asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has considered the report of Mr. K. P. Menon on the position of the clove industry in Zanzibar; and whether he intends to publish it?

The Government of India are considering the report, and my right hon. Friend is awaiting their views. No decision has yet been taken on the question of its publication.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the harm likely to be caused to the Indian community in Zanzibar by the passing of the Land Alienation Bill, he will state what steps are being taken by the Government of India to protect the livelihood of Indian British subjects resident in Zanzibar?

The report of Mr. K. P. S. Menon, who was recently deputed to Zanzibar to inquire into and report on this Measure and other legislation affecting the interests of the Indian community, is now under the consideration of the Government of India.

Is it not a fact that Indians themselves have approved of similar legislation in the Punjab?

I think it would be wiser to await the report.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is satisfied that due weight is being given to the opposition amongst the inhabitants of Bangalore, who number 135,000 and are living under British laws and paying British taxes, to the proposed retrocession of Bangalore to Mysore; and whether there is any precedent for handing over a British community to native rule?

My right hon. Friend is satisfied that, in considering the question whether any portion of the Bangalore Assigned Tract should be retroceded to Mysore, the Government of India will give due weight to the views of the inhabitants concerned. With regard to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my Noble Friend the Member for Kinross and Western Perth (Duchess of Atholl) on the 30th July.

In view of the unsatisfying nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question at the most convenient opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Government of Bengal has given notice to the Modern Review of India that an article written by Rabindranath Tagore, entitled "On Russia," which appeared in the Modern Review last June, is highly objectionable, and that the editor has been warned that such articles must not be published in future; and, in view of the fact that no objection was taken by the Government of Bengal when this and similar articles were published in book form by this author in 1931, will he state why this alteration of policy has taken place?

It is the case that a warning was issued to the editor of the Modern Review in respect of an article written by Rabindranath Tagore. The article was taken from a book called "Letters from Russia," which was published in Bengali by a local Press in 1931. This book attracted little public attention, and consequently no notice was taken of it by Government, but the translation into English of a particular chapter, which was clearly calculated by distortion of the facts to bring the British administration in India into contempt and disrepute, and its publication in the forefront of a widely read English magazine, put a wholly different complexion on the case.

May I take it, therefore, that the article written by this very eminent gentleman could be published in the Review if it were not distorted?

I have conveyed to my hon. Friend the view that this article gave a distorted view of the achievements of British rule in India, and that was the reason why this action was taken.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction is felt in India at the fact that the number of candidates admitted to the Indian military academy at Dehra Dun is limited to 60; and whether he is satisfied that this number is sufficient to carry out the declared policy of the Government of India with regard to the Indianisation of the Army?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the number is sufficient.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will suggest to the Viceroy the desirability of summoning the Chamber of Princes as soon as possible after the 21st November to enable the members to discuss the conclusions of the report of the Joint Select Committee?

I understand that the Viceroy has already been in correspondence with His Highness the Chancellor of the Chamber of Princes as to a convenient date for a meeting of the Chamber after the publication of the report of the Joint Select Committee, and that the Chancellor was to consult his colleagues of the Standing Committee of the Chamber. I have not heard the result of the consultation, but I have no doubt that the Viceroy has in mind the points raised in my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement to the House as to an agreement having been arrived at between the Russian Soviet Government and Lena Goldfields, Limited, and as to the nature of the same?

Yes, Sir; an agreement was signed at Moscow on the 4th November by the representatives of the company and of the, Soviet Government. I understand that it is subject to ratification by the company's shareholders, and provides for the payment by the Soviet Government of £3,000,000 over a period of 20 years. £50,000 will be paid down on ratification, and there will be 20 instalments of £92,500, followed by a further 20 of £55,000 to be paid at six-monthly intervals beginning on the 1st May next.

Do I understand that this British company has been obliged, on the recommendation of the British Government, to settle for a sum of £3,000,000, which is to be paid over 20 years, in lieu of an arbitral award of £13,000,000?

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say exactly how much of that £3,000,000 will go to Germany and the United States and how much to Great Britain?

Did my hon. and gallant Friend say that this agreement is subject to ratification by the Soviet Government?

As regards the first supplementary question, the company recognise that the prospects of any settlement at all without the assistance they received from His Majesty's Government would have been slight.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say what is the present value of this payment by instalments?

May I have a reply to my question?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether questions regarding freedom of religion and famine relief were discussed with the representatives of the Soviet Government before they were admitted to membership of the League of Nations; and what is the present position with regard to these matters between the Soviet Government and Foreign Powers?

The British delegation at Geneva took part in no discussions with the Soviet representatives prior to the entry of the Soviet Government into the League of Nations on the subjects mentioned by my hon. Friend in the first part of his Question. I am not in a position to say whether these subjects have been discussed between the Soviet Government and Foreign Powers.

Having regard to the prominent part which the British Government take at Geneva, surely the questions of religious freedom and famine relief, which are questions of such great importance, must have been raised? Is my right hon. Friend aware that these questions were specially raised by the American Government, and that they received a satisfactory reply?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a good deal of exaggeration about this matter; and may I ask him whether he will consider the advantage of extending his journeys to this jurisdiction to get personal acquaintance with the facts?

The only question with which His Majesty's delegation was concerned was the entry of the Soviet Government into the League.

Did the Soviet Government comply with Article 23 of the Covenant of the League of Nations?

The Soviet Government, in applying for membership, clearly indicated that it would undertake all the obligations which other members of the League have undertaken.

Are the members of the League satisfied that the Soviet Government have complied with Article 23, which demands that they should give fair and humane treatment to their labour?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will inform the House of the value of the property belonging to His Majesty's Government which was stolen from the British Embassy in Petrograd in 1918; what was the nature of the property which was stolen; how much of the same has been recovered; and what was the value and nature of the property which has not been recovered and in respect of which no compensation has hitherto been paid?

I have been asked to reply. It is assumed that my hon. Friend is alluding to the British Embassy service of silver plate which was looted in the course of the Russian revolution. This service, which belonged to the Embassy and not to the Ambassador personally, was valued at £11,235 of which only £475 worth has been recovered and restored, and the whereabouts of the remainder is unknown. In addition it is estimated that some £900 worth of furniture was taken from the Embassy.

What reason has been given by the Soviet Government for not either returning this plate or giving compensation? There is no question of it being a Government robbery because the people in the Embassy were taken to the Peter and Paul fortress, which is a Government prison.

Was this included in the jewellery presented to the "Daily Herald" in 1920?

My hon. Friend cannot expect me to answer a detailed question. I have said that the whereabouts of the plate is not at the moment known.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received any reply from the Japanese Government to the protest made by him with regard to the proposal for a monopoly of petroleum in Manchuria by the authorities of that country and the Japanese Government itself?

Yes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received the reply of the Japanese Government to the representations made by His Majesty's Ambassador in regard to this question. This reply is at present under consideration, and in the circumstances I am unable to make any further statement at present.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be able to, make a statement?

I am afraid I cannot.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with a view to ensuring that no misunderstanding with regard to the British industrial commission which recently visited Manchuria shall in any way affect injuriously British trade with China, he will make arrangements for His Majesty's Minister in Peking to convey officially to the Chinese Government and Press an intimation that the visit was strictly unofficial?

As was explained in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. Banfield) on the 5th November, an opportunity has already been taken to emphasise to the Chinese Government, through the Chinese Minister in London, the entirely nonpolitical and unofficial character of the mission. I am confident that there cannot be any misunderstanding on the point, and no further action is therefore called for.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, during the six months ended 30th September, 1934, the retained imports of manufactures other than non-ferrous metals, and oils, fats, and resins were £7,817,000 greater than in the corresponding period of last year; whether he is aware that, during the six months ended 21st October, 1933, unemployment in Great Britain declined by 398,881, whereas during the same period of this year the decrease has been only 28,560; and whether, in these circumstances, he is prepared to take steps to restrict further the increase of competitive manufactures in the interests of the employment of the British workpeople?

I am aware of the increased imports to which my hon. Friend refers. While I cannot agree that the statistics of imports and of employment are so clearly related as he suggests, I would point out that there are 279,000 more insured persons in employment to-day than there were a year ago. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the reply which was given to him and other hon. Members on 31st July.

Do these statistics of increased employment refer to persons in the manufacturing industries?

It covers all industries.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the figures for the manufacturing industries alone?

No, I am afraid I could not do that.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now prepared to amplify the statement issued by him to the Press on 28th August last as to the decision not to give effect to the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee in respect of the additional duties on complete electric lamps; and can he indicate what concessions were obtained from Japan as a result of the decision not to give effect to the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

No question of a concession from Japan arose in this connection. The imposition of higher duties on imported electric lamps has been suspended so long as the desired limitation of imports is obtained in some other way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what sums were due from the Government and trade organisations of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on 1st January last in payment for goods supplied from this country; and what sums were still due on 30th September last?

The information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks cannot be given, as it relates to a number of transactions with individual firms in this country. If my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the activities of the Export Credits Guarantee Department, he will be interested to know that the sums repaid on account of bills guaranteed by that Department amounted during the nine months ended 30th September, 1934, to £5,200,000.

Is it not necessary to know the sums still due in order to make the balance according to the Anglo-Russian Trade Agreement at the end of the year?

I have no doubt that, we shall be able to reach an approximate figure, but I cannot give the figures of individual firms.

Is it not a, fact that firms and co-operative societies are satisfied with the way in which their claims are being met?

I cannot answer for the co-operative societies, but I have no doubt a great number of firms are satisfied, otherwise they would not continue to trade.

Is there any case of default or apprehended default in this matter?

I cannot say whether there is any apprehended default, but I can say that as far as the Export Credits Guarantee Department is concerned there has been no default.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many persons have been granted and refused, respectively, permits to trade in potatoes by the Potato Marketing Board under the powers conferred on them under Section 6 (e) (i) of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, and Section 70 (1) of the potato scheme, to determine through whom potatoes may be sold; and whether, in making such determinations, the Board exercise their powers in a public and judicial manner after hearing the applicants or otherwise?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on 8th November to questions by my hon. Friend the Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) and others. As to the second part, I understand that, in considering applications, the Potato Marketing Board have had regard to the particulars furnished by the applicant himself and have consulted, where necessary, district advisory committees. Any applicant who desires his case to be reconsidered may appear before the Board. As my hon. Friend will recognise, there are obvious disadvantages in considering cases of this kind in public. I think that in many cases the applicant would not wish his business affairs to be publicly discussed.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any cases of fraud have arisen under the Cattle Industry (Emergency Provisions) Act; if so, will he state the number and whether proceedings have been taken against the individuals concerned; and what action is being taken to prevent any further frauds?

Although in many cases the Cattle Committee find it necessary to make enquiries before payment is made, the number of cases of suspected fraud is quite small. Up to the present, no case of actual fraud has been proved and no legal proceedings have been taken. The question of taking proceedings is, however, now under consideration in two instances. With regard to the last part of the question, the arrangements for making payment under the Ad contain a number of safeguards and wide publicity has been given to the fact that any person found guilty of fraudulently obtaining money from the Cattle Fund is liable to heavy penalties.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will state the number of cases in which fines have been ordered by the Milk Marketing Board; in how many cases the public have been present; and the amounts of the penalties imposed?

I am informed by the Milk Marketing Board that 413 penalties have been imposed upon registered milk producers under the provisions of the Milk Marketing Scheme, and that in the aggregate these penalties amount to £8,050. As to the second part of my hon. Friend's question, I would refer him to the reply I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Dorset East, on 1st November.

Has the right hon. Gentleman now instructed the Board that all such cases should be heard in the presence of the public if the public desire to have admission?

It is for Parliament and not for the Minister to instruct the Board, and instructions have already been given.

Has the Board yet decided to establish regional courts?

As the hon. Gentleman knows, I promised to inquire into that, and I am not yet able to give him an answer.

Is it a fact that in the case of producer-retailers the Board have no means of collecting fines?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why the proposed grant for capital drainage works in the Don area is proportionately less than grants made for similar works in other areas?

My hon. Friend will remember that the Land Drainage Act, 1930, although it authorised the Minister to make grants towards expenses incurred by catchment boards in improvement of existing works or construction of new works, did not prescribe the rate or basis of such grant. Every application is, therefore, considered on its merits in accordance with the procedure outlined in the Ministry's circular letter to catchment boards of 24th March last, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. The offer of a grant of 20 per cent. of approved loan charges which was made by the Ministry on 11th October, 1934, to the Yorkshire Ouse Catchment Board has been accepted by the board.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many county boroughs are still complaining of the smallness of this grant, and, should there be any chance of the work being held up, will he insist on that grant being increased and the work carried out?

The board have accepted the grant already, and there is no further question. As to complaints of its smallness, I never heard of a case where resolutions were passed about the largeness of a grant.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the county boroughs are meeting at the House and discussing the smallness of the grant?

I have no doubt they are discussing that and the smallness of many other grants.

If it be possible to combine the drainage scheme with a water supply scheme, will the right hon. Gentleman see that it is done?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the case of a resident at Warrington whose relatives were recalled from holiday by the receipt of a bogus telegram alleging that he had sustained serious injuries; and whether, in view of the frequency of similar abuses of the telegraphic system, he is prepared to introduce legislation making it a criminal offence to despatch a telegram, the contents whereof are to the knowledge of the sender false, with intent to cause damage, inconvenience or anxiety to the recipient?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will then give consideration to the question whether any alteration in the law is necessary.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now introduce a reduction in the cost of inland telegrams?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave in the House on the 1st of this month to a question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, East (Brigadier-General Nation).

Is any information as to the possibility of a reduction likely before Christmas

Not before Christmas.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that telephone installation is being held up owing to the difficulty of getting the necessary Apparatus from the manufacturers; and whether he can take steps to prevent this occurring in the future?

I am not aware of delay in the supply of apparatus attributable to the manufacturers, but I am sorry that some difficulties have arisen in completing a small exchange in, the constituency of my hon. Friend owing to the development of a new type of exchange. I am taking steps to accelerate this matter as far as possible.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now able to state if the findings consequent upon the inquiry into the death of Mrs. Taylor, of Manchester, are to be published; and, if so, when?

My right hon. Friend has received the report in question. Publication of it would be contrary to the established practice in such cases. He proposes to communicate fully on the matter with the city council of Manchester at whose request he caused the inquiry to be made.

Is it not the universal practice to publish the findings in such cases, and, if so, what reason can be given for not disclosing the findings in this case?

The report to the Minister is confidential, but the findings will be communicated to the council, and it will be for them to decide whether publication is necessary.

May I take it that there will be no objection to the city council publishing the findings when they receive them?

That is a matter that is entirely within their discretion. They asked us to hold a public inquiry.

Will the hon. Gentleman ask his chief to look into the case again as to the publication of these reports I think that on at least two or three occasions reports made by local government and Ministry of Health Inspectors on the business of Poplar were not only published but were very widely read and commented upon.

asked the Minister of Health how much of the £1,000,000 grant to assist rural water supply schemes has so far been allocated, not counting any other contribution from county council, rural, or other authority?

The amount so far allocated is £302,000 for schemes of an estimated capital cost of £2,100,000.

Will my hon. Friend take steps to urge on the development of water supply as this figure is very disappointing having regard to the time that has gone by and the allocation of the £1,000,000?

It may be a disappointment to my hon. Friend, but he does not realise what has been going on. In the last 12 years £5,000,000 has been spent on capital works in rural areas and in the last eight months £2,000,000 has been allocated. The progress is extremely satisfactory.

No.

When will my hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement to the House on the country's water supply, which is so urgently in need of reorganisation?

Can the hon. Member say how many schemes are in progress?

Just over £600,000 worth of schemes are now being considered in addition to those already approved.

May I have an answer to my question?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that Miss F. M. Thomas was employed as a nurse at the Whitechurch Mental Hospital for nearly seven years, during which time she paid £19 in contributions to the superannuation fund; that she then worked two years at the Swansea Mental Hospital and afterwards got married; that she received from the Swansea Mental Hospital committee as returned contributions £7, and that she applied to the Whitechurch Mental Hospital committee for the return of her contributions there, but this committee has refused to do so; whether he will inquire why the contributions have been refused; and what action he intends taking in the matter?

My right hon. Friend is not aware of any provision in the Asylums Officers' Superannuation Act, 1909, enabling the Cardiff visiting committee to return the contributions. The visiting committee were informed on the 20th ultimo that, if they desire to return the contributions, my right hon. Friend would be prepared to sanction the expense in the exercise of his powers under the Local Government Act, 1933.

Is it not a fact that in all the schemes under the Superannuation Act of 1929 there is a provision which gives the local authority the right to return not only the contributions, but, in some cases, a certain amount of interest.

The law is that the contributions can be returned in respect of superannuation only in respect of the last mental hospital in which the applicant served, but prior to that there is no legal sanction.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will make a statement regarding the proposed new Army uniforms?

The practical trials of the experimental uniform were only recently completed, and I am afraid that I cannot anticipate the decision of the Army Council.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office with regard to the practice in cases where the age given at the time of enlistment of a recruit in His Majesty's Army is afterwards found on reference to the birth certificate to be incorrect, owing to a genuine error on the part of the recruit, whether the instruction laid down by the Army Council is still enforced; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have the instruction altered?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to recruits enlisting as men for whose discharge an application is made and who are proved by their birth certificates to have, on enlistment, misstated their real age and to be either under 17 or between 17 and 18 years of age. In the former case a free discharge is allowed if it is applied for before the recruite reaches the age of 17, and in the latter case, when there are special compassionate grounds. I see no reason for altering the regulations on this point.

Am I to understand that it is now to be put into practice by the War Office? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a short time ago the same question was put and the reply was that it could not be agreed to?

It is not a question of putting it into practice. It is the existing practice.

Am I to understand that in a case which I brought to the notice of the War Office, where it was not put into practice, the boy will be released?

Certainly. If we have information before the youth reaches the age of 17, he will be discharged.

Has the recruiting officer to get the permission of the parents before the youth is properly taken?

No, Sir. The position is that it is an offence for a youth to give the wrong age, and every precaution is taken by the recruiting officer to ascertain, as far as he can, that the age is correct. If it can be discovered that the youth is under 17 years of age and that fact is found out before he reaches the age of 17, he is discharged.

Would not the recruiting officer be able to find out the proper age if it were obligatory on the parents to give permission?

That is a very delicate matter and there are various reasons which would make the practice undesirable. For instance, if a birth certificate had to be provided, some of these youths who are illegitimate might have their future careers spoilt by being prevented from going into the Army.

I have recently paid out £20 in regard to a case. Will the Army authorities return my £20? I brought a certificate proving the age of the boy. Am I to understand that I can get my £20 back now?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the petition from the councils of the boroughs of Finchley, Hornsey and Hendon, and the urban district councils of Barnet, East Barnet Valley, Friern Barnet and Wood Green, advocating the immediate electrification of that part of the system of the London and North Eastern Railway which serves the areas of these local authorities; whether he has referred the petition for consideration to the London and North Eastern Railway Company and the London Passenger Transport Board; and, if so, whether he can give any information as to their replies?

The answer to the first two parts of my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, I am informed that the Standing Joint Committee of the Main Line Railway Companies and the London Passenger Transport Board have decided that a scheme for the electrification of the Great Eastern Suburban lines based on Liverpool Street would take priority over a scheme for electrifying the lines radiating from King's Cross, but my hon. Friend will be aware that these Matters are not in any way under my control.

In view of the hopelessly inadequate travelling facilities in these districts, will the Minister be prepared to reopen the matter with the undertakers concerned, in order to expedite the schemes suggested in the petition?

My hon. Friend may be assured that I will do anything in my power. I have done what I could by representing this matter to the London Passenger Transport Board. I cannot exceed my powers.

Can the Minister reopen the matter?

I do not know what my hon. Friend means by "reopen" it. If I can give any assistance in any practical way that he can suggest, I shall be only too happy to do so.

Is the hon. Member aware that the electrification of the lines radiating from the old Great Eastern Railway line has been under consideration for years, that repeated promises have been made in this House that schemes would be undertaken, and that his predecessors in office have frequently brought influence to bear upon the company. Can he say when we shall have some steps taken in the interests of the people who travel in the district?

The hon. Member must be aware of the statutory position. The London Passenger Transport Board is the proper authority in this matter, and I am not empowered to exercise any pressure upon them. I have done what I could by representing the views of my hon. Friend to the Board.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress is being made with the construction of the Western Avenue; and when he expects that this road will be completed?

Approximately 6 miles of the Western Avenue in the Counties of London and Middlesex have been completed, and work is in progress upon a 4½ mile length between Greenford and Hillingdon. I have now offered grants to the Middlesex and Bucks County Councils towards the cost estimated at about £350,000 of completing the Westernmost portion of this arterial road. This last section involves engineering works of considerable magnitude, including the construction of a viaduct and several bridges, and it would be difficult to estimate the date when the road will be completed, but I have no reason to doubt that the highway authorities concerned will shortly complete arrangements for the prompt execution of the work.

Will the hon. Member take into consideration the fact that this road has been under construction for over 10 years and is very urgently desired?

I think my answer proves that I have taken what steps I could.

Can the Minister inform the House what progress has been made with the eastern end of the road, from Shepherds Bush into Kensington?

Is the Minister aware that the eastern end is the much more important part, and that there is a complete block down Wood Lane. What is stopping traffic is the fact that there is no bridge across the railway and that the traffic is pushed down Wood Lane through Shepherds Bush to Notting Hill Gate.

I will take into consideration the views of my hon. Friends and look into the matter.

Is the hon. Member aware that this scheme has been under consideration for 35 years? When will a conclusion be reached?

I have shown that I have taken steps to make progress in the matter.

Will the Minister see that no ribbon development takes place?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the number of drivers and drivers' mates on commercial vehicles killed and injured on the main road between Coventry and Dunstable during the last three years for which statistics are available;

(2) the number of collisions occasioned on the main road between Coventry and Dunstable in which commercial vehicles were involved and in which one of the vehicles was stationary or about to leave the roadside?

I regret that the information desired by the hon. Member is not available.