asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give figures showing a comparison of cotton imports to India in 1929, 1930, and 1931?

The following are the figures:plaints as to the character of the news regarding Indian events supplied by the Associated Press and Reuters to the Press and public of India; and, particu- larly, whether Hindu views have received publicity and prominence to the exclusion or detriment of that put forward by the Moslem communities;(2) if the Associated Press News Agency is subsidised by the Government of India either directly or by means of a general subscription for the service of news supplied to Government officials; and, if the latter, what amount per annum is paid to the agency by the Government?

I understand that the Government of India have for some years subscribed to the Associated Press or affiliated organisations for the supply of news telegrams to various Departments and officials, and also pay Reuter's Agency, which of course is connected with the Associated Press of India, the annual sum of Rs.9,000 for transmitting overseas news of Government importance outside the scope of their ordinary service. Apart from these payments for services rendered there is no subsidy. I have no information of any complaint being made to Government of bias in the news given by the Associated Press; but I have of course seen Press reports of action by members of the Moslem community to establish its own Press agency.

asked the Minister of Labour the volume and percentage of unemployment in Germany, France, United States of America, Canada, and Great Britain, respectively, during the past four years, with monthly variations during 1931?

For Germany, the United States of America, Canada, and Great Britain, the available statistics are summarised in the following table. For the years 1927 to 1930 the figures given are the annual averages of the weekly or monthly figures; for 1931 they relate to one day in each month, generally at or near the end of the month.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the actuarial position of the unemployment insurance scheme on the present level of employment if there were brought into the scheme agriculture, domestic service, and all occupations of a manual character, in addition to those in which earnings of whatever kind do not exceed £250 a year?

As there are no means of ascertaining the present level of unemployment in industries outside the insurance scheme, I am afraid it is not possible to estimate with any precision what the actuarial effect of including them would be.

asked the Minister of Health how many housing schemes providing for 100 houses or over have been submitted to his Department since 1st July, 1930; how many have been approved; and whether he will announce the names of those authorities, giving the approximate population covered by the respective authorities?

The proposals of 169 local authorities for the erection of 100 houses or more have been submitted and approved since the date mentioned. I will send a statement to my hon. Friend giving the other particulars which he desires.

asked the Minister of Health of he has received any report from the Kent County Council as to their housing proposals for urban and rural areas where they exercise the powers under the latest Housing Act on behalf of such areas?

The Housing Act, 1930, does not require the county council to submit a report of the kind which my hon. Friend has in mind. My right hon. Friend understands that the Kent County Council have not yet completed their examination of the housing conditions in the rural districts of the county, which is being undertaken in accordance with Section 32 of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health how many urban councils in Kent have submitted a five-years plan under the latest Housing Act; and whether Erith, Bexley, or Dartford Councils are among those which have submitted either to him or, where under 20,000 population, to the Kent County Council?

15 urban councils (including Erith and Dartford) in the county of Kent have submitted such programmes. The Bexley Urban District Council have so far been unable to frame an estimate and my right hon. Friend is in communication with the council on the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of higher clerical officers employed in his Department as at 1st April, 1931, and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931?

The numbers for which my hon. Friend asks are 81 and four respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of higher clerical officers employed in his Department as at 1st April, 1931; and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, and 31st March, 1931?

The number of higher clerical officers employed under the Admiralty on 1st April, 1931, was 111, and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931, was one.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of higher clerical officers employed in his Department as at 1st April, 1931; and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931?

The clerical staff of the Colonial Office and the Dominions Office is combined and interchangeable. The answer to the first part of the question, as regards the combined staff, is 34, of which six were acting appointments; and to the second part of the question three, of which one was an acting appointment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of higher clerical officers employed in his Department as at 1st April, 1931; and the number of higher clerical officers promoted to higher posts during the period 1st April, 1930, to 31st March, 1931?

On 1st April, 1931, 19 higher clerical officers were employed in the Foreign Office and 16 in posts abroad. One such officer employed abroad was appointed to a higher post during the preceding year.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the proposal for the reconstruction of Government offices in Whitehall has now been finally abandoned; and, if so, what alternative proposals have been adopted for the rehousing of Government staff?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In regard to the second part, the whole question of the future development of this site is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport by what date the new Lambeth bridge will be completed?

In the absence of unforeseen contingencies, it is anticipated that the new Lambeth Bridge will be completed within the next 12 months.

asked the Minister of Transport what types of hand fire-extinguisher filled with carbon tetrachloride have been passed for use on public vehicles as from 1st August, 1931?

The Public Service Vehicles (Equipment and Use) Provisional Regulations, 1931, provide that the fire extinguishing apparatus that must be carried on public service vehicles shall comply with the requirements of the Fire Offices Committee. These requirements are contained in a specification of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether there has been any substantial difference, and if so, what, in the relative prices of summer coal this year and last year as compared with the respective winter prices?

Statistics of the pithead proceeds of all coal commercially disposable for any of the summer months this year are not yet available, and it is therefore impossible to make the required comparison. As regards house coal, the only comparable figures available are the retail prices for Central London. The lowest summer prices this year are 3s. per ton below the maximum winter price. Last year the difference was 4s. per ton. The winter price was the same in both years.

asked the Secretary for Mines the average percentage weekly decrease in miners' wages in Great Britain between the years 1920 and 1930?

The average weekly cash earnings of all workers employed in coal mines in Great Britain during 1930 were 49 per cent. lower than in 1920.