asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the amounts charged in the accounts, for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, of payments made in Great Britain to officers in the Indian Civil and Military Services?

The total amount brought to charge during the year 1937–38 through the accounts of the Secretary of State for India, the Secretary of State for Burma and the High Commissioner for India, in respect of pay, leave pay, overseas pay, outfit allowances, unemployed pay, pensions and gratuities of officers of the Indian Civil and Military Services was £6,511,583. This figure does not include the amounts paid to the War Office and the Air Ministry for the Indian share of the pensions of officers of the British Army and the Royal Air Force, or the leave pay of officers of British regiments.

Can the Noble Lord say what amount is recoverable from the Imperial Government?

I will look into the matter and communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there is in contemplation any plan for the reorganisation of the Army in India involving a diminution in strength?

I regret that I cannot anticipate the result of the discussions which are now proceeding regarding the strength and location of the Defence Forces.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the present strength of the British Army in India; and the strength at approximately the same date last year?

The strength of the British Army in India on 1st April, 1938, was 51,669 officers and other ranks. On the corresponding date last year the strength was 57,525 officers and other ranks. This reduction is principally due to the abolition of the practice of "holding."

Is there any prospect of that establishment being reached next year, as the present figure is probably the lowest for nearly 50 years?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the proposals as regards minorities protection embodied in the proposed minorities statute in Czechoslovakia; and whether he will invite the League of Nations Council to consider the application of the same principles to the minorities question in other countries?

The proposals to which the hon. Member refers are, I understand, still under consideration by the Czechoslovak Government. I am, therefore, unable to make any statement on the subject or to give an answer to the second part of the question.

In view of the fact that similar problems arise in Poland and Italy, will His Majesty's Government see that the same sort of principle is applied to both those countries?

asked the Prime Minister what representations His Majesty's Government have recently addressed to the Government of Czechoslovakia with regard to the concessions to be given to the Sudeten Germans; and whether he will give an assurance that no support will be given by His Majesty's Government to any concession which would destroy any of the effective defences of Czechoslovakia against the Germans?

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he will make it clear that the Government of the United Kingdom cannot support the Henlein demands to the Prague Government, since they are incompatible with the sovereign status of Czechoslovakia, and since they would, if granted, impair the security of that country;

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now able to make any statement concerning the representations made by His Majesty's representatives in Berlin and Prague concerning the German minorities in Czechoslovakia?

His Majesty's representative in Prague has had conversations with the Czechoslovak President of the Council and Minister for Foreign Affairs about this question. His Majesty's Government have not suggested to the Czechoslovak Government any particular measures or concessions, but have urged the desirability, with which the Czechoslovak Government is in full agreement, of doing everything in their power to further an agreed settlement of the problem. A discussion has also taken place between the German Foreign Minister and His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin. Matters have not yet reached a stage when I can usefully make a further statement.

Will the hon. Gentleman give the assurance asked for in the latter part of my question, that His Majesty's Government will give no support to any concessions which will destroy the effective defence of Czechoslovakia?

As I said in my reply, we have not suggested to Czechoslovakia any particular measures or concessions.

Do not His Majesty's Government resist the claim of the minority in Czechoslovakia to dictate to the Czechoslovakian Government the nature of their foreign policy?

I am afraid that at this stage I cannot add to the statement I have made.

Do the Government realise that, in making these representations to the Czechoslovakian Government, they are assuming a heavy moral responsibility?

In view of the visit of Herr Henlein here during the week-end, does the Minister now admit that there is no such thing as an undesirable alien?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Herr Henlein, the Nazi leader of the dissident German-speaking minority in Czechoslovakia, is visiting this country; whether this visit has any diplomatic significance; whether interviews with responsible Ministers in His Majesty's Government are being accorded to Herr Henlein; and what is the alleged purpose of this visit?

Yes, Sir. I am aware that Herr Henlein has paid a visit to this country. The visit was, I understand, a purely private one, and Herr Henlein has not been received by any Member of His Majesty's Government. I may add, in particular, that the report of a meeting between my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Dominions and Herr Henlein is without foundation.

Was he received at the Foreign Office at all?

No, Sir.

Was he seen by Sir Robert Vansittart?

I understand that Herr Henlein met Sir Robert Vansittart, with whom he was already acquainted, on a private occasion.

Is it true that Herr Henlein met an obscure group of backbenchers during the weekend?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now state whether the £8,000,000 outstanding debt of Austria to this country, repayable by instalment and interest, has now been accepted as an obligation by Germany?

On 23rd March His Majesty's Embassy in Berlin were informed that the German Government desired to revise the Anglo-German Payments Agreement of 1st November, 1934, in order to meet the commercial questions arising from the inclusion of Austria in the Reich. On 12th April the German Government were informed in reply that His Majesty's Government were prepared to enter into discussions which would cover both the trade and financial interests of the United Kingdom. It was stated that His Majesty's Government assumed that the German Government accepted full responsibility for all financial liabilities of the former Austrian Government in respect of its external indebtedness. The German Government have now verbally informed His Majesty's Embassy that they are willing to make the problem of Austrian foreign indebtedness one of the subjects of the negotiations which are due to begin on 24th May. His Majesty's Government, for their part, are prepared to take the opportunity afforded by the negotiations to discuss this matter with the German Government, but I ought to make it clear that they consider that the German Government should negotiate arrangements on an international basis providing for payment of all issues of Austrian Government loans.

Have not the debts to the United States already been repudiated by Germany?

Is the reply from the German Government taken by His Majesty's Government to mean that Germany is not prepared unequivocally to accept responsibility for the Austrian debts to this country?

I would prefer the hon. Gentleman to study my statement and to await the negotiations.

Does not the hon. Gentleman's answer mean that the position of Austria is a matter of negotiation and that it is not automatically accepted by Germany as a liability?

Is this not provisional repudiation?

Will the same kind of note be sent to Germany as was sent last week to the Mexican Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the number of refugees still needing protection when the Nansen office and the High Commissioner's office in London has been liquidated at the end of the current year is 600,000 and that the problem connected therewith will be intensified by the closing down of the only international body capable of considering the problem in its international aspects; and whether, in these circumstances, he will initiate proposals to defer liquidation for a further 12 months?

On 14th May the Council of the League of Nations adopted a report recommending that a single organisation should be set up for a limited period to take the place of the Nansen International Office and the High Commissioner for refugees coming from Germany, which in accordance with the decisions of the Assembly will be discontinued at the end of this year. The report also made recommendations as to the lines on which the new organisation should be constituted. The Council instructed the Secretary-General to prepare for the Assembly, after consultation with the President of the governing body of the Nansen International Office and the High Commissioner for refugees coming from Germany, a detailed plan on the basis of the proposals of the report, and to transmit the report and this detailed plan to the Assembly, which will have to take a decision on the subject at its next ordinary session.

Does that reply indicate that the Government are prepared to support in principle this new proposal?

I think I can say that.

asked the Prime Minister the terms of the Chinese note defining China's attitude towards the Anglo-Japanese Agreement relating to the Chinese Customs?

I am informed that the Customs arrangement is still being considered by the Chinese National Defence Council and the final attitude of the Chinese Government towards it has not yet been determined. In the meantime a memorandum has been received from the Chinese Embassy reserving on behalf of the Chinese Government their full rights and freedom of action in matters relating to the Chinese Customs.

Were these arrangements entered into by the British and Japanese Governments without any consultation with the Chinese Government?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the greatly increased trafficking in drugs in China by Japanese and Korean traders under the control of the Japanese Government; and whether he will make strong representations to every possible source to prevent a systematic demoralisation of the Chinese people through these means?

I have received reports to the effect that recently this traffic has increased considerably, but I have no reason to suppose that this is the outcome of any systematic and deliberate plan. The League of Nations regularly receives information relating to the drug situation in Manchuria, and I believe that to achieve publicity in this way is more productive of results than any other.

May I take it that the Govment are very much alive in this matter and are using their strongest representations on the subject?

His Majesty's Government are doing their utmost in this matter.

Have representations been made to the Japanese Government on the matter?

No, Sir.

Is there not a great deal of evidence to show that the systematic demoralisation referred to is part of a deliberate policy on the part of the Japanese Government?

Our information does not bear out the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion.

How does the hon. Gentleman reconcile the answer given to the hon. Member above the Gangway that the Government are doing their utmost in the matter with that given to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) that they have made no representations to the Japanese Government?

I said in my original answer that the Government believe that to achieve publicity is more productive of results than anything. I think my answers are therefore quite consistent with each other.

Is it not highly desirable that representations should be made to the Japanese Government so that the people of China should not be demoralised?

I will certainly consider the hon. Gentleman's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in country markets in North China heroin and morphine are being systematically sold under the guise of medicine at prices as low as 1½d. for a packet of heroin; and whether steps are under consideration as to means of controlling the world production and distribution of these drugs?

I am aware that these drugs are being sold at very low prices in North China. As regards the world production and distribution of drugs, the hon. Member will be aware that the licit drug traffic is already regulated by the Opium Conventions of 1912, 1925 and 1931, and I can assure him that His Majesty's Government are taking every possible step to control and stamp out the clandestine manufacture and distribution of drugs on their territory. I may add that the appropriate committee of the League is shortly to consider what steps can be taken to limit the cultivation of the raw material from which all drugs are made.

In view of the amazing increase in this illicit traffic, will the Government take immediate and practical steps in the matter?

I have just said that steps were being taken.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recent appointment of a superintendent of Customs at Shanghai by the administration in Nanking, created by the Japanese Government, has been confirmed by Sir Frederick Maze, the Inspector-General of Chinese Customs; and whether the official appointed will be subordinate to and under the control of the Inspector-General?

According to my information, the answer to the question is in the negative. Superintendents of Customs at ports in China are normally appointed directly by the Ministry of Finance. They are not under the control of the Inspector-General of Customs, although subordinate to him in rank, and their appointments are not confirmed by him.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is a report that the Chinese Superintendent of Customs has been appointed by the puppet administration in Nanking? As we do not recognise that administration, ought we not to refuse to recognise such an appointment, which may have very dangerous results on our trade in Shanghai?

I am informed that the same principle which prevailed before prevails now.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to securing a measure of political and economic appeasement in Central Europe, His Majesty's Government will co-operate with other Governments in order to secure wider markets for the products of the Danubian countries?

His Majesty's Government are always ready to exchange views with other Governments as to any practicable means of promoting political appeasement and economic collaboration, and I can assure the hon. Member that any possibility of the kind referred to will not be overlooked.

Will the Minister bear in mind the statement of the newly appointed Hungarian Prime Minister late on Saturday, in which he said that the Hungarian Government welcomed the growing interest of His Majesty's Government in Central European affairs?

Yes, Sir.

Has there been any largely increased demand for Tokay in Kingswinford?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount in quantity and value of the exports of cotton and other (specifying particulars) exports from Great Britain to British West Africa during each of the last three years and for the current year to date; what steps the Government intend to take to deal with the situation; and whether he has any further statement to make on the subject?

With the hon. and learned Member's permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the particulars asked for in the first part of the question. As the hon. and learned Member will be aware, by the beginning of 1938 there had been a serious fall in produce prices which inevitably curtailed the import trade. In addition, there was the dispute between the producers and the buyers of cocoa in the Gold Coast. This dispute

asked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received from the insurgent authorities to the protest against the air attacks on British ships at Valencia?

No reply has yet been received.

Is it not clear from the attitude of the insurgent authorities in this respect that some further action is

Do recent events show that the exports are increasing?

I do not know that the trend has yet shown any increase.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, in fact, this dispute has not been terminated but only suspended?

The hon. Gentleman's question referred to a protest, and I should prefer to await the reply.

Is not British prestige suffering serious damage from the willingness of His Majesty's Government to be content with further protests?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the success of the Nyon Agreement in stopping the sinking of British merchant ships at sea, he will consider the installation, with the permission of the Spanish Republican Government, of anti-aircraft batteries in Valencia and Barcelona in order to stop the deliberate aircraft attacks on British ships in these ports?

His Majesty's Government are unable to accept the hon. Member's proposal. British anti-aircraft batteries installed in these ports in order to protect British shipping from an air attack would have to fire at all bombing aircraft attacking the ports. They would, therefore, become virtually a part of the local air defences, and, as such, would become open to bombing themselves. It is obvious that the action proposed would involve direct intervention in the conflict in Spain.

As the Government acknowledge that these attacks on British ships are deliberate, surely they would be justified in setting up some defence against these deliberate attacks?

Is it not a fact that the owners of these ships are aware that they are risking the lives of British sailors, in that they are paying them three times the usual rate; and will not efforts be made to discourage the sustaining of either side by such methods?

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made with the proposal for the exchange of prisoners between the belligerents in Spain; whether the delay is due to obstruction; and, if so, by whom?

Last January His Majesty's Government received the consent of both contending parties to the appointment of a single British arbitrator to conduct the proposed negotiations for an exchange of prisoners, and they were strongly urged by the Spanish Government to take the necessary steps as soon as possible. Both parties were accordingly asked whether the appointment of Field-Marshal Sir Philip Chetwode as arbitrator was acceptable. The consent of General Franco's administration was received on 26th March, but 'the Spanish Government, in a note dated 25th April, indicated that they were no longer agreeable to the appointment of a single arbitrator, and expressed the desire that an international board should be set up. His Majesty's Government have now pointed out to the Spanish Government the further delays likely to result from this decision, and are at the same time informing them that, in the event of their maintaining their attitude, His Majesty's Government are prepared to submit to General Franco's administration such further proposals as the Spanish Government may have to make for the appointment of the members of the board.

asked the Prime Minister whether any satisfaction has been received from General Franco following the protests of His Majesty's Government in respect of the bombing of British merchant vessels and the killing of British seamen?

As I informed the House in the Debate on the Adjournment on 12th May, His Majesty's Government have notified General Franco's administration where they consider claims to lie, and in all cases of deliberate attack they have protested. since detailed claims have not been made, a settlement has not been reached in any case.

Is it not true to say that these British vessels are engaged in trading operations of a perfectly legal character, and that, therefore, those attacks are not in any way justified; and are we to understand from the hon. Gentleman's reply that the Government are satisfied with the reply of General Franco?

No, Sir; I said that satisfaction has not yet been obtained, but detailed claims have not been lodged. We have always protested whenever there has been a case of deliberate attack.

Will the seamen concerned, and the seamen's dependants, receive compensation?

I should require notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the first supplementary question, as to whether the Government recognise that these ships are engaged on lawful errands?

Ships can certainly trade, but His Majesty's Government warn them of the risks of entering ports where hostilities are going on.

In view of the fact that Valencia and Barcelona are far distant from the battle lines, do the Government now regard it as legitimate to bomb such ports, with risk to neutral shipping?

We dislike any sort of aerial bombing, but we are unable to do anything to stop it when it is a case of air raids on military objectives.

asked the Prime Minister whether, following the signature of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, any negotiations or conversations are now proceeding with the Italian Government concerning the evacuation of Italian troops from Spain, and, particularly, for the evacuation of the Italian troops and war material before the termination of the Spanish civil war?

Negotiations for the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain at the earliest possible date are proceeding within the Non-Intervention Committee, but I regret that I am not at present in a position to make any further statement on the subject. As regards war material, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 30th March to a question by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson).

In view of the situation, are we to understand, from the speech of Signor Mussolini over the weekend, that the Anglo-Italian Treaty was made because the British Government wanted Franco to win, and that negotiations between Italy and France are held up because France does not want Franco to win?

The Under-Secretary cannot be expected to interpret Signor Mussolini's speech.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the failure of alternative schemes of settlement, an effort will be made to reorganise the Assyrian settlement of the Khabur River, in order to place it on a self-supporting basis?

I would remind the hon. Member that in September last the League Council adopted proposals for the re- organisation of the Khabur settlement on a fully self-supporting basis. The work of reorganisation is now being carried out.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can give any information in regard to recent research work on sequelae to war-gas poisoning, more especially in regard to deaths from respiratory diseases?

It would be, I am afraid, impracticable to give, within the limits of an oral answer, anything like complete information in regard to the results of research into the effects of the various kinds of gases used in the Great War. My Department is fully alive to these results, and I will gladly arrange for my Chief Medical Officer to see my hon. Friend and explain orally the conclusions of the research that has been done, so far as they affect my Department.

Is my hon. Friend aware that recent evidence shows that the mortality rates in certain age groups of cases of war-gas poisoning ranges from 4o per cent. to 70 per cent. over the normal rate; and, in view of this, will he consider a revision of the War Pensions Acts?

The question on the Paper relates to research; and, as I have said, I cannot describe what has been done within the limits of question and answer.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the number of British unsalaried consular officers who are not British subjects?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 21st March.

Will the Minister say whether since then he has received any complaint to the effect that many of these officers have so much private work to do that they cannot give time to British interests?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he has given consideration to the leaflet N issued by the National Allotments Society; and what steps are to be taken to implement the policy advocated in the leaflet;

(2) whether he is aware of the continued decline in the number of allotments being worked and of the insecure tenure; and will he introduce legislation to encourage the allotment holders and assist the local authorities and associations of holders to acquire land permanently;

(3) whether he is aware that allotments produce £8,000,000 worth of fruit and vegetables per annum, and that this production could be increased if more security of tenure was given to the holders; and will he make a statement of the Government's proposals for dealing with this national need?

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that, as a result of frequent and recurring disturbances of allotment tenancies there is a definite retrogression in allotment cultivation; and whether he is taking any steps to encourage allotment holders by obtaining for them greater security of tenure;

(2) having regard to the great contribution to national fitness and safety made by fresh fruit and vegetables, to the value of approximately £8,000,000 per annum, produced by allotment-holders, what action he will take to encourage the cultivation of allotments and gardens?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the average number of allotments in cultivation during each of the past three years; whether he has any statement to make regarding the causes producing the fall in the number of such allotments; and what proposals he has to check the fall and to extend the area of land under allotment cultivation?

I have received the circular letter and leaflet recently issued by the National Allotments Society. While I am not aware of any official estimate of the annual value of the produce of allotments, they constitute an important source of food supply as well as providing a healthy and useful form of recreation. Complete statistics as to the number of allotments in the past three years are not available, but the estimated total numbers of allotment-holders in England and Wales in urban areas at 31st December, 1935 and 1936, were 611,900 and 606,000 respectively, and the provisional figure now available for 31st December, 1937, is 592,500. The decline in the number of allotments is due mainly to the demand for land for other purposes in urban areas, particularly for housing. Local authorities possess ample powers of land purchase for allotments. I have impressed on them the importance which the Government attach to the provision of an adequate number of permanent allotments, and shall continue to do so. The society's proposals regarding the acquisition of further land and the provision of greater security of tenure for allotment-holders would require legislation, and, in this connection, I would refer hon. Members to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hanley (Mr. Hollins) on 5th May.

Is it not the case that arrangements have been suggested for the inclusion of allotments in town planning schemes, and that has not been very much availed of; and will my right hon. Friend consult with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to see that more use is made of this, in the way of getting permanent provision in town plans?

I understand that a number of local authorities have included permanent provision for allotments in their town plans, and this is under my constant attention.

Is it under the constant attention of the Department concerned with town planning schemes?

Yes, Sir. We are working in collaboration.

Is it not possible, under existing arrangements, where land, at present used for allotments, is taken by a local authority for housing purposes, to make such acquisition subject to the provision that alternative land shall be given for allotments if required?

Yes, Sir. I have power to require local authorities to provide alternative accommodation when allotments land is taken for building; and only in cases where no alternative land is available for housing and it is absolutely necessary, is my consent given. In every case I have urged upon local authorities the need for alternative accommodation.

Will the Minister look into the difficulty local authorities are having in urban areas in obtaining land for allotments, particularly in view of the constant pressure upon local authorities to keep rates down and the fact that much of the land available can be obtained only at quite prohibitive prices?.

That is covered by the statutory powers which many local authorities possess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to prevent day- or week-old cockerels from hatcheries being sold as pullet chicks?

I have no power to take any steps to prevent sales of this kind. I am advised that the law provides adequate remedies for a purchaser who is aggrieved by any such sale.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of how very prevalent this practice is, and is he aware that the female of the species is far more valuable than the male?

I have received on complaints of that kind, but complaints have been made to me that day-old chicks which are sold as hatched, frequently contain an undue preponderance of one sex or the other.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, and, if so, when, he proposes to call a conference of those concerned in the poultry industry, to bring their discussions to the point of evolving an acceptable egg-marketing scheme?

Consultations have recently been held with bodies representative of egg producers and distributors, respectively, and satisfactory progress has been made. A joint conference may be desirable at a later stage, but I am unable to make any further statement at present.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the difficulty which has been created in the poultry industry by the long period of the discussions; and is it possible to expedite the matter?

I hope to be able to make a statement on this matter as soon as possible.

Are we to understand that these negotiations will include poultry keepers in Scotland?

I will consider that. It includes also a great section of the distributive trade and other bodies who have been consulted.

Will the scheme provide that the poultry men in Cowal are to send their eggs across the Clyde to Greenock to a central store and that the eggs are to be re-issued and sent back across the Clyde again to the shopkeepers there, as was provided in the first scheme, or will they be left their freedom to sell to their own customers, who know them and trust their eggs?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how much agricultural land has been put out of cultivation in the past two years by urban encroachments and by appropriation for military or other Government purposes?

It it estimated that in the 24 months in question, of a net decrease of 154,136 acres in the total area of agricultural land, about half was diverted to building and other development and about 24,000 acres were utilised for military or other Government purposes. I have no information to show what proportion of this diverted acreage consisted of cultivated land.

Is due care taken, in connection with these acquisitions, to consult with the local agricultural authorities, in order to see whether alternative land is available?

With regard to housing development, the matter is looked at from the point of view of Defence and from the point of view of the community in placing houses. There is consultation with the agricultural authorities.

Is the Minister aware that some of the finest agricultural land has been appropriated in the last few years for military purposes, and does he not think more care should be exercised in the appropriation of land for those purposes?

I would not agree that due care is not exercised. When land of that character is needed for military purposes there is consultation, so that military needs may be met with the least possible disturbance of agricultural requirements.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any proposals in view for improving credit facilities for farmers?

As regards longterm credit, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) on 8th July, 1937, and my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on 3rd December, 1936. In regard to short-term credit, as I have previously stated in the House, I understand that the question is under consideration by the National Farmers' Union, but that up to the present they have not been in a position to submit a proposal in detail.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of what the Treasury did in December, 1935? Is he aware that they lent the four main line railways £26,500,000 at 2½ per cent. interest, guaranteed as to principal and interest? Why cannot agriculture have the same?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of prosecutions which have taken place for noncompliance with the Warble Fly Dressing Order?

The Warble Fly (Dressing of Cattle) Order of 1936 is required to be enforced by the local authorities by whom any legal proceedings would normally be taken. Notification has been received of eight prosecutions undertaken by local authorities during 1936, the first year of the operation of the Order, and of 51 prosecutions during 1937. Details of any prosecutions in respect of the current year have not yet been received from local authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General what is the number of Royal Mail vans used by the Post Office that are owned by private contractors; the contract price paid for the hire of these vans; and are the drivers the direct employés of the private contractors or the Post Office?

The information asked for in the first part of the hon. Member's question is not readily available. With regard to the second part, I regret that I cannot depart from the established practice of regarding contract prices as confidential. It is the usual arrangement for contract vans to be driven by direct employés of the contractor.

Is there a Fair-Wages Clause in those contracts?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the appeals being issued by Government Departments and local authorities for volunteers to assist in various forms of Defence; and whether, in view of the multiplicity of appeals to civilians for this purpose, he will set up a central authority to co-ordinate such appeals and allocate the responses in order of priority and suitability of those responding?

There is already an Inter-Departmental Committee whose duties include the general co-ordination of Departmental activities of the sort referred to by my hon. Friend. I have arranged that attention should be given at once by the Committee to my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion. Affairs whether he will consider instituting the payment of wages weekly to the native employés in the employ of Government Departments in Kenya?

My Noble Friend is not aware that there is any general dissatisfaction with the system of monthly payments, but he is communicating the hon. Member's suggestion to the Governor for his consideration.

Will the Minister make representations along these lines, particularly in view of the very bad effect of the present system because so many of the natives fall into debt and other bad results follow?

As I have said, the hon. Member's suggestion has been sent for the consideration of the Governor.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the lending of money or the supplying of goods on credit should be made illegal?

That is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what further reports he has recently received from the Governor of Jamaica on the poor nutrition, bad housing, and intense poverty of masses of people in Jamaica and regarding the underfeeding and undernourishment of children; and what immediate steps are being taken to deal with the causes of the present social and economic distress?

I would refer to the reply given by my Noble Friend on 23rd February to the hon. Member for Linlithgow (Mr. Mathers). No further reports have been received since then. With regard to the second part of the question, the Government of Jamaica is endeavouring by various means to stimulate the local production of milk and other animal and vegetable products of high nutritive value. Practical education on proper nutrition is now being given at a number of schools throughout the island, at which midday meals are provided for the children.

Will the right hon. Gentleman notice that I am not dealing with industrial effects but social effects, and has he not received representations from the Governor in view of the statement which was made in this House that very few of the children in Jamaica were undernourished and underfed? Has any correction been made of that statement to the Governor because of the enormous trouble that may be created in the Island?

The hon. Gentleman asks what reports have been received recently. The answer is that no further report has been received since my Noble Friend answered on a previous occasion.

Has the right hon. Gentleman had access to the Press this morning where he will notice that serious trouble is likely to arise in Jamaica?

I think that the position is no doubt food for thought in many ways, but if the hon. Member is going to believe everything in the Press this morning he will be very much misled on many questions.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that 2,000 copies of the "African Sentinel," fourth edition, have been taken possession of by the authorities in Sierra Leone; why this detention has been made; and whether he will take steps to release these issues and see that African people enjoy the right of free expression of opinion?

My Noble Friend has received no information from the Governor as to the detention of this publication. Inquiry will be made on the subject and the hon. Member will be communicated with when the Governor's report has been received.

Is the Minister aware that this publication is printed in this country and is available on railway bookstalls and that it advocates nothing but peaceful methods of advance for the coloured people?

The question deals only with certain actions which have been taken in the Colony, and the answer is, therefore, necessarily confined to that aspect of the matter.

Is the Minister aware that the right hon. Gentleman, his colleague, promised to make investigations in respect to a previous suppression of this publication, and is this strictly in conformity with the declaration of the Colonial Secretary that this country stands for the free, unfettered and fearless expression of different points of view?

My right hon. Friend made the inquiries he promised to make and he has not yet received an answer as a result of those inquiries, but as soon as the answer comes the hon. Member will be informed.

Arising out of my supplementary question—

rose —

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will take immediate steps to abolish the employment of children in industry and agriculture in the British Colonies; and what steps are being taken to raise the age from 10 in Kenya, from 12 in Uganda and Northern Rhodesia to 14?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend is satisfied that in those Dependencies where the age limits permitted by law or custom for the employment of children are lower than those prescribed in the respective International Labour Conventions, the lower age is justified by local circumstances. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Are we to understand that, in the discussions which are shortly to take place at Geneva, on the making of a new International Labour Convention, the policy of the Government will be the maintenance of employment for children at the age of 10 in Kenya, and the age of 12 in Northern Rhodesia and Uganda? What will be the policy of the Government in respect of that matter?

I would point out that in the case of industrial employment in Kenya the minimum age is not 10 years but 12, and it has always been customary in the discussions at Geneva to permit of exceptions in cases where local circumstances would justify them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the age has recently been reduced from 12 in Kenya?

In the semi-tropical countries, does not physical and mental development occur very much quicker?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many East Indians are resident in British Guiana; how many of these are unemployed; and what measures are taken to relieve those who are destitute?

The total number of East Indians resident in British Guiana is 142,978. My Noble Friend understands that there is very little actual unemployment among East Indians, though there has been in some cases curtailment in the number of days per week when employment is available. As regards the last part of the question, destitute East Indians are given poor relief in the same manner as the rest of the community.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs how many estates have been rendered derelict in the last ten years in British Guiana; and what acreage such estates represent?

According to information which my Noble Friend has obtained from the Governor of British Guiana, five sugar estates of a total acreage of 6,579 have gone out of cultivation since 1928. At the time of the abandonment of these estates only 1,381 acres were actually in cultivation.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what is his attitude towards the proposal made by the Government of India to appoint an agent or commissioner to represent the special interests of the East Indian population in British Guiana?

My Noble Friend has not received any formal proposal on this subject from the Government of India: nor, as indicated in his reply on 14th February to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones), has he received any representations from the Indian community in British Guiana on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the difficulty which British visitors to Madeira have in ascertaining what are the Customs duties on goods imported to that island; that the duty sometimes amounts to three to five times the value of the goods; that the Customs authorities at Madeira cannot give any information as to duty except by reference to Lisbon and that any remission of these duties generally takes a period of six months; and whether he will make representations to the Portuguese Government as to the desirability of supplying Madeira Customs authorities with the fullest information as to a reasonable Customs rate?

I understand that visitors' luggage is admitted into Madeira free of duty and that the definition of luggage adopted is not restrictive. No difficulties of the kind referred to have been reported to the Board of Trade, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars the matter will be looked into.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he will ascertain how the cost of shorthand-writers' services in pauper cases, civil and criminal, respectively, are met in the English High Court and county courts, respectively; and whether he has any statement to make regarding the meeting of such costs incurred in the Court of Session, High Court and sheriff courts in Scotland, respectively, out of public funds?

I am sending to the hon. and learned Gentleman the information which I have been able to obtain in answer to the first part of the question. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

In regard to the latter part of the question, is it not the case that in Scotland in criminal trials in the sheriff court and in the High Court, both in poor and in other causes, shorthand-writers' costs are borne by the State, and is he aware that participation in those costs is not available to all shorthand-writers, and that there is an acute sense of dissatisfaction among shorthand-writers who do not participate in those costs but who have to do the work gratuitously in poor civil causes?

I suggest that the hon. and learned Member should await the receipt of my letter and then confer with me on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any explanation as to why the general weekly rate for patients at the Dundee Royal Asylum is 5os., whereas at Montrose Royal Asylum the weekly rate is 21S. 6d.; and why the weekly cost of patients in lunatic wards of poorhouses should vary from 8s. 5d. in Buchan to 25S. 8d. in Govan?

The rates mentioned are minimum rates. The Dundee Royal Asylum is a relatively small institution, catering for a limited class of patient, whereas Montrose Royal Asylum caters for a wider range. With regard to the second part of the question, lunatic wards of poorhouses are generally intended to accommodate persons who are not dangerous and who do not require curative treatment such as may be needed in an asylum. The Govan Poorhouse, however, which is known as the Southern General Hospital, is run on hospital lines, with much more expensive equipment and staffing, and the lunatic wards there, which have facilities for treating cases which might otherwise require to be sent to an asylum, approximate more closely than in any other poorhouse to conditions in district asylums.

May I ask whether the Secretary of State for Scotland is satisfied with the great disparity in costs which are observable in the general report of the Board of Control?

I can only answer the question on the Order Paper. Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down another question if he desires further information.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any explanation of the disparities in the costs of providing butter in the district asylums of Scotland, in view of the fact that the cost is 4s. 9d. in Aberdeen, 18s rod. in Argyll, 4s. 6d. in Edinburgh, and 19s. 5d. in Perth?

Butter and margarine are used in varying proportions in the different district asylums, and accordingly where a large porportion of butter is used the cost under that head is high and the cost of margarine correspondingly low, and vice versa. In Perth the amount of margarine used is nil and in Argyll almost nil, whereas in Aberdeen and Edinburgh the cost per head for margarine is 8s. 7d. and 12s. 5d. respectively. It rests with local authorities to decide to what extent butter or margarine should be included in the dietary of asylums.

Have the Scottish Office or the Secretary of State for Scotland no power whatever to encourage the use of butter as against margarine in these institutions?

No, Sir; that is a matter for the local authority. The General Board of Control states that in their view the dietary is generally satisfactory.

Cannot the term "mental hospital" be extended to Scotland?

asked the Minister of Labour where Wilfred Weaver, of Stainforth, was sent from the Thorne Exchange under the transference scheme; what kind of work or training he was doing when he enlisted in the Army; and why the Exchange officials who returned the boy's insurance cards to his parents refused to state where the boy was stationed?

The necessary inquiries into this case are in progress. I will write to the hon. Member when they are complete.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why inquiries are taking so long, and may I ask how it is that when boys 16 years of age are taken from their homes the Exchange officials return their cards to their parents without any explanation as to their whereabouts?

I think the hon, Member had better await the result of my inquiries. From the preliminary inquiry that I have made this seems to be a very interesting case.

In the meantime while inquiries are being made will the right hon. Gentleman instruct his Exchange officials that where a boy departs in these circumstances they shall give the parents full information?

I am not admitting that the circumstances are as stated in the question. I must complete my inquiries.

Is it not the case that the Army will not release him because they say he has cost so much?