.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if he has any information as to whether there is any danger of a strike?

I have no such information.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recent large sales of Indian currency, he will take steps to control such operations which have the effect of intensifying the financial and economic depression of India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 26th June. This, by contributing to the restoration of confidence in Indian credit, should help towards the alleviation of the economic depression from which India, like many other countries, is suffering at the present time owing to world causes.

Is it not the case that the present position as regards the need for help has been caused by the sale of currency?

Perhaps the hon. Baronet would put down a more specific question. My advisers and I were not quite clear as to what he is driving at in the question on the Paper.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that one of the reasons for this attack on the gold value of the rupee is in order to make it more difficult for Indians to buy Lancashire cotton goods?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the Congress campaign in the Rae Bareli district, urging the peasants not to pay their land dues and rents; and whether the Government of India are taking any steps to prevent these illegal activities?

Yes, Sir. I have, however, no precise information as to the action taken in the Rae Bareli district, although I have been informed that it has recently been necessary to take action under the ordinary law against persons who encourage the non-payment of rent in some districts in the United Provinces.

Is it not the fact that the Deputy-Commissioner tried to prevent this campaign, but has been ordered by the Government of India to discontinue his efforts and allow these agitators to continue their campaign?

I do not know on what evidence the hon. and gallant Member bases that statement, but I cannot for one moment accept it, nor is it supported by any evidence in my possession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read "The Times" of to-day, where he will see an account of the matter?

Are the land dues which these peasants are told not to pay the equivalent of the Land Value Tax in this country?

asked the Prime Minister (1) what is the character of the financial assistance which he proposes should be given to the Government of India;

(2) If he proposes to formulate any conditions under which financial assistance is proposed to be given to the Government of India?

asked the Prime Minister what form the proposed financial assistance to India will take?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement on Indian finance, and particularly as to whether the Government's prospective guarantee extends to the principal and interest of all Indian Government securities; whether any payments or other benefits will be secured to Great Britain in return for the guarantee; and whether His Majesty's Government have set any limit to the contingent liability they have undertaken?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on 26th June last in reply to a Private Notice Question by the right hon. Gentleman, the Member for Hendon (Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister). Unless and until the need for financial support arises, it would be premature to consider the character that the financial assistance might take or the conditions to be attached to it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to extend the system of giving financial undertakings in the hope that the undertakings will not have to be met?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the stock exchanges throughout the whole world are dealing under the impression that his statement defiaitely commits the British Government to guarantee these various Indian securities?

Mr. Homer.

I have asked a question. May I not expect the courtesy of a reply?

It does not always follow that hon. Members get replies to supplementary questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if ho has now any information as to whether an agreement has been arrived at for the reorganisation of the French Mixed Court in Shanghai; and whether any preparations are being made for the establishment of special courts by the Chinese Government in order that the regulations regarding China's jurisdiction over foreigners can be put into operation as from 1st January, 1932?

With regard to the French Mixed Court at Shanghai, the negotiations have not yet resulted in a final agreement. I understand that the Chinese Government are taking steps to prepare for the organisation of special chambers for the trial of cases involving foreigners.

Does not this disclose a rather serious condition of affairs; and will the right hon. Gentleman state what action he is taking in the matter?

I fail to see what serious state of affairs the right hon. Gentleman has in mind.

Do not these proposals affect British subjects and others?

Yes, but that does not create a serious state of affairs.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement on the condition of affairs in China; and whether martial law has now been proclaimed at Shiuchow?

There has been no material change in the situation since my reply to the right hon. Gentleman on 22nd June. I have no information of martial law having been proclaimed at Shiuchow.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if His Majesty's Minister in China has investigated the claim by Mr. S. S. Kemp for pension and repatriation expenses against the, China Merchants' Steam Navigation Company, Limited, by which he has been employed for nearly 25 years; and, if so, whether any of the money due has been now paid to Mr. Kemp?

His Majesty's Minister in China has furnished me with a report on this case. As a result of the efforts of His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai, Mr. Kemp has received from the company a gratuity equal to two months' salary. In addition, the company withdrew all aspersion on his character, and gave him a first-rate testimonial. Mr. Kemp's further claim for pension and repatriation expenses could not be supported, as they were not provided for in his contract.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know whether this British subject is satisfied with the result?

I could not say that he is entirely satisfied, but we have done the best that we could for him.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can indicate when the report on Shanghai prepared by Mr. Justice Feetham will be published; and if, pending publication, an advance copy can be placed in the Library of the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer returned to the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Wood Green (Mr. G. Locker-Lampson) on Wednesday last.

Will it be possible to place a copy of this report in the Library as early as possible?

I have already undertaken to do so as soon as it reaches this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any statement as to the result of the inquiries which have been made into the recent disappearance of Mr. John Thorburn at Soochow?

It is thought that Mr. Thorburn was arrested at Shanghai by the Chinese military police as the result of a shooting incident which occurred on 1st June. There is reason to suppose that he remained in custody until 10th June. Since then nothing further has been heard of him. His Majesty's Minister is strongly pressing the Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs to appoint a commission of inquiry to ascertain all the details regarding Mr. Thorburn's disappearance. I am now awaiting a report on the result of his representations.

In view of the fact that Mr. Thorburn was last seen in the custody of the military police at Soochow, will not the right hon. Gentleman insist that a British representative shall take part in all further inquiries into this case with full powers to examine the colonel of the military police?

I will take that into consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent Great Britain is committed to intervention in the case of a state of war arising at any time between the Russian Soviet Republic and any of the adjoining States?

As the hon. Member will be aware, all States members of the League of Nations have entered into certain international obligations. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would be bound by these obligations, but by no others, in the hypothetical circumstances suggested in the question. I would remind the hon. Member that not only the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, but ail the adjoining States, have signed the Briand-Kellogg Pact renouncing the use of war as an instrument of national policy.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be desirable, in view of the complicated terms of these treaties, to issue a White Paper of some kind showing clearly what the commitments of this country are, so that the House of Commons and the country may know what preparations it may be necessary for us to make?

I do not see that that in any way arises out of the question on the Paper.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to indicate that the obligations under the League of Nations mean intervention in the form of war?

The hon. Member must know what the different clauses of the Covenant mean.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the cost per day per head of the British delegates and deputy delegates to the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in 1930?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) what is the estimated cost this year of the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations; and how this compares with the expenditure incurred last year;

(2) what is the number of deputy-delegates to the Assembly of the League of Nations this year as compared with 1928; and what is the reason for the increase;

(3) the cause of the increase of the expenses of the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations from £4,210 in 1929 to £5,177 in 1930, seeing that the number of delegates was the same in each case?

The average cost of accommodation amounted to £3 4s. a day for each delegate, and the daily allowance for subsistence was 30 Swiss francs, or £1 4s. The latter allowance has not been varied for a number of years. The increase in the cost of the delegation in 1930, as compared with 1929, was due partly to the fact that additional advisers were required, mainly in connection with questions relating to Palestine, and to the increased cost of hospitality to Dominions and foreign representatives, A further increase of £240 was due to the experimental hire of British motor cars from this country for the use of the delegation, instead of the former practice of hiring Swiss cars in Geneva. It is proposed to repeat the experiment this year, but at a cost which it is anticipated will be less by £170 than last year. It has not yet been possible to complete the estimate of the cost of the British delegation in September next, but it is anticipated that the reduction in the charge for the hire of motor cars, and in other respects, will result in a saving, as compared with the cost in 1930, of at least £500. As the House has already been informed, the number of deputy delegates this year will be the same as in 1929 and 1930, namely, four, as compared with two in 1928. In the opinion of His Majesty's Government this is the minimum number required to deal efficiently with the large and growing volume of work transacted during the Assembly.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what he means by the phrase "the experimental hire of British motor cars," and by the statement that he proposes to repeat the experiment? Is it an experiment to ride in a British car?

Yes, it is an actual experiment for our delegation to ride in British cars in Geneva.

In view of the greatly increased expenditure of this delegation, may I ask whether it is just a coincidence that so many of the deputy-delegates are Labour Members of Parliament?

It is more than a coincidence; it is done purposely, because we believe it will add to the efficiency of the work.

Were British cars used by delegates from this country prior to the right hon. Gentleman's going as a delegate?

British motor cars had never been used until the experiment was tried last year, and we thought it would appeal to hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite that we should be in the same position as the French, Ger- mans and others, of having our delegates running about Geneva in British cars.

Was the number of Swiss cars exactly the same as the number of British cars?

Yes.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that Italian foodstuffs are now reaching destinations in England by wagons running through from Italy via Harwich and the train ferry; and whether he has taken the necessary steps to arrange that the Italian exporters should reload, in payment, North Sea fish for Switzerland and Italy in the refrigerator wagons, and pottery in the ordinary wagons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, it is not within the competence of His Majesty's Government to control the methods by which foreign produce importers should take payment for their goods,

Has the hon. Gentleman been down to the fishing ports and the Stoke district and brought these transport facilities to their notice?

If the hon. Gentleman has any suggestions, I will gladly consider them.

Are not the merchants and employers in the industry efficient enough to look after their own business?

asked the President of the Board of Trade in connection with the international congress in patent law and practice to be held in Londan in the near future, if he will state what preparations for this event have been made by His Majesty's Government?

I presume the question relates to the next conference of the International Union for the Protection of Industrial Property which will be held, on the invitation of His Majesty's Government, in 1933. The preparation of the programme for this conference is now in hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the House any information as to the terms of agreement between the Austrian and French Governments under which the French Government give to woollen goods manufactures in Austria a tariff preference on their goods entering France provided that such goods are made from yarns spun in and purchased from France?

I am not aware of any such agreement, but I am having inquiries made and will acquaint my hon. and gallant Friend with the results.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to give effect to the recommendations made by the British Science Guild to the Departmental Committee which was set up to consider the reforms of the Patents and Designs Acts and practice of the Patent Office, and endorsed by that committee in the report published 14th March, 1931?

The necessary steps are being taken to prepare a Bill dealing with the recommendations made in the report of the Departmental Committee on the Patents and Designs Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of allotments in the urban district of Willesden, indicating which of them, if any, are owned or leased by the local authority; and how many are owned or leased by private persons?

According to the latest annual return received from the district council, the total number of allotments in Willesden on 31st December, 1930, exclusive of railway companies' allotments, was 1,979, of which 1,829 were on land owned or leased by the council and 150 were let direct by private persons.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the amount that has been expended by his Department on the production of films?

The total expenditure by the Ministry on the production of films, covering a period of six years, amounts to £1,828 15s. 2d.

Are the films for exhibition to the public, and, if so, where have they been shown, or were they made for the instruction of officials of his Department?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.

Is it not a fact that the money expended on the production of films for agricultural instruction has been very well expended indeed and has produced very valuable results?

I think they are very much appreciated indeed, and we have been asked for more.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease did not come from an indigenous source but must have come from a foreign importation of Continental oats, straw, or butter, and in view of the danger of a further outbreak from such sources, he will impose an embargo on such imports?

So far as I have been able to ascertain, there are no grounds for attributing the outbreak to the causes mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. The original source of infection was from cattle imported from Ireland, and I am informed by the Ministry of Agriculture for Northern Ireland that the origin of the outbreak in County Down is being fully investigated, but that they are not yet in a position to make any statement as to the cause.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this disease is not indigenous and, therefore, must have come from outside and will he not prohibit articles which may carry it into this country?

If I were to prohibit all articles that might carry infection, I should have to prohibit a large part of our imports.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will safeguard the employment of arable workers by guaranteeing to cereal farmers the amount of their fixed wages bill on conditions suitable to the present emergency?

The method suggested by the hon. Member is not a practicable way of dealing with this matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that we have tried in vain to get a policy of fixing prices and, therefore, I suggest a policy of fixing rates of labour?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can give any information as to the constitution of the Agricultural Research Council and the purposes for which it has been appointed?

In July, 1930, a Committee of the Privy Council, with the Lord President of the Council as Chairman, was appointed under Order in Council "for the organisation and development of agricultural research." The Agricultural Research Council has been appointed by Royal Charter "for the purpose of furthering the objects of the said Committee." The Council consists in the first instance of thirteen members, appointed either on account of their qualifications in one or other of the basic sciences underlying agriculture, or on account of their general experience of and interest in agriculture. The following gentlemen have accepted invitations to serve on the Council:

• Dr. J. A. Arkwright, F.K.S., M.A., F.R.C.P.
• Sir Merrik Burrell, Bt., C.B.E.
• Dr. E. J. Butler, C.I.E., F.R.S.
• Professor E. P, Cathcart, C.B.E., M.D., D.Sc, F.R.S.
• Right Hon. Lord Richard Cavendish, C.B., C.M.G.
• Mr. Joseph F. Duncan.
• Sir John B. Farmer, M.A., D.Sc., LL.D., F.R.S.
• Sir Daniel Hall, K.C.B., LL.D., F.R.S.
• Sir F. Gowland Hopkins, M.A., M.B., D.Sc, LL.D., F.R.C.P., F.R.S.
• Professor T. J. Mackie.
• Sir Thomas Middleton, K.C.I.E., K.B.E., C.B.
• Mr. Spencer Mount.
• Professor D. M. S. Watson, F.R.S.

Was there to be some representative of the Rothamstead Agricultural Research School on this advisory council?

It is not based on representation of institutions. We have the very best people we can obtain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the extent of unemployment among agricultural workers in Essex?

From such information as I have, it appears that the unemployment among agricultural workers in Essex which was experienced in the early part of the year has considerably decreased and that there are now very few such workers out of employment.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I know personally of 70 cases of unemployment in 14 villages in North Essex?

I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will send me particulars, and I will investigate them.

I shall be glad to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider setting up some statistical board?

The difficulty is that we have not power to obtain returns.

asked the Minister of Labour whether unemployment grants are made available for schemes of highway development on rural highways where third-class roads are breaking through for want of material, and in order to provide work for unemployed farm workers?

Applications in such cases would be considered on their merits, and subject to the time-limits referred to in the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Labour, in reply to the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. McShane) on 25th Tune. I should point out, however, that grants are not avail- able for works which are in the nature of maintenance.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that nearly 3,000 unemployed farm workers were kept out of the local rates for half of the past winter, and will he not be a little more sympathetic towards those particular schemes?

That is a matter for consideration in respect of schemes put forward by the parties concerned.

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of unemployed persons who have been placed in permanent or temporary employment since he succeeded to his present office?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to the numbers of persons employed on State-aided works specially undertaken for the relief of unemployment. The numbers of persons employed on such works, directly and indirectly, at the end of February this year was approximately 225,000. The number so employed at the end of May, the latest date for which figures are available, was about 245,000.

That does not answer my question. I asked the number of persons who have been placed in permanent or temporary employment.

It is obviously impossible for us to give figures that are not in our possession. We do not have figures supplied to us with respect to persons employed by private persons.

Are the Government afraid to publish the weekly unemployment returns?

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent use is being made of the facility recently granted to savings bank depositors of making payments to third parties by means of crossed warrants; and what steps were taken to advertise this facility?

Between 1st May, 1931, when the facility was introduced, and 20th June, 1,127 crossed warrants payable to third parties have been issued. A notification of the facility appeared in the Press at the time of its introduction. Further, it will be brought to the notice of depositors on the new type of withdrawal form which will be introduced when the stocks of the present form are exhausted.

asked the Postmaster-General, in view of the transfer of the direct wireless service to Kenya and Uganda from the Post Office to Imperial and International Communications, if he will state the reason for this transfer; and if any other transfers are pending?

The transfer of this service was a natural corollary to the transfer to Imperial and International Communications of the Post Office beam wireless services with the Dominions, which was recommended by the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference of 1928 and approved by the Government in the early part of 1929. The transfer of the Kenya service has been delayed partly by the necessary negotiations in this country and in Kenya, and partly owing to the need for the provision of new apparatus by the company. There is one other Post Office service to which the conclusions of the 1928 Conference might be held to apply, namely, a wireless Press service to Halifax, Nova Scotia. The question of the transfer of this service has been left in abeyance pending the settlement of the transfer of the Kenya service, and no conclusion on the subject has yet been reached.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in his scheme for extending the telephone system, he will consider giving special facilities to midwives, in view of the fact that many of them are unable to afford the telephone at trade rates and that a certain number of maternal deaths are due to failure to secure prompt attention?

The residential rate already applies in any case where nursing is not carried on at the house and where the entry in the telephone directory makes no explicit reference to the subscriber's profession. I regret that I am unable to make any further concession.

In view of the fact that this is a matter of very great importance with regard to questions of maternal deaths, cannot the hon. Member see his way to consider the special position of country midwives?

I recognise the importance of the question put by the Noble Lady, but there are a very large number of applications of a similar sort, and it is extraordinarily difficult to draw the line between them. I would rather say that the question of assisting mid-wives in this connection is more a matter for the local authorities concerned with health than the Post Office.

asked the Postmaster-General the reasons for the recent discharges of men in the Norwich district employed by the engineering department of the Post Office in laying telegraph wires and cables?

The discharges have been necessary because a number of men were surplus to requirements and no further useful employment could be found for them.

Cannot the Postmaster-General carry out his recent promise to speed up and not to slow down?

Certainly.