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

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

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

asked the Secretary of State for India how many passages during 1931 were made in foreign ships by British Government officials in India and by officials of his Department, respectively?

No member of the India Office staff travelled to or from India in 1931 in a foreign ship. The further information asked for is not available in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has now received any reply from the Indian Government as to whether arrangements are to be made for Indian delegates at the Ottawa Conference to have instructions from the Indian Government with regard to the extent to which it is prepared to co-operate with respect to the question of Empire air communications passing over Indian territory; and, if so, what is the nature of that reply?

In response to my hon. Friend's suggestion of 6th April I am in communication with the Government of India by air mail on this matter, but I anticipate that it may be some little time before a reply is received.

asked the Secretary of State for India if, before His Majesty's Government make an award on the communal question, they propose to make it a first condition that the acceptance of the award must be binding on all parties?

The hon. and gallant Member will find that the statement made by the Prime Minister on behalf of His Majesty's Government on 1st December last did not imply that such a condition would have to be fulfilled before His Majesty's Government took action in this matter. However, the importance of such an acceptance by the communities, if it were feasible to secure it, would clearly be so great that the hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that any possibility of obtaining it will not be overlooked, though it is doubtful if it could be made a condition.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps the provincial government are taking to prevent the boycott in Burma of Indian shops now being carried out by Burmese?

I am informed by the Government of Burma that no boycott of Indian shops by Burmese is taking place and that there are no indications of such a boycott being contemplated.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to receive information on this subject?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for India the present situation in regard to the disturbances in Burma?

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

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the desirability of making the forthcoming elections in Burma as representative as possible, new electoral rolls are being prepared to include those who have boycotted the previous elections to the Provincial Legislative Council?

New electoral rolls have been prepared, and I hope that all persons entitled to vote at the forthcoming elections are, or will be, included in the lists. I have already addressed an inquiry to the Governor of Burma on the point.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total cost of the three committees now in India appointed to report on problems connected with the working out of the Government's proposals for Indian constitutional reform; and what part of this cost is to fall on British and Indian revenues, respectively?

The estimated total cost of the present tour of the Franchise Committee of the Federal Finance Committee and States Inquiry Committee is about £36,500, of which about £15,000 will be met from British revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for India the terms of reference to the tariff board which has been ordered to make an inquiry into the question of protection for the Indian cotton-mill industry; and whether due consideration will be given to British interests?

I must apologise for the length of this answer. The Tariff Board have been directed to examine the following questions and make recommendations regarding them:—(1) Whether the claim of the Indian cotton textile industry to protection has been established; (2) if the claim is found to be established, do what form protection should be given, and to what extent; (3) if protection by means of import duties is recommended, then (a) whether the same rate of protection is required against competition of goods manufactured in the United Kingdom as against the competition of goods manufactured elsewhere, (b) what rates of duty are recommended on (i) cotton piece goods, (ii) piece goods made wholly or partly of artificial silk, (iii) cotton twist and yarn, according as they are manufactured in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The Board has also been asked to consider how its recommendations will affect tine handloom weaving industry. The preamble states that since the Protection Act of 1930 was passed, three important changes have occurred. First, by two successive Finance Acts the duty on cotton piece goods has been raised for revenue purposes. Second, a very large increase has occurred in the imports of artificial silk goods. Third, the Government of India have decided to discuss at Ottawa the question whether Great Britain and India should enter into a preferential trade agreement. The preamble also includes a reference to a resolution passed by the Legislative Assembly in 1923 of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member will see that the terms of reference are comprehensive.

Has this committee yet had its first meeting, and when does my right hon. Friend think that it will be able to report?

I am not sure whether the committee has actually met, but it is meeting in the very near future, and it is hoped that the report will not take very long.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give figures showing the number of Buddhists returned in the census taken in India in 1921 and in 1931; and what percentage of the persons so returned resided in Burma?

The total number of Buddhists returned in the 1921 census was 11,571,268 in all-India, of whom 11,201,943 (nearly 97 per cent.) were in Burma. Comparable figures for 1931 are not yet available.

asked the Secretary of State for India the present position arising out of the recent disturbances in Kashmir?

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member's question of the 5th April.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the issue in France of a report by the National Office for Foreign Trade, which embodies criticisms of British methods and institutions with the object of preventing French industries from transferring some of their activities to this country; and if any action has been taken in the matter?

I am aware of the issue of this report in the weekly journal of the Office National du Commerce Extérieur in France. I understand that it was prompted by the consideration that French manufacturers might transfer their activities to this country to an important extent. I have not, however, yet received the full text of the report in question, which I am taking steps to obtain; and it has not at present been considered necessary to take further action in the matter.

Will the Under-Secretary assure the House that the Foreign Office is carefully watching these transactions, and that no differential treatment of this country will take place without a protest being made in Paris?

The fact that we have asked for a report shows that we are watching the matter.

Does the hon. Member believe that we are really short of manufactures in this country?

We are short of employment.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if any steps have been taken by his Department to open up markets for fish and fish meal for human consumption in Africa, the Levant and the East?

I am considering these questions in consultation with my right hon. and gallant Friend the Minister of Agriculture. I am not in a position to make any statement as to conclusions in regard to the proposed action.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can state the accumulated deficit in respect of the British Industries Fair to 31st March, 1932, or to the latest available date; and what have been the total grants to the same date in respect of publicity?

It is estimated that the accumulated net deficit for the period of 18 years from 1915–1932 inclusive will amount to about £21,000. It should be borne in mind, however, that losses attributable to the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924 and the Cotton Textile Exhibition at the White City in 1931 amounted to more than £22,000. It will thus be evident that without these two items there would have been a net gain. The total grants in respect of publicity to 31st March, 1932, amount to approximately £166,000.

Is it not a fact that there has been a total loss of £187,000 on this exhibition compared with what might have been the case if it had been run on commercial lines?

There are two particular items over which my Department has not direct control, making a total of £22,000 in amount.

Could the hon. Gentleman say whether the exhibition made a profit or a loss in the current year?

It is anticipated that when the accounts are completed they will show a profit for this year.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can state the method whereby the proposed publicity levy in connection with the British Industries Fair will be made?

The question of the provision of money to defray the cost of publicity for the British Industries Fair of 1933 is receiving consideration, and I hope to be able to make a statement on the subject shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any section of the British Industries Fair has ever been held in Scotland; and whether he will consider the advisability of making inquiries as to the practicability of holding a section of this fair on Scottish soil in future years?

A section of the British Industries Fair was organised in Glasgow by the municipality of that city in 1917, 1918, 1920 and 1921. Following a strong recommendation in favour of centralisation of the Fair, made in 1921 by a committee appointed by the Board of Trade, under the chairmanship of the late Sir Frank Warner, the Glasgow section was discontinued, and this had the approval of the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce who shared the view held by the majority of the bodies consulted that the aim should be the greatest concentration of overseas buyers in one place. In view of the recommendation in question and of the recent report of the committee under the chairmanship of Lord Chelmsford, I doubt the wisdom of any policy of decentralisation.

Does that objection apply to a Scottish national industrial exhibition held in Scotland?

No, Sir. I think such an exhibition might do a lot of good. It should be held at a different date from the fair in London. I should be interested to hear further suggestions on the proposal.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if His Majesty's Government will be directly associating in the organisation or display at the next Canadian National Exhibition at Toronto?

His Majesty's Government will not be directly associated in the organisation or display at the Canadian National Exhibition to be held at Toronto from the 26th August to the 10th September next. The Department of Overseas Trade proposes, however, to have, as is has had for several years, an inquiry and information bureau at the exhibition, under the direction of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Toronto.

In view of the advantages likely to accrue to British trade in that exhibition, will the hon. Gentleman say whether the matter will be considered at the forthcoming Ottawa Conference?

For this particular year it is not anticipated that the exhibition will be discussed, as there is no money available in the exhibitions grant, but I will take into consideration my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the date of the recommendation made by the Tariff Advisory Committee to the Treasury, and the date of the Order made by the Treasury, with regard to adding foreign postage stamps to the free list under the the Import Duties Act; and when the same will be submitted to the House of Commons for approval?

No recommendation on the subject of imported foreign postage stamps has been received from the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise. I may say, however, that in view of the considerable doubt as to the liability of postage stamps to duty under the Import Duties Act, my right hon. Friend has decided that no charge to general ad valorem duty should be made.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how it is that, in view of the provisions of the Import Duties Act, any goods are allowed into this country except subject to the terms of that Act?

It was a matter of grave doubt whether used postage stamps were in fact goods.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the difficulties of the Board of Customs in connection with six animals which recently arrived at Folkestone; and whether, in order to allay public anxiety, he will state whether for the purposes of the Import Duties Act, 1932, a monkey is a quadruped or a quadrumanous mammal?

I am not aware that the Board of Customs and Excise has experienced any difficulties in the matter. I am informed that they decided some time ago that live monkeys were not liable to duty.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that his answer will cause great disappointment in the minds of those directly concerned?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he has considered the resolution of the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, which has been sent to him, with reference to frozen remittances in countries like the Danubian States; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that some clearing house or other scheme is brought into force as soon as possible to benefit the trade of this country?

I have been asked to reply. The resolution to which the hon. Member refers has been received. I am examining the whole question in consultation with business interests, but. I cannot at the moment make any further pronouncement.

Can my bon. Friend say if he has been in contact with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and will he take into account what has taken place in Germany and France with regard to clearing-house arrangements, whereby their traders have an advantage over ours?

As regards the first part of the supplementary question, I am in consultation with the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and that chamber has supplied useful information for our consideration. As regards the second part, I am aware of certain clearing schemes, but our information has not been that they are satisfactory, and would point out that the Board of Trade returns recently published show a slight increase in our exports to Austria and Hungary in the first two months of this year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this is a matter which does not admit of any delay? If Manchester cannot obtain payment for goods already sold, it is impossible to continue to export cotton goods to South Eastern Europe.

I have pointed out that, in spite of all these difficulties, our export trade with these countries is being maintained.

In view of the length of time that has elapsed since the matter was brought to the attention of the hon. Gentleman, when will he be in a position to make a definite statement?

I can only say that the matter is under close and constant review, in consultation with those very interests which are most affected, and that I will make a statement as soon as I possibly can.

Is it a fact that France and Germany have made clearinghouse arrangements with the Danubian States, and cannot something be done by this country?

This country has maintained its exports with the Danubian countries, in spite of the difficulties, and our information does not show that these clearing schemes are working satisfactorily.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now make any statement with regard to the progress of re-organisation of the milk, potato, and pig industries of the Country?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he has taken to set up a milk re-organisation committee; and whether he can yet give the names of any appointments to that Commission?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he can state the personnel of the Milk Re-organisation Commission and the terms of reference;

I have constituted an Agricultural Marketing Re-organisation Commission for Milk. The duty of this Commission will be to prepare a scheme or schemes under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, to be applicable in England and Wales for regulating the marketing of milk. I have directed that the Commission in the course of preparing a scheme as aforesaid shall:—

When is it anticipated that these commissions will start operations?

Almost immediately.

Will there be a reorganisation committee for milk, for Scotland?

No, Sir. I understand that the position in Scotland is that a scheme is already in an advanced stage of preparation.

In regard to the first-mentioned commission, will its terms of reference enable it to deal with milk products?

Yes, Sir, certainly.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think there is any chance of this Milk Commission, when it is set up, being able to make any arrangements for next year's milk contracts, or whether the milk producers will have to look forward to making their own milk contracts under the same conditions as heretofore in September next for the year 1932–33?

It is difficult to forecast the exact length of the inquiry, but I hope that there will be no delay.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether one or both of these commissions will have power to make direct application to the Tariff Advisory Committee?

No, Sir. I do not think that they would work in that way.

If a reorganisation committee for potatoes is appointed, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of having more than one Scottish member on it?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government in regard to barley?

The possibility of discriminating between imported malting and feeding barley is still under consideration. I would remind my Noble Friend that all foreign imported barley has been chargeable to a 10 per cent. ad valorem duty since 1st March.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the quantity of milk imported into Great Britain was greater during the first three months of 1932 than for similar periods in 1931 or 1930, he can state whether it is intended to take any early action in the matter, more especially as the greater proportion of such imports were not affected by the Import Duties Act?

I am aware that the total imports of all kinds of milk in the first three months of 1932 have been somewhat higher than in the corresponding periods of 1931 and 1930, but it would appear to be the case that the increase has taken place in those descriptions which have been affected by the Import Duties Act. I would, however, draw the attention of my hon. Friend to the statement which I have just made with regard, inter alia, to the setting up of a Re-organisation Commission for Milk.

Has the question of milk imports been before the Advisory Committee, and has the right hon. Gentleman received any recommendations on the subject?

I must have notice of that question.

Is it not the case that there was a shortage of milk during the period 1931–32?

Is not the reason that importations were lower the fact that the price was lowered in this country; and is not that the reason of the shortage?

asked the Postmaster-General the date upon which the proposed business reply service will be introduced?

The business reply service is being introduced to-day.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of savings bank accounts with deposits up to £100 which have been closed since October, 1931?

It is estimated that 195,000 accounts with balances up to £100 were closed, in the months of November, 1931, to March, 1932. This figure excludes coupon accounts in which the balances are under £1.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the money value of the payment per hour for the receiving and sorting of mails and the early morning attendance of country sub-postmasters; and what is their payment per bag for the receiving and despatching of mails?

The mail work is intermittent and does not lend itself to hourly rates of pay. It is covered by unit credits which vary according to the volume and character of the work, and are incorporated in the general unit scale on which the remuneration of sub-postmasters is based. The scale of remuneration for mail work is at present under discussion with the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that many Parliamentary candidates arrange for the distribution of their election addresses in addressed envelopes by voluntary workers; and whether, in view of a recent prosecution of a man who had distributed a number of addresed circulars, it is the intention to prosecute Parliamentary candidates who, in future, distribute election addresses in the way described?

The practice of distributing election addresses in addressed envelopes by voluntary workers ordinarily comes within the statutory exceptions to the Postmaster-General's exclusive privilege of carrying letters, and is therefore not an infringement of the law.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of letters and letter-packages carried each week by Imperial Airways since the introduction of the through service to South Africa, giving the name of the Colony or Dominion in each case to which the letters were directed?

No figures are available regarding the number of letters carried, but the average weekly weight of the outward letter mail is 310 lb., of which 69 lb. is carried to Egypt, 26 lb. to the Sudan, 114 lb. to Kenya and Uganda, 26 lb. to Tanganyika, 23 lb. to Northern and Southern Rhodesia and 52 lb. to South Africa.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department are considering any reduction in the rental of telephones?

In view of the relatively small surplus on the telephone account, I regret that a, reduction in the charges for rental is at present impracticable. I may add that during the past 10 years reductions in telephone rates have been made amounting in the aggregate to over £6,000,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has received a copy of the draft scheme for milk-marketing in Scotland; and by what date it will be possible to bring this scheme into operation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that good progress is being made with the drafting of the scheme, but I cannot at this date answer the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has yet received a deputation from the Convention of Royal Burghs on the subject of the valuation of municipal undertakings in Scotland?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the hardship caused to certain Surtax payers by the assessment to Income Tax of profits made in the year prior to the financial crisis on which liability for Surtax arises in the following year in which a loss may have occurred, he will be prepared to make provision in the forthcoming Finance Act empowering the Special Commissioners of Income Tax to grant relief in specific cases?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, there are various provisions of the Income Tax Acts designed to afford an appropriate measure of relief by reference to trading losses sustained in or before the year of assessment. Where under these provisions a. Surtax payer is given relief in respect of Income Tax at the standard rate for any year of assessment, relief in respect of Surtax for that year automatically follows. My right hon. Friend oculd not see his way to introduce legislation providing for a remission of tax charged for any year by reference to a loss sustained after that year. Under the established practice individual cases of proved inability to pay at the due date would always receive consideration administratively with a view to such arrangements being made for deferment of payment or for payment by instalments, as the particular circumstances might require.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, within the period ended 31st March, 1932, the number of gallons of wine cleared from bond at the rate of 4s. duty?

The number for the year ended 31st March, 1932, was 2,641,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that wine containing 40 per cent. alcohol can be cleared from bond at the rate of duty of 4s. per gallon when whisky of the same alcoholic strength must pay 29s. per gallon; and what are the grounds for this differentiation of duty?

With regard to the first part of the question, I am aware that the position described is true with respect to Empire wines. With regard to the second part, the reason is that wine and spirits are different beverages.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the number of proof gallons of all kinds of spirits used in fortifying wines, foreign and Colonial, in bond which were cleared from bond during the year ended 31st March, 1932, at a duty not exceeding 4s. per bulk gallon; the amount of revenue which would have been paid to the Excise Commissioners if the spirits used in fortifying these wines had borne the usual rates of duty on spirits released from bond; and the number of gallons of wine at the 4s. rate of duty cleared from bond for the year ended 31st March, 1932?

With regard to the first and second parts of the question, I regret that the information is not available. The third part has already been answered in reply to a previous question by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give the House the comparable figures between 1913 and the latest available date of the total expenditure and the total numbers employed in each of the various Government Departments?

The expenditure of each Department is shown in the annual Appropriation Accounts. The figures for 1913–14 will be found in House of Commons Paper No. 98 of 1915. The latest figures available are those for the year 1930–31 recently published (House of Commons Paper No. 6 of 1932). As regards the number of staff employed in Government Departments, I would refer the hon. Member to the return given in Command Paper 3984 of 1931. Particulars of 1914 numbers will be found in pages 21 and 22 of the report of the Committee on Pay etc. of State Servants of 1923, of which I am sending him a copy. My hon. Friend will be able to make any desired comparison from these documents.

In view of the great importance of the House having the figures asked for in this question, and in view of the expense to which hon. Members would be put by getting statistical secretaries to obtain the information for themselves, does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think he could ask a member of the Department to secure the information asked for in the question in a tabulated form?

I fully sympathise with the desire of hon. and right hon. Members of this House to have full information on these and other subjects, but we are constantly being pressed by hon. Members to reduce the numbers of civil servants who are carried on the various Votes, and, unless we are able to omit these detailed answers, it will be absolutely impossible for us to make these reductions in staff.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say that there has been a reduction in this Department and that therefore the question might be withdrawn?

Would it not be quite simple to give these figures for, say, half-a-dozen departments, so that the public might know whether there had been a real increase in the number employed or not; and is it not a fact that it would not cost very much and that it would show to the public clearly where they were?

I am afraid that it would not. The half-dozen departments would always be subject to the charge that we were selecting the most favourable departments for our own case, and in the case of many of these departments the comparison between 1913 and the present time would not hold, since in the case, say, of the Ministry of Health it did not exist as such in 1913.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say how many extra officials have been added as a result of imposing the Customs duties which hon. Members opposite supported?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why it is intended to extend the service of Dame Maude Lawrence beyond her 69th year; and whether such extension will be carried out merely by Treasury Minute?

Under Article 15 of the Order-in-Council of 10th January, 1910, an officer's employment, after reaching the age of 65, may be continued by tile Treasury, for a further period not exceeding five years, on being satisfied that retirement would be detrimental to the interests of the public service. The services of the Hon. Dame Maude Lawrence have been extended since April, 1929, by the Treasury under this Article. The question whether extension should continue beyond the age mentioned in the question does not arise for some time to come.

Is it not a fact that this distinguished lady civil servant has rendered most valuable service to the Government during a long period of time?

Yes; that is the conviction of the Department.

I quite agree, but what will be the maximum age to which this lady can serve?

The age mentioned in the question certainly does not arise for some time to come—for years.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman mean that this age is not correct, that she is not 69?

Certainly not now.

Is it not rather unkind to give such publicity to a lady's age?