asked the Minister of Labour what would be the decrease in the estimated saving on transitional benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Acts if, in assessing need, public assistance committees were required to ignore the first £200 of money or property owned by applicants for transitional benefit?

There are no data available for making such an estimate.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision

As the answer to the hon. Member's question is rather long, I will, with his permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The building in question is not one that lends itself to structural alteration. In view of its unsatisfactory character, however, a search is being made for suitable alternative premises.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any information is now available concerning the amount of potash which has been produced and delivered by the company operating the Dead Sea concession?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his pre- vious question of 7th July on this subject. I have received no further information since that date concerning the amount of potash which has been produced and delivered by the company operating the Dead Sea concession.

asked the Attorney-General the present composition of the Kent County Advisory Committee; whether any appointments have been made since 1924; and, if so, how many?

The Kent County Advisory Committee is composed of the Lord Lieutenant and eight other members. One appointment has been made to the committee since 1924.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware that the Kent County Advisory Committee does not at present represent the county either geographically or in proportion to density of population; and whether future appointments will be made in such a way as to remedy this?

The Lord Chancellor is satisfied that the members of this committee have a general knowledge of all districts in the county, but in order to increase the representation of certain more populous districts, it is his intention to add to the membership as soon as possible.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Rye, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, whether any afforestation is in contemplation in the county of Kent?

The Forestry Commissioners have already planted 3,350 acres in Kent, and expect to plant a further 150 acres next season.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has considered the, protests sent to him from the leading Staffordshire pottery firms as to difficulty in getting the coal they want owing to the interpretation in North Staffordshire of the quota section of the Coal Mines Act; what is the present position; and when may they expect relief?

I have received the complaints referred to, and I have informed the complainants that I have no power to intervene in the matter, which is being inquired into with all possible speed by the district committee of investigation appointed to deal with complaints of this nature. I understand that the colliery company concerned is again submitting the question to arbitration and that the committee of investigation, anxious to avoid prejudicing the case of either party before the arbitrators, have deferred taking a decision until the arbitration award has been made. They have requested the executive board administering the North Staffordshire district scheme to do everything in their power to expedite the hearing of this arbitration.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the amount of unsold space at the British Industries Fair, Olympia, accommodation could be offered to the large number of late textile section exhibitors who have been unable to take space at the White City on account of the high prices charged there?

I have no reason to think that the amount of space at present unlet at Olympia will not be taken before the Fair opens. In the circumstances there is not sufficient reason to alter the arrangements which have been made at the request of the textile industry, namely, that the whole of the exhibitors of that industry should be grouped together and should have stands of the same high standard as at the last Fair.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the reductions which are now taking place, any economy is to be effected in regard to the present commission paid to Messrs. Exhibition Organisers?

The firm in question have a contract with the Department of Overseas Trade under which they are paid for their services on a commission basis. I can see no reason for suggesting any variation in the contract, which is on a strictly business footing.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that Customs and Excise officials are demanding from literary societies a full synopsis of certain of the lectures appearing in their syllabus; under what authority and for what reason this demand is made; and, in view of the need for economy, will he curtail such activities in the future?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to cases in which literary societies apply for exemption from payment of Entertainments Duty in respect of entertainments provided by them. I am aware that a synopsis of par- titular lectures is sometimes required by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise in order that they may be satisfied that the conditions of exemption laid down by Section 1 (5) (d) of the Finance (New Duties) Act, 1916, are fulfilled. In the interests of the revenue, such inquiries are necessary in certain cases.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement as to the course of the Indian Conference?

As the right hon. Gentleman is aware, the Prime Minister and his colleagues made their position clear in their introductory speeches at the resumption of the sittings of the Federal Structure Committee. The importance of avoiding delay is fully appreciated by His Majesty's Government. But since the main purpose of the Conference is, if possible, to reach agreement in the light of the fullest expression of representative Indian opinion, the rate of progress will necessarily be conditioned by this.