asked the Minister of Health what is the scale of travelling allowance allowed to officials of the Ministry travelling in motor cars?

The mileage allowances to officers of my Department using their private motor vehicles on official business are governed by Regulations issued by His Majesty's Treasury on 13th May, 1933, and applicable to the Civil Service generally. A copy of these Regulations is being sent to my hon. Friend.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what is the cost per annum of the staff added to the Department of Customs by new appointment or by transfer from other Departments since January, 1932?

The increased cost per annum of the staff of the Customs and Excise Department due to additions of staff from all sources between 1st January, 1932, and 1st October, 1933, the latest date for which figures are available, is estimated at approximately £300,000.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the number of persons who migrated from the United Kingdom to other parts of the British Empire during 1932, and during the present year up to the latest convenient date; the number of persons who entered this country from other parts of the Empire during the same periods, with the intention of remaining permanently in the United Kingdom; and the total amount expended by the Government in respect of State-aided migration schemes since the War?

The number of persons who migrated from the United Kingdom to other parts of the Empire during 1932 was 21,249, and during the 10 months ending 31st October, 1933, 16,914. The numbers entering the United Kingdom from other parts of the Empire during the same periods with the intention of remaining permanently in the United Kingdom were 54,269 and 38,915 respectively. The total amount expended by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdon on State-aided migration schemes since the War to 30th September, 1933, is £9,000,408.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) the number of persons who were unemployed in the borough of Stepney on the latest date for which statistics are available, giving the number of people wholly unemployed and partially employed men and women, respectively;(2) the number of British seamen out of employment on the latest available date in 1933 and on the same date in 1932 and 1931, respectively?

At 20th November, 1933, there were 8,151 unemployed men, 1,534 women and 196 juveniles resident in the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney on the registers of Employment Exchanges. It is estimated that these figures include about 8,110 men and 1,340 women who were wholly unemployed and 40 men and 200 women who were temporarily stopped.The number of unemployed seamen, aged 18 and over, on the registers of Employment Exchanges in Great Britain was 39,800 at 23rd October, 1933, 42,343 at 24th October, 1932, and 41,272 at 26th October, 1931. Separate statistics in respect of seamen of British nationality are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to obtain training centres in agricultural districts for the benefit of unemployed agricultural workers?

The provisions with regard to training schemes contained in the Unemployment Bill will be available to unemployed agricultural workers, and when the Bill becomes law the question whether such schemes ought to be established for such workers will, I have no doubt, be taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of temporary clerks who have been disc-barged from the Employment Exchanges owing to the improvement in employment and the diminution of any need for their services?

Since 19th December, 1932, the staffs of divisional offices and Employment Exchanges have varied as shown below:appointment to permanent posts during the period of 1,635 persons previously

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women, boys, and girls registered as insured persons at the Hamilton Employment Exchange and the sub-exchanges connected

asked the First Commissioner of Works what was the reason for discontinuing the central heating arrangements under the Outer Lobby and St. Stephen's Hall; and whether he will arrange, in view of the present cold-weather conditions, to reinstate some form of heating?

There has been no discontinuance of the heating arrangements in any part of the building. The lowering of the temperature in St. Stephen's Hall and the Outer Lobby was entirely due to the cold windy weather, and to the continuous opening of the outer doors.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that a gentleman was recently summoned to attend as a juror at a circuit court in Inverness from a village about 110 miles distant; that he had to spend three days away from business, two nights from home, and to travel over 200 miles without repayment of any of his expenses, with it in November, 1933, with the corresponding numbers in November, 1932; and the numbers in each category of unemployed on both dates?

The available information as to the numbers of insured persons relates to July of each year. The following table gives the information desired so far as it is available:and that his service as a juror was not in fact required; and whether he will give an assurance that personal hardship occasioned by attending a circuit court at Inverness from such distant counties as Caithness and Sutherland will in future be taken into account in considering a claim for exemption from such service?

I am aware that a juror was recently cited from a village about 110 miles distant to attend a circuit court at Inverness; that no payment of expenses is allowed to jurors in criminal cases; and that this juror was not empanelled to serve on the jury. I have been informed that the juror's attendance in Inverness involved his absence from home for the period mentioned in the question. The summoning and exemption from service of jurors is not within the province of the Lord Advocate. The proportion of jurors from the counties of Caithness and Sutherland to be summoned to a sitting of the High Court at Inverness is regulated by Statute and Act of Adjournal. A juror cited to attend may apply for exemption from service for medical, financial, domestic or other reasons. I am informed that exemption may be granted under the direction of the judge who is to preside at the circuit on grounds of hardship, in considering which the distance of the applicant's home from Inverness and the expense and inconvenience thereby occasioned are taken into account.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of hours during which it is proposed to lock the prisoners in their cells during the period from midday on Saturday, 23rd December, to the morning of Wednesday, 27th December, in the convict prison at Peterhead and in the local prisons in Scotland; and what provision is made for concerts, lectures, or other healthy recreation for the prisoners during Christmastide?

I cannot state the periods for which it will be necessary to confine prisoners to their cells in each Scottish prison. As regards the second part of the question, some extra provision is usually made during the Christmas season for concerts and other entertainments to prisoners, and this course will be followed this year.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is yet in a position to announce the terms of the Government's land drainage scheme for next year?

As the right hon. and gallant Member is aware, provision for this service has to be considered in relation to the general question of other services carried out by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. The estimates of the Department are still under active consideration, and I shall supply the information desired as soon as it is available.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider adding to the committee set up on 13th December to report on the supply of and demand for Scottish barley for use by Scottish distillers a representative of the maltsters?

The malting industry is already represented on the committee by Mr. A. Hutchison, a member of one of the largest malting firms in Scotland. I do not think any further representation is necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give instructions to have herring in some form included in the weekly menus of all, suitable institutions over which he has control; and if he will address an appeal to local authorities to do likewise?

The hon. Member's suggestion is being carefully considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the decision of his Department on the request of the Glasgow public assistance committee's deputation at Edinburgh for the legal ruling on the proposal to raise the scale of relief to children of able-bodied persons by 1s. 6d. per week extra, making 3s. 6d. per week for each child?

I hope at a very early date to reply in writing, as requested by the deputation, to the question referred to.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland the total amount of money which has been refunded to Glasgow firms for the last year under the Derating Act, 1929, and the names of the firms and total amounts returned in each case?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the extent to which the ratepayers were relieved of rates in respect of certain lands and heritages under the derating provisions of the Local Government (Scotland) Act, 1929. I have no information either as to the total amount of such relief for last year or as to the amount of relief in any individual case. On the basis of the standard year (1928–9), however, the total rate reduction due to derating in Glasgow was approximately £700,000.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men, women, boys and girls registered as insured persons in each of the areas in Scotland, officially recorded in the Labour Gazette, for November, 1932, and November, 1933, respectively?

Estimates of the numbers of insured persons in particular areas are available only in respect of July of each year, and the following table gives the information desired on this basis

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that the British Creditors Committee, summoned to Berlin by Dr. Schacht to learn his future conditions for the German default, has returned without having arrived at an agreement; and will he now make a protest against the treatment of British investors in German public securities, including the 5½ per cent. German (Young) Loan, issued in London in accordance with Command Paper 3617, of 1930;(2) if he will give an assurance that, in all negotiations with the German Reichsbank authorities, he will insist upon terms being granted to British holders no less advantageous than those already agreed to, so that responsibility for any default shall rest with the German authorities?

I understand from the Press that an announcement was issued in Berlin on 18th December by the Central Committee of the Reichsbank, in regard to the arrangements for the transfers of amounts due in respect of the in- so far as it is available. The figures relate to the areas served by the various Employment Exchanges and not to local government areas.terest, etc., on German long-term foreign loans between 1st January and 30th June, 1934, His Majesty's Government are in touch with representatives of the British bondholders of the above-mentioned loans in regard to this question, which is receiving their serious attention. I am unable to make any further statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the Government of India intends to ask the Indian Tariff Board to report upon the proposals in respect of import duties contained in the recently concluded pact between the Bombay millowners and the British textile delegation?

So far as I am aware, the Government of India have no present intention of asking for such a report.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the Moral and Material Progress of India for 1931-32, issued under his authority, states that the terrorist crimes perpetrated in Bengal in 1932 were 97, 10 of these being murders and 27 attempted murders, whereas on 13th November last, in reply to a question, he stated that the terrorist crimes for the same Province and year were 75, with five murderous outrages and six attempts at outrages; and can he explain the discrepancy in these figures?

I am obliged to the Noble Lady for drawing my attention to this discrepancy. I am inquiring from the Government of India as to the explanation, which is, no doubt, due to some difference of definition. The Noble Lady will realise that it is difficult in some cases to say whether a crime should be classed as "terrorist."

asked the Secretary of State for India when and on what grounds British recruitment for the Customs Service in India was transferred from the control of the Secretary of State in Council to that of the High Commissioner for India; whether this transference involves any alteration in the percentage of British to be recruited for the Customs Service; and, if so, of what the alteration consists?

British recruitment for the Indian Customs Service was transferred to the control of the Government of India in 1925 on the grounds that detailed control by the Secretary of State in Council of a Service largely recruited in India was no longer necessary, and that the Europeans required could be recruited by the Government of India through the High Commissioner for India. The transfer of control did not involve any alteration in the percentage of British officers to be obtained by direct recruitment.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is in a position to state why a cablegram, containing only good wishes, sent on 31st July, 1933, by Mr. G. S. Dara, editor of United India, London, and secretary of the Indian Congress League and the Gandhi Society, London, to the address of Mahatma Gandhi in India still remains un- delivered; under what authority was this cablegram stopped; and will the prepaid charges be refunded to the sender?

I have no information on this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of Russian refugees who have entered India from the Kashgar district and South Russia, respectively, in the past three months; and what provisions, if any, the Government of India have made in respect of these people?

Considerable numbers of Russian refugees have entered India from or through Chinese Turkestan recently, but I have no statistics for the past three months. I am in communication with the Government of India as to the numbers of refugees involved and as to the steps to be taken to deal with them; meanwhile, temporary arrangements for their maintenance in India at the public expense have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information as to the amount of protection under the Steel Industry Protection Act, 1927, afforded to the Tata Iron and Steel Company; when this protection is due to expire; and whether it is intended by the Government of India to prolong is, and for what period?

In reply to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to Part VII of Schedule II to the Indian Tariff Act, of which I am sending him a copy. The protective duties are due to expire on 31st March, 1934. The Tariff Board have been asked to report on the question of the continuance of the protection of the steel industry.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state the sentence passed on Chaudhri Rattan Chand and Chaudhri Bagga, under the martial law ré gime in the Punjab in 1919; has the original term which these two prisoners were required to serve expired; and, if so, on what grounds have they been detained since, and when will they be released?

I have not this information, but am taking steps to obtain it.

asked the Secretary of State for India how often during the last 20 years have reduction or retrenchment measures been taken by the Government of India in regard to the salaries or allowances of their services; what rate of reduction has been effected during this period in the case of the lower ranks; and what rate of enhancement carried in the higher ranks?

It will be necessary to refer to India to complete the information asked for by the hon. Member. As soon as it is available, I will communicate with him.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the general purposes retrenchment committee of the Indian legislature recommended revision of salaries in the case of all services, but that the Government, while contemplating reducing the pay of lower ranks, does not propose to deal with higher Imperial services; and if he will represent to the Government of India the necessity of revising the pay of Indian Civil Services and the Indian police service?

The question referred to by the hon. Member, in so far as it affects new entrants to the Indian Civil Service and the Indian police, is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the failure of several insurance companies following upon compulsory insurance under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act and notwithstanding the required deposit of £15,000; and whether, seeing that insurers of workmen's compensation risks are required to deposit £40,000, he will say what steps he proposes to take to increase the deposit made by motor-vehicle insurers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Stoke Newington (Sir G. Jones), and of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport the tonnage of merchandise which was carried between this country and the Continent by train ferries during the past 12 months and for each of the two preceding similar periods?

I am informed that the tonnages of merchandise carried between this country and the Continent by train ferries in the years 1931, 1932, and in the 48 weeks ended 2nd December, 1933, were as follow:

asked the Home Secretary how many people have been killed and how many injured during 1932 while boarding or alighting from tramcars; and whether, in view of the demand from magistrates and coroners for the prohibition of motorists passing stationary tramcars when passengers are boarding or alighting, he will consider legislation enabling local authorities to make by-laws to put a stop to this practice?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The report on the causes and circumstances of fatal road accidents recently issued by my Department shows that, during the first six months of 1933, 18 people were killed while boarding or alighting from stationary tramcars. I am not aware of any other official figures on the subject. In addition to the provisions of the law relating to careless and dangerous driving, the Highway Code instructs drivers, when overtaking tramcars, to watch carefully to see if passengers are attempting to board or alight and to go slowly or stop, as the circumstances require. Drivers of vehicles cannot be expected to be aware of local by-laws and Parliament has, during recent years, consistently refused to allow clauses designed to allow local authorities to make by-laws for this purpose.

asked the Home Secretary whether regulations have yet been drafted providing for the same degree of precaution in the transport of acid by road as already exists in connection with its transport by rail; and, if not, whether he will take steps to deal with this matter in the near future?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for North Islington (Colonel Goodman) on 15th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the weight and value of fish, other than shell-fish, eels,

The precise information desired is not available, but the following tables show for the periods indicated:

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total amount of foreign landings and imports of sea fish of all kinds, the importation of which is regulated by orders issued by him under the Sea-Fishing Industry Act, 1933, in each of the three years ended 21st August, or the nearest convenient date, 1931, 1932 and 1933; the total amount of fish landed and imported from the Dominions during each of the same periods; and the total amount of foreign landings and imports of sea fish which will be allowed to enter this country during the year beginning 21st August, 1933?

The particulars asked for in the first part of the question are not available and would not, I think, serve my right hon. and gallant Friend's purpose, as the quantities to be landed under the Sea-Fishing Industry (Regulation of Landing) Order, 1933, are related to the calendar year. The imports from all foreign countries of the categories of fish which are regulated under that Order amounted to 3,078,440 cwts., 2,607,292 cwts., and 2,338,443 cwts. in the years 1930, 1931 and 1932 respectively. The imports of fish of all kinds into the United Kingdom consigned from British countries amounted to 481,566 cwts. in 1930, 504,931 cwts. in 1931, and 365,853 cwts. in 1932. Maximum quantities, aggregating 809,740 cwts., have been assigned to the principal foreign countries for the period 21st August, 1933, to 31st December, 1933, and thereafter maxima, aggregating 2,426,060 cwts., have been assigned for each calendar year. Particulars are given in the Schedule to the Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of rubber shoes and gum boots imported per annum during the last three years from Germany, Japan and Czechoslovakia respectively?

The following table shows the total number of rubber boots and shoes imported into the United Kingdom and registered during the years 1931 and 1932, and the period January to November, 1933, as consigned from Germany, Japan and Czechoslovakia respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the concession recently made to Japan in Abyssinia for the production of cotton and other goods, especially for the European market, ho will forthwith enter into conference with other European countries to prevent the dumping of goods in Europe at prices with which no European manufacturers can compete?

I have seen a report in the Press that a concession for cotton growing had been made to Japan by the Abyssinian Government, but I understand from inquiries which have been made that no such concession has, up to the present, been granted. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the statements which I made in the Debates in this House on 9th, 23rd and 29th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the announcement of the Japanese Ministry of Commerce that they intend to assume stricter control of the Japanese export trade in order to minimise dumping, he will immediately endeavour to negotiate an agreement with Japan in world markets?

I understand that the Japanese Government are considering a control of exports for the purpose of raising prices. On the Government's policy in regard to Japanese competition, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made in the Debates on this subject on 9th, 23rd and 29th November.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in compiling the figures showing the invisible exports for the current year, he will consider the desirability of compiling a table to accompany these statistics showing the amount of money which would have been received by this country in respect of loans to countries such as Brazil, if they had honoured their obligations?

Precise information as to the sums due to residents of the United Kingdom in respect of unpaid interest on loans to individual countries is not available, but the annual article on the balance of trade contains an estimate of the aggregate sum in default.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in connection with the recently concluded agreement between the Bombay millowners and the Lancashire textile delegation, measures are being taken by His Majesty's Government to increase the consumption of Indian cotton in this country; and if it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to appoint a trade adviser in India?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 11th December to the hon. Member for the Platting Division (Mr. Chorlton) regarding the committee which has been set up in Lancashire to promote the greater use of Indian cotton in this country. With regard to the second part of the question, I understand that this committee has under active consideration a suggestion that the cotton industry should appoint a representative in India whose duty it would be to establish liaison between the cotton spinners of this country and the cotton growers of India.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of units generated or, alternatively, the number of units sold by electricity supply undertakings commencing with and including January, 1931, up to and including September, 1933?

33,006 million units were generated in the period referred to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education if, in view of the distress that prevails in Glamorgan, he will consider a special grant to the education authorities for the purpose of setting up school canteens to provide one or two meals a day for all school children?

The Board of Education already pay 50 per cent. of the expenditure on the provision of meals reasonably incurred by local education authorities, and my Noble Friend sees no reason to consider the payment of a special additional grant to local education authorities in a particular area. In any case, the provision of free meals for all school children in an area, irrespective of their physical condition or the incomes of their parents, appears to be outside the intentions of the Education Act.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education what recommendations are made to local education authorities in regard to meals and food provided for necessitous children under Sections 82 to 85 of the Education Act, 1921, ordinarily and in special cases, respectively; and what is the board's interpretation of a meal within the meaning of the Education Act, 1921?

The provision of meals for school children has been fre- quently discussed in the annual reports of the board's chief medical officer, to which my Noble Friend would refer the hon. Member. Pages 134 to 138 of the report for 1932 contain a number of recommendations in regard to the administration of this service. The board regard ordinary meals, milk, cod liver oil, and certain concentrated foods as meals for the purpose of Sections 82 to 85 of the Education Act, 1921.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education the number of surviving pre-War teacher pensioners and the total amount payable at present in respect of their pensions?

The number of teacher pensioners in receipt of pensions awarded under what are usually called pre-War conditions, that is, under the provisions regulating the superannuation of teachers which were in force before the date (1st April, 1919), on which the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918, came into operation—who were surviving on the 30th November, 1933, was 2,159. The figure of the total amount payable on that date in respect of these pensions is not readily available; but during the year ended 31st March, 1933, the amount expended under this head, including increases under the Pension's (Increase) Acts, 1920 and 1924, was £130,056 in respect of 2,586 pensioners, of whom 2,305 were surviving on 31st March, 1933.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that an instruction issued by his Department in November to the medical superintendents of limb-fitting centres has inconvenienced pensioners, who have been unable to obtain repairs to their light-metal artificial legs or new legs in replacement of worn-out legs; and, as this will result in some pensioners having to revert to crutches over the Christmas holidays and an accumulation of repair work as well as new limb orders, and has already thrown out of employment a number of disabled ex-service men normally employed on this work, what action in the matter does he propose to take?

No instruction has been issued which would have the effect described by my hon. Friend. On the contrary, directions have been given to keep the contractors as fully occupied as possible till the end of the year when the contract with one of the firms employed by the Ministry expires. As the Ministry provides every limbless pensioner with a duplicate limb for every amputation, no one should have "to revert to crutches over the Christmas holidays" or at any other time.

asked the Home Secretary if he will make it a condition of the allowance granted to Metropolitan policemen for the use of their bicycles that the vehicles shall be supplied with a rear lamp?

No. Sir. I am not prepared to impose on the police a requirement of that kind which does not apply to other cyclists.

asked the Home Secretary the number of surviving pre-War police pensioners and the total amount payable at present in respect of their pensions?

The number of retired members of police forces in England and Wales who on 31st March last were in receipt of pensions granted before 1st April, 1919, was 9,341. I regret that I am unable to give the total amount of their pensions.

asked the Home Secretary how many certificates were granted last year to the 1,590 persons holding a licence to perform experiments upon living animals under the Act, 39 and 40 Vic, c. 77; and the number of licences and certificates signed by each of the named persons authorised to sign under the provisions of Section 11 of the Cruelty to' Animals Act (39 and 40 Vic, c 77)?

Five hundred and twenty-one certficates were allowed to come into operation in 1932. I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question could not be given without an examination of all the certificates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any statistics showing the approximate number of individuals who are at present paying Income Tax and supporting parents without being allowed any rebate on that account; and whether he will consider taking some steps to deal with this matter in his forthcoming Budget?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I cannot anticipate the Budget statement

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the loss at the Bristol repertory theatre for the past year of account amounted to £700, whereas the Entertainments Duty paid amounted to £1,700 and the wage roll to £7,000; and whether he will take these figures into account in considering whether any alterations can be made in the present incidence of the Entertainments Duty in connection with the forthcoming Budget?

I note the information given by my hon. Friend in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total sum spent by the Government on national advertising during the last three years: and with which newspapers the money has been spent?

The amount expended from public funds on Press advertising during the last three completed financial years is approximately as follows:

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any grant has yet been made towards catchment boards under Section 55 of the Land Drainage Act; and, if so, to what amount?

Grants to catchment boards under Section 55 of the Land Drainage Act, 1930, have been approved to an estimated total of £165,000. The greater part of this amount will, however, be payable in the form of a contribution towards loan charges over a number of years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that county councils through their elective catchment board have reported that the River Neath or Tawe in times of flood is a menace to the population through its bed being silted; and what steps the catchment board is taking to call upon the landowner to clear the river bed or, failing his compliance, to proceed with the work and claim the cost from the owner after notice has been served?

The River Neath is situated in the Mid-Glamorgan Rivers Catchment Area, the board of which was constituted under the Land Drainage Act, 1930, in April last. I have no information as to any representations made by county councils to that catchment board regarding the flooding of the river, but as the greater part of it is in fact marked as "main river" on the statutory map of the catchment area it is, to that extent, under the immediate and sole control for land drainage purposes of the catchment board. The latter part of the question does not therefore arise. The River Tawe is not at present situated in a catchment area, but it is understood that the rural district council of Pontardawe is proposing to arrange a conference of the local authorities concerned at an early date to discuss what steps should be taken by concerted action to deal with flood prevention in the area.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many prosecutions have taken place under the Artificial Cream Act, 1929; in how many of these cases has the prosecution resulted in conviction before the magistrates; and how many of such decisions have been reversed on appeal?

I have been asked to reply. According to my information, which is not necessarily complete, there have been seven prosecutions in England and Wales under this Act. One was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act. In the other six, the defendants were convicted, but in two instances the decision was reversed on appeal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now announce the names of the members of the Sea-Fish Commission?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave yesterday to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Torquay (Mr. C. Williams).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of potato producers in Great Britain; the number of producers who grow more than 20 acres of potatoes but not more than 70; the number who grow 70 acres and over; the total acreage under potatoes in the last year for which figures are available; and the number of acres cultivated, respectively, by the producers of from 20 to 70 acres and of over 70 acres?

The number of potato producers in Great Britain on agricultural holdings of more than one acre on 4th June, 1932 (the latest date for which this information is available) was 105,000. The total acreage under potatoes on holdings of more than one acre in Great Britain on 3rd June, 1933, was 672,000 acres. I have no information with respect to holdings of one acre or less. I am afraid the other information asked for in the question is not available, and could only be ascertained at considerable expense.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement as to the purpose of the recent British mission to Sanaa; and what has been the result?

Negotiations for the conclusion of a treaty with the object of regularising relations between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on the one hand and the Imam of the Yemen on the other hand have been proceeding for a number of years. Matters have now reached a sufficiently advanced stage to justify the despatch of a mission to the Imam to conclude these negotiations. The Resident at Aden is, therefore, at the Imam's invitation, proceeding to Sanaa for this purpose. The Resident and other members of the mission left Aden on 15th December. If a treaty is concluded, the Government of India will also be a party to it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that native agricultural wages in Kenya Colony have not increased since 1931 and that the rate of taxation has increased from 4s. to 12s. per head a hut, he will take steps to secure a considerable reduction in this taxation?

The rate of taxation has remained unaltered since 1922, and at the present time, it would not be possible to effect any considerable reduction. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the proportion of the native population which depends upon wage-earning for its tax money is relatively small.