asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the position of British bondholders in the Peking-Mukden Railway since the declaration of the independence of Manchuria; and whether they are receiving their interest?

So far as I am aware the position of British bondholders has not been affected, and they continue to receive interest.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has obtained any reply to his representations to the Chinese Government in respect of the default of interest and amortisation on loans to Chinese railways?

The Chinese Government have replied to the numerous representations made to them in the general sense that the Ministry of Railways are engaged in devising means for liquidating the debts. A settlement must, however, wait until a definite scheme for their collective treatment has been drawn up.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has discussed with His Majesty's Minister in China, recently on leave in this country, the question of the rights of British bondholders to priority in the distribution of the earnings of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway?

The general question of Chinese railway debts to British bondholders was discussed with His Majesty's Minister in China before his return to his post. I understand that the Tientsin-Pukow Railway recently arranged to pay monthly deposits into a special account in order to accumulate a fund to meet arrears of loan services. His Majesty's Minister will, of course, continue to make such representations to the. Chinese Government as may be necessary or desirable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to numerous claims by former British employés of Chinese railways for money due to them under their agreements at the termination of their services; and whether he will exert all possible pressure on the Chinese Government to get these claims paid?

Representations have repeatedly been made to the Chinese Government in this matter. The Chinese Government have now put forward certain concrete proposals for a settlement of the claims, which have been communicated to individual claimants for acceptance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the amount of maintenance and repairs expended on His Majesty's Ship "Curacoa" during the last two years; and whether she is still to be retained as an active unit of the British Navy?

The expenditure on maintenance and repairs to His Majesty's Ship "Curacoa" between 1st April, 1931, and 3rd December, 1932, was £18,366. She has several more years of effective life before her, during which she will perform her normal turn of duty.

Has not this ship been kept in dock for the last six months and more or less examined; and has it not on two occasions been condemned, necessitating it going back for repairs, which will take a considerable time?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the scheme for the amalgamation of collieries in the Lothians, he will consider the suitability of Port Edgar as a site for the erection of plant for the refining of oil from coal?

The Admiralty property at Port Edgar which is surplus to naval requirements has been advertised for sale as suitable for commercial development, the precise nature of which would he a matter for the purchaser.

Will the Admiralty bear in mind in advertising Port Edgar that it may be sold in lots and not necessarily as a whole?

The Admiralty have advertised it, and we are anxious to sell it to the best possible advantage. I will certainly bear in mind the points which my hon. Friend has raised.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the number of flag officers on the active list who have served as admiral superintendent or captain of a dockyard and are at present not employed; and whether the present Director of Dockyards during his active career held either of these appointments?

There are at present on the active list two senior flag officers who have served as admiral superintendent of a dockyard. There are no flag officers who have served as captain of a dockyard. The present Director of Dockyards did not hold either of these appointments.

While fully appreciating that it may be necessary for a retired officer to hold this appointment temporarily pending the appointment of an active officer, may I ask whether my Noble Friend does not consider it rather unfair to the large number of qualified active officers that this appointment should be held by a retired officer who draws the salary attached to the office and retired pay as well?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that this officer gets no extra pay during the period that he holds this particular appointment. I assure my hon. and gallant Friend that we get the best man we can for the job.

Is not this retired officer depriving an active officer, and a more qualified active officer, of the job?

No, Sir. This is a highly technical job, and it is imperative to get the right man for it.

Is it not a fact that, so far from this officer's pension being increased, it is actually reduced, while he gets a further emolument from the Government service? Is it not the case that it is not necessary that this post should be filled by either a retired officer or an officer on the active list, so that it would be quite open to the Admiralty to appoint a person in the commercial branch, possibly at a higher rate of salary?

That is quite correct.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in Higher Studies, which receives a subsidy of £500 from the Government, the Jerusalem Girls' College and Scott's College at Safad, both of which are missionary institutions, and the Hebrew University. A number of Palestinians obtain their higher education at the American University of Beirut. The Government of Palestine grants scholarships to the value of about £1,600 a year for the higher education of Palestinians in Palestine and abroad. I am unable to state the amount of financial support which is forthcoming from voluntary sources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the amount spent by the Palestine Government on education in each year between 1922 and 1931; what proportion of the expenditure in each of these years was devoted to Jewish education; what proportion to Arab education; and what amount was spent by Jewish bodies on Jewish education in Palestine in the corresponding years?

The reply to this question is rather long, and I will have it painted in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No, Sir. I understand that the site of the new home is nearly a mile distant from the southern limit of the proposed range, and it is not anticipated that any disturbance will be caused.

Before proceeding further with this matter, will my right hon. Friend consider the representations of those responsible for the very excellent work of the Leicester boys' and girls' school?

Yes, Sir. They have been considered.

I am much obliged.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether a further statement can be made to allay public apprehension arising from the contemplated use by the Air Ministry of the Lincolnshire sand hills for bombing and machine gunning during the holiday months?

Yes, Sir; the practices on the proposed ranges will be restricted as much as possible during the holiday months, and, in any event, the whole of the proposed southern range will be open to the public during the month of August. I may add that in the normal course only non-explosive practice bombs will be used.

May I take the opportunity of thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his very friendly assistance in this matter?

May I ask my right hon. Friend not to assume that, because this question was not put by the Member for the district concerned, he has nothing to do with the matter?

Did not representations come in the first instance from those people who have done such excellent work in the erection and maintenance of homes for boys and girls from the city of Leicester?

Is not this area a popular resort of the people of Nottingham, on whose behalf I have the right to adduce some facts?

Are we to understand, from my right hon. Friend's reply, that in the month of July the operations will be carried on as usual, and that it is only in the month of August that there will be a cessation? The month of July is concerned as much as August.

In the month of July the practice will be restricted as much as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any further statement to make with reference to the speech of Air Marshal Sir Geoffrey Salmond on the 26th November?

I have already explained that the speech in question was made at a private service function, and that the distinguished officer named, who was a guest, had no reason to expect that his remarks would be reported. No one regrets more than the officer himself the fact that, owing to the presence of a representative of one of the Press organisations, phrases from his speech, isolated from their context, were broadcast in the newspapers in a way likely to convey an entirely misleading impression of his intentions, from which nothing was further than to say anything which could be misconstrued as criticism of the Government. Finally, in view of the misunderstandings which have arisen, I should like to add that my Noble Friend of course accepts fully the general principle which I understand the hon. Member to postulate, namely, that it is most undesirable that servants of the Crown should express, in circumstances which may lead to their remarks being widely circulated, opinions which are liable to be misinterpreted as at variance with the approved policy of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what tests of the new Palmer aircraft brake have been carried out by the Air Ministry; what results have been achieved; and how many machines of the Royal Air Force are fitted with the device or are to be fitted?

As regards the first two parts of the question, the Palmer brake is one of several types of British aircraft brakes which have been approved for use in the Royal Air Force after satisfactorily passing the necessary tests. As regards the last part of the question, my Noble Friend deprecates the publication of these particulars, as they might give rise to incorrect inferences affecting the firm referred to and other firms having similar devices.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many pilots think that these brakes are very effective; and will he see that there is no undue delay in their introduction?

As my hon. Friend will know, a great many of them are being used.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the importance to both London and the coastal towns of completing the coastal road between Faversham and Thanet to relieve the traffic congestion through Canterbury and to reduce unemployment, he will reconsider his decision, as money is now cheap, and give the necessary grants to complete the work?

I regret that the financial position of the Road Fund does not at present warrant the promise of assistance towards the completion of the Kent coastal road.

Does not the Minister consider that it is time, in the existing easy money situation, to open the national purse-strings in order to complete these very necessary works, especially in view of the absorption of a certain number of unemployed men?

Does my hon. and gallant Friend think that, if this grant is made, it will be possible to reduce the Beer Duty?

As we do not borrow for road grants, the question of cheap money does not arise.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the importance of the British railways as a national asset, and seeing that there is invested therein approximately £800,000,000 of trustee funds, he will, with a view to conserving these interests, take such steps as are necessary to expedite the adoption of the recommendations of the Salter Report?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give an indication before the House rises for the Christmas Recess as to the policy he proposes to adopt as regards the Salter Report?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the inten- tions of the Government regarding the recommendations of the Salter Conference on road and rail transport?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave on 19th December to the hon. Member for Gloucester (Mr. Boyce), and of which I am sending them copies, and to my remarks in the course of the Debate that arose on the Adjournment of the House last night.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, as a result of the Appendix showing increases in licence duties of passenger-carrying vehicles contained in the report of the Rail and Road Transport Committee, which was considered by the committee itself as outside the scope of their reference, many omnibus manufacturing firms are on short time, and that unemployment is being increased owing to municipalities and others holding up orders for motor omnibuses and trackless trolley vehicles; and what action he proposes to take on the report of that committee in this connection?

I am aware that there has been some misunderstanding on this point. The members of the conference, however, in the letter over their signatures published in the Press on Monday last, have explained that the question of the licence duties to be paid by passenger-carrying vehicles was outside their terms of reference, arid that they have in fact made no recommendations in the matter. In view of the publicity which has already been given to their statement, I do not think that any further action on my part in this connection is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to give any information in regard to the new method of running commercial motor vehicles on coal gas instead of petrol?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for the Plaistow Division (Mr. Thorne), and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the representations made to him from motor-omnibus companies operating throughout the country protesting against the charges which they are bound to make under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, in connection with the recovery of property left in their vehicles, he will say what steps he proposes to take to alter the present arrangement?

My hon. Friend has already decided to amend the Regulations governing this matter, and to provide for a considerable reduction in the charges to be made in respect of articles of small value. The proposals have been circulated to the various bodies and associations concerned, for their final comments.

Does that mean that there will not be a continuance of the practice of charging according to the value of the articles left?

I take it that that will be the result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the provisions of Section 25 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, have been brought into operation; whether he has prescribed a form of notice to enable bridge authorities to prohibit the use of bridges by vehicles weighing more than a specified weight; and, if not, whether he will make these provisions effectively operative in the immediate future?

This section has not yet been brought into operation owing to the unexpected difficulties which have arisen in settling a form of notice which would meet the views of the various interests affected. These difficulties are, I hope, now in process of being settled, and it should be possible to bring the section into force at an early date.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that, as long ago as last April, the Minister said that the section would be brought into operation shortly; and, if "shortly "covers a period of more than eight months, may I ask what is meant by "at an early date"?

I hope it will be considerably shorter than eight month's.

asked the Minister of Transport the quantity and value of non-British materials used on the repair and make-up of roads in this country which received grants from the Road Fund during the 12 months ended 31st October, 1932?

I regret that this information is not available, but as the hon. Member is Aware the Ministry of Transport has done everything in its power to encourage the use of home-produced materials.

Cannot the Minister of Transport make it a condition of giving a grant that only home-produced granite is used? There is an enormous amount of unemployment at the present time in that trade.

Will the Minister consider British tar at the same time?

I will consider everything.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to make a grant to the scheme for electrifying the suburban lines from Liverpool Street to the suburbs in the East of London; and will he give details?

The railway company have informed me that they have schemes of London suburban electrification under consideration, and that in the event of the London Passenger Transport Bill becoming law they will be prepared to submit proposals to the Standing Joint Committee of the Transport Board and the railway companies which the Bill proposes to set up, but I am not fully award of the details of the proposals which the company are likely to make. The Minister has no power to make a grant.

Will the Department consider the electrification of the lines to North London, and make representations to the railways?

I have no doubt that all these matters will be considered when the board comes into existence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of casualties and accidents on public roads in England and Wales reported to his Department up to the latest available time?

I would refer the lion. Member to the return presented to this House on the 27th May last, from which he will see that in England and Wales, 6,031 persons were killed and 184,771 injured in 165,112 street accidents during the year 1931. Figures for 1932 are not yet available and I have no information as to accidents not resulting in death or personal injury.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is his intention to take the opportunity afforded by the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Bill, now under consideration, to abolish the rule that acceptance of rent after notice to quit waives the notice, at least in respect of dwellings decontrolled by this Bill?

The point raised by my hon. Friend is no doubt one which will come up for consideration at a later stage of the Bill at present before Parliament, and my right hon. Friend would prefer to reserve until then any statement on the point.

asked the Minister of Health whether any subsidy is to be granted in respect of the four-roomed houses recently constructed by the Tring Council, and to be let at an inclusive rental of 4s. 7d. per week; and, if so, whether he can state the cost of constructing these houses, and whether the methods are such as could, with advantage, be copied by other local authorities?

I assume my hon. Friend is referring to some houses which are being provided by private enterprise at Tring. Subsidy will be payable in respect of these houses and the estimated rents of 4s. 7d. per week are exclusive and not inclusive of rates. The estimated building cost is, I understand, about £295 per house, which is not lower than the present price of similar houses being erected by a number of local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominon Affairs what action is being taken in the Irish Free State and in Northern Ireland to build houses for Irish ex-service men, under the Irish Land (Provision for Soldiers and Sailors) Act, and in fulfilment of the pledges made on behalf of the British Government by the late Sir H. McLaughlin, director-general of recruiting in Ireland; and whether any inquiry has been held into the working of the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust?

As the reply is necessarily a somewhat long one I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the advice he recently received from the various chambers of commerce throughout the country, he will now enter upon a policy designed for the abrogation of existing treaties which will enable all the Colonies to give effective preference to Great Britain?

I am aware of the views expressed by certain chambers of commerce on the matter and it is proposed to consult organisations representative of trade generally as soon as all the relevant facts can be put before them.

May we take it that a definite policy is now being pursued whereby in a reasonable time the Government will have made up their mind in respect of this very important matter?

The Government regard the matter as of importance, but complicated legal issues are involved.

Is it not a fact, in spite of the complicated nature of the considerations involved, that these representations have been made to the Government for a very large number of months, and have the Government not all the information they require?

That is so, but details will have to be examined.

Do we gather that, in fact, the Government are going to come to a decision on this matter?

I think the hon. Member will recognise that the decision must be one which will be helpful to trade, and therefore we are consulting trade interests.

Can we have the assurance of the Minister that he will not be rushed in this matter?

The Government have every desire to take proper action and to pursue a proper course.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions still prevailing in cartage and delivery in the sand and ballast industry, he can give any information with regard to making regulations for the protection of the consumer by a system of standardised measurement in the industry?

Investigations are being made, with the assistance of the British Standards Institution, in regard to the methods of measuring sand and ballast. Until these are completed I cannot say what action will be required, but it appears doubtful whether the matter can be dealt with adequately without an amendment of the Weights and Measures Acts.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what amount of quota subsidy has been or will be paid to wheat-growing farmers during the current financial year; and the number of registered wheat-growing farmers and the total number who are qualified to receive the subsidy?

I am informed by the Wheat Commission that approximately £1,250,000 will be paid to registered growers at the end of December as an advance on account of the deficiency payment for the present cereal year. It is not possible for the Wheat Commission to estimate, at the present time, what further sum may be paid, by way of an advance, before the end of the current financial year. The number of registered growers is at present 86,645; this figure is, however, subject to revision. All registered growers who sell millable wheat may qualify to receive the deficiency payment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is in a position to make a further statement in regard to the setting up of a reorganisation commission for fat stock in England and Wales?

I have to-day constituted the Agricultural Marketing Re-organisation Commission for Fat Stock. The duty of the commission will be to prepare, in accordance with the provisions of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, a scheme or schemes, applicable in England and Wales, for regulating the marketing of fat stock, and, in the course of preparing any scheme as aforesaid, to investigate and report on any matter which appears to them to affect its operation and in particular to investigate and report on the manner in which its operation could be facilitated.

(a) By co-operation between the board administering the scheme, and

(i) any corresponding board in Scotland or Northern Ireland,

(ii) any board that may be constituted in Great Britain or Northern Ireland for regulating the marketing of pigs or of bacon, and

(iii) any organisation concerned with the marketing in the United Kingdom of fat stock or meat produced in the United Kingdom or elsewhere; and

(b) by the regulation of imports of live stock or meat or any products thereof;

(c) by improvement of the facilities for the slaughter of fat stock and for the production of commodities there from; and

(d) by use of the provisions of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Acts, 1928–31.

As I have already informed the House, the Government has been fortunate in securing the services of Colonel the Right Hon. G. R. Lane Fox, P.C., J.P., D.L., as Chairman of the Commission. The other members are:

• H. G. Howitt, Esq., D.S.O., M.C., F.C.A.
• Sir John Buck Lloyd.
• John Boyd Orr, Esq., D.S.O., M.C., M.A., M.D., D.Sc., F.R.S.
• The Hon. Jasper Ridley.

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, arrangements will be made for consultation between the respective chairmen of this commission and of the committee recently vested with the powers and duties of an Agricultural Marketing Reorganisation Commission under the Agricultural Marketing (Fat Stock Scheme) (Scotland) Order, 1932, so far as may be necessary to facilitate the consideration of matters of mutual interest, for which purpose liaison will also be arranged with the Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland. The commission is holding its first meeting this afternoon.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that one workers' representative thoroughly versed in all questions pertaining to agriculture might have been of use on such a committee?

As the hon. Member knows, it is not desired to have representation of interests but to have jurymen who will come to decisions on the evidence submitted to them. No doubt, there are many representatives of all sections of the community who would be suitable as such jurymen. I have done the best in the circumstances in which I found myself.

Will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman reconsider the wisdom, from a constructive and positive point of view, of making such a selection as the one indicated? Further, is he not aware that we appreciate his point in avoiding representatives in the sense he suggested?

If sectional interests are to be involved in this way, will it not be an illimitable business?

I deprecate the suggestion that representatives more especially conversant with Labour interests would be sectional representatives. I am sure many Labour representatives could be found who would take an unprejudiced view, but I ask the hon. Member to consider that I have done my best to choose personnel who have served on the previous Commission, with a view to expedition, which is of such great importance.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he can state the reason why the Norfolk farmers are withdrawing from the county agricultural wages committee?

I have no official information, but I understand that the reason for the withdrawal of the representatives of employers is as a protest against the decision of the committee to continue the present minimum rate of wages of 30s. per week.

Is there any Borstal institution to which defaulting farmers could be sent?

asked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been drawn to the decision of the members of the Norfolk Farmers' Union to dismiss 6,000 agricultural workers on 1st January, 1933; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the decision referred to by the hon. Member. I am advised that the figure mentioned is an estimate which is not likely to be realised even if the suggested action is taken, which I earnestly trust will not be the case. The hon. Member will be aware that the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the six Norfolk Members of Parliament have appealed to the farmers to reconsider their decision, and that the National Farmers' Union headquarters have issued a statement to the Press on the subject. I am keeping in close touch with the situation, and I sincerely hope that wiser counsels will prevail.

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's personal influence been brought to bear for the purpose of dissuading farmers?

I have indicated that I am perfectly ready to receive representations from the Farmers' Union and from the employés on the subject.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the grants in aid of land-drainage schemes which were made prior to September, 1931, will be renewed, so as to provide employment for agricultural workers?

I regret that owing to the continued necessity for the utmost economy in national expenditure the Ministry's Vote for this year contains provision only for grants in respect of schemes rendered necessary by serious emergency and schemes approved prior to the date referred to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the nature of the reply given to the representations he has received on the question of local authorities making use of Sections 14 and 16 of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Act, 1931?

I have received from the National Land and Unemployment Council copy of a resolution passed at conferences organised recently by that body urging that funds should be provided for the purposes of Sections 14 and 16 of the Agricultural Land (Utilisation) Act, 1931. The Council have been informed in reply that the views they have put forward will receive my careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the average yield per acre of the potato crop in Scotland in each of the years 1923 to 1932, inclusive?

As the answer involves a tabular statement I propose, with my noble Friend's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the report of the commissioner on the proposed Scottish raspberry marketing scheme has been communicated in whole or in part to the promoters or opponents of the scheme?

No part of the report has been communicated either to the promoters or to the objectors, but, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the Statute, the promoters have been informed of modifications proposed to be made in the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the yearly sum at present required to pay pensions due to retired servants of the Crown, their widows and orphans, on account of the Indian Civil Service; whether such sums are at present secured by the existence of any capital assets appropriated to meet this charge; add if the need for such appropriation will be among the matters considered in framing a new Indian constitution?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many horses were exported during the years 1930 and 1931, respectively, to the several European countries, and their declared values; and whether he can state how many were exported for slaughter?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement giving such information as is available as to the numbers of horses exported from Great Britain to the various European countries in 1930 and 1931, and the numbers shipped during those years for the purpose of immediate slaughter. I regret that there are no separate figures available showing the declared value of exports from Great Britain to the several European countries.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that of the 6,000 horses which were exported in 1931 from this country to the Continent, 2,400, according to Dutch statistics, were earmarked for immediate slaughter?

For the Indian Civil Service the estimated sum for the year ending 31st March, 1933, is just over £1,000,000. The answer to the second part of my hon. Friend's question is in the negative. With respect to the third part, appropriation of capital assets to meet pensionary charges is not contemplated, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the need for including in the new constitution the strongest possible safeguards for such charges is fully recognised, and in this connection I would refer him to the answer given to the hon. Member for Preston (Mr. Kirk-patrick) on the 7th March last.

Can my hon. Friend say whether, if the safeguards should fail, any provision will be made for the pensioners?

I am convinced that the safeguards will be adequate to meet this very important charge.

Can the hon. Gentleman inform me whether there is any definite rule which prohibits retired Indian civil servants from writing libellous and offensive articles concerning the administration?

That matter does not arise out of the question.

Seeing that these people, while so doing, are being paid out of Government funds, should not there be some control?

Does my hon. Friend consider that retired Indian civil servants should be satisfied with this guarantee?

I think, if my hon. and gallant Friend will wait and see the guarantee, he will be perfectly satisfied.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement as to the action taken by the Government of Bombay in connection with the closing of the bullion market in that city as had been asked for by the Congress party; and, particularly, what action has been taken against those responsible for the intimidation of brokers to prevent their dealing with the British banks?

Picketing of brokers and others in Bombay in connection with the bullion market has occurred at times and many picketers have been arrested. I have no information regarding a request by the Congress party to close the market.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether, if information to that effect reaches the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State, he will see to it that action is taken to imprison those people?

We shall be very glad to receive any information upon this point.

asked the Secretary of State for India the reason why the monthly journal, "United India," published in London, is interfered with by the authorities in India in its transmission to subscribers in India?

Any interference with copies of the journal, "United India," has no doubt been on the ground that they contained matter, the publication of which constituted an offence under the Indian Penal Code. Authority to detain such literature is provided by the Indian Post Office Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many Indian prisoners have been deported to the penal settlement on the Andaman Islands in recent months, and why the Government continues such deportations in view of the decision to close this settlement on the ground of the unhealthy character of the place?

About 75 convicts serving sentences for offences connected with terrorism have been or are being transferred to the cellular gaol in the Andamans. Most of these transfers are from Bengal gaols. In connection with the decision 10 years ago to close down the penal settlement as rapidly as possible, the Government of India, acting in fact on a recommendation of the gaols Committee itself, specifically retained discretion to transfer to the Andamans convicts whose removal from British India was considered to be in the public interest. The area of the gaol where these convicts will be lodged is now free from malaria, and there is no longer any objection to it on the grounds of health.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that men not in possession of colliery managers' certificates have recently been made re- sponsible for the technical management of collieries; and whether, as this is a contravention of the Coal Mines Act, 1911, he will take steps to put an end to this practice?

I am not aware of any instance of such a contravention of the Act, but if my hon. Friend will be good enough to furnish me with information I will, have full inquiries made.

asked the Secretary for Mines if his attention has been drawn to the efforts being made by German coal interests to obtain control of the Swedish coal market; and whether steps are being taken to protect British interests in Sweden?

Yes, Sir, I have seen a statement in the Press and I am having inquiries made as to its accuracy.

Can the hon. Member say whether our exports to Sweden have increased or decreased during the last 12 months, and whether Germany's exports have been increased?

That does not arise on this question, but, if the hon. Member will put the question down, I will give him an answer.