asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is yet in consultation with the Government of Australia on the subject of Japanese competition; and, if so, is he now in a position to inform the House of any decisions?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to add anything at present to the answers which he has given to previous questions by the hon. Member on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the Legislative Council of Jamaica bringing to the notice of His Majesty's Government the damage which is being caused to English and Empire trade by the introduction of certain lines of goods from sources other than the British Empire, and that Jamaica will be willing to co-operate with Britain and other parts of the Empire for an extension of trade agreements for mutual benefit; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. The resolution was brought to my notice by the Governor of Jamaica, and I am in communication with the Board of Trade on the subject.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to keep the exchange value of the pound sterling stable in terms of the franc, at about the present rate of 86 francs to the pound sterling?

My right hon. Friend states from time to time to the House the broad objectives of policy which are primarily concerned with checking undue fluctuations. The answer is, therefore, in the negative. But my hon. Friend will see on reflection that His Majesty's Government must have a reasonable discretion and that these matters cannot conveniently be dealt with within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the operations of buying and selling gold and Devisen on behalf of the Exchange Equalisation Account are performed by the Issue Department of the Bank of England or directly by the Treasury?

As was explained in the course of the Debates on the Finance Bill of last year, the Account is operated by the Bank of England as agents of the Treasury.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he has considered the claim of Mr. E. McGouran, of 50, Upper Harrington Street, Liverpool, S., for pension in respect of disseminated sclerosis following typhoid fever contracted in Gallipoli; and, if so, whether the disability has been accepted as due to service?

This case has been carefully considered more than once in consultation with my medical advisers, but no grounds have been found on which it could be certified that Mr. McGouran's unfortunate condition is the result of his service during the Great War. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that Mr. McGouran was in a condition to continue his service in the Army until June, 1930, 15 years after the attack of typhoid fever referred to.

asked the Postmaster-General the total revenue and expenditure in respect of the postal services in Northern Ireland for the last year?

The total revenue was £898,500, and the expenditure £892,000.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of British and Indian officers, respectively, serving in the following services in 1920, 1921, and 1933: the Indian Civil Service, the Indian Police, Indian Forest Service, Indian Medical Service, and Indian Service of Engineers; and also the number of British, Anglo-Indians, and Indians, respectively, serving in the Rail-way Services, the Posts and Telegraph Services, and the Customs Services in the years mentioned?

Service.	1922.			1932.
	European.	Indian.	Total.	European.	Indian.	Total.
Indian Civil Service	1,179	208	1,387	843	465	1,308
Indian Police	627	66	693	528	152	680
Indian Forest Service	236	42	278	217	97	314
Indian Medical Service (Civil).	326	35	361	195	97	292
Indian Service of Engineers	431	291	722	329	297	626

No information is available regarding the composition of the Customs Services or the composition in 1920 and 1921 of the Posts and Telegraphs Services. The figures for the Railway Services (including company-managed railways) and for the Posts and Telegraphs Services in 1932 are:—

Service.	Year.	European.	Anglo-Indian.	Indian.
Railway Services	1920	6,943	10,866	695,269
	1921	7,281	11.940	729,789
	1932	4,516	13,544	712,159
Posts and Telegraphs	1932	270	2,410	104,713

asked the Secretary of state for India whether, in view of the fact that the Meerut prisoners have appealed against their conviction, he will see that they are now placed in Class A so that they may wear their own clothes, obtain better food, be allowed more books and newspapers, and be permitted to write and see relatives more than the prescribed once a month?

I am not prepared to interfere with the decision of the local government which has been reached after full consideration of the circumstances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount

The earliest return giving the composition of the All-India Services is that for the year 1922. The figures for the years 1922 and 1932 are as follow:of pension or gratuity, if any, payable to Lord Trenchard, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, in respect of services rendered to the Air Ministry?

Lord Trenchard is in receipt of half-pay as Marshal of the Royal Air Force, the current rate being £l,602 per annum. The usual abatement has been made in the emoluments of his present post.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the amount of pension or gratuity, if any; payable to Lord Trenchard, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, in respect of services rendered to his Department?

No pension or gratuity is payable from Army funds to Lord Trenchard.