asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of India have, over a long period of years, sold land in the civil station of Bangalore to private persons and public bodies, sales which have been ratified by the granting of British titles under the authority of the Secretary of State for India; and whether he is satisfied that these titles are valid?

I cannot say how titles in land have been regulated in the past, but I am making inquiries.

Is it not the case that they have been ratified by my right hon. Friend and his predecessor?

I have just told my Noble Friend that I cannot say how they have been regulated, but I am making inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered a joint memorial, dated 4th September, 1934, from the Bangalore Trades Association, the Southern Division Ratepayers Association, Bangalore, the Bangalore Ratepayers' Association, and the Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Association in Bangalore, protesting against the proposed retrocession of the civil station to Mysore, on the ground, among others, that much land in the station has been sold by the Government of India to private persons and public bodies; is the said retrocession to be one of the conditions of Mysore State entering the proposed All-India Federation; and will he abandon the proposed handing over of loyal British and British-Indian subjects against their will to Indian rule?

I have seen a copy of the representation to which the Noble Lady refers, but I understand that the original was addressed through the Resident in Mysore to the Viceroy. I have not received any indication of the views of the Government of India on this representation. The conditions on which Mysore State should be admitted to Federation can obviously only be settled when an Act to provide for a Federation has been passed, but there is no direct connection between the question of retrocession which is being considered on its merits and the constitutional proposals. With regard to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer I gave to the Noble Lady's question of 30th July.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the memorial from 30,000 Moslems in the civil and military station of Bangalore, protesting against the proposed partial retrocession of the station to Mysore on the grounds that, as subjects of a Hindu State, their interests, culture, and existence as a separate community would be adversely affected; is there any precedent for such a proposal for handing over loyal British-Indian subjects against their will to Indian rule, and will he now abandon it?

The position regarding the Moslem representation is the same as with the representation of the Bangalore Trades Association.

Is it not the fact that the Prime Minister of Mysore is himself a Moslem?

That is the case.

Is it not the fact that the State of Mysore was represented at the last Round-Table Conference by a high official who was a Mussulman?

That is also the case.

Are all Mussulmans agreed on the subject?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is satisfied that the regulations for guarding explosives in India are sufficiently stringent?

I know no reason to doubt the sufficiency of the regulations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the report of the police administration in Calcutta for 1933 which shows that the police, in searches, came on large quantities of dynamite which had evidently been stolen from Government stores?

I think the position is as secure as it can be made, so far as Government stores are concerned, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend has any specific information which he would like me to investigate, I am perfectly ready to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the discontent prevailing in India on account of the fact that no Indian has yet been admitted to the Cypher Bureau of the Political Department, which has been in existence since 1925; and whether he can give the reasons for this exclusion?

Some of the cyphers at present in use in the Political Department Bureau are not the property of the Government of India who are not therefore at liberty to decide the conditions under which they are used. It seems likely that the use of these cyphers will before long be discontinued. In this event the position in regard to recruitment will be reconsidered.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose, who has been imprisoned without trial since April, 1933, has forwarded representations to the Government of India asking that he may be brought to trial in order that he may be given an opportunity to refute the charges brought against him in the Legislative Assembly; and whether he will advise the Government of India either to bring Mr. Bose to trial or to release him?

A communication of the nature indicated has been received by the Government of India. As regards the last part of the question Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose, who is a State prisoner detained under Regulation III, was released from jail custody in April, 1933, and since then has been permitted to live in his own house at Giddarpahar. I am not at present prepared to advise any action on the lines suggested in the question.

As this gentleman has been under police supervision for the past 18 months, does not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has now arrived when he should either be released or have some specific charge made against him?

I am afraid I do not agree with that suggestion. This individual is regarded as a danger in Bengal, and I have no reason to intervene in the action of the Government of Bengal. Two judges have scrutinised the question of his detention, and they are satisfied that he should be detained.

May I ask whether, if this person is regarded as a danger, the nature of the danger should not be brought before the judges referred to and the case dealt with in the ordinary course, so that the man may either be punished for any crime of which he is found guilty or else released?

No, Sir. It was the considered policy of the Government of India and the Government of Bengal to intern this individual under Regulation III. That being so, there seems no justification for me taking any further action.

Is there any likelihood of a time limit being imposed upon this detention or is it to go on for ever?

As I have said in my answer, I am not at present prepared to advise on the lines suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that indignation has been aroused in India at the news that Imperial Chemicals, Limited, are negotiating with the government of India for a 50–year monopoly to exploit the chemical resources of the Punjab; and, in view of the fact that India will shortly be given a new constitution, what steps he proposes to take to ensure that in the event of any such contract being entered into the interests of India will be adequately safeguarded?

I have no information beyond what is contained in the official report of the proceedings of the Legislative Assembly on the 14th August, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy. The matter is one within the discretion of the authorities in India, who will, I have no doubt, see that the interests of India are properly safeguarded.

Would it not be a very valuable thing for the economic development of India that corporations like the Imperial Chemical Industries, Limited, should take part in it?

I can quite imagine that such would be the case, but as I say, I have no details as to this matter in my possession.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to raise the British. Legation in Peking to the status of an embassy; and whether there is any understanding on this subject between the Powers mainly interested in China?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is still in existence an agreement by which this country and others undertook not to raise the status of their legation in China to that of an embassy without prior consultation; and whether this country was advised in advance of the recent action of the Italian Government in this regard?

In 1919 an understanding was reached with certain Powers that no new embassies would be created without previous accord, and confidential consultations with special reference to China have been held from time to time with these and other Powers. The Italian Government, however, in associating itself with this understanding made it clear that they did not limit their freedom of action in countries where a European Power already had an embassy. The Italian Government informed His Majesty's Government on the 25th September last of their decision to raise their legation in China to the status of an embassy and a communique to that effect was issued next day. His Majesty's Government do not at present intend to raise the British Legation at Peking to the status of an embassy.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is already an Ambassador for some other country in China?

The Soviet Government have an Ambassador there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Japanese Garrison Commander at Tientsin recently requested the British and other garrisons' in that town to notify the Japanese of any military manoeuvres that they may intend to carry out near Manchuria; whether he will state the nature of the reply given on behalf of His Majesty's Government to the Japanese representatives at Tientsin; on what grounds the Japanese Government considered itself entitled to object to British action on Chinese territory, and on the basis of what treaty rights foreign garrisons are entitled to carry out military manoeuvres in China; and whether, as such treaty rights are incompatible with China's status as a member of the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government will in future regard them as null and void under Article XX of the Covenant?

Under the Protocol of the 7th September, 1901, various Powers, including the United Kingdom, have a treaty right to station troops at Shanhaikwan and other places along the railway from that town to Peking in order to keep open communications between Peking and the sea. It has been the practice for the British troops stationed at Shanhaikwan to carry out exercises on convenient ground beyond the Great Wall dividing Manchuria from the rest of China and therefore strictly speaking beyond the furthest point to [which under the Protocol British troops had the right of access. On the 26th June last the Officer Commanding the troops at Shanhaikwan received a joint communication from the local representatives of the Japanese Army and the Manchurian authorities expressing the view that British troops should not without their consent enter upon what was termed the "soil of the Manchukuo Empire." As His Majesty's Government had no desire to be drawn into a discussion of the juridical questions involved in this communication it was decided that the British troops at Shanhaikwan should abandon the practice, which was not clearly authorised by the Protocol, of carrying out exercises beyond the Great Wall. I would add that equally suitable ground for the purpose is available inside the Wall.

May I take it, first, that the British Government have abandoned this practice for the future, and, secondly, whether the same embargo applies to the troops of other nations?

As regards the first of the two supplementary questions, my answer indicates the decision that has been taken, and I have no reason to think it will be changed. I am quite confident that the answer to the second question s in the affirmative, though I do not carry the details in my mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that each of the two railways between Nanking and Shanghai and Nanking and Tientsin, respectively, at the present time carries more extensive traffic than any of the. other railways in China and that both these railways are in default to British bond-holders; to what extent are they in default; and what steps is he taking to secure prompt payment of the indebtedness?

I am not in a position to confirm my hon. Friend's statement about the traffic position, but I am aware that the service of the loans is seriously in arrear. The figures for which he asks are as follow: On the 1st June last, the amounts due in respect of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway loan and the British portion of the Tientsin-Pukow Railway loan were £790,772 and £2,182,357 respectively. His Majesty's Minister in China has made frequent representations to the Chinese Government on the subject of this indebtedness and will continue to press for full and prompt payment of the amount due.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask what has become of the Chinese promise to set aside a certain regular sum to repay arrears?

I think I am right in saying that in the case of one of these railway loans there was a payment made not long ago, but I should have to ask notice from my hon. Friend before I could properly make a further statement about it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he was informed of the recent visit to this country of Mr. Huang Pe-tsiaou, the managing director of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway; and whether advantage was taken of this gentleman's presence in London to discuss with him the arrears due to British bond-holders of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway?

No, Sir. I have heard nothing of this gentleman having visited this country.

Do not the Far Eastern Department of the Foreign Office keep in touch with the Chinese Legation so as to have full information of any important Chinese arriving in London?

Certainly, all proper contact is kept, but at the same time I might point out that if it were the case of a managing director of a railway company who was in this country, one would have thought that it was primarily a matter in which the bondholders would be interested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the contract for the construction of the Chinese railway from Yushang to Pingsiang has been given to a German firm, and all permanent-way material and rolling stock are to be supplied from Germany, and that the sum of £500,000 is due to the British and Chinese Corporation for surveys already undertaken on the line; and whether any payment has been made to that British firm or any reason advanced for withholding from them the contract for the construction of the railway?

I have seen Press reports to the effect that such a contract has been awarded to a German firm, and I am also aware that the sum of approximately £500,000 is due to the British and Chinese Corporation. His Majesty's Minister in China has been in touch with the local representatives of the Corporation and has taken up the matter with the Chinese Government, who have, however, so far made no reply to the representations addressed to them.

Is it the case that in the spring of this year the Chinese Government appointed a German professor as railway adviser?

Does my hon. Friend mean in connection with this matter?

Well, in connection with the railway traffic.

I think that question would have to be put down. I do not know the answer off-hand.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the recent commercial agreement between the Japanese and Estonian Governments granting most-favoured-nation treatment to both countries, but stipulating that this provision is not to apply to any preferential tariff which may be granted by Japan to Manchukuo or to the Republic of China; and whether he will represent to the Japanese Government that this provision is incompatible with respect to Article I of the Nine-Power Treaty, and to the Estonian Government that its assent to this provision is inconsistent with the acceptance of the Assembly Re- port of 24th February, 1933, and particularly with the obligation not to recognise the existing regime in Manchuria either de facto or de jure contained in that Report.

The provisions of the Japanese-Estonian agreement to which the hon. Member refers were duly reported to me. The question of the relevance of the provisions of the Assembly's Report to the matter is primarily one for the Advisory Committee set up by the Assembly to follow the Sino-Japanese dispute.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has information regarding the proposed increased duties on cotton piece-goods for the Philippine markets; and whether he has ascertained how such increased duties are likely to affect our export trade?

Details of the proposals for increased duties have not, so far as I am aware, yet been made public, but on the information at present available it appears that they may have a serious effect on exports of cotton piece-goods from the United Kingdom. The matter has therefore been taken up with the United States Government.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he can make any statement relative to the trade agreements with Iceland, Norway and Sweden, the first year of which expired on 27th June and 6th July, respectively;

The agreements with Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway and Germany have on the whole proved satisfactory, except that difficulties have recently been experienced in connection with the agreement with Ger- many on account of the German shortage of foreign exchange. I hope that any recurrence of these difficulties will be obviated by the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of the 1st November. I am sure my hon. Friend will recognise that these agreements do not lend themselves to further discussion within the limits of an answer, but if she requires information on any specific points arising out of them I will do my best to obtain it for her.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make as to the reasons which led the Government not to give effect to the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee in respect of the additional duties on complete electric lamps?

The recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee to which my hon. Friend refers, affected primarily imports of electric lamps from Japan. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of an announcement issued to the Press on August 28th last which sets out the conditions on which His Majesty's Government decided not to give effect to the recommendations.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether, in view of the considerable adverse balance of trade with the Argentine Republic, he will consider levying import duties on Argentine meat and possibly other foodstuffs imported into this country or, alternatively, taking measures to secure special privileged tariffs for British manufactured goods imported into the Argentine Republic, in view of the fact that Great Britain is the best customer of that country; and

The imposition of duties and quantitative limitations on Argentina's principal imports into the United Kingdom is governed by the Convention and Supplementary Agreement concluded with Argentina in 1933. In return for the undertakings given, the Argentine Government conceded reductions and consolidations of Customs duties affecting a wide range of products in which the United Kingdom has a predominant interest. That Government also gave undertakings whereby practically the whole of the sterling exchange arising from the sale of Argentine products in this country is being made available to meet United Kingdom requirements. The Convention and Agreement cannot be terminated by either side before November, 1936, and it would be premature to forecast the attitude of His Majesty's Government when they come up for review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the total value of the exports and re-exports, respectively, to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the first nine months of 1934; what is the total value of the imports from Soviet Russia in the same period; and how far the total value of the exports and re-exports agrees at present with the proportion to imports of 1 to 1.7 laid down in the AngloRussian Trade Agreement?

Exports of United Kingdom produce and manufactures to the Union in the first nine months of 1934 amounted in value to £2,758,000 and re-exports to £2,609,000. Imports from the Union during the same period were valued at £12,723,000. The Anglo-Russian temporary commercial agreement does not fix a proportion of imports to exports but provides for the realisation of a ratio of 1.7 to 1 between the proceeds and the payments of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics in the United Kingdom in the year ending 31st December. I hope that this ratio will be realised.

Is it not the fact that the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement has so far done the British importer in this country no good whatsoever?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases that have been investigated by inspectors under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act, 1924, during the present year, the number of prosecutions, and the total amount of fines?

From the 1st January, 1934, to the 30th September the Inspectors under the Agricultural Wages (Regulation) Act made enquiries in respect of the wages paid by 2,094 employers. During this period the Ministry instituted 51 prosecutions under the Act and the fines imposed in the cases where convictions were registered amounted to £107 15s. Od.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to exterminate the warble-fly pest in cattle, he will take steps to encourage stock owners to dress their cattle with the derris-root preparation experimentally for five years; and then, if the results are satisfactory, will he make a compulsory order for its use thenceforward for a limited period?

I am advised that derrisroot preparations have been shown to be highly efficacious in the destruction of warbles in cattle, and their use in reducing the prevalence of the pest is recommended in a leaflet issued by my Department for the guidance of farmers. The question of the issue of an Order requiring the dressing of cattle is under investigation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied with the progress which has been made during the past three months in reducing the imports of meat into this country, both from foreign and Dominion sources, to a sufficient degree to enable the livestock industry of this country to carry on successfully; and, if not, what new steps lie proposes to adopt to obtain a reduction of such imports?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the retained imports of beef of all classes during the three months June-September, 1934, totalled 3,376,738 cwts., an increase of 259,113 cwts., or over 8 per cent., as compared with the same quarter of 1931, the latter being the quarter selected as the first quarter for the purpose of the graded programme in the Ottawa Agreements; and, having regard to these figures, if he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the negotiations with foreign and Empire countries on the subject of beef imports into the United Kingdom?

I am aware of the figures quoted by my hon. Friend the Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams) which relate to the three months July, August and September, 1934. The position regarding retained imports of beef of all classes in these months is as stated, a substantial reduction in imports from foreign sources having during that period been more than offset by increased imports from Dominion sources. Compared with the corresponding period of last year, however, total retained imports of beef in the third quarter of 1934 showed an increase of less than 1 per cent. It will be recalled that it was stated in the White Paper on the Livestock Situation (Cmd. 4651) issued in July last that an appreciable improvement in the prices of sheep had taken place, but that in the se of cattle the situation was such that special assistance to producers was felt to be necessary for the period to the end of March next, pending discussion on long-term policy. These discussions are now proceeding, as I said in my reply on 20th October to a question by my right hon. Friend the Member for South Molton (Mr. Lambert), with representatives of the supplying countries. The special assistance was embodied in the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Act, which is now in force.

Can my right hon. Friend indicate when he will be likely to be in a position to answer a question with regard to future policy?

I am afraid not. Discussions are now in progress.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the reduction in retained imports of 1 per cent. indicates a reduction in the consumption of meat in this country?

There was an increase of 1 per cent.

Do we understand the right hon. Gentleman correctly when he said that he accepted the figures of the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams); if so, is it customary for his Department to accept any figures the hon. Gentleman gives him?

If accurate figures are quoted from any quarter of the House, surely it is my duty to say that they are so.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the recommendation of the Milk Reorganisation Committee that a guaranteed premium for milk produced by accredited producers should be borne by both producers and buyers; and whether he will refuse his sanction to any accredited producer's scheme that does not embody that principle?

The recommendation to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers was made on the hypothesis that there would be brought into existence a Joint Milk Council representing producers, distributors, and manufacturers; and that the Council would decide the rate of the premium to be paid to accredited producers and the rate of the levy required. Paragraph 63 of the Milk Marketing Scheme as formally approved requires the Milk Marketing Board, as soon as they think it practicable, to prepare a Register of Accredited Producers, and to pay to every producer whose name is on that Register a "guaranteed quality premium" per gallon of milk sold by him. The Minister's sanction is not needed for any scheme adopted by the Board in compliance with that paragraph.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that under the present scheme the retailer can mix accredited milk with other milk and that the consumer suffers thereby while the retailer is let off? Is my right hon. Friend taking any steps to stop anything of that sort?

The House has handed over wide powers to the producers of the product, and it would be necessary in the first place to see whether the producers approve of the various actions of their representatives.

Can my right hon. Friend say when this scheme will definitely be brought into operation?

I am afraid I cannot say. I believe there are discussions going on with the local authorities at present.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the stricture passed by Judge Sir Alfred Tobin upon the secret manner in which the Milk Marketing Board inflicts fines upon producers; and if he will represent to the Board that such practices tend to make marketing schemes in general, and the milk scheme in particular, suspect to the agricultural community?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to recent judicial pronouncements on legal proceedings instituted by the Milk Marketing Board; and whether, in view of the possible effect of such pronouncements on public opinion, he will suggest to the Board the desirability of issuing an official statement on the whole subject?

On a point of Order. May I ask you, Mr. Speaker, whether it is in accordance with the procedure of the House to make reference in questions to the decisions of a county court judge, seeing that there is a stricture embodied in these questions?

The hon. Member knows very well the Rule under which the House acts in regard to the conduct of a judge, and I do not think these questions disregard that Rule.

I would refer my hon. and Noble Friends to the answer I gave on Thursday last to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine) of which I am sending them a copy.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in any of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, the cause or source of infection has been ascertained; and whether any of the cattle first affected in any of the outbreaks have been imported into this country?

During the past three months, seven outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred which could not be attributed to previous cases in this country. In none of these outbreaks was the source of infection definitely established, and in no case is there reason to believe that animals imported into this country were the first to be affected.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total number of prosecutions for infringements of the Butter Marking Order made under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, since its inception; and if not, whether he will arrange for the keeping of a record of future prosecutions

No record is available of the total number of prosecutions for infringement of the Butter Marking and other similar Orders which various local authorities are empowered to enforce, and I have no power to call for a return.

Will the Minister seriously consider the withdrawal of Recommendation (e) of the Butter Marking Committee as it has left the door wide open to fraud upon the public?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will impose countervailing duties on imported agricultural products sold in this country at a lower price than in the country of origin?

I would remind my right hon. Friend that it is open to the interests concerned to apply to the Import Duties Advisory Committee for the imposition of duties or additional duties on products imported into this country in the circumstances mentioned in the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if this policy were applied to coal our exports would cease instantaneously?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the opening of the Mersey Tunnel has facilitated Post Office business; and, if so, in what way?

The opening of the Mersey Tunnel has reduced the time of transit of mails between Liverpool and the Wirral Peninsula, thus slightly improving the mail connections to and from that district.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that there is sometimes unreasonable obstruction in the streets by postal vans; and what action the Post Office itself takes to check this?

I am aware of this complaint and am taking steps to avoid obstruction in the streets by postal vans.

Will my right hon. Friend consider changing over from horse-drawn vehicles to motor vehicles in London?

That has, of course, been very largely done.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider providing a telephone exchange for Path of Condie, Perthshire, as this district is so remote from existing exchanges that the rentals from such exchanges are prohibitive to the inhabitants?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with my Noble Friend as soon as they are completed.

asked the Postmaster-General to what extent it has been necessary to increase the number of night telephone operators following the recent reduction in charges for night calls; and whether the complaints with regard to overwork in this connection have now been dealt with satisfactorily?

The increase in telephone traffic in the evening has necessitated an increase in the number of operators and overtime work has now been considerably reduced. The whole question of staffing arrangements consequent upon this new development is now engaging my attention. I am having a return made of the number of additional operators who have been so far engaged and I will inform the hon. Gentleman when I have received the desired information.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask if he will give an assurance that the complaints of ex-service men telephonists will be carefully watched?

I am giving due consideration to all aspects of the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship inflicted upon those telephone subscribers who paid a lump sum of £1 for the installation of hand microphones instead of making quarterly payments and who have therefore lost 8s. upon each hand microphone; and whether he will consider offering the subscribers more favourable terms?

My attention has been called to cases of the kind, but I regret that a modification cannot be made of contracts which would involve an actual refund of money already paid into the Exchequer. It has not been possible to apply the recent concessions to telephone subscribers retrospectively.

Is the treatment of subscribers in the past who paid a lump sum down likely to be very much encouragement in the future to others to pay lump sums?

I fully recognise the case my hon. and gallant Friend has put forward, but I really cannot undertake to make any further concessions. Very large concessions have been made recently.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that there is a definite grievance here, and will he in the future avoid anything of this kind?

Yes, I will certainly keep that in mind in any future policy.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, bearing in mind the great success which the recent cheaper rate for telephone messages has achieved, he will reconsider the advisability of returning to the penny postage?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Deritend Division (Mr. Crooke) on Thursday last.

As it is easy to get a penny stamp out of the Post Office stamp machines, will the right hon. Gentleman consider making it equally easy to get a three-halfpenny stamp out?

Yes, but I am afraid my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer might have something to say as well.

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether, to save time, he will consider making a reduction in the cost of telegrams?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider a reasonable reduction in trunk calls during the daytime?

This question has to deal with penny postage.

asked the Post master-General whether a postmaster is only empowered to alter a postal address with the consent of the ratepayers; how many postal addresses have been altered in the last two years; and whether in every case these alterations have been approved by the ratepayers concerned and, if there are any cases of over-riding, whether he can give the names of the places in question?

Changes of postal addresses are avoided as far as possible. They become necessary either as essential features of schemes for improving public facilities or in the interests of efficient administration. A postmaster has no arbitrary powers in the matter and, subject to the considerations mentioned, due regard is always paid to local opinion. The further particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are not immediately avail- able, and their compilation would involve a measure of expense which I do not think would be justified.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his Department is negotiating for an interest in the premises near Bush House, Aldwych, London; and, if so, for what purpose?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, the premises are being acquired primarily to relieve existing congestion in Somerset House and to provide for a concentration of Inland Revenue headquarters staffs.

asked the Minister of Health whether the age of entry for accountancy appointments at the Ministry can be extended so that qualified members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants can compete for vacancies on the audit staff of the Ministry after they have attained the age of 21 years?

The District Audit Staff of the Ministry is recruited from candidates successful at open competitive examinations held by the Civil Service Commissioners, for which the maximum age limit is 19. These are examinations for the Civil Service generally, and it would be impracticable to extend the age limit for any one class of appointment. My right hon. Friend is satisfied, as the result of careful consideration, and after experience of the recruitment of candidates by other methods, and at higher ages, that this is a satisfactory way of providing an efficient District Audit staff.

Does the hon. Gentleman think it satisfactory that for a few years no member of his audit staff should have won their complete professional qualifications such as are required for all accountants in private practice?

I should be happy to discuss that point with my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that no member of the Civil Service can become a chartered or an incorporated accountant, and that young men with those qualifications cannot hope to secure positions under the Government; and is he aware that Government Departments are the only businesses in the whole of the country from which they are debarred?

I am quite aware of all that, but I cannot treat a particular class in a favoured way.

Does not the same regulation apply to medical men, who as a rule do not qualify until they are over 21?

asked the Minister of Health whether and, if so, when, he proposes to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the departmental committee on Food Standards?

My right hon. Friend regrets that he cannot yet make any statement as to legislation on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been called to the interim report of the cleansing sub-committee of the Metropolitan Boroughs Standing Joint Committee on disposal of refuse; and whether that committee in accordance with its terms of reference enquires into up-to-date systems in operation outside London; and

My right hon. Friend is aware of the interim report. He understands that the Committee as a whole confined themselves to inspection of the services of the metropolitan borough councils, but several of the members and a number of officers who advised the Committee had inspected up-to-date systems in operation outside London. The Chairman of the sub-committee is a civil engineer, and in addition, the sub-committee has attached to it, in an advisory capacity, a number of medical officers of health and engineers of metropolitan borough councils. As regards the comparative methods of controlled tipping and incineration, my right hon. Friend is advised that, where controlled tipping can be and is properly carried out, it is a satisfactory method of disposal, but what method is most advantageous for any particular place must depend on local circumstances.

Has the hon. Gentleman taken into consideration the very excellent system adopted by the Brighton Corporation, and has he visited it recently?

I am sure that evidence of that and other excellent systems was put before the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the corporation of Dundee has under consideration a reconstruction scheme to cost £200,000; that the scheme involves the destruction of General Monk's house, the pre-Reformation dwelling of the choristers of St. Clement's, the Overgate, and other historical buildings; and if he will take steps to preserve what he can from this destruction?

I am making inquiries about the scheme referred to and will communicate the result of my investigations to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will adjust the provisions under the Milk Marketing Board as applied to Scotland in order to give more considerate treatment to producer-retailers in Scotland, in view of the fact that in many cases they are being considerably impoverished by the transport levy while other producers are profiting thereby?

I have no authority to amend the provisions of the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme except on consideration of reports by the Committee of Investigation for Scotland under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931. Complaints made by level producers, many of whom are producer-retailers, have been referred by me to that committee whose report has been received to-day and is now under consideration. The levy paid by farmers who are producer-retailers does not include any charge for the transport of milk.

In view of the great interest attached to this question in all parts of Scotland, will the right hon. Gentleman publish the report of the Investigating Committee?

That matter is under consideration.