asked the Secretary of State for India how many detenus have dependants who are in receipt of allowances from the Governments in India; the total sum paid in each of the last three months; and whether he will have further reductions made in these payments?

The latest detailed figures I have were compiled in July, when the number of detenus whose dependants were in receipt of allowances was about 370, and the total amount of such allowances works out at an all-round average of about 2s. a day per family. I am satisfied that due economy is now being observed, and I may mention that in over 700 cases in Bengal no family allowances were considered necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the intention of the Government of India, on the retirement of the present President at the end of the Session, to throw open the post of the President of the Council of State to election on the same lines as in the Legislative Assembly?

The hon. Member's suggestion would require amendment of the Government of India Act. I do not contemplate any revision of the existing arrangements in advance of the revision of the Constitution as a whole.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give a statement showing the cost of the administrative machine in India in 1908, 1920, and 1930, indicating what proportion of any increase which the figures may show is due to the introduction of reforms; and if he will furnish the House with any estimates of the total cost likely to be involved in the constitutional changes now under discussion?

I would refer my noble Friend to detailed estimates of the additional cost involved in the Montagu-Chelmsford reforms, which were printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT Of 30th June, 1922. I am not at present in a position to furnish estimates of the probable cost of the changes now under discussion.

Does not my right hon. Friend think this question is of such outstanding importance that it is very desirable that an estimate should be furnished?

Certainly, but my Noble Friend will see that it is quite impossible to make any estimate until we know what changes we are going to make.

But have not certain expenses already been incurred in setting up the North-West Frontier Province; and has not that involved increased expenditure?

My, hon. and gallant Friend had better put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the calling of another Round Table Conference modifies in any respect the proposed machinery of a Select Committee of both Houses to report on the proposals for a new constitution for India; and whether that committee will still have free and unfettered powers to record its opinions on all proposals accepted by the Government at the Round Table Conferences?

The intentions of the Government as to the machinery of a Joint Select Committee to report upon their proposals for the revision of the Indian Constitution, and as to its powers, have been in no way modified since I first made a statement on the subject on the 27th June last.

Is there no change whatever in the policy of the Government owing to the forming of the Round Table Conference?

No, Sir, none whatever.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any motor cars or lorries of foreign manufacture were purchased for Government use in India during the years 1931 and 1932; if so, how many and under what circumstances?

During 1931 an order was placed in India for 81 Chevrolet chassis for Army use. The bodies of these vehicles were built at Bombay under a separate contract. At the same time an order was placed for about 230 British chassis of the same capacity. No other purchase of foreign vehicles for the Army in India was made in that year, and none has been made since. I cannot say for certain whether any foreign vehicles were bought for the use of other Departments of the Government of India, but I understand that the total number of vehicles purchased by other Departments is quite small in comparison with that of Army vehicles.

Can my right hon. Friend take steps to ascertain whether any foreign motor cars and chassis have been purchased by his Department?

I can obtain that information if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes for it, but I do not think it would be of much use to him. The main purchasing department is the Army Department, and out of 4,000 Army vehicles, only this small number of 100 were foreign made, and those foreign-made vehicles were made in Bombay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Mr. Ellison, district superintendent of police at Comilla, who was recently murdered, received a fatal injury while bicycling from his office to his house, in spite of a warning issued to police officers against the dangers of bicycling; and, seeing that he was bound to employ this method of conveyance, having been compelled to give up the use of a motor car owing to the cuts in pay recently made by the Government of India, whether the Government will consider making a special allowance to such officials to enable them to retain their motor cars?

I am fully aware of the importance of ensuring that officers serving in dangerous areas are not compelled by the cut in pay to expose themselves to avoidable risks, and I have already asked the Viceroy to examine the possibility of granting relief from the cut in cases where it has resulted in an officer whose life is known to be in danger being unable to afford to retain his motor-car.

Will my right hon. Friend consider going a little further and suggesting to the Government of India that police officers generally should be allowed to have motor cars, and not wait until the danger arises?

I will take my hon. Friend's suggestion into account.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement on the present situation in India?

There has been no development or incident of importance during the past week.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the willingness of the Indian National Congress to co-operate with the Government and in the Round Table Conference, as indicated by Mr. Gandhi's assurance of 17th September, any steps have been taken, or are being taken, by the Government of India to secure such cooperation?

I presume that the hon. Member's question has reference to an interview between Mr. Gandhi and Press correspondents reported as having occurred on 27th (not 17th) September, in which he is stated to have said he was ready

"to endorse any worthy suggestion for cooperation by the Congress with Government and the Round Table Conference"

with the qualification that he emphasised and underlined the adjective "worthy." The initiative lies with Mr. Gandhi. As I said in my speech in this House on 29th April, if Mr. Gandhi has a disposition to restore the relations which existed at the Round Table Conference he will not find the slightest difficulty in conveying that fact to the Government who will earnestly consider the position thus created.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give a list of the newspapers in the various provinces from which a deposit of security has been demanded by the Government as a condition of their being allowed to continue publication?

A statement is being prepared and will be placed in the Library.

asked the Sectary of State for India whether he can state if the date of the Round Table Conference is yet definitely fixed; and which of the Indian delegates invited have intimated their intention of attending?

I cannot at the moment give a more definite date than that indicated in the communiqué which was recently issued on this matter—that the Conference will begin about the 15th November. The same communiqué gave a list of the delegates who have been invited and four further names were published yesterday. All of these have expressed their intention of attending, and I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a complete list of the Indian delegates.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state in how many cases during the past year a collective fine has been imposed on a whole town, village, or district in India; the amount of such fine; and for what reason it was imposed?

I regret that I am not in possession of this information, but will obtain it if the hon. Member desires.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that it is a fair procedure to impose a collective fine upon a district in India where the people were innocent of any wrong?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the increase in sugar refining in India as a result of the protective tariff upon crystal and granulated sugar imports; whether he is aware that the machinery required is being mainly ordered from other countries although it can be supplied from this country; and whether he will suggest to the Indian Government that some degree of preference should be granted to sugar machinery of British manufacture entering India?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question I am afraid that no useful purpose would be served at the present stage by asking the Government of India to go outside the Agreement so recently concluded at Ottawa.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there have been, or will be, any trade reciprocity discussions between the representatives of the Argentine Government and of Great Britain regarding such of the Ottawa Conference proposals as refer to British imports of wheat and meat; and will he take an opportunity of representing to the Argentine Government that British savings have developed the Argentine railway and tramways systems?

Yes, Sir. An exchange of views is already taking place. As regards the second part of the question, the Argentine Government are necessarily aware of the facts to which my hon. Friend calls attention.

Will my hon. Friend make it abundantly clear during the negotiations that no arrangement will be acceptable to the British people unless greater consideration is shown by the Argentine Government and people to British savings invested in Argentine railways and tramways?

My hon. Friend may be sure that all relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

Has the prospective visit of the Vice-President of the Argentine Republic anything to do with this subject?

No, Sir.

Have representations also been made to the Argentine that it is a cardinal feature of British policy that the first place in British markets belongs to the British home producer and that no policy will be entered upon which breaks that policy?

That seems to be another relevant factor.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from how many different foreign Governments requests have been received to discuss the alteration or institution of trade agreements with this country since the present Government commenced the application of a system of tariffs for the protection of our industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply about tariff negotiations which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) on the 25th instant.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether these requests from foreign Governments show a willingness to assist our export trade in return for our assisting theirs?

That is one of the considerations which is brought very prominently to their notice.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what instructions have been given to the Export Credits Advisory Committee as to the grant of any further export credits to Russia; and within what periods and up to what amount have the committee discretionary powers in respect of such credits?

As I have already informed the House, the Advisory Committee are not at present prepared to recommend the granting of guarantees covering credits of more than 18 months in respect of exports to Russia. As regards the amount of such guarantees, this must be determined by circumstances which are the subject of close examination by the Committee in consultation with His Majesty's Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information as to the increase in the Danish tariff on pottery and china and, if so, what the increase amounts to; and whether any steps are being taken to get it reduced?

Particulars of recent increases in the Danish tariff were published in the Board of Trade Journal on the 20th October. I am sending the right hon. and gallant Member an extract showing the changes that have been made in the duties on pottery. There is a provision by which porcelain, earthenware and stoneware ordered before 10th October for delivery before the end of 1932 may be imported at the former rates of duty up to 31st January, 1933, if accompanied by a special import licence issued by the Valuta Kontor. The difficulties caused by the increases in the duties have been taken up with the Danish Government.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say when the negotiations with the Danish Government on this subject are likely to start and whether Mr. Bruce and Mr. Bennett will be represented at them?

My right hon. Friend should know that this matter has already been taken up with the Danish Government without waiting for the negotiations, which, in point of fact, will take place very shortly now.

Are we expecting any good to come of these negotiations?

Concessions have already been made, as I have indicated in my answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing that in the past 10 years Soviet Russia has been paid cash for all imports to this country, amounting to over £222,000,000, while she has only purchased from this country, largely on credit, goods to the value of under £95,000,000, he will arrange in any future trade negotiations with Soviet Russia, in the interests of the British producer and exporter, some system of barter?

I am not in a position to forecast the lines on which negotiations with the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics are likely to proceed, but His Majesty's Government have clearly in mind the need for reducing the disparity between the values of imports from and exports to Russia which has prevailed in the past.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that if he does not arrange some system of barter the British exporter will have no chance, because Russia will continue to buy very little of our goods and spend her trade balance in other countries?

The relevant facts will be all borne in mind.

Are the figures in the question approximately correct?

I cannot accept responsibility for the absolute accuracy of the figures, but they are approximately accurate.

Has the hon. Gentleman taken into consideration that these figures are taken from an answer which he gave me 10 days ago in this House?

Do the figures include invisible exports and imports?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs from which

I have not received any such communication from any Dominion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman not received a communication from Mr. Bruce of the Australian Government?

On the contrary, Mr. Bruce was a signatory to the Agreement, and no communication of any sort or kind has been received from him.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will state the amount of sugar refining machinery imported into India in each of the last five years, giving the countries of origin and the amounts credited to such countries in respect of such machinery supplied?

Sugar-refining machinery is not separately distinguished in the Indian Trade Returns, but information is given for sugar machinery generally. As a number of figures are involved. I will circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I have already received the answer to this question. It was only put down to-day because it would allow a statement to be made.

News has been received of hostilities in Szechuan and Shantung. Reports as to the former are meagre. In Shantung Chefoo has changed hands, having been occupied without disturbance by the forces of General Han Fu-chu, the Chairman of the Provincial Government. Fighting, however, continues, but no danger to British life or property is apprehended. Some improve-merit appears to have been effected in the Communist situation in Central and South China during the past few months, and military operations have succeeded in driving the Communist forces to a distance from Hankow and in partially clearing the Han valley. Normal conditions have not, however, yet been restored along the Peking-Hankow railway. A statement in regard to the recrudescence of the anti-Japanese boycott at Shanghai was made in reply to a question put by my hon. Friend the junior Member for Preston (Mr. Moreing) on Monday last.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is yet able to say whether our trade with Manchuria will be free from any restrictions imposed by the present Administration?

His Majesty's Government have so far no grounds for doubting that the "open door" will be effectively maintained in Manchuria in accordance with the assurances given by both the Japanese Government and the Manchurian authorities.

Will my right hon. Friend make certain that no restrictions are imposed at a later date, as we want something more than hoping?

We must proceed by stages, and, if there are no grounds for doubting that the "open door" will be maintained, that is so far satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the amount of outstanding claims by British firms against the Manchukuo Government for goods or services supplied to the former governing authorities in Manchuria; whether British firms have supplied all the particulars required of them; whether the Manchukuo Government are prepared to accept responsibility for these claims; and, if so, when payment may be expected?

The total amount of such claims is £28,749 5s. 7d. The claims, which number 70, were forwarded early in the year by His Majesty's Consul-General at Mukden to the Fengtien Province Outstanding Commercial Debts Adjustment Committee. It is not known whether the committee have yet finished their consideration of the claims, but His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Peking has been asked to furnish a report on the present position.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now give any information as to the formation of defence corps by local Japanese residents in Shanghai, as a consequence of the renewed boycott of Japanese goods?

I have received no report as to the formation of any such corps.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of livestock officers appointed, whether additional or replacements, during the past three years; what are the qualifications necessary for candidates; and what body is actually responsible for the individual appointments?

One livestock officer has been appointed during the last three years to fill a vacancy caused by death. The qualifications necessary for candidates are a practical knowledge and experience of farming, milk recording and breeding of live stock—especially pedigree stock. Appointments are made by the Ministry after considering recommendations of a Selection Board, consisting of representatives of the Ministry and of the Civil Service Commissioners, by whom candidates are interviewed.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me if any practical agriculturists have been appointed livestock officers?

The Ministry take such matters into account when considering the report of the selection committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to introduce legislation to implement the findings of the Pigs and Pig Product Reorganisation Commission during the present year?

The recommendations of the Commission are receiving very careful consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will use his powers under Section 10 of the Destructive Imported Animals Act, 1932, to extend the provisions of that Act to the South American coypu?

This matter is at the present time under consideration.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that some of these animals which have been imported have already escaped, and that they are capable of doing considerable damage to banks of rivers or canals and to drainage systems?

Yes, and I am considerably concerned about the damage done by a previously introduced animal—the musk rat.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to increase employment, and in view of the present cheapness of land, livestock, and money, he will consult with the building societies and similar organisations as to the feasibility of financing without Government subsidy an agricultural mortgage bank or a comprehensive scheme of land settlement for those who desire to purchase or equip small holdings by instalments?

I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt my Noble Friend's suggestion. I cannot, within the limits of an answer to a question, enter into the various considerations involved, but I shall be pleased, if my Noble Friend so desires, to discuss them with him.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the amount which will be distributed to wheat growers in Norfolk under the Wheat Act before the end of the current year?

I would refer my Noble Friend to the reply I gave on Thursday last to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hallam (Mr. L. Smith). I have at present no information as to the amount that may be advanced by the Wheat. Commission Ito wheat growers in Norfolk on account of deficiency payments under the Wheat Act before the end of the current year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take with the premises of the bacon factory at Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire, which has recently come into the possession of the Government by virtue of their position as first mortgagees?

A Government loan secured by way of first mortgage was made to the society which operated this factory, but the premises have not come into the possession of the Ministry. The liquidator has failed to sell the property by auction, and I am keeping in touch with local interests as to the future of the factory.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman take steps to correct the statement which appeared in the Press that the liquidator bad handed over the deeds to the Ministry of Agriculture?

I think that this question and answer will sufficiently correct that impression.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that the recently increased duties on foreign potatoes are sufficient to prevent an undue amount of importation; and, if not, whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

The answer to the question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend must necessarily be a matter of opinion. The matter is, I suggest, hardly one that can properly be dealt with within the limit of question and answer, and I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that he will have an opportunity of raising it during the discussion on the Resolution now on the Order Paper, affirming the Treasury Order under which the duties were imposed.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the opinion of the Scottish potato growers is that nothing short of complete prohibition will suffice?

All that my hon. and gallant Friend asked was whether the duties were sufficient to prevent an undue amount of importation, not whether they were sufficient to bring about complete prohibition.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the high charges made for party telephone lines in the Bold district, near Widnes, Lancashire; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to some more economic means of operation which will facilitate a reduction of charges?

I am making local inquiries and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General what measure of success has attended the recent advertisement campaign carried out by his De- partment with regard to telephones; and what has been the approximate cost of such advertising?

The advertising campaign, which began effectively at the beginning of the present year, has, I believe, had a considerable measure of success and has been generally approved. In addition to Press advertising the campaign has included a number of telephone exhibitions, a poster campaign and the issue of telephone leaflets. The total number of telephone stations in this country has shown a substantial increase at a time when telephone systems in some other countries are losing stations. I am satisfied that it is sound policy to advertise the telephone service both from the point of view of retaining old subscribers and attracting new ones and of generally stimulating interest in the telephone system. The amount expended during the period January to September, 1932, on all these matters was approximately £25,000.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount expended on telephone development during the years 1929, 1930, and 1931, and up to the latest date in 1932?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General whether with a view to benefiting British commercial aviation, he will consider the possibility of making arrangements for despatching air-mail letters for the East by British machines as far as Karachi, to be there transferred into machines operating eastwards therefrom rather than permitting them to be carried in foreign machines over the whole route from England?

The timetables of the British and foreign air services to the East do not coincide, and the adoption of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion would increase the time of transmission of air mails for countries beyond India by four days. In view of the disadvantages which would thus result to British firms trading with the East I regret I cannot see my way to alter the present arrangements.

asked the Postmaster-General the amount of profit made by his Department in respect of airmail fees during each of the past 12 months; and whether he is aware that the present high charges on air-mail letters are hampering the development of such services?

Monthly figures of Air Mail receipts are not available, but the aggregate profit last year is estimated at £5,000 or rather less than 5 per cent. of the total receipts. This profit is wholly due to the depreciation of sterling in relation to gold but in any case I regret it would not justify a reduction of charges.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state to what extent profits obtained by his Department from British air-mail services have been allocated during the current year to subsidise foreign air-mail services; and whether it is intended to continue such practice?

The profits on British air services are not used to subsidise foreign air services, and the second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that for the year 1930-31 for every shilling's worth of telegraphy used by the public, the State contributed a subsidy of, approximately, 2¼d.; and if he will cause inquiry to be made as to what further measures may be necessary to convert the telegraph service from a national burden into a source of revenue for the relief of taxation?

I am, of course, aware that the telegraph service is being carried on at substantial loss, although there has been a substantial reduction in the deficit since the year quoted. As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply which was given to a question by the hon. Member for Leeds Central (Mr. Denman) on the 26th instant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether this loss would not largely disappear if the cost of Press telegrams was borne by newspaper proprietors instead of being largely borne by the general public?

I hardly think that would be so. I can give my hon. Friend the figure, but I am afraid it would not considerably affect the very substantial deficit there is at present. I think it must be in other ways that we must endeavour more particularly to deal with the situation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, instead of attending to outside committees, deal with this matter himself in any way he knows to be possible?

I do not know to what my hon. Friend refers, but he may be assured that I am giving constant personal attention to the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of unemployed registered at the Employment Exchanges in the borough of West Ham on 18th October, 1931, and 30th October, 1932?

The numbers of unemployed persons on the registers of Canning Town and Stratford Employment Exchanges were 22,522 at 19th October, 1931, and 20,913 at 26th September, 1932.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government is now ready to receive overtures from local authorities in respect of proposed schemes of work in order to relieve the position of the unemployed; and whether he can give some assurance that the schemes of work which were stopped a year ago can soon be recommenced and that other schemes already sanctioned by Parliament can be begun?

This is not a subject which can be dealt with in reply to a question, especially as an arrangement to exchange views on the general subject beginning, I believe, this week has been made.

When that Debate takes place, will it be possible for the Government to put complete proposals before the House?

The whole purpose of that Debate is that we may engage in an exchange of views, and get some understanding on each other's position in a better way than by a mere party Debate.

May we take it that the Government will make their contribution?

My hon. Friend need have no doubt at all about the members of the Government making a contribution to that Debate.