asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken to promote the development of the Mauritius hemp industry?

In view of the poor export market for Mauritius hemp or aloe fibre, attempts have been made to develop the manufacture in the Colony of bags made of this fibre. Arrangements have now been made for the visit of an expert in this manufacture to advise on the prospects of development of this local industry. He left this country at the beginning of April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that an ordinance has recently been passed by the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast empowering the paramount chiefs to levy a poll tax in their States; whether the people of the Gold Coast have been consulted as to this new taxation power; whether any limit has been placed upon the amount of the levy; and whether, in view of the widespread dissatisfaction caused by the adoption of the ordinance throughout the Gold Coast Colony, he will inquire into the matter?

At the February meeting of the Gold Coast Legislative Council an ordinance was enacted to amend the Native Administration Ordinance, 1927, so as to make it lawful for the Governor, with the approval of the Legislative Council, to make regulations in respect of the imposition of levies or tribute by the paramount chief of a State with the concurrence of the State Council. It is contemplated that any levy so imposed should be an annual levy, and should normally be in lieu of, and not in addition to the customary and irregular tributes which have been imposed in the past. Where there have been no such tributes it is intended that a levy should not be imposed except with the voluntary consent of the people. I understand that before the introduction of the Bill into the Legislative Council, the proposal was referred to the chiefs and their councils. The introduction of such a levy will be entirely optional to a native authority, and it is intended that the native authority should determine the amount of such levy, the approval of the Governor being necessary before collection. I am not aware that widespread dissatisfaction has been caused throughout the Gold Coast Colony by the adoption of the Amending Ordinance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that, under an Ordinance (Ashanti, No. 1, 1936) issued by the Governor of the Gold Coast, Kofi Sechere, the ex-Dadiasuabahene of Kumasi, has been deported and placed under supervision in Banda, on the western frontier of Ashanti and the French Ivory Coast, during His Majesty's pleasure; and whether, as it is specially provided by the Ordinance that no writ of habeas corpus or other process calling in question the legality of the detention shall have any effect within Ashinta, he will say if these steps were taken with the knowledge and approval of His Majesty's Government?

The answer to both parts of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement in regard to the future status of the British Jarvis, Baker, and Howland islands in the Central Polynesian Sporades and the attempts which are being made to establish occupational ownership on behalf of the United States; and what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply made by me to a question on this subject put by the Noble Lord the Member for Central Bristol (Lord Apsley) on 11th February. I am not in a position to make a further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement in regard to the situation in Christmas Island, and the attempts at annexation on behalf of the United States by settling American citizens of Hawaiian birth on this island which is listed in the Colonial Office Year Book as a British possession?

Christmas Island is part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony. His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any American citizen having been settled on the island at the instance of the United States Government, nor has any communication been received from that Government suggesting that British sovereignty over this island is in any way questioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement in regard to the situation in British Fanning and Washington Islands in the Pacific and the attempts made to colonise or otherwise annex these islands by a Foreign Power; and what steps, if any, he has taken, or proposes to take, in the matter?

Fanning Island and Washington Island are part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, and His Majesty's Government have received no communication from any foreign Government suggesting that British sovereignty of either of these islands is in any way open to question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of certain attempts by Congressman Samuel Wilder King to establish a claim to certain islands in the Pacific, all of them listed as British in the Colonial Office Year Book; and whether he will seek to obtain an assurance from the Government of the United States that such action by persons of American citizenship will be officially discouraged?

I have seen a Press report to the effect, indicated in the first part of the question. The islands mentioned in that report are those referred to in the three other questions put by my hon. Friend. I would invite his attention to my replies to those questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information as to the Nazi activities in Palestine, especially in Haifa: and whether this movement will be stopped in Palestine as in Switzerland by Government action?

The High Commissioner for Palestine is advised that there is no indication that, Nazi propaganda is at present spread outside the German community in Palestine. In these circumstances no special measures by Government appear to be called for.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the profits of the companies' and local authorities' gas undertakings in Great Britain for the years 1934 and 1935, and the price paid per ton for coal; and similar particulars with regard to the generation of electricity and the production of coke?

Following is the information:A.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will state the value of agricultural products imported into Great Britain from all sources in the years 1934–35 and 1935–36?

During the 12 months ended February, 1935, and February, 1936, the declared value of the total imports into the United Kingdom of food, drink, oil seeds and nuts, and unrefined animal and vegetable oils was £342,367,000 and £363,155,000, respectively.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has had any recent complaints as to the question of seamen signing on at foreign ports on British ships and alleging that they are of British nationality; and will he give particulars?

I have received no recent complaints, but if the hon. Member has particular cases in mind and will give me details, I will make inquiries.