asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amount expended to date by the Government of India with the object of developing civil aviation in India, giving separately the amount that has been contributed towards light aeroplane clubs during the three years ended to the last convenient date?

Since the reply contains a table of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the figures include the amount expended at Bombay and Karachi?

The figures correspond to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what progress has been made with the demarcation of the Burma-Yunnan frontier by the joint Sino-British Commission; when the work of the Commission is expected to be completed; whether he can make a statement with regard to the general situation in Burma; and what information can he give as to the reasons for floggings inflicted in Burma?

Last winter the Commission accomplished rather more than half its task, which it is expected to complete this winter. The reason for the larger number of whippings in Burma, as compared with other Provinces, is the prevalence of crimes of personal violence in that Province. The general situation in Burma remains satisfactory.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether the system of flogging has produced any result in the way of putting an end to personal acts of violence? Has it not had the opposite effect, and therefore should be stopped?

My information is that it has had a deterrent effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India with reference to the recent visits of the Foreign Secretary of the Government of India and the Governor-General of India to Kashmir, what was the purpose of their visits; whether he can make a statement as to the disturbances which have taken place from time to time on the SinoKashmir frontier; and whether arms are being exported from India to northeastern China?

His Excellency the Viceroy paid a visit of courtesy to the Maharaja of Kashmir in October. The Foreign Secretary to the Government of India visited Gilgit this month to discuss administrative questions. There have been no disturbances on the border between India and Chinese Turkestan, and no arms are being exported from India to north-eastern China.

Is the Under-Secretary aware of the reports which are being circulated in certain Indian newspapers to the effect that an army is being mobilised?

I have given the hon. Member the information in my possession.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what instructions have been issued to the three political officers detailed to visit the Princes in connection with the draft Instruments of Accession?

The gist of the instructions given to these political officers by His Excellency the Viceroy was that they should discuss with the Rulers of the States they visited and with their advisers any difficulties which they had found in estimating the effects of the provisions of the Act, and any proposals which the Rulers had in mind as to the reservations they would desire to make in their Instruments of Accession, with a view to assisting them in determining their attitude towards accession. The officers were further instructed to report direct to His Excellency the results of their discussions and the extent to which they had succeeded in removing by their explanations any difficulties brought to their notice.

Will the Under-Secretary take steps to see that these officers are warned that no undue pressure is to be brought to bear upon the Princes to agree with the Instruments of Accession?

The hon. and gallant Member can rest assured that the Princes have expressed their satisfaction that this assistance is being given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why no reply has yet been received to the petitions submitted in 1934 of the following public bodies against the proposed retrocession of the civil and military station of Bangalore to the Mysore Government: Bangalore Trades' Association, Bangalore Ratepayers' Association, Southern Division Ratepayers' Association, Anglo-Indian and Domiciled European Association, and the Muhammedan community?

The question of partial retrocession of the Bangalore Assigned Tract is still under the consideration of the Government of India. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave on 9th December last to the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and West Perth (Duchess of Atholl), as to the further opportunity to be given to local interests to submit their views.

Should not some reply be given to these people, who really represent the whole of the inhabitants?

The whole question, as I have informed the House on a previous occasion, is under review.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) whether he will make arrangements for exhibitions to be held to enable people to submit exhibits of British art and industry in preparation for the British pavilion at the Paris Fair to be held in 1937;

The Council for Art and Industry have, at the invitation of His Majesty's Government, undertaken responsibility for the selection of exhibits and for their arrangement and display in the United Kingdom pavilion at the Paris Exhibition of Industrial Art to be held next year. The arrangements made by the Council for discharging that responsibility are described in the printed brochure which I sent to the hon. Member on 14th September. Information on the subject of the forthcoming exhibition and the proposed participation by His Majesty's Government was circulated to the Press some months ago: and steps were taken through the medium of the trade associations concerned in the various industries, to secure that the facts were made known as widely as possible. In regard to the pottery industry, a special display was arranged by the Pottery Manufacturers Association at Burslem last week, to enable further articles to be submitted to the searchers. I cannot in these circumstances accept the proposal made in the hon. Member's first question.

May I be allowed to thank the right hon. and gallant Gentleman and the Department for the attention given to this matter?

Has the right hon. and gallant Gentleman made any representations to the French Government asking them to reduce the duties on the relative British goods, so that when the French public want to buy them from the samples exhibited we may be able to sell them to France?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to deal with the effect on British shipbuilding of the arrangements reported on pages 116 and 117 of the report issued by the Overseas Trade Department on economic conditions in Germany?

I presume that the hon. Member has in mind the references in the report to orders placed for tonnage in German yards by British concerns as a means of liquidating frozen Marks. In this connection I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 16th June.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Imperial Smelting Corporation will be compelled to close down their zinc section at Bloxwich following on the recent closing down of their zinc section at Seaton Carew, which is in a, distressed area; and whether, in view of the Government's declared intention to create new industries in distressed areas, he will take whatever steps he possibly can to prevent existing industries from being closed down?

Statements about the Imperial Smelting Corporation's works at Seaton Carew and Bloxwich have been brought to my notice. The Government are, of course, most anxious to take whatever steps are possible to prevent the closing down of existing industries in the Special Areas or elsewhere.

In view of the importance of zinc in war time, will the hon. Gentleman take some steps to protect this industry?

Is my hon. Friend aware that if these smelting works at Bloxwich are closed down, it will involve the dismissal of 60 or 70 men?

The importance of zinc is appreciated, and discussions are taking place between the Board of Trade and the particular company referred to.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will give compensation to those smallholders who are commoners of the New Forest and who have suffered much loss and inconvenience by being prevented from exercising their right to depasture their cattle in the open forest, owing to the restrictions imposed by the Ministry in connection with the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease on private premises at Sway and near Lymington?

The Diseases of Animals Acts make no provision for the payment of compensation in connection with measures taken to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease except to owners in respect of animals slaughtered compulsorily, and I regret I am not able to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion. I am glad, however, to state that it was possible to withdraw the restrictions from the area referred to as from 20th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether there has been an increase or decline in the number of agricultural workers, all classes, since the inception of the bacon quota and other schemes designed to limit the importation of foodstuffs; what annual increase or decline there has been during the past three years; and whether he is satisfied with these figures?

There has been a steady decline in the total number of agricultural workers in Great Britain over the last ten years. During the last three years the average annual decrease has amounted to 26,000. I do not accept the implication contained in the question that the decline since 1932 has any connection with the policy of regulating imports. On the contrary, agricultural output in Great Britain has markedly increased since this policy was adopted.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what duties were defined for the consumers' committee which was appointed in December, 1933, in pursuance of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931; whether it is representative of all classes of society; how many times this committee has met since its inception and during the past year; and what activities have been undertaken by it?

The duties of a consumers' committee appointed under Section 9 of the Agricultural Marketing Act, 1931, are as defined in Section 9 (2) (b) of that Act. I am sending the hon. Member a list of the members of the committees for Great Britain and England from which he will see that the committees are well qualified to represent consumers. The consumers' committee for Great Britain and England have met 18 and 19 times respectively since their appointment, of which meetings nine and three respectively have been held this year. These figures include meetings of sub-committees. The committee for England have considered a number of complaints, and have made four reports to the Minister regarding the operation of the Milk Marketing Scheme. The Great Britain committee has reported as to the operation of the potato marketing scheme. These reports have been published and are obtainable on request from my Department. I would add that the Food Council, the personnel of which is identical with that of the Great Britain committee, will shortly report to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade regarding the operation of the pigs and bacon marketing schemes.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Sugar Commission has yet reached any decision with regard to the possibility of reducing the transport charges incurred by growers of sugar-beet situated at a considerable distance from the nearest factory; and to what extent this will equalise the amount received for sugar-beet by a grower in Suffolk with the amount received by a grower in the Isle of Wight?

The Sugar Commission, in announcing their recent award on the terms and conditions of the contract for the purchase of next season's beet crop, have referred to the special claims made by growers in areas distant from any factory to be relieved of some part of their freight charges. The commission consider that this question is closely linked up with the question of factory siting and capacity, on which further investigation is required. Pending the result of this investigation, and without prejudice to future policy in this respect, the commission have decided that for the 1937 season the British Sugar Corporation shall defray railway freight charges in excess of 7s. per ton on all sugar-beet accepted by the corporation for delivery to the factories at Allscott and Kidderminster. With regard to the second part of the question, the commission inform me that it is not possible to make any useful comparison between the amount received for sugar-beet by growers in Suffolk and the Isle of Wight, as the receipts will vary with the situation of the individual farm and the factory to which the beet is consigned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the copy sent him of proposals for developing educational broadcasting entitled "Broadcasting and Education," by J. Howard Whitehouse, a former Member of this House; and whether he will give the proposals his consideration?

I have received a copy of the book; but the proposals it contains are primarily for consideration by the British Broadcasting Corporation and the education authorities.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say that representations of this kind are receiving the serious consideration of the British Broadcasting Corporation?

Yes, Sir. I can say that this book is being considered by the British Broadcasting Corporation and by the Central Council for School Broadcasting.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will ascertain whether the British Broadcasting Corporation proposes to invite Members of Parliament to visit Alexandra Palace television station at an early date?

I am informed by the British Broadcasting Corporation that, with the approval of Mr. Speaker, they are already studying the possibility of installing television receivers for a limited period in a Committee Room of this House. Such an arrangement is felt likely to be of more general interest to Members than organised visits to the transmitting station at the Alexandra Palace. If, however, any individual Member is anxious to visit the Alexandra Palace meantime, I understand that the British Broadcasting Corporation will be glad to arrange a private visit for him.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House the terms of reference of the tribunal he has caused to be set up to inquire into matters arising out of the Lambert v. Levita case?

The following are the terms of the minute dated the 11th instant constituting the board of inquiry:

"The Prime Minister, after consultation with the Postmaster-General, directs that an inquiry shall be held forthwith into certain statements made in the course of the recent case Lambert v. Levita affecting the British Broadcasting Corporation. The following will be the members of the special board of inquiry:

Sir Josiah Stamp, G.C.B., G.B.E., Chairman of the London Midland and Scottish Railway, and formerly of the Board of Inland Revenue;

Sir Maurice Gwyer, K.C.B., K.C.S.I., K.C., First Parliamentary Counsel;

Sir Findlater Stewart, G.C.I.E., K.C.B., C.S.I., Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India."

Will the report of the tribunal be laid on the Table of the House?

I am under the impression that I gave an answer to that question last week, when I said that when the report was submitted the Prime Minister would decide whether that course should be followed or not.

Does not the Prime Minister think that it would have been better to appoint a judicial committee as in the case of the Budget inquiry?

No. If I had thought so I should have done it.

Will the minutes of evidence be published at the appropriate time?

I should want notice of that question.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the grave concern that is being felt because the evidence has apparently been completed without Major Gladstone Murray being heard, and can he assure the House that it is the desire of the Government that this tribunal should make a searching investigation?

I must have notice of that question. I have no idea whether that is the case or not.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is satisfied it is in the national interest that the Post Office engineers of the telephone service in London should continue to work overtime to the extent of 1,555,712 hours for the period from 1st January to 30th September, 1936, an increase of 146,888 hours in excess of the overtime worked for the 12 months of 1935, while recruitment has decreased by no less a number than 120?

I am satisfied that no effort has been spared to recruit additional staff as speedily as possible and thus to keep down the amount of overtime as far as has been practicable in view of the great increase in work. The rate of recruitment in 1936 as compared with 1935 has not fallen off but has increased, the average number of additional men engaged per month in London having been 55 last year and 60 in the first nine months of the current year.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the figures I have given here are the result of the figures in his last reply to me?

I am aware of that, and the figures are perfectly correct. The hon. Member talks of recruitment falling off whereas recruitment has been more rapid. He is comparing nine months of this year with the whole 12 months of last year.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will make a statement as to the arrangements that will be made to meet the extra work at Christmas time; and how the additional hands required will be engaged?

The extra work during the coming Christmas season will, as in past years, be provided for as far as possible by the engagement of temporary staff and for the rest by the employment of the regular staff on overtime. As regards the method of selecting the temporary staff, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 19th November.

Could not the overtime be eliminated and extra hands taken on?

We are doing all we can to keep it down. I think the staff realise that, and readily respond to the special needs of the situation.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman see that, in regard to ex-service men, the stipulation that men over 45 will not be engaged, is rescinded?

I will certainly go into that matter. Preference is given to ex-service men, and there is no maximum age limit.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in reply to me he said this condition was not in operation, but that in the City of Liverpool it is in operation; and will he see that it is rescinded?

I will certainly look into it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the automatic telephone exchanges have proved to be satisfactory in the London area, he will state when it is proposed to convert and instal this system throughout England and Wales; and can he give the estimated cost of this change over from the manual exchange system when it is completed?

Considerable progress has already been made in the conversion to automatic working of areas outside the metropolis, 50 per cent. of the subscribers now being served by automatic exchanges. The programme of conversion is being pushed ahead as speedily as possible having regard to the very rapid expansion in telephone service in other directions. Provision is made for expansion as well as conversion when exchanges become automatic, and it is not possible to estimate the cost of conversion as distinct from the general cost of new plant.

Can the Minister tell us how many men who are at present employed will be displaced as a result of conversion to automatic working throughout the country?

Our staff, as I have already informed the House, is increasing.

What are the savings affected by the conversion to automatic working?

It is not possible to give a statement of savings, but it is certain that an enormous amount of additional engineering employment is given.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say when the Victoria Exchange in London is likely to be moved across, as the service there is particularly bad?

Not without notice.

asked the Postmaster-General the charges for Christmas greeting telegrams and the number sent; and whether this concession results in a profit or involves a loss to the Post Office?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the service of Christmas greetings telegrams to the Dominions and other places oversea. The charges for these messages vary according to the country of destination but are usually half the ordinary rate for places in Europe and less than half for other places. The number dealt with by the Post Office last Christmas was approximately 80,000, of which 70,000 were accepted or delivered on behalf of the telegraph companies by whom they were forwarded abroad. It is difficult to estimate the financial effect of these special services; but it is probable that the revenue received by the Post Office for its share of the work did not cover the cost involved.

asked the Postmaster-General how many postmen and porters were permanently appointed in 1935; and how many of these men were Army reservists?

3,411 vacancies for postmen and porters were filled in 1935. Of these 1,796 were allocated to ex-service men and 1,615 to Post Office servants, mainly boy messengers. 1,081 of the ex-service men were ex-soldiers. The available records do not show how many of these were Army Reservists.

Is there any reason why these Post Office messengers could not join up in the Army and after serving their term in the Army join the Post Office?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that air mail letters to Majorca which used to be sent via Marseilles are now only carried if marked via Rome; by whose authority has this change of postal arrangements been made; and whether this involves any censorship of correspondence by the Italian authorities?

No air snail service from this country to Majorca is advertised. I understand that an air service was started recently between Rome and Majorca, but it has not been notified as available by the Italian Post Office. One or two members of the public who have applied to be allowed to send letters to Majorca by this route have been permitted to do so.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that correspondence used to be sent via Marseilles, and can he say why it has been changed? Is he further aware that Majorca is virtually in Italian occupation and that the diversion of correspondence round by Rome may entail very serious and unpleasant consequences for any inhabitants of Majorca who happen to express sympathy with the lawful Government in Spain?

The hon. Member has been seriously misinformed. This traffic has not been transferred round by Italy. The normal course with air mail correspondence going to Majorca would be to forward it by the ordinary route, but in the absence of any available air service at present, these mails go by France for onward transmission by sea from Marseilles, apart from occasional all-sea opportunities from this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the great inflow of foreign-made Coronation goods coming into the country, he will take steps to have the proposed import duties put on at once or at least from a date not later than 1st December?

I am not aware that there has been a great inflow of foreign-made Coronation goods; the Import Duties Advisory Committee stated in their recent report that their inquiries did not show that any considerable importation of such goods had yet developed. In any case, having regard to the terms of the Anglo-French and Anglo-German Trade Agreements the increased duty on important classes of these goods could only be imposed with the consent of the French and German Governments. These Governments have consented, in view of the special circumstances, to waive their rights under the Trade Agreements, and the date of operation, 15th December, is part of the understanding which has been reached with them. It is not, therefore, possible to bring these duties into operation at an earlier date.

In the arrangement of future oversea trade agreements, will my hon. Friend see that embarrassing conditions of this kind will not be embodied?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the people who are ordering these goods are those who are on the means test at the present time?

asked the Lord President of the Council, (1) whether, in view of the fact that at recent great events in Westminster Abbey a broadcast was allowed and still photographs permitted, he will make arrangements to have a cinema record of the Coronation made, the Abbey authorities or the Government to select the company to make the record of this ceremony;

The matters referred to in these two questions are under consideration. Until experiments have gone a little further perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to allow me to say nothing more at present.

asked the Minister of Health the number of houses in respect of which guarantees have been given by rural district councils in England and Wales under Section 2 of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933, and the approximate rentals of such houses?

Rural district councils in England and Wales, up to 30th September, 1936, had given guarantees in respect of 1,859 houses under the enactment mentioned by the hon. Member. The weekly rentals of these houses varied from 7s. 6d. to 12s., exclusive of rates, the average weekly rental being 8s. 10d.

asked the Minister of Health the number of building societies in England and Wales which are prepared at the present time to make advances on mortgage to house builders with the assistance of guarantees from the local authorities under the terms of the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1933?

My right hon. Friend is unable to give any precise figure, but he understands that building societies in general are prepared to make advances where a guarantee from the local authority is forthcoming.

asked the Minister of Labour whether steps will be taken forthwith to withdraw the instructions now in force with regard to the conduct of officers of the Ministry in Employment Exchanges, which lay down that such officers shall in no circumstances volunteer information or suggest to applicants for work the desirability of enlisting in His Majesty's Forces, in view of the implied slur cast on His Majesty's Forces and of the desirability of men without a job being informed of the advantages of a career in the armed forces of the Crown?

This instruction casts no slur on His Majesty's Forces, as is obvious from the fact that recruiting posters are exhibited at the Employment Exchanges and assistance is given there to men seeking information as to service in the Forces. The question of recruiting in all its aspects is, however, being carefully considered.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware of the recent public statement made by the Prime Minister that there is no more manly or honourable career than service in the Army, and does he not consider it desirable that these instructions should be withdrawn?

asked the Minister of Labour the average length of time that sailors, soldiers, and airmen, respectively, remain unemployed after the termination of their period of regular service?

I regret that this information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, as a result of his recent visit to South Wales, steps will now be taken to abolish the family means test, seeing that it adds to the poverty existing in the distressed areas?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the widespread feeling which exists in all parts of the House concerning the suffering of the unemployed, he will take steps to suspend the new unemployment assistance regulations where their effect is to reduce existing allowances?

I will, if I may, answer numbers 54 and 56 together.

As No. 56 raises an entirely different question, may I ask that it should be taken separately?

In answer to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey), I would refer him to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Whiteley) last Thursday.

That reply cannot apply to this question. Does not the Minister consider that everything should be done that the Government can do to reduce poverty in the distressed areas? Will he answer that?

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the visit of the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Labour to South Wales has created great expectations, and are we to understand that these are to be disappointed?

Perhaps hon. Members will study the reply which I gave last Thursday, and then, if necessary, put down further questions.

Has the Parliamentary Secretary's right hon. Friend seen anything during his tour of South Wales to justify a change?

I have not seen my right hon. Friend since he returned from his visit.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the widespread feeling which exists in all parts of the House concerning the suffering of the unemployed, he will take steps to suspend the new unemployment assistance regulations where their effect is to reduce existing allowances?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Blaydon (Mr. Whiteley) last Thursday.

This question was first put to the Prime Minister and was referred to the Minister of Labour. Now the Minister of Labour has referred it to the Parliamentary Secretary. Are they afraid to reply? May I ask whether it is not a fact that unemployment has increased during the last four months, particularly in South Wales, since these Regulations went through the House; and does not that justify a change in the policy of the Government in view of the widespread concern that is felt in the country?

As far as I am aware it is a common Parliamentary custom to collate questions. If the hon. Member studies the reply which I gave last Thursday I think he will see that it is an adequate reply?

Is not the effect of the reply that the recent visit to South Wales will be followed up by universal reduction in unemployment allowances in that district?

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the continued high percentage of unemployment in South Wales, the Government will consider the appointment of an industrial commissioner for that area, with such powers as are necessary to assist in the improvement of existing industries and to make the necessary contact with other industrialists, with the view of inducing them to establish new industries in South Wales?

The Government have the question of the Special Areas under review in the light of the Third Report of the Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales) and of other suggestions which have been made from time to time. I cannot anticipate any proposals it may be decided to make.

May I ask whether the House has been put into possession of every report on the distressed areas that the late Commissioner submitted to the Government?

He has submitted three reports, all of which have been received and studied.

Has the attention of the Department been called to the fact that it is understood that during the recent visit of the Minister of Labour another unpublished report was discussed in South Wales Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House whether there is such a report, and, if so, whether it will be published to the Members of the House?

The Commissioner has sent three reports and all of them have been received and studied.

Has there been any communication which might not be called a report?

What does the Parliamentary Secretary mean when he says, "have been received and studied"? Studied by whom?

By my right hon. Friend.

Does that imply that there is one or more reports that have not been made available to Members?

Three official reports that the Commissioner has sent to my right hon. Friend have been received by him and have been studied by him.

Is there anything in the statement attributed to the late Commissioner that there is a private report? Are we to understand that such a private report was submitted?

I have already stated that three reports—