asked the Secretary of State for India if he has any information as to the recent outbreak in the Rangoon Gaol, Burma?

There has been no outbreak in the Rangoon Gaol, but on the evening of the 2nd March a fire destroyed three old workshops entirely and partly destroyed another. The cause of the fire, which was brought under control in a very short time, is not known definitely, but incendiarism is not suspected. There was no loss of life or injury to anyone.

asked the Secretary of State for India the number of political prisoners in India on 1st January, 1932 and 1st January, 1934, respectively?

The number of prisoners convicted of civil disobedience offences on various dates is as follows. I have included certain other dates so as to give an accurate picture. Up to the first date mentioned action had been confined to the North-West Frontier Province.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House information regarding the strikes which broke out recently among the textile workers in the Bombay presidency and other centres; in how many industrial towns in India the textile workers have resorted to strike action; whether he is aware that at Delhi the police were employed to force the textile workers to resume work; and whether he can state what are the demands of the workers on strike?

Between the 1st January and the 15th February six strikes in textile mills have been reported, three in Bombay City, one at Dhulia, one at Ahmedabad and one at Delhi. Four were due to cuts actual or anticipated in pay or allowances, one to delay in payment of wages and one to complaints about working conditions. In none of the reports received is there any confirmation of the suggestion made regarding the position at Delhi.

Is it the fact that in those cases where delay has occurred it has been a delay of several weeks?

I have not the details available, but I will make inquiries if the hon. Member desires.

asked the Secretary of State for India what contribution is paid annually by the Government of India towards the cost of the British Navy?

£100,000 a year.

In view of a recent decision to pay a large sum to the Government of India for the privilege of exercising British troops on Indian soil, ought we not to pay for the privilege of exercising British ships in Indian waters?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether in order to relieve the block in promotion, he has in view the introduction of a scheme of compulsory retirement of officers of the Indian Army?

As hon. Members are no doubt aware, the authorities in India are likely to be confronted with a serious congestion in the senior ranks of regimental officers in the Indian Army within the next few years, and are now considering how best to deal with the problem. The congestion is due to the large number of permanent commissions granted during the War years, taken in conjunction with the operation of the time-scale of promotion. No definite scheme has yet been placed before me, and I cannot say at the present stage what form such a scheme is likely to take.

asked the Secretary of State for India the total cost, including the expenditure on military operations, of the suppression of the Burma rebellions of 1930 to 1932; how many persons were killed; how many executed and how many were imprisoned at the time of the rebellion; and how many of those imprisoned are still serving sentences?

I have asked for the information desired by the hon. Member, and will communicate with him when I receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an assurance has now been obtained from the Soviet Government, in reply to the representations made by the British Government, that the restrictions imposed in the past on local purchases, and also on the importation, free of duty, of supplies by His Majesty's representatives in the Soviet Union, have now been withdrawn?

As my right hon. Friend stated on the 7th February, in reply to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfell), His Majesty's Government considered it essential that necessary supplies should be available to His Majesty's representatives in the Soviet Union at reasonable prices, and that such supplies as those representatives found it necessary to import would not be subject to import duties. The arrangements now in force meet these two conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to a notice in the Board of Trade Journal regarding the employment of British subjects in the Soviet Union; whether he is aware of the details of a case in which Soviet regulations for the export of foreign currency were interpreted in such a way as to deprive two British mechanics of a substantial part of their earnings; and what action he intends to take in the matter?

The notice in the Board of Trade Journal, to which my hon. Friend refers, was inserted with my right hon. Friend's concurrence. The facts of the case, which has been the subject of repeated representations to the Soviet Government, are as stated therein. The Soviet Government refused authority for the export of the sterling equivalent of the men's savings, without which the permit to exchange those savings into sterling contained in their contract was a valueless concession. It was therefore decided to give publicity to the matter, in order that other British subjects who may contemplate entering into similar contracts with Soviet organisations may not be under a misapprehension.

May I ask if this publicity was given officially by the Foreign Office?

It was given in the Board of Trade Journal with the concurrence of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is in a position to give the House any information as to the results of the British Industries Fair in London and Birmingham?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can make any statement as to the results of the cotton textile section of the British Industries Fair?

I am glad to state that the results of the British Industries Fair have been very satisfactory. Reports from all sections of the Fair indicate that the orders obtained by exhibitors for the home market were in excess of those resulting from the 1933 Fair. The volume of orders and enquiries secured from overseas markets is stated to be higher than at any previous Fair, a statement which is borne out by an increase of over 20 per cent. in the attendances of overseas buyers at the London section.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say how the number of home buyers compared with that of last year?

The number of home buyers is slightly down in the London section, and in Birmingham they do not differentiate between home and overseas buyers. The grand total for all sections is slightly up.

Can the hon. and gallant Member give us any information about the cotton industry?

The textile section was very successful this year.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the attention of his representatives has been called to the latest Japanese commercial activity in the Balkans; and whether he will ascertain to what extent any form of barter or exchange of commodities rather than purchase is being adopted as the method of trading?

Reports have been received regarding Japanese commercial activity in certain Balkan States, but I have at present no information regarding the precise terms upon which Japanese goods have been sold. As regards the second part of the question, whenever instances occur of barter transactions or similar methods of trading by exporters of any country, our overseas officers report thereon without delay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the tonnage of imports of manganese from British West Africa and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, respectively, in 1929 and 1933 or the latest year for which figures are available?

The total tonnage of manganese ore imported into the United Kingdom from British West Africa was 1,380 tons in 1929 and 22,689 tons in 1933; the corresponding figures of imports from the Soviet Union were 10,064 tons in 1929 and 220 tons in 1933.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the question of price is preventing the Russian authorities buying herring from the British fishing industry; and, if so, can he say what the average difference is between the price asked and the price offered?

I am informed that about 8,000 barrels of existing stocks of cured herring were offered about a fortnight ago by the curers to the Soviet representative in this country at a price of 30s. per barrel. I understand that the immediate reply was an offer to consider a purchase at 25s. per barrel. I am not aware whether there have been any further negotiations in respect of the existing stocks of which only a small quantity now remains, unsold.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the negotiations between representatives of the Lancashire and Japanese textile industry; and whether, in case of failure, the Government propose to take action for the protection of our industry?

As regards the present position of the negotiations between the representatives of the Lancashire and Japanese cotton and rayon industries, I have nothing to add to the statement which appeared in the Press after the meetings last week. It would be premature and inappropriate at the present stage to discuss the eventuality suggested in the second part of the question.

Can my hon. Friend give the House any indication of when he is prepared to make such a statement?

I think that must be a matter for my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade to deal with himself, but, as the House knows perfectly well, there will be no delay in this matter, and it is most inadvisable to press further at the present moment.

Does my hon. Friend realise the position of Lancashire at present and the necessity of having some definite statement?

Absolutely.

Can my hon. Friend say whether silk is included in these discussions?

As I was dealing with cotton and rayon, the answer, I think, is obvious.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any further statement to make as to the possibility of the institution of a committee of inquiry into the working of the law relating to tithe?

No, Sir.

Having regard to the widespread dissatisfaction with the present arrangements and the continued urgency of the problem, will my right hon. Friend undertake to make some statement on the subject before we rise for the Easter Recess?

I am afraid I could not give any undertaking.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, before approving any proposals submitted by the Milk Marketing Boards for providing milk to schools at reduced rates, the Government will satisfy themselves that such milk will be free from the risk of tuberculosis or other infections?

I understand that under present voluntary schemes the source of milk supplied to schools has to be approved either by the school medical officer or by the local medical officer of health. I have no doubt that the Milk Marketing Boards will take note of existing procedure in framing the proposals which they will be submitting for approval, and I will certainly bear the point in mind myself.

Is it not a fact that the quantity of milk containing tubercle is infinitesimal and that questions such as this do a great deal of harm to the milk industry?

Hon. Members must judge that for themselves.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the serious situation at Kirton, Lincolnshire, in consequence of the closing of the normal water supply of several hundred people, including school children, on the ground that the supply is polluted; and what action he proposes to take?

An engineering inspector of the Ministry has visited the locality to examine the position of the water supplies. At Kirton a private well on school premises was found to provide water below standard. Immediate steps are being taken to purify the water, and in the meantime other supplies are being used.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the only source of supply to the pump in question is what is known as soakage water and that there are no local springs available; and will he take steps to see that a pure water supply is provided?

And will he also take: steps to see that these matters are left in the hands of the Member of Parliament for that division?

As my hon. Friend knows Boston has already taken steps under a Private Bill to improve its water supply.

asked the Minister of Health if it is proposed to give the regional advisory committees statutory powers to enable them to carry out schemes of regional water supply?

No, Sir. The committees have been formed for advisory purposes only, their functions being to survey the needs of their regions and resources and advise on measures to be taken. It is for the water undertakers in the region to decide how the recommendations of the Committee should be implemented.

Is my hon. Friend aware that at a recent meeting of the regional committee a resolution was passed declaring that further meetings were futile in the absence of some statutory power; and will he consider whether it is not advisable to provide them with some statutory authority, because this view is shared by other regional committees?

I cannot accept the hon. Member's statement of fact.

asked the Minister of Health what replies have been received by him to his recent circular sent to rural district councils on shortage of water due to drought?

Four hundred and seventy-five rural district councils have so far replied to the Circular. Of these 315 report that their districts are not suffering from shortage; the remaining 160 report shortage of varying degree in parts of their districts, and indicate special measures which are being taken. As the details are somewhat long, I will with my hon. Friend's permission circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a summary of the replies.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a Report on Causal Factors in Tuberculosis, published by the National Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis; and whether his expert advisers confirm the view that the incidence of tuberculosis varies with the consumption of raw milk, a shortage of which more than of any other foodstuff is a predisposing cause of tuberculosis?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regard the second part, the causal factors in tuberculosis are numerous and complex, including under-nourishment, but my right hon. Friend is advised that the nutritive value obtained by the consumption of raw milk might be accompanied by some increase in the risk of infection by bovine tubercle bacilli unless suitable precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the milk.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will state for each of the past five years the amount lost by the Post Office owing to burglaries?

The amounts for the years ending the 31st of March are as follow:

To what does my right hon. Friend attribute the great increase in recent years?

In the considerable increase last year the only appreciable amount was due to a burglary at one of the offices, where the loss was a very considerable one. Apart from that, I do not think there is any particular difference in the year. The losses are of very small sum having regard to the vast amount of money that is entrusted to the Post Office every year.

Are the local post offices insured against burglary?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Postmaster-General what are the conditions governing licences to American cable companies operating in this country; for what period these licences are granted; when do they expire; and, in view of the fact that the American Government does not grant licences to British cable companies operating in America, will he initiate negotiations for reciprocal facilities before renewing the licences of the American companies operating in England?

Cable landing licences which were granted to two American companies expired some years ago and have not yet been renewed. In the meantime arrangements have been made with the companies for the continuance of their services between this country and North America. The United States Government have in the past granted permission to British companies to land cables in the United States. So far as I am aware, no British cable company has recently applied for permission to land a transatlantic cable in that country, but I have no reason to suppose that if such an application were made it would be refused.

Is it a fact that American cable companies are now operating in this country without any licence at all?

That is another matter. My hon. Friend had better put the question on the Paper.

asked the Postmaster-General what changes have been made recently in respect of postal facilities in the Great London area; if he can state the approximate cost of these changes; and whether any further improvements are contemplated?

Improvements have recently been made in the postal services at certain towns immediately adjoining the London postal area, the principal alterations being the provision of a later delivery of letters commencing at approximately 7 p.m., and a later evening collection from all letter boxes. An additional Sunday collection is also being made from letter boxes at certain Post Offices. It is intended to provide similar facilities at all towns similarly situated as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. The provision of additional staff is dependent on many factors, and it is not practicable to state with any degree of accuracy the cost of the improved services, but the total expenditure on bringing the services up to date in the towns in question will be in the neighbourhood of £50,000.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the facilities for air-mail postage is available to Ceylon via India?

Air-mail correspondence for Ceylon may be prepaid for transmission by air either to Karachi or to Madras; the rates of air postage are the same as those for India.

How much subsidy has that air service received?

I must ask for notice of the question.

asked the Minister of Health how many slum-clearance areas have been marked out and how many protests he has received from property owners, as distinct from site owners, against condemnation without compensation of property which is in good condition merely because it forms part of a slum-clearance area?

Up to 28th February 2,083 areas had been declared by local authorities to be clearance areas. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend has received representations in favour of an amendment of the law but its present effect is not accurately indicated by my hon. Friend. Objections by property owners to the inclusion of houses and other buildings in clearance areas are frequent at the local inquiries held by inspectors of the Ministry before clearance area orders are confirmed, and houses or buildings shown to have been improperly included in an area are excluded from the confirmed order.

While thanking my hon. Friend for his lucid reply, may I ask him to make it known very widely that proper compensation will be paid in respect of good houses which may unfortunately be included in a slum clearance scheme?

That, of course, is so. A clearance area is a legal, not a geographical area, and that means that if a house is structurally fit and happens to be situated in a clearance area, it can only be included at the market value. If it is wrongfully included at site value for the compensation basis, then when we are confirming the order we should exclude such house.

While again thanking my hon. Friend, may I ask him to make that fact widely known, in view of the misapprehension which exists all over the country?

asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement with regard to the desirability of setting up a Ministry of Housing?

No, Sir.

Are any such proposals under consideration?

That is covered by the answer which I have just given.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the present Ministry of Health is doing all that can be done in connection with this question?

That also is covered by the answer I have given.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the recent concession made by the Government in the Unemployment Bill whereby the first 20s. of a disability pension is to be left out of account in calculating means when determining grants, he will consider the advisability of recommending public assistance committees to adopt similar procedure when dealing with disability pensioners who have to apply for assistance?

Special legislation would be needed for the course suggested. Public assistance authorities have, however, power to ignore so much of a disability pension as is offset by the special needs of the case.

asked the Minister of Labour why, in view of the unemployment among musicians, a foreign band of negro musicians has been given a permit not only to perform at music halls but also at a restaurant; if he is aware that another foreign band, which received a permit during the summer of last year, had the permit limited to music halls and was not allowed to play in any restaurant; and what are the reasons for this change?

The permission which my hon. Friend has in mind covers an engagement for one night only and was conditional upon the retention of the band ordinarily employed. A concession on similar lines was granted to Duke Ellington's band last year. There has been no change in the general policy in this matter.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this band's performance is giving great offence to many people in this country, as it is nothing but a series of cat-calls?

asked the Minister of Labour how many local authorities have sent resolutions to him, which they have carried, urging the Government to increase the allowance to children in the new Unemployment Bill from 2s. to 3s.; and will he say what the Government intend to do with the question?

My right hon. Friend has received resolutions on this subject from 24 local authorities. As regards the second part of the question there is nothing I can add to what was said by my right hon. Friend when the subject was debated in Committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a widespread feeling of dissatisfaction on this matter; and may I ask the Prime Minister what the Government intend to do about it?

How many of the local authorities in question proposed that their grants-in-aid should be reduced in order to assist the Government in financing the scheme?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether all these local authorities suggested an increase?

I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the resolutions, if he would like to see them and to make inquiries himself.

asked the Home Secretary whether Scotland Yard regulations preclude a statement of the facts being given to an injured person where a constable has witnessed an accident on the public highway without payment of a fee; whether there is any scale of charges in this regard; and in what circumstances are such charges levied?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the police authorities charge a fee of 10s. for supplying to a person involved in a motor accident information in possession of the police as to the ownership of the vehicle or the names and addresses of other persons concerned in the accident; and whether he will recommend to the police authorities that such information shall be made available without charge to persons who have reasonable grounds for making inquiries?

Reports of road accidents are made by police to their superior officers for police purposes, the chief purpose being to enable the responsible officers to decide whether proceedings should be instituted by the police against one of the parties involved in the accident. The police have no duty to supply information so collected to other persons for their private purposes, but it is the practice to supply to applicants having a legitimate interest in a case an abstract of the salient facts ascertained by the police, for which a fee of 10s. is charged, or 2s. 6d. if the police are asked to furnish only certain limited particulars. These fees are waived in any case where any hardship would be involved in charging them. It should be remembered that these facilities cannot be furnished without the expenditure of considerable time and trouble on the part of the police; and when they are furnished for the private purposes of individuals who have been involved in accidents, It seems right and proper that the police fund should receive some reimbursement and my right hon. Friend sees no occasion for altering the existing practice.

Will my right hon. Friend explain why a payment has to be made to the police force, which is specially maintained for the protection of the public, and will he also say whether fees have to be paid in order that a person who has had his property burgled, if the burglar is apprehended, can obtain his name?

No. The police are paid for specific duties. They are paid out of public funds, and it seems unwise to advocate that public funds should be used to settle a dispute between two private individuals.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that previously 5s. was charged and full particulars were given, but that at present 10s. is charged and full particulars are not given, and that if more particulars are required, another 10s. is asked by the police?

I have said that if few particulars are required, the charge is only 2s. 6d. It is only when full particulars are provided that the charge is 10s.

But surely full particulars are necessary?

Full particulars will be provided at a cost of 10s.

Surely it is the duty of the police to give any assistance to the public that they can?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the red reflectors carried at the rear of bicycles are usually of a type which is either too small or constructed in such a manner as to be an inefficient reflector; and, in view of the resulting danger, both to cyclists and other road users, he will issue an order that only types of reflectors passed as efficient by his Department may be used on bicyles after a given date?

The Regulations made under the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, already lay down a specification with which red reflectors carried on pedal cycles in place of a red rear lamp must comply. Many representations have been made to my hon. Friend about failures to comply with the specification, and the matter is engaging his consideration.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that a large number of manufacturers submit their reflectors to the National Physical Laboratory at Teddington to see whether they are efficient, and why cannot the hon. and gallant Gentleman's Department see that all reflectors are submitted to the National Physical Laboratory?

I can only repeat that this matter is receiving very close attention; and I am aware of the facts as stated.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say when any definite answer will be given on this point?

I hope, before very long.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the resolutions sent from local authorities in the East-end of London urging the provision of an underground railway passing through Bethnal Green, that the electrification of the London and North Eastern Railway passing through Bethnal Green should be expedited, and that in connection therewith station facilities should be provided in the vicinity of the former Globe Road station; and what reply he has returned?

My hon. Friend has received the Resolution referred to and has brought it to the notice of the London Passenger Transport Board and the London and North Eastern Railway Company, upon whom the responsibility for providing any necessary facilities of this kind would rest.

Has the hon. and gallant Member received any reply to the communication sent a long time ago?

I do not know to what communication the hon. Member refers.

I understood the hon. and gallant Member to say that the terms of this Resolution had been sent to the chairman of the London Passenger Transport Board. I want to know whether he has received any reply.

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

In view of the fact that the Government sponsored this Transport Board, is it not time that they did something to put these changes into operation?

We have no power to order either the construction or the electrification of railways.