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 whether he will make a statement in regard to the present political situation in India?

As regards the civil disobedience movement the period has been quiet, the only new feature being an attempt to revive salt raids in two places in the Bombay Presidency. During the past fortnight grave communal rioting has occurred in Bombay. The rioting was not organised and did not take the form of clashes between considerable bodies but con- sisted of surprise attacks on temples, mosques or shops and murderous attacks by gangs of both communities. Casualties were mostly inflicted in isolated encounters, many being stabbing cases, and the gangs dispersed rapidly on the approach of patrols, who found the streets empty on their arrival. The Curfew Order and the order prohibiting assemblies which were put in force on the I6th May and the establishment of military and police posts prevented the formation of large bodies, and the combing out by the police with the assistance of the military of bad characters, who have been placed in an emergency jail, stopped looting and incendiarism.

In view of these very regrettable communal disturbances, have the so-called Congress Volunteers, who claim to have a certain control over the Hindu population at any rate, taken any active part in supporting the Government in bringing back conditions of law and order?

So far from having been a help, they have in certain cases been a public danger and in all cases a public nuisance.

asked the Secretary of State for India how long Monsieur Edmond Privat was in India; and whether the Secretary of State was consulted before passport facilities were granted to him?

M. Privat was in India for six weeks at the beginning of this year. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the reports in the Press are true that M. Privat is a professor of Geneva University and has been a delegate of the Swiss Government on the Council of the League of Nations?

As far as my information goes, M. Privat is not a professor of the University of Geneva and has never represented the Swiss Government at the League of Nations. I believe that on one or two occasions he represented the Persian Government.

Is it not the case that M. Privat is a lecturer at the University of Geneva, not a professor?

I do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that 13 battalions of infantry, one of pioneers, and two cavalry regiments of the Indian Army are now in process of Indianisation, he is satisfied that the Army in India is sufficiently strong to meet all likely demands?

Yes, Sir. The actual numbers of units affected are 12 battalions of infantry, one of pioneers and three regiments of cavalry.

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied that these units would be equally as effective in communal disturbances as present units organised and commanded by British officers?

I have great faith in my military advisers, in the Commander-in-Chief and his advisers in India, and I am satisfied that the answer I have given is a fair one.

Are the military authorities in India entirely in agreement with this scheme of Indianisation?

Are these regiments composed entirely of Hindus or Mahommedans or of Hindus and Mahommedans?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now make any further statement as to whether arrangements can be made with the Government of India to enable the necessary co-operation to be given for Imperial Airways to operate a service from this country to Australia at an early date?

I am unable to make any statement at present.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to be in a position to make a statement?

No, I cannot. This is a complicated matter and has been under consideration for some time.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the latest available figures showing the number of co-operative societies in India and the total membership of those societies; and if he can also give figures showing the proportion of members of cooperative societies per 1,000 of the population in each of the chief provinces?

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the latest figures available showing the total working capital invested in registered co-operative societies in India; if he can state what proportion State aid bears to the total working capital; and what was the total amount issued by these co-operative societies in India as loans?

With the permission of the hon. Members, I will answer these questions together. The figures desired are contained in "Statistical Statements relating to the Co-operative Movement in India during the year 1929–30." A copy of this publication is being placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Tebbitt, wife of a British subject, who lost her property in the Rhineland during the period of British occupation; and whether he has taken any action in the matter?

If my hon. Friend will supply me with the information on which his question is based, I shall be glad to make inquiries.

In view of the fact that this is a rather complicated case, may I put it to the right hon. Gentleman privately?

Of course, I shall be pleased.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if, in the existing arrangements, under which His Majesty's Minister makes his headquarters at Peking, he will see that a trade representative is permanently stationed at Shanghai?

The Commercial Counsellor to His Majesty's Legation in China is permanently stationed at Shanghai.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that China is properly carrying out the Rendition Treaty of Wei-hai-wei, particularly as regards Articles XIV and XVII?

I have received no complaints regarding the execution of the Rendition Agreement either on general grounds or in respect of the particular articles mentioned by my hon. Friend.

If I am able to bring information to his notice, will the right hon. Gentleman look into it?

I shall be obliged if the hon. Member will do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will in- quire of the Greek Government their intentions regarding the payment of the interest, now overdue, on the 1924 Greek refugee loan, which was issued under the auspices of the League of Nations?

His Majesty's Government have several times addressed strong representations to the Greek Government. Furthermore, in the statement which the representative of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom made to the Council of the League of Nations on Saturday he expressed on behalf of His Majesty's Government their deep regret that the Greek Government should have failed to carry out their solemn obligations undertaken towards their creditors, the League, and the Governments represented on the International Financial Commission. A similar statement was also made on behalf of the French Government. The Greek representative made a statement, explaining the difficult situation of Greece, and informed the council that the Greek Government intend to lay proposals before the bondholders shortly.

"The council, conscious of its special responsibilities in the case of loans issued under the auspices of the League,

"Desires to impress on the Greek Government the necessity of making every effort to comply with its obligations, and in this connection refers to the resolution which the council adopted on l5th April.

"The council feels bound to emphasise that a failure to have due regard to their international financial obligations on the part of those countries which have benefited from loans issued under the auspices of the League must have the gravest consequences, not only on the credit of such countries, but also on the ability of the League to render collective assistance in the future."

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what steps he is taking to obtain the release of the frozen remittances of British traders in Central and South Europe and South America?

The severity of these difficulties varies greatly from country to country. In all of them the commercial diplomatic officers are closely and unceasingly engaged in watching the interests of United Kingdom exporters and giving such assistance as is possible. Where conditions permit they have been able to achieve a substantial measure of success.

Can the hon. Member give rather more definite particulars as to what is happening?

It is not possible to review the whole field within the compass of question and answer. If the hon. Member will raise specific points, I shall be glad to give him what information I have.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if, in addition to the particulars the department publishes periodically regarding trade restrictions, he will include the adverse effect on the balance of trade of the non-payment of sums due to British exporters for their goods?

Statistics showing the total United Kingdom trade with individual countries are published quarterly but information regarding the payment of accounts is neither called for nor supplied by exporters. I am unable therefore to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Is the hon. Member aware that exporters are only now beginning to appreciate the value of this information?

I am very anxious to make all possible use of these returns, but the suggestion of the hon. Member is impracticable for the reason I have stated.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can yet give any further information as to export credits facilities to Russia?

As a result of the negotiations with the Soviet trade representative, it has been agreed that further credits for the sale to Russia of goods manufactured in this country may be granted, with the Export Credits Guarantee, up to a total amount of £1,600,000. The terms will be fixed by the Advisory Committee in each ease, but the maximum period of credit will be 18 months and a substantial portion will be at 12 months.

Has the hon. Gentleman pointed out to the Soviet Government that, if they are to receive these credits from us, it would be highly desirable that they should purchase British as opposed to Norwegian herring?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will state what progress has been made with the pig and milk organisation inquiries; and when their reports may be expected?

The recently appointed Reorganisation Commissions for milk and for pigs and pig products have made good progress, but at this early stage of their investigations it is quite impossible to say when their reports may be expected.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the pig industry is completely paralysed, and, having regard to the fact that the Government have taxed feeding stuffs, can we expect these reports immediately?

I think the Commissions are very well aware of the necessity of reporting at an early date. They have already had two informal and six formal meetings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that Devon producers have been obliged to withhold supplies of butter from the local purveyors owing to heavy imports of New Zealand butter; and what action he proposes to take in order to secure to the home producer the advantage of the home market?

I am aware that in some instances difficulty has been experienced in disposing of locally produced butter. This is a matter which will fall for consideration in the light of the discussions at Ottawa, and my right hon. Friend will realise that I cannot anticipate decisions which may then be reached.

Will my right hon. Friend answer the last part of the question, as to what action he proposes to take in order to secure to the home producer the advantage of the home market?

That is exactly the point to which I have replied.

Are the right hon. Gentleman's question not really an attack on Empire Free Trade?

Are we to understand from the reply that my right hon. Friend does not mean to do anything at all?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in the interests of British growers of barley and hops and of consumers, he will consult farmers and brewers on the possibility of making from British materials a beer of the gravity of 1,042 degrees, to be known as National mark beer and to be sold at not more than 6d. a pint?

It has not been possible so far, for financial reasons, to make the investigations necessary as a preliminary to the introduction of a National mark scheme for beer. While the possibility of introducing such a scheme will be kept in view, I do not anticipate that it would include any provision for price regulation, as suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give favourable consideration to the request of the fish trade for the postponement of the closing time of the night telephone service from 7 a.m. to 7.30 a.m., in view of the increase of trade likely to result therefrom and the consequent gain to the revenues of the Government?

In view of the substantial loss of telephone revenue which, I am advised, would be involved, I regret I cannot see my way at present to extend the night rate period as suggested by my hon. Friend.

Is it not the case that fish salesmen, who are the largest users of telephones in the country, find their marketing of fish seriously hampered by the high rates, and would not the using of the telphone more frequently bring in increased revenue to the Treasury?

I, of course, appreciate the difficulties of the fish traders, but there are difficulties from the point of view of the Post Office as well, and I shall be glad to discuss them with my hon. Friend.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any information to show what proportion of air-mail traffic to Singapore during 1931 was carried by British and Dutch aeroplanes, respectively?

I have not the exact figures immediately available, but the great bulk of the air-mail traffic referred to is carried by the Dutch service, as the only material advantage offered by the Imperial Airways service to Karachi is a later posting in London of about one day as compared with the ordinary mail.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Royal Commission on Unemployment Insurance has finished its deliberations; and, if so, when the final report will be published?

My right hon. Friend gave a full reply on this subject to the hon. Member for Gorbals (Mr. Buchanan) on 5th May. I am afraid that there is nothing I can add to this.

Do we understand that the hon. Gentleman is not in a position to state approximately when the report is likely to be available?

That is so.

asked the Minister of Labour how many miners were unemployed in Yorkshire in August, 1931, and at the latest date?

The numbers of insured persons in the coalmining industry classification recorded as unemployed at Employment Exchanges in Yorkshire were 68,515 at 24th August, 1031, and 72,093 at 25th April, 1932.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these numbers are increasing every week?

The figures I have given show it.

asked the Minister of Labour the unemployment figures for the month of October, 1931, and the figures for April, 1932, for the Barnsley Exchange area?

The numbers on the registers of the Barnsley Employment Exchange were 9,435 at 26th October, 1931, and 10,132 at 25th April, 1932.

asked the Minister of Labour the latest unemployment figures for the South Kirkby area, and the increase or decrease upon the previous month?

At 25th April, 1932, there were 1,760 persons on the registers of the South Kirkby Employment Exchange, an increase of 105 as compared with 21st March.

asked the Minister of Labour the present position with regard to the administration of the means test in Wolverhampton?

Between 12thNovember, 1931, and 2nd April, 1932, 8,818 initial applications for transitional payments and 22,629 renewals were referred to the Wolverhamption Public Assistance Authority. Out of the total of 31,447 deter- minations given, payment was allowed at maximum benefit rates in 24,634 cases, and at lower rates in 5,113 cases; while in 1,700 cases the needs of applicants were held not to justify payment being made. No later figures are at present available.

asked the Minister of Transport how many schemes to provide work, approved by the Ministry of Transport, were in operation in May, 1931; how many in May, 1932; and how many schemes have been turned down by him since September last?

As the answer is necessarily rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As it is now only ten minutes past Three o'clock, I would like the Minister to give the answer to the House. Not long ago, I was told by the Minister that 1,000 schemes had been turned down in the last four months by this Government, and it would be interesting to know what is the position now in that respect. [HON. MEMBERS: "Circulate it."] I think, Mr. Speaker, we might have the answer.

In May, 1931, 1,221 schemes of improvement and new construction affecting classified roads and bridges were recorded as being in operation. I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the corresponding figure for this month, the latest available return being in respect of March, 1932, when 711 schemes were in operation. Since September last it has been decided after consultation with the highway authorities concerned to defer or curtail approximately 1,100 schemes of this character which were previously approved for grant from the Road Fund; the bulk of the schemes had not been commenced. There were also in May, 1931, a number of schemes in operation under the Development (Loan Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929. Although my Department is required to advise upon such of these schemes as affect transport or electricity, the responsibility for the grants is vested in the Treasury and the Ministry of Labour (for Parts I and II of the Act, respectively).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the latest figure of the number of officials who have been transferred from other Departments to the Department of Customs and Excise and elsewhere as a result of the passage of the Import Duties Act, and the number newly engaged?

I have been asked to reply. The number of officials transferred from other Departments to the Customs and Excise Department since the 1st October, 1931, is 699, and the number newly engaged during the same period is 477. I would point out, however, that these numbers represent recruitment for the work of the Department as a whole and include making good normal wastage. As regards the Import Duties Advisory Committee, all the staff required have been obtained by transfer from other Departments; I am giving particulars regarding the number and grading of the staff of the committee in answer to the hon. Member's question No. 42.

Can my right hon. Friend say who is now carrying on the work previously done by the 600 men transferred from other Departments? Has the work ceased, or who is doing it?

We are continually carrying out researches as to how the staff in the Departments can be cut down.

Are there not far too many Civil Service officials?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the staff of the Import Duties Advisory Committee at the latest available date?

With the hon. Member's permission I will circulate full particulars of the staff of the Committee at the present date in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health what progress has been made with the £2,000,000 scheme f Nor rural housing initiated by the Ministry in July, 1931?

114 councils have been informed that the committee appointed under the Act of last year are prepared to entertain applications in respect of 1,904 houses for the agricultural population, and these councils have for some time been preparing their detailed proposals. Only seven have as yet reached the stage of inviting tenders.

asked the Minister of Health how many houses were being built by local authorities in May, 1931, and how many in May, 1932?

35,440 dwellings were under construction by local authorities at 30th April, 1931, and 33,493 at 30th April, 1932.

(for Mr. HICKS) asked the Minister of Health what is the present estimated shortage of housing accommodation in England and Wales; what is the number of parlour-houses and flats erected in each of the months January, February and March, 1932; and what action is being taken by the Ministry of Health to urge local authorities to press forward building schemes?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he has no data on which to base such an estimate as is asked for in the first part of the question. Nor is he able to state the total numbers of parlour-houses and flats erected from time to time in England and Wales. The numbers of houses and flats erected with State assistance and completed in the three months mentioned were 6,218, 6,402 and 5,916. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) to the answer given to the question put by him on 12th May.

asked the Minister of Health if he can furnish figures showing the number of families living in one-room tenements in England and Wales, with separate figures for each of the large towns?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the figures asked for are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses or flats to let at rents of 10s. weekly or below that are being erected by local authorities; the number of houses or flats of this type erected since 1st November, 1931; and the number of schemes and total of houses provided in such schemes at present under consideration by the Ministry?

My right hon. Friend regrets that the exact particulars asked for are not available, but the number of houses and flats of the non-parlour type, the erection of which has been authorised since 1st November last, is approximately 21,000, and the rents of these houses should generally not exceed 10s. a week.

I beg to move, in page 2, line 2, after the word "thirty-two," to insert the words:

"until the nineteenth day of April, nine-hundred and thirty-three."

The hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones) advanced more a general than a particular case for the Amendment. He advanced the case that indirect taxation as such is obnoxious to the party for which he speaks, and that he desires, therefore, that it should be criticised on every possible occasion. We take no objection to that, but it is not necessary to have these words in order to raise the question of indirect or direct taxation or even to raise the question of this particular tax, because in the annual Finance Bill all these matters are brought under review, and will be reviewed by the party opposite. The objection to making it an annual tax is that it leads to certain difficulties in the way of clearances at the end of the year, and I hope, therefore, that the hon. Member and his friends will not find it necessary to press the Amendment.

May I take it that it is the deliberate intention of the Government that it shall become a permanent duty?

Yes. It is our desire, as in the case of other duties, that this duty should run on unless it is specifically brought to an end. The practice which the hon. Member seeks to introduce is not, we think, desirable.

I beg to move in page 2, line 3, to leave out the word "Four-pence," and to insert instead thereof the word "Twopence."

I think that the hon. Member, while discussing the first Amendment, can deal with the second.

Our object in moving these Amendments is to cut down indirect taxation as much as we can. The Tea Duty is in accordance with the method of the present Government to increase the cost of living of the working people, and, although we realise that we cannot get the whole of the duty removed, we hope by argument and persuasion to be able to prevail on the Financial Secretary, if he has the power, to give way to a certain extent. This duty hits very hard the people whom we claim to represent; it will be felt mostly by the poorer classes, and we shall do all that we can to stay the hand of the Government in pursuing this form of taxation. The intention of the Government is evidently to change from the method of direct to the method of indirect taxation, and the Tea Duty is one of the means that they are adopting. Tea is a beverage which most of our people use at practically every meal, and to have that taxed is more than we can stand. We hoped that the Government would leave this matter over until after the Ottawa Conference, and would see what good for the world and this country came out of that conference before imposing taxation of this kind. However, the Government say that they must have taxes in order to raise a certain amount of money and that it is their intention to turn in this direction. This seems to be about the worst form of taxation, and really is not worthy of a great Government which is supposed specially to represent the national interests. I hope that before this week is out the Government will realise that this taxation does not meet with the approval of the people. In going round the country during the holiday I found a growing feeling of indignation against this kind of taxation, and the attention of the House of Commons ought to be called to it. I am hoping the arguments put forward on this occasion and on former occasions will prevail, and that the taxation which is proposed will be cut down by one-half in order to lessen its incidence on the people whom we claim to represent.

In rising to support this Amendment I wish to reiterate and to emphasise all that has been said by the last speaker in protest against increasing the cost of a food which is used admittedly by the poorest people in the country. During the Budget speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer an indication was given that future taxation must take another course, but if the policy of the Government is to raise revenue from indirect taxation we shall be found strongly opposed to that procedure. Bad as the finances of the country are, I cannot believe that there is any need to put further burdens on the poorest of the people at a time like this. In industry, and particularly in the heavy industries, thousands of men are being thrown out of employment month by month owing, as we suggest, to the policy which the Government have adopted, and the number of people dependent upon outdoor relief in the county of Yorkshire and other Northern counties is increasing every day. We cannot be a party to the action of the Government in adding to the burdens of these poor people.

The hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker), in moving the Amendment, gave the Committee to understand that it was to be considered in conjunction with the Amendment which follows. The name of the hon. Member is not attached to either of those two Amendments, and I do not know how far he is entitled to speak for those who drafted them, but the position should be made plain. If the Amendment does stand by itself, it attacks the principle of Imperial preference, as the effect of it would be to make the duty the same upon tea which is not the product of the Empire and tea which is an Empire product. If the Amendment is meant to be read in conjunction with the next Amendment, I take it hon. Members opposite are not challenging the principle of Imperial preference.

The two Amendments were put down with the object of decreasing the Tea Duty by one-half, and for the purpose of facilitating the discussion of the subject we desired to consider them together.

Then I understand from the hon. Gentleman that no challenge to the principle of Imperial Preference is being offered by the Opposition?

We wish to express our own view. You can say what you think about it, but it will not be our view.

I take it from the Leader of the Opposition that the hon. Member for Leigh was speaking without his book—

Oh, no!

—and was not entitled to toll the Committee that this Amendment should be taken in conjunction with the other, because it was simply meant to halve the duty.