asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the recent experience in the Middle East and in certain foreign countries, he will call to the attention of the Government of India the extravagance and loss of efficiency that ensues from mechanising too large a part of a mobile force, and point out to them the need for retaining an adequate proportion of cavalry in the Indian Army?

The experience gained in the Middle East and foreign countries has been taken into consideration by the Government of India in formulating their policy concerning mechanisation.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that the Government of India will not have available the considerable forces of mounted yeomanry on whom the War Office are, apparently, relying to make good the deficiency that they have created?

I will certainly take note of what my hon. and gallant Friend says.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the number of persons killed and/or injured, respectively, in communal riots in the various provinces of British India during the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

Detailed figures could only be obtained by inquiry from the Provincial Governments, and my Noble Friend is not aware of any present circumstance that would justify him in addressing to those Governments a general inquiry of this kind on a matter of law and order for which they are responsible under the Government of India Act. In this connection I would refer the hon. Member to the Prime Minister's reply to the right hon. Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) on 17th June, 1937.

Has any figure been supplied of the number of British Europeans?

I do not think we have those figures.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, in what respects the system by which British trade is cultivated in Scandinavia and Northern Europe fails to obtain the success to which British trade is entitled; and will he issue a White Paper with recommendations, based upon his observations during his recent mission, by which British commercial efforts can be made more effective?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he found that there are openings in Finland for increasing the sale of British productions generally, and for engineering goods in particular; and whether he recommends that Anglo-Finnish trade should be developed by correspondence or by British representatives visiting at intervals or by the establishment of permanent residential British selling agencies in Finland?

The purpose of my visit to certain foreign countries was to secure an improvement in our trade relations with those countries, and the results were explained to the House in the answer given by the Prime Minister on 6th April to the right hon. Member for Wakefield (Mr. Greenwood). My discussions were for the most part with Governments, and the purpose of my visit was not to conduct a detailed market investigation, either generally or in regard to individual industries. There is, therefore, no occasion for the issue of a White Paper, but I may say that I am convinced that there are good openings for increased United Kingdom exports in those countries. I hope that the mission of industrialists from Finland now in this country, and the similar mission from Sweden which, it has been agreed, shall visit this country shortly, will result in improved knowledge of the requirements of those markets on the one side, and greater appreciation of United Kingdom capacity to supply on the other. While not minimising the value of other methods, I should like once again to emphasise the importance of personal visits to these markets, not merely by representatives but by responsible executives of British firms.

Are the negotiations with the representatives of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Polish Government to be continued in this country; and, if so, can the right hon. Gentleman say when they will be proceeded with?

The negotiations as far as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics are concerned will be inaugurated in this country, I hope, fairly shortly. With regard to the negotiations with Poland, I was, as the hon. Member knows, successful in clearing up the difficulties, and no further negotiations are in contemplation at the moment.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will consider opening a branch office of the Exports Guarantee Department in Newcastle-on-Tyne?

Yes, Sir. In accordance with the Department's policy of developing their provincial organisation, I have decided to open a branch office in Newcastle-on-Tyne, and I hope the necessary arrangements will be completed within the next few weeks.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to announce the proposals of the Government with regard to oats and barley?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to add to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 23rd February last, and to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Sudbury (Colonel Burton) on 30th March, to which I would refer my hon. Friend.

Does the Minister realise that, owing to the delay in announcing the proposals of the Government, a great deal of land in Scotland which might otherwise have been put under oats or barley is now being left fallow; and can he give any indication as to when he will be in a position to announce the Government's policy with regard to cereals?

I cannot say more than that it will be at the earliest possible opportunity.

Is not the Minister aware that, the longer the delay, the greater will be the damage to agriculture?

I cannot see that there will be any damage to agriculture, because it has been already announced that additional assistance will be given.

What is the cause of the delay?

My hon. Friend will realise that there is always a time lag between the birth of an idea and the birth of a Parliamentary Bill.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the apprehension caused to barley growers and sheep producers by the delay in implementing the promise of help to producers of these commodities; and what action he proposes to take?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the elaboration of proposals for the assistance of producers of barley and sheep is proceeding with all possible despatch, but, as he no doubt appreciates, problems of some complexity arise in regard to both commodities. An announcement will be made as soon as practicable.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that the farmers are short of ready cash for carrying on the present crop; and can he do anything to hurry up payments on account, so that a certain amount of land will be utilised?

I am afraid we cannot pay anything more on account than under the present Agricultural Acts.

Can the Minister say that the interests of the sheep producers will not be overlooked as a result of the pressure that is being exercised by the barley growers?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has noted the great falling off in the number and acreage of cultivated allotments; and whether he is taking steps to arrest this decline, in the national interest and to provide facilities for persons willing to raise additional foodstuffs by means of allotments?

I am aware that in recent years there has been a gradual decline in the number and acreage of cultivated allotments, due mainly to the demand for land for other purposes in urban areas, particularly for housing. The primary responsibility for taking action to meet allotment needs falls on the local authorities, and, although these authorities should be fully cognisant of the importance that the Government attaches to the provision in the national interest of an adequate number of permanent allotments, I caused a circular letter to be sent at the end of last month by my Department to all the urban allotment authorities, urging them to make the fullest use of the ample powers entrusted to them by Parliament for the purpose of providing and maintaining allotments on a permanent basis for residents in their areas. I am sending a copy of this letter to the hon. Member.

What kind of response has been received to that communication; and is it the intention to keep up that pressure?

There has not been time to say exactly what the response is, but the pressure will be continued.

Will the Minister take steps to compel local authorities who have taken allotment land for housing or other purposes to provide alternative land for allotment purposes?

I have no power to do that.

Is the Minister aware that in many cases the difficulty is due to the absence of a tenancy agreement in conformity with the Agricultural Small Holdings Act?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to provide the increased quantity of potatoes that would be required in the event of war, he will intimate to the Potato Marketing Board the additional acreage that it is desirable to plant, and give a guarantee that the Government will in any event provide an outlet for the additional crop so produced?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in order to increase the production of home-grown food against the eventuality of war, he will fix a guaranteed price for potatoes and thereby encourage farmers to put more land under the one important crop that can still be increased this year?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply given to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. J. Morgan) and my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Howdenshire (Major Carver) on 30th March, of which I am sending them copies.

As the time that remains for planting potatoes is very short, can the Minister give some indication to potato producers as to whether they will be allowed to increase their acreage?

Is the Minister aware that in Suffolk farmers are most anxious to plant immediately, but cannot do so for fear of being fined £1 an acre?

The Situation with regard to that so-called fine is that there were 115,000 acres, or a little over a sixth of the basic acreage, were unused in 1938, and that acreage, therefore, is still available. As regards the other question, I fully appreciate the problem, and have been into it as carefully as possible, but I do not see that at the moment it would be possible to give the indication which my hon. Friend desires.

Is not the Minister aware that the only possible solution of this problem is that the Government should not only guarantee a price to potato producers, up to a maximum quantity, but should also have their own machinery for distributing the potatoes?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make a statement on the Government's policy to increase production in time of war?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on 20th April to questions asked by the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) and my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn).

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the agricultural producers are very anxious to do their part in time of war but do not yet know what part they are expected to play? Could he give some indication to the farmers, as he has already done to the president of the National Farmers' Union, as to what is expected of them?

It is impossible to give to each and every individual farmer precise information as to what he will be expected to do in time of war. As the hon. Member will be aware, the plans of the Ministry apply to varying needs and varying types of war. I am afraid it would not be possible to give precise information to meet all needs.

If the Government are unable to announce their food policy for war-time, may we not expect them to announce a food policy for peacetime?

Has any decision been taken affecting any crops that might be put in the ground now?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to guarantee or to give some access to finance to farmers to enable them to buy raw material for feeding-stuffs for poultry and cattle, wheat and maize; and whether he will bring in legislation to provide for existing mills processing this raw material at a reasonable charge?

I am not satisfied that the ordinary channels of trade are failing to provide farmers with adequate supplies of feeding-stuffs for cattle and poultry at reasonable prices. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that bakers are to have a subsidy on every additional sack of flour they house on their premises; and why cannot the farmers have a similar subsidy on every additional sack of feeding-stuffs for poultry and cattle housed on their premises? Does not the whole thing seem to be profoundly unsatisfactory?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make some statement regarding the progress made in creating improved credit facilities for farmers and home producers?

Agricultural credit is one of the subjects which I have discussed with the National Farmers' Union of England and Wales during our recent talks on policy. I have the situation under review, but I am unable to make any statement at the present time.

Will my right hon. and gallant Friend be strong and very courageous? Will he realise that the Treasury and Agricultural Mortgage Corporation have delayed this matter for three years, and will he further realise that I gave birth to it three years ago?

I hope the child is still in a very promising state.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now make some statement regarding the proposal to put into operation a price insurance scheme for primary productive produce by the home producers of this country?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what progress has been made in the negotiations with representatives of the agricultural industry begun three months ago; and when he expects to be ready to announce a stable policy which will ensure adequate production of foodstuffs with remunerative returns to farmers and workers?

Detailed discussions have taken place with representatives of the National Farmers' Unions on the proposals which they had submitted to the Government in regard to price insurance and other aspects of agricultural policy. I have also had discussions with representatives of the landowners and the workers' unions. The Government are now considering the proposals which they will submit to Parliament in the light of these discussions.

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend give some indication as to when these proposals are likely to be put before Parliament, because the uncertainty is driving farmers almost to despair?

As soon as possible.

Has the stage that has been reached given satisfaction to the farmers and to the workers?

I would not like to venture an opinion on that.

Would my right hon. and gallant Friend set a precedent by endeavouring to reduce the period of gestation between the birth of an idea and the fulfilment of legislation in this House?

asked the Minister of Agriculture how many home-produced pigs were despatched to bacon factories during the years 1937 and 1938; and the numbers contracted for or estimated for the present year?

During 1937 and the first eleven months of 1938 a contract system was not in operation, and the Pigs Marketing Board is unable to supply any precise information as to the numbers of pigs purchased by curers in those periods. The number of pigs contracted to be delivered to curers under long contracts for the first contract period, which runs from December, 1938, to November, 1939, is 1,479,226.

In view of the rapid decline in the number of pigs available for either pork or bacon, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House what the Government's policy is—if any—to increase the number of pigs?

The hon. Member may have seen that we have asked Lord Portal to conduct certain inquiries into the whole scheme. Until I get his report I cannot give an answer.

Is there any evidence that deliveries are falling behind for the coming year?

That is another question.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will ask county agricultural education committees to arrange forthwith courses of instruction for women enrolled in the land army?

As I informed the hon. Member on 20th April, it has not hitherto been contemplated that courses of training for women enrolled in the Women's Land Army should be arranged generally during peace time. The reason is that the majority of the women who have patriotically offered their services in this capacity in the event of war are, at present, in occupations which will not permit of their attending courses of training except in the evening and in the vicinity of their homes, although some might be willing to give up their annual holiday, usually about 14 days, for the purpose. It will, I think, be generally agreed that effective training in general farm work cannot be carried out in a classroom or in so short a period as a fortnight, and an intensive course of training immediately on the outbreak of war at a farm institute or similar institution or on a farm for a period of at least six weeks for women without previous experience, would prove the most efficient arrangement from every point of view. Arrangements for training where the volunteer is not engaged in other work are, however, now in force or under consideration in many counties, in addition to the arrangements made by the Women's Farm and Garden Association, on the payment by women of their own expenses, and I am giving consideration to the possibility of local education authorities providing further facilities for the training of women volunteers in particular classes of agricultural work during peace time.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend not agree that it is advisable at least to provide these facilities in order to see whether the volunteers are able to take advantage of them, and that even a small amount of training would add to their effectiveness in an emergency; and does he not appreciate the danger that if such training is not provided many of these women who have enrolled will seek some other form of national service?

We are seeing whether we can provide some facilities.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the women's organisations themselves have expressed the most profound disappointment at the Ministry's attitude on this subject?

Can my right hon. and gallant Friend say what financial arrangements he suggests with regard to those courses of instruction?

No, Sir; we are having it worked out.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any steps are being taken to train men and women as tractor-drivers in agriculture to replace those tractor-drivers under 25 years of age who may wish to join His Majesty's Forces?

The matter is under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any statement.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the majority of the 43,000 tractors are being driven by men under the age of 25, who are not in the schedule of reserved occupations? Will he take early steps to ensure that these tractors will be driven in war time by trained persons?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that since broadcasting was instituted in this country up to the end of last year the British Broadcasting Corporation received only £21,000,000 out of a total of £36,000,000 produced by the receipts from wireless receiving licences; and whether, in view of the fact that an extension of a television service to the whole country is held up largely as a result of lack of finance, he can now make arrangements for the Corporation to receive the whole of the revenue from wireless licences?

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the scheme of the Radio Manufacturers' Association for the immediate establishment of a television transmitter for the Birmingham area, under which the Association would be prepared to stand part of the loss involved if the scheme were not a financial success; and whether he has been able to accede to this request?

The total receipts from wireless receiving licences to the end of last year were about £36,000,000. Of this sum the Post Office has retained about £4,000,000 to cover its expenses, the British Broadcasting Company and the British Broadcasting Corporation have been paid about £22,300,000, and the Exchequer has retained about £9,700,000. The percentage of the licence revenue paid to the Corporation has been progressively increased, and under present Arrangements the amount accruing to them to cover all their services represents about 81 per cent, of the total licence receipts, while the Post Office retains 9 per cent, for its expenses and the Exchequer retains about 10 per cent. The question of extending the television service to cover the whole of the country raises numerous problems, both technical and financial. All aspects of the question, including the tentative proposals of the Radio Manufacturers' Association, are being investigated, but no decision has yet been reached.

Can the Postmaster-General give any indication when a decision may be expected from the Government regarding the allocation of money retained by them for the purposes of television?

Is it that they cannot decide or that they will not decide?

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in connection with the new broadcast relay service to be operated by the Post Office, it will be possible for existing wireless receiving sets to be used for the reception of the programmes by connection to the telephone circuits, or whether additional apparatus will be required by subscribers?

Generally a subscriber to this service would be able to use his existing wireless set. A small amount of additional apparatus would be required for the connection between the telephone circuit and the wireless set; but this would be provided by the Post Office.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any additional charge will be made for that apparatus?

Yes, there will be a charge, but it will include maintenance, and also the provision of the apparatus.

Can the Assistant Postmaster-General say when it will be possible to announce the details of this new service?

Very shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any information concerning the public automatic telegraph system recently established in New York; and whether steps will be taken to establish a similar system in London?

The telegraph system referred to is not yet available in New York for the general use of the public. An automatic telegraph machine has, however, been installed in an office building in that city to enable the tenants to send telegrams to the main office of a telegraph company. There are also a few machines at renters' offices and at two branch telegraph offices in New York; and machines will, I understand, be installed at the New York World's Fair and at the San Francisco Fair. Further information is being obtained in order to consider whether a similar device could, with advantage, be used in this country.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been directed to the position of the site selected for the erection of the new telephone exchange at Devizes; is he aware that two gasometers are in close proximity, also that gas mains would run on three sides of the exchange; and, in view of the danger likely to arise from such conditions, will he reconsider the position with a view to selecting a more suitable site?

I am looking into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as my inquiries are completed.

asked the Post master-General whether he will consider extending the use of slogan stamp can cellations and use this form of publicity, as is the custom all over the Empire, to call attention to national needs such as, "Have you got your gas-mask?" "Join the Territorials," "National Service, It's up to you," etc.?

My right hon. Friend is already considering this matter in consultation with the Departments concerned.

Is it the case that every Government Department is considering everything and doing nothing?

That is not the case. At any rate, as far as the Post Office are concerned, we are considering, and acting.

Is it not the fact that you have so much on your mind that nothing can be guaranteed?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has approved of the appointment of Sir Ernest Fass, the Public Trustee, to be the Director-General of the Ministry of Information to be set up in the event of an emergency; what will be the duties of this office; and what previous experience Sir E. Fass possesses in presenting propaganda in this country and abroad?

No appointment has been made to such a post, and the second and third parts of the question, therefore, do not arise.

Can the Prime Minister say whether, in the event of an appointment being made, the responsible Press quarters will be consulted? Will their views be obtained?

That is a hypothetical question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether, in view of the increased need for additional supplies of flax to be grown in this country, he can now state whether the Government are proposing to give financial or other assistance to encourage the growing of this material?

The position in regard to flax is being considered, but at the moment I am unable to make any statement.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the production of flax could be greatly extended if the producers were assured that they would not be faced with a loss? Is he not aware that the time for sowing is rapidly coming to an end?

The principal problem of flax is not one of growing. There is the problem of retting and scutching, which is a very costly and laborious process. The Government are conducting an experiment into a mechanical method of performing this particular process, and on the result of that experiment further steps will depend.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that we can do our own retting and scutching in Ulster?