asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether any communications have reached him from the Dominion Governments of Australia and New Zealand with regard to the claim of Japan to the hegemony of the Pacific?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the attitude of the British Government with respect to the suggested incorporation in the Union of South Africa of Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made yesterday in reply to a question addressed to me by the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that 10 Cypriots have recently been condemned in the Assize Court at Nicosia to sentences aggregating 20 years and five months hard labour; whether he will state the nature of the charge against them; whether these men are members of the Communist party; and whether he will consider the remission of their sentences?

My information is that 11 persons have recently been convicted on charges of sedition by the Cyprus Courts and sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from four years to nine months. As the prerogative of mercy is vested in the Governor, the question of the remission or reduction of the sentences is a matter for him, and not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the new Japanese claim to domination in China, he will consult the chief chambers of commerce in this country as to the effect which any such policy will exercise on British trade?

As I informed the House yesterday, Japan has reaffirmed her adherence to the policy of the Open Door in China. In these circumstances, I cannot agree that it is necessary to adopt he course proposed by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that taximeter-cabs in Edinburgh still have a minimum charge of 1s. 6d.; and whether he will take steps to secure a reduction?

No, Sir. The rates or fares for hackney carriages are fixed under by-laws made by the corporation of Edinburgh and confirmed by the Sheriff of the Lothians and Peebles. The matter is not one in which I have any jurisdiction to intervene.

asked the President of the Board of Trade for how long the question of the desirability or otherwise of abrogating the Congo Basin treaties has been under consideration by the Government; and whether any decision has yet been reached?

This question was examined by the Government of the day in 1930 having regard to the provisions of the convention which contemplated a conference in that year to introduce modifications. It was further examined by the present Government in 1932, and has since been under continuous review. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot add to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) on 27th February last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the personal allowance for Income Tax purposes on small incomes was £160 at one time and that that amount was cut to £100; and what the loss would be to the Exchequer if this cut of £60 was restored by one-half, thereby increasing the allowance to £130?

The main personal allowances now given as part of the graduation of the Income Tax are not confined to small incomes, but are given to all taxpayers, and the amount of personal allowance depends upon the family responsibilities of the taxpayer concerned. Prior to 1920 the graduation of the Income Tax was effected by means of differential rates and abatements for small incomes, and it is not possible to

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the approximate total amount of the capital which has been subscribed and invested in the beet sugar factories; and the approximate amount invested in each separate company or undertaking operating beet sugar factories;

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amounts allocated to reserve in each of the companies or undertakings operating beet sugar factories?

I have been asked to reply. The following statement gives the information desired.(2) how much of the capital invested in each company or undertaking operating a beet sugar factory has been paid off; and how much of the capital of each undertaking has not yet been paid off?

I have been asked to reply. The following statement gives the desired information.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the first case of smallpox in the recent outbreak at Blackburn that proved fatal the day after admission into hospital had been wrongly diagnosed; and to what was his death attributed on the death certificate?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. On the death certificate the death was attributed to (a) Heart failure, (b) Acute toxaemia, (c) Varicella. The death has been classed to smallpox.