asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number and percentage of non-commissioned and commissioned Indian officers now serving in His Majesty's Army and in the Air Force in India; how many of these are of the rank of captain and why there are no Indian officers of superior rank to captain; and whether it is the intention of the Government substantially to increase the number of Indian officers and to secure that the higher officer ranks shall consist mainly of Indians?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The Non-Commissioned Officer personnel of the Indian Army is entirely Indian. In addition there are some 4,000 Viceroy's Commissioned officers, who are also entirely Indian. In the officer ranks other than that of Viceroy's Commissioned officer there are 345 Indians, or slightly over 10 per cent. of the total; 71 of these are of the rank of captain. The promotion of officers of the Indian Army both British and Indian is on a time-scale basis in which the rank of major is reached after 18–20 years' service. The policy of Indianising the officer ranks was only placed on a regular footing after the War, and Indians commissioned in accordance with that system are only now approaching the seniority necessary for promotion to major. It is clear that, under the present system of Indianisation, both the total number of Indian officers and the number in the higher ranks will progressively increase. The Indian Air Force, of which the first unit was constituted in April, 1933, is organised on a somewhat different basis, but the considerations governing the increase in the number of Indian officers holding higher ranks correspond generally to those I have stated for the Indianising units of the Indian Army. There are at present 11 Indian officers in the Indian Air Force while seven officers of the Royal Air Force are attached to it for purposes of instruction and also of command until Indian officers of the requisite seniority become available. The corresponding figures for airmen are 75 and 35.

While thanking the hon. and gallant Member for that answer, may I ask whether he can inform the House as to the original purpose of limiting the number of Indian officers in this way, and also by what date, approximately, the stage of 90 or even 100 per cent. of Indian officership will have been reached?

Off-hand I could not give the hon. Member dates, but I will try to let him know. With regard to the limitation, of course this is in the nature of novel procedure, and already there has been a considerable increase in the number of units Indianised as compared with the original estimate. Originally eight battalions were to be Indianised, and now the infantry and cavalry units alone number about 16, and, in addition, there are artillery and engineer units.

But could the hon. and gallant Member explain what is the purpose of the limitation?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the total amount of revenue secured by the Government of India in 1937, and the proportion of this devoted to military purposes; and whether he is aware of continuous protests in India both against an excessive proportion of Indian revenue being devoted to military purposes and against the extent to which Central Government power and revenue limits severely the financial resources of Provincial Legislatures?

The gross revenue of the Central Government, as exhibited in the Revised Estimates for 1937–38, was Rs.122.6 crores (£91.9 millions). The gross expenditure under the head "Defence Services" included in those Estimates represents 42.8 per cent. of this amount and 25.1 per cent. of the aggregate revenues of the Central and Provincial Governments. I am aware that the question whether an excessive proportion of Indian revenues is expended upon defence is not infrequently raised. As regards the last part of the question, the allocation of responsibilities and resources between the Central and Provincial Governments received the most careful consideration in connection with the Government of India Act, 1935. Apart, moreover, from the separation of Burma, which has occasioned a net annual loss of about Rs.2½ crores (£1.9 millions), the Central Government has in recent years relinquished to the Provinces an amount of annual revenue approaching Rs.9 crores (£6,500,000).

Does not the hon. and gallant Member himself agree that the percentage he gave represents a very high percentage indeed, and can he say whether any steps are to be taken to reduce that percentage?

It is, of course, a substantial percentage, but it is approximately in accordance with what has been the case for a number of years. It is certainly true to say that the question of keeping the military expenditure of India within the limits of the necessities of India is a subject which is always under close consideration.

Does the hon. and gallant Member know that there are considerable protests from representative Indians against this expenditure?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now any statement to make on the failure of the Brazilian Government to meet their obligations; and what further action have His Majesty's Government taken in the interests of the British holders of £80,000,000 worth of these securities?

A statement has been received from the Brazilian Government in which, while reaffirming in general terms their intention to pay within the limits of Brazil's capacity, they make no concrete suggestion on the subject. My hon. Friend may, however, rest assured that His Majesty's Government will continue to give their fullest support to the Council of Foreign Bondholders in their efforts to secure an acceptable proposal from the Brazilian Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ascertain whether the Council of Foreign Bondholders will request the Brazilian Ambassador in London to call a meeting for the purpose of arriving at an agreed settlement of the default on Brazilian obligations held by British subjects?

The Council of Foreign Bondholdres are always prepared to consider any proposal made to them by a duly accredited representative of a foreign Government. In the case of the Brazilian default the council published a statement as recently as 14th June, in which they stated that, despite their utmost endeavours, they had hitherto been unable to persuade the Brazilian Government to make any concrete proposals. In these circumstances the Council of Foreign Bondholders do not consider that my hon. Friend's suggestion would be likely to achieve any useful purpose. His Majesty's Government see no reason to differ from this view.

asked the Prime Minister what reports His Majesty's Government have now received concerning the nationality of the aircraft which recently sank the British steamships "Thorpehall," Greatend" and "Penthames."

I regret that I have as yet nothing to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 1st June. In any case, His Majesty's Government, as has been previously pointed out in other instances, must regard the aircraft in question as part of the forces under the control of the Burgos authorities.

Have His Majesty's Government asked the masters of the ships for reports concerning the nationality of these aeroplanes?

As I informed the hon. Member on the last occasion, we were led to understand that the masters were sending us reports.

Have not the Government taken any further action themselves to obtain information?

Have His Majesty's Government any information concerning the nationality of the ships in question?

asked the Prime Minister whether the list of prisoners of British nationality held by the forces of General Franco has yet been received?

asked the Prime Minister the number of British subjects at present known to be held as prisoners of war by General Franco's forces in Spain; and what steps are being taken to secure their release?

One hundred and seventy-seven persons of British nationality have so far been reported by the British agent at Burgos to be held prisoners of war by General Franco's administration, and the names of these persons are being made available for publication. His Majesty's Government have made inquiries regarding the possibility of arranging the release of these men, and negotiations are at present in progress on this subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the names will be published?

I hope when we have verified the lists, and got the addresses clear. They will then be placed by the Foreign Office at the disposal of the London and Provincial Press in the various parts of the country from which those persons came.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to sustain British prestige, he will inform General Franco that any further bombings of the Union Jack by the insurgent forces in the Spanish Civil War will be countered by retaliatory measures on the part of His Majesty's Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 14th June, from which he will have seen that His Majesty's Government have considered retaliatory action of various kinds, but, as at present advised, are not prepared to embark on such measures, which, apart from their inherent disadvantages, cannot be relied upon to attain their object.

Is it not a fact that the mere threat of firm action, if clearly backed by resolution, might well prove effective, as in the case of Czechoslovakia a few weeks ago?

Does the reply of the Government mean that Franco may go on bombing ships with impunity?

May I ask—

We must get on with Questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has laid before the Italian Government the evidence in his possession as to the bombing of British ships in Spanish waters by Italian aeroplanes?

All representations on the subject of aircraft forming part of General Franco's forces must, in the view of His Majesty's Government, be addressed to the Burgos authorities.

Is it to be understood from that reply that His Majesty's Government have made no representations to the Italian Government, although it has been established that these attacks upon British ships have been made by Italian aircraft with Italian pilots?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must understand from what I said in my reply that all representations on the subject of aircraft forming part of General Franco's forces should, in our view, be addressed to the Burgos authorities.

Why?

Is it not unreasonable—

Would not this whole problem be solved if some of the directors of these lines who are sending ships out to Spain had to sail with the ships?

asked the Prime Minister what are the commodities which the Spanish insurgent authorities have suggested should be barred from British ships trading with ports under Spanish Government control?

His Majesty's Government have received from the Burgos authori- ties no list of such commodities, and I cannot at present add anything to the statement made by the Prime Minister on 14th June.

Does that answer mean that the Burgos authorities suggested that there should be some cargoes excluded without indicating what they are?

They suggested that the port should not be used for the purpose of supplying the Spanish Government with munitions and other commodities.

Would the Government consider withdrawing the Non-Intervention observers for their own safety, as several of them have been killed, and because they are no protection against attack from the air?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the military mission of Spanish insurgent officers, under General Orgay, which arrived in Berlin on 10th June, and whether the object of this visit was to obtain additional assistance from Germany for the insurgent forces?

I have seen reports in the Press regarding this mission, and am making inquiries.

Would the hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether a consultation has taken place between those officers and leading munition makers and armament firms in Germany?

I have told the hon. Gentleman that we are making inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister how many British ships have been attacked to date by Spanish insurgent aeroplanes; how many have been sunk; how many damaged; how many British lives have been lost in these attacks; at what the total amount of damage done to such British ships is assessed; how many protests have been addressed to General Franco; what claims have been made against General Franco for damage to ships and for compensation for killed and wounded men, respectively; how many of such claims have been admitted by General Franco; and how much has been received from him in regard to them?

The hon. and gallant Member asks a number of detailed questions. I will, with his permission, circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Prime Minister how many British ships have been bombed in or near Spanish Government ports since 14th June?

According to my information, four British ships have been damaged by bombing in Spanish Government ports since 14th June.

As 14th June was the date of the Prime Minister's protest in this House, does that not show that the Burgos authorities treat all protests by His Majesty's Government with complete contempt?

Will the hon. Gentleman state when the Prime Minister will act upon the mild threat he made on 14th June that friendly relations with the Burgos authorities would be broken off if there was any more bombing: and how many more bombings there have been since then?

The answer to the first supplementary question is that there is no evidence that any of these attacks was deliberate, and to the second, that the Prime Minister does not make mild threats.

Has the hon. Gentleman seen the statement made yesterday by the so-called Minister of the Interior of the Spanish insurgent government to the effect that all ships coming to Spanish Government ports were pirate ships, and that they intended to destroy them?

I have not seen the statement; perhaps the hon. Gentleman will bring it to my notice.

When the hon. Gentleman says there is no evidence that these attacks were deliberate, does he mean that he had received reports from the masters of the ships to say that they were not?

No, it means that we have no evidence that the attacks were deliberate.

asked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received from the Spanish insurgent authorities to the protest made by His Majesty's Government on 4th June against the bombing of civilian populations in Spain; and whether he has any statement to make on the proposal for sending an international commission to Spain to report on the damage caused by air bombing?

The Burgos authorities, in reply to His Majesty's Government's protests regarding the indiscriminate aerial bombardment of towns and villages, in particular of Alicante and Granollers, contend that these towns contain military objectives placed in or close to inhabited districts, and that their bombardment is unavoidable. As regards the second part of the question, I am glad to be able to announce that arrangements are nearing conclusion for the early despatch to France of a commission consisting of British, Swedish and Norwegian experts to report on aerial bombardments in Spain. This commission, whose headquarters will probably be at Toulouse, will be prepared to proceed to any part of Spain, at the request of either side in Spain, and report the facts concerning the bombardment by air of towns or villages.

Is it not a fact that His Majesty's Government sent the British Minister to one of the towns where, according to the information of the Under-Secretary, as he has just mentioned, there was no military objective and bombing was justifiable; and did not the British Minister report that there was no military objective and that the bombing was unjustifiable?

I have given an answer to the question that is on the Order Paper.

Have His Majesty's Government received any evidence from the British military attaché in Spain concerning the existence of military objectives in the towns which have been bombed?

That is a very broad question. I shall be replying to the detailed points raised by the right hon. Gentleman when we reach the next question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister what report has been received from the British Minister in Barcelona with regard to the presence of military objectives in Granollers, Spain?

His Majesty's Minister at Barcelona has reported that the town of Granollers contains a small barracks lived in by some 300 troops, a garage used to erect aeroplane engines, a small generating station for the supply of the town, a railway bridge and a railway station. These points were, however, well outside the area which suffered the full force of the bombardment. With the exception of a group of six or seven bombs, which fell in a field outside the town and far away from any target, and of three which burst at the railway station, all fell in the centre of the town.

Has this information been passed on to the Burgos authorities; and, if so, has any reply been received?

It has not yet been passed on, but I have no doubt that it will be.

Is it not quite clear from the answer that this town was a perfectly legitimate military objective?

Is it not quite clear that His Majesty's Government do not credit the reply of the Burgos authorities?

We regard the military objectives in this town as extremely limited.

asked the Prime Minister the nationality of the warship that recently bombarded Castellon?

I have received no reports to show that Castellon was bombarded by any warships.

Since all the news agencies reported that Castellon was bombarded by warships, I wanted to ask whether the hon. Gentleman will find out if that is so, and whether there is any definite evidence that will confirm or deny the statement made in responsible quarters that these were German warships?

I cannot officially confirm or deny that there was any bombardment.

Have the naval officers in Spanish waters been told to put the telescope to the blind eye?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the recent proceedings of the Opium Board at Geneva; and whether he proposes to make any representations to the Japanese Government concerning the evidence there given that that Government is actively aiding and abetting illegal drug traffic in China?

I have seen Press reports of the allegations made against the Japanese Government before the Opium Advisory Committee at Geneva, but as I have not yet received any official account of the proceedings, I am unable to state what action, if any, it would be proper for His Majesty's Government to take in this connection. The question of representations to the Japanese Government is being given careful consideration by the Departments concerned.

Have the Government any independent evidence of their own on this matter and, if so, does it tend to confirm the statements which were made at Geneva?

I should rather await the official information and the report of the Opium Advisory Committee. We do receive reports from various sources.

I asked whether the Government do receive such reports; may I ask whether they tend to confirm statements that were made at Geneva on the subject?

I am afraid that I have nothing to add to the answer which I have given.

asked the Prime Minister what action His Majesty's Government have taken upon the report of the Commander-in-Chief, China station, on the question of freedom of transit for British shipping on the Yangtse?

Following upon his return from a tour of inspection of the River Yangtse, the Commander-in-Chief, China station, pressed the Japanese military and naval authorities at Shanghai to allow freedom of transit for British merchant shipping through the boom at Kiangyin in order that trade with ports above this point might be resumed. The Japanese replied regretting their inability to accede to the request on the grounds of military necessity. His Majesty's Government feel that while there may be some grounds for the refusal based on the above reason, provided no discrimination is permitted, they are not satisfied with the position and are considering whether any further steps can be taken in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to make a detailed statement on the extent to which British interests have been affected by the seizure by the Japanese of Chinese cotton mills in which British subjects have an interest, whether by mortgage of the machinery or otherwise, and particularly whether the machinery, which is the subject of a lien for money advanced, has been removed to Japan?

Although there have been frequent reports that the Japanese authorities intend to confiscate and operate Chinese mills in the areas under their control, I am not aware that there has been any actual seizure of such mills, and I am consequently not in a position to make a detailed statement. It is, however, clear that the continued non-operation of many Chinese mills in which British subjects are interested, whether by the supply of machinery or otherwise, is bound to have an adverse effect on British interests in the Chinese textile market. As regards the machinery removed from Sung Sing Mill No. 7, to which I presume the hon. Member refers, this was restored as a result of strong representa- tions by His Majesty's Government to the Japanese Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether a considered reply has now been received from the Japanese Government to the protest made by His Majesty's Government against the recent air bombing of the civilian population in Canton, China?

I have at present nothing to add to what I said in my reply to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. N. Maclean) on 15th June.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that, since this protest was sent to the Japanese Government, the chief of the special navy section in Shanghai has stated that the Japanese intend to continue bombing operations on Canton, and have done so on several occasions since?

I am aware of that, but we hope to receive a considered reply, and will certainly inform the hon. Member when we do so.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received a satisfactory reply from the Japanese Government to the representations of His Majesty's Government that an opportunity should be afforded to the representatives of the British bondholders of the Shanghai-Nanking Railway to inspect and survey the line, and that the necessary measures should be taken to safeguard their financial interests in the line?

Further representations in the matter have been made to the Japanese Government, but I regret that the position is still as stated in my reply to the hon. Member on 23rd May.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet had any satisfactory reply to his representations to the Japanese Government that they should permit the free circulation of the tramcars of the British-owned Shanghai Electric Construction Company in the Hongkew and Yangtzepoo districts of the international settlement, particularly in order to facilitate the resumption of work in British and other factories in the districts?

My Noble Friend is awaiting a report from His Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai on the most recent steps taken by him in this matter.

Is my hon. Friend satisfied that there is no evasion on the part of the Japanese authorities in regard to giving an answer to the strong representations which His Majesty's Government are making on this matter? It is some time since the matter was raised; has any reply been received?

I hope we shall receive a reply. The whole question of the restoration of the northern district of Shanghai is under our constant consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ask His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw for information about the suppression of Ukrainian organisations in Poland, in particular the union of Ukrainian women and various Ukrainian workers' organisations; and as to whether this action is the result of these organisations demanding autonomy in accordance with the decision of the Supreme Council of the Allied and Associated Powers of 11th July, 1919; and whether His Majesty's Government, as one of the guarantors of that decision, will protest against such acts of repression?

My Noble Friend is kept regularly informed by His Majesty's Ambassador at Warsaw of the internal situation in Poland. With regard to the second part of the question, I cannot trace any decision of the Supreme Council of 11th July, 1919, on this subject, nor am I aware of any such decision which is guaranteed by His Majesty's Government. The decision of the Ambassadors' Conference of 15th March, 1923, on which, I understand, the recent claim of the Ukrainian National Democrat party to autonomy was based, fixed certain Polish frontiers under Article 87, paragraph 3, of the Treaty of Versailles, and contained a reference to Poland's recognition that the ethnographic conditions in Eastern Galicia required an autonomous régime, but His Majesty's Government gave no guarantee in connection therewith, and the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give an assurance that, in connection with the Anglo-Italian negotiations, the British Government will not contemplate the authorisation of any form of financial assistance, credit, or guarantee to the Italian Government or Italian merchants for the purchase of wheat?

The question of credits in any form was not raised by either side during the negotiations which led up to the Agreement of 16th April, and no other negotiations with Italy on this subject are contemplated by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now say when the recent Anglo-Italian Agreement will be brought into force?

Both His Majesty's Government and the Italian Government are anxious for the Agreement to be brought into full force as soon as possible. The conditions, however, by which the entry into force of the Agreement are governed, have been publicly and repeatedly stated, and I have nothing to add to what has been already said.

Do I understand that there is no time limit within which the agreement must be brought into force?

I have nothing to add to the conditions which have been laid down on this question by the Prime Minister.

Have any representations been made by the Italian Government to the effect that this date should be expedited?

I should certainly want notice of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman refer to any statement which gives a definition of the expression "a settlement in Spain"?

In view of the wide publicity given to this point in the Press this morning, has the hon. Gentleman no statement to give to the House this afternoon?

No, Sir; I have no statement to add to what I have already said.

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm the report from Rome that Count Ciano asked, on 4th June—

We cannot pursue this subject further at Question Time.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the recent Anglo-Italian Agreement, he can now define what is meant by a settlement of the Spanish question?

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has nothing to add to the statement which he made in the Debate on 2nd May.

Does that mean that the Government still accept Signor Mussolini's condition that a settlement in Spain shall mean the victory of General Franco?

No, Sir. The Prime Minister, on the contrary, gave in the Debate a very good reason for not defining the question more closely, and that is what my answer means.

If the Prime Minister says one thing and Signor Mussolini another, who is to decide?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the prejudicial effect that external propaganda will have on the conclusion of a satisfactory agreement between the Czechoslovakian Government and the Sudeten Germans, His Majesty's Government will make proposals to the interested Governments in Europe with a view to securing a cessation of all such propaganda during the period of the negotiations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statements made by the Prime Minister in the House on 23rd May and 14th June. The principal concern of His Majesty's Government has been, as it remains, to use all their influence, wherever it could be effective, on the side of restraint, the absence of which, as my hon. Friend rightly points out, must increase the difficulty of reaching a successful issue to the negotiations referred to.

Have His Majesty's Government made any diplomatic representations?

I think the answer I have just given should serve the purpose that my hon. Friend desires.

May we take it that the word "restraint" will not be used in restraint of liberty?

asked the Prime Minister what is the Government's considered view with regard to the status of territorial waters; and what steps he is taking to get other Powers to agree with this view?

The territorial waters of a country are considered as being within its exclusive jurisdiction subject to certain rights of passage. I am not aware of any substantial difference of view in regard to this matter.

Does not the status of territorial waters remain inviolate both in peace-time and in wartime?

I do not quite follow my hon and gallant Friend's definition of territorial waters. I have done my best to give my own definition in my original answer.

May I try—

The Minister has given his reply.

On a point of Order. My hon. Friend was not able to understand my supplementary question; may I not try to make it clear to him?

I understood it.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1), what steps the Government are taking to protect the poultry farmers against a rise in the price of feeding-stuffs, since a further rise might entail the cost of production being in excess of the selling price;

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 28th February last.

Are the Government doing anything about this matter? Are we always to be referred back? Is my right hon. Friend aware that down Evesham way they want to know what is taking place, and what is the rate of progress?

I told my hon. Friend, in the answer to which I have referred him, that the prices of feeding stuffs depend upon world conditions in general, and no Government is able to control them.

Are we always to be at the mercy of the millers? Will not something be done to tell the millers that offals should be cheaper?

Is it not a fact that the inhabitants of Evesham and district are confirmed optimists?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the recent decision of his Department that the little owl, together with all other British owls, are beneficent rather than harmful to agriculture, he proposes to take any steps to make this decision generally known throughout the countryside, in view of the prejudice which exists to the contrary in many districts?

The findings contained in the recent report of the British Trust for Ornithology as to the beneficent character of the little owl have received wide publicity through the medium of the Press and broadcast talks, and in the circumstances I do not consider that any further steps in this direction are called for. I would add that my Department has also issued a leaflet dealing with the little owl, a copy of which I am sending to my hon. and gallant Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is not a matter of prejudice but of knowledge and experience, and that little owls do a great amount of harm to young poultry and pheasant chicks?

I will send to my hon. and gallant Friend also a copy of the leaflet to which I have referred, from which he will see that exhaustive tests have been made of the feeding habits of this bird, and the researches show quite definitely that, although there may be some bad individuals, it is, on the whole, a good bird.

Is it not a fact that the bad individuals greatly outnumber the good ones?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the estimated acreage area of wheat reported by the Ministry's crop reporters as planted for this present year?

From reports received from the Ministry's crop reporters it is estimated that the area in England and Wales under wheat this year amounts to roughly 1,800,000 acres. Precise figures obtained through the Annual Agricultural Returns will not be available until early in August.

Have these returns been checked from the returns supplied by the agricultural holders?

As I have told the hon. Member, precise information will not be available until early in August.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the net weighted average prices that producers received per dozen for national-mark eggs and eggs at country markets during 1937?

I regret that the necessary information is not available to enable precise calculations to be made of the net weighted average prices per dozen received by producers during 1937 for either National Mark eggs or eggs sold at country markets.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the poultry department of the Ministry's laboratory at Weybridge is self-supporting; and whether its financial position in this respect is able to provide free blood-testing and free post-mortems for accredited breeders of poultry as is announced to take place immediately?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The free services to accredited breeders of poultry are being provided at the Ministry's laboratory at Weybridge in accordance with arrangements made under Section 24 of the Agriculture Act, 1937, out of moneys provided by Parliament.

Can my right hon. Friend state the total amount of money which is necessary for financing these free services, and the total capital expenditure necessary for extending the laboratory at Weybridge; and does he, in view of the large amount of private money that is invested in private laboratories in this country, think that this expenditure of public capital is justified?

I have informed my hon. Friend that the position is that the ordinary work of the laboratory is self-supporting and is paid for by the fees charged. In connection with the Agriculture Act of last year, provision was made out of moneys provided by Parliament for these particular free services to be provided.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the official announcement that free blood-testing and free post-mortems will be provided to accredited breeds of poultry from 1st July, it is the intention of his Department to compel accredited breeders to test with the Ministry, or whether they can, if they wish, test with any of the approved laboratories?

The free services to accredited breeders of poultry in England and Wales under Section 24 of the Agriculture Act, 1937, are being provided only at the Ministry's laboratory at Weybridge. No provision has, therefore, been made in the accredited poultry breeding stations scheme for the ensuing season for blood tests and post-mortem examinations for the purposes of the scheme to be carried out at other laboratories.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that private enterprise will suffer as a result of these activities by the Department, and is there any evidence that private enterprise has not served the industry well in the past, working under the supervision of his Department?

I see no reason why private enterprise should suffer through these activities; but surely it is reasonable, when Parliament is providing the money, that the work should be carried out under Parliamentary control?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the results of the experiments, carried out under the auspices of his Department, of feeding calves on pasteurised milk, as compared with raw milk, show which of the two types of milk can be regarded as being without doubt the more desirable for human consumption?

The present position of experimental work on the feeding of pasteurised milk to cows is set out in a report on dairy research recently published by the Agricultural Research Council, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Why is it called raw milk? It is fresh milk; calves have been fed for countless generations on it, and they still survive.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is conferring with the Danish Government as to the results of the foot-and-mouth vaccine experiments at Reims Island; and whether His Majesty's Government are testing the efficacy of the vaccine?

I have seen reports on the active immunisation of animals against foot-and-mouth disease in Germany. In a preliminary scientific account that has been published, no details are given of the methods of preparation of the vaccine, but it is stated that they will be published in the near future. The results of the use of the vaccine in the field will also be published later. The Foot-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee is aware of the work which has been carried out in Denmark and its recent application in Germany, and is keeping in touch with the situation.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the hardship inflicted on the farmer who has a bull which is rejected as unsuitable for being licensed for stock purposes, in that the farmer is prohibited from taking such bull to a mart to be sold; and will the Minister consider amending the Act to make it permissible for the farmer to sell such a bull at a public mart with proper safeguards as to the subsequent slaughter of the animal?

Under the existing procedure a farmer owning a rejected bull which he does not wish to castrate is required to move the bull direct to a slaughterhouse. While I can understand the desire of a fanner to avail himself of such competition as would be afforded by the sale of the animal in a public market, the hon. Member will appreciate that the object of the Licensing of Bulls Act would be defeated if such a bull were sold at a market and were not immediately slaughtered thereafter. I have recently reviewed the existing procedure and have come to the conclusion that the provision of the safeguards which would be necessitated by the procedure suggested would be impracticable on grounds of administrative difficulty and expense.

Is it not a fact that these rejected bulls are so marked with an "R" that it would be impossible for them to be sold without the officials knowing? Is the Minister aware that owing to this fact the price received for these bulls is altogether out of proportion to their value?

In individual cases where hardship arises through there being no competition for the bull, I have power to make an exception and I am very willing to consider any particular case of hardship which may arise.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that the East-bourne Town Council decided to recommend that the postmen in their area should be given a weekly half-holiday; that the postmaster, in reply, stated that he had received objections to the recommendation and therefore did not propose to carry it out; and that the town council thereupon decided, by a substantial majority, to reaffirm their previous decision; and whether, in view of the fact that some years ago the half-holiday was taken away on the recommendation of the town council, he will give instructions that the recommendation of the responsible local authority to restore it shall be adopted?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, but it is not the practice to act on such a recommendation if, as is the case at Eastbourne, there is evidence of public opposition.

Will the hon. Gentleman give further consideration to this matter, in view of the fact that there is a large volume of opinion in favour of it?

I will certainly give further consideration to it, but so far the volume of public opinion has been the other way.

On the previous occasion when the half-holiday was taken away, was there not opposition to that?

No; when the half-holiday was taken away it was on the recommendation of the council, supported by commercial interests and other influential organisations.

What about the mass of the people?

There was a small amount of opposition, but it was only very small.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the site has now been selected for the Stoke-on-Trent new central post office; if so, where is the site; when is it intended to start building; and when is the building to be completed?

A site has not been definitely settled, and it is, therefore, not possible to give the other information asked for.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give favourable consideration to the request of the Lewis District Council at its meeting in January last that all rural post offices in the island should be authorised to issue money orders and accept parcels for foreign delivery, in view of the many complaints that at present people in some villages have to walk four or five miles to reach offices with fuller authority than the village offices?

There is no record or recollection of representations on this matter from the Lewis District Council; but I will have inquiry made, and write to the hon. Member.

Will the hon. Gentleman accept my statement that the Lewis District Council agreed on representations about three months ago, and will he accept these representations from me now?

If the council have written to the hon. Member, surely they ought to send a duplicate copy to me or to my right hon. Friend?

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made with the installation of wireless telegraphy and the telephony system in the Outer Hebrides; and when it is to be in full operation?

The arrangements mentioned in my reply of 28th February to the hon. Member's earlier inquiry on the subject are progressing according to schedule. A good deal of construction work is involved, including the erection of buildings and aerials and the laying of submarine cables in difficult waters; but it is expected that call office facilities from Castlebay and Lochboisdale to the mainland will be available by the summer of 1939 and from Lochmaddy to the mainland by the end of that year. In addition, arrangements are being made to augment the existing cable telephone service between the islands of Lewis and Harris and the mainland by the provision of two wireless telephone channels, which it is hoped will be ready for service by October next. It is not proposed to provide wireless telegraph circuits to supplement the existing telegraph services.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the fact that the sub-post office in the island of Scarp, in the Outer Hebrides, is the only one under Stornoway control which is without the telephone, and that there has been a demand for years for its installation, he will take action to meet this need of the people of the island and visitors to the place?

The provision of telephone service to the island of Scarp would involve the laying of a submarine cable and would be very costly. As there are only about 90 inhabitants on Scarp, the cost would be out of all proportion to the telephone revenue likely to be obtained; and I regret that the desired extension could not be justified.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that the abject poverty of the Post Office is the only obstacle?

No, Sir. It is the uneconomic proposal put forward by the hon. Member.

Does not the convenience of the people, who, after all, do subscribe to the national revenue, enter into it at all?

We always take into account the convenience of the people, but we also have to take into account the British taxpayer.

Is it not a fact that 99 people in that place are just as important, and may be just as good revenue payers, as 99 people anywhere else?

My information is 90.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange to supply domestic and other telephone subscribers, when requested, with an alternative, more euphonious, type of bell, or with lights, soft buzzers, or some device for calling subscribers, less liable unnecessarily to distract the household or to disturb invalids and children?

The use of lamp signals or soft buzzers instead of bells is open to the objection that the telephone is not as a rule under continuous observation and the signal is thus likely to be missed. The present type of bell has not given rise to any general complaint; but the Post Office is quite prepared to meet subscribers' wishes in exceptional cases.

Is not the hon. Member aware that, in fact, there are many complaints in households, leading to unfortunate language at times, and will he not at least provide the option to subscribers of having a less annoying kind of bell?

In exceptional cases, where there is sickness or where it is necessary that there should be quiet—which does not apply to the ordinary household—there are ways and means of softening the bell, practised by many of our subscribers, by inserting a little blotting paper.

Do I understand that that is the official recommendation—to insert blotting paper.

I am describing what some people do—not making a recommendation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in France, where they use the same system—the Western Electric—the light system has been available to subscribers for many years past?

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps are being taken by his Department to provide additional facilities and encouragement to the public for recreation in the parks under his control since the passage of the Physical Training and Recreation Act?

The facilities for sports and recreation provided in the Royal Parks are very extensive. They include 129 football pitches, 47 cricket pitches, 29 tennis courts, 14 hockey pitches, three golf courses and a polo ground, besides facilities for athletics, boating, lacrosse, netball, rowing, riding and organised children's games. The polo ground and four football pitches have been added since the date to which my hon. Friend refers.

With relation to the grant made to the polo ground, can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that ground is used by the general public?

It is open to the general public.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire as to whether the present rates for life and other insurance charged by the various insurance offices to-day are equitable and in the interest of the public, having regard to the extent of the accumulated reserves of these tariff offices; and as to whether these large reserves have been accumulated on account of the excessive margins charged?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is not disposed to question the wisdom of accumulating sufficient reserves in this class of business, in which security is a paramount consideration, and sees no necessity for an inquiry of the kind referred to.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware how desirable it is that young people should be able to effect life insurance, and that they are often precluded by the very high rates charged? Does he not, in view of that, consider that the whole matter should be investigated?

One of the most important considerations in regard to insurance is that there should be security, and that the benefits should be paid.

Is it not also a fact that if you insure the very young you get a much lower rate?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether any further progress has been made with the rehousing of the staff of His Majesty's inspector of taxes, 10, Park Road, Chorley, Lancashire; whether he is aware that, in the course of these negotiations, a well-known local firm of builders wrote to the Office of Works offering to build a lessor building to the specification of the Office of Works and that suitable sites were available, but that the Office of Works have not acknowledged the original letter; and whether he will make inquiries into the position to ensure that, when offers of this kind are made, early acknowledgments are sent to the builders?

The question of re-housing this staff is being actively pursued, but no satisfactory scheme has yet been devised. I can find no trace of an offer by a firm of builders to erect a building, but a letter asking for particulars of the size of the site required for an Excise Office was received; it is very much regretted that through an oversight an acknowledgment was not sent in this case, but I can assure the hon. Member that offers when received are normally acknowledged and investigated without delay.

asked the Minister of Health whether any instructions are issued to local authorities carrying out planning schemes in connection with coastal preservation that in all cases provision must be made to prevent the loss of public access to the land immediately above high-water mark in consequence of erosion?

It is for the planning authority to decide in the first instance what provisions should be included in their scheme; but the hon. Member may rest assured that, whenever a scheme affecting the coast line is submitted to my right hon. Friend for approval, the question of securing public access to cliff or beach will receive his special attention.

Will the Minister draw attention to the fact that something should be done to place the cost of any work that has been done if the coast is destroyed by the rubbish put out by various companies, such as coal, and so on?

I cannot answer that question without notice. If the hon. Gentleman has any particular case in mind I shall be glad to give the matter consideration.

I will send the hon. Gentleman a case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether in order to preserve the coast, especially in rural areas, consideration will be given to the giving of special grants to local authorities who undertake the necessary work in this direction?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15th February to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson).

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any consideration at all has been given to the foreshore at Buckhaven and to the work that it is necessary to do there in order to overcome the damage which has been done by the Wellesley Redd Bing?