asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons now employed by the West Riding County Council on schemes of work for which Government grants have been made; and the number of persons employed on such work at the end of August, 1930 and 1931?

At 18th March, 1932, 928 men were employed under the West Riding County Council on schemes of work approved for Government Grant. The corresponding numbers at 29th August, 1930, and 28th August, 1931, were 874 and 2,099 respectively.

asked the Minister of Labour what representations were made by his Department to the Glamorgan Public Assistance Committee with regard to the administration of the means test for transitional payment; and what reply has been received?

The attention of the Glamorgan County Council was drawn to serious infraction of the provisions of Article 1 (4) of the Order in Council in rules drawn up for the guidance of their guardians committees and in determinations given within their area. I am happy to say the council have informed me in reply that they have withdrawn the illegal rules and that all cases will in future be dealt with on their merits. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the manner in which my representations have been met.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will appoint a committee to inquire into the working of the means test with a view to its abolition?

No, Sir.

Does not the Minister see that it is time that he gave, some consideration to the demonstration's which are going on throughout the length and breadth of the country at the present time as a result of the harsh treatment which is being meted out to tens of thousands of workmen under the means test?

This is not the time to debate the question.

I hope that the question which I am putting now is in order in relation to the original question. I received a definite answer and that was "no," and my supplementary question, following upon that, asks whether the conditions in the country to-day do not demand that the Minister should do something.

Order!

The Minister gave a very definite answer to the question upon the Paper, and I said that this is not the time to debate the question.

With all due respect to you, Sir, it is not an attempt to debate the question, but it is a very serious matter affecting tens of thousands of people, and the Minister ought to give a reply to the question.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been called to the numerous demonstrations which are taking place up and down the country by men out of work and subject to the means test, and what action are the Government going to take?

Mr. Kirkwood.

On a point of Order. Can I not have an answer?

It is not a time for debate, and I am not going to allow it.

Surely that is evidence that something is wrong.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will furnish a statement showing the total number of persons who were refused transitional payment, or who were granted it at less than the maximum rate, during the months of January and February and were subsequently, during the following four weeks, granted relief by public assistance committees, or a similar statement for typical public assistance areas?

As my hon. Friend knows, the amount of transitional payments is assessed by the public assistance authority. If an applicant who is otherwise qualified for such payments has been assessed at less than the full rate, I find it difficult to conceive any circumstances in which the same authority would give what would be in effect a contradictory decision by granting relief. I know that statements to the contrary were made in last Monday's Debate, but think this must have been due to some misunderstanding, and if any hon. Member knows of such a case, T should be glad to have particulars.

Has the hon. Gentleman yet thought fit to issue instructions to public assistance committees to standardise public assistance in the same way as unemployment insurance benefit, and to give as much as the recipients would get if they were drawing unemployment insurance benefit?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I have no power to issue instructions. If I understood the hon. Gentleman's question correctly, however, I rather gather that it ought to be put down to the Ministry of Health.

When we put a question to the Minister of Health he says that it ought to be put to the Minister of Labour, and each Minister pushes it off from one to the other. The Minister of Health is shaking his head, but that has been our experience.

The hon. Member might put it down to both Ministers.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will furnish figures showing the estimated number of unemployed men and women on 31st March, 1932, or the nearest convenient date, in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Czechoslovakia, Austria, United States of America, and Argentina; and state whether any of these countries have reduced the hours of labour with the object of increasing the number of persons employed?

As the reply is somewhat long, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men and the number of women that have been unemployed for more than six months; and whether he can give the number who are aged between 60 and 65?

At 21st March, 1932, there were on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain 646,420 men and 67,979 women applying for insurance benefit or transitional payments whose period of registered unemployment had then lasted for six months or more. I am unable to say how many of these were aged 60 to 65.

Considering that there are nearly 70,000 women unemployed and the great difficulty that there is in obtaining domestic servants, cannot some steps be taken to endeavour to utilise the services of these women for the purpose of domestic service?

As my hon. and gallant Friend knows, we are always examining this matter, and our policy has not differed in this respect from that of the last two Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it will be possible to give the number of persons who are aged between 60 and 65?

I do not think that we can do so. I do not think that we have any record that would enable us to give the information which the hon. Member desires because we have not the statistics. But I will look into the matter again, and, if I can give any figure, either actual or approximate, I will certainly do so, but I do not think that we have the statistics.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of building trade workers who were unemployed on 1st April, 1932, and the number on 1st April, 1930 and 1931; and the present weekly cost of unemployment benefit?

The number of insured workpeople in the building industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 241,706 at 21st March, 1932; 181,931 at 23rd March, 1931; and 128,248 at 24th March, 1930. Accounts are not kept of benefit or transitional payments paid in separate trades, but assuming that the average rates for men and boys apply to this trade, the approximate cost in March, 1932, would be £190,000 a week.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the improved state of the national finances, he will take steps to restore the cuts in unemployment benefit?

No, Sir. The position would not justify such a proposal.

May I ask if the answer that the right hon. Gentleman has given is not in anticipation of the Budget statement?

That is a matter on which the hon. Member must draw his own conclusions.

I put this question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and he turned it over to the Minister of Labour. I know perfectly well that the Minister of Labour has not the power—

The hon. Member must not debate the matter.

Were not definite promises given that as soon as the finances of the country were satisfactorily adjusted this question would be considered by His Majesty's Government?

Yes, Sir, and when the finances of the country permit it, the matter will be answered, but I would point out that the fund is already paying out something like £200,000 per week more than the income, and, further, there is an overdraft, a deficit on borrowing, amounting to something like £115,000,000.

Are we to understand that, in spite of the very drastic step taken by the National Government, the country's finances are not yet on a sound footing?

The hon. Member must draw his own conclusions, but I would point out as I pointed out the other day, that the need for the most drastic economy is still imperative.

We have to take it that all the activities of the Government have utterly failed to foot the bill.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the liability to general ad valorem duty of ships imported for demolition in this country is productive of increased unemployment, since such ships are now being sent for breaking-up purposes to foreign countries; and whether he will take this fact into consideration in the Finance Bill?

I am not aware that any increase in unemployment which is attributable to the cause suggested has occurred since the imposition of the general ad valorem duty.

Is it possible for Customs officers to treat a ship coming into this country as one large piece of scrap, to be broken up into smaller pieces? It could then come in under the words of the Act.

I am afraid that I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute at the Wellingborough boot factory of Messrs. Yorke; and whether his Department are making any efforts to effect a settlement?

I am aware of this dispute. The chief conciliation officer for the area has been in touch with both parties and has informed them that the services of the Department are available in any way that may lead to a settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider extending the legislation which forbids the publication of details of divorce cases to include all future cases in which the evidence is of an indecent character?

If the hon. Member has in mind the evidence given before the Consistory Court, I would refer him to the reply given yesterday by the Solicitor-General to a question by the hon. Member for Bolton.

asked the Home Secretary when the Factory Inspectors' Report for the year 1931 is likely to be issued?

I understand that this report is practically complete, but the printing and correction of proofs will take some time and I am afraid the report is not likely to be issued till about the middle of June.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the possibility of giving increased security to banks and post offices by utilising the services of the Boy Scout organisation for patrol duties as was done successfully during the War?

The suggestion is not favoured by the Boy Scouts Association arid does not appear to be practicable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are over 5,000 Rovers in London between the ages of 17 and 25 who could form a very valuable reserve to the existing forces of law and order, and would it not be a practical demonstration of the carrying into effect of the ideals of personal service so eloquently appealed for by the Prince of Wales?

Is that not a speech?

There may be something in the arguments of the hon. Member, but it is not considered that this is the right way in which to give increased security to banks and post offices.

asked the Home Secretary whether motorists receiving a warning from a police officer at the time of the alleged offence will continue under this revised procedure to have the option of refusing the warning and asking for a police prosecution?

A verbal warning is given by a police officer only in trivial cases which would not ordinarily be regarded as calling for report with a view to possible prosecution. The circumstances would, however, be specially reported if the person concerned took exception to the warning.

Is it not a fact that having been warned by a police officer, as I have been, the next time that I am in trouble with the police this warning will be held against me? Am I not to have a chance of appeal against the warning?

Yes. If the hon. Member thought it advisable to take exception to the warning he would have it recorded, and then a prosecution could take place if the circumstances required.

asked the Home Secretary what experience in craftsmanship, either in woodwork or engineering, is possessed by the section of the Metropolitan Police responsible for issuing licences to stage coaches, omnibuses, tramcars and taximeter cabs?

About 80 per cent. of the police officers engaged in inspecting the vehicles referred to were, before they joined the police service, craftsmen with practical experience, either of mechanical and automobile engineering or of bodybuilding and woodwork generally. The remainder have shown a special aptitude for the work since they joined. Police officers are not promoted to the rank of inspector in this section unless they have successfully passed a course of two years' study at a school of engineering.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now make any statement as to the results of the experiment of allowing remand prisoners at Brixton the use of tobacco and as to the possible extension of the privilege to other prisons?

The results of this experiment thus far are satisfactory, but sufficient experience has not yet been gained to justify its extension to other prisons.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how long will be needed for the results before be can make some further announcement?

I think this matter should be left to the discretion of the Prison Commissioners, and I have no doubt that they will take further action as soon as they think it desirable.

asked the Home Secretary what is the estimated nett annual saving to be effected by the closing of the police station at Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex; and what is the annual amount raised by the Sunbury-on-Thames urban district council for police purposes?

The closing of this station will save about £2,500 a year. This saving does not arise out of any reduction in the police protection afforded to the district, but is solely in respect of the station staff which is no longer required. With the police rate at its present level, the Sunbury urban district will contribute about £6,600 this year to the Metropolitan police fund.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to persist in this decision, in face of the earnest representations made by the inhabitants to the local authority?

I think those representations must have been made under a misapprehension. This will have no effect upon the police protection of the district. The inhabitants of Sunbury-on-Thames are interested, like other taxpayers, in saving £2,500 a year.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that this particular neighbourhood has been subject in recent months to a very large increase in crimes of violence and murder.

This will not affect that point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of the outer districts of London are growing at a very rapid rate and that in many cases the police are not adequate for these new districts.

That is why the Commissioner of Police is making all practicable economies without interfering with efficiency, in order that the expenditure on the force may be used to the best advantage.

asked the Home Secretary if a portion of the present site of Maidstone gaol will be available for the extension of the county offices; and will compensation be allowed to the Kent County Council who have incurred expenses on the understanding that they would shortly have possession of the site?

The Prison Commissioners are in correspondence with the Kent County Council in regard to this matter, and I regret that I cannot at present make any statement on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether there will be any alteration in the administration of the law affecting sweepstakes by his Department during the period in which this question is being examined by the proposed commission?

I do not contemplate any alteration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many magistrates have different notions as to the penalties that should be imposed, and therefore would it not be of great value if there were some official statement as to what action should be taken in these cases?

That is precisely one of the matters under consideration by the Royal Commission, and I must await their recommendation.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the number of able-bodied unemployed persons in receipt of public assistance in Leeds, Sheffield, Rotherham, Wakefield, and Barnsley on the 31st March, 1929, 1930, 1931, and 1932?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving such information as is available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of relief from the public assistance committee in Wigan; the amount paid for the week ended 31st July, 1931, and for the latest week for which such information is available; and if he will give the same information for the county area contiguous to Wigan?

The total number of persons (men, women and children) in receipt of poor relief, excluding casual and, domiciliary medical relief, in the county borough of Wigan on the 2nd April, 1932, was 3,249. The average weekly amount of out-relief paid during July, 1931, was £597 and during March, 1932, was £724. The returns as to poor relief made to my Department relate to counties and county boroughs as a whole, and corresponding information as to the contiguous part of the administrative county is not available.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that there is a great disparity between the treatment given within the towns of Wigan and Oldham and the treatment meted out to the same type of persons in the area of the county of Lancashire outside those boroughs?

I should like to have notice of that question; it does not arise out of the original question. I do not know of these particular cases, but where any such disparities exist they are made the subject of immediate inquiry.

asked the Minister of Health the number of local authorities which have adopted the suggestion contained in Circular 1,238, issued by the Ministry of Health, 12 January, 1932, of the three-bedroomed non-parlour house of about 760 square feet; and if the same amount of subsidy is granted as for the house of 950 square feet?

asked the Minister of Health what authorities in England and Wales have taken action in accord with Circular 1,238, issued by the Ministry on 12th January, 1932; and what is the number of houses proposed, or in course of construction, of the three-bedroom non-parlour type of about 760 square feet, to be let at 10s. a week or less, inclusive of rates?

I regret that precise figures are not available. Since the issue of the Circular the erection by 150 local authorities in England and Wales of 11,670 houses, few of which materially exceed the size named, has been approved. The amount of the Exchequer subsidy does not vary according to the size of the house.

asked the Minister of Health how many slum-clearance schemes are at present, being carried out in England and Wales; the total number of houses to be demolished; and the total number of houses to be constructed?

I have received resolutions declaring 417 areas in England and Wales, the clearance of which involves the demolition of approximately 14,000 houses, to be clearance areas under the Housing Act, 1930. It is anticipated that houses sufficient for the accommodation of 68,000 persons will be provided.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what period these figures cover?

I will ascertain and let the hon. Member know.

asked the Minister of Health the number of clearance orders submitted to him by local authorities under Section 2 of the Housing Act, 1930; the number which he has approved; the number of houses affected thereby; the number of areas declared by local authorities to be improvement areas under Section 7 of the Housing Act, 1930, and the number of houses comprised within such areas; and the total amount of the annual contributions made by the Ministry under Section 26 of the Housing Act, 1930, with respect to the re-housing of persons displaced as the result of action by local authorities, distinguishing between persons displaced as an outcome of clearance areas, improvement areas, the demolition of insanitary houses, and the closing of parts of buildings?

I will send a statement to the hon. Member giving the information for which he asks.

asked the Minister of Heath what boroughs, other than Kingston-upon-Hull and Newcastle-on-Tyne, have formed rent committees to deal with contraventions of the Rent Restrictions Acts; and whether reports from these committees are being received in the Ministry and being considered in connection with the proposed legislation on rent restriction?

Local authorities do not necessarily inform me when they set up committees to deal with Rent Act questions, so that I cannot give the hon. Member the information desired, though I am aware of the constitution of such a committee in Sunderland. In some cases copies of reports made to their local authorities by the committees, or of resolutions based thereon, have been sent to my Department and will be considered in connection with any amending legislation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman let us know when we are going to have the amending legislation?

There is a specific question on that point.

asked the Minister of Health when the legislation to enforce the general recommendations of the Inter-Departmental Committee on the Rent Restrictions Acts will be introduced?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 6th April to the hon. Member for Wigan (Mr. Parkinson).

asked the Minister of Health whether his Department will take steps to ensure that all contracts for supplies to local authorities are made as the result of open tender; and whether his Department ensures that no proprietary article is prescribed?

It is the practice, in cases where my sanction is required to a loan, to require open tenders and, where the matter comes before me, to object so far as practicable to the specification of proprietary articles unless there are special reasons to the contrary. Contracts for ordinary supplies which are paid for out of revenue are not subject to my approval.

May I ask whether it is a result of instructions issued by the right hon. Gentleman's Department, that firms in which individual members of a local authority are interested are debarred from submitting tenders?

As regards the interests of individual members of local authorities in possible contracts, that is a matter for the general law, and, if anything is done outside the general law perhaps the hon. Member will call my attention to it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied that butter imported from Soviet Russia is of the standard of purity required by the home product?

Numerous samples of butter imported from Soviet Russia have been examined during recent months. The results of these examinations have shown that this butter conforms to the standard of purity required in this country.

Why are regulations required for the home producer and not for the foreign importer?

It is an entirely different thing; the administration is different. Home production and foreign production must be dealt with in different ways, but the provisions relating to imports are adequate to secure proper standards.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information as to the number of persons suffering from incurable disease in this country and the number for whom accommodation is provided by voluntary organisations; and whether there are any public institutions for incurables who are unable to look after themselves, apart from mental institutions?

I regret that I am not in possession of any statistics on the points raised in the question. I do not know of any institutions that exactly answer the description in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the way in which licensing authorities under the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, are performing their duties; and whether he exercises any supervision over these authorities to see that they are performing their duties under the Order?

Yes, Sir. According to the information in my possession the licensing authorities generally are per- forming their duties satisfactorily. If, however, my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to make inquiry into it.

asked the Minister of Health the total numbers engaged at the Ministry on housing and town planning at the latest available date in 1932?

The number so engaged at the present datet is 91.

asked the Prime Minister, if, with a view to economy, he will consider a reduction in the number of Ministries?

In view of the heavy work devolving upon Ministers, it would not be in the public interest to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

In view of the Prime Minister's expressed desire for more Ministers without portfolio, will the Government consider the possibility of co-ordinating the Navy, Army and Air Forces into one Ministry of Defence in the interests of economy and efficiency?

That question has often been considered in the past.

Is it really necessary to retain Ministers who are merely skeletons at a protectionist feast?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what are the official hours of work in the office of the Chief Inspector of Taxes, Departmental Claims Branch, Cornwall House, Stamford Street, S.E.1?

The normal hours of work at the present time are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on Saturdays when they are from 9 a.m. to noon.

In view of the short hours worked in this Department, and the amount of Income Tax deducted from Members of Parliament, is it not possible to reduce the staff?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the importance to the trades affected of a revision of duties imposed on goods whose nature was not originally understood when the Import Duties Act was passed, he will make a statement at the earliest possible date?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will let me know the particular point which he has in mind, I shall be happy to have it looked into. I may remind him that under the Import Duties Act the Advisory Committee will have power to recommend the revision of duties imposed tinder that Act.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount collected by way of duty on the sugar content of the sweetened condensed milk imported into this country during the last financial year?

The approximate amount was £613,000.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether any decision has yet been reached with regard to the assessment of Customs duties on imported undeveloped films; and what is the nature of such decision?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will furnish me with particulars as to the precise point on which he is expecting a decision, I will be glad to make inquiries.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the Inland Revenue are endeavouring to collect Corporation Duty levied under the Inland Revenue Act of 1885 from a number of associations formed solely for purposes of trade, whereas the Act in question does not apply to associations carrying on trade or business; and will he take immediate steps to stop the action complained of, which is adding a burden on industry and imposing disproportionate expense of collection on the Inland Revenue?

If my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any case he has in mind I will have inquiry made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will inquire why the 15 per cent. surtax is being charged on British goods entering Tunis, in view of the fact that Tunis is a French protectorate and not a French colony?

The fact that Tunis is a protectorate does not appear to affect the issue as the surtax was imposed in Tunis by a Tunisian decree of 30th November last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of exports and imports as between this country and the Irish Free State for the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?

My hon. Friend will find the particulars he desires on pages 123, 126 and 130 of the issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for January last.

Has any estimate been formed of the proportion of trade which is from Great Britain and the proportion from. Northern Ireland?

Yes, Sir.

Has the hon. Gentleman ever looked at the Trade and Navigation Returns; and does he realise how impossible it is for a busy Member of this House to do the investigation necessary to find out a few figures?

It is equally an imposition upon Ministers and their staffs, against whose increase the hon. Member from time to time protests.

Not at all. I am most anxious that every Minister should have a staff capable of doing the work, and I ask the hon. Gentleman if he could not see his way, when asked a specific question like this, to get the appropriate official to dig out the actual answer wanted, instead of giving a reply like that which he has just given?

That would duplicate the work. These accounts are published and are easily understandable by all persons of normal intelligence.

If I may be allowed to press the hon. Gentleman on this point, may I ask him, does he think that the answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Deritend (Mr. Crooke) is of interest only to that hon. Member; and does he expect that 615 of us are to go digging into the Trade and Navigation Returns for an answer which might be got by one junior clerk?

I Am very sorry that the hon. Member feels like that about the matter, but I went to the trouble of giving the exact pages upon which these figures can be found.

Would it not be just as easy to give the exact figures themselves?

Is it not the case that questions are frequently refused at the Table on the ground that the information has already been published?

No.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the intention of the Government with regard to the extension of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?

The position of the duties imposed under this Act has not been overlooked and a statement will be made in due course.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a large number of people in the country are awaiting such an announcement, which is of importance with regard to their trade; and, in view of that fact, will he say when the Government will make a statement?

It was because I was aware of that fact that I gave the answer which I have just given to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as agricultural products from the Dominions come in competition with British-grown agricultural products in the British market, he will state what representation British agriculture is to have at the coming Ottawa Conference?

It has always been the Government's intention that British agricultural interests should be represented at Ottawa. The actual representation has not yet been determined.

Do the Government recognise the principle that the home producer should have the first preference in the home market?

The right hon. Gentleman may be assured that the home agricultural interests will be given consideration at Ottawa.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if, in view of the important part merchants must take in the expansion of trade which is to be expected to follow the Ottawa Conference, he will appoint representatives to attend so that their experience may be utilised?

I am not at present in a position to add anything to the last part of the answer which I gave on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 13th April.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the races for the King's Plates in Ireland were run in 1931 in the Irish Free State or in Northern Ireland?

All the races were run as usual, seven in the Free State and one in Northern Ireland.

Can the Financial Secretary say what he expects to be the result of these races in the current year, and whether the result has justified the imposition on the taxpayer of this country of a sum of £1,563 for prizes for these races run in the Irish Free State?

It would be impossible, as in the case of the Budget, to anticipate the result of these races.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the Government will publish at an early date the last report of the Pig Industry Council in connection with the reorganisation of the industry?

Reports of the Pig Industry Council are addressed to me and the question of publication is within my discretion. I regard their recent report as in the nature of a confidential document, and I do not propose in this case to arrange for publication.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the acceptance by the pig industry of his conditions, he will announce at an early date the appointment of the Reorganisation Commission; and whether he will announce the personnel of that Commission?

As I have already stated in replies to previous questions I hope shortly to be able to make an announcement on the subject.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he hopes to make the announcement, which is rather eagerly awaited?

I hope next week.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the period likely to elapse before the Pig Industry Reorganisation Commission is able to report and steps to control imports can be taken, and in view of the decline in the numbers of brood sows now being caused by the present depressed price for pig meat, the Government will consider taking immediate measures to limit the present flow of imports?

I have carefully considered my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but regret that I do not see my way to adopt the course indicated. I feel sure, however, that the Reorganisation Commission which is about to be appointed will address itself to its task without avoidable delay.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether and, if so, when it is proposed to publish the evidence taken by the Second Inter-Departmental Committee on the marking and grading of beef?

I am afraid I am not in a position to publish the evidence referred to. Much of it relates to the experience of private traders, and some of it was given under a promise of confidence, and for this reason the Committee, as started in paragraph 2 of their report (Cmd. 4047), felt they were unable to disclose it.

Does my right hon. Friend think it fair to the other parties that private traders should he able to give their evidence under the promise that it will be treated as confidential?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that farmers and market gardeners in the Crossens drainage area have suffered losses through the flooding of the land in their occupation; and if he can state the reason for delay, after public inquiry, in giving sanction to the scheme prepared by the Crossens Drainage Board, so that the drainage of the land for the purpose of growing vegetables can be proceeded with and so find employment for a number of persons and thus increase our home-grown food supply?

Since the public inquiry to which my hon. Friend refers took place, my Department have been in close consultation, both with the catchment board and with the objectors to the scheme submitted by them, with a. view to a compromise which will obviate further objection, and I am now informing the catchment board of the form in which I am prepared to confirm their scheme. I am aware that drainage is urgently required in the Crossens catchment area, but there is nothing to prevent the catchment board arid the existing internal drainage board from carrying out, at the present time, such remedial works as may be necessary for dealing with the more important of the watercourses in the area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of applications for small holdings made to the Lancashire County Council and the number granted for each of the three years ended 31st December, 1931, and also during 1932?

As the answer contains a table of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much sugar not exceeding 90 degrees polarisation, commonly called raw sugar, has been produced and sent to British refineries by the beet-sugar factories since the passage of the Finance Act, 1928; and what has been the total cost to the Exchequer whether in extra subsidy paid, or in excise duty not received, since that date?

Since the passage of the Finance Act, 1928, approximately 460,000 tons of raw sugar (not exceeding 99 degrees polarisation) has been produced and sent to refineries by British sugar-beet factories. It is estimated that, compared with the subsidy and excise duty payments appropriate to an equivalent quantity of fully refined beet-sugar, the production of this raw sugar has involved increases in subsidy payments and decreases in revenue receipts representing in all a total approaching £500,000.

Is my right bon. Friend aware that this very high cost is due to the fact that the ratio is wrong as between raw and white sugar?

asked the Minister of Agriculture in what countries the production of sugar either from beet or cane is neither subsidised nor protected; and what proportion of the world sugar is produced from such areas?

I regret that I am unable to supply this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies Why it has been decided to apply the compulsion and penalty clauses of the defence force ordinance in Kenya, as from 1st May; and how many conscript soldiers are likely to be obtained in each year as a, result?

The Defence Force Ordinance of 1927 provides that members of the force in Class I shall undergo an annual period of training not exceeding 100 hours. The Governor has made a Regulation under this ordinance prescribing the period of training as 60 hours for recruits and 37 hours for others. Failure to comply with this regulation renders a member of the force liable to prosecution under the Defence Force Ordinance. I am advised that, if the efficiency of the force is to be maintained, it is necessary that the penalty clauses should be preserved and if necessary be enforced. No change has been made in the number or classes of persons liable to service under the Ordinance of 1927 except that certain exemptions have been made.

Is this the only part of the British Empire where conscription exists?

I think that is so. I think there are several Colonies where there is power in the Governor, in case of emergency, to create and call out a defence force, but the Defence Force Ordinance in Kenya, which was passed in 1927 and has been maintained by successive Governors since, is, I believe, in a class by itself.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is now in a position to state when the committee of inquiry into labour legislation in Palestine is likely to submit its report?

I am unable to furnish any definite information, but I understand that there is some prospect of this committee being in a position to present an interim report towards the end of May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to state the number of Arab labourers in Palestine who are members of trade unions?

The only Arab trade unions in Palestine in respect of which figures are available are the Christian (Orthodox) Labour Union and the Arab Carpenters' Union. The first has a membership of about 300 and the second one of 150. No figures are available with regard to the membership of various other Arab trade unions or of the number of Arabs who may belong to trade unions not organised on a racial or religious basis.

Is it not the case that Arabs and Jews and people of other nationalities are organised in the trade unions, irrespective of nationality, in Palestine just as elsewhere?

I think I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what additional numbers of Jews have been employed on public works in Palestine in fulfilment of the promise made by the Prime Minister to Dr. Weizmann, in his letter of the lath February, 1931, that Jews would be employed according to the proportion of taxes paid by them?

I would remind the hon. Member that the actual wording of the Prime Minister's undertaking to Dr. Weizmann was as follows:

"With regard to public and municipal works falling to be financed out of public funds, the claim of Jewish labour to a due share of the employment available, taking into account Jewish contributions to public revenue, shall be taken into consideration."

The Government of Palestine is endeavouring, in consultation with the Executive of the Jewish Agency, to devise a suitable formula for the determination of the Jewish share of employment on public works, and in the meantime steps have been taken to increase the number of Jews employed on public works. Except, however, in the case of Haifa Harbour works, where 340 Jews were employed at the 31st December, 1931, as compared with 183 at the 31st December, 1930, no figures are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps are being taken or are contemplated to remedy the fact that the strength of the Regular Army is 30,500 and the Territorial Army 40,000 below that authorised in the Army Estimates for the current year?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to have compared the strength of the Regular Army at home with the establishment both at home and abroad (exclusive of India). The actual deficit on the 1st March was about 8,000 as anticipated in the Secretary of State's memorandum on Estimates and it is expected that this deficit will be reduced during the present year. As regards the Territorial Army, I would refer him to page 61 of the Estimates. On 1st March, the deficit in the strength for which money has been provided amounted to about 4,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what delegates are representing this country on the various committees and sub-committees of the Disarmament Conference at Geneva?

The United Kingdom Delegation to the Disarmament Conference is represented in the various committees and sub-committees as follows:

• General Committee: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
• Political Committee: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
• Military Committee: Secretary of State for War.
• Naval Committee: First Lord of the Admiralty.
• Air Committee: Secretary of State for Air.
• Budgetary Committee: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

As, however, all these delegates are not present at Geneva at the moment, the representation on the Military, Naval and Budgetary Committees has been entrusted to officers representing them.

Has not the hon. Gentleman left out several of the delegates? Are they not represented on some of the sub-committees—Mrs. Corbett Ashby, for instance?

I have given a list of delegates at present on these committees. The delegates may change from time to time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to publish reports of the proceedings of the meetings of the Council of the League of Nations as a White Paper in accordance with the practice under the previous Government?

The sixty-sixth meeting of the Council which, as my hon. Friend will remember, started towards the end of January, is still technically in session, and it is therefore not possible at present to publish a White Paper describing its proceedings. Owing to the very extended nature of the session, and the complication of the questions which have been discussed, it will be a matter of considerable difficulty and expense to produce a White Paper giving within a reasonable compass an adequate picture of the proceedings, but His Majesty's Government will certainly consider whether it is possible to publish some account of the session, and it is not their intention to depart from the normal practice in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the statement made in the twelfth report of the Shanghai Consular Committee that on 21st March there still were, approximately, 37,000 Japanese troops in the Shanghai area, he can state if there has yet been any diminution in their number and what is the usual number of Japanese troops in this area?