asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many persons are employed in the British Legation at Peking; and what is the aggregate amount of their salaries?

Including His Majesty's Minister, the diplomatic and commercial diplomatic staff of the Legation at Peking numbers eight and there is a subordinate staff of 21. In addition, a Consul and three Vice-Consuls are attached to the Legation. The aggregate emoluments of the above staff amount to £23,572. This list does not include naval and military attaches, who are paid by the Admiralty and War Office, respectively.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether either private or press telegrams from Shanghai have been subject to press censorship by the Government of China since 31st December, 1930; and, if so, for what periods?

I have received no complaints on this subject, and I have, therefore, no reason to suppose that any such censorship has been imposed during the period mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now prepared to lay before Parliament papers on the negotiations for the abolition of extra-territorial rights in China in accordance with the pledges given by his predecessor on 6th and 11th May, 1931?

It was stated in this House on 15th June last that until political conditions in China made it possible for a final agreement to be concluded, it was not desirable that the details of the negotiations should be made public. These conditions do not obtain at present. No pledges were given by my right hon. Friend's predecessor to lay papers before a final agreement was reached.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the British trustees, appointed in accordance with Section 1, Sub-section (3) of the China Indemnity (Application) Act, 1931, to report to him annually what moneys the Board of Trustees has received under the Act and to what objects mutually beneficial to China and the British Empire such moneys have been allocated; and whether such reports will be laid before Parliament?

The members of the Board of Trustees, whether British or Chinese, are appointed by the Chinese Government and can only report to that Government. As regards the moneys due to the Board, I would refer my hon. Friend to page 49 of Cd. No. 2766 of 1926. Under the Act the Board will receive one-half of each annual instalment as set down in that paper. As regards the objects on which these funds are to be expended, I would refer him to Cd. Paper No. 3715, of 1930, pages 11 et seq.

asked the Minister of Mines the number of coal mines which have been closed in Lancashire since 1st January, 1927; and how many of these have been closed through the liquidation of the owning firm?

Since 1st January, 1927, 114 pits in Lancashire, employing 17,900 wage-earners, have been closed and not reopened. As far as I am aware, 17 of these pits were owned by 10 firms which have gone into liquidation. In one other case working is being continued under the receiver.

asked the Secretary for Mines how many horses or ponies were killed or injured as a result of explosions underground in coal mines during each of the last five years?

I regret that exact figures cannot be given, but from such records as are available the total number during the five years appears to be four.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he obtains an annual record of injuries received by horses or ponies while underground, other than injuries received during working hours; how many horses received veterinary attention for such injuries during each of the last five years; and will he include such figures in the annual reports published by his Department?

The annual returns of casualties to horses and ponies in mines include injuries received out of working hours, but do not show them separately; and I do not consider that I should be justified in adding to the already large number of records which mine owners are required to keep to enable them to furnish statistical information.