asked the Secretary of State for India what posts in the Civil Service in India, or civil posts under the Crown in India, are appointed, respectively, by the Secretary of State in Council and by the Secretary of State; and how many special appointments are so held in these various services

I am not quite sure what distinction my hon. Friend is referring to, since at present no appointments are made by the Secretary of State as distinct from the Secretary of State in Council. Perhaps he will let me know what he has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for India to what services recruited by. the Secretary of State the right to premature retirement on proportionate pension extends; and how many officers of these services have availed themselves of these pensions since 1919, inclusive?

Eligibility to retire on proportionate pension is at present confined to members of the All-India Services and persons holding posts, other than listed posts, borne on the cadres of those services who were appointed or selected for appointment before 1st January, 1920, and who are not permanently employed directly under the Governor-General in Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India what States are at present governed by minors or by rulers not yet invested with full ruling powers, or by rulers otherwise disqualified from exercising them?

A complete answer to my Noble Friend's question would entail reference to India and considerable detail in view of the fact that numerous small States and estates are, from time to time, or permanently, administered by officers of the Government of India. The chief States in which the ruler is at present unable to exercise his powers on account of his minority are, Barwani, Bharatpur, Chhatarpur, Cooch Behar, Dhar, Gwalior, Jawhar, Nabha, Nagod, Pudukkottai, and Wadhwan. The chief States in which the ruler's powers are for the time being exercised on his behalf by the Government of India are Alwar, Dewas (Senior Branch) and Jhabua.

asked the Secretary of State for India what units of the Indian Territorial Force have been sanctioned in each of the various provinces of British India since 1919; and what was the strength of the units, respectively, on the last date for which returns are available?

With my Noble Friend's permission, I will send her the information for which she asks, as it involves a large number of figures.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the disorganisation of the shellac market owing to attempts in London to corner supplies; whether he is aware that on 19th February business in shellac practically came to a standstill in Calcutta; and whether he has taken any steps, or proposes to take any steps, to protect the interests and livelihood of the Indian cultivators, collectors, and merchants of shellac

I have seen Press reports relating to the matter referred to by the hon. Member. As regards action by the Government, I have nothing to add to replies given on behalf of the Board of Trade and the Treasury in answer to recent questions of a similar nature.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no reply to the last part of the question was given by that Department?

That seems to be essentially a question for the Government of India, and I have received no official communication from the Government of India on the subject. I think it would be the Government of India, that would act if action were necessary.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the number of fatal accidents and injuries among British visitors to Swiss mountain and pleasure resorts, he will inquire of the Swiss Government whether their public authorities would be willing to institute closer supervision of mountain excursions and sports?

I do not think this is a good suggestion. The Swiss authorities may be relied on to leave nothing undone which is likely to promote the well-being of these visitors, and the best protection against mountain accidents is to realise what the dangers are.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that as far as can be ascertained there has been no fatal accident to British visitors in Switzerland this year? The only accident has been in Austria.

Would my right hon. Friend say whether he has any idea of the kind of supervision that he is asked to obtain

I recall that Tartarin when climbing the Jungfrau was under the impression that there was a Swiss agent at the bottom of every crevasse. As to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for East Lewisham (Sir A. Pownall), we draw no distinction in this matter between various parts of Europe where there are winter sports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government took part at the January council meeting in the discussions which resulted in the Abyssinian Government suspending its appeal to the League; if so, what arguments were used to induce the Abyssinian Government to take this course; whether copies of the letters signed by the British commissioner, Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. M. Clifford, R.E., of the British Somaliland-Abyssinia Boundary Commission, appearing as annexes in the memorandum submitted by the Abyssinian Government to the League of Nations in January, were communicated to the Government; and, if so, whether the Government will publish its correspondence with Lieutenant-Colonel Clifford?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, the hon. Member is under a misapprehension in thinking that the Ethiopian appeal under paragraph 2, Article XI, of the Covenant has been suspended. As the hon. Member for Wolverhampton East was informed on the 29th January, the council on the 19th January merely adjourned consideration of the appeal, until its next session, in view of the assurances given by both parties that they would seek an amicable settlement of their differences by direct negotiations. The answer to the third part of the question is in the affirmative while, as regards the last part, I do not consider that it would be in the public interest to publish the reports submitted by Colonel Clifford for the confidential information of His Majesty's Government. I would add that the Abyssinian Government officially expressed their appreciation of the assistance which His Majesty's Government rendered in helping to bring about the understanding reached at Geneva on the 19th January between the Italian and Abyssinian Governments.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what progress has been made with direct negotiations?

I require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Minister at The Hague has now furnished a report on the investments of Mrs. Nugent Cahill in the Amsterdam firm of Messrs. Goldwurm and Company?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Minister has reported fully on this case, and the Foreign Office have recently been in correspondence with Mrs. Cahill on the subject. So far there have not been found any grounds for intervention by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the lack of uniformity of the administra tion of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, and the Tuberculosis Order, 1925, by county councils in the North-West region of the Milk Marketing Board; and whether, owing to the higher costs of producing milk as a result of the efficient operation of these regulations in the West Riding of Yorkshire, he will make representations to the Milk Marketing Board with a view to producers in West Riding receiving a higher pool price than producers in other areas comprising the North-Western region?

I do not doubt that there are differences in the standard of administration of the legislation relating to milk in the region mentioned, as in other parts of the country. I may, however, point out that, under the scheme of the Milk Marketing Board for a register of accredited producers which is expected to come into operation on the 1st May, producers who comply with the prescribed conditions for securing the purity and good quality of their milk will he entitled to a guaranteed quality premium.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can make any statement with regard to the appointment of the committee contemplated in Section 2 (3) of the Wheat Act, 1932, to consider the desirability of making any alteration in the standard price of wheat for the purposes of that Act?

Yes, Sir. The following gentlemen have consented to serve on the committee which has been appointed by my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for the Home Department and for Scotland together with myself, as the Standard Price Committee under Section 2 (3) of the Wheat Act, 1932:

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered two proposals put before his Department by the Unemployment Insurance Board under the special scheme for a revision of the method of electing employers' representatives to that board; whether, as these two proposals would enable purely commercial insurance undertakings to exclude from a seat on the board any representative of such bodies as friendly societies and trade unions, he will give preference to the earlier proposal of the chairman of the board, which secures representation to all types of organisations; and whether he will decline to sanction any proposal which is unjust to any particular type of employers' organisation?

Only one proposal on this subject has been submitted to my right hon. Friend by the Insurance. Unemployment Board. In accordance with the usual practice notice of such a. proposal will be advertised and my right hon. Friend before coming to a decision will give careful consideration to any objections made by interested parties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the large numbers of foreigners who have obtained employment in England in recent years as domestic servants; whether he can give the numbers of such for the years 1932, 1933 and 1934, and the conditions governing the entrance of such labour?

The numbers of cases in which foreigners have been permitted to take up employment as domestic servants in the United Kingdom in the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 are 3,132, 3,236 and 4,376 respectively. Permission is granted only in cases where British domestics are not available, and where the rate of wages offered is not less favourable than that ordinarily paid in this country. Permission is normally granted for a period of 12 months. I would add that the number in 1931 was 6,547.

Would not the tightening up of the restrictions mean that a greater number of our people would be employed in this work?

No. Permits are in general isued by my Department only when the applicant is able to prove that no British domestic servants are available.

Are there any men among the people referred to, or are they just women?

I would not like to answer without notice, and I do not know what the hon. Member means by "just women."

Is it suggested that our people are not prepared to accept employment of this kind when it is offered to them?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will issue a White Paper showing the supplementary grants that will be paid to the various local authorities, and the amount paid to each local authority in consequence of the Unemployment Assistance Board not being able to take over the able-bodied unemployed on 1st March, 1935?

As the hon. Member is aware, negotiations with English local authorities are not yet concluded. Subject to this point, I anticipate that it will be some time before the amounts finally payable to local authorities can be determined, and it is therefore likely that payments will have to be on a provisional basis for the time being. My right hon. Friend will consider, when more progress has been made, whether a White Paper giving provisional figures cart be issued.

Between now and next Thursday when the right hon. Gentleman meets the local authorities, will he refresh his memory about the speech he made in connection with a deputation that I introduced to the Prime Minister, the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George), in connection with the same question?

I think the hon. Member is referring to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and I will bring his supplementary question to my right hon. Friend's notice.

asked the Minister of Labour the position in relation to unemployment assistance of unemployed men cultivating allotments, group holdings and other plots, and smallholdings?

The board inform me that they will not make any reduction in allowances in respect of the produce of allotments cultivated by unemployed industrial workers for consumption by their households. Its policy in regard to the cultivation of group holdings and similar plots is to make no reduction for the first six months and thereafter to treat the net profit, if any, in the same manner as profit from any other occupation, the value of produce consumed in the household being ignored. As regards smallholdings, no hard and fast rule can be laid down in view of the variety of circumstances but the board's general policy in regard to unemployed men desiring to occupy smallholdings can be illustrated by reference to the arrangements made with the Land Settlement Association, under which a number of married men from the Special Areas will be given up to a, year's training on smallholdings at Potton in Bedfordshire and will be in receipt of special allowances during the training period.

While thanking the Minister for his answer, may I ask him to see if he can do anything to secure wide publicity for it as it would allay a great deal of anxiety?

I hope the action of my right hon. Friend in putting a question down and my answer will secure that, but I will do what I can to add to it.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the allotment holders of the sort of statement which they will have to send in before an estimate is made as to the nett profits referred to by the hon. Gentleman?

I did not use the words "nett profits" in repect of allotments I said the board will not make any reduction in allowances in respect of the produce of allotments cultivated by the applicants for consumption by their household.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the serious dissatisfaction that arose some time ago owing to these men being required to keep accounts, and will he take that into consideration in making the estimate to which he refers?

The question of nett profits which I mentioned is in connection with the cultivation of group holdings, which are not the same as allotments.

They are the same thing.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of advisory committees which have been established under the Unemployment Act, 1934, and the number of these committees which have met to give advice on local conditions?

Under the Unemployment Assistance Act the establishment of advisory committees is a matter entirely for the Unemployment Assistance Board. I am informed by the board that no such committees have yet been established, but that their constitution and the best method of making use of them are under active consideration.

What is the reason for this delay? The board has had several months to think the question out, and is it not time it took action?

The hon. Member had better put a question down.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to proceed in present circumstances with the. Unemployment Insurance Bill [Lords]?

Yes, Sir. The Unemployment Insurance Bill [Lords] is to consolidate the law with regard to unemployment insurance, and, as no doubt the hon. Gentleman is aware, was read a Second time on Friday last.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can furnish an estimate of the number of houses that are owned by their occupiers?

My right hon. Friend regrets that there is no information available on which such an estimate could be based.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has been in communication with the Newcastle-under-Lyme Rural District Council concerning the drainage of Audley parish; and, if so, what he proposes to do about it?

My right hon. Friend is in communication with the council on this subject. Any proposals which they may submit for the sewering of the parish will be considered.

Is there a chance of getting any assistance towards the drainage of this derelict area, since the conditions there are very bad indeed?

I require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many persons throughout the country under the Health Insurance Acts are placed in the category 3 (5a), and the same information separately as it affects the counties of Glamorgan and Monmouth;

The number of persons in Great Britain who come within the special provisions of Section 3 (5a) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1924, as amended by the Act of 1932, is estimated at 170,000, but my right hon. Friend is not able to give separate figures for particular areas. These persons are not entitled to cash benefits but can regain title to such benefits on favourable terms by return to employment, or by becoming voluntary contributors. Every week many persons who have fallen under the special provisions of Section 3 (5a) return to the ordinary provisions of the Act, but no exact figures of the number of such persons are available.

asked the Minister of Health what is the estimated total number of persons that will have lost all insurable rights, including pension, on account of unemployment from 1933 to the end of 1935?

During the period specified in the question the only persons who can lose all insurance rights including pension by reason of unemployment are persons who before they became unemployed had been insured for less than four years, or had paid fewer than 160 contributions. Statistics are not available as to the proportion of persons lapsing after less than four years of insurance whose lapse was due to unemployment.

Is the Department now prepared to consider taking some steps to secure that these people shall continue within their insurable terms?

The bulk of the people leave insurance voluntarily.

That is due to unemployment. How can the Parliamentary Secretary suggest that these people leave voluntarily, since the cause of their failure to continue insurance is the fact that they have no employment?

I was referring to the people with less than four years' insurability. The great bulk of people unemployed have more than four years insurance and their pensions are secure until the end of 1935.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has inspected, or caused to be inspected, any automatic fire-damp detectors when in actual operation in a coal mine; and whether he is yet in a position to recommend the instalment in coal mines of any such detectors?

I have personally inspected automatic detectors in operation. I gave formal notice last month of my proposal to make general regulations requiring the provision of firedamp detectors of approved types for use by workmen in safety lamp mines. When these regulations are established, the choice of the type of detector to be provided, whether automatic or otherwise, will rest with the management of each mine concerned. Automatic detectors are already being installed in some mines on a voluntary basis and on this aspect of the matter I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given in reply to a question which he asked on 26th November last.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the recommendation of the use of automatic detectors will be carried into effect?

In reply I would only say that there will be automatic detectors on the first approved list after the regulations become operative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Italian Government has decided to impose a quota upon imports of coal into Italy; that this quota will severely limit British coal shipments to that country, as the quota allotted until 31st March has already been exceeded; and, as there are several ships at Cardiff and other Welsh ports already loaded with coal for Italy, will he state what action is proposed to deal with this matter?

I am aware that the Italian Government has decided to impose a quota upon imports of coal, and of many other commodities, into Italy, and I am endeavouring to ascertain as quickly as possible what is likely to be the precise effect of the new decree, which was promulgated on 19th February, upon our coal shipments and other exports to Italy. As regards the last part of the question I am informed that the Italian Government have now decided to admit all coal destined for Italian consumption that actually left the country of origin before 19th February. No information is yet available as to the position of coal loaded or ready for loading but not yet on its way on 19th February, but urgent representations are being made to the Italian Government on the whole matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether information was given by the Italian Government of their decision before the traders themselves were informed that they were not to ship other coal there?

That is an important matter which I think had better be put on the Paper. Wherever a quota is suddenly imposed upon contracts in course of being executed, we endeavour invariably to avoid hardship. Urgent representations are being made to the Italian Government on the propriety of exempting coal already ordered for which arrangements have been made, and we earnestly hope that some result upon those lines will be achieved.

Arising out of the further reply, can the hon. Gentleman say whether the representations are also dealing with this question of the quota which is a very serious matter for South Wales, because South Wales is the coalfield which supplies the bulk of the coal to Italy?

It is well understood that the representations are covering that point.

Do I take it that the representations also include contracts already entered into?

That is so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of soft-timber standards imported from Canada from 1932 to the nearest available date in 1934; and whether the standards from Canada are the same cut and length as those imported from other countries, especially the Russian imports?

Imports of sawn soft wood (other than planed or dressed) from Canada in the years 1932, 1933 and 1934, were 216,000, 605,000 and 1,081,000 loads respectively, the load of 50 cubic feet being the official unit of quantity for the purpose of the trade returns. Particulars of imports of this and other classes of soft wood from the principal countries of supply during each of the last three years will be found in the issue of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for December, 1934. I understand that there is some variation in the sizes in which timber is cut in different countries.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the probable expense to this country incurred by the appointment of representatives of the Government to serve on an Anglo-Argentine committee to inquire, into methods to be adopted to ensure a reasonable return to cattle producers in the Argentine?

It is not yet possible to formulate any precise estimate of probable expenditure but it is proposed to provide the sum of £2,250 in the Board of Trade estimate for next year to meet the expense to this country of this joint committee.

Can the hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the British members of the committee will not recommend anything detrimental to the cattle-producing interest of this country?

I think, as this committee has been appointed to inquire and report, it would be better that I should give no assurance as to what the result of the inquiry will be.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that the cattle producers of this country are taxpayers and will have to contribute a proportion of this £2,000?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, in addition to the inquiry with respect to the affairs of Messrs. James and Shakespeare, under Section 182 of the Companies Act of 1929, demand particulars of the connection between the directorate of one of the joint stock banks, the Tobacco Securities Trust, Limited, and the subsidiary Tobacco In vestments, Limited, registered in the Isle of Man, which holds share capital in the Dean Finance Company, Limited, and the firm of Messrs. James and Shakespeare?

The attention of the official receiver will be drawn to the matters referred to by the hon. Member, and the question of further action must await his report on the affairs of James and Shakespeare, Limited, under Section 182 of the Companies Act.

Can the hon. Gentleman assist the House by giving an estimate of the time required to complete the inquiries?

If the inquiry is to be anything like as complicated as the hon. Gentleman appears to wish to make it, I am afraid it will take longer than would otherwise be the case.

Does the hon. Gentleman think the report will be available before the House rises for the Summer Recess?

That is a purely hypothetical question, and I really cannot answer it. I have no idea as to how many matters the official receiver will have to investigate, but, in view of the public importance which has been attached to the matter, he will undoubtedly do his work as expeditiously as it is always done in my Department.

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that the powers conferred upon the official receiver under Section 182 of the Companies Act are wide enough to enable him to deal with the matters mentioned in the question?

I think we had better exhaust the existing powers, such as they are, before we determine how wide they ought to be.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the exceptional circumstances connected with the failure of Messrs. James and Shakespeare, Limited, and in view of the heavy losses to innocent persons and the public apprehension caused by the speculations in commodities engaged in by Messrs. James and Shakespeare, he will order a Government inquiry into the whole of the circumstances of this attempted cornering of supplies?

I have been asked to reply. Until the report of the official receiver has been received, no further steps can be taken.

Will the hon. Gentleman reply to the last part of the question?

My reply does cover that. It cannot be done until the report has been received.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this attitude on the part of the government creates the public impression that the Government wish to hush this matter up?

No!

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that an officer or man may serve by transfer or re-enlistment in the armed forces of two or more Empire countries for a total period of years exceeding that which qualifies for pension without being eligible to receive pension; and whether he will consult with the Service Departments of His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and in the Dominions, with the object of coming to an arrangement whereby such persons will receive pensions paid for pro rata by the countries they have served?

In cases where officers or men of the forces of one part of the Empire are lent, seconded or transferred, for service reasons, to those of another part, I am not aware of any special difficulty having arisen in practice. As regards purely voluntary transfers and re-enlistments, it has been found impracticable to treat the service as continuous for pension purposes, and I do not feel that any good purpose would therefore be served by action on the lines suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the International Tin Committee is from time to time informed as to the direct and indirect interests in tin of the members of the advisory committee; and, if so, whether the International Committee had the latest information before it at the meeting at the Hague on or about 20th February;

The technical advisers to the Government delegations, which constitute the International Tin Committee, are all busines men who are interested in tin. The particular companies in which each is interested are known to the international committee. I am informed by the chairman of the international committee that the private tin pool has always been willing to give information to the international committee as regards its holding of tin, and that the committee was in possession of this information at its recent meeting. I should perhaps point out, to avoid confusion, that the present quotas which were fixed by the International Tin Committee in November last were fixed to operate for the quarter ending 31st March, and that the committee have announced that at their meeting on 14th March next they will fix the quotas to operate as from 1st April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say whether the members of the International Tin Committee, in addition to information as to the stocks of tin held by various companies for dealing, have also information as to share-holdings or other interests of members of the advisory committee in those companies

I am not sure that I follow the question. I asked the chairman of the International Tin Committee what information the committee had as to interests of members of the advisory committee in tin and as to the pool, and I have given the answer which I received. Perhaps if the hon. Gentleman has some other points on which he would like to have information, he will put down another question.

May I refer the right hon. Gentleman to the question which relates to the interests in tin of members of the advisory committee? It is to that point that I would direct his attention, and his answer, if I may say so, does not touch it.

If the hon. Gentleman means to ask whether the International Tin Committee knows exactly how many shares in a particular company an adviser holds, I think it is most unlikely; in fact, I feel sure, they do not.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that the members of the advisory committee should disclose to those who are asked to act upon their advice their full interests in the commodity in question?

As I understand the information that I have received, that is substantially the case. I think so. I am told that they know all the companies in which the different people are interested, and, with regard to the particular question of the pool in tin, that they always disclose the tin holding of the pool.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can inform the House as to the number of burglaries and other robberies which have taken place in the Metropolitan police district during the past three months; and in how many cases have the criminals concerned been apprehended and convicted?

In the three months ended 31st January, 1935, 1,854 cases of breaking into dwelling-houses and 1,221 of shopbreaking were recorded in the Metropolitan police district. In connection with 412 of these offences, 460 arrests have been made. A large number of the cases still remain undisposed of, and I cannot say how many convictions there will be. During the same period 100 other arrests were made of persons possessing housebreaking tools.

In view of the comparatively small number of arrests and the very large amount of crime disclosed in my right hon. Friend's reply, does he not think the whole energies of the police had much better be bent on apprehending these criminals than that they should be frittered away in apprehending decent people who take tickets in lotteries?

asked the Home Secretary the reasons for proposing to apply to non-inflammable films the regulations which have been made applicable to inflammable films in the interest of protection against fire?

The revision of the regulations made in 1923 under the Cinematograph Act, 1909, has been under consideration for some time past, but at no time has it been contemplated that the same regulations should be applied to films on a. nitro-cellulose base which is highly inflammable and presents special risks and to films on an acetate base. It is well recognised that the risks are far less in the latter cam and that these considerations must be borne in mind in the framing of any regulations.

May I take it from my right hon. Friend's reply that political agitation on this subject is very misdirected

No doubt.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has given instructions to the Postmaster-General to stop any telegram from a private individual to the Irish Free State with reference to the forthcoming Irish hospitals sweepstake; will he inform the House as to his statutory authority for withholding postal facilities from an individual who is not breaking the law; and how many telegrams relating to lotteries have been stopped since 1st January?

As I have explained in reply to previous questions, the power to detain a postal packet is a common law power which has frequently been recognised by statute, and the power extends to telegrams as well as to other postal packets. The distribution in this country by the promoters of the Irish sweepstakes or their agents of Tottery tickets is unlawful, but it would not be in the public interest to explain in detail the measures which are, or may be, taken from time to time by the executive authorities to secure that the intention of Parliament to prevent the sale and distribution in this country of tickets in unlawful lotteries is not frustrated.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I am asking about telegrams from private individuals whose action is entirely lawful, and does he suggest to the House that he is entitled to ask the Postmaster-General under the common law to open letters except in eases where a breach of the law is apprehended?

All I have to say is that it is very regrettable that advertisement of this should take place in this House when the newspapers are prevented.

asked the Postmaster-General how many private letters have been opened since the 1st January at the instance of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in order to ascertain whether they contain matter relating to sweepstakes

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend thinks that it would be contrary to the public interest to give the information for which my hon. Friend asks.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend state why it is contrary to the public interest, and is there any reason, as this is an infringement of the liberty of the private individual, why he should not give the number of cases where the private letters of people who are acting perfectly legally are opened?

I will convey the hon. Gentleman's question to the Postmaster-General.

I will put another question down.

asked the Home secretary whether he will now take the necessary steps to enable Mrs.. Brown-bill, of Pannal, Yorkshire, to be set at liberty?

This case has been receiving my careful and sympathetic consideration, but I do not feel able to make any announcement at the moment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider exempting from taxation all petrol used for aircraft?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reason which my right hon. Friend gave in the Debate on the Report stage of the Finance Bill last year for being unable to accept a proposal in the sense suggested.

Will my hon. Friend take into consideration the question of endeavouring to lighten the burden of these costs by relieving the industry of all unnecessary taxation?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will give the number of the directors of the Cable and Wireless Company; and whether the number has been reduced lately in accordance with the terms of resolution (iv) of the Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, 1928 [Cmd. 3163]?

The Imperial Wireless and Cable Conference, 1928, while recognising that, in consequence of the merger, the number of directors of the merger companies would initially be large, contemplated that it would be reduced as and when opportunities offered. The directors initially numbered 22. They were reduced to 14 in 1930, since when four have died and four have been added.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the last ten years, any information has reached any Government Department that satisfied it that any British firm manufacturing armaments had sought improperly to, influence the policy of His Majesty's Government or any foreign Government in the matter of armaments?

I have caused inquiries to be made, and, as a result, I am able to say that the reply is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to convene the adjourned World Economic Conference; and, if so, at what date?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers which I gave on the 27th March and the 30th October last to the hon. Members for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfell) and Fulham, East (Mr. Wilmot), respectively, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to specify a date for the introduction of a measure to preclude the further spoliation of the countryside through ribbon-building?

The Bill is in active preparation and will be introduced at the earliest possible opportunity.

Will it involve compensation to the landlords?

My right hon. and gallant Friend had better await the Bill.

When the Bill is introduced, will its provisions be retrospective?

My hon. Friend had better wait.

asked the Prime Minister what is the Government's decision about raising the school age after hearing the opinions of the deputation which met him on 21st February?

I would refer the hon. Member to the official account which appeared in the Press on the 22nd instant. As will be seen from that account, the Board of Education and the Scottish. Education Department are examining the whole problem, and will at the appropriate stage take the various interests concerned into consultation. In these circumstances, the hon. Member will realise that I am not in a position to say anything further for the time being.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any indication of the period when he is likely to be able to make a decision and let the House know, because this question is agitating the minds of many people who would like to know something definite?

I am afraid I cannot add to what I have said to the deputation and repeated in this answer.

If I put a question down in a month's time, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me a reply?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that at this time of reorganisation it would be a splendid thing if the National Government had a 10 years plan for juveniles?

asked the Secretary of State for Foregin Affairs what Italian troops and military supplies have passed through the Suez Canal in the last six months?

I have no detailed information on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in regard to the exceptional promotion of an assistant supervisor in the Central Telegraph Office, he is aware that the controller of the Central Telegraph Office announced that the promotion had been made without following the normal procedure; and whether, in view of the statement of the Postmaster-General that the claims and qualifications of all the supervising officers concerned were given consideration by the Central Telegraph Office Promotion Board, he will cause an independent inquiry to be made into the claims of all the officers concerned?

I have been asked to reply. The announcement of the controller was to the effect that the promotion had been made under paragraph 28 of the report of the committee of the National Whitley Council on Promotion which provides that, in exceptional circumstances, in which the public interest makes it necessary, it is within the competence of the head of the department to make any promotion without following the normal procedure. Although the promotion was exceptional in the sense that a comparatively junior officer was selected, the usual procedure was followed by the Central Telegraph Office Promotion Board in reviewing the claims of all the senior officers, and my right hon. Friend sees no ground for ordering an independent inquiry.

Is the Postmaster-General aware that certain experiences and qualifications have always been held to be necessary for this post, and that the person appointed did not have any of these; and is he aware of the feeling that there was gross favouritism in regard to this appointment? May I have a reply?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will probably refer the hon. Member's question to the department.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a, position to make any statement in regard to the proposal of the German Government for a direct exchange of views between the two Governments as a consequence of the recent Anglo-French discussions in London?

Yes, Sir. On receiving the German proposal on this subject His Majesty's Government inquired whether they rightly understood that the object of this meeting would be to carry consultation a stage further on all matters referred to in the Anglo-French communiqué. I have received a reply from the German Government concurring in this description of the scope of the proposed meeting and inviting me to go to Berlin for the purpose. His Majesty's Government consider that this is a useful suggestion and I hope to visit Berlin very shortly. The date and other details remain to be arranged. The French and Italian Governments have approved the course of action proposed.

Does the Foreign Secretary propose to visit Moscow or any other European capital in connection with these proposed agreements?

That matter is under consideration.