asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the motor cycles used by the Calcutta police are all of American manufacture and that further orders have recently been placed for similar machines; and if he will take steps to see that in future British machines are supplied?

I have no information, but am making inquiries from the Government of India.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the facts are as stated in the question, and does he not realise that it is very difficult for us to ask Indians to place orders with British firms when our own British officials are placing orders in America?

Have any general instructions been given always to give preference to British goods?

I am making inquiries on that particular point, and perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question.

Will the hon. Gentleman not only make inquiries but make representations to the Government of India on the very real importance of this question to this country?

Can the hon. Gentleman get a note of all these contracts, and where they have been placed, and inquire into the matter?

Certainly I will convey any information that I receive to my right hon. Friend, and I am sure he will pay attention to it.

Can the hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether any instructions have been given?

On that particular point I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of members of the services employed in the Provincial Reserved Services and in the services which, since 1921, have been transferred in the provinces, for the years 1920 and 1932, respectively?

In 1922, which is the earliest year for which figures are available, there were 2,562 members of the All-India Services serving in the provinces in reserved fields of administration and 1,167 in transferred fields. The numbers in 1932 were 2,522 and 834 respectively. These figures do not include members of the Indian Service of Engineers serving in Madras and Bombay, as it is not possible in this service to distinguish between officers serving in the reserved and transferred field.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether the figures he has given me include Indians as well as British?

They include all members of the All-India Services, both British and Indian.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the importance of securing as wide publicity as possible for the minutes of evidence before the Joint Committee on Indian Constitutional Reform, it would be possible to arrange that the minutes shall be published by His Majesty's Stationery Office at lower prices than those at which they are at present being made available to the public?

I would refer my hon. Friend to replies given by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to the hon. Member for Bristol, North (Mr. Bernays) on 10th April, and my hon. Friend the Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Guy) on 27th April. The same considerations appear to me to apply in this case.

If, as I fear, the hon. Gentleman does not see his way to reduce the price of the publications, will he use his influence with the Stationery Office to have the contents of each. volume more clearly indicated 7 I am told that people are having great difficulty in procuring the volume they need, because there is no indication of the contents on the outside.

I am sure attention will be paid to my Noble Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a questionnaire was issued last summer by the Government of India asking the provincial Governments to ascertain the views of officers of the services and members of the public on such questions as communal tension, the loyalty and morale of the police, the position of the civil disobedience movement, and other matters having an important bearing on the proposed constitutional reforms; whether the result of these inquiries was embodied in a Blue Book; and, if so, whether he will allow the Blue Book to be made public

I am not aware of the issue by the Government of India of any questionnaire of this nature.

Will my hon. Friend take steps to ascertain whether a questionnaire of this nature was not issued last summer?

The Government of India is constantly addressing the local Governments in the ordinary course of administration on a variety of diverse subjects. If my Noble Friend will furnish me privately with the information on which the question is based, I will endeavour to identify the circular which she has in mind.

Surely it is possible for the hon. Gentleman to send a telegram to the Viceroy to ascertain whether such a questionnaire has been issued?

I have already replied to that in my initial answer, in which I said I was not aware of the issue by the Government of India of a questionnaire of this nature. I can only supple- merit that by saying that the Government of India is always addressing the local Governments on matters of all sorts.

Has the hon. Gentleman definitely asked whether this has been issued?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state if it is the intention of the Government of India to revive the Indian Navy Bill of 1929; and whether provision will be made in the Bill for adequate control by the Indian Legislature?

The Government of India are considering the reintroduction of the Indian Navy Bill in the Indian Legislature. The Bill would provide for the discipline of the Force; and the question of giving the Indian Legislature any measure of control over the use of the Force would not therefore arise out of the substance of the Bill. That question is under separate consideration, as is shown in paragraph 5 of Head E of the Reports of the Third Session of the Indian Round Table Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have received any report from Colonel Barker, inspector-general of prisons, Punjab, as a result of his mission to the Andamans to inquire into the medical arrangements there for prisoners on hunger strike; and whether he can state the conclusions of the report?

This officer was sent not to make a formal inquiry and present a report, but to consult with, and advise, the local authorities. My right hon. Friend has not yet received any detailed information regarding his visit.

Owing to the disquiet in all parts of this country and o f India itself, will the hon. Gentleman. present a report if a report comes to hand?

The officer was not sent for the purpose of making a report.

Surely the officer will have found out something, and, if it is necessary for the Government of India to know, should not the public know at the same time?

The Government are satisfied that the hunger strike is ended, and that the conditions are satisfactory.

Was not the hunger strike due to some cause, and should not the public be acquainted with that?

As far as I know the cause of the hunger strike was an attempt to undermine prison discipline, and the hunger strike was defeated.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the comparative quiet in India, he will now consider releasing the Meerut prisoners, having regard to the fact that they passed four years in gaol during their trial and that the sentences imposed took no account of this?

The appeals of the prisoners are on the point of being heard by the High Court.

Allow me publicly to thank the Secretary of State for India for what he did a year ago. I asked him to have these prisoners taken from the plains to the hills during the hot weather, which he very kindly did. Arising from the reply which I have just received, I would ask the hon. Gentleman to put it before the Secretary of State that the time has now arrived when it would be a generous act on his part to use his influence to have the prisoners who were tried at Meerut released.

May I ask whether the prisoners are detained by the British Government or the Indian Government?

In reply to the last supplementary question, the prisoners are at present under the Government of the United Provinces. As to the first supplementary question, I think that as the appeal is about to be heard by the High Court it is difficult for my right hon. Friend to entertain the suggestion.

The right hon. Gentleman can use his influence. As the House knows, it was successful a year ago. It can be successful again, if he will use it.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of mines at work; the average daily num- ber of persons employed; and the total production of coal in British India during 1930, 1931 and 1932, respectively?

With the hon. Member's permission, I propose to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many women were employed underground in coal mines in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and the Central Provinces, in 1930, 1931 and 1932, respectively?

The number of women employed underground in coal mines in Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and the Central Provinces, in 1931, was 16,632, as compared with 18,287 in 1930. Figures for 1932 and 1933 are not yet available.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the reduction in the number of women employed underground is taking place strictly in accordance with the Regulations made in 1929?

The hon. Gentleman asks me for the number. I shall be glad to give it if he will put down a question.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in 1929 the Governor-General in Council made a Regulation that the reduction in the number of women employed should be progressive, and can he say whether that is being carried out?

Yes, I consider that is so.

(for Mr. T. WILLIAMS) asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have been in communication with the British Legation at Bangkok and the Indian agent at Kuala Lumpur with reference to the condition of Tamil labourers in Siam; and what steps they propose to take in the matter?

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the men in question have a trade union to negotiate for them?

That is another question, which I should be glad to see on the Paper.

I have no information, but will inquire.

(for Mr. WILLIAMS) asked the Secretary of State for India how many of the recommendations of the Royal Commission on labour conditions in India have been approved and put into operation; how many such recommendations affected railway workers; and whether the railwaymen's unions are now recognised by the railway management?

I would refer the hon. Member to the report made by the Government of India showing the action taken by the Central arid Provincial Governments on the recommendations of Mr. Whitley's Commission, of which a copy has been placed in the Library. I am sending the hon. Member a copy for his own use.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are now in the position to announce the composition of the British delegation to the Assembly at Geneva?

The United Kingdom delegation will consist of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the First Commissioner of Works, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, the Under-Secretary of State for Home Affairs, my hon. Friend the Junior Member for Dundee (Miss Horabrugh) and Sir William Malkin. My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this opportunity of expressing his regret that, owing to previous engagements, Lord Cecil was unable to accept the invitation extended to him by His Majesty's Government to act as a delegate on this occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the new position created by the statement of the German Reichbank issued on 12th July, insisting upon the unilateral alteration of the contract governing amortisation of German bonds issued, in London and elsewhere, and the action of the committee of British creditors, supported by the committees of four other countries, on the same date, protesting and withholding consent therefrom, His Majesty's Government will notify the German Government that it supports the British committee in its objection to any breach of good faith caused by the law of June, 1933?

His Majesty's Government have not been approached by the creditors with any re quest that representations should be made.

In view of the position of the Treasury with regard to one of these loans, will the hon. Gentleman ask the German Government to define the right by which they can break their pledged word, given in 1930, by their own unilateral legislative action in June, 1933?

I think that I have made it plain in my answer that the creditors did not approach His Majesty's Government with any such proposal.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Treasury in some degree stand for the creditors, in view of the fact that it took all the money provided by British investors at the issue of the Young Loan of 1930?

I could not accept without notice the assumption on which that question is based, that His Majesty's Government are a. creditor for the interest of these loans. They may have had what was due to them from the proceeds of the loan when it was raised, but that is a different matter.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he has any information as to the rates of duty charged in the Chinese tariff on cotton piece-goods; and, if so, whether he can state what rates of duty were chargeable on white shirtings under the tariffs of March, 1930, and May, 1933, respectively?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As a complete answer to the second part of the question is somewhat long I propose, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made in the negotiations for the reduction of Argentine duties against British goods promised in the recent trade agreement?

The negotiations are proceeding, but it is too early to make any statement as to their results.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when these negotiations may be concluded?

Certainly. Under the terms of the Treaty it is intended that they should be concluded by 1st August.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is his intention to sign any trade agreement with Russia before the reassembly of Parliament after the Recess?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the negotiations for a new trade agreement with the Soviet Government have only just been resumed. I cannot at this stage say when they are likely to be concluded.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that no such agreement will be signed before the House has had an opportunity of discussing the matter?

No, Sir, I can give no such assurance.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the assurance given by the Foreign Office, that the case of the Lena Goldfields will appear in the agreement, and also the claim of the British creditors; and that no temporary agreement will be entered into before these British claims are dealt with? Can I have a reply to that question?

Mr. Kirkwood.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the renewal of trade negotiations with the Russian Government, he has any information as to what orders that Government is prepared to place with engineering firms in this country; and whether he can tell the House the amount of wood about to be shipped from Russia to this country for house-building purposes?

I regret that I have no information regarding the matters to which the hon. Member refers.

Will the President of the Board of Trade do all that he possibly can to open up trade with Russia, as we are very much in need of it, in the West of Scotland in particular?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will give an assurance that the funds of the Empire Marketing Board are not being and will not in future be used to advertise Dominion dairy products exported to Great Britain at prices below those ruling in the countries of origin?

No special campaign in favour of Empire dairy products is being conducted or is contemplated by the Empire Marketing Board at the present time.

Is it not very unfair that the British farmer should be taxed for the Empire Marketing Board in order to foster dumping competition from his own Colonies?

My right hon. Friend can be as happy over this as he was on Saturday.

(for Mr. CHORLTON) asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the harm done by the most-favoured-nation clause giving to another nation with lower wage-rates the advantages of a bargain agreement with another nation, he will take steps to denounce it in order that we may be able to make better bargains with other countries?

The general denunciation of existing commercial treaties embodying the most-favoured-nation clause would deprive British exporters of valuable safeguards in foreign markets and would not be in the best interests of this country. It has, however, been stated previously in this House that His Majesty's Government will not be prepared to continue indefinitely to accord full: most-favoured-nation treatment to a country when in the course of negotiations it shows itself unwilling to meet the reasonable requirements of this country in regard to the treatment of United Kingdom goods.

Is it not a fact that the existence of the most-favoured-nation clause in commercial treaties prevents any successful attempt being made to deal with Japanese competition with the Crown Colonies?

No, that is not an accurate statement of fact.

Why cannot we denounce the Congo Basin Convention?

What measure of time is necessary to denounce a treaty in such a case?

Sometimes 12 months, sometimes six, and sometimes three. In a very large number of treaties the periods are not identical.

What is the precise meaning of the word "indefinitely" which the hon. Gentleman used in his reply?

I do not know whether I am expected to give the Oxford Dictionary definition.

The common sense definition.

The common sense definition means that, if the Government in the course of negotiations with a country finds, when its attention is called to the matter, that the country persists in declining to meet reasonable requirements, we shall consider denouncing that treaty and keeping our hands entirely free

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that large contracts are being booked in this country for Russian strawberry pulp shipped from Black Sea ports, and that, although this pulp does not reach England before late August or September, these contracts operate to the detriment of British strawberry prices; and whether he will investigate the desirability of arranging that the duty on strawberries shall be continued in order to cover the importation of this pulp?

My attention had not previously been drawn to the contracts referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, strawberry pulp comes under the Customs tariff item "fruit preserved by chemicals": consequently, strawberry pulp from Russia is subject to an import duty of 25 per cent. ad valorem throughout the year.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the inquiry into the objections to the milk reorganisation scheme was thrown open to the public by statutory obligation, he is prepared to supply, at least to the organisations representing the parties concerned in the objections to the scheme, the commissioner's report on the inquiry?

Reports on public inquiries held under the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, are confidential. I regret, therefore, I cannot see my way to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is carrying on the negotiations with the Prime Minister of Canada with regard to the importation of Canadian oats, either alone or in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland?

My hon. Friend can rest assured that there is the closest cooperation between the Secretary of State for Scotland and myself in this matter.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made with the negotiations for the restriction of foreign and Dominion dairy products so as to secure the home-dairy producer a reasonable price for his produce?

As regards processed milks, my hon. and valiant Friend will be aware that arrangements for regulating imports during the months June to August have been made by agreement with the Dominion and foreign countries concerned. As regards other dairy products, the situation continues to receive my close attention, but I am not in a position to make a statement.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange that British vessels will be able to ask for medical advice through coast wireless stations free of all wireless

Should not the right bon. and gallant Gentleman have this information in order to enable him to come to a decision on future policy?

There is information which is required to be laid before Parliament and information which is regarded as confidential. This, of course, is administered by the Treasury.

The practice varies in different countries. Some, like Sweden, make no charge for transmitting radio-telegrams asking for medical advice; in others, including France, Germany and Great Britain, such messages are charged for. Under Section 34 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1906, the owner of a British ship is liable for the expense of providing medical advice for sick or injured members of the crew; and I do not think there is any justification for transferring the cost of messages asking for such advice from the shipowner to public funds.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the advisability of referring to the Post Office Advisory Council the question of how the development of British air-mail services may be stimulated by the simplification of rates and other changes in existing Post Office policy with regard thereto?

I am not prepared to agree with my hon. Friend that Post Office policy is retarding the development of the air mail, which has shown considerable expansion in the last few years. If, however, he has any suggestions to make, I shall be glad to consider them and, if desirable, to bring them before the Advisory Council.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) what was the cost of establishing a rural telephone exchange in 1925; what is the cost to-day; and what were the charges to subscribers in 1925 and what they are to-day; and

(2) what was the cost of erecting a mile of rural telephone line in 1925; what it is at the present time; and how much of those costs are represented by materials and labour, respectively?

I am obtaining the information, and shall circulate it as soon as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the number of Territorial soldiers who commanded Territorial brigades in the years 1914, 1921, 1929 And 1932, respectively?

Seven Territorial brigades were commanded by Territorial officers in August, 1914; in the other three years in question the number was eight.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he has considered the petition for the investigation of the ease of Major W. A. Adam, late 5th Lancers; and whether he is now prepared to reconsider the matters mentioned in that petition?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can give the House any information 'as regards Major W. A. Adam and his recent petition to the War Office to have his case reopened?

Major Adam's recent petition was considered by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State, but he can find no grounds for reopening this case.

Are there any further steps that this gentleman can take to have his case reopened?

I do not think so.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a general feeling that this officer has not received the customary consideration and justice which the War Office invariably metes out to officers in such circumstances?

I do not think that such a feeling can exist in the mind of anybody who read the Debate that took place on this question in another place seven years ago.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in order to make up the loss to Territorial officers in respect of the refusal to grant them Income Tax relief on £7 10s., uniform upkeep allowance, last year, he will take steps to see that rebate of tax on £15 shall be made this year to those officers who attended voluntary training in 1932?

The law definitely requires that any deduction from emoluments for the purpose of computing liability to Income Tax under Schedule E shall be made by reference to the amount of the expenses for the year which forms the basis of the assessment. My hon. and gallant Friend will see that this provision precludes the grant of a double deduction in one year's assessment, and I regret that I have no power to authorise an exception in the particular cases to which he refers.

(for Mr. ATTLEE) asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the Shrewsbury Conservative Association are advertising a garden fete for 20th July, the attractions of which include a display by the Shropshire Yeomanry; and whether, as participation of military units in political demonstrations is contrary to paragraph 517 of King's Regulations, he will take steps to prevent the demonstration taking place?

I am informed that arrangements had been made for certain individual members of the Shropshire Yeomanry to give a display of trick-riding, not in uniform. This would not have been contrary to the relative paragraph of the Regulations for the Territorial Army. In view, however, of the nature of the advertisement of the event, the local military authorities have issued instructions that the engagement is to be cancelled.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have reached a decision on the question of Government assistance to the production of petrol from coal?

Yes, Sir. The Government have decided to give effect to a proposal which they have reason to believe will ensure an immediate advance in the manufacture of home-produced motor spirit. The proposal will take the form of a guaranteed preference at the rate of fourpence a gallon in respect of light hydrocarbon oils, as defined in the Finance Act, 1928, manufactured in this country from indigenous coal, shale or peat, or from products derived from those substances. The guarantee will be for a period of 10 years from 1st April, 1934, provided that if the Customs duty for any financial year after 31st March, 1935, exceeds fourpence a gallon and no excise duty is imposed for that year, or if for any year the Customs duty exceeds any excise duty by more than fourpence a gallon, then in respect of each such year the period of guarantee will be reduced by three months for each penny of excess. [Interruption.] It is rather difficult to follow, but I can assure hon. Members that, although the statement is rather long and complicated, when it is down in print it will be very simple to follow.

The effect of this arrangement is to vary the period of the guarantee according to the actual preference, that is the difference between the Customs duty and the excise, if any excise duty should be imposed. If the preference remained at its present level of 8d. a gallon, the period of the guarantee would be 4½ years, from the 1st April, 1935. If it was reduced to 4d. a gallon, the period would be nine years from the same date, and any intermediate rate of preference would vary the period of guarantee proportionately. Legislation to give effect to the guarantee will be introduced in the autumn.

In order that the House may be in a position to discuss this very important statement, which we shall, perhaps, all understand to-morrow when we have read it, I give the right hon. Gentleman notice that, on one of the remaining days that we have for discussion, we shall take this as one of the subjects.

Can the Prime Minister give the House any estimate of the amount of raw coal that is going to be used during the 12 months?

An estimate has been made, and figures have been supplied to me. It will mean that about 7,000 men will be directly employed, and a slightly less number indirectly. This particular plant which we have in mind will be capable of producing about 100,000 tons of petrol, or roughly 30,000,000 gallons, a year, and will consume 350,000 tons of coal a year, giving employment to over 1,000 miners in addition to the employment in connection with the plant.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the Secretary for Mines, in his speech on the Estimates, could not speak definitely as to the success of these experiments? Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us that he has had some report since that time, and what firms have succeeded in the experiments?

I am afraid I cannot carry in my memory what the Secretary for Mines said, but he assures me that he has been misreported in the present instance.

Will several firms be able to avail themselves of these facilities, or only one?

It is a general guarantee to every manufacturer—whoever engages in the manufacture.

Does the right hon. Gentleman expect and hope that several firms will be able to avail themselves of this proposal, or only one?

Will the guarantee extend to any of the known processes—hydrogenation, low-temperature carbonisation, or any other of the processes known to be capable of producing oil from coal?

All that we want is production, and we do not mind the method by which the production is obtained.

What will it cost the Treasury at the present rate?

I think that question had better be put down, but I can say now without any notice that the cost will be very small to the Treasury.

(for Mr. T. WILLIAMS) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the nature of the specific charge or charges that were brought against 'Mr. Lenox Simpson by the Manchurian Government; and whether such charges have been proved to the satisfaction of the British Consul?

The complaints made by the Manchurian authorities against Mr. Simpson were described in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 12th July. The precise ground of His Majesty's Consul-General's protest was that a charge should have been brought in die Consular Court and was not brought, and it was therefore clearly impossible for him to enter into any discussion with the local authorities as to whether their complaints against Mr. Simpson were justified or not.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many local authorities have applied to him for special grants towards conducting experiments in the use of aeroplanes by police chasing criminals; and what is the policy of his Department with regard to this matter?

I have received from two county police authorities proposals to incur small items of expenditure for the experimental use of aeroplanes in connection with police work. I have approved these two proposals but I do not anticipate any considerable extension of the experiments at present.

asked the Home Secretary if he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the nature of the action which he intends to take with regard to controlling the sale of dummy pistols

As I have already indicated on previous occasions, I do not contemplate legislation to deal specifically with the sale of such articles. A Bill was introduced in another place on the 11th instant and is for Second Reading tomorrow, to provide special penalties for the use or attempted use of firearms or imitation firearms to avoid arrest, and for the possession of such articles in certain cases.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, so that sleeping out without visible means of subsistence shall cease to be an offence?

As I stated in reply to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Wrekin (Colonel Baldwin-Webb) on the 3rd instant, I am arranging for inquiry to be made as to the use which is made of this provision. The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that until the result of this inquiry is available it is not possible for me to express any definite opinion as to the need for an amendment of Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act. I fully recognise, however, the strength of the feeling which exists on this matter, and I intend to go into it very thoroughly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider issuing orders to the police pending the results of this inquiry not to arrest persons who could only be charged with the offence of sleeping out?

I am afraid I have no authority to issue such orders but the inquiry that I am making will, no doubt, draw the attention of the police authorities to the whole problem.

As for the time being sleeping out is to remain an offence for one section of the community, would the right hon. Gentleman consider making the law equal for all classes by having hikers, campers and caravaners who are sleeping out in contravention of the Vagrancy Act arrested and suitably punished, as was Thomas Parker?

asked the Home Secretary if the totalisators in use at pony race-tracks are operated under the licence of the Racecourse Betting Control Board; and, if so, what percentage is deducted and kept by the track management and what percentage is given to the control board?

I am informed by the Racecourse Betting Control Board that the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the board inform me that the agreement, under which licences have been granted to the managements of the two Pony Racecourses at Northolt, and Portsmouth, provides that the licensees shall pay into the Totalisator Fund the proceeds derived from the authorised deduction of 10 per cent. of the moneys staked by means of the totalisator. As contemplated by Section 3 (6) of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928, the agreement provides for the payment to the licensees out of the Totalisator Fund, at the end of each year, of all taxes, rates, charges and working expenses certified to have been incurred by the licensees during the year, but as a matter of convenience it has been agreed that the board will pay to the licensees, at the end of each race meeting, 7 per cent. of the moneys staked at the meeting towards reimbursement of the licensees' expenses in operating the totalisator, this 7 per cent. being subject to adjustment at the end of the year when certified accounts are received. The balance of the money received by the board, after deduction of the board's expenses in supervision, is available for distribution for the purposes defined in Section 3 (6) of the Racecourse Betting Act, 1928.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the final report of the Betting Commission it is stated that in one case a licensee is permitted to retain four-fifths of the total deductions, and, in any case, is it not unfair that the pony-racing track at Northholt should be allowed the use of the totalisator on a profit-making basis while the track at Wembley only a few miles away is not allowed the same privilege despite the fact that the National Greyhound Racing Society say they are prepared there to operate the totalisator without any profit at all?

Whatever they get is for the purpose of pony breeding, and that was laid down under the Act.

If, legislatively, a pony is a horse, could a greyhound be a pony?

(for Mr. SPENCER) asked the Home Secretary the present position in regard to the insurance of colliery workers against nonfatal accidents?

As regards the position generally, I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Martin) on 15th June and to previous replies on this subject. Generally speaking, good progress appears to have been made, but the situation in Lancashire, in which my hon. Friend is no doubt primarily interested, is, I regret to state, still very unsatisfactory. One indemnity company is actively considering a scheme to insure employers against disablement as well as fatal cases on the lines adopted in other districts, but their membership has been confined mainly to the northern part of the county. My right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State saw last week representatives from the south-western area who submitted proposals for a fund designed to provide some financial assistance in the event of bankruptcy, but this scheme appeared on the information furnished to be inadequate. He urged strongly upon them that the question should be reconsidered and that something should now be done as rapidly as possible to put matters on a satisfactory footing. I shall continue to keep in close touch with the situation and make every effort to secure prompt and adequate arrangements.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the statement on the subject of public works made by the President of the Board of Trade to the International Monetary and Economic Conference on 13th July supersedes the statement made by the Prime Minister jointly with President Roosevelt at Washington on 26th April, to the effect that enterprise must be stimulated by creating conditions favourable to business recovery and that Gov- ernments can contribute by the development of appropriate programmes of capital expenditure; and if not, what steps have been or are being taken by the Government for the development of such a programme for the United Kingdom?

The statement made by my right hon. Friend to the Economic Commission of the International Conference was directed primarily to the proposal made by the International Labour Office that facilities should be given for the issue of international loans to finance schemes of public works in Eastern Europe. As regards public works in this country the policy of His Majesty's Government is in no way altered. They are providing, or assisting to provide, finance for schemes of a remunerative or necessary character, e.g. slum clearance. But during the past 10 years a very large amount of capital expenditure has been incurred on public works of all kinds, with disappointing results, and the scope for useful schemes is now comparatively limited. It was fully recognised during 'the discussions at Washington that each Government must decide the nature of the programme of public works that it considers appropriate.

What is the reference to Eastern Europe which we are to gather from the statement of the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade at the World Economic Conference. Has it any reference to the £100,000,000, spent on public works in this country, which, he said, was not a profitable way of dealing with unemployment?

I refer when I say "our own country" to our own experiments. That was fully explained by me to President Roosevelt when we were at Washington.

Are we to take it that there is to be no expansion of public works by the Government to attempt in any way to meet the position?

No, I said that our policy is unaltered. The matter was debated, and a very full statement on the subject was made by the Minister of Health.

Have the Government in fact any appropriate programme 2B of capital expenditure such as was referred to in the statement signed by the right hon. Gentleman and President Roosevelt?

Certainly. The expression used in that statement was "appropriate programmes." The appropriate programme of the Government is the one which has been announced from time to time.

As the right hon. Gentleman will be a. little freer within the next few days, I wish to give him notice that we shall give him an opportunity to tell the country the appropriate programme.