asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House the latest information he has as to the political situation in India?

asked the secretary of State for India if he has any further statement to make as to the political situation in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement in regard to the present political situation in India?

I am circulating a statement covering the events of the past week.

Does the statement include any reference to the decision of the Princes in regard to the Federation of India?

No, Sir. The statement is similar to the series of statements which I circulate and does not include reference to that subject.

Is not that the most important thing which has occurred in India during the last two or three months?

My hon. Friend is repeating his question.

Will the statement include the number of persons put into gaol during this year?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is now in a position to state the number of persons who have been arrested and sentenced for offences under Section IV of the Emergency Powers Ordinance of 1932 in provinces other than Bombay and the Punjab?

I am circulating a statement showing the number of persons convicted up to the end of February for breaches of orders issued under Section IV of the Emergency Powers Ordinance and the corresponding sections of the United Provinces and North-West Frontier Province Emergency Powers Ordinances.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that there is a feeling of uncertainty and apprehension among officers of the Indian medical service as to the security of their pensions; and whether the British Government guarantees these pensions?

I must apologise for the length of this answer. I am aware that there is, and has for some time been, some anxiety among officers of the Indian Services generally as to the security of their pensions, though I have not received any special representations from officers of the Indian Medical Service. The pensions of officers of the Indian Services are not guaranteed by the British Government; they are a charge on Indian revenues and the responsibility for ensuring that, the necessary funds are forthcoming rests with the Secretary of State for India. The Services Sub-Committee of the India Round Table Conference recommended that when a new constitution for India is drawn up, suitable safeguards for the payment of pensions should be provided, and the Prime Minister, in the statement made by him on behalf of His Majesty's Government at the final meeting of the first Conference, laid it down that the transfer to a responsible Government in India of responsibility for the finances of that country must neces- sarily be subject to such conditions as would ensure the fulfilment of the obligations incurred under the authority of the Secretary of State and the maintenance unimpaired of the financial stability and credit of India. The consent of Parliament would be required to any change in the present position, and it is inconceivable to the present Government that in dealing with any scheme of constitutional change in India, Parliament could fail to provide such safeguards as may be necessary to ensure the due payment of pensions to officers who have served the country.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make an early announcement on the question of the distribution of seats in the proposed Provincial and Federal Legislatures between different communities as recommended by the Consultative Committee of the India Round Table Conference?

I must refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15th February to a similar question by the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies), to which at present I can add nothing.

Has not the situation altered in regard to the decision of the Princes?

I do not know to what my hon. Friend refers. It does not alter the position as I have stated it.

May I enlighten the right hon. Gentleman? I refer to the Princes' decision with regard to the declaration of rights in the proposed Constitution.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give information as to the steps that are being taken to give effect during the present session of the Indian Legislative Assembly to those recommendations of the Royal Commission on Labour in India regarding labour legislation?

A Bill repealing the Employers' and Workmen's Disputes Act of 1860 was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on 28th January this year. Other legislation is in preparation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether all the 12 men sentenced on the 29th February to transportation for life for complicity in the raid on the armouries at Chittagong actually took part in the raid?

Of the 12 men in question 10 were shown by the evidence to have taken part in the actual raid on the Armoury. Of the remaining two, one took part in the wrecking of the railway line in connection with the raid and the other was a member of the conspiracy of which the raid was the outcome.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make a statement on the present position in Kashmir?

asked the Secretary of State for India the present position in respect of the recent disturbed conditions in Kashmir?

I am circulating a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the statement that the advocate defending the Moslems on trial has been ordered to leave Kashmir, and will he take steps to see that the Moslems get a fair trial?

I think that the hon. Member had better put that question down, as I do not quite follow its application to the original question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has received from the Portuguese Government with regard to the flag discrimination question?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend on the 15th of February on this subject. The Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs has not yet returned to Lisbon, and no reply has yet been received from the Portuguese Government. I understand, however, that His Excellency is expected back in Lisbon very shortly.

In view of this matter having been outstanding now for nearly a year, may I ask my hon. Friend to call the attention of the Tariff Commission to this unfair discrimination against British trade?

I think my hon. Friend is aware that my right hon. Friend has spoken to the Portuguese Foreign Minister on the subject. I think he had now better wait until our own Minister has had an opportunity of dealing with the matter.

Does not my hon. Friend think that the better course would be to prohibit the import of port wine into this country for the next seven years?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the reason for the decision to extend credit to the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics for over 12 months; and what are the more stringent conditions to be attached to such credits?

I regret that I can add nothing to the statement which I made on this subject last Thursday.

Will the hon. and gallant Member state in what way the policy of the present Government differs from the policy of the late Socialist Government, and is he not taking an unjustifiable risk which would not be undertaken by any firm in the City in giving credits and gambling with the taxpayers' money?

The hon. and gallant Member speaks without knowledge of the terms. Obviously, the terms cannot be disclosed while the negotiations are taking place, but I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the circumstances, and the terms are such as they consider necessary.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman, as Secretary to the Department of Overseas Trade, agree that there has been no risk involved in any undertaking so far?

There is a risk involved in all undertakings.

Is it not a fact that the risk is increasing in Russia now and that it is simply madness to go on giving these credits?

Is it not the case that we have actually made a, profit out of them?

Is it not a fact that the German Government have withdrawn their credits?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information concerning the imminent imposition of a quota system on manufactured goods by France; when it is likely to be introduced; and what representations he is making to the French Government in the interests of British trade?

I have received no information which suggests that it is proposed to introduce a general quota system in France, but such a system has been enforced in the case of selected classes of manufactured goods. His Majesty's Ambassador at Paris has approached the French Government in regard to certain points affecting United Kingdom trade, and in every case the quota is examined to determine whether the amount allotted to this country is equitable having regard to past trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the value of the carpets imported in January, 1932, from foreign countries which paid duty, and the value on which duty was not then paid because the carpets were placed in bond?

Figures are available only in respect of carpets, carpeting and rugs made wholly or partly of wool or jute. The value of such carpets, etc., which were imported from foreign countries during January, 1932, and cleared direct for home use on payment of the duty was £4,275. The value of similar carpets, etc., imported during that month and placed in bonded warehouse was £100,732.

Would it be possible for figures to be published monthly showing what quantities of dutiable goods are cleared and what remain in bond?

I will consider that matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the assistance which is now being given to British overseas territories and British agriculture under the Import Duties Act, the Abnormal Importations Customs Duties Act, and the Horticultural Products (Emergency Customs Duties) Act, he will consider the possibility of effecting immediate economes in the sugar-beet subsidy, the Empire Marketing Board, and the Colonial Development Fund?

It would be impossible to reduce the sugar-beet subsidy which is fixed by law until 1934. The provision to be made next year for the Empire Marketing Fund and the Colonial Development Fund has been published already and shows a total saving of £389,000 as compared with this year.

Can the Financial Secretary assure us that the sugar-beet subsidy will come to an end in 1934?

asked the Minister of Pensions what Ministry hospitals have been closed in the past 12 months; and whether it is proposed to close further hospitals and make arrangements for pensioners to be treated in hospitals near their own homes on a capitation basis?

Four hospitals, namely, Fern-bank, near London, Highbury Hospital, Birmingham, Blackrock Hospital, Dublin, and Kirkburton, an institution for mental cases, near Huddersfield, have been closed during the past 12 months. Another institution may be closed in the current year if alternative arrangements for the treatment of patients can satisfactorily be made. The policy of the Ministry is to make use of civil hospitals as far as possible consistently with the interest of the Ministry's patients, but there are certain types of disability, as, for example, epilepsy, mental disorder and neurasthenia, and certain types of surgical case, for which specialised arrangements or institutions are desirable in the interest of the patients.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that the arrangements to receive pensioners from Highbury Hospital are quite satisfactory?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inform the House of the total number of appeals that have been upheld 'by the appeal tribunal in connection with widows claiming under Article 17B of the 1924 Royal Warrant, and also the total number of pensions that have been awarded by the Ministry under that warrant?

The records of my Department prior to 1928 do not enable me to distinguish precisely between appeals under Article 17B and other appeals by widows, but during the last three years the number of appeals allowed by the appeal tribunal under that Article was about 1,350, the great majority being cases in which an award under Article 17A had already been made by the Ministry. The total number of awards made under Article I7B is about 6,500.

(for Mr. HICKS) asked the Minister of Pensions if he can state the number of new claims made in January, 1931, and January, 1932, and the number of inquiries and/or letters of complaint received in each month?

New claims of all kinds made by officers and men, widows and dependants, in January of last year numbered about 1,200, while complaints addressed to the Minister numbered 458. There has been a gratifying decrease in both classes of correspondence, the number of new claims having fallen to 700 in January of this year and the number of complaints to the Minister to 273.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the intention of his Department to examine methods of assisting the bacon-producing industry in this country, he will consider conducting an educational campaign among British farmers with the object of increasing both supplies and quality?

My hon. Friend is no doubt aware that much is already done, both by my Department and by county councils throughout the country, to advise and assist farmers engaged in pig production for bacon; but I will bear his suggestion in mind.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the very valuable demonstration given by a representative of the Animal Breeding Research Department of Edinburgh, at Stirling recently, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of arranging similar demonstrations at suitable centres in England?

Yes. I am aware of those demonstrations, and I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now state the number of English cheese makers who are selling graded cheese; and what is the estimated number of those who are not?

Federations of Cheshire and Cheddar cheesemakers were established a few years ago to carry out grading schemes. I understand that 152 out of 205 members of the Cheshire Cheese Federation had cheese graded in 1931 but I have no recent information regarding the progress of the Cheddar scheme. So far as I am aware, no other cheese-grading schemes are in operation. With regard to the last part of the question, I regret that the information is not available.

Is it not a fact that, if the whole of the cheese industry combined to obtain the extra halfpenny per lb., the cheese-making industry would have gained an additional profit of £53,000 last year, and will the right hon. Gentleman bring that fact to the attention of the industry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what has been the average amount of assistance in subsidy and duty preference per acre per year given to sugar-beet in Great Britain since the commencement of the Beet Sugar Subsidy Act; what is the estimated amount of assistance per acre that will be given to wheat growers under the Wheat Bill at the present rate of world wheat prices; and what is the estimated assistance that will be given to pasture land suitable for stock raising and dairy production through the Import Duties Act?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take the necessary steps to prevent the importation of potatoes from countries known to have land infected with wart disease so as to safeguard the clean lands of potato-growing areas like Lincolnshire?

The existing regulations under the Destructive Insects and Pests Acts have proved effective in preventing the entry of wart disease, and I see no reason, therefore, for the imposition of further restrictions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware of the danger of the spreading of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain by allowing foreign hay and straw to be imported either for consumption or packing from countries where the disease is rampant; and if he will take steps to prevent such disease carriers coming into this country?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 3rd March to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Mile End (Dr. O'Donovan) on this subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what extra staff it is estimated will be required to carry out the work in connection with the Wheat Bill; from what source they are to be obtained; and whether the appointments are to be of a permanent or temporary character?

I am not at present able to give any estimate of the staff or the source of its recruitment that will be employed by the Wheat Commission or the Flour Millers' Corporation that will be set up under the Wheat Bill. So far as my Department is concerned, I do not anticipate that any substantial increase of staff will be required.

Are the late inspectors to be reinstated?

That is another question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in the case of barley which has been purchased for forward delivery and is imported, Customs duty will have to be paid under the Import Duties Act upon the invoice price of such barley or upon the value thereof on the date when it is actually landed; whether he is aware that the Customs authorities at the different ports are in disagreement as to which method of valuation should be adopted; and whether he proposes to take any action to secure uniform administration?

The value for duty will be based on the price paid for the goods at the time of importation provided the transaction is a bona fide open market purchase. The Customs officers at the ports have already been so instructed, and every step is being taken to avoid any disagreement in practice.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state how much of the assistance granted to the beet-sugar industry by means of direct subsidy on sugar and molasses and by remission of excise duty has been retained by the beet-sugar factories for profits, reserves, and depreciation since the commencement of the subsidy?

The balance-sheets of the factories show that from the commencement of operations under the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, up to 31st March, 1931, the sums placed to reserve, applied to depreciation, distributed as dividends and retained as unappropriated balances amounted to about £6,500,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to take any steps, either by way of increasing the charge for Press telegrams or otherwise, to make the telegraph system of this country self-supporting?

Every effort is being made, by means of improved equipment and methods, to secure the maximum of economy in the working of the telegraph system, and thus to keep the deficit as Tow as possible. I do not, however, consider the present an opportune time for legislation to increase charges, whether for ordinary telegrams or for Press telegrams.

asked the Postmaster-General whether in connection with the existing Post Office regulations which permit of the cancellation of a telegram by the sender after it has been handed in, he has considered the possibility of dishonest persons using this regulation in order to defraud bookmakers and turf commission agents; and whether he will consider the desirability of rescinding this regulation?

I have considered this possibility and have made careful inquiries. I find that the number of betting telegrams cancelled is negligible, and I should not, on present information, feel justified in depriving the public of their right to cancel telegrams after handing in. The matter will, however, be kept under review, and I shall be prepared to take appropriate action if there is clear evidence of the need for a change in the existing regulations.

Would it not be better, when a telegram is cancelled, that some information should be sent to the would-be recipient of the telegram? The information need not be actually disclosed.

There are few cases of this kind. In September there were only 4, in October 6, and in November and December 1.

But have there not been convictions of people taking advantage of that clause?

That may be so, but I should hesitate to deprive the public of this right in these very few cases.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many postal employés have been appointed to fill clerical vacancies in the Customs and Excise Department?

Twenty-one clerical officers have been transferred from the Post Office to the Customs and Excise Department in connection with new work arising out of the Import Duties Act, 1932.

Is it not the case that there is still a redundant staff at the Post Office? Is it proposed to transfer any of them?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Postmaster-General what amount has been expended and incurred during the past 12 months to the nearest convenient date on advertising the use of the telephone; whether there is a separate department for such advertising; and, if so, what salary is paid to the head of that department?

During the 12 months ended the 5th instant the Post Office has expended approximately £25,000 upon advertising the use of the telephone. This expenditure covers newspaper advertising, posters, leaflets and other printed matter and exhibitions, but not the cost of canvassing staff. There is a separate headquarters section under a Controller of Sales and Publicity, whose salary is on a scale rising to £1,000 per annum (basic).

Would not the best advertisement for the telephones be to provide a more efficient service?

We are endeavouring to do that.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in offices where the membership of the Guild of Sorting Clerks and Telegraphists is not less than 40 per cent. of the local organised sorting clerk and telegraphist staff, he will be prepared to accord recognition to the guild?

The guild represents only a small fraction of the grade concerned, and in the-se circumstances I regret that I am unable to accord it recognition.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this association was formed with the desire to have in the Civil Service an association as free as possible from politics? Does he not think that that is a desire which should be encouraged? I would further ask him whether there was any recognition given when the number reached 40 per cent. in the ease of an association to which this association was formerly affiliated, and from which it has only recently seceded for the reason that I have given?

I have endeavoured, since I have been appointed, to receive deputations from unions which are not associated with political bodies, but in this particular case they are such a small fraction of the employés concerned that I really did not think it would serve any useful purpose at the present stage to receive it. I am anxious as far as possible to give recognition to all unions which represent the staff of the Post Office.

Is it not a fact that this guild is not by any means an inconsiderable fraction of the Service, and have not representations been repeatedly made to previous Governments asking for consideration of this request, and have not successive Postmasters-General promised that the matter will be considered?

I have examined the replies made before. I shall be glad to show my hon. Friend such information as I have as to the numbers in this union. I cannot regard them as sufficient, at any rate at the moment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not recognise that, if he gave this union recognition, its numbers would be increased enormously?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Alice Treacy, of 41, Vronhill Street, Liverpool, whose husband lost his life in Submarine M 2, and who was awarded a widow's pension of 19s. per week, plus 5s. each for twins 11 months old, total pension, 29s. weekly; if he is aware that her rent is 14s. per week, and milk costs 7s. 6d. weekly for the children, leaving her with 7s. 6d. per week, which she seeks to supplement from the public assistance committee; and will he be prepared to increase the pension?

The widow's pension and children's allowances awarded to Mrs. Treacy are at the maximum rates permissible under the Regulations, and I regret that I have no power to increase them.

Not being satisfied with the answer, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total personnel of the Royal Navy in 1913 and 1931; and the comparable figures for the Navy of the United States of America for the same years?

The numbers borne in the Royal Navy were as follow:

Will the Financial Secretary see that these figures are made known at Geneva?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the liability of the Government to the London County Council in respect of the pulling down of Waterloo Bridge and the re-erecting of a new bridge to take six lines of traffic is limited to £770,000, being 60 per cent. of the sum of £1,295,000, the amount of the estimate submitted by the London County Council?

The offer of the Government's grant is based upon the approximate estimate of £1,300,000 furnished by the London County Council. It will however be understood that in a scheme of this magnitude some margin in estimating is necessary and the actual grant would be calculated on the approved cost.

Is the Minister of Transport aware that many people are of opinion that the estimate is very much too low and is likely to be exceeded as in the case of other bridges that have been built, and can he assure the House that there will be no substantial increase in the amount of the Government's contribution mentioned in the question?

While I am not prepared to bind myself as to what increase would cause me to regard this as a new situation, I can say that from my own experience of civil engineering contracts 10 to 15 per cent. up or down might be allowed for exceptional circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the reason for the exchange of appointments as chairmen of the traffic commissioners between Sir John Maxwell, Northern Area of Scotland, and Mr. H. Riches, Northern Area of England?

Mr. Riches has recently recovered after a serious illness, and in view of the heavy strain of work, which the Northern Area entails, it was in my opinion desirable to meet his request for transfer to a district where the pressure is less severe. I am indebted to Sir John Maxwell for consenting to an exchange of duties as well as for acting for three months as deputy-chairman at Newcastle, in addition to his ordinary duties as chairman for the Northern Area of Scotland.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the income of the Road Fund since the War?

The income of the Road Fund from all sources from let April, 1919, to 31st March, 1931, amounted to £194,184,869. Details will be found in the annual reports on the administration of the fund.

How much money has been "pinched" from this fund by various Chancellors of the Exchequer?

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the cost falling upon public funds of construction and maintenance of roads in Lancashire during each of the last three years?

I will take steps to have the figures for Lancashire extracted from