asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has received any information as to the pulling down of the Union Jack over the Legislative Assembly at Delhi on 11th April by certain members of the Legislative Assembly; and whether he is aware that another member referred to the Union Jack, in remarks made in the Assembly, as an emblem of slavery?

I have received a report to the effect that on 13th April the flag above the Assembly sector of the Council House at Delhi was found lowered through the breaking of a string which appeared accidental. On 13th April there appeared in the Press the statement of an Assembly member claiming that he had deliberately lowered the flag as the emblem of British Imperialism placed there without the assent of the President of the Assembly. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the affirmative.

What is it proposed to do about it?

I think any action may be left to the Government of India. I understand that the matter attracted very little attention, and the member responsible received no support from responsible Congress circles.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any information as to why certain Government officials in the Central Provinces refused to accept the services of counsel retained by the Ministry on their behalf, and the reason of their appeal to the Governor to protect their interests?

I presume the reference is to the Bilaspur Inquiry. I have ascertained that the counsel selected by the Deputy-Commissioner to represent the case of the Government servants before the committee were not approved by the Provincial Government on the ground that they were concerned in the matter under inquiry. The Government servants protested against the cancellation of the appointments made by the Deputy-Commissioner. Owing to other engagements of Ministers, and also to some difference of opinion among them, the final selection of counsel was not made until the 19th. The Governor is satisfied that the counsel now appointed are perfectly competent to protect the interests of the Government servants.

Has not the district magistrate the right to appoint counsel?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the latest information he has showing the number of trade unions there are in India registered under the Indian Trade Union Act?

The number of trade unions (including Federations) borne on the Registers on 3oth September, 1937, was 378.

How many members have these trade unions?

As regards the strength of membership, the latest figure for 31st October, 1936, is, I understand, 268,000. But I would call the hon. Member's attention to the fact that the question of trade union membership is a matter for the Provinces.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say whether complaints have been received of difficulties being put in the way of people joining the unions?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of cinematograph films that have been prohibited from exhibition in British India for the 12 months ended on the last convenient date?

The information is not available in this country and, since the prohibition of cinematograph films is a matter within the discretion of the Provincial Governments in India, my Noble Friend does not feel justified in calling for a report from India. It will be appreciated that the position has now changed since the period for which my predecessor supplied the information in response to the hon. Member's inquiry.

Has there been any alteration in the censorship?

That is a matter for the Provincial legislature.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he has any statement to make in regard to the present position in Czechoslovakia?

I propose first to give a very brief summary of events of the past few days that have tended to show that the situation in regard to the German minority in Czechoslovakia might be entering on a dangerous phase and then to indicate the action taken by His Majesty's Government.

On 19th May rumours began to gain currency of German troop movements in the direction of the Czechoslovak frontier. The German Government informed His Majesty's Ambassador on the following day that there was no foundation for these rumours, and they gave a similar assurance to the Czechoslovak Government.

On 20th May a number of serious incidents occurred in Czechoslovakia.

On the morning of 21st May the Czechoslovak Government intimated that they were calling up one class for training and for the purpose of maintaining order in the frontier areas. On the same day, an unfortunate incident took place in which two Sudeten Germans lost their lives in an incident near the frontier, the full facts of which are not yet entirely clear. The Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs informed the German Minister of this incident and told him that disciplinary measures would be taken against those responsible.

On the same day—21st May—His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin received further assurances from the German Government that stories of German troop movements were completely unfounded.

The Czechoslovak Minister for Foreign Affairs informed His Majesty's Minister in Prague on 21st May that a formal invitation had been sent to Herr Henlein to negotiate on the Nationality Statute, which had been approved on the 19th by the Czechoslovak Government. But on that same day-21st May—it was announced in the Sudeten Press that the Political Committeea of the Sudeten German Party had decided to inform the Prime Minister that the party were not in a position to discuss the Nationality Statute so long as peace and order in the Sudeten districts, and, above all, the constitutional rights of freedom of opinion, of the Press and of assembly, were not guaranteed. I now learn, however, that it has been arranged for Herr Henlein to see the Czechoslovak Prime Minister either tonight or to-morrow morning.

In face of this situation, the principal concern of His Majesty's Government has been to use all their influence, wherever it could be effective, on the side of restraint in word and deed, while keeping open the way to peaceful negotiation of a satisfactory settlement.

With that object, they have represented to the Czechoslovak Government the need of taking every precaution for avoidance of incidents and of making every possible effort to reach a comprehensive and lasting settlement by negotiation with the representatives of the Sudeten Party. In this, His Majesty's Government have enjoyed the full co-operation of the French Government.

The Czechoslovak Government have responded to this representation with an assurance that they appreciate the interest which His Majesty's Government have manifested in this question and are fully resolved to seek an early and complete solution.

His Majesty's Government have represented to the German Government the urgent importance of reaching a settlement if European peace is to be preserved, and have expressed their earnest desire that the German Government would co-operate with them in facilitating agreement. His Majesty's Government have at the same time informed the German Government of the advice tendered in Prague and of the assurances received from the Czechoslovak Government.

The German Minister for Foreign Affairs stated that he welcomed the efforts being made by His Majesty's Government and that the German Government fully shared their desire to see negotiations succeed.

At the moment the situation appears to have somewhat eased, and I understand that the elections passed off quietly yesterday without untoward incident.

It would be inadvisable to press the Prime Minister for any fuller statement at the present time, in view of the tension there is in the world to-day, but I hope I may be able to express the opinion that these efforts to bring about a settlement may succeed, without any deprivation of the just rights of the Czechoslovak people.

asked the Prime Minister the terms of the written reply by the Czechoslovakian Government to the representations made by the British Minister in Prague on behalf of His Majesty's Government?

I am not able to give the terms of the reply, which was of a confidential character. I may, however, say that the Czechoslovak Government welcomed the interest shown by the British and French Governments in the question at issue, and gave assurances of their intention to endeavour to reach a just and equitable settlement.

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will congratulate these gallant people on their calm and courage during the weekend?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the special interest displayed by the German Government in the problem of the Sudeten German minority, His Majesty's Government has urged on the German Government, through the medium of the British Ambassador in Berlin, the desirability of doing everything in their power to further an agreed settlement of the problem?

Yes Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the recent attempted revolution in Brazil; and, in particular, whether any damage was done to British property?

From the information which we have received it appears that the movement, which was quickly crushed, was carried out by civilian members of the Integralist Party supported by a few naval ratings with similar sympathies. The army took no part in it. The Ministry of Marine was attacked by the rebels, who also occupied three wireless stations from which false reports were broadcast. The President was exposed to some personal danger when an unsuccessful attempt was made on the Palace. The residence of the Chief of Staff and the arsenals were also attacked without success. Little material damage was done, and His Majesty's Ambassador has not heard of any damage to British property.

Has the Under-Secretary received any evidence of the activities of foreign agents?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the claim recently put forward by the Ukrainian minority in Poland for autonomy in Poland within the Polish State?

I have seen reports in thy; Press regarding the claim to which the hon. Member refers, but I have no statement to make on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the results of His Majesty's Government's initiative with regard to an, exchange of prisoners between the two sides in the civil war in Spain?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on this subject on 16th May in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Mr. Chapman).

asked the Prime Minister whether any undertaking has been given by Signor Mussolini during the negotiations leading up to the AngloItalian pact or afterwards that no more Italian troops or war materials would be sent to the insurgent authorities in Spain?

As the Prime Minister stated on 24th March, the Italian Government were informed that, if these negotiations were to succeed, it was essential that in the meantime the situation in Spain should not be materially altered by the sending of fresh reinforcements from Italy. On this point I have nothing to add to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of the Debate which took place on 19th May.

In view of the fact that a large quantity of war material and men have gone from Italy to Spain since that date in March, are the Italian Government free under present conditions to send more men and war material?

As far as I am aware, there has been no material alteration in Spain due to Italian reinforcements since the talks started.

Has not the hon. Member seen the repeated reports in the "Times" that men and munitions are going from Italy into Spain?

asked the Prime Minister whether the ratification of the Anglo-Italian Agreement is conditional on no more Italian troops or war material being sent to the insurgent authorities in Spain?

I would refer the hon. Member to the speech which the Prime Minister made in the House on 2nd May, in the course of which he stated that full effect could not be given to this agreement until we could regard the Spanish question as settled. I have nothing to add to that statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether a reply has been received from the Spanish insurgent authorities to the protest against the recent deliberate air attacks on British shipping?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what action His Majesty's Government propose to take to prevent the repetition of the violations of accepted international law involved in the aerial bombardment of Barcelona, Valencia, and other ports situated at a distance from the battle front, in which there were British ships engaged on lawful errands?

His Majesty's Government have not yet received a reply to the protest which the British Agent at Burgos was recently instructed to make to the Burgos authorities regarding 'deliberate attacks on British shipping. Sir Robert Hodgson has, however, been instructed to take the matter up further with the Burgos authorities, pointing out that in addition to the attacks which His Majesty's Government had definite evidence to show were deliberately aimed against British ships, there have been a number of recent raids in which British ships have been seriously damaged and life has been lost, and also cases where bombs have been dropped in the close vicinity of British ships lying in harbour. After considering these incidents collectively, His Majesty's Government have been forced to conclude that either deliberate attacks on British ships are being made, or else the bombs are being dropped haphazard in such a manner as to cause indiscriminate damage to ships in the port. They, therefore, consider that they have ample ground for insisting that these incidents shall cease and that at the least proper care shall be exercised by the bombing aircraft not only in selecting objectives, but also in dropping their bombs on those objectives in such a manner as not to cause indiscriminate damage to British lives and property. In the meantime, His Majesty's Government are considering in conjunction with British shipowners whether any other steps can be taken to avoid damage to British shipping in Spanish Government ports.

Is the Minister aware that only yesterday a British ship, the "Penthames," going into Valencia was bombed, quite obviously deliberately, and as it is quite clear that the insurgent authorities take no notice of British protests, what further action do the Government contemplate to protect the lives of British seamen?

I took that case into consideration in the answer which I have given, and as regards the latter part of the Supplementary Question, we are representing this matter in the most energetic fashion to the Burgos authorities.

Would the hon. Gentleman consider arming these ships with anti-aircraft guns?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider asking the Salamanca authorities whether they will add prayers for British shipping to their prayers for the British Cabinet?

asked the Prime Minister whether any reports have been received by the Non-Intervention Committee that German war material has recently arrived in governmental Spain; and can he give any information as to the sources of recent supplies of war material to both sides?

I understand that the Non-Intervention Committee have not received any such reports. As regards the second part of the question, my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that, as I have previously stated, it is not possible to obtain reliable information of this kind while the scheme for the observation of the Spanish frontiers is not in full operation.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that the Germans do not mind where they sell the material as long as they get the money?

asked the Prime Minister whether any recent representations have been made to the French Government on the subject of the passage of arms to Spain?

In our discussions with the French Government we have consistently emphasised our desire to make progress with the British Plan now before the Non-Intervention Committee, which provides among other things for the reimposition of control on the Spanish frontiers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received from the Italian Government any indication as to the number of their troops in Spain?

I have received no such indication from the Italian Government, but I have seen a recent article in an Italian newspaper which stated that the number of Italian volunteers fighting on the side of General Franco at the beginning Of the Aragon offensive on 9th March was about 39,000, and that these forces had been considerably reduced since, owing to heavy losses.

Would it not be helpful in the forthcoming negotiations if His Majesty's Government had some indication of what is the ratio—how many Italian troops to one Republican soldier does General Franco consider necessary for a victory?

Does the hon. Gentleman regard a statement of that kind in an Italian newspaper as necessarily authentic and reliable?

I can only give my source without making any comments on it.

Is it not the case that there were many Italian troops other than those fighting in the Tortosa valley, and that the Italian estimate affected only those fighting in Tortosa, and not the many who are elsewhere?

asked the Prime Minister why, in view of the statement at Geneva of Senor del Vayo that there were only 6,000 foreign volunteers on the side of the Spanish Government and the Italian official estimate of 39,000 Italian troops at Tortosa, the British representative at Geneva refused the request of Senor del Vayo for an inquiry to establish figures?

The resolution of Senor del Vayo against which the British representative at Geneva voted contained no mention of any inquiry into the numbers of foreign combatants in Spain. In the view of His Majesty's Government this is a question for the Non-Intervention Committee which, as the hon. Lady is aware, proposes to send Commissioners to both sides in Spain for the purpose of estimating the numbers of foreign combatants.

On a point of Order? May I point out that in my question I did not make any statement about the resolution? I asked about the refusal of the request. That request was made verbally in the course of Senor del Vayo's speech.

I am aware of that, but the British representative, in voting against the resolution, was not voting against an inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have made, or will make, representations to the Japanese Government with a view to securing payment of the interest due on the 5 per cent. bonds of the Chinese Imperial Railways, Shanghai—Nanking line, as the railway upon which these bonds are secured is at present in the possession of the Japanese?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the failure by the Shanghai—Nanking Railway Company to pay the interest due to the British bondholders on 1st June; whether this is due to the continued occupation of the railway by the Japanese army, who are still refusing to permit the British engineers of the Shanghai—Nanking Railway Company to inspect the line and are still collecting fares along the railway; and whether he will protest in the strongest terms to the Japanese Government against this injury to British rights in direct violation of the Japanese Government's repeated and spontaneous promises that British interests in China would be respected?

The strongest representations have been made to the Japanese Government in Tokyo and to the Japanese authorities in Shanghai regarding the losses that will be suffered by British bondholders as a result of the Japanese military occupation of the Shanghai—Nanking and other railways, and the Japanese Government have been asked to make the necessary financial arrangements for the continued service of the railway loans. Repeated requests have also been made that the British engineers should be allowed to inspect the line of the Shanghai—Nanking railway.

What has been the answer of the Japanese Government?

I regret that we have not yet received a satisfactory answer.

asked the Prime Minister by whom the recent appointment of a Superintendent of Customs in Shanghai was made; whether His Majesty's Government have recognised the provisional administration in Nanking under the control of the Japanese Government; and whether they are prepared to recognise appointments in the Chinese Customs service made by that administration?

The recent appointment of Superintendent of Customs was made by the Provisional Administration in Nanking: His Majesty's Government have not recognised that administration, and cannot control the appointments made by it.

Does the Under-Secretary suggest that we are acquiescing in appointments made by an administration which is only a puppet administration set up under the auspices of Japan, and who will control services of the greatest importance to British trade? Are we going to recognise appointments made by an administration which we do not recognise?

His Majesty's Government have made it clear that in the recent Customs agreement they have not acquiesced in any interference with the Customs services and its present international personnel.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain Chinese cotton mills with British interests and obligations to British concerns are being taken over by the Japanese; what steps he proposes to take to safeguard British interests; and what he is doing with regard to the taking over of the factories themselves?

I have no information that such mills have actually been taken over by the Japanese, but the policy of His Majesty's Government in cases of this nature is to give all the protection that may be possible to any genuine British interest involved.

Will the hon. Member make further inquiries into the matter of these mills? Is he not aware that machinery is being removed from them to Japan?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put before me any information at his disposal.

Is the hon. Member aware that information about this matter is coming to hon. Members in all parts of the House?

I shall be glad of any information which comes to the right hon. Gentleman.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee on International Loans, which met at Geneva on 6th December, 1937, has made any recommendations with regard to future contracts for international loans issued by States which are members of the League of nations?

No, Sir. The committee has not yet made its report.

asked the Prime Minister what report has been received from His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome with regard to French-Italian relations following Signor Mussolini's recent speech at Genoa?

I am not prepared to disclose reports from His Majesty's Ambassadors concerning the relations between other Governments.

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in carrying out the proposal of the United States for an international conference on the question of political refugees; and whether the place and time of meeting has yet been settled?

I would refer the hon. Lady to the replies given on 17th May to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) and on 18th May to the hon. Member for Seaham (Mr. Shinwell). since those replies were given His Majesty's Government have informed the United States Government of their readiness to take part in the meeting of the inter-governmental committee at Evian on 6th July.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a committee representing the Government Departments concerned, local authorities, trade unions, and professional organisations, universities, and the principal organisations concerned with the care of refugees, for the purpose of formulating a national policy for dealing with the problem of the conditions of admission and employment of political refugees; and whether he will consider asking for a grant of public money to be used in the solution of this problem?

The general policy to be adopted by the Government in dealing with refugees, with particular reference to refugees from Austria, was stated in the House on 22nd March. since that date a Co-ordinating Committee for Refugees has been set up by the voluntary organisations concerned to co-ordinate the measures of assistance for refugees who have come to this country from Germany or Austria or who may wish to emigrate from these countries. The closest contact is being maintained by the Home Office with the Co-ordinating Committee, and, within the limits laid down by the Government, sympathetic consideration will be given to any detailed proposals which the committee may wish to submit when it has had an opportunity of making a comprehensive review of the situation. It is the view of the Government that the formulation of constructive proposals should be left, in the first instance at any rate, to the Co-ordinating Committee, and in these circumstances I do not consider that at the present stage any useful purpose would be served by the appointment of another committee on the lines suggested.

Is it not a fact that this Co-ordinating Committee of voluntary organisations is held up by two things—the difficulty of getting permits to take work in this country, and the lack of any Government assistance in the matter of funds; and is it not time to have a scientific and co-ordinating policy to deal with the whole subject?

If the hon. Lady's statement of the position is correct, it would not be solved by the appointment of another committee.

Why should we give away public money on these refugees from other countries?

Which Member of the Government should be asked questions on the work of this Co-ordinating Committee? Is it the Home Office, and, if so, is it the Secretary of State or the Under-Secretary of State?

I think I shall have to ask the right hon. and gallant Gentleman to give notice of that question.

Is it not a fact that the Co-ordinating Committee is a purely voluntary body and that the Government are taking no direct responsibility in the matter?

I have said it is a voluntary committee.

Should not our own unemployed come before these refugees?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider convening a conference of representatives of the Dominions for the purpose of forrnulating an Imperial policy for the treatment of the problem of the conditions of admission and employment of political refugees?

No, Sir. The admission of refugees from any particular country and their subsequent employment are matters for each of His Majesty's Governments to decide in the light of the conditions obtaining in their respective countries at the time. An opportunity for discussing some aspects of the problem will be afforded by the Inter-Governmental Meeting at Evian in July, to which His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions have, I understand, been invited to send representatives, and at which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom will, as the hon. Lady has already been informed in reply to a previous question to-day, also be represented.

But seeing that the British Empire is both the richest unit and that possessing the largest open spaces, is it not about time that it took the initiative by having an Imperial policy oh a really large scale?

asked the Prime Minister whether, as an account of the talks between the British and French Premiers and Foreign Secretaries in London was sent to the Italian Government, the Italian Government has as yet sent the British Government an account of the talks between the German Reichs Chancellor and the Italian Premier?

Yes, Sir. The Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs was good enough to give His Majesty's Ambassador information regarding the conversations between Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether a new Milk Bill is to be brought in before August or whether the provisions of the present Milk (Amendment) Act, 1937, are to be continued for a further period?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) on Friday last.

Will my right hon. Friend answer the second part of the question?

I will make a statement on the matter as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Milk Board's Report that the operation of the Milk Acts, 1934–37, for the year has resulted in a liability for repayment of £26,320 for milk used in manufacture, he will separate the two accounts so that the producer of liquid milk does not in future have to pay for the deficiencies of manufactured milk products?

As stated in the White Paper on Milk Policy of last July, the Government intend to release the Milk Board from any liability accruing after 3oth September, 1937, for the repayment of advances under the Milk Acts, 1934 to 1937. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that this is independent of any question of amending the pooling provision of the Milk Marketing Scheme, which would be a matter for consideration, in the first instance, by the Milk Marketing Board and registered producers.

Will the right hon. Gentle man inform me who decides upon the price of milk, whether it should go up or down?

As far as my Department is concerned, the price of milk received by the producers is arranged by negotiations between them and a body known as the Central Milk Distributors' Council.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to certain experiments made by a body called the Hannah Institute, assisted by contributions from the cooperative societies and a large milk combine, by which the said institute are alleged to have satisfied themselves that over 60 per cent. of calves fed on fresh milk soon contracted bovine tuberculosis; and what steps does he propose to take in view of these experiments?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) on 1st November last.

If these experiments are in order, is it then, part of the policy of the Hannah Institute that no cow should be allowed to nurse its own calf; and how is it, if these experiments are right, that we have any cattle at all, seeing that cows and calves have been fed on raw milk for untold generations; who supplied the milk in these experiments, and who supplied the obliging calves?

My hon. and learned Friend will not expect me to be responsible for experiments conducted by a scientific body, but, as I said in the reply to which I have referred him, this is only one experiment. Many others are being carried out. It would not be safe to go by experiments of a narrow range, and we are trying to review the whole subject in the light of other experiments as well as this one.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what organisations he has consulted in drawing up the terms of the new Milk Bill which is shortly to be presented to Parliament; and for what reason he has not consulted the National Federation of Milk Producer Retailers, whose interests are likely to be seriously affected?

Informal and confidential consultations are taking place with representatives of the national organisations of local authorities, producers and distributors. Among these organisations are the National Farmers' Union and the Milk Marketing Board, both of which bodies include among their members or constituents large numbers of producer-retailers. I propose also to arrange for similar consultations with the organisation referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics showing the total amount of bacon cured in England during 1936 and 1937, respectively, from English and Irish pigs; and how much of this bacon was either tank-cured or dry-salted?

I regret that some of the particulars asked for by my hon. Friend are not available. I have, however, obtained from the Bacon Marketing

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the imports of mutton and lamb have increased during the first four months of this year as compared with the previous two years; and whether any and, if so, what decisions have been reached as a result of his consultations with the representatives of New Zealand and Australia?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the consultations which are taking place with the Governments of Australia and New Zealand regarding the imports of mutton and lamb into this country?

Imports of frozen lamb in the first four months of this year have been somewhat less than in the corresponding period of 1937, and although there has been some increase in overseas supplies of mutton, the excess has largely consisted of the lower grade of ewe mutton. Stocks of mutton and lamb in cold storage in Great Britain are substantially below the levels of a year ago. Consultations with representatives of the Governments of the Commonwealth of Australia and New Zealand are still proceeding.

Does my right hon. Friend accept the position that the home producer should have the first call in the home market?

Yes, Sir.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the prices of mutton and lamb in parts of the country are causing serious concern to the farmers, and will he consider buying up large quantities of mutton and lamb, and placing them in cold storage for use in an emergency, in order to relieve the market?

I am aware of the trouble caused in the sheep industry at the present time due to the prevailing low prices, but the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question raises another matter altogether.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the agricultural worker gets a better wage, so that he can buy British lamb and mutton?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to encourage the artificial drying of crops, such as hay, by farmers, in view of the greater feeding value obtained by this method?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor (Mr. Guest) on 2nd November last.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that many small farmers are unable to purchase this artificial drying apparatus, which is so essential to them, by reason of the fact that the necessary finance is not forthcoming from the Government?

My hon. Friend asked me what steps the Government were taking to encourage the artificial drying of crops, and if he will read the answer to which I have referred him, he will find a complete reply to his question there.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to encourage the feeding of livestock on the heavy yielding varieties of potatoes; and whether they will consider freeing from the control of the Potato Marketing Board an approved acreage throughout the country for this purpose?

The growing of potatoes solely for feeding to livestock would be uneconomic to producers, and no steps are therefore being taken in the direction indicated in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that practically all the feeding stuffs used in this country have to be imported; and what steps does he intend to take to make us self-supporting in this respect?

That is not so. About 26 per cent. or 30 per cent. are imported, but my hon. Friend seems to forget that one of the main feeding stuffs for cattle is grass.

asked the Minister of Agriculture to what extent the production of British cheese has increased or decreased since the inception of the milk marketing scheme; and whether, in view of the large quantity of cheese which is still imported into this country, special attention can be given to this matter in the near future?

As the reply to the first part of the question is in the form of a table, with my hon. Friend's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement of the Government's proposals affecting the milk industry contained in the White Paper of July last, as amplified by the reply I gave to a question put on 7th December, 1937, by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Maldon (Sir E. Ruggles-Brise).

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total cost of exterminating the musk rat and the maximum number of people employed, and how many years it took to exterminate it?

The net cost to my Department of exterminating the musk rat in England and Wales was £16,265. The maximum number of trappers employed on the work at any one time was 40, and the operations extended over approximately three years.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what is the approximate number of myopotami coypu at present maintained in fur farms in the British Isles; whether the farms in question are licensed or controlled in any way; whether any standards of fencing are laid down; whether the farms are inspected by his Department; and whether, in the public interest, any penal action can be taken against those farmers who allow their myopotami coypu to escape?

I regret that the information asked for in the first part of my hon. Friend's question is not available. The farms in question are not subject to licence or control and no standards of fencing are laid down. Voluntary arrangements are, however, in operation under which farms on which these animals are known to be kept are periodically inspected by officers of my Department. I am not aware of any penal action that could be taken against breeders who allowed these animals to escape.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this animal grows to the size of a small spaniel and that no cat will tackle it; that recently one was shot on the Thames near Henley by a keeper; and what steps do the Department intend to take to reduce the number of these pests still at large?

As I have informed my hon. Friend in a recent answer, we have had this animal closely watched for some years. The information at our disposal does not lead us to suppose that it would be appropriate to take the same action against it as we took against the musk rat, because it does not breed so fast and, as far as is known, does not do anything like the same damage. Experience in foreign countries where this animal has also escaped shows that it has not been a serious menace, but we are watching the situation and should it be necessary to take any measures we shall do so.

Has the Minister seen any account of the experiments in Aberdeen which showed that rats fed on pasteurised milk left no posterity; and could he not feed these animals on pasteurised milk?

asked the Postmaster-General the number of temporary telegraph offices opened by his Department on the various racecourses for the purpose of dealing with ordinary telegraph business and / or Press telegrams in the course of the racing season; and the approximate number of telegrams forwarded from these offices for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The number of temporary telegraph offices opened on racecourses during the year ended 31st March, 1938, was 300, from which 179,000 ordinary telegrams and 52,000 pages of Press matter were forwarded.

Do ordinary telegrams show a great decrease for the last 12 months?

A slight decrease.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware that British mails to South Africa are carried in Italian ships; whether he will state the amount paid to the owners of these ships in the last 12 months for the carriage of mails; and whether he will consider confining the carriage of South African mails from this country to British ships?

Italian ships are not used for the conveyance of mails from this country for South Africa; the second and third parts of the question do not, therefore, arise?

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can provide any statistics showing the extent to which the volume of Empire mail despatched by air has increased since the inauguration of the Empire air-mail scheme?

Mails are at present being despatched by air from the United Kingdom by services provided under the Empire Air Mail Scheme at the rate of about 730 tons a year, as compared with a rate of about 160 tons a year immediately before the inauguration of the scheme.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the trade figures for the month of April, he will now announce the Government's plans for meeting a slump?

I would refer the hon. and learned Member to the answer which I gave on this subect on 14th December last. I do not consider that the situation has changed sufficiently since that date to warrant my adding anything to the statement I then made.

Are the plans which were mentioned by the Prime Minister then and on previous occasions, going back to 28th July last, still under consideration by the officers of the Departments?

Yes, Sir, plans are constantly under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the proposals for a Cotton Enabling Bill are estimated to require over 3,4300,000 a year for redundancy quotas, etc.; and whether he will make it clear to the promoters of these proposals that such a charge on the Exchequer is an impossibility and, as the export trade cannot bear this additional burden, the proposals will not be accepted by the Government as the basis for legislation?

My right hon. Friend has not received any estimate of the cost of operating the various schemes for which provision is made in these proposals.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a substantial increase in the imports from Belgium during the first quarter of this year, accompanied by a fall in the exports of British goods to Belgium; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The position of the trade referred to is constantly under review, but I do not regard the increased adverse balance of visible trade in one quarter of the year as a sufficient reason in itself for any special action.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the increase in imports from Russia, and the decrease in exports of British goods to Russia, in the year 1937, he is prepared to give the necessary notice to terminate the Trade Agreement made with that country in 1934?

I am unable to add to the statement which was made earlier this year that the whole question of the commercial relations between the two countries is under review. In this connection my right hon. Friend is receiving on 26th May a deputation from industrial and commercial organisations interested in the trade between this country and the Soviet Union.

Will my right hon. Friend hear in mind, in these negotiations with Russia, the necessity, as we see it, of increasing the export of British herring to Russia?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the recent reduction of the importation of Opel cars is due to the fact that there is no more room at Southampton to store them; and, in view of the heavy importation during the first three months of this year and the probability that there will be further large importations as soon as storage space is available, will he take prompt steps to deal with this grave injury to the British motor car industry?

I am informed by General Motors, Limited, that the large imports in the early months of the year were made to take advantage of favourable freight arrangements at that time, and that it is not proposed to replace sales made in the near future by further importations.

Has my hon. Friend seen photographs of the motor cars at Southampton Docks, in garages, where thousands are being kept for many days, and will he, in view of the large number of people who have been put out of work in British motor car factories, look into the question again?

I cannot accept the last part of my hon. Friend's suggestion, because my information is that the sales of these cars are smaller than they were last year.

Will my hon. Friend make further inquiries, when he will find out that these cars are being sold and that British workers are being put out of work, that thousands of people are being turned out of work in one factory alone?

Will the Minister inquire from General Motors whether in fact it was the intention of this Company to import 10,000 Opel cars into this country this year?

That is not in accordance with my information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will grant a day to discuss the White Paper, Cmd. 5738, dealing with the condition of ex-service men?

I am afraid that in the present state of public business I cannot afford a special opportunity for the discussion of this White Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many hon. Members on both sides who have read this White Paper feel that it raises points which can be answered only in debate; and will he not reconsider giving an opportunity for discussing this very important matter?

The hon. Member knows that if an opportunity could be found, we would desire to have a Debate.

I will take advantage of that offer, and I give notice that I will call attention to this matter on the the first available opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Jamaica has already this year produced 20,000 tons more sugar than she is permitted to export under the International Sugar Agreement and that this surplus production amounts to approximately 25 per cent. of her present export quota; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the decreased employment which will be caused by these circumstances next year?

I am informed by the Governor of Jamaica that, after the quota of 86,000 tons allotted to the Colony has been exported, there will be a surplus of 21,000 tons of sugar during the current sugar year. As has already been stated in this House in reply to questions by other hon. Members, the Governor of Jamaica is taking all possible steps to deal with the problem of unemployment, and he will no doubt take into account the position which may arise next year in consequence of the existence of this surplus.

In view of the fact that these economic conditions in the West Indies generally are assuming such a grave political aspect, will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of appointing a Royal Commission with wide terms of reference to investigate the present situation, with a view to making recommendations for the future economic prosperity of the Colonies?

I can only say that I am giving the economic situation in the West Indies my very careful consideration.

Will not the Minister seriously consider the necessity of having independent trade unions, so that they could reduce hours of labour and get holidays with pay to meet unemployment?

There is nothing in the Islands to prevent the establishment of trade unions.

Does that mean that there is nothing to prevent the establishment of independent, free, trade unions?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what arrangements will be made for compensation on account of the victims who were killed as the result of the Jamaica riots?

The question whether any such compensation should be paid will no doubt be considered by the Governor on receipt of the report of the special Commission of investigation.

Is it not a fact, that according to the Press of the Island, many of the victims were innocent persons just in the street at the time, and, therefore, surely the relatives are entitled to compensation?

It is not customary in such cases for compensation to be paid to the relatives, but if there are any special features of these cases, as I say, the matter will no doubt receive consideration when the report of the commission of inquiry has been received.

When may we expect to have the report of this commission of inquiry?

I could not promise any date, but the inquiry is being conducted will all possible speed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the petition presented on behalf of certain East Indians in Trinidad who form the Coronation Omnibus Association; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

I have not yet received the petition referred to. When it is received from the Acting Governor, it will be given full consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the statement in the White Paper on marriage allowance that the rates agreed upon were designed to secure parity of remuneration in all three Services, he is aware that the married naval officer in a shore appointment is much worse off financially than the married officer of the same rank and age serving in the Army or Air Force?

Taking into account the different systems of promotion in the three Services and the differences in average age when the various ranks are attained, I am satisfied that the emoluments paid to naval officers compare not unfavourably with those paid to officers in the other two Services.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the officers in the Army and the Air Force receive allowances on marriage irrespective of where they serve and at all times, whereas in the case of the naval officer, if he is appointed to a shore appointment where there are no official quarters, he gets neither marriage allowance nor children's allowance, and he is worse off, therefore, than the officer in the Army or the Air Force; and may I ask whether he will get out —

Speech!

On a point of Order. I was stopped from asking this question, Mr. Speaker, because of the noise that was going on. May I ask this very reasonable question?

Perhaps if the hon. and gallant Member would ask a shorter question, he could manage it.

I will make it quite short and ask whether my hon. and gallant Friend will get out a table of the total remuneration paid to the married officer of the same rank and age in the Army, Navy, and Air Force?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will discuss it with me afterwards, I think I have some figures that I can show him.

I shall be delighted to see them. I also have some figures.

Is not the whole matter most unsatisfactory?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the supplementary unemployment allowance, which has just been suspended, was intended in the first instance as a winter allowance or an allowance to meet the general increase in the cost of living; and if the former, why it was not applied to all applicants alike instead of as a discretionary measure?

As was stated my my right hon. Friend in reply to the hon. Member for Merthyr (Mr. S. O. Davies) on 12th May, these supplementary allowances were granted on account of the concurrence of the increase in the cost of living with the existence of winter conditions. Under the present Regulations neither of these circumstances would have been legally sufficient by itself.

Did not the Minister make it clear that it was legally permissible for the Board to make an allowance in the event of circumstances arising, such as a high increase in the cost of living, but that there was no legal sanction for the winter allowance? Is not that the position?

The matter was discussed very fully during the seven-hour Debate last week, and I do not think it possible to give any further information by way of question and answer.

But is it legal in present circumstances to make a winter allowance? Is it not the case that the legal power is to make the allowance if the cost of living rises beyond a particular point?

As was said during the Debate, the legal power arises from the existence of two circumstances together, but would not arise were one only to exist.

asked the Minister of Labour whether claimants for unemployment assistance are entitled to be accompanied by a friend when interviewing area officers about their case?