asked the Secretary of State for India the present position in respect to the recent political disturbances in Kashmir?

A series of outbreaks including looting and arson have occurred in the south-west of Kashmir. To assist the State authorities in the restoration of order the Government of India, at the request of the Darbar, have sent a battalion of British infantry with a squadron of cavalry to Mirpur, where they arrived on 30th January. One company of Indian troops has also been despatched, and various aeroplane reconnaissances have been carried out. The Government of India remain in close touch with the State authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Cabinet was united on this matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India, whether the figures for the Indian 1931 census have been completed; and if they are now available to Members?

A statement showing the figures so far received is being placed in the Library of the House. A summary of the complete report is expected to be available for Members towards the end of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state how many persons have been arrested during the last three months under ordinances other than ordinary criminal procedure code; and whether he can state the capacity of the prisons in India and the number of persons how confined in them?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state how many persons in India have been arrested and how many are at present in detention under Regulation III of 1818 and the other regulations and special provisions enabling the Government of India to arrest and detain or imprison persons for indefinite periods without trial?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state how many Redshirts have been arrested on the North-West Frontier?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state how many of those arrested or detained under the recent ordinances have been charged; how many have been arrested under the Bengal ordinance; and is it intended to legislate on the lines of the ordinances?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state the number of persons detained in prisons in India without trial?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what is the total capacity of prisons in India; and is there sufficient accommodation in these prisons to provide for the increase in the number of prisoners as a result of rule by ordinance?

It is impossible for the Government of India, to furnish figures showing the total number of arrests, but they have undertaken to supply me with the total number of convictions both under the Ordinances and under the ordinary law, and I will give these figures to the House as soon as they are received. I am in possession of statistics showing the total number of persons arrested and detained without trial and I will circulate these in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part of the question, it would entail considerable labour to collect the desired information. The local Governments are making the necessary arrangements for the accommodation of extra prisoners and I have no reason to suppose that these will be inadequate. I should like to make it clear that it is the desire of the Government of India and of His Majesty's Government that these special powers taken to combat the Civil Disobedience Movement should be withdrawn as soon as circumstances justify their withdrawal.

Why is it impossible to furnish the number of persons under arrest?

It would entail a great deal of labour at a time when the Government of India are faced with a difficult situation. I hesitate to ask them to undertake this work, and I should have thought that the House might rest satisfied with the information I am prepared to give of the number of convictions.

In view of the fact that many thousands of people have been apprehended without any charge made against them are we not entitled to know something of the actual circumstances which obtain in India?

I am adopting exactly the same procedure that was followed by

In view of the fact that the Bengal Ordinance and other Ordinances have been passed since then, how can the right hon. Gentleman suggest that he is pursuing the line taken by his predecessor?

I am speaking of the number of arrests.

The right hon. Gentleman says that he is publishing the number of persons convicted and the number of persons detained without trial. Does not that contain all the information?

No, Sir. I can imagine that there may be a number of persons arrested who might not be convicted. I ask the hon. Member to wait until he sees the information I am prepared to give, which will, I think, satisfy the legitimate demands of every section in the House.

There are only two classes; those who have been convicted—

Order!

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that 16 rebels in the Prome district of Burma were decapitated by the Government forces and their heads taken to the military headquarters at Prome and publicly exhibited; and whether he can say by whose authority this was carried out?

The incident referred to by the hon. Member took place on 4th June, 1931. The information desired is contained in a resolution issued by the Government of Burma on the 8th July, 1931, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of Burma to hold an early general election; and, if so, whether the general election is to be to the present legislative council and on the existing franchise?

The Prime Minister's statement of 12th January indicated that it is necessary to hold a general election for the existing legislative council before the end of this year. Such election would be held on the existing franchise. It is not possible at present to say precisely when this election will be held.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House as to the present situation in regard to the disturbances in Burma?

I am circulating a report in respect of the past week. There are still a number of gangs of dacoits operating in several districts, and the authorities are now engaged in the task of rounding them up.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, pending the holding of the general election in Burma, any action is being taken by the Burma Government or by His Majesty's Government on the report of the recent Burma Round Table Conference?

The proceedings of the Burma Round Table Conference were on the assumption that Burma will be separated from India. Until that assumption has been endorsed by Burma it is not practicable and would not be proper for His Majesty's Government or the Government of Burma to take action to implement the Report of the Conference. But, on a provisional basis, active consideration is being given to the matters on which action will be required if the contemplated general election indicates that it is the wish of the people of Burma that separation should be effected.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the various allegations made in the letter addressed to the Secretary of State for India by U. Saw, member of the legislative council for Tharrawaddy South, Burma, in July, 1931; whether any reply has been sent to that letter; and whether it is proposed to institute a public inquiry into the causes of the risings and the various alleged breaches of the law in the suppression of the unrest in Burma?

I have seen a copy of the letter, to which no reply has been sent. As regards the last part of the question, until the rebellion is finally suppressed it is premature to consider what sort of an inquiry, if any, is desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the recent ordinances promulgated in India are available as a White Paper or whether they can be made available to Members in this form?

A White Paper which will contain the text of the Ordinances is being prepared.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it will be available for Members?

In the course of the next few days.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will issue a White Paper giving the text of the five ordinances published this year; what is the total number of persons arrested to date; how many women and juveniles are included; on what charges are arrests made; and is it sufficient that a man was a member of congress before the rupture for him to be arrested, or is he not liable to be arrested until he has associated himself in some definite way with the organisation of civil disobedience?

As I have already promised the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) a White Paper will be issued. As regards the second, third, and fourth parts of the question I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to Question 3. As regards the. last part I would remind the hon. Member that the Indian National Congress as a whole has not been declared an unlawful association.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that representations were made to the Viceroy by Indian moderates and representatives of Europeans in India to reconsider his decision about the refusal to discuss the ordinances with Mr. Gandhi; and what reply was given?

I understand that representations were made by certain Indian moderates, but I have no information as to the details of the correspondence.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, during the conversations with Mr. Gandhi, the idea of his discussing the Ordinances with the Viceroy was mentioned; and what was the attitude of the right hon. Gentleman to this suggestion?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in his conversations with Mr. Gandhi the Bengal Ordinances were discussed; and what was the attitude expressed by the right hon. Gentleman to the idea of Mr. Gandhi visiting Bengal to see for himself the working of the Ordinances?

My conversations with Mr. Gandhi on the subject of Ordinances related only to the Bengal Ordinances which are directed against terrorism and not to the Ordinances directed against Congress action which were promulgated after his departure. I do not remember that Mr. Gandhi expressed the intention or desire to visit Bengal to see their working and I certainly gave him no undertaking in the matter, nor did I enter into any commitment on behalf of the Viceroy as to discussions in India. I made it quite clear to Mr. Gandhi that there could be no question of withdrawing the Bengal Ordinances so long as the terrorist movement was in being.

Was the distinction between the two sorts of Ordinances abundantly clear to Mr. Gandhi in the conversations?

Yes, because the only Ordinance we were discussing was the Ordinance against terrorism. The others were promulgated subsequent to his departure.

As there had been no terrorism, or practically no terrorism, while Mr. Gandhi was in England, is it not the case that a request was made to the right hon. Gentleman to grant facilities for any incidents to be discussed at the moment of his arrival, and did the right hon. Gentleman not undertake to send along some message so that the facilities could be provided?

The hon. Member is misinformed on both points. I do not think he can have been following what has been happening in Bengal. As to my own position, I made it quite clear in the answer I gave that I gave no pledge of any kind, and I do not remember that Mr. Gandhi suggested to me that he wished to visit Bengal.

asked the Secretary of State for India. whether he was consulted before the Viceroy made his decision about declining to discuss the Ordinances with Mr. Gandhi; and whether before ordering Mr. Gandhi's arrest any communication to His Majesty's Government was made by the Government of India?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India the progress that has been made in the conference between the Union Government and the representatives of India on the question of the future position of Indians in the Union of South Africa?

I regret that I am not in a position to make a statement regarding the progress of the conference at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will secure the co-operation of the Royal Navy to prevent the smuggling of firearms into Bengal?

The prevention of the smuggling of arms into Bengal by sea is a problem which has for many years engaged the earnest attention of the Government of India. The measures adopted involve the closest co-operation between the police and Customs authorities. I do not think that this is a matter in which the Royal Navy could usefully co-operate.

asked the Secretary of State for India what reduction has been made in the police force of the United Provinces during the past six months?

I have no information regarding alterations in the strength of the police force in the United Provinces during the period in question but I will obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the trial of the Meerut prisoners is approaching completion; if he will state when the prisoners were first arrested; and the reasons for the delay in reaching a verdict?

The prisoners were first arrested on the 20th March, 1929. Judgment is expected to be given in the course of this summer. The delay in reaching a verdict is due both to the great mass of evidence, oral and documentary, and also, latterly, to the protracted nature of the defence which is not yet completed.

In view of the fact that these men have been in gaol for over three years, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that they should now be released?

I have answered that question several times. The answer is in the negative. I desire to see the trial finished with the least possible delay.

If the verdict is in favour of the prisoners, will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving them compensation?

asked the Secretary of State for India the complete cost to the taxpayer and to the Indian Government, respectively, of the Round Table Conference?

I cannot yet give complete figures, but the cost of the two sessions of the Indian Round Table Conference will probably be about £58,000, so far as the liability of the British taxpayer is concerned. The cost of the first session of the conference chargeable to Indian revenues was £47,228. I cannot yet give the actual cost to India of the second session, but it has been estimated at approximately £59,000.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any special steps are being taken to ensure publicity all over India of the labours of the three committees which are inquiring into matters arising out of the Round Table Conference; and whether summaries of their proceedings will be not only issued to the Press but distributed to civil servants and others in all districts in India?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Government of India and I are fully alive to the desirability of securing widespread knowledge of the proceedings of the committees now at work in India, and that steps have been taken which I hope will keep the Press fully informed. But for such publicity we must rely on the Press. I fear the suggestion at the end of the question would be impracticable.

In view of the criticism that some of the delegates when they got back to India did not know what really occurred, will the right hon. Gentleman urge the Government of India to give all the publicity that is necessary?

I think we have made arrangements which will ensure the publicity which the hon. arid gallant Member desires.

Seeing that so many newspapers are being suppressed, how is it possible for this information to be given?

The only newspapers suppressed are those which are actively hostile.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give information as to the occasions during the last six months on which, in dealing with manifestations of civil disobedience in India, the authorities have had recourse to firing; and if he will state the number killed or seriously injured on these occasions?

asked the Secretary of State for India how many deaths or fatal injuries have resulted in India recently from lathi blows, or rifle fire, or other action taken by the police; and whether any persons have died on the spot as a result of lathi blows?

I am circulating a statement of the cases reported to me up to the end of January in which Government forces were obliged to fire and of those in which there was loss of life.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give an assurance that the Government of India will be represented at the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference in Ottawa?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say who the representative will be?

Not yet.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made concerning the preparations in India for the establishment of a military training college for Indian commissioned officers?

It is intended to open the college in the coming autumn and to hold the first entrance examination in July.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Indian gentlemen hold commissions in the Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, and other branches of the military forces other than the cavalry and infantry; how many Indian cadets are under training at Woolwich; and how many passed out. in January, 1932?

The training of Indian cadets at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, is with a view to their being commissioned in the Indian Artillery, the Sappers and Miners of the Indian Army, and the Indian Signal Corps. Seven cadets are at present at Woolwich. Two recently passed out of the Academy and were duly commissioned on 28th January last.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Indian cadets are now under training at Cranwell with a view to qualifying for commissions in the Indian Air Force; and when it is expected that the force will be constituted?

The answer to the first part of the question is nine. There is a tenth cadet at the Royal Air Force school of Store Accounting and Store Keeping at Kidbrooke. It is hoped that the first unit of the Force will be inaugurated in March, 1933.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give figures showing the annual cost to Indian revenues during the last five years of the maintenance of the ecclesiastical department of the Government of India; and if he will state the particular functions for which this department of the Government of India is maintained?

The Indian Ecclesiastical Establishment is maintained primarily in order to provide religious ministrations to British troops and their families in India. The annual cost of the Establishment during the last five years has been roughly £300,000. This figure includes expenditure on the upkeep of churches.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the terms of reference of the Indian Franchise Committee remain as set out in the Prime Minister's letter to Lord Lothian on the appointment of the committee?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any charge falls upon the British Exchequer in connection with the Lord Lothian Commission in India?

Yes, Sir; the British Exchequer is meeting the cost of the passages to and from India, and of the compensatory allowances, of the members appointed from this country of Lord Lothian's Franchise Committee and of the other two committees which went to India at the same time.

asked the Secretary of State for India on what grounds the secretary of the Ahmedabad Labour Association has been ordered to report to the police?

I have no information regarding this case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain information at the earliest possible moment so that we may know why this representative of Labour has been apprehended?

Will any right hon. Friend not consider whether it is not very inadvisable to ask the Government of India to provide details of this kind in connection with different bodies all over the country

This is not a question of detail; it is simply a question of fact. Has the man been arrested?

As I said earlier, I am disinclined at this time to ask the Government of India to undertake great work in furnishing details of replies to questions. If there is a strong desire in any section of the House for a particular piece of information, I will try to satisfy that desire, but I do hesitate to give an undertaking that I will ask the Government of India for quantities of details which may not be essential.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many organisations in India that have been declared illegal are, respectively, Christian, Moslem, social, educational, or labour?

asked the Secretary of State for India how many organisations have been declared illegal in India; and under what laws or ordinances are they so declared?

I have no information as to the total number of associations declared unlawful or as to their classification. Action is taken either under the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1908 or under the Unlawful Associations Ordinance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not tell the House whether there is any attempt being made to destroy trade union organisations in India?

There is no truth whatever in any such allegation.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give particulars in regard to the daily and weekly newspapers against which action has been taken under the Indian Press Ordinance or under the ordinances introduced by the Government of India to deal with the civil disobedience movement?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state how many editors of newspapers have been arrested, sentenced, or fined, respectively; and how many of these were placed on trial?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the number of newspapers that have been suppressed in India since the end of the Round Table Conference; how many are English; and how many vernacular?

I am asking the Government of India to supply me with a statement showing the action taken under the Indian Press (Emergency Powers) Act, 1931, and those sections of the Ordinances which relate to the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether there has been any prosecution of editors or newspapers prior to publication of any news or views distasteful to the Government or only after such had appeared, as is the case in Great Britain?

There is no pre-censorship of publications in India, and prosecution could only be instituted after publication.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any evidence showing the effect of the boycott, movement on the sale of British goods in India; and to what extent popular support is behind the boycott movement?

There has not been time since the renewal of the Civil Disobedience movement for the effect of the boycott to show itself in the trade figures. In any case trade movements are now complicated by so many varying influences that it would hardly be possible to isolate the effect of any one of them such as the boycott. The answer to the second part of the question must, I think, be a matter of opinion, but it is certain that the attitude towards the boycott varies in different parts of the country.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps have now been taken to enforce the prohibition of the picketing of shops selling British goods in the Bombay presidency and Bombay city; and whether such picketing has now stopped?

An Ordinance amending the Prevention of Molestation and Boycotting Ordinance with a view to removing difficulties experienced in its administration has been promulgated. The text of the amended Ordinance will be given in the White Paper. It is too early yet to answer the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will publish the exact terms of Mr. Gandhi's request to the Viceroy?

Yes, Sir. The correspondence between the Viceroy and Mr. Gandhi will be included in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement as to the arrangements made with Mr. Gandhi, or the request made by him, that the gist of the conversations between himself and the right hon. gentleman should be sent to India so as to reach Mr. Gandhi on his arrival there; whether such a letter was sent and, if so, when; and what was the nature of its contents?

Mr. Gandhi wrote to me from Switzerland recording his impression of our conversation as to the scope of future constitutional discussions following upon the Round Table Conference. He asked for a reply by air mail to be addressed to Ahmedabad. I complied with his request and have received from him a letter of acknowledgment and thanks. The contents of the correspondence have been published.

Is it a fact that the communication which went by air mail did not arrive in India until at least a fortnight after Mr. Gandhi's arrival; and, if that is the case, can the right hon. Gentleman explain the reason of the delay?

I should not have thought that it was the case. As far as I know, the letter went in the ordinary course and was delivered in the ordinary course. The letter should have been in India about the time that Mr. Gandhi returned there. For my part, there was no unnecessary delay.

asked the Secretary of State for India what overt act or acts on the part of Mr. Gandhi caused the Government of India to order his arrest and detention?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement issued by the Government of India. on the 4th January, which has appeared in the Press, and will be included in the White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any British or Indian troops have been transferred from India to reinforce garrisons in China; and whether, in view of the contingencies that may arise in India, the British forces in India are being maintained at their present strength?

No troops have been sent from India to China. A minor alteration in the normal relief programme may be made by which a British battalion will move from India to China a few weeks earlier than it would have sailed from India in the ordinary course.

asked the Secretary of State for India how much of the land revenue due in the United Provinces has been realised since the promulgation of the ordinance to put down the no-rent campaign in that province?

I have no precise figures but my latest information is to the effect that there has been a great improvement in the collection of rent and revenue and that the position in this respect may be regarded as quite satisfactory except in two districts.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give particulars as to the progress that has been made, with the assistance of the special ordinances in Bengal giving the powers considered necessary for that purpose, in tracing and dealing with the absconders wanted in connection with the armoury raid at Chittagong?

I regret that I cannot make any statement at present. The authorities in Chittagong are engaged in a very difficult task and progress is, I am afraid, bound to be slow.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India, took any steps to call an urgent session of the Legislative Assembly when the situation in India, in their opinion, demanded the widespread use of force and extraordinary powers?

No, Sir. An emergency had arisen which the Governor-General considered necessitated the immediate exercise of the powers conferred on him by the Government of India Act for that purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider making arrangements with the Soviet Government, similar to those already existing between that Government and the French and Italian Governments, under which the Soviet Government agrees to purchase certain minimum quantities of the goods of those countries against their purchases?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present figures with regard to export credits to Russia, he will refuse to trade further except on a system of barter for goods against goods?

I have been asked to answer these questions. My hon. Friend the Member for Eastern Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) is, I think, under a misapprehension. According to our information no reciprocal trading agreement has been reached between the French and the Soviet Governments. The Italo-Soviet Agreement of 27th April, 1931, merely stipulates the limit of Government credits available for Soviet purchases in Italy. The question of trade with Russia is receiving careful and special consideration and an announcement will be made in due course.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is at present the total liability of the Government on account of credits given to the Soviet Government; and what amount of this liability will remain on the 1st January, 1933, 1934, and 1935, respectively?

The total amount of credits which the Export Credits Guarantee Department had contracted to guarantee from 1st August, 1929, to 30th January last in respect of exports to Russia was approximately £14,000,000. The maximum liability assumed under these contracts was £10,000,000 and bills for £5,200,000 have run off without any call being made on the Department's guarantee. As I said in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Smithers) on 16th November, I hope that the House will excuse me, as they have excused my predecessors, from giving precise figures of the Department's liability on particular countries at any moment, a practice which has the support of the Department's Advisory Committee. I may, however, say as regards the last part of the question that practically all the current liability is due to run off by the mdidle of 1934.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information as to what, if any, foreign Governments give export credit facilities in connection with Russian trade?

The Governments of the following countries are known to offer export credit facilities in connec-

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the near future, he will give

Has my hon. and gallant Friend any information as to whether facilities are given in regard to Russian trade?

Yes. My answer was in regard to Russian trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) the quantity and value of the barley, oats, maize, cotton, plywood, linen piece-goods, and soap imported from the Soviet Union in 1931, to the latest date for which figures are available; and

(2) whether, in view of the recent large importations of barley, oats, maize, cotton, plywood, linen piece-goods, and soap from the Soviet Union, he will cause Russian imports of these commodities to be detailed separately from those of other countries in the monthly Trade and Navigation Returns?

As the answer involves a number of figures, I will, with the Noble Lady's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I am afraid that I cannot find special time for the discussion proposed, in view of the already heavy programme of business before the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear constantly in mind the very serious position in these two trades?

They are not the only industries. I regret it very much.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the very real distress among the whole of the barley growers?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether there has been any improvement in regard to the difficulties in securing payment arising from exchange restrictions imposed by various countries; and whether, in the case of those countries where the difficulties remain, it is proposed to institute clearing office arrangements on the lines of those already in force between certain foreign countries?

In Finland, Argentina and Spain, among countries where the delay in securing sterling exchange to discharge current obligations to United Kingdom traders has been serious, an improvement has been experienced; indeed, in the first case the difficulties have been largely overcome. I regret, however, to say that in a number of other countries the delays are still serious.

The difficulties experienced by traders in such countries, both in respect of past contracts and current business, are fully appreciated, and the position has been carefully watched by His Majesty's Government so as to ensure that British exporters are treated on an equal footing with the exporters of other countries in the allocation of available exchange. The closest examination has also been given to the question of instituting "clearing office" arrangements.

This examination has shown that such arrangements would involve legislation in this country to enforce payment to the clearing office of sums due by importers to traders in the countries concerned, leading to extensive State interference with trading activities which would tend to diminish the existing volume of British trade with these countries. Moreover, the conclusion of a number of bilateral agreements, and the consequent creation of a series of watertight compartments, must tend to decrease further the payments received by this country in respect of "invisible exports" and so to accentuate the difficulty in our achieving a favourable balance of payments. The working of the bilateral clearing office arrangements which halve recently been instituted between certain countries is reported in many cases to be unsatisfactory.

Having regard to such considerations, His Majesty's Government, as at present advised, feel that as a general principle the adoption by the Government of a "clearing house" system would not on the whole be in the national interest or of benefit to the trading community. I understand that the International Chamber of Commerce Committee on Foreign Exchange Regulations has reached a similar conclusion.

I shall continue to watch the position closely in order that, should it appear that further action can usefully be initiated, steps may be taken accordingly.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what proportion of British exports to Finland during 1931 were financed under the export credit system; and whether, in view of the fact that German industry, by granting easier paying conditions to Finnish buyers, has obtained a larger proportion of the trade in that country than Great Britain, he will take steps to increase the use taken of the credit facilities available in connection with British trade with Finland?

The contracts concluded under the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme during 1931 in connection with exports to Finland amounted to £18,820, or approximately 1.2 per cent. of the total United Kingdom exports to that country. As regards the second part of the question, the reports received in my Department do not suggest that the main reason for the larger proportion of Finnish trade enjoyed by Germany is that the terms of payment granted by German exporters to Finnish buyers are easier than those allowed by British exporters. My Department is constantly studying methods for increasing British trade with Finland, and I shall be delighted to give consideration to any proposals that my hon. and gallant Friend may make with that end in view.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that foreign tomato pulp is being sold in the form of various tinned and bottled products under labels which suggest that they are of British origin; and whether he is prepared to take action to stop inferential or actual misdescription?

The Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, contains provisions dealing with the application to goods of false trade descriptions. If my hon. and gallant, Friend will furnish me with particulars of the cases in question, I shall be glad to have the matter investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, (1) whether his attention has been called to the note of the Chinese Government to the League of Nations, stating that on 16th December last General Honjo, Japanese Commander-in-Chief in Manchuria, published a proclamation to the effect that the Manchurian provinces of 14Iukden and Kirin were henceforth independent and were breaking of all relations with the Chinese Government: and whether any representations have been made on the subject to the Japanese Government;

(2) whether he can give any information regarding the Japanese proposal to form, during the Japanese military occupation of Manchuria, a new independent state of Manchuria and Mongolia?

I have no information beyond the Chinese note mentioned by the hon. Member, which I have seen, to confirm the idea that there is a Japanese proposal to form an independent State in Manchuria and Mongolia. The Chinese note itself referred to a statement, not to a proclamation. His Majesty's Government have made no representations on the subject to the Japanese Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the policy of His Majesty's Government still remains as stated by the Secretary of State on 13th and 30th July, 1928, when he said that His Majesty's Government regarded Manchuria as being a part of China, and as set forth in Article I of the Nine-Power Treaty of 1922 by which Great Britain, in common with the other signatories, engaged to respect the sovereignty, the independence and the territorial and administrative integrity of China?

Yes, Sir.

In view of that answer, would it not be desirable to call the attention of the Japanese Government to the matter referred to in the other questions, namely, the statement as to the creation of a separate State in Manchuria?

The Japanese Government have given very definite assurances both to His Majesty's Government and to the League, that they intend to maintain their responsibilities under the Nine-Power Treaty and also to maintain the open door in Manchuria.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what countries have treaties other than trade treaties between themselves and China and Japan, respectively; and the principal provisions of each such treaty?

I regret that I cannot undertake to compile the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend, but. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the authorities which may be consulted and which are available either in the Library of this House or at the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken during the present Chinese troubles to protect British subjects in the Kailan mines area?

His Majesty's Ship "Folkestone" is now at Chinwangtao, and it is proposed to keep her there for the present. The situation is being closely watched, and a Consular officer has been sent to Tongshan where the mines are situated.

(by Private Notice) asked the Lord President of the Council whether he has any further statement to make on the negotiations regarding the Sino-Japanese dispute?

Negotiations regarding the possibility of establishing a cessation of hostilities at Shanghai are at present in progress. For the moment I should prefer to say nothing further.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the counties in which wage reductions have taken place in respect of agricultural labourers since 1930?

It is not possible to state what changes have taken place in the actual wages of agricultural workers, but so far as the minimum weekly wages fixed under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act for ordinary adult male workers are concerned, reductions have taken place since 1930 in the following areas: Cheshire, Derbyshire, Gloucestershire, the Kesteven and Lindsey Divisions of Lincolnshire, Northumberland, Shropshire, Suffolk, the East, North and West Ridings of Yorkshire. In addition, the Agricultural Wages Committees for Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Glamorgan have given notice that they propose to make reductions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he intends to call the attention of English cheese makers to the desirability of manufacturing some of the popular soft cheeses hitherto imported from the Continent; and whether any difficulty stands in the way of their production?

The economic possibilities of soft cheese making have been frequently brought to the notice of English cheese makers for some time past. I understand, however, that soil and climatic conditions limit the types of soft cheese which can be successfully manufactured in this country.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any arrangements have yet been made by farmers in Great Britain to take advantage of the facilities offered by the Agricultural Marketing Act; and, if so, will he give particulars of such arrangements?

So far as I am aware, no scheme under the Agricultural Marketing Act is actually in preparation in England or Wales. As regards Scotland, I would refer my hon, and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to make this Act effective?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any steps are being taken for the representa- tion of British agricultural interests at the Ottawa Conference; and whether he is now in consultation with any representative agricultural bodies as to the suggestions to be put before that conference?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries is a member of the Cabinet Committee which is charged with the duty of making preparations, so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, for the Conference at Ottawa, and he is in close touch with the representative agricultural bodies. The composition of the delegation which will represent His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom at the Ottawa Conference has not yet been settled.

Is it not a fact that at present consultations are going on with the Secretary of State for the Dominions by certain trade bodies, and will he see that agriculture is given a similar chance to be represented in the arrangements now being made with any other bodies?

Arrangements, of course, are being made for agricultural representation in the discussions that are going on.