asked the Secretary of State for India whether the quantitative restriction of imports into India arranged by the Indo-Japanese trading agreement is inclusive of all Japanese imports, whether through Native States or British-India?

The quantitative restriction referred to is inclusive of Japanese imports into all Indian States except Cutch. The reason for this exception is that the State of Cutch alone among Indian maritime States has retained its own Customs Tariff and has not accepted the British Indian Customs Tariff. The Government of India are, however, taking active steps to ensure by the establishment of a preventive cordon against Cutch that the quota is not exceeded.

In view of the fact that the importations into Cutch in the first three months of this year already amount approximately to 20 per cent. of the total importations into India under the Treaty, will my hon. Friend treat this matter as one of urgency; and, secondly, will my hon. Friend say whether he has obtained assurances from the Government of India in respect of the Treaty rights of Kathiawar?

Dealing with the first part of the question of my hon. Friend, I refer in my original answer to the fact that the Government of India have already taken steps. In regard to the second part of the question, I should like to have notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will shortly be able to announce the steps to be taken or that are in contemplation in Jamaica and/or other parts of the British West Indies to counteract the excess imports into those parts from Japan?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the importation of piece goods into Ceylon from Japan in the first two months of this year is more than double the quantity imported for the corresponding period last year; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take to prevent the vertual extinction of the Lancashire piece-goods trade in this colony?

I am aware of the further increase in Japanese cotton imports into Ceylon. As my hon. Friends are aware, the whole question of Japanese imports is receiving the close consideration of the Government. I cannot at this stage usefully make a statement.

Has the right hon. Gentleman nothing to say about Jamaica and the West Indies? Are no steps being taken to meet the request of Jamaica?

I think it would be very unfortunate to make a statement at this moment. My hon. Friend may rest assured that action is being considered, and I think he will agree that it would be unfortunate to make a statement until we can make a comprehensive statement on the whole matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when the statement will be made?

No, but it will be as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say from the last consular reports from Manchukuo if there are indications that British trade may be expected to materially increase in the near future?

I am informed that the consular reports do not give such definite indications as would justify a useful prophecy.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not obtain some information relative to these trade problems?

There is information of a statistical character in the Consular reports which we receive from time to time. If my hon. Friend cares to put himself into communication with me, I will give him any information that I can.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in the forthcoming negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Netherlands, careful consideration will be given to the vital importance of inter-Imperial trade, and that no obligation will be undertaken prejudicial to the full development of reciprocal trade arrangements between Great Britain and our Dominions and Colonies?

I can assure my hon. Friend that all relevant matters including that of inter-Imperial trade, are and will continue to be fully considered by His Majesty's Government in negotiating trade agreements with foreign countries.

Before these agreements are effected are any consultations held with the representatives of the Dominions or Colonies in order to be certain that none of our arrangements with them will be interfered with?

As this is a rather important matter, it had better be asked in a subsequent question. With regard to the negotiations with the Netherlands which are now proceeding, the position of the Dominions and the Home Government is perfectly well known by those negotiating.

In the case of the Netherlands and other countries, is it not vital that our Imperial relations in these matters should be taken into consideration?

The hon. Member may rest assured that that can be safely left in the hands of those negotiating.

Having regard to the fact that they were not safe in the case of Denmark, does the hon. Gentleman not realise that anxiety is felt?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the prices for Dutch butter in this country and Holland, respectively; and, if these figures indicate dumping at the expense of British and British Empire producers, whether he will insert a clause in the pending trade agreement with that country to prevent a continuance of this practice of dumping?

The wholesale price of Dutch butter was quoted on 21st April in the United Kingdom at from 69s. to 77s. a cwt., and on 20th April in Holland at a price equivalent to 190s. 6d. a cwt. I cannot forecast what provisions will be included in any commercial agreement which may result from the forthcoming negotiations with Holland.

Is this remarkable discrepancy and evidence of a case of dumping being brought to the attention of the Dutch Government?

The House will appreciate that the price at which Dutch butter is sold here is the world price. For reasons best known to Holland, she appears to charge an internal price very much in excess. The inference that that is dumping does not arise. My hon. Friend will also appreciate that the imports of Dutch butter are a very small proportion of the total imports of butter into this country.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in any trade agreement this action of a foreign Government in sending here goods at less than her own costs, will be prohibited at all costs?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether Dutch butter is cheaper than New Zealand butter?

Not without notice. The matter can certainly be borne in mind in any trade negotiations, and I will make a special note of the point.

But will His Majesty's Government make up their own mind on the matter?

Will the hon. Member take note of the fact that the average price of Russian butter imported during the first three months of the present year was not more than 41s. per cwt.

Order, order.

We are dealing with Dutch butter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the prices for Danish butter in this country and Den mark, respectively; and, if these figures indicate dumping at the expense of British and British Empire producers, whether he will bring the matter to the attention of the Danish Government with a view to the discontinuance of this practice of dumping?

The price of Danish butter in the United Kingdom on 21st April was 82s. a cwt.; the price in Denmark on 19th April was 54s. 6d. a cwt. In view of these figures, my hon. Friend will no doubt agree that the second part of his question does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of our exports to New Zealand during the year 1933, and the approximate amount of duty payable thereon to The New Zealand Government?

The value of merchandise exported from the United Kingdom to New Zealand during 1933 amounted to £9,802,422. No precise information is available as to the amount of Customs duty leviable thereon in New Zealand, but on the basis of the figures for the previous year, it may be estimated that the duty was of the order of £2,000,000.

Do not these figures indicate that £2,000,000 duty on British exports to New Zealand was withdrawn, with a corresponding increase in our exports to New Zealand?

The hon. Member should analyse the figures a little more. More than half the exports to New Zealand were free goods, and about half the £2,000,000 was paid on a relatively small value of spirits and tobacco.

Does not this indicate a conversion of the Liberal party to Empire Free Trade?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action His Majesty's Government propose to take with regard to the agreement made between the rubber growers of various countries for the regulation of rubber supplies?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have received a request from the Rubber Growers' Association to give effect to the agreement, in so far as it relates to the Colonial Empire, and they have decided, after consultation with the Colonial Governments, to take the necessary measures for this purpose, subject to similar undertakings being given by the other Governments concerned.

Is my right hon. Friend assured in his own mind that the proposed scheme is practicable, and can he say when he or any of the Governments concerned propose taking the necessary action to put it into force?

With regard to the second part of the question, as far as our territories are concerned, we hope to put it into force as from 1st June. I have every reason to hope and believe that that will be equally possible in other territories. Speed in this matter, as I am sure the House will agree, is very important. With regard to the first part of the question, I have made it very plain to the House on many occasions that His Majesty's Government would not enter into an agreement unless they were satisfied that it was comprehensive, fair, and practicable, and I should like to add that on this matter I have been at great pains to get the considered judgment of those who are fully acquainted with the industry and best able to judge. In a letter addressed to me by the chairman of the Rubber Growers' Association of the United Kingdom he writes this :

"My council, who have been in touch with all the negotiations, consider that the agreement is sound, administratively practicable in all the territories concerned, and advisable in the interests of the industry."

Can my right hon. Friend say how the interests of the native rubber growers are dealt with?

Certainly, I can speak for the territories for which I am responsible. The native rubber grower in Malaya will be dealt with in exactly the same manner as the large plantation.

I was not quite clear from my right hon. Friend's answer whether there had also been discussion of this matter with the Dominion Governments, who are to a certain extent affected.

No, I do not think the Dominion Governments are affected at all. I do not think there is any production of rubber in any of the Dominions.

Are the interests of the consumers also considered?

Oh, yes. I am very glad my right hon. Friend ha" raised that point, because this proposal contains a feature which I think is unique in any regulation scheme hitherto proposed or introduced, namely, that representatives of consumers shall be associated with the council administering the scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will provide for the House of Commons Library copies of the original reports, prepared last year, on the terrorist movement by the Inspector-General of Police of Bengal and the Commissioner of Police of Calcutta?

I do not know to what reports my hon. and gallant Friend is referring, but if he will give me further particulars I will inquire of the Government of India whether copies could suitably be placed in the Library.

Is it not a fact that the Joint Select Committee asked for reports from these officials regarding terrorism in Bengal, and that the reports, as originally produced, were not laid before the Committee, but that an expurgated edition, prepared by one of the Secretaries of the Governor of Bengal, was put before the Committee?

I cannot accept the version of affairs referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards matters which have been considered by the Joint Select Committee, he must realise better than anybody that they are sub judice at the present moment.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action he proposes to take with regard to the proposal of The Sikh national leaders to enrol an army of 100,000 volunteers to force the Government to increase the allotment of seats to the Sikh community in the Punjab Legislative Council from 20 per cent. to 35 per cent.; and whether he has received any reports on this matter?

My right hon. Friend has received a report that at the Sikh National Conference held at Lahore last month a resolution was passed condemning the Communal Award and authorising the Central Akali Dal to enlist 100,000 volunteers to get it cancelled. The local authorities will no doubt keep in view the question whether any special action is necessary or desirable in this connection.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that 50 Europeans are to be dismissed from the services of the Imperial Bank of India; and whether, in the interests of employment in Great Britain, he will inquire into the extent of Indianisation among prominent British firms in India with a view to checking its too rapid progress?

My right hon. Friend has seen a Press report to the effect stated in the first part of the question, though he has no information as to its accuracy. The practice of commercial concerns in regard to the employment of particular classes of British subjects is not a matter within the control of Government.

Is it not a fact that this sort of action is directly resulting from the apprehensions of British firms as to what the legislation will be if the White Paper is implemented; and would it not be possible for the Secretary of State to use his influence to prevent this increase in unemployment among British subjects in India?

Is it not the fact that it has been the accepted policy of the Imperial Bank of India for the last five or six years to Indianise as much as possible?

I must repeat, in answer to the supplementary questions, that it is impossible for His Majesty's Government to influence the personnel of a commercial company.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a Bill to set up courts for the sole purpose of administering Islamic law was recently introduced into the North-West Frontier Provincial Legislature, and was not further dealt with only because the requisite notice had not been given; and will he state what safeguard exists to prevent the passing of such a Bill by a Provincial Legislature, having regard to its effect on the general administration of justice and the interests of other communities?

I understand that my hon. Friend's inquiry relates to the North-West Frontier Province Muslim Personal Law Bill, and I would refer him to Sections 72 (D) 4, 81 and 82 of the Government of India Act.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement regarding the strikes among the textile workers in Bombay; and whether it is the policy of the Government in India to coerce the workers in Bombay and elsewhere to accept reductions in wages and to deny Them the right of organising demonstrations of protest against the attempts that are being made to lower the standard of living for workers in the textile industry of India?

My right hon. Friend has received a report from the Bombay Government on the progress of the strike, but as it is somewhat long I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. There is no foundation whatever for the suggestion contained in the second part of the hon. Member's question that workers are being coerced by Government to accept reduced wages. The police orders regulating places of meetings and routes of processions have been issued to avoid disorder, and ordinary places of meeting are open to strikers under these orders.

Is it not the case that the facilities for holding meetings and demonstrations have come to an end through police action?

If the hon. Member refers to the last part of my answer he will see that that is not the case, and if he reads the report which I am circulating, he will get a full account of the whole situation as it is at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the statement made by Sir George Schuster on 20th April in which he treated the question of federation in the new constitution as res judicata; and whether, in view of the pledge given by the Lord President of the Council that the future constitution of India is to be regarded as sub judice until after the Report of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament, Sir George Schuster's statement has the approval of His Majesty's Government?

I have only a telegraphic press summary of Sir George Schuster's speech on the 20th April. It is well known both in India and here that the nature of the reforms depends upon the decision of Parliament, and I can see nothing in the Finance Member's speech which could be taken as pre-judging that decision.

While thanking the Prime Minister for that reply, I would ask whether he realises and sympathises with the embarrassment caused to men in this country and in India who have been at pains to suspend judgment on matters now before the Joint Select Committee by provocative statements made towards the end of their term of office by high officials, who are of necessity in the closest touch with the Viceroy?

As I say, I have only had a telegraphic summary of the speech, and in that I do not see anything that would really justify the words and the implied censure of my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the nature of the communication which he has made to the Japanese Government with the object of clarifying the position of His Majesty's Government with regard to the statement made to the Japanese press by a spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the question of Japanese interests in China; and whether he has received any reply from the Japanese Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the reply of the Japanese Government to the inquiries addressed to them by His Majesty's Government on Tuesday last?

The communication of His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo to the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs on 25th April, which, as I informed the House the other day, was a friendly inquiry, was to the effect that the principle of equal rights in China was guaranteed very explicitly by the Nine Power Treaty of 1922, to which Japan is a party, and that His Majesty's Government must, of course, continue to enjoy all rights in China which are common to all signatories or are otherwise proper, except in so far as their rights were restricted by agreements such as the consortium agreement, or in so far as Japan had special rights recognised by other Powers and not shared by them.

Has our Ambassador at Tokio asked for, or obtained, any kind of explanation of the numerous statements issued by the Press Officer of the Japanese Foreign Office or by the Ambassadors of Japan at Washington and Berlin, and the representative also at Geneva, which seem to conflict with the statement of Mr. Hirota?

One must not assume that the information which reaches readers of the Press and every Press statement are authorised. I think that the statement made by the Japanese Foreign Minister is reasonably clear, and His Majesty's Government are content to leave this particular question where it is. I would only add that His Majesty's Government are resolved to assist to the utmost possible extent the spirit of international co-operation in the progress of China towards peace and prosperity, and the maintenance of the spirit of harmony and good will in the Far East.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been received recently from the Chinese Government as to the extra-territorial privileges possessed by Great Britain in China; and to what effect?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government regard themselves as still bound by the findings and recommendations of the Assembly Report of 24th February, 1933, which recommends that the League of Nations should continue to afford China the technical assistance in modernising her in stitutions which the Government may re quest, with a view to enabling the Chinese people to reorganise and con solidate the Chinese State and to set up a strong central Government?

The recommendation of the report to which the hon. Member refers was that the League should afford technical assistance to China as one of the methods of the policy of international co-operation initiated at the Washington Conference. International co-operation in China is governed by the terms of the Nine Power Treaty signed at Washington in 1922, which expressly safeguards the principal of equality of opportunity for all nations. The Council of the League have laid down that the functions of their agent in China are of a purely technical and entirely non-political character.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which are the Powers which have accepted the obligations of Article 1 of the Nine-Power Treaty concluded at Washington in 1922; what are the specific obligations contained in this article; and whether the Nine-Power Treaty is still valid?

The obligations of the Nine-Power Treaty were accepted by the United States, Belgium, China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and Portugal in addition to the British Empire. I will circulate the text of Article 1 in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his latest information from Tokyo indicates that the new Japanese pronouncement will prohibit the employment by China of foreign advisers to whom Japan may object?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the consolidation of Manchukuo as an independent State under the Emperor Pu-Yi and the proposed early withdrawal of armed Japanese forces, the Government will take steps to secure the reconsideration of the present position by the League of Nations with a view to diplomatic recognition being granted to the new State under the altered circumstances which have now arisen?

I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which was returned to my hon. Friend the Member for Islington, West (Mr. Donner), on the 6th March.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise how prejudicial to British trade is the present state of affairs in Manchukuo?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the terms of reference of the committee of three appointed by the League Council in January to report on problems likely to arise in connection with the Saar plebiscite next year, include the consideration by the committee of measures to prevent the possible victimisation of any inhabitants of the Saar territory for a suitable period after the plebiscite has been held; and, if not, whether he will represent to the League Council at its forthcoming session that it should instruct its committee of three to consider this matter also before submitting its report for the consideration of the council?

Under a resolution adopted by the council of the League on the 20th January last, the council invited the committee of three, with a view to the report which that committee is to submit to it, to take particularly into consideration the study of the appropriate means of safeguarding the population against pressure of any kind and the execution of any threats likely to affect the trustworthiness of the voting. I think that in these circumstances it will be best to await the committee's report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister at Athens advised the Government of Greece of the desirability of communicating to the League of Nations the text of the protocol attached to the Balkanpact; and whether this advice was acted upon?

His Majesty's Government, on being informed of the signature of this protocol, reminded the signatory Governments of their obligation under Article 18 of the Covenant to register all treaties or international engagements with the League of Nations. I would add that the Balkan Pact, to which the protocol is attached, has not yet been ratified by all the signatories nor registered under Article 18, and the proctocol would naturally be registered with the pact of which it appears to form part.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are being taken to safeguard the interests of the holders of 6 per cent. sterling bonds of 1928 issued by the city of Saarbrucken and sanctioned by the League of Nations governing commission after the forthcoming plebiscite on the Saar Basin territory?

I can assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government will not lose sight of this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Mexico and Turkey joined the League of Nations on the invitation of the assembly, and that the invitations were preceded by conversations between certain Governments and the two States in question in order to make certain that the invitations would be accepted; and whether His Majesty's Government took part in or signified approval of such conversations?

I am aware that Mexico and Turkey joined the League of Nations on the invitation of the Assembly. As regards the conversations which led up to the issue of these invitations, I can only speak, of course, for His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. Conversations took place, largely through the medium of the League Secretariat in 1931 and 1932 as regards the entry into the League of these two countries, in which it was made clear that they desired to join the League, and that His Majesty's Government for their part would welcome their adhesion. The initiative in starting these conversations was not however taken by His Majesty's Government, but, as I understand and as was proper, by the intending members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as the application of Germany for admission to the League of Nations was preceded by certain negotiations with the object of assuring Germany that she would be given a permanent seat on the council, he can say whether His Majesty's Government took part in giving these assurances?

On 28th September, 1924, the German Government addressed identic memoranda to all States represented on the Council of the League expressing the desire to enter the League without delay, but making it clear that Germany wished to obtain a permanent seat on the Council. While the question of Germany's nomination as a State permanently represented on the Council was necessarily governed by paragraph 2 of Article 4 of the League Covenant, the Governments addressed by Germany, including His Majestys' Government in the United Kingdom, replied on more or less similar lines to the effect that they would raise no objection to Germany receiving a permanent seat on the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the willingness of the Soviet Union to join the League of Nations, provided she receives an invitation and is assured of election to a permanent seat on the Council?

So far as I am aware, the Soviet Government have given no indication that the Soviet Union would be prepared to join the League of Nations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any representation has been made to the Soviet government to find out their desire in this matter?

The hon. Gentleman will no doubt observe from the Answers given to Questions 18 and 19 that there is no precedent for such a course and that the instances which the previous Questions sought to raise are, in fact, all the other way.

In the interests of peace generally would it not be well to create a precedent?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is proposed that any contribution should be made out of public funds or any guarantee given involving public funds in respect of the butter factory proposed to be erected by the Milk Marketing Board.

I have been asked to reply. No application for financial assistance out of public funds in respect of any factory has been made by the Milk Marketing Board.

In the case of any loss in experiments, on whom will the loss fall?

On the funds at The disposal of the Milk Board.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the unprofitableness of egg production in this country, he will request the Re-organisation Commission to consider in their scheme of reorganisation of the industry proposals for a levy on imports and a deficiency payment on the lines of the Wheat Act.

My hon. Friend may be assured that the Reorganisation Commission will gladly consider any proposals within the scope of their wide terms of reference which are put to them or which seem to them likely to prove, beneficial to the egg and poultry industry.

Is this definite proposal now before them?

Obviously, the Government do not know from day to day what is before the Commission : the Commission regulates its own procedure and takes up what attitude it likes without the Government interfering.

asked the Postmaster-General if he proposes to set up a committee to report on television developments; and, if so, what the composition of such committee will be?

I propose to set up a committee to consider the development of television and to advise on the conditions under which any public television service should be provided. I hope to be able to announce at an early date the composition of the committee and its terms of reference.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the increase in the revenue obtained by the Post Office in the past year, he will consider the possibility first of making a reduction in the minimum cost of a telegram to ninepence and then of extending the night-call rates for telephones to 8 a.m.?

The question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend was brought to my notice by a recent deputation from the Federation of British Wholesale Fish Merchants' Associations. While I am afraid that there will be considerable difficulties in the way of adopting the proposals, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the matter is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office, if, in view of the very low price at present obtainable for English eggs, steps can be taken to substitute them for foreign eggs in Army food contracts?

The only eggs purchased by the War Office are for hospitals and schools. Almost the entire requirements are for new laid eggs, the specification for which prohibits the supply of imported eggs.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the War Office does not intend to raise any branch of the Royal Defence Force in Sussex?

Adequate provision has been made without the necessity of asking the Sussex Territorial Army Association to enrol any personnel for this corps.

Is it the intention of the Government to enrol the Royal Defence Corps only in the industrial areas, and particularly the mining areas, and, if so, may I ask him to remember Feather-stone?

The answer to the first part of the question——

The question on the Paper deals only with Sussex.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that in 1931 a British firm interested in the manufacture of munitions endeavoured to enlist the help of the commanding officer, Royal Artillery, Northern Command, York, in recommending an officer suitable to foster the sale of arms to the Chinese Government, and willing to accept employment in that country; that the commanding officer referred to communicated with the War Office, and from that office received the name of an officer deemed suitable; and whether this is an accepted part of the duties of that Department and if the practice continues?

I have no knowledge of the matter referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the last part, if the War Office is asked to recommend a suitable retired officer for a civilian post, I can see no objection to this being done.

Can the hon. Gentleman find out the answer to the first part of the question?

I do not think so.

This is surely a proper question to put to the bon. Gentleman? If the facts be as suggested in the question clearly the House is entitled to know.

I have made inquiries from everybody concerned who might have been asked that question, and they deny any knowledge of it. As I have said already, if they had been cognisant of such events having taken place, I cannot see that any blame could possibly attach to them.

Has the hon. Gentleman asked the Commanding Officer of the Royal Artillery in the Northern Command?

Every inquiry has been made.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the large number of motor accidents due to inefficient and badly adjusted brakes, he will consider having some of the mobile police especially trained as experts in the testing of motor-car brakes on the road in order to make sure that all vehicles are equipped with properly adjusted and efficient brakes?

Generally speaking, I think that the mobile police possess a good working knowledge of the subject, but the whole question is receiving my consideration in consultation with the Minister of Transport.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a brake test is applied in the United States of America, and that there is a very simple machine for testing brakes, which could be adopted by the police of this country?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to avoid the confusion which exists in the minds of certain pedestrians when attempting to cross some of the streets at points where traffic lights are in operation in the metropolis, he will consider the possibility of adding small green and red pedestrian lights on the columns of the signal standards facing the pavements with "Cross" and "Do not Cross" written on them and synchronised with the traffic lights?

This question was carefully considered in detail by the recent Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs, and their views and the reasons for them are set out in paragraph 146 of their report. Their conclusion is that, in general, pedestrians should watch the movement of traffic and not rely entirely on signals. If pedestrian signals were provided in connection with traffic lights at road intersections, all the streams of traffic would have to be stopped to ensure to the pedestrian the complete safety implied by a signal instruction to cross the road, and considerable dislocation of traffic would be inevitable.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the pedestrians do not actually look at the traffic signals and that a very large number of accidents would be prevented if there were lights positively for pedestrians showing when they could cross and when they could not?

That is a matter of opinion. I can only speak for one pedestrian; I keep a very close look out for all signals.

Is it not the case that at these crossing-places pedestrians can see the red and green traffic lights?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is the creditor and who is the debtor in the obligations which constitute the existing debt on the Unemployment Insurance Fund; in what form the documents of debt are expressed; what is the average rate of interest at present payable on the debt as now existing; to whom is paid any portion of the debt which the debtor is able to repay; and what is done with the sums which the debtor repays?

The money was advanced to the Unemployment Fund by the Treasury, who borrowed it for the purpose from the National Debt Commissioners out of moneys which the latter had available for investment on behalf of the funds for the Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks. The debt due by the Unemployment Fund to the Treasury is recorded in an exchange of official letters. The securities for the debt due by the Treasury to the National Debt Commissioners are in the form of five-year certificates signed on behalf of the Treasury, the principal of and interest on which are guaranteed by the Consolidated Fund. The interest on the advances is paid direct by the Unemployment Fund to the National Debt Commissioners. The average rate of interest on the debt now outstanding is for the time being 4⅝ per cent. Principal sums repaid by the Unemployment Fund to the Treasury are paid into the Exchequer, and are thence issued to the National Debt Commissioners in repayment of the sums borrowed from them. Such repayments of principal are available for re-investment by those Commissioners in any of the securities in which they are authorised by law to invest on behalf of the Savings Banks Funds, including advances under the Telegraphs Acts or to the Local Loans Fund.

Could not that rate of interest of 4⅝ per cent. be reduced, in view of the present price of money, which is about 3½ per cent.?

My hon. Friend will be aware of the proposals in the Bill, which are to be discussed to-morrow.

asked the Minister of Health how many unemployed men engaged in test work have, during the past 12 months, met with fatal and other accidents, respectively, whilst so engaged; and whether compensation, and, if so, what, has been paid in any such cases to the dependents of or to the men, respectively, and by whom?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any fatal accident occurring in the circumstances suggested. Two instances in which non-fatal accidents have occurred have recently been brought to his notice and are receiving the consideration of the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of an unemployed workman who recently, while engaged on test work at Gillingham, Kent, sustained an accident resulting in a broken leg, and whose relief was stopped before he was able to resume work; and whether, seeing that the premiums payable for insurance under the Workmen's Compensation Acts are relatively small, he will consider the desirability of providing, by legislation or otherwise, that men injured in accidents whilst engaged in test work shall be entitled to receive the benefits provided by the Workmen's Compensation Acts?

My right hon. Friend's attention has not previously been called to the case to which my hon. Friend refers, but he is making inquiries about it. Any question as to the amendment of the Workmen's Compensation Acts should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the resolution from the conference of distressed areas convened by the town clerk of Liverpool; and whether the Government will now fix 1st July, 1934, as the appointed day for the operation of Part II of the Unemployment Bill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I cannot add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd April.

In view of the distress which is being caused in these areas, is it not possible for an answer to be given, as this decision was practically unanimous?

I am sorry I cannot add to the answer which I have given.

Is my hon. Friend aware that many of those who attended this conference and supported this resolution are engaged in their own towns in propaganda to the effect that the passage of the Unemployment Bill represents an attack upon working-class standards?

So it does.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the estimated national revenue and the numbers of Income Tax and Surtax payers for the years 1929, 1931, 1932, 1933, and 1934, respectively?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find the latest available information for past years of the receipt of Income Tax and Surtax and the numbers of persons assessed to the tax in Tables 36, 43, 52 and 56 of the recently published 76th Annual Report of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue (Command Paper No. 4456).

Can the hon. Gentleman give an answer to the first part of the question?

I have done so by saying that the latest available information is contained in the documents to which I have referred the hon. Member.

As there is no information whatever in those documents as to the estimated national income, will the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question?

If that information is lacking, or is not accessible, I shall be only too happy to supply it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether steps are taken to collect additional entertainments duty on tickets resold at enhanced prices for cup finals and other similar types of entertainment; and whether he is satisfied that the revenue is adequately protected in this respect?

As I explained in the answer given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. R. Davies) on 25th April, the question of liability to Entertainments Duty in cases such as those referred to depends on the particular circumstances of individual transactions. If my hon. Friend will give me details of any particular cases he has in mind, I will have them looked into.

I beg to move, in page 2, line 38, at the end, to insert :

"(f) for requiring persons having the control of sluices or other works for drawing down or keeping back water in a source to operate them in accordance with the provisions of the order or of any direction given thereunder."

My hon. Friend is quite right in saying that this Amendment is proposed on the basis of an arrangement which was arrived at in Committee upstairs. I have given very careful consideration to the wording of the Amendment in order to make sure that it carries out the understanding that was then arrived at. It does fully carry out that arrangement, and I hope, therefore, that it will be accepted by the House.

I beg to move, in page 2, line 39, to leave out "suspending or modifying," and to insert :

"the suspension or modification of a restriction as respects the taking of water from a source from which water is supplied to an inland navigation or of."

I beg to move, in page 2, line 43, to leave out from "for" to "water," in line 44, and to insert :

"prohibiting or imposing limitations on the taking of."

I beg to move, in page 2, line 44, after the words last inserted, to insert :

"(3) An order which confers on water undertakers power to prohibit, or to impose limitations on, the use of water supplied by them, may provide that, in exercising the power as respects the use of water for other than domestic purposes, the undertakers shall observe such conditions as to the reduction or suspension of charges regulated otherwise than by reference to quantities of water consumed as may be specified."