asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement relative to the recent strike at the Hooghly Jute Mills at Garden Reach, near Calcutta, when serious injuries were inflicted on some of the strikers by the British members of the mill management staff and a force of Nepalese guards?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that, during a strike for better working conditions and higher wages in the Hooghly Jute Mills, nearly 1,500 weavers were evicted from their homes by the employers; and what steps it is proposed to take to promote legislation which will prevent employers taking punitive measures of this kind in industrial disputes?

The employés of the Hooghly Jute Mills came out on strike on 20th April to protest against an increase in working hours. On 6th May the European manager and his assistant accompanied by a party of Ghurka mill watchmen or guards, went to the coolie lines to communicate with the strikers, not to evict them. The party was attacked and overpowered by a strong force of strikers. The manager and his assistant, who were severely assaulted, were rescued by the timely arrival of a small police picket, armed only with regulation lathies. In the course of restoring order a number of persons on both sides were injured, the total number of strikers injured being 46. The mill was reopened on 21st May and work was proceeding normally by 25th May. Of the total number of 2,300 strikers all have returned to duty except 290. After the occurrence of 6th May the workers evacuated a number of rooms in which new recruits were accommodated. Twenty-five rooms not vacated by strikers were taken for further recruits on 20th May and 60 strikers were evicted. This measure appears not to have been punitive, but an inevitable consequence of the replacement of the strikers by new hands.

Can the hon. Gentleman inform the House whether the question of eviction has not been raised, and has not been itself the cause of the trouble that took place?

Our information goes to show that the employers communicated with the strikers, and that the eviction only took place when new hands were taken to replace those on strike and they had vacated the other dwellings.

The hon. Gentleman does not inform the House of the nature of that communication. Is it not possible that the communication was a notice to quit?

I understand that the original strike arose about a dispute over an increase of working hours, and I presume the eviction of the strikers followed, and this was one of the matters under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India (1) on what grounds orders under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code have been issued by the Government of the United Provinces or its officials prohibiting meetings of strikers at a certain cotton mill in Luck-now;

(2) whether he is aware that notices have been issued by the Government of the United Provinces prohibiting officers of the Lucknow Textile Workers' Union from going within half-a-mile of the R. G. Mills where members of the trade union went on strike on the 17th May last; and, if so, what action he proposed to take to restore freedom of movement to these trade union officials when going about their ordinary and legitimate business?

I am asking for a report on the matters raised.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Maulana Inayatulla, a Moslem leader, is now under arrest, and will he state the reason for such arrest?

I am aware that the Government of the Punjab decided in May to institute proceedings against Maulana Inayatulla under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code for a seditious speech made at the Ahrar Conference at Jaranwala.

Would it be correct to say that this seditious speech was advocating violence, or merely expressing an opinion?

I have not a copy of the speech before me, and I would rather see the speech before I replied to that question?

Would the hon. Gentleman be able to get a copy of the speech and let us see it?

It is quite likely that I have one available, in which case I will study it more closely before I let the hon. Member have a reply.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how much longer it will be before the accused is brought for trial?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that under the Indian penal code and other laws or administrative rules in India proceedings may be taken against a newspaper in regard to publication of speeches made in the legislatures; and whether steps will be taken to amend the law so as to bring the right of the Press to report proceedings of the Indian Legislature into line with British practice in regard to the proceedings of this House?

Under Sections 67 (7) and 72D (7) of the Government of India Act no person is liable to proceedings in any court by reason of anything contained in any official report of the proceedings of a legislative chamber in India. These provisions are continued in the Government of India Act, 1935. No steps to amend the law in this respect are considered necessary by my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the District Commissioner of Lyalpur has passed orders suspending the decision of the Lyalpur municipality to present an address to Jawarharlal Nehru; whether he was acting under instructions of the local Government or in accordance with general Government policy; and whether he will take action to prevent officials in India using their authority to slight elected representatives and acknowledged leaders of the Indian people?

Yes, Sir. In suspending the resolution the Deputy Commissioner acted in pursuance of his statutory powers under Section 232 of the Punjab Municipal Act and not under instructions from the local Government. There is no justification for the suggestion in the last part of the question. I may add that the order gave the committee the opportunity to justify the resolution within 15 days, but instead of attempting to do so, six out of the total committee of 14 defied the order and presented an address purporting to come from the Municipal Committee.

Does the hon. Gentleman believe that such action is calculated to improve the relationship of this Government and the people of India?

The Deputy Commissioner acted within his powers under the Punjab Municipal Act. The order gave the committee the opportunity to justify the resolution; the committee did not do that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has made any further inquiries regarding the prisoner Parmanand, now in Lahore central gaol; and whether, in view of the long time served and the youth of the prisoner when sentenced, he can now recommend any review of the sentence?

I have communicated with the Government of India on this case and am awaiting a further report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the approximate amount spent by Germany upon rearmament during the last 12 months and during the last two years, respectively?

No official statement of expenditure on armaments has been published by the German Government in respect of the years mentioned, and therefore I cannot make any definite statement in regard thereto.

May I ask my Noble Friend whether in view of the numerous contradictory statements that are being made on this very important question, the Government cannot have some machinery or adopt some means in order at least to give an approximate estimate of the amount spent by Germany on armaments?

I do not think that it would be appropriate to give in this House an estimate unless we could give the exact figures.

Do the Government accept the figures advanced by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill)?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when a reply to the British note is expected from the German Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a similar question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 10th June, and to the speech of my right hon. Friend in the Debate of 18th June, to which I am unable to add.

Is it not customary in a matter of such importance to have a reply within a reasonable period? How many weeks is it expected the Government will have to wait for a reply to their courteous note?

His Majesty's Government have already made it perfectly clear that they desire it at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any reason to believe that a request may shortly be expected from Germany to reconsider the disposition of the former German colonies made as a result of the Peace Treaty; and whether His Majesty's Government have reached a decision on their policy in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is No, Sir. With regard to the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the statement made by the Prime Minister in the House on 27th April in reply to a question by the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. G. Williams).

Is the Noble Lord aware that the German Government have taken over the control of colonial propaganda and also that German propaganda is being organised in Tanganyika, and, if so, can any reasonable person escape the conclusion that Germany intends to ask for the return of colonial territories?

That makes no difference to the Prime Minister's declaration, which was perfectly clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has made any inquiries from the German authorities regarding their treatment of Major Grenfell, late of the Royal Army Medical Corps, when visiting Hamburg last week for the trial of Edgar Andre; and whether he is aware that this treatment followed a statement from an official of the ministry of justice that there was no objection to his being present at the trial?

I have no information on this matter beyond what has appeared in the Press.

Will the Noble Lord make inquiries about it, because what appears in the Press is sufficient to justify some action by His Majesty's Government?

If the gentleman in question or his representative cares to make a request, I will certainly consider calling for a report.

What about the British Government? We are not Nicaragua.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, on his recent visit to Tokyo, took advantage of the opportunity to discuss with the Japanese Government their political and military intentions in North China;

(2) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross has reported on his recent visit to Tokyo and to what effect; and, in particular, whether he has made any suggestions for the cessation of smuggling into North China by Japanese and Korean subjects;

(3) whether Sir Frederick Leith-Ross, on the occasion of his recent visit to Tokyo, had the advantage of a discussion with the Japanese military authorities as well as with the Foreign Office; and, if so, whether he drew attention to the serious effect of Japanese restrictions in North China upon the activities of Chinese customs officials in their efforts to suppress smuggling?

Reports have been received of the interviews which Sir Frederick Leith-Ross during his visit had with leading personalities in the Japanese Government and Army. Sir Frederick Leith-Ross was, I understand, accorded a very friendly reception and was able frankly to discuss various problems of the moment, including the smuggling in Northern China, and Japanese policy in that region. In the course of these discussions Sir Frederick Leith-Ross urged that effective power to exercise their functions should be restored to the Customs authorities in Northern China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can yet indicate the approximate date of the publication of Sir Eric Teichman's Report?

After careful consideration my right hon. Friend has come to the decision that it would not be in the public interest to publish this report.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) whether the effects of smuggling in North China have had any effect on the market for British goods in the Yangtze valley;

(2) what classes of goods are at present being smuggled into North China; to what extent goods of the type imported from this country are affected; and whether, in view of the success hitherto attending the efforts of the smugglers, he anticipates an increase of smuggled goods of Japanese origin of the kind usually imported from Great Britain?

I understand that the principal categories of goods now being smuggled into North China are rayon yarn, sugar and kerosene, which are not imported in large quantities from the United Kingdom. The issue raised in the last part of Question No. 33 is somewhat hypothetical; but there can be little doubt that the smuggling, if allowed to continue, will have increasingly prejudicial consequences for legitimate trade of all kinds.

(for Mr. CHORLTON) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) the amount of the drop in Customs revenue at the port of Tientsin during the present year owing to the loss of duty on goods smuggled into China in that area;

(2) the amount by which the Chinese Customs revenue, upon which British loans are secured, was diminished in the first five months of this year by loss of duty on goods smuggled into North China, and the proportion of such loss to the total revenue of the Chinese Customs for the period?

I am unable to give the exact figures for which my hon. Friend has asked. It has, however, been estimated that the goods smuggled in a recent period of three weeks would have been liable for duty at a rate of 2,000,000 Chinese dollars a week. This figure does not, however, necessarily represent the actual loss. Against it would have to be set off the extent to which the smuggled goods represent imports additional to the normal owing to their lower price.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of passports granted by Great Britain for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date to ladies employed in the theatrical and vaudeville professions for the purpose of accepting engagements abroad; and what investigations are made as to the bona fides of their employment before these passports are issued?

I regret that the information desired in the first part of the hon. Member's question, which would entail the examination of some 200,000 applications, is not available. As regards the second part, in all cases in which applicants for passports declare the purpose of their journey to be that of taking up theatrical employment special precautions are taken as regards the conditions and bona fides of the employment and the contracts are referred to one of the recognised theatrical associations for examination. In the few cases which occur in which the association consulted find themselves unable to make a recommendation, further inquiries are made either through the police authorities in this country or from the British Consular Representative at the place to which the applicant proposes to travel. Juvenile artistes under the age of 18 are also required to produce a magistrate's licence to perform abroad.

Is the Minister aware that lately several of these artistes have been lured out to lucrative engagements and that when they arrived at their destination they have found that there were no engagements available and they were offered positions in houses of ill-repute?

I understand that the utmost care is taken, and if the hon. Member has any specific cases that he wants to bring forward and he will let me have particulars, I will go into them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will recommend the League of Nations Assembly to allow the Emperor of Abyssinia, if he so desires or, if not, his accredited representative, to address the Assembly or otherwise participate in its forthcoming deliberations?

The Ethiopian Government were represented at the Council meeting on 26th June, and I understand that they will be similarly represented at the Assembly. There is therefore no necessity for His Majesty's Government to make any recommendation to that effect.

In the event of the Emperor desiring to address the Assembly, would the Government be in favour of allowing him to do so, so as to give him an opportunity of speaking in opposition to the policy of the British Government on the ending of sanctions, and explaining how the British Government are favouring a policy which is betraying the League of Nations?

That question is purely hypothetical.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the ending of sanctions will affect the assurances of military support given to His Majesty's Government by France, Jugoslavia, Greece and Turkey, in the event of special measures of a military character being aimed by Italy at this country?

I can make no statement on this subject as the Assembly has not yet met, and the decisions regarding the future of sanctions have not yet been taken.

Can the Under-Secretary say why it is desirable to enter into these agreements for military assistance on the basis of mutual aid in the case of the Mediterranean Powers under Article 16 of the Covenant, and yet apparently it is not desirable to do so in the case of Abyssinia itself?

The declaration the Secretary of State made was perfectly clear. He said that he did not wish people to suffer for the support they had given to the Covenant in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total strength of the armies, navies and air forces of all the countries, members of the League of Nations, who agreed to apply sanctions against Italy, including the United Kingdom; and the strength of the Italian Navy, Army and Air Force, and the total strength of the navies, armies and air forces of the countries, members of the League of Nations, who agreed not to apply sanctions against Italy, and, in each case, whether he can give the name of the country?

I will endeavour to compile such information on the subject as is available from published sources, and will communicate it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what measures were taken to secure agreement upon identical policy between His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty's Government in the Dominions, before His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom announced their decision to advocate the termination of sanctions against Italy; and whether he has received any statement of the views of His Majesty's Government in the Dominions upon this decision?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister on 18th June to a question by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander). As regards the second part of the question, the attitude of several of the Dominion Governments has already been made clear. The Prime Minister and the Home Secretary referred to the position in the Debate on 23rd June.

Is the House to understand that my noble Friend can give no more specific answer to the latter part of my question, which is whether he has received a statement of these views? I know that there has been a statement of views, but I am asking whether those views have been directly addressed to His Majesty's Government in this country?

I think if my hon. Friend will look at the pages of the OFFICIAL REPORT to which I have referred, he will find that matter dealt with there.

Is there any mention of South Africa in the pages referred to by my noble Friend?

No, Sir.

May we have the views of South Africa stated by my noble Friend?

It is the business of the South African Government to express the views of South Africa.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, in view of the fact that it was not found possible to consult the Dominion Governments in regard to the Hoare-Laval proposals or to obtain general agreement as to the desirability or not of lifting sanctions, and in view of the importance of the maintenance of all His Majesty's Governments of a common attitude towards foreign affairs, whether he will approach the Dominion Governments with the object of devising some more effective machinery for inter-Imperial consultation?

The principles governing the system of consultation with Dominion Governments in relation to foreign affairs are summarised fully in the report of the proceedings of the Imperial Conference of 1930. Those principles are in full operation, and I have no reason to think that there is any desire on the part of any Dominion Government to alter them.

Does my noble Friend recognise that the pursuit of divergent and even conflicting policies by different Governments in the Empire is liable to undermine Imperial unity; and will he, therefore, consider approaching the Dominions again on this vital question?

Is the noble Lord aware that the Dominion Governments have a complete contempt for the present Administration?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any report on the decisions taken on the question of Danzig at the May meeting of the Council of the League of Nations; and, in particular, whether any steps have been taken to ensure that the decree laws which have been passed will be strictly carried out?

The only decision taken on the question of Danzig at the May meeting of the Council was the decision to extend the appointment of Mr. Lester as High Commissioner for a further year dating from 1st January, 1937. As regards the second part of the question, I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the decree laws published by the Senate in fulfilment of the recommendations made by the Council of the League at its January meeting. There has been no report from the League High Commissioner to show that the decrees are not being observed, and Mr. Lester can be relied upon to report to the Council if he considers that they are not being carried out.

Has the Noble Lord seen reports to the effect that some of the National Socialist authorities in Germany have demanded the withdrawal of Mr. Lester from Danzig, and, if so, can he give an assurance that the British Government will not be a party to acceding to such a demand?

I think we had better wait until Mr. Lester reports.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the pacification of Europe depends largely on the effective application of Article XIX of the Covenant of the League of Nations, he will, in order to prevent an attempt to revise the Peace Treaties of 1919 and 1920 by force, propose to the Assembly of the League that a general review of those treaties should be undertaken by the League at once as a matter of urgency, and that interested non-League Powers be invited to collaborate in the task?

His Majesty's Government, as has previously been stated, hold the view that the existing political and territorial status could only be properly modified by agreement and negotiation. I can assure my hon. Friend that His Majesty's Government have this principle constantly in mind.

Can the Noble Lord indicate whether the Government intend to initiate discussion on these important points?

I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government have these things constantly in mind. I cannot say anything more now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what concessions, territorial and otherwise, were granted to Turkey in the Treaty of Lausanne in return for the demilitarisation of the Dardanelles; and whether His Majesty's Government will ask for appropriate adjustments in the event of the remilitarisation of the Dardanelles being agreed to?

The only concession, if it can be so called, which was granted to Turkey in return for the demilitarisation of the Straits was the guarantee of protection contained in Article 18 of the Straits Convention. It is intended that this Article shall lapse if remilitarisation is agreed to.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, now that the newly promulgated Soviet constitution guarantees the right to hold political demonstrations, freedom of speech and of the Press, and security from arbitrary arrest, he will inquire whether British nationals desirous of founding capitalist Press organs in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will be permitted to do so and to enter and leave the country without restriction?

My hon. Friend is in error in assuming that a new Soviet constitution has been promulgated. The text which he doubtless has in mind is that of draft proposals for consideration by the All-Union Congress of Soviets on 25th November next. These draft proposals guarantee the rights which he mentions but also provide that the Communist party remains the sole legal party in the State.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many vacant beds there are in any of the hospitals carried on by his Department; and whether, where such vacancies exist, he will arrange to give more extended treatment to men whose disabilities are unrecognised for pension purposes but who do receive treatment by his Department?

A margin of vacant accommodation is kept by the Ministry in its own hospitals, which amounted on an average during the past year to 275 beds, in order to allow for emergencies. All patients, whether or not in receipt of pension, are retained in Ministry hospitals for as long as each case requires, the average stay being about 12 weeks. In the circumstances there would be no advantage in prolonging the stay of patients beyond the requirements of their treatment.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether his attention has been directed to the increased duty on cider imposed by the Irish Free State; whether he has any information as to the effect of this increase upon the cider-making industry in this country; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir; while I appreciate that the increased duty is likely to have a detrimental effect on the trade in cider to the Irish Free State, which amounted to £12,000 in 1934, I do not think the matter is one in which any useful action can be taken at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make any statement regarding the progress of the negotiations for a trade agreement between this country and the Argentine Republic?

My right hon. Friend is not in a position to make a statement at present.

Can my right hon. Friend put forward any hope as to when he will be in a position to make a statement?

I think it is a little unwise when negotiations are pending between two Governments to make any estimates as to the length of time one or other may take to answer representations.

Is it proposed to give notice on 7th July in order that our hands may be free?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

Does my hon. Friend propose to deal with the Most-Favoured-Nation Clause before these agreements are ratified?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in the light of the new circumstances, His Majesty's Government are prepared to consider giving some assistance to British subjects and firms which have suffered serious losses through the operation of sanctions; and whether the Government are prepared to appoint a committee to inquire into the extent of these losses?

In reply to the first part of the question, I regret that I cannot add anything to the answer on this subject which was given to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 12th May. In the circumstances indicated in that answer I do not think that the appointment of a committee as suggested by my hon. Friend would serve any useful purpose.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these firms have suffered seriously?

Yes, Sir.

Will my hon. Friend remember that agriculture has also suffered as a result of sanctions?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government in respect of the recommendations of the Sea Fish Commission?

No, Sir. Discussions are proceeding with certain of the interests affected by the Commission's recommendations and will shortly be opened with others. Some little time must, therefore, necessarily elapse before I am in a position to make an announcement as to the Government's intentions regarding the report.

Does my right hon. Friend expect to be able to make an announcement before the Summer Recess?

I am afraid I cannot say that. The negotiations are proceeding.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the price of milk received by the majority of producers in the Far Western region during the month of May amounted to 5½d. per gallon; and whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce a levy subsidy on imported dairy products to ensure that the producers of milk shall get a fair price for their product?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the increasing amounts of inter-regional compensation levy that milk producers are having to pay into the pool, he will take steps to impose a levy on imported manufactured milk products to enable the board to pay a fair price to the producers of liquid milk in this country?

I am aware that the net receipt per gallon for May of the non-accredited long distance depot suppliers in the Far Western region was a little over 5½d. I am also fully alive to the position arising from the present prices of milk for manufacture. I am sending my hon. Friend and my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the reply I gave on 19th May to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) in which I said that a general indication of the policy of the Government in regard to imports of milk products was given in a statement made on 25th July last. The present position of the home milk industry in relation to imports of milk products is safeguarded until October, 1937, by the Milk Act, 1934, and the Milk (Extension of Temporary Provisions) Act, 1936, which provide, inter alia, for Exchequer advances to improve the price of milk used for manufacture. The dairy produce situation will be reviewed and the Government's long-term policy determined before that date.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the levy of £1 an acre on a 400 acre farm is £400 a year, and that unless something is done soon we cannot go on producing milk in these circumstances?

These are figures given from non-accredited producers. It must be remembered that they include long distance haulage charges, a charge in this case of nearly 3d. for transport. It would not be fair to compare these with ordinary dairy figures.

As the working classes drink far less milk than is good for them, on account of their poverty, would it not be better for the Government to get it for them in another way instead of taxing foreign milk?

It is in order to get the milk to consumers in London and elsewhere that these high transport charges are incurred, of which the producers complain.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to when the Milk Reorganisation Commission is going to issue its report and recommendations?

I understand that the Milk Reorganisation Commission hope to be in a position to complete and present their report within the next two to three months.

In view of the serious position will the right hon. Gentleman do everything he can to expedite the issue of the report at the earliest possible moment?

I understand that the Milk Board are bringing forward certain amendments which will be presented in advance of the report of the Commission.

Will it be possible to ask the Milk Board to recommend that everybody in the Army, the Navy and the Air Force should have butter instead of margarine?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, for convenience during the night hours and for elderly people, he will consider supplying luminous lettering on automatic telephone dials?

The use of luminous paint on telephone dials has been tried but has not proved satisfactory. A special dial ring with enlarged lettering has been designed and is available for subscribers who experience difficulty in reading the ordinary dial.

asked the Postmaster-General how many employés of the Post Office engineering department are working systematic overtime; and what steps are being taken to obviate this?

I am not aware that systematic overtime is being worked in the Post Office engineering department. Its operations are expanding but every endeavour is made to ensure that the provision of staff keeps pace with such expansion, and the personnel has been increased from about 30,000 to about 38,000 in the past two years. It is not, of course, practicable to eliminate overtime of an emergency character or where the circumstances are otherwise exceptional, but if the hon. Member knows of any instance in which the attendance is regarded as excessive and will let me have particulars, I will go further into the matter.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the staff at Telephone House, Belfast, have been subjected to what they term overwork in the form of systematic overtime which has been the practice for a considerable time past; and will he issue orders that such a policy must cease and thereby give employment to a number who would otherwise be unemployed?

There has been heavy pressure on the clerical staff at Telephone House, Belfast, for some time past, due in the main to the conversion of the Belfast telephone service to automatic working. The situation was rendered more difficult on the engineering side by the urgent necessity for repairing the extensive damage to plant caused by the heavy gales which were experienced early this year in Northern Ireland, and on the commercial side by an alteration in the method of dealing with subscribers' accounts. Such help as is possible has been given and increases in the establishment have been authorised, with the result that there has been within the last few months a steady reduction of overtime. I hope that that reduction will become more marked as the newly recruited staff gain in experience.

Is the Postmaster-General sure that this overtime has not extended for over two years?

The position now is very much better than it was a year ago, and I am glad to say that at the present moment it shows further signs of improvement.

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his attention has been called to the number of accidents caused to pedestrians, especially children and women, by falling over the low iron railings, 12 inches to 15 inches in height, bordering certain of the paths in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens; whether he is aware that these rails are in a bad state of repair and rusty, serve no useful purpose, and involve considerable expense in painting and repair, as well as being a danger to the public; and whether he will give directions for any such railings which have not already been removed to be removed forthwith?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): I am informed that it has been the policy of the Department to remove these railings where it is considered desirable to do so, and I will report to my Noble Friend the suggestion made by the hon. Member, so that on his return to this country he may consider the possibilities of further removal.

Is the hon. Member aware that these dwarf railings are at different heights at different places, and that a step which will clear them at one spot will catch a person's toe at another? Is he also aware that owing to a serious accident in the Green Park some time ago the central railings going through the park were removed without any detriment to the paths?

Is the hon. Member aware that these railings were reduced by the right hon. Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) with general approval, and will he not convey to his right hon. Friend that this might be done again?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government propose to introduce legislation to put Ministerial salaries upon a more equitable basis?

I can at present add nothing to the answer which the Prime Minister gave on 18th May in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams).

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that some attention might be paid to the expressed views of this House?

It must not be assumed that because no answer is given to-day that no attention is being paid to the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the saving to the Treasury which would result from the introduction of a system of payment by results?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the Debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 23rd June there was only time for speeches by eight Members who were neither Ministers nor former Ministers; and whether, in view of the inadequacy of the time thus at the disposal of private Members, he will provide an early opportunity for further discussion of the international situation?

My hon. Friend's statistics are correct. I would remind him, however, that there have already been several Debates on foreign policy this Session, and opportunities still remain for the subject to be debated on allotted Supply days and on the Appropriation Bill.

In view of the magnitude of the issues discussed last Tuesday, does the Home Secretary think that the time was really adequate, when there were literally hundreds of hon. Members in all sections of the House who wished to speak?

Everybody recognises the importance of the subject, and also the fact that many hon. Members would like to take part in the Debate. Of course we must not in this case regard speeches as being paid by time.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to tell the House that it is the intention of the Government that no arms shall be allowed to get through to the Abyssinians?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Prime Minister's statement on this subject in the course of last Tuesday's Debate, to which I have nothing to add.

Has the attention of my right hon. Friend been drawn to the statement made in the country to the effect that the House of Commons was told that no arms were allowed to get through to Abyssinia, and will he agree that no such statement was made in the House of Commons by the Prime Minister?

The statement is certainly not correct: it is not what the Prime Minister said.

But is not a refusal to allow arms to get through to Abyssinia through Somaliland tantamount to a refusal to supply arms to the Abyssinians?

asked the Prime Minister what steps, if any, the Government will take, in the absence of competitive tenders, to prevent excessive profiteering by private firms in connection with forthcoming armaments production; and whether he will consider the desirability of securing national control of the sources of necessary raw material and the industries concerned?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Surrey, East (Mr. Emmott) on Tuesday last; as regards the last part of the question further measures of control are not in our opinion at present called for.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether recent contract prices compare favourably or un-favourably with the prices which were paid during the War?

Obviously, I cannot answer that as a supplementary question. If the hon. Member desires an answer, perhaps he will put the question on the Order Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he was aware of the terms of the speech delivered by the Secretary of State for War in Paris on 24th June before the delivery of the speech; and whether the policy of an alliance with France, advocated in that speech, represents the present policy of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the speech in Paris by the Secretary of State for War, in which he declared we entered the Great War because our vital interests were at stake and that the future responsibility of saving civilisation rested on the collaboration of France and Great Britain; and whether that speech represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech by the Secretary of State for War in Paris on 24th June represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether the speech made by the Secretary of State for War in Paris on 24th June, in which he stated that France's frontiers are our frontiers, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

My right hon. Friend was addressing a society which exists for the purpose of promoting friendly relations between France and Great Britain, and his remarks were, of course, not a declaration of policy but a speech devoted to stressing the elements common to the people of both countries. The place for a declaration of Government policy is the House of Commons, and that policy was fully stated by the Foreign Secretary and by the Prime Minister in the course of the Debates in this House on 18th June and 23rd June respectively. The observations of my right hon. Friend were not designed to be in conflict with their declarations at all. In fairness to my right hon. Friend I should add that he submitted a draft of his speech to the Foreign Office and subsequently altered it in certain respects in response to their suggestions. I understand that in its final form the speech did not come under the personal notice of the Foreign Secretary, but this was due to the pressure of his other engagements, and was in no way intentional.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these pronouncements by individual Cabinet Ministers on matters of grave policy, which conflict with the declared policy of the Government as a whole, are causing great disquiet in the country, and will he ask the Prime Minister at least to see that he gets discipline in his Cabinet?

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that it is causing real confusion and alarm among supporters of the National Government?

I think that if the hon. Member will look at the speech as it is recorded in the French papers it will considerably relieve him. I do not in the least admit that his remarks call for these strictures.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the comments in the French Press in which it is not treated as the speech of a private individual but as representing the policy of the Government?

I think the answer I have given will show quite plainly that that is not so. It was not a declaration of policy. It is not possible to control newspapers in Paris or in London, and the House should take that into account.

Is it not the fact that the speech of the Secretary of State for War would have the effect of prejudicing negotiations with Germany?

In view of the reply, I will ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, that is, the statements on foreign policy made by Ministers of the Crown.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for War informed him beforehand of their intention to make pronouncements on sanctions and frontiers?

The answer is in the negative.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that disloyalty to colleagues is a characteristic of the National Government?

I do not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the copy sent to him of the resolution passed at the tithe-payer's demonstration held last week and the request made to him to receive a deputation representative of those who took part in the demonstration; whether he proposes to receive the deputation; and, if not, will he state the reason why?

The Prime Minister received a request on the evening of 23rd June from the chairman of the demonstration in question, asking him to receive a deputation on the following day. It was explained to the chairman that the whole question of tithe rentcharge was exhaustively considered by the Royal Commission which heard evidence from those organisations which the proposed deputation represented. Moreover, subsequent to the publication of the report of the Royal Commission, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture received deputations from various bodies representing tithe-payers, and thus had an opportunity of hearing their views prior to the introduction of legislation. These representations were given full consideration by the Government, and, in the circumstances, the Prime Minister was of opinion that no useful purpose would be served by receiving the deputation in question.

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he has considered the possibility of providing more adequate accommodation for members of the Diplomatic Corps who wish to listen to Debates in this House; and whether he can make a statement on the subject?

(for the First Commissioner of Works): Yes, Sir. I understand that with the consent of all parties in the House Mr. Speaker has agreed that additional accommodation shall be provided for members of the Diplomatic Corps, and that the present Special Gallery shall be placed at their disposal provided it is occupied by 4 p.m. Other accommodation will be found for those who would have been accommodated in the present Special Gallery.

Is not the arrangement that if the Special Gallery is not required before four o'clock, it will then be available for Members' friends?

The exact, form in which this alteration can most conveniently be made is under discussion and consideration at the present moment, but with Mr. Speaker's permission I would like to defer answering that question until I have had an opportunity of consulting my Noble Friend.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the very small accommodation now available for visitors to the House will not be reduced by this arrangement?

No, Sir. The hope is that we shall be able to increase the accommodation available for visitors to the House, but it is under discussion and if the House will forgive me I would sooner not make a statement until I have seen my Noble Friend.

While the matter is under discussion, is it not time somebody discussed the advisability getting more adequate accommodation for Members?

Is it fair, when there is a great Debate in the House and Members have one ticket each, that 22 seats should be reserved for the Press, in addition to their ordinary accommodation, thus depriving Members' friends of the right of getting into the House?

I did say we are trying to see whether, by altering the accommodation, we can obtain more room for Members' friends, and if we are successful that, of course, would solve the difficulty to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there have been any changes in the disposition and bases of the Mediterranean Fleet as a result of the raising of sanctions; and, if so, whether he can give the House any information regarding them?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the question of the raising of sanctions depends upon the decision of the League of Nations, by whom it is now being considered. Until a decision has actually been reached, no important changes in the disposition of the Fleet can be made, but, as soon as a return to normal conditions is possible, it is the intention of the Admiralty to arrange for those officers and men who have leave overdue to them to receive it.

Does not my Noble Friend consider it very undesirable that the movements of the Fleet should be fully and accurately reported in every Continental newspaper and not published in British newspapers, and as soon as ordinary conditions are restored, will he give an undertaking that the British public shall have full information regarding the movements of the Fleet?

I have not received notice of that question, but I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation for the compulsory registration of all persons dealing in stocks and shares who are not members of recognised stock exchanges?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case of an outside stock and share broker sentenced to three years' penal servitude for extensive frauds upon the public; and, in view of the frequency of similar cases, will he consider immediate legislation for the compulsory registration of stocks and shares dealers who are not members of recognised stock exchanges?

My attention has been drawn to the case referred to by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison), and the suggestion made in regard to the compulsory registration of dealers in stocks and shares has been noted for further consideration.

Could not the hon. Gentleman arrange, through the usual channels, for discussion to take place as to whether legislation such as that suggested in the questions would be likely to be non-contentious?

What I want the House to understand from my answer is that the mere question of registration of stock and share dealers can hardly be dealt with in isolation. The whole question of share-pushing involves certain clauses of the Companies Acts, and I think the hon. Member will appreciate that my answer that the suggestion has been noted for consideration means that the whole subject is under review.

Does this not again show how necessary it is to have a thorough examination by a Departmental Committee of the flaws in the Companies Act of 1929?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement as to the number of unofficial strikes which have occurred in this country in the last 12 months; and whether any of them are supposed to have been due in part or in whole to foreign influence?

Statistics are not available showing the total number of strikes which have not been officially recognised by the trade unions concerned, since specific inquiries on this point are not made by the Department. From an examination of such information as is in its possession, however, it would appear that of a total of 83 stoppages of work, owing to trade disputes, reported in the period from the beginning of January, 1935, to the end of May, 1936, at least 377 were within this category. I have no information to show that any of these stoppages have been due to foreign influence.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any request for his assistance in effecting a settlement has been made to him by either side in the dispute affecting the Thames Valley motor-omnibus services; whether this strike is recognised by the union or not; and whether his Department can usefully take any steps to help in terminating this labour trouble?

Representations have reached my Department from the local municipal authorities but not from the parties to the dispute. I understand that the dispute is not recognised by the trade union. Officers of my Department are in touch with the company and the trade union, and my hon. Friend may be assured that, as soon as a desire is shown to discuss the questions at issue through the proper constitutional channels, all possible assistance will be made available.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very great inconvenience and suffering caused to the public in the country districts, and can he not take some steps either to provide them with fresh transport or to stop the present dispute?

The question of transport is one for the Minister of Transport.

Is this not another case where the management of the company refuse to meet the official delegates of the trade unions?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the public inconvenience caused by the strike of the Thames Valley motor-omnibus employés; and whether the Traffic Commissioners can give any special licences to other motor-omnibus undertakings to ensure at all events that attention is paid to the comfort and convenience of the public?

The Traffic Commissioners have already granted temporary licences to other operators.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not think that if the Traffic Commissioners had not abolished the small one-man omnibus services, generally run by ex-service men, in many of the country areas affected, there would not be this trouble?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken, in conjunction with the First Commissioner of Works, to relieve the increasing congestion of traffic at Victoria Gate, Hyde Park; and whether he is aware that considerable relief would be afforded by making a roundabout just inside the park, with additional gates to the west of the flower bed adjoining Victoria Gate, and by the widening of Victoria Gate itself in order to take two additional lines of traffic?

Schemes embodying the features suggested by my hon. Friend have been discussed with the First Commissioner of Works, but owing to the very considerable sacrifice of park amenities it was not felt possible to press them. Recent inspections have indicated the necessity for a further review of the position, and my Department is now engaged in preparing a further scheme.

While obliged to my hon. and gallant Friend for his answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that between 5 o'clock and 8 o'clock every evening there is a triple block of traffic between the Marble Arch and this gate and another from the Magazine to the gate, showing the great urgency of this matter; and, meanwhile, during the preparation of these plans, will he communicate with the Commissioner of Police with the idea of stopping the traffic crossing the road to Brooke Street and Hyde Park Gardens and making it go westwards?

I will study my hon. Friend's supplementary question when it appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman convey to the Minister of Transport the fact that there are still people in London who walk, and suggest that he ought not to be concerned entirely with the convenience of motor-car users?

But the pedestrians cannot get through three lines of traffic.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a statement giving particulars of what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to ensure that soldiers, sailors, and members of the Air Force are given good employment or opportunities of finding same on their discharge from the Services and their return to civil life?

During the concluding period of their Colour Service in the Army, about 3,000 men each year are given courses of training in occupations in which they are likely to be able to obtain employment on discharge. So far as the Navy is concerned, all ratings in their second period of service have the opportunity of taking a course of training prior to completing their time for pensions. Airmen have opportunities during their service of learning a skilled trade which is of benefit to them in civil life; during their last year of service they are also given facilities for taking educational courses, and obtaining experience in Royal Air Force workshops, which will assist them in obtaining civil employment on discharge. Men from all three Services are registered with the Employment Exchanges before they take their discharge, so that the exchanges may give them every assistance in finding suitable employment. They are also advised to register with the National Association for Employment of Regular Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen, their regimental or other Service Association, the British Legion and other organisations which endeavour to find employment for ex-regulars. The National Association, which has been in existence now for over 50 years, and has done very valuable work in finding employment for ex-regulars, receives grants from the three Service Departments. Vacancies in Government Departments suitable for ex-members of the Forces are reserved for them, the first preference being given to men who served in the Great War. Many of these vacancies occur in the General Post Office. In filling these vacancies, and generally, my Department co-operates closely with the National Association.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether opportunities are given to the men to interview employers before they leave the Service, if necessary?

Do any of these naval ratings ask for special training in coal mining?

Perhaps the hon. Member would put that question down?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Coke and Oil Company, Limited, Erith, who recently intimated that they intend establishing additional coal distillation works in different areas of the country have been approached by him to include County Durham in the same?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recommendations he has received from local licensing authorities suggesting a State censorship of talking films and news reels; and whether he will make a statement as to the Government's present attitude towards same?

No such recommendation has been received from local licensing authorities, and I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Cardiff (Captain Evans) on 30th April.