asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now received further information as to the German-equipped motor car factory proposed to be erected in Bombay?

I am still awaiting a report from the Government of India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many sentences of flogging were passed by the criminal courts in British India in each of the last five years for which records are available, and the number of floggings inflicted for offences against prison discipline during the same period?

I am circulating the figures for the years 1929 to 1933. Those for 1934 are not yet available.

Will the hon. Gentleman recommend to his chief that the asperities of prison discipline in India should be toned down?

I will certainly convey what the hon. Gentleman says to my Noble Friend, but I do not think that there is any likelihood of any alteration in policy at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has now had any reports from the Government of India as to the steps they are taking to investigate the problem of building earthquake-proof houses?

The attention of the Government of India has been called to the subject in connection with a previous question, and the erection of earthquake-proof buildings will of course receive the fullest consideration of the authorities in connection with the rebuilding of Quetta.

Will my hon. Friend recommend to the Government of India that they should secure expert advice from countries where buildings have for many years been constructed to withstand earthquakes?

My hon. Friend no doubt will be glad to know that an officer of the Geological Survey of India has made a study of this question and is now reporting on the recent earthquake.

Will these houses be proof against the new Constitution?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the Sikh-Mohammedan troubles at Lahore are now subsiding; and whether any British troops are still employed or held in readiness to restore law and order there?

I regret to state that fresh trouble broke out at Lahore during the week-end. Large crowds of Muslims assembled with the object of proceeding to the Shahidganj Gurdwara. They assumed from the beginning a violent attitude towards the police and despite charges by the police and mounted police, they refused to disperse except temporarily. Firing became necessary on two occasions on Saturday after all other efforts to disperse the crowds had failed, and after a warning had been issued by magistrates, again on three occasions on Sunday when the crowd had again become violent. In all eight rounds were fired on Saturday and 15 on Sunday. The number of persons killed is reported not to exceed 10. At 9 p.m. it was reported that the situation was under control, and responsible Muslims were doing their best to persuade their co-religionists to desist from defiance of the law. Four companies of British troops have been on duty or in reserve during the week-end and will continue to be employed, together with other military forces which have been despatched to Lahore, until the situation returns to normal.

In view of the necessity of employing British troops in these unfortunate communal troubles such as those at Lahore, will my hon. Friend go slow with the plans for the Indianisation of the Indian Army?

Are British troops only being employed, or are any native troops being employed?

I think that the answer to the last supplementary question will really answer the first. There are, of course, Indian troops available for dealing with these disorders and they have been standing by, but it just happens that these particular companies have been used in the circumstances I have detailed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the passport issued by the Foreign Office to Mr. M. R. Masani, No. 219,993, 1930, has been impounded, although Mr. Masani is a British subject; and whether he will take steps to restore to Mr. Masani full facilities and the use of a British passport for travel purposes on the same terms as other British subjects?

The passport was impounded and renewal was refused at the request of the Government of India, who considered that Mr. Masani's activities in India were such as to make it undesirable that he should be in possession of a passport for travel abroad. My noble Friend is not prepared to agree that his passport shall be returned to him, but an emergency certificate valid for his return to India will be issued to him when required.

Is there any account of any offence committed by this British subject; is Mr. Masani charged with any definite offence against the law of India or of Britain?

The Government of India inform us that they consider that his activities in connection with Communism make it undesirable that he should travel abroad, and they refuse him a passport.

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire, or cause inquiries to be made, to see whether the charge of being a Communist is a true one; and is it not the case that this man is a prominent member of the Indian Socialist Society, a constitutional and legal society, working within the Congress party in India, and is not a member of the Communist party at all?

I would remind the hon. Gentleman that it is not the policy of the Government to refuse passport facilities to Indian Socialists as such, but we are informed by the Indian Government that owing to Mr. Masani's Communist activities, he does not deserve a passport for travelling abroad, and in these circumstances my Noble Friend is not willing to renew his passport.

If on inquiry it is found that even that charge is unfounded, will his passport be returned to him?

May I ask whether the excellent answer of the Under-Secretary referring to the safety of Socialists travelling abroad applies also to Communists, or is there a distinction between Communists and Socialists?

Will the hon. Gentleman have further inquiries made to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the statement with regard to Communism; and is he aware that Mr. Masani himself definitely dissociated himself altogether from any Communist activity, and, in these circumstances, does he not think that the passport ought to be returned?

The questions which have been put to me by hon. and right hon. Gentlemen will certainly be conveyed to the Government of India, but our definite information from the Government of India is contrary to that which has been prevailing here.

Is Communism forbidden in India?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the conscription for military service in Africa of English youths born in Rome of English parents?

Under the terms of the relevant Italian legislation none but Italian subjects are liable to conscription for military service.

In view of the fact that this report has been very widely circulated, has the Secretary of State for foreign Affairs any means of bringing to the notice of newspaper proprietors the great disservice that they do to international friendship by circulating such an unfounded report?

I certainly hope that my hon. Friend's question and my answer will be given publicity in the Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made towards the conclusion of an Eastern pact of non-aggression; whether he has received any reply to the explanation given to the German Government of the views of His Majesty's Government on the subject; and what is the present standpoint of the German Government on the question?

In regard to the first part of the question the position is still that indicated in the speech which I made in the course of the Debate on 11th July. In regard to the second and third parts, I have received no communication from the German Government.

Does it not appear that the German Government are showing very little enthusiasm for the conclusion of this pact?

I think that I had better wait and see developments before I express an opinion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether and in what manner the appreciation of this country has been expressed to His Excellency the President of Chile for the important part, as is now known, he played in bringing about the cessation of hostilities between Bolivia and Paraguay?

A Note expressing the congratulations of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom was on my instructions addressed to the Chilean Government by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Santiago on the 17th June.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his answer, does he not agree that the lead taken by the President of Chile provides an example which might well be followed elsewhere, and that it is calculated to strengthen the very friendly relations which already exist between this country and Chile and all the South American nations?

It is because we wish to give testimony to the good work of the President that we authorised our Chargé d'Affaires to convey the message.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the fact that the granting of pensions for war disabilities is largely dependent upon medical evidence, there is an independent tribunal of doctors to whom the Minister refers in the event of a divergence of opinion between the Ministry's doctors and other medical authorities?

Arrangements are in force, as has on previous occasions been explained to the House, which enable me to obtain the independent advice of eminent specialists, nominated for the purpose by the Presidents of the Royal Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons, in certain cases which present serious doubt or difficulty on the evidence. Responsibility for the ultimate decision, except where an appeal can still be made to a statutory tribunal, must, of course, rest with the Minister.

Can the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether all cases or what percentage of cases are sent to such a body?

No, Sir, I think that both my predecessors said that they could not send all cases. However, if there is any serious difference we make it a practice to refer for advice to the independent experts.

Is the hon. Member aware of the increasing number of cases that are being reported to Members of Parliament because of these complaints?

I do not think that my brief experience at the Ministry of Pensions bears out that statement.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Mr. Henry Fisher, of 9, Brompton Row, Dewsbury Road, Leeds, was originally granted a pension of 24s. a week, but that this was reduced to 8s. a week in 1922; that he is totally unable to work and that, in the view of the highest medical authority at Leeds infirmary, his disability is due to a piece of shrapnel lodged in his chest; and will he consider, therefore, increasing Mr. Fisher's pension?

In view of the strong opinion expressed by the surgeon at Leeds Infirmary, the whole case, including opinions in favour of the claim, was submitted to an eminent independent specialist nominated by the President of the Royal College of Physicians, who confirmed the view of my Department that on the available evidence it could not be said that Mr. Fisher's condition was due to the presence of a retained foreign body. In the circumstances I much regret that I cannot see my way to adopt the course suggested.

If there is any doubt in the medical evidence will not the man be given the benefit of that doubt? He was originally in receipt of a pension of 24s., which has been reduced to 8s., and he is completely incapacitated from working, and, in the opinion of those who have operated on him, his disability is due to a piece of shrapnel in his lung.

The eminent outside specialist, to whom the hon. Member refers, and to whom the case was referred, considers that his illness is not due to the presence of this piece of shrapnel.

If an equally eminent doctor says it is, cannot a third doctor be appointed to decide?

Can the hon. Member say how long after the actual wound was inflicted the doctor appointed examined the man, and what was the difference in the period between one examination and the other?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment at an early date.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, since the conclusion of the trade agreement between Britain and Russia last year, there has been any reduction in the premium charged by the Exports Credit Guarantee Department in respect of exports to Russia; what the premium now is; and how it compares with that charged in respect of exports to other countries?

The premiums charged by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in respect of exports to Russia have been reduced by about a third since the conclusion of the trade agreement between Great Britain and Russia last year. The premiums are fixed by the Department's Advisory Committee having due regard to the circumstances of each case and are confidential. The premium rates compare favourably with those charged in respect of exports to many other countries.

Will the Minister be good enough to give the House the exact figures indicating the terms now offered by Germany and those offered by the Export Credits Department.

The terms offered in Germany have been the subject of a previous question to which I replied in some detail.

Is there any reason why the figure for Russia should be confidential, in view of the fact that the consignee is the same in every case?

The department keep the figures confidential in every case. There is no discrimination.

Is the Minister aware that the Export Credits Advisory Committee has been openly accused by a prominent business man of profiteering at the expense of British industry and that repeated representations have been made from every quarter of the House? Is it not time that the terms were reduced?

The Advisory Committee is taking risks with the taxpayers' money, and they must have prudent regard to all the circumstances of each case. In this particular case if the Soviet Government have any proposals to make the Committee will be glad to examine them. At the present time we have no concrete proposal before us.

Is it not the fact that in no single case has Russia defaulted? In view of the fact that the German terms for five years' credit are known the wide world over, is there any reason why our terms should not be known, and, if trade is available, ought we not to take advantage of it?

If the Soviet Government want to put definite propositions forward, they know what approach to make.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make any announcement on the subject of the methods to be adopted to deal with the foreign competition in barley, particularly malting barley, which is causing so much difficulty to British agriculture?

Applications for an increase in the import duty on foreign barley are now before the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and I am, therefore, unable to make any statement on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British barley growers were badly beaten last year, and that this year's harvest is about ready, and, unless something is done at once, barley growers are going to be beaten again?

Following the ordinary practice, the application is not before me, but before the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Agriculture wheter he is aware that there was a 21 per cent. increase in the number of eggs in shell imported in June, 1935, as compared with June, 1934; and whether he can state what percentage of these eggs have been put into cold storage?

I am aware that the increase in the number of eggs in shell imported in June, 1935, as compared with June, 1934, was as stated. During the quarter as a whole, however, the increase compared with the corresponding quarter of last year, when imports were at lowest for many years, was less than 6 per cent., and there was a decrease of about 1½ per cent. compared with the second quarter of 1933, which was taken as the basic period. I have no information about the percentage of imported eggs which is put into cold storage.

In view of the fact that the industry is extremely anxious lest these eggs should be put into cold storage and produced when production and home prices are at their maximum, will the right hon. Gentleman make further investigation and give an answer if I put down a question next week?

I have no power to call for returns, but I will see what can be done.

Can the Minister say whether the voluntary restrictions are being carried out?

They are being carried out in regard to most other countries except the Netherlands, which is largely increasing its imports into this country.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to force the Netherlands to keep to the voluntary arrangement?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will consider the removal of the existing lodge at Victoria Gate, at the north-west corner of Hyde Park, so as to allow of the widening of this gate and relieve the serious hold-up of traffic which occurs at this point by reason of the fact that there are at present only two narrow gateways for incoming and outgoing traffic?

I am advised that the widening of this gate would not, by itself, afford any material relief to traffic, and that very large consequential alterations in the park itself would also be necessary. But I will give my hon. Friend's suggestion careful attention in connection with the problem of traffic generally in the park, which is under review, in consultation with the police authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman in that connection consider the desirability of having a roundabout round the grass plots on the West of Victoria Gate, which would be of material assistance in sifting the traffic coming from the East and the South?

When I referred in my answer to consequential alterations, I was referring to alterations that would involve a very large roundabout and a complete re-layout of all the road and the grass plots in that corner of the park.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints from the National Housing Trust, Limited, who complain that there is a shortage of bricklayers for their proposed 4,000 houses on the Addington Garden Estate, Croydon?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that a piece of land which has been let for many years to the Mexborough Urban District Council and used by the public as a footpath has now been closed to them after the council had agreed to purchase the land at the price suggested by the owner's representative; that the offer was withdrawn and a larger price demanded, while at the same time a larger rent was asked; and whether, in view of the inconvenience to the general public caused by this and similar incidents, he will obtain powers to prevent the exploitation of the public by such means?

The hon. Member has been good enough to bring this matter to my right hon. Friend's notice, and he has also received a statement from the urban district council. The hon. Member will appreciate that having heard only one side my right hon. Friend cannot express any opinion upon the merits of the case, but the council already have powers of purchasing land compulsorily at a price settled by arbitration, and he doubts whether further powers are needed.

Is the hon. Member aware that this local authority desired to purchase the land at the owner's price and that the owner withdrew the offer and demanded three times the original amount or three times the original rent, and does not the Minister think that where public convenience is disturbed in this way there should be power to deal with such an owner.

I understand that there are powers, and, if the hon. Member will read my answer, I think he will find the information he desires.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet replied to the Huntingdonshire County Council's request for permission to sell Wyton Sanatorium for Consumptive Children and adjacent lands, comprising nearly 200 acres, to the Air Ministry; and whether he can state where it is proposed that the children in question are to be sent and the price paid for the lands and buildings by the Air Ministry?

My right hon. Friend understands that the county council are considering whether, in view of the reduced demand for beds for children, this sanatorium is still needed for its present purpose, but they have not yet submitted any proposals to him.

asked the Minister of Health the numbers, respectively, of unmarried women and girls who are contributors to the old age, widows', and orphans' contributory pensions scheme, and of unmarried women drawing old age pensions under the scheme; and whether he is satisfied that the benefits ultimately accruing to this class of contributors represent a fair return for the amounts contributed by them?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 3rd July to the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh (Mr. Guy). As regards the second part, I see no reason to doubt the fairness of the basis adopted in the Acts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many new submarines may be added to the German Navy without conflicting with the recent Anglo-German Naval Agreement?

The Anglo-German Naval Agreement only limits the total tonnage of the submarine force that Germany may acquire, without limiting the number of vessels, which depends on the size of the individual units. At the present time the completed tonnage of British submarines is approximately the figure to which the British Commonwealth is limited by the London Naval Treaty, namely, 52,700 tons. Under the terms of the Naval Agreement, except in the special circumstances indicated in the agreement, Germany may build up to 45 per cent. of this figure, namely, 23,715 tons, unless meanwhile the British submarine tonnage is reduced, when the figure to which Germany may build would be correspondingly reduced.

Can the First Lord say whether the "special circumstances" which may arise will entitle Germany to build an unlimited number of submarines and whether they are the sole judges as to whether "special circumstances" have in fact arisen?

No, Sir. The "special circumstances" may enable Germany to build up to equality with us, but that is the limit, and they have to tell us what they are going to do; to give us warning.

Is it not a fact that the German Government have said that they have the minimum requirement of submarines, and that even if we were to reduce the number of our submarines they will not necessarily reduce theirs?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average age of all capital ships of the naval Powers at the present time?

The average age of the capital ships of the principal naval Powers at the present time is as follows:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether a provisional programme of future British naval construction has been communicated to the German Government; and whether he is prepared to give the House particulars of this programme?

Certain provisional figures were communicated to the German Government as a basis of discussion. These figures, however, are hypothetical since they are dependent on the building programmes of other Powers, and to disclose them at the present juncture would be prejudicial to the success of the forthcoming Naval Conference.

Does the First Lord mean to say that Hitler was given particulars of the provisional programme of the British Government which have been withheld from the British House of Commons?

We have to put forward a hypothetical programme to every country with which we have conversations, not only to Germany, and the House of Commons has never pressed for those details. If the House of Commons does press, all I can say is, on good authority, that if they are disclosed it will ruin any chance of getting a naval conference.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Great Britain is bound by the London treaty not to begin to replace her capital ships until January, 1937, he has made any request to the German Government not to start the construction of capital ships under the Anglo-German agreement until that date?

The conversations with the German representatives were of necessity of a confidential nature, and it is not desirable, therefore, to state what passed, but, naturally the British representatives did their best to persuade the German Government to build up their fleet at a moderate rate. As was officially announced in Berlin recently, however, the first two German capital ships were laid down towards the end of 1934: the date of laying down any further ships has not yet been announced.

Does that mean that the Government have given permission to the German Government to construct new powerful battleships at a time when our ships will be over 20 years of age?

It is not a question of giving permission at all. It is a question of limiting the number of ships Germany will build.

asked the Secretary for Mines when the report of the inquiry into the question of overtime in the Scottish coalfield will be published?

On Wednesday, Sir.

Will copies be available before the Debate on the Estimates?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how long the "Brenda" and the "Freya" were in Leith Harbour on their last visit; the purpose of their visit; and the date of their departure?

The fishery cruiser "Brenda's" last visit to Leith Harbour covered a period of two days for the purpose of coaling after which she sailed on 19th instant. The fishery cruiser "Freya" sailed on 17th instant after a period of two and a-half days in Leith Harbour for coaling.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there was any lag in the protection afforded by the fishery cruisers?

Unfortunately there was slight overlapping owing to a misunderstanding in the transmission of a telegram, which I regret.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the estimated future charges which will be borne by the Exchequer and the local authorities of Scotland, respectively, on account of able-bodied unemployed persons coming

I am circulating a statement giving the desired information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can make any statement with regard to the report of the economic survey of small holdings outside the crofting counties undertaken by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland in the autumn of 1934 and referred to on page 66 of the Department's Report for that year?

The report will be published to-morrow. It presents an analysis of information collected from 201 small holdings of 16 different types, showing with regard to each type the amount of capital invested, labour employed, output of produce, and, finally, the financial returns accruing to the holders.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn in the commissioner's report for the special areas to the desirability of the establishment of a fund for the financing of industries in the special areas; and whether, seeing that under the Special Areas Act no such power is granted to the commissioner, he will consider taking such steps as may be necessary for the creation of such a special fund?

This is a subject which will no doubt be among those discussed in to-morrow's Debate. I ought to point out at once, however, that what the commissioner actually says is that, as the result of certain enquiries which he proposes to make, he may find it necessary to advise that a special fund should be granted for this purpose.

If the Commissioner puts forward the suggestion, will the Department give it its sympathetic consideration?

Any opinion or recommendation of the Commissioner will naturally be carefully considered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any reason why new orders making changes in the unemployment regulations have not been circulated to the Members of the House, in view of the fact that they have already been published in one of the London evening newspapers?

I am afraid my hon. Friend has been giving too much credit to unauthorised statements in the Press. Any draft of new regulations will be laid before Parliament as soon as it is made.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary seen the reports in the newspapers which give the fundamental alterations which are to take place? Is it not perfectly evident that the report is in the possession of the Department, and should not Members of the House have it as well?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the apprehension occasioned in the Llanelly and Swansea area by the threatened closing down of Messrs. Richard Thomas and Company and removal to Scunthorpe, he is prepared to meet a deputation of Members of Parliament to consider the matter?

My colleagues and I are always anxious to meet other Members of the House, but I think it would be better to await the results of the further discussions referred to by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade in the Debate last Thursday. I can assure the hon. Member that the Government fully appreciate the anxiety felt in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what assistance is being given by the Government to encourage the development of gliding?

As already announced, it has been decided to afford financial assistance to the gliding movement, within a maximum of £5,000 a year for a period of five years. A draft scheme for the allocation and administration of this subsidy, submitted by the recently reconstituted British Gliding Association, has been accepted in principle.

Is the Under-Secretary prepared to place the agreement before the House for consideration?

The House has already approved the principle.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many fatal accidents per hundred thousand miles flown occurred during 1934 on the services of Imperial Airways, Royal Dutch Air Lines, Air France, and Société Anonyme Belge d'Exploitation de Navigation Aerienne?

In the case of Imperial Airways, there were no fatal accidents in 1934 and their total mileage on regular air services in the year was 2,315,000. I am not in a position to furnish the desired information in respect of the other companies.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made in the evolving of an unburstable petrol tank for aeroplanes?

The position generally remains as stated in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Handsworth (Commander Locker-Lampson) on the 6th June, 1935. A number of tanks of a new type are about to be ordered for trial, but I cannot at present make any statement as to the likelihood of its adoption for service use.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to authorise the continuance of the allowance of 10s. 6d. per week made to the parents of Cecil G. Davies, Royal Air Force, deceased, who served in seaplane Iris II. when it was destroyed on 4th February, 1931, which has been paid from the date of the airman's death, but which it is now proposed to suspend on account of the father's earnings having exceeded 28s. per week?

The regulations make the payment of allowances to the parents of a deceased airman dependent on their pecuniary and other circumstances. The particular case referred to was investigated as recently as November, 1934, and it was then decided that continuance of the allowance was not justified. I am, of course, quite ready to review the case if the circumstances have changed since then.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, before the building of the Royal Air Force barracks which suffered damage by earthquake in Quetta, estimates were made, or tenders invited, for buildings of earthquake-proof construction; and whether all future buildings in India for the use of the personnel of the Royal Air Force will be built with a view to the greatest measure of security against earthquakes?

I have been asked to reply. So far as I am aware, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; as regards future building, no decisions have yet been taken, and, owing to climatic conditions, new construction cannot in any case begin until next spring. I am satisfied, however, that the military authorities in India are fully alive to the importance of new buildings being constructed on earthquake-proof lines in areas that are liable to shocks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken by His Majesty's Government to prevent the purchase of arms and military equipment during the past year by the Ethiopian and Italian Governments from this country?

I have been asked to reply. I hope to be in a position to make a full statement on the whole subject shortly.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware of the constant shooting practice that is taking place upon the Sabbath day by Territorials at the Treforest, Pontypridd, shooting range; and, in view of the serious interference caused to worshippers at the whole of the chapels and churches in the area, he will issue instructions prohibiting shooting practice upon the Sabbath?

I am informed that on two Sundays recently firing took place on this range between the hours of 10 and 1 o'clock. It is usually possible to avoid range-practice at hours when interference may be caused to worshippers, and I am taking up this particular case with that object.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to aliens on British ships, being under three years' contractual agreements, domiciled in this country marrying British women, and at the expiration of their service returning to their own country leaving wife and children chargeable to the Poor Law; and whether he is prepared to make inquiries with a view to remedying this matter?

Prior to the hon. Member's speech on the Home Office Vote last week the attention of my Department had not been called to any such cases. If the hon. Member refers to alien seamen domiciled here who are signed on articles opened in this country for a round voyage, the position is that such men are given leave to land for discharge on return of the vessel to the United Kingdom, but there is no power under the Aliens Order, 1920, to prevent them leaving this country of their own accord. If, however, the hon. Member is referring to cases of non-resident alien seamen who may contract marriages with British women during a temporary stay of their ship in port, and are not eligible in the ordinary way for a free discharge in this country, I can only say that to grant any alien seaman a free discharge because of marriage to a British woman would only encourage marriages of convenience and seriously weaken the administration of the Aliens Order. I should of course be glad to discuss with the hon. Member any particular case which he may have in mind.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that a certain shipping company in Liverpool has a hostel in which negroes are domiciled? These people are aliens. They arrive here under special contract. They marry and leave at the end of three years when their contract is finished. They leave their wives and children behind them. I want to know what steps, if any, are to be taken to prevent English women being married here to black men who are not domiciled here and never return to this country after they have left their wives and children here?

If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer, he will see that that case is covered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider amending the Representation of the People Act, 1918, so that the wives of serving officers and men of His Majesty's forces could be included in the absent voters' lists, so that they will not be debarred from exercising their franchise should they be living with their husbands who are serving at some place away from their home?