asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been drawn to the decoration of polling-booths with party slogans in the recent elections in Bombay; and whether it has been the custom in elections throughout India for polling-stations to be so decorated with party slogans?

I understand that polling booths in Bombay were not decorated with party slogans, and, so far as I am aware, this has not been the custom elsewhere in India.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the picture in the "Times," which shows a party slogan on one of these polling booths?

Perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman is confusing the polling booths with the agents' booths, which are usually adjacent to the polling booths, and are generally so decorated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India how many persons have been arrested and how many sentenced for taking the independence pledge during the elections; and whether any arrests have been or are likely to be made for reading out in public a statement of this pledge printed in official Government publications?

I have no information as to the number of arrests, if any, made in this connection. In view of the action taken by local governments in declaring copies of the independence pledge of 1930 to be forfeited, the Congress President cancelled his instructions that the reading of this pledge should form an essential part of the celebration of "Independence Day," so it is improbable that there was any large number of such arrests.

Will the hon. Gentleman give me a reply to the last portion of my question, in which I draw attention to the fact that the pledge has been printed in Government publications, and has, in fact, been read out on several occasions?

The hon. Member asked me a specific question about the independence pledge, and as the Congress President withdrew his instructions upon this point, I think it is very unlikely that any arrests were made.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any information regarding the last sentence in the question?

No, Sir, but I will certainly look into the matter again. I thought I had answered the points the hon. Gentleman put.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India why the Government of India has refused to implement sanctions granted by the Secretary of State for India in 1920 for certain allowances and privileges enjoyed by clerks employed in the civil secretariats of the Government of India to be also enjoyed by the clerical service at Army headquarters?

If the hon. Member will give me details of the allowances and privileges to which he refers I shall be glad to look into the matter.

May I take it that the hon. Gentleman will, in fact, investigate grievances, which, I assure him, are felt very strongly by this clerical class in India?

If the hon. Gentleman will give me particulars of the exact grievances he has in mind, I will do so. The only grievance that I can connect with the matter is one entertained by the ex-military class which was civilianised in 1920, and which was remedied in 1928.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent agreement made between the Government of Czechoslovakia and representatives of the German minority in that country will in any way assist His Majesty's Government in their efforts to secure a general European settlement?

I am awaiting a full report on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Russian wireless station known as Radio Moscow is broadcasting messages in English and expressed as being for English listeners, inviting them to send questions upon political matters to which a reply is promised, and asking that such listeners should communicate with Radio Moscow any criticisms they may have of the programmes; and, in view of the fact that when these broadcasts in English were first instituted it was stated that their purpose was solely to instruct Russians in the use of the English language, whether any assurance to this effect was given to His Majesty's Government; and if so, whether he will take up this matter with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics?

As regards the character of the messages broadcast in English from Radio Moscow, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply returned on 9th November last to a similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Bilston. According to my information, the Moscow station extends a general invitation to listeners to communicate to the office of the station any criticisms or observations they may have to make on any item in the programmes. These programmes, however, are not specifically political in character. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware that, when these broadcasts were instituted, it was definitely stated that their purpose was solely to instruct Soviet citizens in the English language. No assurance to that effect has been given by the Soviet Government. As regards the last part of the question, if my hon. Friend can furnish me with evidence showing that any particular broadcast contained a direct attack on the Government or institutions of this country, I will certainly undertake to consider the question of representations.

Is it not open to the hon. Member himself to send his criticisms to Moscow if he wishes to do so?

Is it not the fact that there is an expressed international agreement against political messages being sent in international broadcasts?

Yes, Sir, but I must have the evidence before I can take action. I am bound to say that the continuance of the broadcasts in their present form do not seem to me to form a suitable subject for complaint.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether our broadcasts satisfy the people in other parts of the world?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any communication has been received from the Italian Government with regard to their being represented at His Majesty's Coronation?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Ethiopian representative in London has informed him who will represent Ethiopia at the Coronation ceremonies?

It is the intention of His Majesty's Government, at the earliest practicable moment, to publish a complete list of foreign representatives at the Coronation. Perhaps the hon. Members will be good enough to await this.

Can my right hon. Friend say why Abyssinia was asked?

The invitation was issued in accordance with precedent, which is based entirely on the de jure position. It would be a mistake to attach special political significance to a matter of purely normal procedure.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will make representations with a view to securing that the decorations and illuminations on the occasion of the Coronation shall remain during the week ending 22nd May, in view of the large number of persons desiring to visit London and the many arrangements that have been made to enable them to do so during this week?

It is proposed that the street decorations erected by the Office of Works shall remain in place until Thursday, 27th May, unless the weather conditions are such as to render them unsightly prior to that date. For the reasons stated in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Westbury (Mr. Grimston) on the 15th of last month, my Noble Friend regrets that it is not possible to extend the period of flood-lighting beyond that proposed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received sufficient information from the representative of His Majesty's Government in Spain to make an estimate of the numbers of men and nationalities of foreigners at present taking part in the Spanish civil war either on the side of the Government or General Franco; and whether he can give particulars as to the manner in which these nationalities and numbers are made up?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my noble Friend on l0th February to a question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for South Paddington (Vice-Admiral Taylor) to which I have nothing to add.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of the numbers at all, as the answer to which he refers says that the numbers were about equal?

If the hon. Member will refer to that answer, he will see that it says:

"such reports as can be obtained regarding the arrival of foreigners in Spain are already being received but…the material available is not sufficiently complete to enable His Majesty's Government to make any accurate estimates of the numbers of men involved."—[OFFICIAL REPORT, l0th February, 1937; col. 377, Vol. 320.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give details of the arrangements which have been made to prevent the passing into Spain of volunteers across the Franco-Spanish frontier; and whether he will call for any report on this matter from British diplomatic representatives in the vicinity?

The French Government, in accordance with the agreement of the Governments concerned to extend their non-intervention undertakings to cover the despatch of volunteers to Spain, have put into force strict regulations designed to prevent the passage of volunteers over the Franco-Spanish frontier. The Non-Intervention Committee, as my hon. Friend is aware, have under active consideration a supervision scheme, which will, I understand, cover the Franco-Spanish frontier. I do not, therefore, consider it necessary to call for a special report from His Majesty's representatives on this question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that volunteers are being enlisted in Paris to-day for the Spanish Government?

I am not aware of anything of the kind, but I am aware that the French Government have issued very stringent regulations, and I deprecate any suggestions that they are not being carried out.

May I ask whether Spaniards coming from Bilbao to Bayonne can be repatriated through Perpignan?

I should like notice of that question. I may tell the hon. Gentleman that our Consul-General at Marseilles who is, naturally, in close touch with these regulations, has already informed me that no British subject is allowed to enter Spain from France.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the unreliability of the Spanish news received from news agencies and journals, he will state what reliable sources of information the Foreign Office have on happenings in Spain; and whether he will place such information before the public from time to time by means of the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Press?

Such information as is available in the Foreign Office regarding events in Spain is derived from reports from His Majesty's diplomatic and consular officers in that country and from reports from His Majesty's ships stationed in Spanish waters. It is already the practice of the Foreign Office to make available to the Press and to the British Broadcasting Corporation such information derived from these sources as is suitable for publication.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the Press and the British Broadcasting Corporation have made full use of this information?

That is a matter for them, and not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as there are precedents for recognising the belligerency of both sides in a civil war while according diplomatic recognition to only one, and as General Franco is not yet regarded as a belligerent by this country, he will give this House some guidance as to the conditions under which His Majesty's Government would be prepared to recognise him as a belligerent?

I regret that I cannot undertake to enter into a discussion of hypothetical circumstances. In view, however, of the existence of the International Committee and the measures resulting from its activities, I would deprecate too close an analogy between the present dispute and other disputes of the kind which my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to counteract the misleading impression which has been created not only in Spain but throughout Europe and America that this country favours the present Government in Valencia, he will take steps to make it clear that this country maintains its position of neutrality.

The full support which His Majesty's Government have given to the principle of non-intervention in Spain and the part which they have played in the activities of the Non Intervention Committee, together with the humanitarian activities which His Majesty's Government have undertaken in many parts of Spain on behalf of Spaniards irrespective of their political opinions, have already made it sufficiently clear that their attitude towards present events in Spain is one of strict impartiality.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean by that that he, in fact, recognises the actual Government of Madrid to be the de facto and the de jure Government?

The Government's attitude towards that, I think, is already quite clear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that the policy of non-intervention by European Powers in the Spanish war is now being effectively applied so far as it relates to the provision of men, material and financial support to the rebel forces?

The right hon. Gentleman will be aware of the measures which, as a result of agreement in the International Committee, have recently been taken with this aim in view. I am convinced that since the ban imposed on 20th February on the despatch of volunteers and the acceptance by the Powers of the Control Scheme shortly to come into force, a great advance has been made towards the complete cessation of intervention in Spain. The question of financial aid to the two parties in Spain is not at present covered by the non-intervention undertakings of the various Powers concerned, but is the subject of examination by the committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the explosion of a floating mine near Gibraltar involving injury to a Union-Castle liner; whether he can say who laid the mine; and what steps he intends to take to prevent the possibility of a recurrence?

Yes, Sir; such information as I have at present leads me to suppose that the mine in question was a moored mine laid by the insurgent authorities in Spanish territorial waters in the vicinity of Cape Creus. The investigation into the circumstances is not yet complete, and I am not at present in a position to say what action will be taken. A warning has, however, been broadcast to British ships that mining in Spanish territorial waters has been intensified and that they enter such waters at considerable risk.

Is it the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to make strong representations to the insurgents against this danger to British shipping?

I should like a complete report, but I would point out that this is in Spanish territorial waters.

Are these Spanish territorial waters controlled by the rebels or by the Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will take steps, through the League of Nations Council, to obtain a discussion as to the best means of ending the Spanish war, with due regard to the people's right of self-determination and to the independence of the country?

I would remind the hon. Member that the Council of the League of Nations examined the Spanish situation last December under Article 11 of the Covenant. After considering the possibility of action such as is indicated in the hon. Member's question, the Council then affirmed that every State was under an obligation to refrain from intervening in the internal affairs of another State, referred to the activities of the Non-Intervention Committee and recommended League Members to spare no pains to render the non-intervention undertakings as stringent as possible. The hon. Member will be aware that, as the result of the Committee's labours, a scheme for the control of the Spanish frontiers by sea and land has recently been adopted and will shortly be put into operation. Every effort will be made, so far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, to render it as effective as possible. I can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government have the aspect of the situation, to which he refers, constantly in mind.

Is it not true that the present state of war in Spain constitutes al right on the part of the League to intervene, on the ground that a general European conflagration may arise from it; and had not the matter better be reexamined?

Fortunately, the dangers of a general European conflict have been considerably reduced in part owing to the action of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of recalling the foreign nationals already serving in the fighting forces in Spain has been considered by the Non-Intervention Committee; and whether steps are being taken in this direction?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my noble Friend gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Cambridge (Lieut.-Commander Tufnell) on 22nd February, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the enlistment during many months past of unemployed and other workers in Great Britain in the forces of the Spanish Government by Communist agents, who inter alia have displayed recruiting posters in the neighbourhood of Employment Exchanges; whether he is aware that many of such recruits are being despatched to Madrid on week-end tickets to Paris; and what steps are being taken in this matter?

Information has been received from time to time to the effect suggested in the first part of the question, but I have no knowledge of the display of recruiting posters. Any information that is received as to the soliciting of individuals is followed up, but the question what further action can be taken necessarily depends on whether evidence is forthcoming of the commission of an offence.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Members of Parliament are receiving quite a number of letters from the relatives of these unfortunate men who are in the fighting lines in Spain alleging that they were enlisted under false pretences on promises of £6 a week behind the lines?

Any information which any hon. Member cares to forward will certainly be considered.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform me whether passports are necessary for these week-end tickets, and if they are not, will he consider advising his right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary to reintroduce them?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the conditions and terms of recruitment of the British controllers or observers in Portugal who will assist in carrying out the Nonintervention Agreement?

These terms and conditions are now under consideration and have not yet been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement on the proposals made in Japan for the expansion of her naval construction in consequence of the new British re-armament proposals?

So far as I am aware, the Japanese Government have made no statement regarding naval construction since the re-armament proposals of His Majesty's Government contained in Command Papers 5368 and 5374.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the announcement made in America that they intend to increase their naval building programme because of yours, and will not that mean necessarily that Japan will increase hers?

I have not seen any such statement.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a statement in the "Times" to this effect?

The only statement I have seen was that the new Japanese Government soon after taking office announced their intention of somewhat reducing naval construction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look in the "New York Times" of 19th February?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will state, according to the figures that may be available, the amount spent on encouraging tourist traffic for the 10 months ended to the last convenient date by the Government of Great Britain, including the grants made to the Travel Association of Great Britain; and which foreign countries maintain State subsidised bureaux in Great Britain?

I cannot give figures for 10 months, but His Majesty's Government made a grant of £5,000 to the Travel and Industrial Development Association for the financial year 1936–37, ending on the 31st of this month. With regard to the second part of the question, a number of countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland, maintain State-subsidised bureaux in Great Britain.

Is it a fact that Continental countries have made much bigger grants than we do, and could we not increase the grants?

The present Government has made this country so attractive that an extra grant is not necessary.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps he proposes to take to balance agriculture so that farmers may devote their attention to large -scale production of wheat, beef, etc., instead of encroaching on market gardener's business?

The agricultural policy of the Government is designed to improve the position of the industry as a whole. In particular, the production of wheat and beef is being assisted by the Wheat Act and the Cattle Subsidy. Since 1931 the area under wheat in Great Britain has increased by 44 per cent. and the home production of beef by nearly 20 per cent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he agrees with the question on the fact that agriculture is unbalanced?

I am never quite certain what people mean by the unbalanced state of agriculture. It is a term to which people apply different meanings.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that large hatcheries, which in recent years have built up a large volume of business in supplying day-old chickens to poultry farmers, have had many thousands of orders cancelled in view of the present situation in the poultry industry; and whether he proposes to take any steps to ensure that the recent expansion of the British poultry industry is not imperilled?

I believe it to be true that in certain cases hatcheries have recently experienced a reduced demand for day-old chickens, but I am not aware that this state of affairs is in any way general. With regard to the last part of the question, I have nothing to add to recent replies on this subject.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the number of wireless receiving licences issued at the last convenient date; and, in view of the large number of cripples and people of small means who apply for wireless licences, will he consider whether these licences, in special circumstances, could be issued half-yearly or, alternatively, by giving facilities for needy people to pay for the same by two half-yearly instalments?

The number of wireless receiving licences in force on 31st January last was 8,071,464. The work of securing the annual renewal of this large number of licences is very heavy; and it is essential that the licensing machinery should be kept as simple as possible. The adoption of a system of half-yearly payments could hardly be restricted to needy persons, and would practically double the work of collection. This would involve a large amount of additional expense which would, it is considered, be out of proportion to the advantage derived.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the application of such an arrangement to those who are not able to find the full yearly licence in advance?

asked the Postmaster-General whether there is any practical difficulty in furnishing to the House of Commons Library daily verbatim reports of broadcasts, since Members of Parliament are unable, through lack of time, to check the complaints of constituents either by listening-in or by visiting the British Broadcasting Corporation?

The number of words broadcast weekly is substantially in excess of 400,000, and over 1,300 foolscap pages would be required for their reproduction. The task of compilation would involve a great amount of labour and for that reason, apart from any other, it does not seem to me reasonable to call upon the British Broadcasting Corporation to undertake it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that millions of people are reached by these broadcasts every day who do not trouble to read the most eloquent speeches made in this House, and is it not the duty of Members of Parliament to keep in touch with these broadcasts and see that they are run on proper lines?

The difficulty is not with the people who hear the broadcasts, but the people who hear unfair accounts of them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider arranging with the First Commissioner of Works to have at least one room in the House where we could listen to the broadcasts?

That is not for me to decide, but I will consider the right hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

Is it not possible at least to place in the Library reports of the news as sent out by the British Broadcasting Corporation, because that would not involve nearly 400,000 words?

Surely if we get wrong accounts of what is broadcast, why should we not have the right account if we wish it to be sent here, no matter the number of words? A great many of us wish it.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether on any occasion the Department have submitted schemes for the retention of buildings of historical or architectural interest to local authorities in Scotland which were not accepted by these authorities; and whether he can give particulars of any such occasions, stating whether the refusal to accept such schemes was justified by substantial additional cost?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In regard to the second part, the local authorities who have not accepted such schemes during the last 10 years are the Corporation of Edinburgh, the County Council of Ayrshire and the Kirkwall Town Council, but I am not in a position to state whether the refusal to accept the schemes was justified by substantial additional cost.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, which local authorities, if any, in Scotland have consulted his Department on ancient monuments regarding the retention and preservation of old buildings condemned under housing schemes during the last 10 years?

The following is a list of the local authorities which have consulted the Office of Works regarding the retention and preservation of old buildings condemned or proposed to be condemned under housing schemes during the last o years, namely, the Corporation of Edinburgh, the town councils of Aberdeen, Stirling, Inverness, Linlithgow, Inverkeithing and Kirkcudbright, and the county council of Ayrshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can now state the result of any conversations between the representatives of the Government Departments and the representatives of the local authorities and interests concerned regarding the condition of Buck-haven harbour?

My right hon. Friend has been actively examining, in consultation with other Departments, the general situation which has arisen at Buckhaven in connection with the Colliery Bing on the foreshore. As the right hon. Member is aware, the condition of the harbour is only one part of a general problem. The conversations are still in progress and have not yet reached a stage at which I could usefully make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can give an assurance to the House that in any future trade agreement made with the Australian Government British manufacturers will be afforded reasonable facilities for fair competition in the Australian market?

It is doubtful whether any early negotiations are likely to be undertaken with His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia for a revision of the trade agreement concluded at Ottawa in 1932. The point mentioned by my hon. Friend has been noted.

Is it not the case that the Commonwealth of Australia gave us Imperial preference in 1903, 29 years before we did anything in return? Would not a little patience now be a good thing?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty by how much will the increase in the price of base metals, since the publication of the White Paper on 16th February, augment the cost of each of the three new capital ships to be built in 1937–38 above the cost of approximately £8,000,000 each for the two ships included in the 1936 new construction programme?

The figure of £8,000,000 for the new type of capital ship is a round sum estimate of complete building costs. On the information at present available, I foresee no appreciable difference in the costs of the 1937 capital ships as compared with those of the two ships included in the 1936 programme. Naturally any rise in the prices of base metals will be reflected in the price of ship construction, and this matter is being closely watched.

Will the Civil Lord lay before the House a White Paper giving the reasons for this extraordinary increase of £1,000,000 in these ships since 1926?

That matter will come up on the Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many of His Majesty's naval vessels were fuelled with coal in 1909 and what was the quantity of coal consumed by the Admiralty for the 12 months ended December, 1929; and how many naval vessels are now fuelled with coal and the quantity consumed for the year ended 1935?

I assume that the comparison intended is between the year 1909 and the present. Excluding small auxiliary craft such as trawlers and drifters, there were, in 1909, 447 vessels of the Royal Navy fitted to burn coal, and at present there are 51. In 1909 His Majesty's ships consumed 1,192,000 tons of coal and in 1935, 209,000 tons. In addition, shore services accounted for a further consumption of 168,000 tons in 1909 and 227,00o tons in 1935.

Have the Admiralty any intention of using more coal on their vessels in the future?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now considered the suggestion for the establishment of an unemployment camp in the New Forest under the direction of the Forestry Commissioners, whereby healthy employment could be provided in making good the footpaths, roads, and ditches in the forest which are urgently in need of repair?

As my right hon. Friend informed the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins) in reply to his question on 25th February, he is not at present contemplating the establishment of an instructional centre in the New Forest.

Will the hon. and gallant Member consider the establishment of such a camp, as the New Forest is eminently suitable for such a camp, especially if the existing camps are full up?

My right hon. Friend is of course prepared to consider the suggestion, but at the moment we have sufficient camps for the number of applicants.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to allocate a day for discussion of the Maybury report?

I have no doubt that this matter will be referred to during the Debate on the Air Estimates.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the last three occasions the House debated the Air Estimates it sat until an early hour in the morning, and does he not consider that by adding the Navy Estimates to the Air Estimates the House will have to sit later than usual?

I hope the hon. Member will be more fortunate.

asked the Prime Minister to whom questions should be addressed in order to obtain information as to the purchase price of lands acquired for the purpose of aerodromes by local authorities, and as to their value for purposes of Income Tax assessment?

Questions relating to the purchase price of land required for aerodromes by local authorities are, in so far as a loan consent by a Minister is necessary, matters for the Minister of Health. All questions relating to Income Tax assessment are a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am informed, however, that it is not the practice of the Board of Inland Revenue to make public the annual value of a particular property as assessed to Schedule A except to the owner or occupier or to the rating authority under the provisions of the Rating Acts.

Does not the Prime Minister think it is the duty of any Department to give the information asked for on a public question like this? Already seven questions have been put, and we have not got an answer?

I do not think it is my place to give an opinion on that particular matter, but as the hon. Member takes an interest in this subject, I suggest it may be raised in Debate on the suitable Estimate. It is a difficult matter to pursue by question and answer.

Is it not the fact that whenever we ask a question in this House relating to the purchase of land for armament purposes, we never get an answer?

Can the right hon. Gentleman confirm the statement that Income Tax assessment has no relation to value?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will reserve a sum of money for research to enable the Air Ministry to determine the value of seadromes before any private money is spent upon this enterprise?

I have been asked to reply. Careful consideration has been given to a number of schemes for the use of seadromes for trans-oceanic flights, but it does not appear that these offer sufficient advantages over the alternative experiments now in active preparation to justify the large additional expenditure involved in my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to collaborate with President Roosevelt for the purpose of reducing tariff barriers and securing disarmament, as methods of achieving the beginnings of peace, in view of the offer of collaboration for such purposes made on 23rd February by Mr. Eullitt, the United States Ambassador in Paris, on behalf of President Roosevelt?

His Majesty's Government at all times welcome the collaboration of the United States Government in reducing tariff barriers and in promoting such an appeasement of the international situation as might make it possible to pursue profitably the question of general disarmament.

In addition to welcoming offers of collaboration, will not the Prime Minister, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, actually get into touch with President Roosevelt and ascertain whether the United States Government really mean business when their representatives make such speeches?

I do not think I should put it in quite that form, but I think the hon. Member may trust my right hon. Friend to take whatever steps may be appropriate to achieve the desire shared by himself and by us.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that statesmen in all countries are continually making speeches advocating the necessity for co-operation, and is it not time that action was taken instead of making speeches?

Will the Prime Minister also bear in mind that we buy from the United States three times as much as we sell to them?

asked the Minister of Health what was the average number of dwellings built per week by the London County Council during the eight years ending 31st March, 1934, and the average number built since that date?

The number of dwellings built during the eight-year period referred to represents a weekly average of 103. The number built in the -period 1st April, 1934, to 31st January, 1937, represents a weekly average of approximately 97.

Do not these figures show that during the last three years, in spite of added encouragement from the Government, the building record of the London County Council has actually slightly deteriorated?

Is it in order for an lion. Member to use this House for the purpose of propaganda on the eve of the London County Council elections?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a copy of the report in connection with the sale of girl slaves in Hong Kong and the Malay States; whether the report will be circulated to Members of the House; and whether the Government have accepted the recommendations put forward by the committee on this question?

The report of the recent Commission on Mui Tsai, who, I may say, are not girl slaves, has been published to-day and copies of the report and of the evidence have been placed in the Library of the House. The recommendations in the report will receive my careful consideration in consultation with the Governments in Hong Kong and Malaya.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give full consideration to the recommendations of the minority as well as the majority report before arriving at a decision?

My duty, and also the duty of the Government of Hong Kong, is to examine both reports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade in connection with the application of the Draft Convention on Seamen's Hours of Work to ships between 2,000 and 2,500 gross registered tons, how many ships are there in the British Mercantile Marine whose gross registered tonnage is between 2,000 and 2,500 tons?

The number of vessels registered under Part I of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894, of 2,000 tons and under 2,500 tons gross that remained on the register at ports in the United Kingdom on the 31st December, 1935, the latest date for which the information is available, was 158.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he is aware that, consequent upon the operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, merchant vessels are unable to obtain supplies of British coal at recognised coaling stations, particularly in the Mediterranean, and are compelled to take foreign supplies; and, having regard to the representations made by the Government to the shipping industry urging a greater utilisation of coal for bunkering so as to assist the British coal mining industry, whether he will undertake immediately to revise the regulations under the said Act to ensure that there shall be no restrictions on the production, distribution, and shipment of coal destined to stock depots at recognised coaling stations;

(2) whether he is aware that, consequent upon the operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, merchant vessels are experiencing difficulty in obtaining supplies of bunker coal at home bunker ports; that in some cases owners have had to divert their vessels from British ports to the Continent to obtain bunker supplies; and whether, having regard to the representations made by the Government to the shipping industry urging a greater utilisation of coal for bunkering, so as to assist the British coal mining industry, he will undertake immediately to revise the regulations under the said Act to remove all restrictions in connection with the production and distribution of coal destined for use as ships' bunkers?

I am aware that there are difficulties in obtaining supplies of coal for bunkering purposes, but I do not agree that they are consequent on the operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930. In these circumstances, I am not prepared to take the action suggested in the second parts of the questions. I would add that no complaint that the shortage of coal for bunkering purposes is due to the operation of the schemes in force under the 1930 Act has been lodged with any of the committees of investigation set up under Section 5 of that Act.

Is the Minister aware that cases are happening every day of boats being unable to get coal, and is it not also a fact that the Government have asked British shipowners to use British coal, and that by this Act the ships are unable to get supplies; and will he see whether some action cannot be taken so that they can get supplies without having to go to foreign ports and get foreign coal?

I do not think the hon. Baronet can have grasped the significance of my answer, because I said that in my opinion that was not the case. The reason it is difficult to get coal at the moment is that, for once in a way, the demand is in excess of the supply for many purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many new nursery schools have been built by the London County Council since 3rst March, 1934?

No new nursery schools have been built by the London County Council since 31st March, 1934. The plans of a new school in Bermondsey are at present under consideration.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the building of nursery schools was an outstanding feature in the programme of the Socialists in 1934?

Can the hon. Gentleman tell me how many nursery classes have been set up during the last three years, and will the hon. Gentleman also say that no nursery schools have ever been built by the Tories in London?

asked the Home Secretary by whom an investigation was carried out into the observations of the Cambridge Scientists Anti-War Group; what were the results of such investigation; and what were the criticisms which have been made on these observations?

The investigation to which the hon. Member refers was carried out by the Chemical Defence Research Department and the Chemical Defence Research Committee. In regard to the second and third parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 22nd February.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Cambridge scientists have no connection with the Communist party?

Is it not the case that these gentlemen held very strong political views and then tried to prove that they were correct by investigations in the laboratories at the University?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any similar action has been taken by the University of Oxford?

asked the Home Secretary whether prisoners in any of His Majesty's prisons are allowed to write letters to their relatives and friends in any other language than English?

Yes, Sir. Special arrangements are occasionally made for the censoring of letters written by prisoners whose ordinary language is not English.

Is there any ground for the statement recently made that, at the public expense a special interpreter has been engaged at Wormwood Scrubs Prison in order that the Welsh gentlemen recently convicted of arson can correspond with their families in Welsh?

No, Sir. I think the prison officer concerned was one in the prison who understood Welsh.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the recent cases of suspected sabotage in factories engaged in the rearmament programme both by fires and disorganisation of machinery; and whether he will give assurances that suitable efforts to counteract this danger will be taken?

Yes, Sir; the attention of my right hon. Friend has been called to this matter, and my hon. Friend may be assured that appropriate action is being taken by the responsible authorities.

If I send the hon. Member particulars of several cases in my possession, will he have a full inquiry made?

Certainly.

When the hon. Member receives that information, will he publish it in this House, and will he also be good enough to give the names of the factories?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that officers at Wormwood Scrubs prison interfered on 11th February last with the Discharged Prisoners' Association by instructing that association to refuse to a sympathiser a copy of its last annual report; and will he state what authority was given to such officer?

I do not know to what the hon. Member is referring. If he will send me further particulars I will have inquiries made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the substantial increase in the profits of many firms engaged directly and indirectly in the manufacture of armaments during the last 12 months; and whether he will consider including some form of excess profits duty in his next Budget?

I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that in the event of excess profits being made, he will at some future date introduce such legislation?

I cannot add anything to my answer.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question—whether there were any substantial increases in profits?

The right hon. Gentleman is aware that my right hon. Friend is aware of all relevant considerations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Government intend to introduce special legislation to tax profits in speculative commodity transactions so as to prevent the profiteering now taking place out of the rearmament programme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given last Thursday to a question by the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence) regarding the market in metals. I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount received in respect of retail licence duties under Section 6 of the Finance Act, 1911, in October, 1936, with the corresponding figure for October, 1935?

The amounts in question were respectively £1,033,660 and £1, 069, 964.

asked the Chancellor of -the Exchequer whether he will allocate special sums out of the Defence Loan for the creation of non-wasting assets such as aerodromes; and whether he will remember in particular the strategic position of Birmingham and the backward condition of its defences in planning for the future?

As stated in the Memorandum on the Resolution (Command Paper No. 5368), the sums to be isued from the Consolidated Fund will be appropriated in aid of those Defence Votes which will bear the major part of the exceptional expenditure envisaged in the programme: they will not, however, be specifically allocated to particular works in the manner my hon. and gallant Friend suggests. As regards the second part of the question, inquiry should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the present rate of interest on advances made by the Public Works Loan Board to local authorities in England and Wales for the purposes of housing; and whether any early alteration in the present rate is contemplated by the Treasury?

The present minimum rate of interest on loans to local authorities, which applies to housing loans, out of the Local Loans Fund is 3i per cent. In reply to the second part of the question, the position is being watched, but I am not able to make any further statement at present.

Has this rate of interest been varied recently?

Not very recently, but I cannot give the exact date without notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to the amount borrowed by the London County Council for the enormous number of houses they have in course of construction?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given further and favourable consideration to the demand for more adequate cross-river traffic east of Newcastle than river ferries; and, as the proposed tunnel presents no engineering difficulties, is he prepared to support the same?

My right hon. Friend has already promised considerable grants for the improvement of traffic facilities in this area. He has offered to contribute 60 per cent. towards the working expenses and outstanding loan charges of the Jarrow-Howdon Ferry, a grant of 50 per cent. of the approved cost of the abolition of tolls on both the Redheugh and high level bridges over the Tyne, and a grant of 60 per cent. towards the approved cost of purchase of the vehicle and passenger ferries over the Tyne between Tynemouth and South Shields. The annual contribution to the Jarrow-Howdon Ferry would be approximately £9,200 per annum, and the estimated cost of the other improvements is in the neighbourhood of £355,000. He is also prepared to consider any submissions for the construction of a new by-pass road on the west of Newcastle-on-Tyne and the construction of a new bridge at Scotswood, as such a scheme would appear to be the most satisfactory method of reducing existing congestion and facilitating through traffic between north and south.

Is the Minister aware that ferries were in use on that part of the Tyne in the Middle Ages; and does he not think that the time has arrived for something more modern?

My right hon. Friend is endeavouring to improve the communications there, and he thinks that the arrangements which I have outlined are the best in the circumstances.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman draw his right hon. Friend's attention to the fact that Scotswood Bridge does not help the communications between North and South Shields at all?

It does help the communications between the North and South of England.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of licences for relay exchanges given during 1936; the number of licences not renewed; and the total number at the latest convenient date?

During the year 1936 one new relay exchange licence was issued and four licences lapsed owing to the closing of the exchanges. The total number of licences in force on 31st December, 1936, was 333. Arrangements are being made for the renewal of these licences for a further period of three years, subject to compliance with certain conditions; and with the addition of one new licence issued since 31st December last the total will be 334.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of employés in the London district of the Post Office engineering department who were absent through illness, and the average duration of such illness, for the years 1934, 1935 and 1936, and the number of employés employed for each of the aforementioned years?

As the information asked for contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Postmaster-General the number by which the staff of the Post Office engineering department at Bristol has been increased since the month of November, 1936?

The increase during the three months ended 1st February was 64, or approximately 10 per cent.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the intention of His Majesty's Government with regard to the findings of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of Arms?

I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to make a statement on this subject.

Will it be before the rising of the House for the Easter Recess?

I hope so.