asked the Secretary of State for India of what the Reforms Department of the India Office consists; and what is the sum of its salaries?

The Reforms Department of the India Office consists of a few officials temporarily seconded from other duties so that their time may be devoted exclusively to the problems connected with reforms. There are three Assistant Secretaries, one Principal, and four Clerical Officers so seconded. The net cost in salaries involved by the arrangements is rather less than £2,000 per annum.

Is there any truth in the report that these officials are engaged in drafting a Bill?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the total number of salaried posts established under schemes framed under the Agricultural Marketing Acts; what is the total cost involved; and what are the salaries of the chairmen of the Marketing Boards which have been established?

I regret I have not the information necessary to answer the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question. With regard to the last part, the position is that the schemes now in operation provide that the remuneration, if any, of the board shall be determined by registered producers in annual general meeting. Only one such meeting has so far been held, at which the registered producers of English hops voted their Chairman annual remuneration at the rate of £800.

If I put a question on the Paper for a later date, will the right hon. Gentleman tell me the number of salaried posts?

No, I could not do so. The Minister has no direct connection with the board, as the hon. Member understands.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to a recent letter of the Governor of Bombay, in which he addressed the boy scouts of Sind as future citizens of an independent province; and whether he authorised the Governor to forestall the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee and the decision of Parliament?

My attention has been drawn to the matter, but I am not in possession of the actual text of the letter referred to. The Governor of Bombay was obviously doing no more than refer to the well-known policy of the Government, which is subject, as any policy involving legislation must be, to the approval of Parliament. There is no occasion to attach to his words a meaning which was not and could not have been intended.

Surely the wording of the letter gave the people to understand that the whole question had been settled. Would it not be desirable that this should be left to the report of the Joint Select Committee and the decision of Parliament and that people should not be misled?

The people of Sind take their views from the expressed policy of His Majesty's Government. More than once that policy has been expressed in the past. They are not likely to take it from a letter written to a jamboree of boy scouts.

Was not that letter published widely in the native Press, and how can these people possibly distinguish between the decision of His Majesty's Government and the decision of Sovereign Parliament?

I incline to think that they will be better able to distinguish between what matters and what does not than my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is it not a fact that the people of India take their knowledge of what happens in this Parliament from the statements of the Governor and the Viceroy? Is it not very unwise that the Viceroy and the Governor should make a statement until after the report of the Joint Select Committee, when we have been told that nothing shall be done until the report is published?

There is no reason for my hon. Friend's anxiety. The position is quite clear. The position of the Government is well known, and this letter adds nothing to and detracts nothing from the policy of the Government.

Has not the argument been thrown out in favour of the Indian policy of the Government that Indians have been led to expect certain things and that we cannot go back?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman can draw what conclusions he likes. The position is as I have stated it.

Is not the policy of the Government liable to be modified by the report of the Joint Select Committee?

Certainly, and if the hon. and gallant Gentleman had followed my answer, he would have seen that I safeguarded the position of Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether negotiations have yet been commenced between the Government of Great Britain and the Government of India for a comprehensive trade agreement extending the principles of the Ottawa Agreement to include all textiles?

The matter is under consideration. As a first step the Government of India are seeking to obtain legislative authority for the Bombay-Lancashire Agreement. I will then consider in consultation with the Viceroy how this and other matters may be related to the Ottawa settlement.

Does the Tariff Bill introduced into the Legislative Assembly to-day, although it carries out a certain measure of agreement between the Lancashire textile representatives and the Indian millowners, in any way represent the final word of the Government of India on the representations which have been made to them by the textile delegation?

The hon. Member will see, if he refers to my answer, that I specifically state that as the first step the Government of India is seeking legislative authority for the Bombay-Lancashire Agreement. That implies that there may be subsequent discussion. I will then consider, in consultation with the Viceroy, how this and other matters may be related to the Ottawa settlement. I am conscious of the point my hon. Friend has stated.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether steps will be taken by the Government of India to limit the numbers of Indians taking a university course with the object of obtaining a degree, in view of the numbers of Indian graduates leaving the universities each year without any chance of obtaining suitable employment; and whether he will obtain a report on this matter from the French Colonial Office, which for some time has limited the output of college-trained men with regard to the employment available for them in the particular Colony?

It is for the authorities of the Indian universities and not for Government to decide whether any limitation of the kind shall be imposed. I doubt whether the suggestion made by my hon. Friend in the second part of his question would serve any useful purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been the same difficulty in French Colonies, and they have had considerable success in allaying discontent in the way suggested in the question? Does he know that there is a very considerable number of these Indian intelligentsia who have obtained a university degree and are without employment?

There are a great many universities in the world whose students are unable to find employment. If the hon. Member has any special information bearing upon the question, I shall be glad to receive it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recollect that a recent committee of inquiry into the Punjab University stated that the main reason for the increase in unemployment among educated young men in India was a defective system of education, which required drastic remedies?

Even so, I am not sure that whether the withdrawal of grants will have the effect my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) on what grounds notices were recently served on persons living in the district of Contai, in Midnapur, that they were to present themselves on the route of march to welcome soldiers of the Royal Garhwali Regiment and to salute the British flag; and whether force was applied to compel persons to leave their homes and to carry out this order;

(2) whether he will state the number of civilians apprehended for failing to carry out orders to attend military parades; and whether he will state under what statutory authority civilians in India are required to leave their homes and employment to attend parades and military ceremonies?

I have asked for the information desired by the hon. Member, and, if he will repeat his questions next week, I hope to be able to give him a full reply.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can now state the results of the inquiry into the Lahore execution on 21st November?

The investigation has shown that the order postponing the execution was delivered at the gaol at 11 on the morning of the day before the execution took place, but, owing to the failure of the clerk in the Punjab Government Secretariat who dispatched the order to indicate on the envelope either the nature of its contents or its urgency, the order was not placed before the goal superintendent until 10 o'clock next morning, after the execution had been carried out. The Superintendent of the Judicial Branch of the Secretariat also failed in his duty to see that an acknowledgment of the receipt of the order of postponement had been duly received from the superintendent of the gaol before the time fixed for the execution. Disciplinary action has been taken against both the dispatcher and the Superintendent of the Judicial Branch of the Secretariat. Steps are being taken to examine in all provinces the procedure in regard to orders of stay of executions with a view to making any recurrence of such a mistake impossible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Government of India that communications of this kind should in future be conducted by telegram to prevent such a terrible calamity happening again?

That is the kind of question which is now being considered between the Government of India and His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for India in which provinces of British India terrorist crimes and offences, actual or attempted, have been discovered in the course of the past year; and whether he will give the number of such outrages and offences, including murders in general and murders by gunmen, for the last six months of the year 1933 and for the year 1933 as a whole?

I have not yet received detailed information which would enable me to answer the second part of the question. As regards the first part, the provinces outside Bengal affected during the first half of the year were the United Provinces, Punjab, Bombay, Madras and Assam. In these provinces these offences were mainly of an isolated nature.

It is not the case that the "Review of India" for November contained a list of terrorist crimes or offences, actual or attempted, or trials for such crimes occurring not only in the provinces mentioned by my right hon. Friend, but in the Central Provinces in Bihar and Orissa, which I do not think he mentioned, and in Assam?

I will look into the reference the Noble Lady has brought to my attention, but I can assure her that the answer I have given to her is correct.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can now give the figures of terrorist crimes and offences, actual and attempted, in Bengal during the last six months of 1933; and whether he can explain the difference between the figures he has given for these outrages occurring in 1932, and the figures given in the Moral and Material Progress of India, 1931–32?

I have asked the Government of India to supply me with the later statistics of terrorist crime and with the explanation of the discrepancy referred to in the second part of the question, but I have not yet received the information.

asked the Secretary of State for India, if he is aware that the home member of the Bengal Government informed the Bengal Provincial Council that his Government is confronted with a dangerous and growing conspiracy; will he state since when terrirosm in Bengal has been on the increase; how this increase has manifested itself; and what steps the Bengal Government propose to take to deal with it?

I have seen a report of the home member's speech in the Press. The present terrorist campaign began with the Chittagong Armoury Raid in April, 1930, and has been continued with determination ever since. Latterly the police have had increasing success in dealing with the manifestations of the campaign. Part of this success has been the discovery of information as to its organisation and extent. While a number of leaders have been captured, the recruitment of terrorists still continues. Its manifestations have been checked but its potentialities still remain serious, especially on account of the continuance of recruitment which has necessitated further measures on the part of the Government. The Government of Bengal have therefore introduced a Bill to make permanent the Bengal Criminal Law Amendment Act and to strengthen the existing legislation in various directions which experience has shown to be necessary.

May I ask my right hon. Friend if it is not the case that the necessity for recently introducing this Bill into the Bengal Provincial Council, and the speech made by the home member of the Bengal Government, to which the questions refers, indicate that there has been a recrudescence of terrorist crime since 17th July last, when he informed the House of Commons that in his opinion we had now "got level" with terrorism?

No, Sir, my Noble Friend is not correct in drawing that

Are we to understand then that the statement in the preamble to the Bill lately introduced into the Bengal Legislative Council, which speaks of the recrudescence of terrorism and other crimes and the statement of the home member, are inaccurate?

No, Sir, certainly not, and there is no divergence between those statements and what I have said.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the amount of the expenditure from Indian revenues on the Ecclesiastical Department of the Government of India during each of the past five years, and give particulars as to how this money is allotted between the different church denominations?

I am circulating a table giving the information asked for.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he has taken to impress upon the Brazilian Government the hardship which is being experienced by British investors who entrusted their savings to the good faith of the State of Rio de Janeiro, whose obligations have now been in default for some years; and will he notify the Brazilian authorities that fresh Brazilian loans will not be permitted to be issued in the United Kingdom unless these and similar defaults by Brazilian public authorities have been brought to an agreed conclusion?

The foreign debts of the State of Rio de Janeiro are covered by the scheme for the consolidation of all the Brazilian Federal, State and municipal debts, which has been put before the Provisional President of Brazil by the Minister of Finance. No representations have been made to the Brazilian Government in regard to the debt of Rio de Janeiro, as it has been considered essential to await the publication of the final decision of the Brazilian Government in regard to the general scheme referred to above, before considering the desirability of taking this step. As regards the second part of this question, as my hon. Friend is aware, no issues involving remittance abroad are being made on the London market, and the question therefore does not at present arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has seen the protest of the British Long-term and Medium-term Creditors' Committee, and similarly that of the American Committee, addressed to the President of the German Reichsbank, dated 22nd December, 1933, with regard to the treatment of creditors by the German authorities; and will he, for the joint protection of British and United States nationals, invite the United States Government to adopt a policy, in association with His Majesty's Government, of setting up exchange clearings as a remedy for the unilateral con- ditions of default imposed upon foreign creditors under the German transfer moratorium?

I have seen a copy of the British protest, but have no information respecting that of the United States Committee. As regards the second part of the question, I am obliged to my hon. Friend for deferring it from Wednesday last till to-day. My hon. Friend will now have seen the text of the agreement reached between the British and United States creditors' representatives and the German authorities, published in the newspapers of the 1st February.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received information of the arrest of Walter Spielmann, a British subject by birth, at Offenbach, near Frankfurt, and his sentence of 2½ years' imprisonment for having made contemptuous remarks about conditions in Nazi Germany; and whether he can make a statement on the matter?

Yes, Sir. But according to my information Mr. Spielmann possesses German as well as British nationality and in these circumstances, in accordance with general principles, he is not entitled, in Germany, to the protection of His Majesty's Government. I am not therefore in a position to intervene.

Did he apply for the protection of His Majesty's Government?

I cannot say, but it is a very well known rule of international law, as would be inferred from my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the exchange of visits between the kings of Jugoslavia, Rumania, and Bulgaria, His Majesty's Ministers in those countries have received instructions to express His Majesty's Government's views as to the terms on which peace and co-operation may be best secured in the Balkans; and whether such terms provide for the application of full rights under the minority treaties for the Bulgarian minority in Jugoslavia?

His Majesty's Ministers in the countries concerned have, on my instructions, informed the Governments to which they are accredited that His Majesty's Government would welcome any pact between the Balkan States tending to general pacification and co-operation, provided that it is not directed against any other Power or Powers. It would for this reason be desirable that the terms of the Pact should, if possible, be so drafted as to secure the accession of Bulgaria. In reply to the last part of the question, provisions for the application of the minorities treaties are already contained in the treaties themselves and in the rules of procedure laid down by the Council of the League of Nations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that it will be very difficult to secure peace between these three countries unless there is peace between the several nationalities within each of these countries, and that particularly is that the case with Jugoslavia?

I think, as a general proposition, that is undoubtedly true.

Is it correctly reported that the Bulgarian Pact was initialed on Saturday, with the exclusion of Bulgaria?

I understand that the Pact was initialed last night, but I have not seen the text.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the exclusion of Bulgaria was her own act, or the act of the other Powers?

I should not like to give an answer to that question offhand, the importance of which I quite understand. I will gladly inform myself, if the right hon. Gentleman will put the question down again.

Is it not public knowledge that the Bulgarian Government was invited to join but declined to do so?

I believe that that is so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the policy of His Britannic Majesty's Government to support the independence of Austria?

The Government are watching the situation in Austria with the closest attention. The attitude of His Majesty's Government was stated by me to the House on 21st December last and that statement still represents the policy of His Majesty's Government in the matter.

Is it possible to preserve the independence of Austria if we abolish our Army, Navy, and Air Force?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to give the House any further information as to Austro-German relations?

My right hon. Friend will have seen in the Press a summary of the reply returned by the German Government to the recent démarche of the Austrian Government. I have no further official information but I understand that this reply is now being considered by the Austrian Government. My right hon. Friend will appreciate that, in these circumstances, I cannot make any further statement at the present time.

Will my right hon. Friend say that His Majesty's Government attach the greatest importance to the fair treatment of Austria in this connection?

I think the answer I gave on 21st December covers that matter clearly and fairly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which are the European countries whose nationals still require a visa to enable them to enter this country; and which European countries still impose a visa system upon nationals of this country?

Visas to enter the United Kingdom are necessary for nationals of the following countries in Europe: Albania, Bulgaria, the Free City of Danzig, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Rumania, Turkey, Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and Yugoslavia. British subjects still require visas for the same countries with the exception of the Free City of Danzig.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider opening negotiations with the various foreign countries concerned with a view to the alteration of the visa system?

No, Sir. I regret that His Majesty's Government still feel obliged to adhere to their decision that it is not possible, at present, for financial reasons, to enter into any further agreements for the reduction or abolition of visa fees.

Will my right hon. Friend examine the possibility of abolishing visas to countries which will give the same reciprocal advantages to us?

That is a matter which is considered from time to time, but I am afraid that I cannot add to the answer which I have just given to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the conclusion by the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics of conventions on aggression with a number of States, and the declaration of the Commissar for Foreign Affairs that the Soviet Union is ready to sign similar conventions with any other States irrespective of their geographical position and existing relations with itself, he will set on foot negotiations for the conclusion of a similar convention on the part of His Majesty's Government?

No, Sir. In view of their existing engagements under the Pact of Paris, to which the Soviet Government are also a party, and under the Covenant of the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government do not consider it necessary to initiate such negotiations.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether it is proposed to hold an international exhibition in London in 1936 with the support of His Majesty's Government?

The terms of the International Convention relating to International Exhibitions, which was signed at Paris in 1928 and came into force at the end of 1930, and to which the United Kingdom is a party, render it impossible either for His Majesty's Government to give official support to a long-term international exhibition in this country at the date mentioned, or for those foreign Governments which are parties to the Convention to participate in it.

Are the rumours in regard to the Crystal Palace quite unfounded?

Yes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give any further estimate of the amount of our invisible exports in 1933, and their consequent effect upon the trade balance for that year?

An estimate of the balance of trade for the year 1933 is being prepared and will be published in the "Board of Trade Journal," as usual, about the end of this month.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the dumping of Japanese cement in Hong Kong; and what action he proposes to take to protect the local industry?

My right hon. Friend has already been in communication with the Governor of Hong Kong on the subject of Japanese imports of cement into that Colony. The Governor, after taking into consideration all the circumstances, including the advantage to the trade of Hong Kong of its status as a free port, reported that he did not consider it desirable to interfere with such imports.

Does that mean that this industry of Hong Kong, which has been established at a good deal of expense, is now to be left to be decimated by Japanese competition?

The Government of Hong Kong is doing all it can to help, and have made arrangements to use as much British cement as is possible in all public works. I understand that during last year it gave an order of some 70,000 tons in connection with waterworks.

Are we to understand from the reply that the Governor of Hong Kong has definitely reported to His Majesty's Government saying that protection for this native industry of Hong Kong against Japanese competition in cement is not necessary or advisable?

I can add nothing to my reply, which completely answers that question. The Governor has taken many circumstances into consideration, and has come to this decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has any information as to the extent to which the Government of Northern Ireland is affording Irish shipbuilders assistance, either directly or indirectly, through the banks or through or any other agency?

I am informed that no assistance is given by the Government of Northern Ireland to shipbuilders in that country. If my hon. Friend has in mind the facilities afforded to shipowners under the Loans Guarantee Acts for the construction of ships in Northern Ireland, I understand that the guarantees given amount to about £1,250,000 over the last two years.

Is there any truth in the rumour that a sum of money equivalent to the unemployment benefit which would have been paid if the work involved in a contract had not been obtained, is being paid by the Northern Ireland Government to the bank?

I can hardly answer for rumours, but I have given my hon. Friend the facts for which she asked. If she wants to know any further facts and will give me notice, I shall be happy to inquire into the matter.

Would the Financial Secretary say, without notice, whether his answer covers also the municipal authorities?

My answer covers only the question on the Paper.

On a point of Order. If there was a guarantee, about which I know nothing, as this is a matter within the control of the Northern Ireland Parliament and there is no Minister in this House who could be responsible for the transaction, is the question on the Paper in order?

Since the hon. Gentleman has asked me, looking at the question I should say that it was not a matter for the Minister.

Is it not competent for a Minister to furnish Members of this House with information as to what subsidy a foreign Government may be granting, even though no Minister here is responsible, assuming that the information comes within the knowledge of the Minister?

So far as the Minister can give information the question would be in order, but of course the Minister has no responsibility in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the situation arising in the case of imported books which by their nature are on the free list, but which, owing to the inclusion of a minute proportion of silk in their binding, are chargeable with duty on the whole value of the volume; and whether he will take the necessary action to have this adjusted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and, as regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the South-West Division of Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) on the 20th December last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed to give effect, and, if so, when, to the recommendations of the Standing Committee on the Marking of Meat?

The recommendations of the Committee are under consideration by the Departments concerned, but I am not at present in a position to make a statement.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is intended to continue the work of the agricultural camps committee during the summer of 1934?

The Agricultural Camps Committee is a voluntary body which undertakes the organising of camps of unemployed urban workers for seasonal work on farms. I am not in a position to speak for the Committee but I understand that it is at present considering its course of action for the coming summer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the work of this committee was most unsatisfactory last year and that in several cases debts incurred by the committee in the spring of last year have not yet been discharged?

I am afraid that I do not wish to discuss the matter at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many cases of Colorado Beetle have been brought to his attention during the recent summer and autumn; and whether he is satisfied that the present arrangements are sufficient to prevent the spread of this pest?

Two or three beetles have been discovered in each of 10 allotments and gardens in the Tilbury district and two in a group of allotments on the other side of the Thames at Gravesend. I can assure my hon. Friend that I am fully alive to the menace of this pest and no efforts will be spared to prevent its establishment in this country. I hope that the precautions which have been and are being taken and which will be supplemented by further measures during the coming summer will be effective.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how these beetles came into this country?

I am afraid I cannot say, but the centre of the infestation is not a very great distance on the other side of the Channel.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the result of the recent poll of registered producers on the potato marketing scheme?

I am glad to inform the House that the result of the poll on the Potato Marketing Scheme, which was declared to-day, is overwhelmingly in favour of the scheme remaining in force. The result may be summarised as follows:—Of the votes admitted, 90.44 per cent. were in favour of the scheme remaining in force and 9.56 per cent. were against. The acreage returned by producers voting in favour of the scheme was 90.6 per cent. and that returned by producers voting against was 9.4 per cent. of the total acreage under potatoes returned by all registered producers.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make an immediate pronouncement as to the means contemplated by the Government to implement their promise to assist the milk marketing scheme by the adequate protection of Home-produced milk products, having regard to the fact that negotiations now proceeding between the Milk Marketing Board and manufacturers of milk products are likely to be prejudiced in the absence of such a pronouncement?

I understand that the Milk Marketing Board and representa- tives of the purchasers of milk having been unable to agree regarding the price to be paid for milk in the next contract period, the matter has now, in accordance with the provisions of the scheme, been referred for decision to the persons whom I have appointed for the purpose. I do not anticipate that they will be in a position to give their decision much before the end of the month. I fully appreciate that it is important that any announcement of Government policy should be made as soon as possible, and I can assure my right hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay.

Having regard to the importance of this matter and of the Milk Marketing Board being able to carry on its operations, can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make a statement?

I am afraid I cannot give a date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the result of the negotiations which have been proceeding with a view to readjusting the proportion of boned and boneless meat imported from foreign countries under this designation?

This matter has been discussed with the importers of meat from South America who have agreed to take any necessary steps to ensure that the proportion of boned beef imported by them does not exceed that which obtained in the basic year referred to in the Ottawa Agreements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if it is the intention of the Government to deal with the question of tithes this Session?

The position remains as indicated in the replies which I gave on 7th December last to questions on this subject by the hon. Member for Bodmin (Mr. Isaac Foot).

Is not the Minister aware of the intensely bitter feelings of those farmers who are paying excessive tithe, which in many cases is more than the rent, and does he not think it neces- sary in the interests of peace and justice to deal with the revision of the Act of 1925 this year?

I am afraid that I cannot enter into discussion of the merits of the case at present.

asked the Postmaster-General what amount the Post Office has spent in the year ended 31st December last on telephone cables and cables in general; and what amount it proposes to spend in the present year?

Purchases of lead-covered paper-core cables (including armoured cables) fall into two classes:

(1) Cables purchased from and laid by contractors;

(2) Cables purchased from contractors and laid by the Department's own workmen.

asked the Postmaster-General if he can state when telephonic communication by wireless will be established between Lerwick and the Whalsay Skerries?

The equipment is now being manufactured, and I hope that the service will be established next April.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is in a position to give any further information with regard to the provision of a branch Post Office on the Barlow Moor housing estate at Chorlton, Manchester?

Applications have been invited for the position of sub-postmaster from candidates with premises conveniently situated to serve the estate, but no appointment has yet been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to carry on research work on behalf of the British Broadcasting Corporation at the new Post Office Research Institution at Dollis Hill; and, if so, what sum is to be spent by his Department annually on such research?

No research work is being carried out at Dollis Hill on behalf of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and no such work is in contemplation, but some of the results of the wireless research work of the Post Office are of benefit to broadcast listeners—for example, the development of methods of preventing interference with wireless reception caused by electrical apparatus of various kinds.

Is it not a fact that last year the Post Office received £2,750,000 of revenue from wireless licences, and is it not a good thing that his new research station, on which I congratulate him, should be used for further progressive research work?

I am indebted to my hon. Friend for his congratulations.

That is not an answer to my supplementary question.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied with the progress being made in the elimination of interference with wireless reception; and whether he anticipates that his present arrangements will result in the virtual elimination of such interference in this country in the course of the next two or three years?

The question of eliminating electrical interference with wireless reception is at present under consideration by a committee appointed by the Institution of Electrical Engineers, on which the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Post Office are represented, in addition to the electrical and wireless interests concerned. Pending the receipt of the committee's report, I cannot express an opinion on the prospects of the complete elimination of such interference. In the meantime the Post Office is not relaxing its efforts to deal with this difficult problem by tracing the cause of interference in individual cases and urging—for the most part with success—the fitting of remedial devices.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken by his Department to bring to the notice of the public the facilities at the command of the Post Office for eliminating wireless interference?

I shall be glad to send my hon. Friend particulars of the steps which we are taking in that direction.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will order the excision in future of all comments on foreign affairs in the programmes of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The matter of the scope of the programmes and the discretion of the directors of the British Broadcasting Corporation in relation thereto were recently considered by the House, and such a suggestion as my hon. Friend makes would not be in harmony with the resolution which was then approved by a large majority.

Does my right hon. Friend consider that it is in the national interest that Nazi propaganda should be conducted by officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

If my hon. Friend will send me any information on that matter, I will gladly send it, with his comments, to the directors of the corporation.

Does my right hon. Friend know whether any complaints have come from foreign countries recently?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Attorney-General if he would be prepared to represent to the Lord Chancellor the advisability of referring to the Standing Joint Committee recently appointed by the Lord Chancellor to consider the revision of legal doctrines and decisions in the light of modern conditions the present position of the law of defamation, more especially in regard to libel actions against newspapers?

I understand that this committee is at present sufficiently occupied with the questions which have already been referred to it, but at a later date the suggestion of my Noble and gallant Friend will receive the most careful consideration.

asked the Attorney-General what action he proposes to take with regard to the protests received from the legal and business interests in Leicester against the proposals of the second interim report of the Business of Courts Committee?

The protests, to which my hon. Friend refers are now receiving the most careful consideration of my Noble Friend the Lord Chancellor, but I am not in a position at present to make any statement in the matter.

Will the Solicitor-General respectfully convey to the Lord Chancellor the wishes of the people of Leicester that the convenience of the legal and business interests of Leicester should be taken into consideration just as much as the convenience of His Majesty's Judges and lawyers?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Lord Chancellor is anxious to receive opinions from all those who may be affected, and will give them the most careful consideration.

Can the Solicitor-General say whether an opportunity will be given the House to discuss the report of the Business of Courts Committee?

I can make no statement on that matter.

Would not the appointment of a new Judge get over the difficulty more speedily?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great changes in population since the last Redistribution Act in 1918, he proposes to introduce a Redistribution of Constituencies Bill?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware of the existence of some anomalies due to changes in population, but the present would not appear to be a convenient time for the introduction of a measure of redistribution.

Surely it would be more opportune to deal with this matter during the longer Parliamentary life of the present Parliament than in a new Parliament, when life may perhaps be more hectic?

Is the Under-Secretary also aware of the anomaly existing in respect of two-Member constituencies, and that in a unanimous report of the committee dealing with this matter they said that these two-Member constituencies should be done away with. Would he look, therefore, with favourable consideration on the introduction of a Bill dealing with the matter?

I am aware of that fact, and also of the fact that there are many other anomalies with which it is difficult to deal.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has now received from the Governors of the Leeward and Windward Islands the information he asked for regarding the implications of the recommendations of the West Indies Closer Union Commission; and, if so, whether he has reached a decision upon the subject of this report?

Though the information received is not yet complete in every respect, it will be sufficient to enable the matter to be discussed at early meetings of the Legislatures in the Leeward and Windward Islands, for which arrangements are being made. Until local opinion has thus been ascertained no final decision in the matter will be taken.

asked the Minister of Health the number of persons in receipt of Poor Law relief from the Lancashire County Council for the years 1930, 1931, 1932, and 1933?

The average number of persons (men, women and children) in receipt of poor relief from the Lancaster County Council (excluding rate-aided patients in mental hospitals and persons in receipt of domiciliary medical relief only) was 23,409 in the last nine months of 1930, 24,875 in 1931, 31,001 in 1932, and 37,312 in 1933. These figures are based on the numbers on the last Saturday in each month.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us any explanation for these extraordinary increases?

I could give several, but the obvious one is the trade depression.

Have these increases anything to do with unemployed persons being put off the register?

Is it not the case that anyone who is disallowed benefit remains on the unemployment register although he may receive Poor Law relief?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the heavy losses incurred by the importers of oats and oat products owing to engagements in regard to currency and freight and contracts affected by the Additional Import Duties Order, No. 1 (1934); and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend received a deputation on the subject last Tuesday from associations of importers, representatives of the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries being present. There is no power under existing legislation to take the action for which the importers ask, and I can hold out no hope of new legislation for this purpose.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (1) whether he will take steps to make the Warrington Advisory Committee more representative, fill vacancies on the existing magisterial bench and, in doing so, pay special regard to the need for appointing men and women who have an understanding of the juvenile mind;

(2) whether he will state the present constitution of the Warrington Advisory Committee; when it was so constituted and who were asked to nominate; how many vacancies exist at the present time; when the committee last met; and whether he will take into consideration the dissatisfaction which is being expressed regarding the present personnel?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster the steps being taken to fill the vacancies caused by death and resignation on the magisterial bench at Warrington; and whether consideration is being given to the necessity for having magistrates, particularly women magistrates and those who have a knowledge of work amongst juveniles, to sit on the newly-constituted children's courts at Warrington?

The Warrington Advisory Committee which consists of Mr. George Bowman, Mr. David Plinston and Mr. James Smethurst, was constituted in July, 1932, and has recently been reviewed. No vacancies exist. I am satisfied that the Committee represents fairly the different shades of opinion in the borough and affords no reasonable ground for dissatisfaction. In the appointment of Lancashire Advisory Committees for which I am responsible, I am free to seek advice in the manner and from the source which appears most suitable but although I am in no way committed to consult any particular organisation or individual, all representations made to me receive most careful consideration. The dates of Committee meetings are a matter for the Committee. Recommendations of the Committee are considered when I am advised by them that a group of appointments to the bench is necessary for the due administration of justice. The attention of City and Borough Advisory Committees in Lancashire has been drawn to the need for magistrates specially qualified to deal with the new requirements under the Children and Young Persons Act.

Will the right hon. Member consider the desirability of placing a representative of the teaching profession in Warrington on the Warrington Borough Bench?

That, and other considerations, will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Labour what would be the additional cost to the insurance fund of an increase in the allowance for dependent children to 3s. in respect of the first child and 2s. 6d. in respect of the second?

An increase in the allowance for dependent children to 3s. in respect of the first child and to 2s. 6d. in respect of a second child would on the basis of finance assumed from the Unemployment Bill, increase the amount of benefit estimated to be payable by about £1,050,000. This figure does not include transitional payments.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of registered unemployed for the month ended December, 1933, and for the month ended January of the current year, or nearest available date?

The total for 18th December last was 2,224,079. Later figures are not yet available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the flight over the City and Central London for nearly two hours on Thursday evening of a large aeroplane with heavy-droning engines, as to which neither the Air Ministry or any of the civil aerodromes round London have any knowledge; and whether foreign aeroplanes are permitted to cruise for several hours over London at night without having previously obtained a permit?

The aircraft to which my hon. Friend evidently refers was a Royal Air Force aircraft carrying out training exercise, during the evening, in co-operation with ground forces. Such training flights are arranged in the Royal Air Force commands without reference to the Air Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will put the law into operation when auctioneers publish prices implying sale at those prices of articles passing through their hands although the articles are known to the auctioneers to have been bought in for the vendors or, alternatively, require auctioneers to state whether the prices they publish refer to a sale or not?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for the Chatham Division (Sir P. Goff) on the 12th December last.

Is the Under-Secretary aware of the extent to which the public are victimised by these practices?

Yes, Sir, but the efficiency of the law is not to blame; it is the fact that people generally are not prepared to give evidence.

Is the hon. Member aware that some auctioneers allow prices of goods which have been bought back to appear as if they were the actual purchase prices of those goods, and that this is apt to mislead the public as to market values? Will he draw the attention of the auctioneers' profession to the result of the practice complained of?

The real difficulty is that if a person pays £5 for something which is worth only 5s. he is not, generally, prepared to expose the hoax.

asked the Home Secretary if he is in a position to say how many colliery undertakings have gone into liquidation since January, 1927, and how many of them have failed to meet the full claims of injured workmen under the requirements of the Workmen's Compensation Act; and what has been the total deficiency on this account?

I would refer the hon. Member to the explanatory statement on pages 13 and 14 of the Workmen's Compensation Statistics for 1932. Since the publication of those statistics, there have been three further liquidations, bringing the total number of liquidations to date since 1st January, 1927, to 283. In 28 of these liquidations the workmen have suffered a permanent loss, totalling about £190,000, and in seven cases not yet settled there is a possibility of such loss.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently a colliery closed down in Lancashire and that the workmen were told they were not insured and were not likely to get any benefit? Has not the time arrived for the Government to take some steps in the matter?

The hon. Member knows that it is a very difficult question, and that my right hon. Friend has been taking certain steps to get a mutual understanding. If he asks me whether my right hon. Friend is still satisfied with the existing position, the answer is definitely in the negative.

If the Government are not satisfied, surely they ought to get a move on?

Hear, hear. It is a scandal.