asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether Pandit Parmanand, who was convicted in the Lahore conspiracy case in 1915, is still in prison; what is the justification for imprisonment in the unsatisfactory conditions of an Indian prison for 21 years, whatever the crime; and may the Pandit now be released?

Parmanand was convicted in September, 1915, the main charges being those of abetting the waging of war and of collecting arms with the intention of waging war against the King, and was sentenced to death. The sentence was subsequently commuted to transportation for life, and so far as I am aware Parmanand is still in prison. I am unable to accept the suggestion in the second part of the question that conditions in Indian prisons are unsatisfactory. As regards the third part, I am bringing the hon. and gallant Member's question to the notice of the Punjab Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of prisoners who have been confined in Indian prisons for over 20 years; and will he give particulars?

I regret that the information required by the hon. and gallant Member is not available, but I will obtain it.

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that in a recent case in the county of Bedford, in the course of inquiries made by the King's Proctor, letters were acknowledged by postcard bearing the surname and initials of the party to the proceedings; and if he will state whether this is the usual practice?

I am informed that it is not the practice of the Kings' Proctor to acknowledge letters by postcard. If my hon. Friend will give me further particulars, I will have inquiries made into the case to which he refers.

asked the Attorney-General the cost to public funds of the recent prosecution of certain members of the South Shields Town Council under the Local Government Act, 1933?

The total cost of the prosecution was. £25 15s. 11d. Each of the three defendants was ordered to pay two guineas costs.

asked the Attorney-General what was the total cost to public funds of the recent prosecution of a Peer before the House of Lords and against which Vote has it been charged?

The total cost of the prosecution referred to is £686. Details of the charges are:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether in view of the Government's appeal for territorial recruits for groundwork units in connection with the Royal Air Force, his Department are arranging to give further employment to its own groundwork units who are about to terminate their 12 years' service?

Re-engagements have necessarily to be related, as I explained in my reply of 5th March to one of my hon. and gallant Friend's questions, to the requirements of the service and the ensuring of promotion and appropriate employment for those re-engaged. My other reply of the same date showed that, in Group I, about 93 per cent. of the airmen concerned had been re-engaged or had prolonged their service since 1st April, 1934. This indicates, I think, that further employment is, in fact, being given to the utmost extent possible to the men whom I think he has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the number of State air stations, either actual or proposed, in the principality of Wales?

There is one actual station, at Pembroke Dock, and one under construction, at Penrhos. It is, of course, possible that the number may be increased eventually.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, before the agreement for a subsidised air service to Scandinavia is signed, he will suggest to the two British companies interested in this air route the desirability of their amalgamating and will allow time for the necessary negotiations to take place before coming to any final decision as to either the amount or the duration of the subsidy to be granted?

As I have already explained, the selection of British Airways to operate the proposed Scandinavian service was made by the Interdepartmental Committee on International Air Communications, after full consideration of all relevant factors. My Noble Friend is satisfied that their recommendation to this effect was in the public interest, and he could not, therefore, accept the suggestion of my hon. Friend. In so far, however, as it is proper for him to express an opinion, he would be very glad to see an amalgamation between the two companies mentioned. In present circumstances, civil aviation is a costly business, and it appears to him that it would be a distinct advantage if two competent, and in some respects competing, undertakings, could amalgamate their resources and experience, and thereby ensure economy in such matters as working operation, the provision of reserves, and general co-operation of effort.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now give any indication of when the unemployment regulations will be presented to the House of Commons?

I cannot add to the previous replies on this subject?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the protests from the Pwllheli Unemployment Welfare Association, representing 320 members, and the Pwllheli branch of the British Legion, representing 300 members, against the action of one of the contractors engaged in preparing the site of the new aerodrome at Penyberth, Pwllheli, in engaging men other than through the local Employment Exchanges; whether he is aware that the wage paid by the said contractor, namely, 11d. per hour, is below the district rate for Government contracts and that certain men between the ages of 18 and 20 are only paid 8d. per hour, although they do the same work as those who are paid 11d. per hour; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy these matters?

As regards the first part of the question I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible. As regards the second part, any suggestion that the Fair Wages Clause of the contract is not being observed is a matter for the Contracting Department concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that in several cases the dwelling-houses on the Kinaldie small holdings settlement, near Arbroath, were not ready for occupation at the 28th November term, when the tenants were due to enter; that in several instances these tenants had to pay the full rent for their holdings in addition to house rent for that month and that, although they asked the department for a reduction in respect of their holdings rent, no concession was made; and whether he will inquire into the matter?

The small holders of the Kinaldie settlement were given entry at Martinmas, 1933, when 13 new houses were available for occupation. In the remaining two cases, where houses and steadings were provided by the adaptation of existing buildings, the work was not complete at the date of entry but housing accommodation was available and was in fact occupied by the tenants who received appropriate rebates of rent for any inconvenience suffered. The whole question of rebates was settled at the beginning of 1935 and no representations have since been received by the Department.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total number of arrests made during the recent rioting in Palestine?

The High Commissioner had reported that the number of arrests is over 600. I cannot give exact figures, but the great majority of persons arrested have been Arabs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir John Maffey has presented his report on conditions in the West Indies; and whether such report will be published?

As explained in my reply to the question by the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 4th March, Sir John Maffey was not instructed to investigate specially any of the problems which arise in the West Indian area. In these circumstances I have not considered it necessary to request him to furnish any written report. The latter part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what precautions are taken against fire within the Palace of Westminster; which Department is responsible for dealing with the situation in the first instance; and how frequently are those responsible instructed in their respective duties?

The fire precautions, which are inspected annually by the London Fire Brigade, consist of arrangements for transmitting an alarm rapidly to a police officer in the building who is in direct communication with the London Fire Brigade station, and an installation in the building of fire-fighting appliances which is maintained in proper order by my Department; the police and the custodians employed by the Lord Great Chamberlain are responsible for manning the fire appliances; fire drill is, I understand, carried out weekly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can state the total quantity of meat issued to the naval forces in the United Kingdom; the percentages of British, foreign and Colonial; and what would be the extra cost, if any, of issuing home-produced meat in lieu of imported?

The total quantity of meat issued annually under normal conditions to naval forces in the United Kingdom is approximately 2,500 tons, of which about 30 tons of pork and five tons of beef and mutton are home-killed or home-produced. The remainder is frozen meat entirely of Dominion origin. The extra cost, excluding administrative charges arising from storage, handling and inspection, of supplying home-killed meat in lieu of imported meat would be approximately £57,000 a year.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the improvement in the appearance of Gwydyr House, occupied by the Air Ministry, in decorating its windows with flowers; and whether he will consider, especially in view of the Coronation next year, applying the same practice to other Government Departments in Whitehall?

The flowers in the window boxes at Gwydyr House are provided free by the Flowers, Plants and Vegetables Publicity Committee. I regret that no public funds are available to finance the provision of window boxes in other Government offices, but I have no doubt that the question of floral displays along the lines of route will be sympathetically considered in connection with the decorations for the Coronation ceremonies next May.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when it is proposed that the British Sugar Corporation should formally take over the factories of the beet-sugar companies?

The British Sugar Corporation will take over the factories of the beet-sugar manufacturing companies as soon as practicable after it has been formally constituted, which, as my hon. Friend will realise, will not be possible until the Sugar Industry (Re-organisation) Bill becomes law.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statement to make on the recent visit to this country of members of the Spanish farm syndicate in an effort to promote the sale of early salads, vegetables, and flowers?

I understand that representatives of the federation of two agricultural syndicates in Catalonia visited this country last November to study the market for salads and to get into touch with importers. I am informed that at the present time the president and one or two members of one of the syndicates are in London for the purpose of supervising the sale of their new potatoes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many performing dogs during the past 12 months have, on entry into this country, been exempted from the provisions which require them to be kept in quarantine for a period of six months; what conditions were imposed on their owners on the dogs being so exempted; and, particularly, if any required provision had to be made for their care and welfare whilst in this country?

Performing dogs are permitted by licence to land in this country subject to quarantine for six calendar months either on approved veterinary premises or on the premises at which they are to perform. Movement from place to place is authorised under prescribed conditions by the endorsement of the licence after inspection of the premises as to their suitability for the isolation of the dogs. Reasonable facilities at the place of detention for the exercise of the dogs are required before movement is authorised. During the past 12 months 61 dogs, the property of 13 owners, were imported under these conditions.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, during the past 12 months, any dogs, other than performing dogs, have been exempted from the provisions that a dog shall be kept in quarantine at the premises of a qualified veterinary surgeon for six months after landing in this country; and to what owners and upon what grounds has such exemption been granted and subject to what conditions?

Exemption from the normal import regulations in respect of dogs other than performing dogs was granted in the past year in the case of only one dog which, in order to enable research work begun in the United States to be continued in this country, was allowed to be quarantined at the Royal Maternity and Women's Hospital, Glasgow. The conditions governing the quarantine were, however, similar to those in operation in the case of a dog quarantined on approved veterinary premises.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what is the estimated effect of the Tithe Bill on the revenues of the Duchy?

Tithe rentcharge upon Duchy lands, other than those recently purchased, has with few exceptions been redeemed. His Majesty, in Right of His Duchy, does not own any tithe rentcharge apart from an amount of £55 commuted value. Subject to detailed investigation and to the assumption that all the land concerned is agricultural land, the effect of the Tithe Bill upon Duchy revenues is limited to an estimated net reduction of about £100 in the annual charge.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the attitude of the Japanese Government to the Naval Treaty?

The text of the London Naval Treaty of 1936 has been communicated by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to the Japanese Government, but I am not at present in a position to give any indication as to the views of the Japanese Government on that Treaty.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any recent steps have been taken to obtain international agreement on the discharge of oil within 50 miles of the coast?

I am afraid that there is not much that I can usefully add at the moment to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington (Sir W. Davison) and to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson) on 16th December and 4th March, respectively. I should like, however, to repeat that His Majesty's Government are for their part most anxious that international agreement should be secured on this matter which will have the result of effectively lessening the evil in question, and they will do all that they can to bring this about. I understand that it is hoped in any event to bring the position again under review at the ordinary session of the League Council in September.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Soviet Russia has indicated her desire to enter into negotiations for a bilateral naval treaty with Great Britain; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The Soviet Ambassador in London informed my right hon. Friend on 28th April that his Government were ready to co-operate in the negotiation of an Anglo-Soviet naval agreement in accordance with the suggestion which had previously been made by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the danger to motorcycle traffic arising from tramway lines allowed to remain in a road after a. tramway service had been disbanded without adequate care and inspection or proper filling in; and whether he will give his attention to this matter?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will draw my attention to any case of this kind I shall be glad to take it up with the responsible highway authority.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view to encouraging local authorities to light their Classified roads and saving life thereon, and having regard to the lack of legislation enabling specific grants from the Road Fund to be given for lighting purposes, he will consider the question of increasing the percentage grants on Class I and Class II roads, respectively, in all cases where lighting schemes are carried out?

The percentage grants which are made in respect of the maintenance of classified roads in countries cover a defined range of expenditure, and I should not be justified in increasing them in order to assist expenditure which I have no power to meet.

asked the Minister of Transport what works scheduled under the railway agreement have now been put in hand; the amount of expenditure such works involve; and the number of unemployed persons found employment?

Arrangements have been made for periodical returns to be furnished by the companies of work begun and labour employed on these schemes as soon as the Parliamentary powers which are necessary for many of them have been obtained under the Bills now before Parliament. Meanwhile I should be glad to obtain for the hon. Member information in regard to any work in which he is particularly interested.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now consider introducing regulations which will restrict and control the dazzle caused by head-lamps on motor cars and moving vehicles according to the powers conferred by the Road Transport Act, 1927?

Yes, Sir. The Regulations were made on 30th April.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of the Traffic Commissioners and Miss Maudie Cross relative to the interpretation of the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930; and whether he proposes to take steps by amendment of the law to put an end to the anomalies following upon such decision?

The Judgment was delivered yesterday and I have not yet had an opportunity to consider it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the London Passenger Transport Board allow third-class ticket holders to travel in first-class compartments during rush hours on the District line east of Charing Cross without extra charge; if he will inquire during what hours this is permitted; whether the same privilege is extended to all passengers on the same line west of Charing Cross to Wimbledon and other towns; and, if not, will he take steps to see that all passengers, irrespective of class of ticket purchased, are placed on one level?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that the arrangement referred to in the first part of the question applies between Mark Lane—not Charing Cross—and stations east thereof, between the hours of 5 and 7 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays, and between 12 noon and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. The practice was introduced about 20 years ago owing to the very dense third class traffic on this section of line, where first-class traffic is exceedingly small. Its application to other parts of the line, where circumstances are different, would not in the view of the board, be warranted. The matter is not one in which I have power to take any action.