asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British naval ships recently sent to the port of Smyrna have with one exception been withdrawn; whether the French and Italian Governments were previously consulted or informed in regard to the withdrawal; and what reasons induced His Majesty's Government to take this action?

His Majesty's Government have replaced the "Calypso" by the "Carysfort" and have withdrawn the "Curacao," which entered Smyrna on 8th February in accordance with the Allied policy of vindicating their right to free entry, together with the vessels supporting her outside the port. His Majesty's High Commissioner kept his Allied colleagues fully informed of the communication he was making to the Constantinople representative of the Angora Government on this subject. Once it became clear that the Turkish Government had accepted the principle of the presence of Allied ships at Smyrna, there was no longer any reason for retaining the additional vessels.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the steps that are being taken to protect the interests of British subjects whose goods or property were destroyed as a result of the disastrous fire and subsequent events which occurred after the withdrawal of the Greek army from Smyrna aim its occupation by the Turkish authorities; and whether any information can he given as to the prospects of early compensation?

Claims for these losses may be registered with the Reparation Claims Department. It is riot possible for me to make any statement in regard to the prospect of compensation being received in respect of such claims until the conclusion of peace with Turkey.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has received any apology for, or explanation of, the arrest of the British military attaché in Poland?

The Lithuanian representative here has on behalf of his Government tendered to His Majesty's Government a formal apology for the arrest and ill-treatment of the British Military Attaché in Poland and has stated that a full explanation is on its way.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has as yet been received from His Majesty's representative at Moscow with reference to the steps taken to secure the release of British fishermen arrested by the Soviet Government?

The British Agent at Moscow telegraphed on the 26th February that, according to a telegram from the People's Court at Murmansk, all the men have been released and are to be sent home by the first available ship. Mr. Hodgson added that he was telegraphing money for subsistence and inquiring as to the best means of repatriation.

From that reply does the Under-Secretary consider that the return of these men will not be long delayed?

I think I can assure my Noble Friend that there will be rapid repatriation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that numbers of Arabs who inhabit Egypt fear that the schemes for the development of the Sudan by irrigation and the building of a dam and harnessing the waters of the Blue Nile will impair Egyptian territory, more particularly during the seasons of a deficiency of water rising in the Nile, he will consider what steps should be taken to allay their fears upon this point?

Having regard to the fact that the only irrigation scheme on the Blue Nile at present under construction or in contemplation was prepared by the Egyptian Ministry of Public Works, approved by an international commission of experts, and authorised by the Egyptian Government, no further steps of the nature suggested are considered necessary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state under which article, protocol, or provision of the League of Nations scheme given in Command Paper No. 1765, Austria No. 1, 1922, the Austrian Government are being required to abolish the legal eight-hour day, old age pensions, and sickness insurance?

I have no information that the Austrian Government contemplate the steps referred to by the hon. Member, and they are not required to do so under the League of Nations scheme referred to in the hon. Member's question.