asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the nature of the requirements regarding vaccination expressed by this country to the authorities in India; and does the Government of Bombay take responsibility for any injury to life or health that may result from vaccination imposed by them on steamship passengers and crew?

I am not aware that any such requirements have been expressed from here to the authorities in India. As regards the second part of the question, I am unable to anticipate what decision would be reached should such a case arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will publish information respecting the exports and imports between India and Japan during each of the past three years, with special reference to the export of material to Japan specifically employed for war purposes?

As regards 1937–38, complete information is not yet available, but as regards the earlier years, information about the trade between India and Japan is already published and is to be found, for instance, in Volume I of the Annual Statement of the Sea-borne Trade of British India, of which there is a copy in the Library. The exports from India to Japan include such commodities as raw cotton, pig iron, jute, and manganese ore, which may in varying degrees be used for warlike purposes.

When will the figures for 1937 be available?

I could not give the hon. Member the date, but I will find out and let him know if I can.

(for Mr. T. Williams) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the widespread opposition in India to the federal portion of the Government of India Act, His Majesty's Government will consider introducing an amending Bill to the Act providing for direct election to the federal Lower House, for power over finance to be vested in the Lower House, and for the amendment of Sections 112 to 117 of the Act?

The provisions referred to were the result of deliberate decisions of Parliament in 1935, and His Majesty's Government have no intention of asking Parliament to reconsider them.

(for Mr. T. Williams) asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether His Majesty's Government will give consideration at the earliest opportunity to the question of taking over the cost of the maintenance of British troops in India?

The cost of British troops in India is only one item of Indian Defence expenditure and that problem as a whole is constantly engaging my Noble Friend's attention.

asked the Prime Minister what representations have been made by the French Government to His Majesty's Government to the effect that the entering into force of the Anglo-Italian Agreement before the conclusion of a similar accord between the French and Italian Governments would be regarded as an unfriendly act?

No representations of the nature indicated by the hon. Member have been received from the French Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the allegation contained in this question was published semiofficially in Rome, and in view of that fact will he convey his reply to the Italian Government?

The Italian Government are quite aware of the facts of the situation.

asked the Prime Minister what reply he has made to the Note received from the Spanish Government giving details of the landing of Italian troops and arms in Spain in the past three months and alleging that plans have been made for retaining large numbers of Italian troops as members of the Nationalist Foreign Legion?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have reported to the Non-Intervention Committee the Note sent to them by the Spanish Government charging Italy with sending additional war material and technicians to the aid of the Spanish insurgents during the past three months and with a plan to defeat the purpose of the Non-Intervention Committee's proposal for the withdrawal of foreign combatants; whether, and when, the Non-Intervention Committee will meet to consider these charges; and whether the Spanish Government's Note will be made available to Members of the House?

asked the Prime Minister, whether he has now considered the communication sent to him from the Spanish Government alleging a large number of breaches of the Non-Intervention Agreement by Italy during April, May and June and that instructions have been given to General Franco by the Italian Government how to evade the aims of the Agreement for the withdrawal of volunteers; and what action His Majesty's Government are taking in the matter?

In the Note referred to the Spanish Government drew the attention of His Majesty's Government to a report to the effect that, when the plan of withdrawal is put into effect, it was intended that only sick and incapacitated Italian volunteers should be evacuated and that the remainder should be incorporated in the Spanish Foreign Legion. His Majesty's representative at Barcelona was at once instructed, in reply, to point out that great care was taken by the Non-Intervention Committee, when drawing up the plan, to provide against the possibility of evasions of the kind suggested, and to invite the Spanish Government's attention to the relevant provisions of the plan. It is expressly stated therein that no sick and incapacitated volunteers are to be transferred to the Commissioners until all the able-bodied volunteers have been handed over.

As regards the Spanish Foreign Legion, the Spanish Government have been referred to the chapters of the plan in which the terms "foreign volunteer" and "persons engaged either directly or indirectly in the present conflict" are defined. As His Majesty's Government are not prepared to take responsibility for the statements made in the Note, they are unable, under the recognised procedure, to bring it to the attention of the Non-Intervention Committee. Nor can they publish it for similar reasons.

Further consideration is being given to the statements of alleged breaches of the Non-Intervention Agreement.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that the Spanish Government have repeatedly made charges in respect of breaches of the Non-Intervention Pact which have subsequently been found to be quite correct, and will he not bring these charges before the Non-Intervention Committee?

How is proof of the statement to be investigated if His Majesty's Government will not investigate it themselves and will not refer it to the Non-Intervention Committee to investigate?

If the hon. Lady had listened to my reply, she would have heard me say that further consideration is being given to the statement of alleged breaches, and further consideration of action must depend on the consideration which we are now giving it.

What does the hon. Gentleman mean when he says that further consideration is being given to it? Will he give an undertaking that, pending these investigations and pending satisfying himself that they are untrue, no further steps will be taken in regard to the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

I can give no such assurance to the hon. Member, but I can give an assurance that I shall investigate these cases, as I have informed the House.

Does that mean that if these charges are found to be true, the Anglo-Italian Annexes will nevertheless be brought into force?

We must investigate the cases first, before we decide.

Will the hon. Gentleman find time to read the supplementary report in the "Daily Chronicle," which gives all the details for the last two years?

I am always ready to read any information which is brought to my notice.

asked the Prime Minister what is the result of His Majesty's Government's inquiry of General Franco for an explanation of his denial that ships flying the red ensign had been deliberately bombed and machine-gunned by his aircraft?

I have nothing to add at present in amplification of the full statement made by the Prime Minister on 13th July.

Can my hon. Friend say what is being done in the matter of compensation?

If the hon. Gentleman will refer to the Prime Minister's statement, he will see that there are certain questions being considered between His Majesty's Government and the Burgos authorities. Pending that consideration, I can give no further reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now completed his inquiries with regard to the military mission of Spanish insurgent officers, under General Orgay, which arrived in Berlin on 10th June; and whether he will inform the House of the result?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the visit was purely complimentary, and was made for the purpose of attending military manoeuvres.

May I ask whether the Under-Secretary of State has no reason to think that the intensification of assistance, whether by men or materials, may arise out of this complimentary visit?

I can only give the hon. Gentleman the information in my possession.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the preface written by Signor Mussolini to a collection of the minutes of the Grand Fascist Council, in which he stated that troops sent by the Italian Government to Spain were taking part in an ideological war in Spain between Bolshevism and Fascism; and whether, in view of this admission that the Italian Government is officially intervening in Spain, he will instruct His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome to inform the Italian Government that His Majesty's Government cannot agree to expedite the date of the operation of the Anglo-Italian Agreement until the Italian Government has ceased to intervene in Spain?

I am aware of the preface to which the hon. Member refers. As has been repeatedly stated in this House, His Majesty's Government are not in a position to give full effect to the Anglo-Italian Agreement of 16th April until they can regard the Spanish question as settled. It is our sincere hope that the acceptance of the plan for the withdrawal of volunteers may accelerate such a settlement.

Is it not a fact that the Italian Government have it within their power to expedite the operation of this Agreement without waiting for a settlement if they were to withdraw their troops at once?

That does not say that the Italian Government are the only Government concerned.

Is it not a fact that these questions are put on the Paper to embarrass His Majesty's Government?

asked the Prime Minister what reports have been received from His Majesty's agents in Italy and Spain concerning the activity of the Italian air force in the Spanish war during the months of April, May, and June, 1938?

My Noble Friend receives regular reports from His Majesty's Representatives in Spain on all aspects of the civil war. All aircraft operating on behalf of General Franco are held by His Majesty's Government to form part of his forces.

Has the hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the Italian statement that Italian aircraft had dropped 1,400 tons of bombs in the last three months, and does he consider these operations consistent with Signor Mussolini's pledge to make no material alteration in the situation in Spain?

As I have said in my answer, all aircraft operating on behalf of General Franco must be held to take their orders from General Franco.

Do not the Italian Government officially announce the results achieved by their own air force in Spain?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Count Ciano has said that when a settlement is arrived at they will withdraw their forces from Spain? Does not that mean that these forces are under the control of the Italian Government?

I have never denied that there are Italians and Italian aircraft in Spain, but I have said in my answer that we must regard all the aircraft in General Franco's forces as being under General Franco's control.

Are not these airmen subjects of Italy and responsible to the Italian Government?

I have said that they must be held to take their orders from General Franco.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that the policy of the British Government is not to count the withdrawal of even 10,000 volunteers from Spain as constituting sufficient grounds for bringing the Italian Agreement into force, but to insist upon the complete execution of the whole of the withdrawal plan before ratifying the agreement?

I cannot prejudge the circumstances in which it may be possible for the two Governments concerned to determine the date of the entry into force of the instruments in question.

Was there not a Press conference at the Foreign Office last Tuesday, at which the relation between the withdrawal of 10,000 volunteers and the coming into force of the Agreement was discussed; and if it was not referred to in the terms of my question, would it not be an advantage if we were told in what terms it was referred to?

I was not present at the conference. Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down.

asked the Prime Minister which were the States whose Governments were invited to take part in the international commission to report on the facts regarding aerial bombardment in Spain?

asked the Prime Minister which of the Governments consulted agreed and which refused to be associated in sending a commission of inquiry to investigate the bombing of non-military objectives in Spain?

The United States and Swiss Governments felt unable to associate themselves with the despatch of the proposed commission. The Netherlands, Norwegian and Swedish Governments agreed to do so provided that no objection was raised by either party in Spain to the manner in which the commission was to be composed. This condition could not be fulfilled since the Burgos authorities were unwilling to agree to the appointment of a national of any country the government of which maintains no relations with themselves.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us why no invitation was sent to France or the U.S.S.R., and will he not consider sending such invitations?

We cannot go on asking people indefinitely. We want to avoid delay.

asked the Prime Minister whether an opportunity will be given to the House before it adjourns to discuss the proposals of the Non-Intervention Committee embodied in Command Paper No. 5793?

I fear no special opportunity can be given at this period of the Session for such a discussion, but the matter could of course be raised in the normal course of business.

asked the Prime Minister what sources of information, other than the returns made to the Inland Revenue Department, are available to Members of the Government tending to show that excessive profits have been earned by shipowners trading with the eastern coast of Spain during the last six months?

I do not think that it has ever been denied that considerable profits have been made during the civil war by shipping companies trading to Spanish ports.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the question which is on the Paper, and say, if he can, whether there is any other source of information?

I think that if the hon. Member would address himself to the quarters where the profits are made, he would find that it was not denied that profits have been made by these shipping companies.

Is the Minister aware that I have addressed myself to those quarters and that is why I put down my question? Will he further note that if the freight rates are higher than to other ports that is entirely because His Majesty's Government have not given protection to British ships?

Could the hon. Gentleman answer the question on the Paper: Is there any other sources open to His Majesty's Government from which to get information as to these profits other than the Inland Revenue authorities?

In his speech on 23rd June the Prime Minister read from an article in the "Daily Herald" what the profits were.

Are we, then, to understand that the Government's public statements in the country and in this House are based solely upon the evidence in an article in the "Daily Herald"?

That is one of the many sources from which His Majesty's Government gets information.

Are there any other sources?

I have frequently informed the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government is exceptionally well informed.

Is the "Daily Herald" the organ of the Government?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the cost incurred in replacing damaged clothing, repairing damaged torpedo warhead, etc., arising out of the assistance rendered by His Majesty's ships "Boreas" and "Kempenfelt" to the cruiser of General Franco, the "Canarias," on 6th March; and whether any demand has been put in to General Franco for reimbursement of moneys so expended?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to the rescue of the survivors of the cruiser "Baleares." The cost of making good stores and clothing lost as the result of the participation of His Majesty's ships "Boreas" and "Kempenfelt" in that rescue is estimated as roughly £500. It would not be in accordance with the usual practice to make a claim in respect of humanitarian services of this character. Damage to the approximate value of £95 was caused to the torpedo warhead mentioned in the question by bombs dropped by aircraft presumably belonging to the Spanish Government, which delivered an attack while the survivors were being transferred to the cruiser "Canarias."

asked the Prime Minister what action is proposed to set at rest the widespread fears of the British community in Shanghai that the Japanese Government is deliberately encouraging Japanese commercial undertakings to follow close on the military advance in the Yangtze basin, while placing obstacles in the way of British firms on the alleged ground of military necessity; and what communications he has had with the Japanese Government on the subject?

The most recent communication from the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs expresses readiness to take certain steps to allay the anxiety felt for British rights and interests. His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo is continuing to press the Japanese Government on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will again protest to the Japanese Government against the bombings of Canton, and express the horror felt by all civilised peoples at the continual destruction of defenceless Chinese far from any point of military importance?

I have not received full official information regarding the more recent bombing of Canton, but such information as I have received tends to show that the objectives were military and that the civilian casualties did not bear a high proportion to the total.

Is my hon. Friend aware that in the raids which took place on Thursday and Friday of last week, before I put down this question, according to the information which appeared in the "Times" and the "Daily Telegraph" most of the bombs fell upon the river population of Canton, far away from any military objectives; and will he take steps to find out what is the true state of affairs and not be fobbed off with any statement which the Japanese authorities care to put out?

In such a serious matter as this I should certainly not wish to have incomplete information, and that is why I have said that we have not yet received full information. When we have I will communicate it to the House.

Could my hon. Friend ask for this information to be got as quickly as possible? This is a terrible state of affairs.

Yes, I will press for the information to be sent as quickly as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that alien Jews visiting German resorts are excluded from bathing places at the sea, rivers, lakes, and from sun-bathing shelters and that, on their arrival at a spa, they must report to the police who will issue to them a special card; and, if so, whether he intends making any protest against these restrictions on behalf of British Jews?

I am aware that certain restrictions have been placed upon the movements of Jewish visitors, including foreign Jews, at German spas and other resorts, but I am not aware of any cases of British Jews having suffered from these restrictions.

May we take it that the hon. Gentleman will make representations to the German Government if he finds that there are these restrictions being placed upon our own nationals?

In the event of British subjects suffering hardship, we would, of course, consider the possibility of taking up individual cases with the German Government.

Is it considered a hardship not to be able to bathe?

Would not the best way of avoiding these restrictions be for Jews and all other English people to keep out of Germany?

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the fact that this country effectively supported in 1918 the claim for self-determination of Czechs and Slays which led to the creation of Czechoslovakia, he will now give an assurance that this country will not lend moral or other support to the denial of a claim for self-determination by means of a plebiscite in the event of failure of negotiations between Sudeten representatives and the Czechoslovakian Government?

Conversations are still proceeding between the parties concerned, and I should prefer for the present to hope for a successful issue to these conversations rather than to anticipate their failure.

In the event of the Czechoslovakian Government making reasonable and generous proposals for the settlement of matters now under discussion, can we be assured that His Majesty's Government will support them in resisting unreasonable and excessive demands designed to break up the Czechoslovakian State?

What are reasonable and unreasonable proposals must be a matter of opinion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet received a copy of the text of the proposed Czechoslovak Nationalities Statute; whether he is aware that non-publication has strengthened the Sudeten desire for a plebiscite under international supervision; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that publication takes place before this matter is brought before the League of Nations under the Minorities Clauses of which this country is joint guarantor or otherwise?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that these texts are still in process of elaboration, and that the question of publication does not for the moment arise. His Majesty's Government are closely watching the situation and are anxious that early agreement should be reached.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance to the House that His Majesty's Government will refrain from any general discussion of outstanding questions with Germany until the Czechoslovakian question has been settled?

No, Sir. I do not think it would be wise to limit the freedom of action of His Majesty's Government to the extent suggested in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement respecting the position in Czechoslovakia and the progress towards a satisfactory solution of the Sudeten problem?

I have nothing at present to add to the replies which I have given to earlier questions on this subject to-day.

Is there any truth in the report emanating from German sources that there have been abnormal troop movements in Czechoslovakia in the past few days?

We have heard from the Czechoslovakian Government that there is no truth in those reports.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the important trade developments taking place between Mexico and other States and the desirability of establishing good relations between the peoples of both countries, His Majesty's Government will initiate discussions for the resumption of normal diplomatic intercourse between Great Britain and the Mexican Government?

The information at the disposal of His Majesty's Government does not confirm the rumours that important trade developments are taking place between Mexico and other States. While they deplore the state of the relations now existing between Mexico and this country, His Majesty's Government have received no indication to lead them to believe that it would be useful in existing circumstances to resume the diplomatic intercourse which, to their regret, was suspended through the initiative of the Mexican Government.

Surely a country with the status of Great Britain can well afford to take the initiative in this matter without losing prestige, as it is desirable that there should be no unnecessary rupture between the two countries?

I cordially reciprocate the feelings expressed by the hon. Member in the concluding part of the question, but it is not a question of prestige; it would not be useful in present circumstances to take the action which the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Prime Minister what will be the composition of the United Kingdom delegation to the forthcoming meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations?

The composition of the delegation will be as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement of the result achieved by the Vansittart Propaganda Committee?

The Committee for the Co-ordination of British Publicity Abroad, of which Sir Robert Vansittart is chairman, seeks to encourage and co-ordinate the day to day activities of Government Departments and outside bodies, especially the British Council, the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Travel and Industrial Development Association, which are concerned with different forms of British national publicity in foreign countries. The committee has also surveyed the whole question and submitted certain recommendations, which are at present under consideration.

May we know what financial means this committee have at their disposal? Can they carry on this propaganda if they have no money?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a recent speech by the President of the United States appealing for international disarmament; and whether His Majesty's Government will invite the President and the United States Government to formulate proposals and to take the initiative for their consideration by the governments of the Great Powers?

I have seen the statement to which the hon. Member refers, which is naturally welcomed by His Majesty's Government. As regards the second part of the question, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 22nd June last.

Is the Prime Minister himself taking any action with regard to this appeal of the President of the United States, and does not the right hon. Gentleman think it well to seize all such opportunities to encourage peace and the remoter hope of disarmament?

The question contained a different suggestion, to invite the President and the Government of the United States to formulate proposals. I think that if they wished to formulate proposals it would not be necessary for us to invite them to do it.

Would it not be well to give them a little encouragement?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have made any progress towards the fulfilment of their intention, announced last year, to endeavour to bring about, under new and more explicit international law, the abolition of bombing of civil populations; and, if not, whether he will consider reducing the Government's views on this question to explicit proposals which would form the basis of thought and discussion by the Governments and peoples of all countries?

I would refer the hon. Member to my recent statements on this subject and in particular to my reply to the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 11th July, to which I have nothing at present to add.

Will the Prime Minister keep in mind that in modern negotiations for disarmament proposals of this kind, progress has more than once, notably in the case of the first Washington Treaty, only been made by the tabling of definite and explicit proposals out of the confusion of preliminary negotiations? Will he, therefore, consider advancing the matter one stage further in this manner?

Yes, that is precisely the consideration which the Government have in mind. As I explained in my earlier statement, what the Government are trying to do is to find whether it is possible to reduce general ideas to explicit proposals.

asked the Prime Minister how many members compose the Executive Committee of the British Council for Cultural Relations; and whether there is anyone on the committee representing the Scottish Office or Scottish educational or artistic interests and, if not, for what reasons?

The Executive Committee of the British Council consists of 23 members. While there is no member of the committee specifically representing the Scottish Office, Scotland has its representatives, including the right hon. Baronet the Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair). The Scottish Education Department is represented upon the Students' Committee of the Council, and also upon the Advisory Committee on Teachers Abroad; upon which the Educational Institute in Scotland and the Association of Counties of Cities in Scotland are also represented. A recommendation that the Scottish Office itself should be represented on the executive committee is now being made to the chairman of the British Council.

Is there any reason why Welsh interests should not be represented?

asked the Prime Minister on what date His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin had an audience of the head of the German Government; and whether during this period any official conversations designed to bring the two Governments into closer understanding have taken place?

The last occasion on which His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin was received by the Chancellor of the Reich was on 3rd March. Sir Nevile Henderson has since been in communication on a number of occasions with the German Minister for Foreign Affairs, notably in connection with the question of the German-speaking population in Czechoslovakia; and, as my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer informed the House on 1st July last, negotiations between the two Governments were successfully concluded on that date for a revision of the Anglo-German Payments Agreement.

asked the Prime Minister on what date His Majesty's Ambassador in Russia had an audience of the head of the Russian Government; and whether he is satisfied that the contacts of the two Governments are close and continuous enough to remove the possibility of avoidable misunderstandings?

As far as I am at present aware, Lord Chilston's last formal audience with M. Kalinin, the Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was on the occasion of the presentation of his credentials. As regards the second part of the question, I am satisfied that the diplomatic contacts between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government are as close as is possible.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the valuable organic matter in the rubbish and waste products of the towns to restore fertility to the soil; and whether he will consult the Minister of Health and local authorities to make this better known and more easily available to the farmers so that they can have a cheap and effective method of increasing the productivity of their soil?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of a leaflet issued free by the Ministry, entitled "Town Refuse as Manure," from which he will see that steps have already been taken to draw attention to this use of town refuse and to the methods adopted by certain local authorities in dealing with the material in the interests of farmers.

Is the Minister aware that the waste products in other countries are used on the land to a much greater extent than is the practice here?

Yes, Sir. I think that if my hon. and gallant Friend will study the report he will see that this refuse is valuable on the land.

Is there any purpose in furnishing additional supplies of manure in view of the Government's statement that they do not wish more food grown here?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government, to ensure a better and more regular control of imports, will lay down a definite maximum output in order to determine what percentage of wheat, sugar, dairy produce, poultry, livestock, pigs, fruit, etc., can be produced in this country, and to safeguard and secure the necessary market for them; and further, whether they will have worked out a proper formula to co-relate this production to the productions of our overseas suppliers?

No, Sir. It would not be practicable to lay down a definite maximum output for particular agricultural products. The volume of production must necessarily depend, partly on the vagaries of our climate, and partly on the decisions of individual farmers as to the type and extent of production which, in the light of prevailing economic trends, appears best suited to the soil and other conditions of their farms. I regret that I have no control over the former, while as regards the latter I do not believe that it would be the wish of this House that I should attempt to define for farmers either the nature or the volume of the crops or animal products that they should produce.

Is it not a fact that the home producer is entitled to first place in the home market, provided that the quality of his produce is right, and is he not entitled to a fair margin of profit for all that he can produce?

Yes, Sir, I think the answer to both my hon. Friend's questions is in the affirmative.

Will the Minister consider the question of receiving from the farmers of the country such a programme as is outlined in this question and giving it his consideration?

I will gladly consider any programme that is presented to me.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps the Government are taking to increase the amount of available feeding offals in this country in the event of an emergency?

It is unlikely that in the event of a serious emergency it would be practicable to increase the supply of feeding offals. The desirability of increasing the supply of alternative feeding stuffs in that event has not, however, been overlooked.

Is it not possible to do something to improve the quality and lower the price of feeding offals to-day?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the many difficulties which the arable farmers in this country are facing; and can he give particulars of any further legislation the Government propose to introduce in the near future to remedy this situation?

I am aware of the special problems of arable farming in this country. As the hon. Member will be aware, a number of Measures designed to meet these problems have been introduced in recent years. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 14th and 27th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) and my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte) and Chelmsford (Major Macnamara), to which I have nothing to add.

Is it not a fact that many of the arable farmers are practically destitute?

I should not like to express general agreement or disagreement with that statement, but the hon. Member will be aware that a large number of Measures of particular assistance to arable farmers in this country have been passed by the present Government.

Is it not a fact that every Measure introduced to help agriculture has been opposed in the Division Lobby by the hon. Member who asked the question?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the retail prices of mutton and beef as set out in the Ministry of Labour cost-of-living index for last month and for the same month in 1937 shows an insignificant change, and that the prices of these commodities to farmers have fallen to an alarming extent, he will consider instituting an inquiry to ascertain the reasons in these differences between retail and wholesale prices?

I am aware that the fall in the price of fat sheep during the past year has been reflected only to a relatively small extent in retail mutton prices, but prices of fat cattle and retail prices of beef show very little change in comparison with a year ago. The relations between wholesale and retail prices of food, including meat, are kept under review by the Food Council, and I do not consider it necessary, in the circumstances, to institute the special inquiry suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government will introduce legislation to amend the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1928, to ensure that all eggs subjected to cold storage in this country must be marked in an appropriate manner?

The whole question of the marking of cold-stored eggs is at present under consideration.

Is it not a fact that the National Farmers' Union have made repeated representations on this subject; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware of what the Poultry Re-organisation Commission said in 1935?

Yes, Sir, I remember what the Poultry Re-organisation Commission said, but my hon. Friend will be aware that the proposals for the poultry industry announced in this House recently will require legislation to carry them into effect, that an alteration in marking would also require legislation, and that it is surely convenient to deal with both matters together.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the petition signed by the owners of fishing rights on the River Caldew against the extension of the Eden Fishery Board's control to the River Caldew; and whether he will grant compensation to the present owners?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am proposing to arrange for a public local inquiry to be held into the matter, and a decision regarding the objections cannot be reached until the report of the inquiry has reached me. With regard to the second part of the question, the proposal is merely to extend the area of jurisdiction of the Fishery Board, and none of the present owners of fishing rights on the River Caldew will be dispossessed of those rights by virtue of the Order. The payment of compensation, therefore, does not arise.

Am I not right in thinking that if the extension does take place the present owners of fishing rights will be allowed to fish only on payment of a fee for a licence, which does, in effect, mean the confiscation of their fishing rights?

No, Sir, I am informed that the present Order does not dispossess any present owner of fishing rights in his property.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the German air force is to be largely increased; and whether he proposes to expand the British Air Force to meet this increase?

As regards the first part of the question, I have noticed a statement to this effect in certain newspapers, but His Majesty's Government have no official confirmation of it. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise, but steps are being taken to extend and accelerate the expansion of the Royal Air Force as already announced.

What is the point of arming against such good friends of the Prime Minister, in any case?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will place the Law Officers for England on the same basis of remuneration as the Lord Advocate and Solicitor-General for Scotland, so that they would not receive fees in addition to their salaries as Ministers?

No, Sir. I see no reason to alter the present arrangements, which follow the recommendations of the Select Committee of 1935.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that justice suffers in Scotland, where the extravagance of double payment is not practised?

The position in Scotland is not the same as that in England.

Could not the Scottish practice be easily introduced instead of the English one, and double payment not be given to Law Officers?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House an opportunity to discuss the Motion standing on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Greenock relative to the appointment of justices of the peace in Scotland?

In view of the state of public business, I can hold out no hope of time being found for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of the hon. and learned Member.

Does the Prime Minister not think that he would get considerable support for this Motion among the Members of his own party?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the verdict of the jury and the subsequent judgment of Mr. Justice Lawrence in the recent case of Ladbroke and Company, Limited, and others, versus Abrahams and others, which was heard in the High Court between 23rd May and 3rd June of this year, in which a post office telegraphist called Harvey was found guilty of fraudulent conspiracy in connection with the despatch of telegrams from Ascot races in 1936; whether Harvey was employed on racecourse duty at Ascot on 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th June this year; and whether any disciplinary action has been or is being taken against him?

I am aware of the verdict and judgment in question. Mr. Harvey was not on duty at Ascot in June this year. He has been suspended from duty, and the question of disciplinary action is now under consideration.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has made any progress in the scheme for building a Crown post office at Hornchurch?

No, Sir. A site has not yet been secured.

Is the Minister aware that for 90,000 people living in Hornchurch there is no Crown Post Office, and that there is considerable local feeling on the matter?

I know the hon. Gentleman's interest in the question, but we have had difficulty in finding a suitable site and suitable ground.

asked the Postmaster-General how many direct trunk telephone lines are in existence between London and Stockport, and whether any increase is contemplated?

Stockport is an exchange in the Manchester automatic area, and no direct trunk telephone lines between London and Stockport are therefore provided; 91 direct trunk lines exist between London and Manchester, and it is anticipated that five additional circuits will be provided shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will give particulars of any further recommendations the Government propose to adopt, as set out in the report of the Ullswater Committee on Broadcasting?

There has been no change in the conclusions of the Government regarding the recommendations of the Ullswater Committee on Broadcasting since the White Paper on the Committee's Report (Command 5207) and the drafts of the Corporation's Charter and Licence (Command 5329) were presented to Parliament in 1936.

Does that mean that the Government are not in agreement with the rest of the recommendations?

No, Sir; at least one of the recommendations is being examined with a view to seeing what ought to be done about it, as the House has been informed.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of persons at present employed in the work of construction on the two Government factories being established in Lancashire in connection with the rearmament programme; and the number recruited locally?

The number of persons employed is 10,227 and the number recruited through the local Employment Exchanges is 3,653.

Is the Minister aware that for every one drawn from the local Employment Exchanges there are more than two from outside and that that position is causing dissatisfaction in these areas; and will he not take steps to have this matter remedied?

All practicable steps are taken to secure that local unemployed labour is engaged, where possible.

Would it not be beneficial to stipulate in all contracts that local labour shall be given priority?

There is a clause in all contracts that local Employment Exchanges should be notified of vacancies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of a probable request for the consideration of an import duty to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, whether he can state the value and quantity of Jacquard designs and cards imported into this country for use in the silk industry?

I regret that the desired information is not available, as particulars of the imports of Jacquard designs and cards, whether for use in the silk industry or otherwise, are not separately recorded in the trade returns of the United Kingdom.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the request from the Civil Service Clerical Association to receive a deputation to put facts before him concerning the dismissal from the Ministry's employment of Major Vernon; and whether he is going to receive such a deputation?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared, in view of the apprehensions amongst civil servants of all grades, to receive representations from the staff side of the National Whitley Council as regards the application of the provisions of the Official Secrets Act?

My right hon. Friend has received a request from the Staff Side of the National Whitley Council to receive a deputation to put forward facts concerning the dismissal of Major Vernon from Air Ministry employment and he has considered this request. The facts of Major Vernon's case are as follow:

Major Vernon was convicted on 27th October for offences under the Official Secrets Act, 1911. Major Vernon pleaded guilty to two of the charges brought against him and the eminent King's Counsel who defended him stated that the Act had been properly invoked in his case. He also pleaded in mitigation of sentence that it was clear that Major Vernon would lose his employment under the Air Ministry and that this fact should be taken into account by the Court in pronouncing sentence. Major Vernon was found guilty on both charges and sentenced to a fine of £50. Subsequently he was dismissed from his appointment under the Air Ministry.

Under the existing agreed arrangements various channels exist for the representation of individual or collective staff questions, and ample facilities exist for the making of representations through these channels in Major Vernon's case. The reception of a deputation by the Secretary of State would fall outside the scope of these arrangements, and for this reason my right hon. Friend regrets that he does not see his way to affording special facilities in this case.

Is the Minister aware that statements made by eminent counsel when the case was being tried should never have been held against the victim, and that very great prejudice was introduced into the whole case directed against Major Vernon; and will he not, in the light of those facts, reconsider the matter

It is not for the Department or for any Department to comment upon the decisions of the judiciary. As regards further representations, there are three channels open at the present time. There are: the Departmental Whitley Council, the machinery of which has not been used in this case but which is still entirely free so to be used, if desired; the individual officer's association—in this case the Institute of Professional Civil Servants—which has not exercised its powers of representation but is still free to do so; and thirdly, the individual himself. Major Vernon has not exercised his freedom to appeal as an individual to the Secretary of State. My right hon. Friend is entirely willing to consider such an appeal provided that the grounds on which the appeal is made are given in writing beforehand. The reason for this stipulation is that the Department, that is to say, the Executive, must not be put into the position of being asked to comment upon decisions of the judiciary.

If one or more of those steps were taken, would the Minister be prepared to consider a deputation?

No, Sir; the three channels are entirely open to Major Vernon to use, and my right hon. Friend considers that they are ample and sufficient.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now considered the possibility of setting up an Employment Exchange in Hornchurch?

It is proposed to provide local office facilities at Hornchurch as soon as suitable premises can be found.

Would the hon. Gentleman investigate that matter and speed things up, because there is great discontent owing to the fact that, at the present time, people have to use the Employment Exchange at Romford, which is understaffed and overcrowded.

I can assure the hon. Member that real expedition is being used.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that 127 men, suspended indefinitely from employment at the Bowhill Pit, Fifeshire, on 2nd July, are deprived of unemployment benefits for the week starting 16th July, in view of the fact that they are receiving 30s. holiday pay for that period, a sum considerably less in many instances than their unemployment pay would have been; and whether he will take steps to adjust this anomaly?

:. I am making inquiries, and will write to the hon. Member.

If the hon. Gentleman finds that to be the case, will he see that the unemployed men get the equivalent of their unemployment benefit?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await my inquiries; the question was only put down on Friday.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give any figures showing the number of herring fishermen who are unemployed and the numbers who have left the industry during the past five years, and any estimate of the annual amounts spent through the Unemployment Assistance Board and public assistance channels arising from the unemployment in the herring fishing industry?

The statistics of employment and unemployment compiled by my Department relating to the fishing industry do not distinguish herring fishermen separately. At 13th June, 1938, there were 7,312 insured men, aged 18–64, in the fishing industry classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain. I regret that statistics giving the other information desired are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a thorough inquiry will be made into the recent disturbances in Jamaica and their causes, and the conduct of those responsible for the protection of the civil population and the maintenance of good order?

Yes, Sir.

Does that mean that there will be an independent commission, without any representation of these parties on it?

I am in communication with the Governor on the matter, and cannot yet state the composition of the commission.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Clowne Rural District Council, Nottinghamshire, seeking to acquire land at Church Lane for the housing of aged couples received but could not accept an offer of land at £360 per acre; whether the acquisition of the same land and/or an alternative site has since been sanctioned; what was the price; and what was the previous rateable value of the land that was acquired?