asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the grant for a medal to the troops engaged in recent military operations on the North-West Frontier of India?

Yes, Sir; it has been decided that a medal should be awarded. The conditions of award are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement as to the present state of affairs in India?

The past week has again been uneventful.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in deciding for motives of economy to disband nine pioneer regiments, he will take into consideration the special hardship involved in the disbandment of the Hazara pioneers, the men of which are Persian-speaking Shiahs who have left their homes under the Suni Government of Afghanistan in order to serve the British Crown?

Yes, Sir; I have impressed on the Government of India the desirability of doing all they can to mitigate the hardship involved in the disbandment of these men, and am sure that they are fully alive to that aspect of the matter.

Could not economies be effected in these new provincial administrations that it is proposed to set up rather than disband loyal regiments?

I think everyone has been very sorry to see the disbandment of these units, but, unfortunately, as the result of military developments, they no longer have the military value that they have hitherto had, and on that account it has been necessary to disband them. Everything possible will, however, be done to find employment for the men.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the House information as to the recent occurrence in the Agra district when the police had to resort to firing in order to rescue a woman who would otherwise have been forced to submit to suttee?

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

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give any information as to the circumstances which led to the killing of 26 Muslims by armed Sikhs in the village of Badhlada, in the Hissar district of the Punjab?

I understand that the origin of the trouble was the theft of a cow belonging to Sikh Jats some time previously by a Moslem Rajput youth who is alleged to have handed it over to a Moslem butcher for slaughter. The matter was reported to the police and arrests followed. At a meeting on the 8th October of Sikhs and Hindus at Budhlada village, when a resolution was framed pressing for the punishment of the offender, the sub-inspector of police assured those present that legal action was being taken, and nothing occurred to cause any apprehension of an outbreak of violence. On the 11th October, however, three Sikh Jats appeared at dusk in the village of Budhlada and shot everybody they met., killing six persons including one woman, and wounding 10, of whom one subsequently died. They then proceeded to the village of Talwandi where they shot eight persons and wounded some more. The matter is in the hands of the police but I am not aware whether any arrest has yet been made.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether His Majesty's Government will consider themselves bound by any decisions taken, either in conjunction with the delegates of the Round Table Conference or otherwise, prior to the sittings of the Joint Select Committee?

The proposals which His Majesty's Government will in due course place before the Joint Select Committee will be presented on the responsibility of His Majesty's Government alone, and it goes without saying that they will support them, including any upon which agreement has been reached with the Indian delegates at the Conference. But it will be clear from my statement of 27th June that the whole purpose of the special Joint Select Committee procedure is to obtain full discussion and criticism of the proposals by Members of Parliament and, I hope, by representative Indians, before a Bill is introduced.

In order to preserve absolute freedom for this Committee, will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no pledges will be given at the Round Table Conference and that any representations made by the Indian representatives will simply be noted for communication to the Joint Select Committee?

I have already explained the position in my speech of 27th June and subsequently on several occasions. I have nothing to add to what I have already said.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any estimate has been made of the cost of the Indian Round Table Conference to the Treasury and to the Government of India, respectively?

The cost of the three Conferences already held, including the Burma Conference, and the estimated cost of the forthcoming Conference amount together to about £195,000, of which about £71,000 falls on British and £124,000 on Indian revenues.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any agreement has yet been arrived at with the Government of India for the purchase of the mooring mast at Karachi from the British Government?

The Government of India have accepted entire liability for the provision of the mooring mast at Karachi.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement about the recent dispute in the jute mills in Calcutta involving the stoppage of work of about 18,000 operatives?

I presume the hon. Member is referring to the strikes that took place in August. The mills affected were the Ganges Jute Mills, the Howrah Jute Mills and the Port, William Jute Mills. The strike began on the 11th August and ended on the 25th, when the strikers returned to work unconditionally.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can make any statement as to the extension of the air-mail service from Karachi to Madras?

A weekly air-mail service between Karachi and Madras via Bombay commenced on 15th October last. It is being operated by Messrs. Tata and Sons, Limited, Bombay, under an agreement entered into with the Government of India. The contract is for a period of 10 years. No subsidy is involved, and the company are being paid according to the weight of mail matter actually carried. The service connects with Imperial Airways service between London and Karachi, and correspondence from London carried all the way by air should reach Bombay and Madras two days sooner than has hitherto been possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian National Congress continue to broadcast wireless programmes; whether the Government has been able to locate the broadcasting station; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with the matter?

At the end of September the Bombay police carried out a series of raids and arrested several of those believed to be primarily responsible for the Congress wireless broadcasts. They failed, however, to locate the transmitter. I have not received any later information.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the reason why, in addition to a curfew order, the riding of ordinary bicycles has been forbidden in Chittagong?

Both the curfew order and the order prohibiting the use of bicycles apply to youths of the Hindu Bhadralok class only. It is from this class that the terrorists operating in Chittagong draw their recruits, and they have been in the habit of using bicycles to act as scouts for the terrorists.

asked the Secretary of State for India what facilities are granted to Mr. Gandhi in order that he may keep himself informed of the political situation in India?

Mr. Gandhi is a State prisoner and must of course be subject to the prison regulations. He is, however, allowed to see without restriction those whose object it is to discuss with him the subject of Untouchability and, as the hon. Member will have seen in the Press, he is freely allowed to write letters for publication on that subject. As regards the general political situation, it may be assumed that Mr. Gandhi is fully acquainted with the present position. At the time of his fast, when exceptional facilities were granted, he was able to ascertain the views of his friends on the general situation. He has daily access to the newspapers. Any letters aimed at influencing him in the direction of abandoning civil disobedience would reach him. If he has changed his view in regard to civil disobedience, there is nothing to hinder him from bringing the fact to the notice of the Government.

Are we to understand that it is only on the problem of Untouchability that Gandhi is allowed interviews?

In view of what I have said, I am not satisfied that other interviews would lead to any useful result. In any case, I must make it clear that the Government adhere to the view expressed by me in the House of Commons on 29th April, when I said that there could not be any question of making a bargain with Congress.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the order, under Section 4 of Ordinance G of 1932, issued by the district magistrate of Midnapur, to the effect that a certain Balai Guchhait, of Chilmara, who used to sell vegetables daily in Anandpur bazaar, but had ceased to do so, should be com- pelled for one month from the date of receipt of notice to sell vegetables at least twice a week in Anandpur and report himself each time to the sub-registrar of Anandpur; and whether the use of ordinances in this way meets with the approval of his Department?

I have seen a question asked on this subject in the Legislative Assembly and am sending the hon. Member a copy of the proceedings. As he will observe, the matter has been brought to the notice of the Bengal Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reply to the latter part of the question; and does he think that it is consistent with dignity to promulgate such a ridiculous Order?

I cannot say whether it is a ridiculous Order until I obtain the information I require. It may have been a very useful Order.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, when the Order was issued, any statement was made relating to the prices at which these vegetables which have to be sold are to be sold?

No, Sir. As this is not a Socialist Administration we cannot dictate prices in that manner. I have told the hon. Member, however, that I am making inquiries about this case, and I think that he will find, when I obtain the information, that the Order was thoroughly justified.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that material and machinery for Indian sugar factories have been ordered in Continental countries last year, and that one of the Indian delegates to the Ottawa Conference placed a contract with a Continental firm for £100,000 worth of sugar manufacturing machinery within a few days of his return to London from Ottawa; and if, in the introduction of preferential treatment of British goods into India, he will include machinery employed in the manufacture of sugar?

I am aware that some sugar machinery was imported into India from Continental countries last year. I have no information regarding the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave last Monday to my hon. Friend the Member for East Bradford (Mr. J. Hepworth).

Following on the reply which the right hon. Gentleman gave on Monday, will he take steps to impress on the Government of India the importance of giving preferential treatment to this kind of machinery?

Do I understand correctly that the right hon. Gentleman accepts the statement in the question that one of the delegates to the Ottawa Conference has placed with a Continental firm an order for £100,000?

I have said I have no information regarding the second part of the question. In reply to my hon. Friend's supplementary question. I have really nothing to add to what I have already said. This was not one of the items included in the Ottawa Agreement. I can tell him that it is the general policy of the Indian Government to admit machinery free. It is only owing to the financial emergency that a duty has been placed upon machinery. I hope that with better times we may see it removed?

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the Indian Government to this case?

Would it not assist the object in view if the Department of Overseas Trade and manufacturers of sugar-making machinery in this country were to co-operate in some way to encourage young Indians to come to this country to be trained as sugar technologists?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will consider making arrangements for the British Industries Fair being held occasionally in Glasgow, with a view to encouraging Scottish trade and industry?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which. I made on 18th April to my hon. Friend the Member for North Lanark (Mr. Anstruther-Gray), of which I am sending her a copy.

Is it not a fact that if Glasgow desires to have a fair in the same way as Birmingham, and likes to pay for it, she can do what Birmingham does?

I think my hon. Friend might also look up the answer to which I have referred.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether foreign bottles imported into the United Kingdom filled with beer, and subsequently re-exported, are being granted any rebate on the Customs duty?

No drawback of the duty chargeable under the Import Duties Act, 1932, on imported bottles is payable on their exportation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that all the Argentine railways capitalised by British investments have presented joint notes to the Argentine national and provincial Governments, requesting a reduction of the indebtedness to those railways in accordance with the judgment of the Argentine National Supreme Court that the railways are not obliged to effect services for the nation or provinces without payment at the time in cash; and will he represent to the Argentine Government that they should meet, in cash their obligations to the railways before the conclusion of any discussions about the import into Britain of Argentine wheat and meat?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the desirability of making representations to the Government of the Argentine Republic regarding its failure to pay the freight charges due from it to British railway companies operating in the Argentine, thereby causing losses to British investors?

I understand that negotiations on this question are now proceeding actively be- tween the railway companies and the authorities concerned, and I trust that they may be successful. No request for official action has been received from the railway companies, in whose hands I think the matter should be left for the present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, now that the Chilean presidential election is over, he will take steps to secure a cessation of the default by the Chilean Government on its obligations to British subjects who have invested their savings in loans of the Chilean Government raised by public subscription in Britain?

There have been clear indications that Chile, in accordance with her financial traditions, intends to resume payment so soon as the improvement of the fiscal resources and the availability of international exchange permits of this being done. In particular, His Majesty's Government have been gratified to note from the Press that the newly elected President of the Republic, Senor Alessandri, has declared his determination to do his best to find some honourable and satisfactory solution. The Council of Foreign Bondholders are maintaining contact with the Chilean Embassy in London regarding these defaults, but I do not consider that official representations would serve any useful purpose at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make representations to the Hungarian Government that they should carry out their undertaking to British holders of defaulted pre-War Hungarian Government and municipal securities in accordance with the arrangement hitherto administered by the Anglo-Hungarian clearing office?

His Majesty's Government have already urged the Hungarian Government that payments in arrear in respect of these obligations should be effected at the earliest possible moment and that future payments will be punctually made as they fall due. The Hungarian Government, in their reply, have emphasised their desire to fulfil these obligations, but have stated that, in the present financial situation of the country, it is materially impossible for them to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1), whether any notice has been given to terminate the agreement regarding the district courts of Shanghai; and, if so, by whom;

No notice has been given to terminate the agreement. Appropriate measures for the remedy of such abuses as at present exist are under consideration and have been the subject of discussions between His Majesty's Chargé d'Affairs and the Chinese authorities.

Is it not necessary now to give notice if we are to get real reforms; and, if notice is given, will my right hon. Friend endeavour to make sure that the municipal council of Shanghai are fully consulted regarding any changes which are necessary, and, if necessary, represented on any body set up to consider this case?

I should like to consider the second part of the question. As regards the first part of the question of my hon. Friend, I may remind him that he was informed on 22nd June by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary that:

"The terms of the present arrangement are to the effect that it continues in force until 1st April, 1933, but may be extended for an additional period upon mutual consent of the parties thereto."—[OFFICIAL, REPORT, 22nd June, 1932; col. 1105, Vol. 267.]

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will take steps to revise the personnel of the selection board which has the appointment of livestock officers in such a way that one-third of the members are practical agriculturists?

The selection board consists of three persons, one of whom is the Ministry's Livestock Commissioner, who has a practical knowledge and experience of farming and livestock breeding. Effect is therefore already given to my hon. Friend's suggestion as to the composition of the Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if with the object of retaining agricultural workers in employment, he will take steps to prohibit the importation of all foreign potatoes so long as the home crop is sufficient for the home market at reasonable prices based on cost of production?

I regret that I do not see my way to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. Friend. I would remind him however, that the position with regard to imports of potatoes has been considered by the Import Duties Advisory Committee and that, following on their recommendation on the subject a duty of £1 per ton has been charged since the 28th July last on all imports of foreign potatoes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if in the interest of the English stock breeder and feeder, he will, in view of the numbers of Irish cattle awaiting shipment, take steps to have the importation of these cattle strictly limited and only permitted under licence?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps, if any, he contemplates taking in view of the threatened heavy importation of Irish cattle?

I can assure my hon. Friends that no relevant factor will be overlooked in the consideration now being given to the situation in our livestock industry.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Ireland is the only country with whom we had a favourable balance of trade in 1931?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that practically the whole of the English York ham trade and much of the English bacon trade is carried on by Midland curers, who handle bacon of a different type to the usual Wiltshire cut; and whether, in considering the Report of the Reorganisation Commission for Pigs and Pig Products, he will take steps to adequately safeguard the interests of this section of the industry, which handles several thousand pigs per week and finds employment for large numbers of workers?

I am aware of the importance of the Midland curing trade and can assure my hon. Friend that due regard will be paid to all relevant factors in any action taken by the Government upon the report of the Reorganisation Commission.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will now publish the Report of the National Pig Council?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the Report of the Pig Industry Council which was presented in January last. This report has throughout been regarded as confidential. It was placed before the Reorganisation Commission which has recently reported and no circumstance has arisen which appears to me to afford any real justification for departing from my predecessor's decision not to arrange for publication.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no member of the council regards the document as confidential? Is he aware that there are many people in this country who know perfectly well what is in the report?

It was addressed to the Minister and the Minister regards it as confidential. It has been fully considered, and its conclusions, in so far as they were relevant, incorporated in the commission's report, which has been widely published.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that his predecessor showed a copy of the report to representatives of the Farmers' Union?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Ministry of Agriculture take to ascertain the extent of migration of agricultural labourers from Northern and Southern Ireland to England?

Such information as is available in my Department is obtained from reports of outdoor officers who, in the course of their normal duties, furnish information as to the condition of agricultural employment in their districts and who are asked to include at appropriate seasons any information which comes into their possession as to the extent to which workers from Ireland are being engaged or employed for work on the land.

Does the right hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that we have already a grave unemployment problem in agriculture, and cannot he undertake, in the circumstances, to restrict the migration of Irish agricultural labourers into this country?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Englishmen occupy many of the best-paid posts in Ireland? Will he arrange to call them home?

I will not interfere in Irish internal affairs. In response to the first supplementary question, I may say that there are no powers in the Department by which any such restrictions could be imposed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what were the terms of reference to the Royal Fine Art Commission with regard to the proposed new building to be erected on the site of No. 4, Carlton Gardens; whether the Commission considered the question as to whether a building standing some 50 feet above the adjoining property, and visible from nearly the whole of the new processional road, known as the Mall, will or will not be detrimental to the appearance of the facade of Carlton House Terrace and Carlton Gardens, abutting on the Mall; and what was the date of the meeting of the Commission when this matter was considered?

Drawings of the new building proposed to be erected on the site of No. 4, Carlton Gardens, were submitted for the consideration of the Royal Fine Art Commission on 28th July last by the building lessees' architect in accordance with a stipulation made by the Commissioners of Crown Lands. I understand that the architect laid before the Royal Commisison a full description of the proposed building, but there were no formal terms of reference. The height of the old building was 61 feet 10 inches to the coping and the height of the adjacent house, No. 1, Carlton House Terrace, is 71 feet 10 inches to the coping. The height of the new building is 80 feet to the coping. The maximum height of the roof will be 101 feet, but the effect of the increased height will be discounted by the setting back of the top two storeys. The Royal Commission were not asked to advise on the question of height, which was settled, subject to their approval of the design, by the Commissioners of Crown Lands, after full consideration and discussion with their professional advisers.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that when his attention was drawn to this matter some months ago the House was informed that plans would be submitted to the Fine Arts Commission; and does not he think that it is rather misleading the House that only plans of the building should be submitted without drawing attention to the fact that it would tower 50 feet above the adjacent buildings?

The Fine Arts Commission must be taken as understanding the possibilities of this very fine site, and the difficulties of any departure from the sky line of the buildings to be erected later on would no doubt be considered.

Can nothing be done to protect this site and its amenities? In view of the advertisement which appears in the "Times" on Thursday last giving notice of this additional height, surely the Commission can take some action in the matter?

No, Sir. The matter is decided.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the late tenants of No. 4, Carlton Gardens, and other houses in the vicinity, have applied to the Commissioners of Crown Lands for leave to alter the character of their premises as a single private dwelling-house in accordance with the terms of their lease, and- have been refused; whether the clause in the leases of houses in Carlton House Terrace and Carlton Gardens requiring the houses to be used as private dwelling-houses only will now be waived; and whether, as is usually the case in large estates, any steps were taken to ascertain the feelings of the leaseholders of the properties in question before consent was given to the letting of a house for business purposes in this property?

No application appears to have been received by the Commissioners of Crown Lands from the late lessees of No. 4, Carlton Gardens for permission to use the premises otherwise than as a private dwelling house, but the Commissioners themselves suggested to the lessees that any such proposal would be favourably considered. Within the last nine years applications for waiver of the covenant to which my hon. Friend refers have been received and granted in respect of eight out of the 31 houses in Carlton House Terrace and Carlton Gardens. Having regard to the changes which have already taken place and to representations made to them by several of the lessees, the Commissioners did not consider it necessary to consult the other lessees before consenting to the proposed new building on the site of No. 4, Carlton Gardens.

Am I to understand that, if the other lessees desired to let their premises for business purposes, no objection would he raised on the part of the Commission?

I could not go so far as that now, but I can certainly say that such applications would be considered.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state at what date the last agreement was made between the British and foreign postal administrations as to air-mail charges; and whether, in view of the fact that recent developments have resulted in an improvement in the reliability of such services, he will now consider taking steps to obtain a revision of this agreement which will permit a rearrangement of the charges?

There are no separate agreements between this country and foreign countries in regard to air-mail charges which are regulated in accordance with the Postal Union Convention. The rates paid by this country for the use of foreign air services are the same as those charged to other members of the Union, and there is consequently no scope for separate negotiations on the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, with regard to the proposal to introduce a scheme for special telegrams of Christmas greeting at reduced rates, precautions will be taken to avoid inflicting damage on the Christmas-card and connected trades?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, when considering the proposal for an issue of special telegram forms and envelopes with suitable Christmas designs, he will bear in mind the fact that such a scheme would injuriously affect the Christmas-card trade and the hundreds of artists, printers, and small stationers who depend upon it?

No proposals are under consideration either for reduced rate inland greeting telegrams or for the issue of special telegraph forms and envelopes for use at Christmas.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the result of the recent experiments in wireless telephony has proved satisfactory; and whether he is now in a position to commence installation of wireless telephonic communication with outlying islands?

The experiment in short-wave radio-telephony across the Bristol Channel, to which I understand the hon. Members to refer, is proceeding satisfactorily; but it has not yet advanced beyond the experimental stage, and I cannot at present say when a wider use of this method of communication will become practicable.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can see his way to alter the present 3d., 6d., 9d., and Is. charges made for parcel-post transit in this country?

The present rates are 6d., 9d., Is., and 1s. 3d. for parcels up to 2, 5, 8, and 11 lb. respectively. In view of the loss which is at present incurred on the parcel post I regret that I am not in a position to reduce the rates.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can see his way to revise the charges made at present for long-distance (inland) trunk calls or, alternatively, to extend the present three-minute period to six minutes?

Reductions in the charges for trunk calls are made whenever the financial situation permits; but I regret that I cannot see my way at present to take action on the lines suggested.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, owing to the difficulty of hearing on the Benches at the back of the House below the Gangway on the Opposition side, he will consider taking steps to remedy this, either by some mechanical device or otherwise?

This matter has been carefully considered, from time to time, by my predecessors, who have held that the disadvantages of introducing loud-speakers, or general amplifiers, quite apart from expense, would outweigh any possible advantages. I fear that any alternative to loud-speakers, such as the device already in the House of Lords, by means of microphones installed on the table, would be impracticable in this House in view of the different places from which Members speak, and the inconvenience of telephone lines between the Benches. My prima facie view is that the overwhelming majority of Members can be heard without mechanical amplification.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has any further statement to make respecting the cost of the police on duty at the House of Commons?

From the official report of my reply to the supplementary question addressed to me by my hon. Friend last Tuesday, I appear to have stated that constables serving in this House were paid £1 3s. Id. for every eight hours they are on duty. The reply intended was that this is the daily rate of charge made by the Receiver of the Metropolitan Police for a constable's services. This charge represents not only the total cost of a constable, including pension, but also the cost of a substitute for the 75 days a year that a constable is, on the average, off duty owing to leave and sick leave.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the amount paid to ordinary constables serving in the House of Commons for an eight-hour duty and the average cost of administration expenses per man shift, giving both figures separately?

Constables are not paid per hour of duty, but weekly. The pay of constables serving in this House ranges from 90s. to 95s. a week subject to a deduction of 5 per cent, for pension and an economy deduction which will now be at the rate of 8s. 6d. a week. They also receive a boot allowance of ls. a week and free quarters or an allowance in lieu. The average cost of administration can be put at ls. per man per day. As my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works is explaining in reply to another question, the figure of £1 3s. ld. which he mentioned a few days ago is not the amount paid to the constable, but the charge made for a constable's services, including inter alia prospective charges for pension.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a re- port from his inspector in connection with the disturbances at the Westminster Institution, Fulham Road; and what action he intends taking?

My right hon. Friend has received a report from his general inspector. The disturbance was promptly dealt with, and no further action on my right hon. Friend's part appears to be necessary.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Labour Master admitted that, although he had been there for seven or eight days, he had not examined the whole of the departments?

According to my information the Master had only arrived the day before.

asked the Minister of Health the number of cases in which people employed in the manufacture and carriage of food have been detected to be germ carriers; and, if so, what action has been taken in each case?

My right hon. Friend regrets that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state from what local authorities he has received requests for official sanction for loans by local authorities for reproductive purposes; what are the schemes they put forward; and what was the ministerial reply in each case?

The information would have to be specially prepared and therefore my right hon. Friend is not able to furnish my hon. and gallant Friend with it at the moment, but he may state that it is the policy of the Government to sanction loans for remunerative works, and a large number of sanctions have been given. My right hon. Friend is not at present aware of any case where an application for loan has been refused for satisfactory works which were self-supporting.

asked the Minister of Labour how many of the men of all grades dismissed by the railway companies during the past 12 months are eligible for unemployment benefit; and whether any steps are being taken to provide for those who are not eligible for unemployment benefit?

Railway servants who become unemployed are all eligible for insurance benefit in accordance with the usual conditions if they were insured while in employment. Those excepted from the payment of unemployment insurance contributions on the ground that their employment is permanent are of course not eligible for benefit.

asked the Minister or Transport the number of men of all grades dismissed by the railway companies during the past 12 months?

Particulars are furnished and published annually of the number of persons employed by the railway companies during a week in March in each year, but I have no information as to the number of men dismissed.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the unemployment amongst British circus performers if he will take steps to inform the circus proprietors that permits to foreign artists will not be granted unless an undertaking is given that 50 per cent. of the salaries at the forthcoming Christmas circus programmes in Great Britain shall be paid to British artists; and if he will state the nature of his reply to the communication addressed to him from the Variety Artists' Federation on this subject?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the British Circus Proprietors and the Variety Artistes' Federation on the engagement of foreign performers, and discussions are still proceeding.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of persons registered at Employment Exchanges for the first week ended in November, 1931, and the number on the nearest available date; and the number of persons who have applied for transitional payments since the operation of the means test to the nearest available date?

At 2nd November, 1931, there were 2,710,944 persons on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain. The number at 26th September, 1932, was 2,858,011. The total number of initial applications for transitional payments between 12th November, 1931, and 1st October, 1932, was 2,283,563.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons refused transitional benefit who have discontinued registering at Employment Exchanges and are still unemployed?

I regret that statistics giving the information desired are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he proposes to revive the activities of the Unemployment Grants Committee; and, If so, on what lines?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in Friday's Debate.

asked the Home Secretary the latest figure of the number of aliens in the United Kingdom and how many of them are engaged in insurable industry?

According to the latest information there are about 218,000 aliens registered in the United Kingdom. Information as to the number of aliens covered by health or unemployment insurance is not available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if he will state what is the estimate of the number of children of school-attendance age who will require to be dealt with in the years 1935 to 1940 as against the five years 1925 to 1930?

The number of children over the age of five on the registers of public elementary schools was, approximately, 5,350,000 in 1925 and 5,362,000 in 1930. The number is estimated to increase to 5,428,000 next year. A decrease will begin in 1934 and the corresponding estimate is, approximately, 5,175,000 in 1935, falling by degrees to, approximately, 4,680,000 in 1940.

May I ask whether, in view of the estimated decline in the number of children attending school in the next few years, the Board of Education still think it desirable to go on with their programme of spending £10,000,000 on new school buildings?

The figures I have given are well known to authorities administering education, and, in point of fact, there has been a great decrease in the capital expenditure sanctioned this year as compared with previous years.

Is it not the case that in many areas there are still schools in which there are 60 children in a class? Does not my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary think that money spent on education is more or less wasted if we have such large classes as these?

asked the Home Secretary the places in which cinematograph theatres have been, or are proposed to be, opened on Sundays where all or some of the regular staff worked, or are to work, gratuitously; and whether, as such seven days' continuous engagement at work is an evasion of the safeguards in the Act, he will introduce an amending measure to give effect to the security against a seven-day working week?

The only occasion on which, so far as I am aware, any arrangement of this kind has been, or is proposed to be, adopted is that at Birmingham to which my right hon. Friend referred in the reply which he gave on Monday last to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies). Some misapprehension appears to have arisen in this matter, and I should like (with the permission of the House) to take this opportunity of explaining the position rather more fully. The arrangement adopted at Birmingham related, not to the opening of cinemas on all Sundays throughout the year, but to the performances given in Birmingham cinemas on a single Sunday in the year known locally as the "Cinema Hospital Sunday." On this one Sunday in the year it has been the practice for many years past for all the Birmingham cinemas to open, and to hand over to the local hospitals, not merely their profits, but the whole of their takings for that day. All the services in connection with these performances have been given voluntarily, the cinema proprietors lending the cinemas and the films, and the employés performing their ordinary duties on a voluntary basis without remuneration.

I thank the Under-Secretary for the information which he has given clarifying this important point. May I ask him whether in the circular which has been issued to local authorities the point of his answer has been made manifest?

I do not know to what circular the hon. Member refers. The advice to which I have referred is not contained in any circular but in a letter to the Birmingham authorities dealing with this specific case.

I understand that a. circular on the working of the Act has been issued to local authorities. In any further circular that may be issued, may I ask that the information which my hon. Friend has given to the House will be embodied?

Perhaps the publicity given to the matter this afternoon will be sufficient.

May I ask whether facilities will be given to other local authorities for charitable purposes in similar circumstances?

It is not a question of giving facilities but of interpreting the Act passed by this House.

May I ask whether the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown was taken as to whether in this particular case of Birmingham the conditions constitute a contract of service?

I think I have made it quite clear in my answer that the advice was given on the authority of the Home Office. It is, of course, open to anyone to test the correctness of the decision in the courts.

May I ask whether actually the Law Officers of the Crown were consulted on this point?

It is not the practice to say whether the Law Officers of the Crown were consulted. The advice given to Birmingham was given, not after consultation with the Law Officers of the Crown, but on the advice of the Home Office.

Before the Under-Secretary gives similar advice to other local authorities, will he consult the Law Officers of the Crown?

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the report of the entertainments committee of the London County Council in favour of permitting cinematograph performances in London to commence at 3.30 p.m. on Sundays as a regular commercial practice; and whether he intends to introduce legislation to amend the Sunday Entertainments Act so as to limit Sunday cinematograph performances to five hours?

I have seen reports in the Press that the Entertainments (Licensing) Committee of the London County Council have made recommendations to this effect, but I would remind the hon. Baronet that these recommendations have not yet been considered by the full Council. When proposals to limit the hours of Sunday opening were under discussion in this House the London County Council pressed for their rejection on the ground that their acceptance would bring to an end the Sunday afternoon performances given by film societies and the occasional afternoon performances organised on behalf of particular charities. The London County Council did not at that time give any indication that they contemplated allowing cinemas to open on Sunday afternoons on an ordinary commercial basis; and, indeed, the commercial opening which the Entertainments Committee have now recommended would appear to preclude the continuance of those non-commercial performances. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not contemplate introducing any amending legislation until further experience of the working of the Act has shown the necessity for it.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that amending legislation should be introduced if the understanding that the opening of cinemas on Sunday should be limited to the later hours of 6 to 11 is not to be adhered to and it becomes a general practice to open for a much longer period on Sunday afternoons?

Is the Under-Secretary aware that there was no understanding on that point? The understanding was that local authorities should have the full right to open cinemas on Sundays during the hours that they desired.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent municipal elections in Hornsey, when one candidate, who obtained an insignificant number of votes and who has already cost the ratepayers £1,000 by similar candidatures, now stood for three wards in the borough; and whether he will bring in a Bill or give facilities for a Bill to prevent this waste of public money by restricting a candidate to one ward in an election?

I understand that the question of a candidate standing for more than one ward at a municipal election is one of the questions under review by the Departmental Committee appointed to consider the consolidation and amendment of the enactments relating to local government, and my right hon. Friend thinks it is desirable to await the outcome of this committee's examination of the subject before considering the question of legislation.

When may we expect the committee to make its report?

My hon. Friend should put that question to the Minister of Health.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a Bill dealing with this point received a First Reading in this House by a large majority before the Adjournment and is now awaiting a Second Reading? Will the Government give facilities for the further stages of the Bill?

asked the Home Secretary whether the London General Omnibus Company have complied with the police requirement, conveyed to them in July, 1931, that the route of each omnibus must be displayed in large type at the back of the omnibus; whether he is aware of the public inconvenience caused unless the leading stopping places are also indicated, as in the case of the older vehicles; and whether he will direct the company to meet this public need without further delay?

The arrangement was that the route numbers and destination points should be clearly indicated on the nearside and on the rear of double-deck omnibuses of the enclosed staircase type, and that, as far as practicable, intermediate route points or thoroughfares traversed should be displayed as well and that all double-deck omnibuses, whatever their type, should show particulars of these. The company have been unable to complete this programme, which is one involving them in very heavy expense, but considerable progress has been made and it is hoped to have all the omnibuses fitted by the end of the year.

Is it not also desirable that omnibuses should indicate not only the route but also the stopping places as well? Will not the Home Office take the view of the public convenience in this matter?

As far as practicable intermediate points and thoroughfares will be indicated.

Is my hon. Friend aware that that is not being done at the moment?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that it has been calculated that a reduction of the horse-power tax on motor-cars by one-half would mean such an increase of employment that the loss of revenue would be more than compensated by the relief of unemployment; and whether he will consider the proposal?

I have not seen the calculation; nor do I know upon what hypothesis it is based.

Has the Financial Secretary read a report of the speech made by the Chairman of Singers in which he elaborated this proposal? Will he accept a copy of that speech?

I shall be glad to accept any gift from my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for the codification of the regulations issued under the Road Traffic Act and for their publication in a single volume for the convenience of the authorities administering them?

It is the intention, so soon as pressure of other work permits, to consolidate the various regulations where that can conveniently be done and to issue them in a compact form, as the hon. Member desires.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Ministry of Transport will be prepared to pay the same percentage of the smaller cost involved in the reconditioning of Waterloo Bridge as they had agreed to pay in respect of the larger scheme, which was rejected by Parliament, for the pulling down and rebuilding of the bridge; and whether this has been communicated to the London County Council?

It would not be opportune for me to make any statement until the London County Council have had an opportunity of considering and discussing with the Minister the report of their consulting engineer, but my hon. Friend gave the House an undertaking in the course of the Debate on the London County Council Money Bill that there could be no question of giving financial aid to a scheme to which the House had declared itself opposed.

But in view of the very unmistakeable opinion expressed by the House, that the present Waterloo Bridge should be reconditioned and not pulled down, surely the Ministry are prepared to inform the county council that they will give a similar percentage to the lower cost of reconditioning the bridge to that which they were prepared to give for pulling down and rebuilding the bridge?

I have said that we are perfectly willing and anxious to discuss the matter with the county council when the time arrives.

Is that so, because the county council are discussing the matter on the basis that the Ministry have not offered to give the same facilities for a reconditioned bridge as for the pulling down and rebuilding of the bridge?

I cannot answer for what the county council are doing, of course.

asked the Prime Minister if he can now give any details of the time, place, and scope of the World Economic Conference, and the countries which will take part in it?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Limehouse (Mr. Attlee) on the 18th October, to which at present I have nothing to add.

Is there any truth in the statement reported that the Preparatory Committee are not prepared to issue their report until January?

I have no official information on that point.