asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from His Majesty's Minister in China on the steps being taken to secure co-operation between the British and Chinese authorities for the suppression of pirates in the Bias Bay and Mirs Bay areas in Kuantung?

As stated in the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Lord Privy Seal on 7th February to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Camborne (Lieut.-Commander Agnew), co-operation in anti-piracy measures already exists. I have received reports of consultations between the British naval and Chinese naval and military authorities, but the details are necessarily confidential.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further consideration has been given to the desirability of Great Britain following the example of Russia and Italy and raising our legation in China to the status of an embassy?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards this matter is as indicated in the statement which I made on 5th November last in answer to questions put by my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton (Sir J. Haslam) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Lewisham, East (Sir A. Pownall).

asked the Postmaster-General whether any countries in the postal union are adopting the rule that letters of foreign origin are not delivered unless national spelling of towns and citizens is used by foreigners sending such letters; and whether, in that case, he will state which those countries are?

I understand that regulations of this kind were issued in Estonia in January, 1934, but the Estonian postal authorities were given discretion to make exceptions to the rule, and, as far as I am aware, there have been no complaints of the non-delivery of letters. A similar rule was introduced in Latvia last year, but I am informed that it has since been withdrawn.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the daily deliveries of letters in Hammersmith are fewer than those in the adjoining boroughs of Paddington and Kensington; and, if so, whether it is possible to increase the number of Hammersmith deliveries?

The boundaries of postal districts do not coincide with those of boroughs, and head postal districts generally represent central business areas, and it is for that reason that postal facilities are as a rule greater in those districts. The daily deliveries in Hammersmith, while not as numerous as those in the head district area of Paddington and a part of Kensington, are the same as those given in the majority of London sub-districts, and I have no reason to believe that they do not provide an adequate service.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths to mothers and children, respectively, in private maternity and nursing homes for 1932, 1933, 1934, and to date?

This information is not available.

asked the Minister of Health the number of private maternity and nursing homes in the country, and the number that are registered and come under local government supervision?

The administration of the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927, is in the hands of the local supervising authorities established under the Act, usually the councils of counties and county boroughs, and the information desired by the hon. Member is not in the possession of my right hon. Friend. He would, however, point out that under the Act all private maternity and nursing homes, with certain specified exceptions, have to be registered by, and are subject to inspection by the local authority.

asked the Minister of Health the number of deaths to mothers and children, respectively, at maternity hospitals which are administered by local authorities?

According to the returns received from local authorities in England and Wales for 1933, the numbers of deaths during that year of mothers and children in their maternity hospitals and in the maternity wards of other hospitals and institutions administered by them were as follow: 607 maternal deaths and 2,243 deaths of infants within 10 days of birth. Complete figures for 1934 are not yet available.

asked the Minister of Health whether representations have reached his Department or the Board of Control that the requirements of Section 49 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, have been altered within the last 10 years to the detriment of the friends or relatives who desire to secure the discharge of a patient; that previous to that date the two doctors appointed to examine a patient paid one visit each and reported, but now they are required to go together on two visits, thus doubling the cost in fees; and, in view of the fact that such an increased cost is prohibitive to the poor, will he look into this and see if it is possible to return to the practice previously obtaining?

The requirements of Section 49 of the Lunacy Act, 1890, have not been altered, but some years ago the Board of Control, after careful consideration, expressed the opinion that the Section requires that the two medical practitioners should examine the patient together on two separate occasions. Since 1928 the board have received two representations in the matter. The point has been noted for consideration in the event of amending legislation being introduced.

asked the Minister of Health Whether his attention has been drawn to the sale of large quantities of a substance described as prepared honey, which is not the pure product of the bee from the nectaries of flowers; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this misrepresentation of the nature of food as offered and sold to the public?

I am aware that a substance which is not pure honey is being sold under the name of "prepared honey." I have no power to take any action in the matter, but if the circumstances of the sale are such as to constitute an offence under the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, the duty of enforcement rests on the local authorities, and it is open to any person to take proceedings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has now received any reports from the county poultry associations indicating their views on the egg marketing scheme and the other provisions of the Poultry Commission Reorganisation report; and whether among these views is included the opinion of Yorkshire producers?

I have not received any reports from the county poultry associations regarding the recommendations of the English Reorganisation Commission for Eggs and Poultry. A Joint Committee of the National Poultry Council and the National Farmers' Union has recently been considering the proposals of the Commission, and the views of the county bodies concerned would, I think, normally be sent in the first place to one or other of these national organisations.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the recent official pronouncement made by the Acting Premier of Victoria, indicating dissatisfaction with the federal system of Australia and a growing desire for secession on the part of the other States; and whether any action is contemplated by him?

I have seen a Press report of a statement by the Acting Premier of Victoria to the effect that, unless the present division of Australian finance were altered, the secession movement in Western Australia might spread to other States. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the import of raw wool from the United Kingdom into Italy continues to be drastically restricted by the Italian Government, notwithstanding that imports of most other goods are being admitted up to 80 per cent. of the quantities imported last year; and what action in the matter he proposes to take?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, representations have already been addressed to the Italian Government with a view to securing for raw wool the same quota of 80 per cent. of last year's imports as applies in the case of most other goods. An official delegation from this country is arriving in Rome this week in order to negotiate with the Italian Government on the whole question of the Italian restrictions on the importation of United Kingdom goods.