asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what percentage of the total revenues of India was provided by Customs duties on cotton goods in the fiscal years 1911–12 and 1936–37; and what proportion of this percentage was borne on cotton goods imported from Japan and Great Britain, respectively, during each of the same Customs years?

Customs duties on cotton manufacturers accounted for approximately if per cent. of the total revenues of India (Central and Provincial) in 1911–12, and for approximately 2½ per cent. in 1934–35, the latest year for which accounts figures are available. As regards the second part of the question, I regret the information is not available.

Will the hon. Member use his best endeavours to set up an independent tribunal to study this question, and thereby remove what we think is the undue influence of the millowners of Bombay?

Can we get some sort of provision about this duty between China and this country? It is important that we should know that.

That raises rather broad matters which do not arise out of the figures I have been asked to give.

The figures are doubled. Surely something could be done in that respect?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give details of the murder of Lieutenant Beatty, acting-assistant political officer in Waziristan, on 7th February; and whether this officer, who was carrying a large sum of money to pay the tribesmen, was provided with an adequate escort?

I am circulating a report which my Noble Friend received by telegraph from the Government of India giving full details of the murder. Lieutenant Beatty was provided with an escort consisting of three armed orderlies in his own car and another two armed orderlies in a lorry immediately behind. A number of the men believed to be guilty of the murder surrendered to the British authorities on 13th March.

Is it not a fact that another British officer was murdered in Waziristan on the preceding day? Who was responsible for allowing this young officer to go in a small saloon closed car, with an inadequate escort, and carrying over £2,000?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will await the report which I am circulating he will see the circumstances in which this regrettable affair occurred. I think an escort of this strength, in the circumstances, was usual and perfectly normal.

When you consider the conditions in Waziristan, where they had to go along a narrow road with high hills on either side, and these people were fired on at eight yards' distance, how could he protect himself? There ought to have been an armoured car in front.

If the hon. and gallant Member will read the report to be circulated, he will see the exact circumstances of this sad affair.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India particulars of the treaties entered into between His Majesty's Government and the Arab States of Koweit, Bahrein, Quator, and the Trucial coast of the Persian Gulf; and to what extent His Majesty's Government have agreed to supply armed forces to protect these territories?

Particulars of the treaties in question are contained in Volume XI of Aitchison's Collection of Treaties, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. As regards the second part of the hon. Member's question, the extent to which His Majesty's Government would employ armed forces to fulfil their obligations in respect of the protection of these States would of course depend upon the nature and extent of the aggression.

Can the hon. Member say whether these States have undertaken to supply any armed forces to the British Empire?

That raises another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that a nation-wide cessation of work has been declared for 1st April; whether he is aware that this represents and will be interpreted as popular hostility to the new constitution; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

I am aware that the Indian National Congress, at their session at Faizpur last December, passed a resolution calling for a hartal or cessation of work on 1st April as an expression of hostility to the new constitution. I have no statement to make on this matter.

Does not the hon. Member realise that in view of the fact that the Congress candidates have been returned by overwhelming majorities, that the decision of Congress to which he refers will be implemented on the date to which I refer?

I would remind the hon. Member that one-day hartals are not a new or uncommon form of demonstration in India, and I do not think that undue significance need be attached to this decision.

Does not the hon. Member agree that it would indicate hostility to the constitution?

I think that view has been expressed by certain members of the Congress before.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the attempt that is being made by Messrs. Cowasjee and Sons, Karachi, to obtain a monopoly of all stevedoring work at the Karachi docks; and, in view of the danger of such a monopoly to British and other shipping interests and to dock labourers, will he represent to the Dock and Harbour Board the need for stabilising charges and dock labourers' wages?

I have no information beyond that supplied to me by the hon. Member and my Noble Friend considers that the matter is not one in which he should intervene.

In view of the possible dangers to British shipping, does the hon. Member not think that the suggestions contained in the last part of the question ought to apply to British interests?

I appreciate the hon. Member's efforts in studying British interests, but I have not been able to see so far that the information supplied to my Noble Friend would justify any intervention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is now in a position to provide a statement showing full returns of the Indian elections, specifying the number of Congress successes in each province?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to a question asked by the hon. Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Sir N. Stewart Sandeman) on 8th March, which will give him the information he requires. My Noble Friend proposes in due course to present a return showing the results in fuller detail.

As this is the first election under the new Constitution, will the final results be available in an official report?

The final results will be given by my Noble Friend in a White Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give any information respecting the strike in the Calcutta jute mills; and what other strikes are taking place in India at the moment?

On 24th February 6,000 workers of the Budge-Budge jute mill struck as a protest against the dismissal of four weavers for inefficiency. Since then a considerable number of operatives in several other mills have gone on strike, partly in sympathy with the Budge-Budge workers and partly on other grounds, including a demand for increase of wages. I am informed that the situation is peaceful. The hon. Member will appreciate that it is not practicable to give an accurate reply to the second half of his question, but I am not aware of any other important strike.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will call for reports from British consular and other authorities in China concerning the smuggling of drugs into China by Japanese nationals, and place such reports in the Library of the House of Commons?

British Consular and other authorities periodically furnish information on this subject. Such information is supplied to the representative of His Majesty's Government on the League Opium Advisory Committee for such action as may seem useful and desirable, and the question of publicity is one which is determined by the League itself. I understand that in practice the proceedings and reports of the Opium Advisory Committee are published.

Is the Noble Lord aware that drugs other than opium are at issue in this matter, and is he aware that there are very circumstantial reports that the Japanese authorities are actually encouraging this traffic in drugs among Chinese nationals?

I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that His Majesty's Government are keeping this matter constantly under observation.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to make any representations with regard to the injustice suffered by a British subject in Shanghai who, on applying to the Chinese courts for judgment against a defaulting mortgagor, after allowing for the cost of successive appeals by the defence and other litigation, was last year obliged to accept a settlement involving a loss of, approximately, 30,000 dollars on his original loan of 75,000 dollars?

I am expecting a report from His Majesty's Ambassador.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ask His Majesty's Ambassador in China for a report giving the precise state of the Chinese law with regard to powers of sale and foreclosure against a defaulting Chinese mortgagee, stating, in particular, what rights of appeal have been granted to the defendants in recent cases; and whether security for costs has to be provided by either the plaintiff or defendant before an appeal is allowed?

Chinese legal procedure regarding mortgaged property is governed by the relevant Articles of the Code of Civil Procedure, supplemented by various rulings given by the Judicial Yuan. His Majesty's Ambassador has already furnished me with reports dealing with developments in the position, and will no doubt continue to do so without further instructions. The Civil Code provides for three stages of appeal until the case finally comes before the Supreme Court, but in this connexion I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for North Dorset (Sir C. Hanbury) on 8th March. As regards security for costs, I am informed that no such security is required before an appeal is allowed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the expected amelioration in the smuggling into North China has been realised?

According to the latest figures which I have received, there has been a sensible diminution in the value and volume of goods smuggled into North China.

Is the Noble Lord aware that in a period of three months over 1,500 lorries passed through the Customs barrier at Tientsin under Japanese protection, and that there has been extensive smuggling?

His Majesty's Government are fully aware that there has been smuggling, and all I can say is that there has been a sensible diminution of it.

Will the Noble Lord direct his efforts to seeing that the diminution continues in greater measure?

We are doing so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received the report on the recent agreement made between the Czechoslovakian Government and representatives of their German minority; and, if so, whether he will make a statement?

Yes, Sir. The agreement which has been reached with the smaller parties in the German minority provides for a measure of alleviation in the German-speaking districts, particularly in the economic field. His Majesty's Government naturally welcome any action likely to promote the internal well-being of a friendly State.

Might not the Noble Lord also welcome this agreement as useful contribution to the peace of Europe, having regard to the possible friction that might have taken place between Germany and Czechoslovakia on this question?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, having regard to the fact that there are no sanctions attaching to the failure to carry out the provisions of the Protocol of 1925 dealing with the use of poison gas in time of war, he will approach the Powers, both inside and outside the League, as to whether they would be prepared to enter into a definite treaty with proper sanctions in the case of evasion against this form of warfare?

I have much sympathy with the aim which my hon. Friend wishes to achieve, but I fear that there is little prospect in present circumstances of international agreement being reached on the lines suggested.

If it is considered impossible to secure agreement among the Powers to prohibit this inhuman and barbarous form of warfare, is any really useful purpose secured in continuing a League of Nations for the prevention of war in general?

Will the Noble Lord indicate to the House what kind of warfare is not barbarous?

What country took the initiative in the manufacture of poison Las after the War?

Does not the Noble Lord agree that this is a much more barbarous form of warfare than others?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the countries which have signed and ratified the 1925 Geneva Poison Gas Protocol; what countries have not signed that Protocol; and what countries are known to have taken defensive measures against a possible enemy gas attack?

As regards the first two parts of the question, I will with my hon. Friend's permission circulate the desired information in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the last part, His Majesty's Government have information that defensive measures against a possible enemy gas attack have been taken in almost all countries in Europe, as well as in certain other countries.

Do the signatories include all the great European Powers?

As far as the last part of the answer is concerned, all countries are included, with the exception of Finland and Greece.

Can the Noble Lord state in his official reply what countries have manufactured or are manufacturing poison gas at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the note received from the Spanish insurgent authorities referring to the situation on the borders of Spanish Morocco?

This matter is still under consideration and I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

May I ask when he will be able to make a statement?

I am afraid I cannot say, but at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a reply from the rebel Government at Salamanca with reference to the acts of piracy by which Spanish ships loaded with British-owned iron ore for Great Britain were stopped and taken to rebel ports; whether the cargoes have now been released; and whether he will make it clear that in future such action will not be tolerated as it has no justification in international law?

I understand that a report from His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye as to the result of the representations which have been made, is on its way. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government will certainly make their attitude equally clear in any similar cases which may arise.

Has the Noble Lord any information as to whether this ore has been sent to Germany, or not?

I would like to have notice of that question.

Will His Majesty's Government recommend the trade mission which is at present in Spain to raise this question?

Have these cargoes, which are so important to this country, been released? Do they not belong to consignors in this country?

If the hon. Gentleman will await the report, he will be able to get full information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any protest will be made to the Spanish Government with regard to the recent attempt to smuggle arms into the country from the United States of America by the re-naming of the Spanish vessel "Mar Cantabrico" as the "Adda," of Newcastle, and by the use of the British flag on that ship?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the danger to British shipping which must ensue if Spanish ships camouflage themselves like the "Mar Cantabrico" as British liners to avoid capture, he has made or will make representations to the Spanish Government to stop this practice, as being an abuse of international law?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any reports of foreign vessels carrying arms to Spanish ports which have sailed under unauthorised British names or incorrectly used British ships radio call-signals?

Distress signals from a vessel using the call sign of the British steamship "Adda" were picked up by His Majesty's ships in North Spanish waters on 8th March. Destroyers were sent immediately to her assistance, but before their arrival it was learnt that the ship in question was foreign and is understood to have been the Spanish steamship "Mar Cantabrico" His Majesty's ships therefore returned to harbour. The employment of ruses such as the use of a neutral flag by a merchant ship in order to escape capture by an enemy is a right which is well-established under international law, and this case would not, therefore, justify representations such as those suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, under the control plan of the Non-Intervention Committee, any provisions exist to prevent the rebels or the Spanish Government buying ships with which to import cargoes of arms or volunteers and thereby defeating the object of the scheme?

The sale of ships to the contending parties in Spain is not prohibited by the Non-Intervention Agreement, but I can assure the hon. Member that the point which he raises will not be lost sight of.

Can the Noble Lord tell us which party refused the original plan for control at the ports, which would have avoided this very large loophole?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper, but I can assure him that this particular point is not being lost sight of.

Is the Noble Lord aware that it is not so much a question of it being lost sight of, but of what is going to be done about it?

Is the matter under consideration by the Non-Intervention Committee, or is it being dealt with in some other way?

I cannot go further than what I have said at the moment, but I would repeat that it is not being lost sight of.

Does this not show how difficult collective security is?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider asking, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, or through the Non-Intervention Committee, for assurances from General Franco that in the event of his forces capturing Madrid the lives of non-combatants will be protected?

Both the Spanish Government and the insurgent authorities are fully aware of the views of His Majesty's Government with regard to the security of non-combatants.

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it desirable to take some measures for seeing that there shall not be a repetition of the indiscriminate massacre of non-combatants by Italian troops such as took place in Addis Ababa?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received reports concerning the fortification with strong batteries of German guns of the strip of coast between Algeciras and Tarifa; and whether he has considered whether these batteries, in combination with the other German batteries west of Ceuta, may constitute a menace to the security of the Mediterranean route to India?

I understand that the insurgents have installed a number of shore batteries on the coast near Algeciras, but I have no evidence that they are equipped with German guns. I have no information that the Moroccan coast west of Ceuta has been fortified.

Will not the Minister make inquiries as to whether it is the case that these are strong batteries of German guns; and will he reply to that part of the question which asks whether this would not be a menace to the safety of the route to India?

The hon. Lady asked, were not the two facts mentioned jointly a menace? I say we have no information as to the second fact, and, therefore, the third part of her question does not arise.

Will the Noble Lord find out through Gibraltar what the facts are; and can he not do something to improve the intelligence service which seems to be failing in every respect and every department?

We get such information as is available, but hon. Members must not think that in the completely abnormal situation which exists in that part of the world, it is possible to get complete information.

How far is it from Gibraltar to Algeciras?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the possibility of recalling foreign troops and volunteers from Spain was last considered by the Non-Intervention Committee; whether any progress has been made; whether he is still prepared to state that no foreign troops or volunteers have been landed in Spain since the ban on them was signed on 20th February; and, as it is inconsistent with the ban that foreign troops, estimated in the case of Italy to number 100,000, should still be participating in the fighting, whether he will use his utmost endeavours to bring such a state of affairs to an end?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I understand that the Chairman's Sub-Committee of the Non-Intervention Committee has had the matter under consideration and, as the hon. and gallant Member will see from the resolution passed by the committee at its meeting on 8th March, it was agreed to consider the matter further as soon as possible. I understand that this further consideration is being actively pursued. As regards the third part of the question, the hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that the Agreement which came into force at midnight on 20th-21st February relates to the departure of volunteers from their respective countries. As my right hon. Friend has already informed the House, His Majesty's Government have no information that nationals of any country have left for Spain since that date in contravention of the Agreement.

Is it not clear that the Italian. Government did not sign this ban on volunteers until Italy had landed all the volunteers and munitions in Spain which she wished or intended to land; and was her signature to the ban, therefore, not insincere and is not the ban itself a farce?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information with regard to the landing of a further contingent of Italians, who passed through the Straits on 7th March and landed in Spain on 8th March; and whether he has by now any information as to landings of Italians in the last days of February?

The answer to the first part of the question is No, Sir. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Lady to the answer which I have just given to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher).

Do I understand that the Noble Lord means that he has no information?

Yes.

In that case can he say whether it is the policy of the Foreign Office not to have any information about facts that are inconvenient to their Fascist friends?

How is it that information that appears in the Press is always not available to the Foreign Office? What is the provision for getting information on these important events?

I think the answer is that information that appears in the papers is not always correct.

Is it not a fact that each one of these cases of landing that have been denied by the Foreign Office has later been proved by the fact that the troops have actually gone into action?

Is it not a fact though that these Italians are leaving as rapidly as they possibly can at the present moment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the League of Nations is still in fact concerned with the welfare and safety of the civilian population of Addis Ababa?

The question whether the League is concerned with this subject is a matter on which only the League can pronounce, but as far as I am aware this question is not one with which the League has felt itself called upon to deal.

Is it not the responsibility of the League to concern itself with the inhabitants of a State which belongs to the League, and in view of that fact, can the League possibly ignore the appalling massacres that have taken place in Addis Ababa?

As I have already explained, the League has not felt itself called upon to deal with the matter.

Will the Government reconsider their decision not to raise this matter at the next meeting of the Council, and assure the House that when the Council meets next, the British Government will make themselves responsible for raising it?

I am afraid I cannot add to what my right hon. Friend said in reply to the hon. Lady the Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone) on 10th March.

Is it not very desirable that we should take the lead at Geneva in this matter, in view of our position as a Colonial Power in Africa, especially as the Duke of Devonshire, when Colonial Secretary, described our position as that of trusteeship for the coloured populations?

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any reason to believe that the signatories to Annex F of the Treaty of Locarno, on whom it is still binding, have in any way departed from the interpretation therein placed on Article 16 of the Covenant to the effect that each Member of the League is obliged to co-operate loyally and effectively in support of the Covenant and in resistance to any act of aggression to an extent which is compatible with the military situation and takes its geographical position into account; and whether this view is shared by League member States generally and by Russia in particular?

I have no information to show that the interpretation placed on Article 16 of the League Covenant in Annex F of the Treaty of Locarno has been rejected by any Member of the League.

Would the Noble Lord answer the last part of the question, which refers to other countries, and particularly Russia?

The greater includes the less.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the instructions given to the representatives of this country on the Committee on Raw Materials; and, in particular, which of the suggestions for action, enumerated in the preliminary study of the secretariat, will be supported by His Majesty's Government?

The members of this Committee were appointed by the Council of the League, and are not Government representatives. There was therefore no question of the issuing of instructions to Sir F. Leith Ross who was present in an expert capacity. It will be the duty of the Committee to report to the Council, and no question of any action by His Majesty's Government can therefore arise until the Committee has reported to the Council. My right hon. Friend has already made it clear that the document prepared by the Secretariat does not constitute the agenda of the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information, and can make a statement, as to the decision arrived at between Germany and her Western neighbours for the purpose of concluding a treaty for a new system of security in Western Europe?

Replies have now been sent by all the four Powers to whom His Majesty's Government's memorandum of 19th November was communicated, and these replies are at present under consideration.

Do the replies contain anything with regard to Holland and Belgium?

I cannot say anything further yet.

Would it be true to say that the replies are the Four Power Pact all over again?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the balance of trade between the United Kingdom and Poland being substantially in favour of Poland, he will make representations to the Polish Government in the interest of British bondholders against the Polish Government's declared intention of discontinuing full provision for the service of the Republic of Poland 7 per cent. stabilisation loan, sterling issue?

Representations on this question have already been made by His Majesty's Government to the Polish Government, who have given to the Council of Foreign Bondholders an assurance that a Polish delegation will come to London next month to give such additional information as may be desired. His Majesty's Government will continue to keep in touch with the Council of Foreign Bondholders on the matter.

Will the Noble Lord bear in mind that we are buying large quantities of eggs from Poland which we could do much better without, and that the proceeds of these sales are being spent in the United States of America by Poland, and that British farmers, British manufacturers and British bondholders are already dissatisfied with this state of affairs?

His Majesty's Government bear all relevant considerations in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as the result of the counter proposals submitted to the Japanese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo, a settlement satisfactory to the British Leaseholders' Committee has now been arrived at concerning the cancellation of the perpetual leases in the treaty ports now held by British subjects?

Yes, Sir. An agreement has now been reached on the basis of proposals put forward by His Majesty's Ambassador with the assent of the leaseholders' committees. I am expecting to hear very shortly that notes have been exchanged between His Majesty's Ambassador and the Japanese Government giving effect to the agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a satisfactory settlement of the Keelung incident has now been arrived at with the Japanese Government?

No, Sir, but the matter is under active discussion between His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo and the new Japanese Foreign Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Ambassador at Berlin has reported to the Foreign Office about the confiscation, on 10th March last, of a number of newspapers in Berlin, including the "Times," "Daily Telegraph," "Morning Post," and Evening Standard "; whether he is aware that the London "Star" and the "Banker" were banned in Germany some weeks ago; and whether he intends to protest to the German Ambassador in London about the matter?

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

What happens to these newspapers when they are confiscated; and is anybody compensated?

Does the hon. Gentleman mean to tell the House that he has no information about this question except what appears in the Press; and should it not be the duty of the German Ambassador—

I fancy the hon. Member would have said so if he had the information.

Has the German Ambassador brought any chloroform over with him?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the refusal of the German Government to permit the sale of the "Times" of Tuesday last; whether there are any German publications which His Majesty's Government will not allow on sale in England; and what steps His Majesty's Government will take to prevent a recurrence of these conditions?

I have no information on this subject beyond what has appeared in the Press. The answer to the second part of the question is, No, Sir.

Is there any chance of compensation for those who lose money in those circumstances?

That is a different point. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member would put it down.

Is there not something very defective in the intelligence service of the Government? They seem to know nothing whatever about anything.

These matters are reported to the Government when the Ambassador thinks it proper to do so, but may I remind the right hon. Gentleman that it is very doubtful whether, in this case, any action could be taken on a matter which is primarily an internal affair of the country concerned.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that every German boat which comes in brings a mass of leaflets; and will he not ban those?

asked the Prime Minister when the report of the Royal Commission upon Tyneside Local Government will be available for Members?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the uncertainty caused in Tyneside by the delay, he can now give the date on which he expects that the report on the Co-ordination of Tyneside will be published?

I hope that the report will be available to Members on Thursday next.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the large expenditure to be incurred on the Royal Air Force and the importance and complexity of air questions, he will make arrangements whereby the Air Minister, whose Estimates are now the second largest of the Defence Ministries, may be a Member of this House?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 19th March last in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker).

In view of the enormous sums now involved in air Defence, is it not only right that this House should have an opportunity of questioning the Minister himself, and is it not due to the status of the Air Ministry that it should be represented in this House by a Minister?

There is, of course, another side to that. In view of the enormous amount of work which rests on the Secretary of State, there are advantages in his being more free to devote himself to the work that he has to do and to be represented here by a Parliamentary Secretary. The strain at present on this particular office is enormous, and I think it does conduce to the best interests of administration that the representation at present should remain as it is.

Then is it proposed that the First Lord of the Admiralty and the Secretary of State for War should go to the House of Lords?

Neither of those posts at the present time imposes the same strain that attaches to what is practically the creation of a new Force.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the changed European situation since the project was last considered, he will have the question of the Channel Tunnel reviewed?

It is not considered that there is any change in the European situation which would justify any alteration in the attitude taken by His Majesty's Government in relation to the Channel Tunnel from that adopted when the project was last considered. The answer to the last part of the question is, therefore, in the negative.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Committee of Imperial Defence has considered this question at all since it took an adverse decision in 1930?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will sympathetically consider the desirability of granting in Coronation week a special Coronation allowance to Service pensioners, and the widows and orphans of deceased Service pensioners, in recognition of their service, suffering and sacrifices on behalf of the Crown and country as a whole?

I have been asked to reply. I am informed that there is no power under the terms of the Pensions Warrants or Statutes to authorise the special allowance suggested.

Will the hon. and gallant Member be good enough to put that question to the Treasury?

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the question which was answered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 19th January, in which he said the Government could not see their way to promote the necessary legislation to authorise additional grants.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what manner it is proposed to utilise the services of officers and men in the police reserve for the Coronation procession?

The Commissioner of Police informs me that he does not propose to utilise, on the occasion of the Coronation, the services of retired police officers, who have joined his reserve, for duty in an emergency.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of William Inglis, whose spine was shattered while he was serving in the Bethune line in November, 1918, and who, in consequence, has since been detained continuously in military hospitals, has undergone 25 operations, and who has only recently been discharged from Roehampton, receiving a pension of only 16s.a week; and whether any steps are being taken to improve this meagre allowance?

I have been asked to reply. The hon. Member has, I understand, been gravely misinformed about the facts of this case. The man sustained no wound during his two months' service in France from 1st October to 4th December, 1918, nor has he since been continuously in hospital. He has received pension, and has for considerable periods been under treatment, in respect of nephritis, which was considered to have been aggravated though not caused by service, and his recent discharge from Roehampton was made at his own request as he wished to resume his work.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that this particular soldier had his spine shattered on the day before the Armistice, while he was serving in the line?

The information contained in my answer is that the man sustained no wound during his two months' service in France.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the pollution of the Stainforth Canal, Doncaster, anglers are unable to fish in these waters; whether the cause of the pollution is being investigated; and whether he can make any statement?

As promised in answer to a question by the hon. Member on 2nd April last, inquiries were made into this matter, and investigation disclosed several possible sources of pollution. The matter has been referred to the two local authorities vested with anti-pollution powers, namely, the West Riding Rivers Board and the Yorkshire Fisheries Board, and is receiving their most careful consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether lie expects a reply from the two local authorities who are responsible?

No, I cannot say that. I have no direct power in the matter, but if the hon. Member is interested and if he will apply to the West Riding Board, I have no doubt they will give him the information that is in their possession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not inform the local authorities that the pollution of this canal is robbing my constituency of thousands of visitors, who would otherwise be there?

I have already communicated my views to the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what measures he proposes to take to provide some alleviation for share fishermen during periods of unemployment, in view of the fact that the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee has reported against their being admitted to the unemployment insurance scheme but in favour of some other means of help being provided to meet their particular needs?

I am considering the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that unless something is done pretty soon a great many of these men will cease to pursue their calling, which will be a great loss to the country in the case of a war?

I think I am aware of all the relevant considerations.

I am not sure of that.

Can we have collective security this time?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government, in giving grants to assist the trading estates in the distressed areas, are insisting that trade union wages and conditions are observed by all employers receiving these grants?

No, Sir. I should point out that under the Special Areas Act, financial assistance is given only to the trading estates and not to the firms operating factories on their estates.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is prepared, in view of the falling unemployment figures, to lighten the hardship of a large proportion of the unemployed by modifying the Unemployment Regulations as regards the family means test?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend does not consider that there is any ground for such action.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total amount of subsidies paid to the beet-sugar industry up to the end of 1936; the average annual cost to the State since the subsidy began; and the number of workmen employed in the industry?

The total amount of Exchequer subsidy that has been paid to the beet-sugar industry in Great Britain under the provisions of the British Sugar (Subsidy) Act, 1925, and subsequent legislation is £39,576,173. The annual subsidy payment averaged approximately £3,045,000 between 1924 and 1936, and in the current year is estimated to be £2,576,000. The number of workers permanently employed in the factories is about 2,250. During the manufacturing campaign approximately 7,200 additional workers are employed. It is estimated that the amount of agricultural labour required for the 1936 crop represented about 25,000 man-years.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the figure for the remissions of Excise during the same period?

Not without notice.

Is it proposed to provide any of this work and subsidy for the Special Areas?

All these matters are under consideration.

With regard to the right hon. Gentleman's statement that £39,000,000 has been given to the beet-sugar industry, could he not have given it to the 2,000 workers and let them retire on it?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether Chinese eggs for sale in this country are marked "Chinese" or by any other distinguishing mark?

Under the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 5 Order, 1928, Chinese hen and duck eggs imported in shell and dried eggs are required to be marked on importation sale or exposure for sale, either with the word "foreign" or with a definite indication of the country of origin. As regards liquid eggs which, as my hon. Friend will be aware, are used for manufacturing purposes, the position is that, under the general law, an indication of origin is required on importation or subsequent sale if the eggs are contained in a package bearing a British name or trade mark.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will institute inquiries with a view to ascertaining whether the large volume of eggs imported from China in 1936 were duly marked as of foreign importation in accordance with the regulations?

So far as my inquiries go, I have no reason to believe that any eggs have been imported from China during the year 1936 in contravention of the Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 5 Order, 1928, but if my hon. Friend has any importations in mind I will have further inquiries made if he will let me have particulars.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the arable acreage of England, Scotland, and Wales in 1914; and what is it to-day?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether agricultural land in Great Britain is in general in as good a state of fertility as in 1914?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the yields of the principal crops during the last five years compared with the five years ended 1914. With the exception of turnips and swedes, the average yields of the arable crops are higher than they were before the War; the average yield