asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish the conditions laid down under Article 3 of the Munich Agreement concerning the evacuation of the Sudeten territory?

When the conditions have been laid down by the International Commission they will no doubt be made public.

Are conditions to be laid down before the evacuation is complete?

I am sure that the right hon. Gentleman can leave that matter with perfect safety to the International Commission, who are considering it at the present moment.

asked the Prime Minister whether, to clear up existing obscurities, he proposes to publish any document or other evidence dealing with the position of the Soviet Government in connection with the international crisis over Czechoslovakia?

I have nothing to add to the very clear statement which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary made on Monday on this point, and I do not consider that any useful purpose would be served by the publication of documents.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform the House as to the interpretation put by His Majesty's Government on the word "installations" in paragraph 2 of the Munich Agreement; and what items in the appendix to the Godesberg Memorandum of 23rd September are not included in this term?

asked the Prime Minister what, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, is the definition of "installation" in Article 2 of the Munich Agreement?

It is for the International Commission set up under the Munich Agreement, to interpret what should be included under the heading of "installations." In the view of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom this term should include only permanent fixtures as distinct from movable objects.

Do I gather from that reply that in the opinion of the Government the rolling stock of the railways—being movable objects—are not included in installations, and also goods and cattle?

That is so.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report which appeared in the newspapers last night to the effect that there is already a quarrel between the Commissioners on account of the bad translation?

asked the Prime Minister whether the British representative on the international commission has been instructed to insist that the territory left to the Czech Republic shall be economically viable?

The British representative on the International Commission in Berlin will, of course, bear carefully in mind the economic needs of Czechoslovakia.

I asked the definite question whether the British representative had been instructed to insist on this?

He has been instructed to bear that point in mind.

In view of the fact that certain territory has been ceded to Poland since then, and that in that territory there are 7,500,000 tons of hard coal, and that Czechoslovakia will be deprived of coal, may I ask whether attention will be given to that point by our representative on the Commission, and whether he will do his best in order to try to rectify the position?

I am confident that our representative will bear such an important fact in mind.

But has the Minister taken any steps to make representations on this particular feature since the cession of Teschen territory?

I must have notice of that particular question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the territory will also be visible as well as viable?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any reports from the British Minister at Prague supporting the German charges of Czech terrorism in the Sudetenland?

Reports received from the British observers in Czechoslovakia indicate that such charges have often been greatly exaggerated.

asked the Prime Minister whether the International Commission set up under paragraph 3 of the Munich Agreement is to decide questions remitted to it by a majority vote or, if not, how differences are to be decided?

It is for the International Commission to determine its own procedure, but I trust that it will be able to arrive at decisions by way of discussion and agreement, in which event the question raised by the hon. Member will not arise.

Will the Commission proceed by the method of majority decisions?

I think the Commission must be left to decide its own procedure, as I have described. If the spirit of the Munich Agreement persists I am sure there will be no need for anxiety.

Is the spirit of Munich indicated by the fact that the Czechs were left outside the door?

That is not the case.

Do I understand that no decision has been taken as to whether the procedure must be unanimous or by a majority?

The hon. Member must understand what I answered in my original reply.

Is it not the case, then, that no decision has been taken as to whether this Commission shall act by a majority or with unanimity, and is it not of the greatest importance that it should be known definitely what the procedure on this point is to be?

I have nothing to add to the terms of my original reply.

asked the Prime Minister whether any British military adviser was present at the Munich conference; and whether he was consulted as to the handing over intact of Czech fortifications and munitions to Germany?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Prime Minister why it was decided to hand over the Czech defences intact, in view of the fact that they were constructed under the advice and with the assistance of French engineers, and embodied the latest design included in the Maginot Line?

The right hon. Gentleman is misinformed in assuming that the whole of the Czech defences will be handed over intact. The areas to be occupied by the German troops between 1st and 7th October lie for the most part outside the Czechoslovak defences, and, pending a decision by the International Commission in Berlin, it is not possible to state what proportion of the Czechoslovak defences will come within the further areas to be occupied before 10th October. I understand, moreover, that the evacuation of guns and other movable material, from the Czechoslovak fortifications within the zones coming under German occupation is now under the consideration of the International Commission.

Do His Majesty's Government intend to make any further grant to the Czech Government in compensation for the fortifications which they have abandoned at the request of His Majesty's Government?

I do not think that point arises out of this question.

asked the Prime Minister how many Czech hostages, including children, are held at present by the Germans; and whether the question of their release concurrently with that of Sudeten Germans was discussed at Munich?

asked the Prime Minister whether any arrangements have been made for the release of the Czechs at present imprisoned or interned in Germany concurrently with the release of Sudeten Germans in Czechoslovakia; and whether His Majesty's Government Will use their utmost efforts to secure the speedy release of all such prisoners and detenus?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken, or proposes to take, any action to secure the release of the Czech political prisoners held in Germany as an equivalent for the release of the Sudeten German prisoners of the Czech Government, as required by the terms of the Munich Agreement; and how many such Czech prisoners there are?

Reports have reached His Majesty's Government to the effect that certain Czech officials in frontier districts have been imprisoned in Germany, and that certain Czech residents in Germany have been held as hostages, but I can give no estimate of the numbers that may be involved. The British representative on the International Commission has been instructed to press for the release of any such prisoners and hostages.

I asked the Prime Minister whether they had been released and whether the question was raised at Munich. Could he tell me whether it was raised at Munich and whether any of them have been released?

It was not discussed at Munich. I cannot say whether any of them have yet been released.

When the Germans were insisting on the release of the Sudetens, did it not occur to the Prime Minister to insist on the release of the Czechs?

I did not know there were any detained.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question of the Polish seizure of Czech territory was discussed at Munich?

asked the Prime Minister whether, when he confirmed his promise of a territorial guarantee at Munich, he knew of the intention of the Polish Government to occupy Czech territory?

The Polish Government's ultimatum demanding the immediate cession of certain territory was only delivered to the Czechoslovak Government on the evening of 30th September. The intention of the Polish Government to occupy Czechoslovak territory was not, therefore, known and could not be discussed by the representatives of the Four Powers at Munich on 29th September.

Does that mean that no communication of any kind passed between the Polish Government and His Majesty's Government on the question of the possible occupation of Teschen?

I must have notice of that question, but no communication reached me at Munich.

Could the Prime Minister say whether the division of Ruthenia between Poland and Hungary was discussed at Munich at all?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will ask the Minister in Prague to state the approximate number of refugees who have already arrived in Czechoslovakia from the ceded areas?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has information as to the numbers of refugees who have already fled into the interior of Czechoslovakia before the advance of the Germans; whether he is aware that it may be impossible for the Czechoslovak Government to accept and provide for several hundred thousand Sudeten Germans belonging to the democratic parties; and whether he will consult with the Dominions as to the possibility of receiving some of them?

My Noble Friend has not received any estimate of the number of refugees from the Sudeten areas to the interior of Czechoslovakia, and has asked His Majesty's Minister in Prague for a report. As regards the second and third parts of the question put by the hon. Member for the English Universities (Miss Rathbone), I would refer to an official communiquÉ issued by the Czechoslovak Government on 1st October, stating that the populations of the frontier areas are not allowed to immigrate into the interior of the country and all refugees will be transported back to their place of domicile. The communiquÉ stated that precipitate action was unwise and unnecessary in view of the six months' period of option provided under the Munich Agreement and that it was the duty of every Czechoslovak citizen to remain where he was and vote in the plebiscite. The assumption in the hon. Member's question would, therefore, appear premature.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, Article 8 of the Munich Agreement means that Sudeten Germans who remain Czechoslovak citizens are to be exempt from military service?

Those Sudeten Germans who remain Czechoslovak citizens, after the final delimitation of the new frontiers of the Czechoslovak State has been completed and the arrangements for option and transfer of populations laid down in Article VIII of the Munich Agreement have been executed, will presumably be subject to the same obligations as other citizens of the Republic, including that of any military service that may be obligatory.

asked the Prime Minister what is the estimated number of Czechs who will be left in the surrendered territory?

It is impossible to make any such estimate until the final determination of the frontiers has been carried out by the International Commission, in accordance with Article VI of the Munich Agreement and until it is known to what extent the right of option, provided for in Article VII, will be exercised.

Was no reference made in the conversations between the right hon. Gentleman and the German Chancellor to the need for protection of persons who were likely to remain in Sudeten territory?

I am afraid that question goes beyond the question which I was asked, which was merely whether I could give the estimated number of Czechs who would be left in the territory.

Is it not necessary and important to understand the position of those people?

I am afraid I should want notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister the estimated value of the plants and installations to be handed over to Germany by Czechoslovakia; whether there is any precedent in any Treaty for the surrender of territory, etc., without any corresponding adjustment of the public debt; and what instructions have been given to the British representatives on the International Commission in reference to this matter?

As regards the first part of the question, it is impossible to make any estimate until the final determination of the frontiers has been carried out by the International Commission. A special sub-committee of the Commission has now been set up to deal with economic and financial questions and His Majesty's Representative will bear in mind the desirability of making satisfactory arrangements when the matters referred to by the hon. Member come up for discussion.

What was the nature of the instructions to the British representatives on the Commission?

I think that question is answered by the reply which I have given.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state approximately the number of new divisions made available for the German army by the cession of the Sudeten territory?

Until the final determination of the frontiers has been carried out by the International Commission in accordance with Article VI of the Munich Agreement, it is impossible to give even an approximate estimate.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to tell us that his Intelligence Staff has not informed him of the numbers likely to be added to Hitler's Army because of this transfer? Has not a statement been published that it is likely to be about 400,000?

My Intelligence Staff is too intelligent to proceed on such an assumption.

Am I not right in assuming that it is so intelligent that the Prime Minister asked its advice before he went to Germany?

May I ask the Secretary of State whether the number of divisions, whatever it may be, is to be counted for us or against us?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give particulars and the number and size of guns, and the nature, quantity, and value of munitions of war surrendered under the Munich Agreement to the German Government?

My Department is informed that the Czechoslovak Government have been unable to estimate, even approximately, the value of guns and other munitions which may ultimately be involved in the transfer of ceded territory, pending delimitation of the new frontier and determination of the amount of, material which can be evacuated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that he has not been informed of that by the Prague Government, in view of the fact that an official, or semi-official, statement has been issued pricing these goods at from £25,000,000 to £30,000,000?

I mean to say what I said. Of course it is impossible to put a figure upon the amount which will be lost, if any, until the transfer has taken place.

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by "if any"? Does he suggest that the International Commission will try to get some of these guns back? What does he mean by "if any"?

I have answered the question in its original form. Until it is known what, if any—and that is the usual phrase—has been transferred, it is impossible to estimate its value.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of making representations to the British allied Governments of Iraq and Egypt with a view to bringing to an end the intrigues against the administration of the British mandate in Palestine at present being carried out in these States?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend is satisfied that the attitude of the Governments of Iraq and Egypt is entirely correct, and that no representations such as the hon. Member suggests are required.

Could not a direct appeal be made to the members of the Four-Power Pact to cease stabbing the British Empire in the back?

The hon. Member's question refers to two specific Governments, and we are satisfied as to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the killing of 21 Jews, including children, at Tiberias; and whether the Jews in Tiberias were protected by police or by troops or were themselves armed?

In view of the length of the answer, I will, with the permission of Mr. Speaker and the leave of the House, make a statement at the end of Questions.

I apologise for the length of the reply, but I think that the House will, perhaps, expect me to take this opportunity to make a general statement about the situation in Palestine.

As regards the deplorable incident at Tiberias, referred to in the question, I have received particulars from the High Commissioner. In the course of their raid on the town the armed gang murdered 19 Jews, including three women and nine children, and three Jews were wounded. At the time of the raid there were 25 Jewish supernumerary police, about 20 British police and a company of British infantry in the town, which is straggling and open. After the arrival of reinforcements the raiders were finally driven out with casualties.

Since the House rose at the end of July the following measures have been taken in the interests of general security, In addition to the brigade which arrived in Palestine during September, further reinforcements of two cavalry regiments and one battalion from this country are now under despatch. Also three battalions of British troops, are on their way to Palestine from India and will arrive next week. The British section of the Palestine police has been increased by some hundreds of ex-service men, and further recruitment is now taking place. The operational control of the whole police force has been placed under the General Officer Commanding, and Sir Charles Tegart has returned to Palestine and been appointed to a post on General Haining's staff. Steps have also been taken to redistribute the duties allotted to the Palestinian section of the police. So far as such duties involve the use of arms, or the likelihood of conflict with Arab insurgents, the employment of Jews has been extended and that of Arabs restricted. Despite these measures, and some considerable successes against the terrorist forces, there has been a serious deterioration in the general situation.

Some days ago I invited the High Commissioner to come to London for the purposes of discussion. He left Jerusalem this morning and will arrive here tomorrow evening. In the meantime the members of the Woodhead Commission have been pressing ahead with the preparation of their report, and I expect to receive this before the end of this month. I can assure the House that when it is received His Majesty's Government will lose no time in considering it and reaching conclusions on policy.

In the first place, are we to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that the Jews who were murdered in Tiberias were unarmed; and had they not been allowed to have arms? Also, has he considered the suggestion that for every Jew murdered in Palestine there should be permits issued for 50 new Jews to go to Palestine, in order that it might be disadvantageous from the Arab point of view to murder any more Jews?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the Jews who were murdered in Tiberias, with the exception of two Jewish supernumerary police who were amongst the killed, were private individuals. They were unarmed. But, as the answer showed, there was a very considerable armed force in the town, capable of protecting the inhabitants in any normal circumstances. I regret to state that the success of the terrorist band was owing to the extremely clever and unprecedented way in which they entered the town, not as a band but as a series of individuals disguised, entering apparently for a peaceful avocation; and it was after that entrance of a great many individuals by a subterfuge that the signal was given for attack, and the defence forces were taken for a time unawares. As regards the second part of the question, the whole problem of Jewish immigration is settled according to other principles, and I cannot accept the suggestion the hon. and gallant Member makes.

Were those Jews who were murdered refused permission to have arms? Is there at the present time under sentence of death a Jew who had arms without permission; and cannot this sort of thing be brought to an end by the Jews being allowed to carry arms?

I think it is very doubtful whether the individual Jews concerned in Tiberias were refused permission to have arms. But I have explained that there was a force of 25 armed Jewish supernumerary police included among the forces posted at the entrance to the town. With regard to the second part of the question, there was a Jew under arrest who has now been charged with carrying arms, contrary to the order. I am not certain whether he has been tried yet or whether the result of the trial is known.

What was the object of this mysterious raid? Was it to obtain arms, or was it merely promiscuous murder of Jews by Arabs?

I think the object, judging by what happened, was simply murder and the destruction of public buildings by fire.

May I ask, in connection with the report which the right hon. Gentleman has given us, whether he has any knowledge that the terrorism which is now existing in Palestine is being excited by external foreign propaganda?

I have no evidence of that.

Has my right hon. Friend any knowledge as to whether these raiders came over the frontier or whether they were local Arabs?

I cannot say about this particular band, but in general they come from within Palestine, and I think that is true of this particular case also.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show who is the individual organising and directing this Arab terrorism? Is it, for instance, the Grand Mufti, who is at present domiciled in French territory in Syria?

I do not think that we have any fresh information on that matter. His Majesty's Government have always taken the view that the Grand Mufti had a great deal of responsibility for what is going on in Palestine to-day.

May I ask this question, which I have asked previously? As it is the case from evidence that the Jews are not out to murder Arabs and that they have everything to gain by peace, should not the right hon. Gentleman discriminate between those who are sentenced to death in the Jewish community for having arms to defend themselves against these murderous attacks and others who are out plainly for murder; and will he consider arming the entire Jewish population, especially on the borders, in order to protect themselves?

The answer to the first part of the question is that it is not a matter for me, but for the General Officer Commanding in Palestine, and I am quite certain he carries out his duties with perfect justice to each side. Both sides must observe the law of the country if there is to be any chance at all of this deplorable state of affairs being brought to an end.

Then change your law.

With regard to the second part of the question, it is the policy of the administration to employ Jews in increasing numbers in the work of maintaining order, and the number of Jews who are employed either as regulars or supernumeraries in the police force amounts now to something between 5,000 and 6,000 persons.

How can there be justice for a man who is not allowed to defend himself?

asked the Prime Minister whether an agreement has now been reached between the Committee of British Shipowners Trading to Spain and the National Union of Seamen regarding compensation to be claimed from General Franco for the loss by air attacks on men and ships engaged in Spanish trade; whether a claim has now been put forward; and of what amount?

I am not aware of any agreement between the Committee of British Shipowners Trading to Spain and the National Union of Seamen of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. His Majesty's Government have reserved the right to claim for compensation in all cases where this has appeared justifiable. Discussions with the Burgos authorities on this subject are still proceeding.

May I ask whether, among those claims, there are any claims from ships or crews which suffered injury in Spanish territorial waters where, they were told, they proceeded at their own risk?

The distinction has been borne in mind between cases regarded as deliberate and those regarded as not deliberate.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any claim has been as yet put in?

I said in my answer that we have reserved the right to claim compensation and we are discussing the position with the Burgos authorities.

Has any compensation been paid to the men who suffered?

That is, I think, a matter for the National Maritime Board.

Did not the Prime Minister make a statement in July that the Franco authorities had accepted the arrangement proposed by the British Government?

It is on that matter that discussion is proceeding.

asked the Prime Minister whether the commission for the investigation of air bombardments in Spain asked for permission to examine the Nationalist intelligence reports; the orders issued to the pilots of the various raids; and the pilots' reports on the raids?

So far as I am aware, the Commission did not ask for permission to examine the reports and other documents mentioned by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to despatch the League Commission to supervise the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from the Spanish Government; and what steps are being taken to induce General Franco to agree to a similar withdrawal of the foreign troops in his service?

The Committee appointed by the Council of the League of Nations to constitute, despatch and so far as necessary direct the working of the Commission held its first meeting on 1st October, and I understand that a decision as to the date when the Commission will be despatched to Spain will be taken shortly after consultation with the Spanish Government. As regards the second part of the question, Mr. Hemming, the Secretary of the Non-Intervention Committee, will shortly proceed to Burgos to explain any points of detail and clear up any misconceptions which may have arisen in connection with the Committee's plan and to investigate the exact intentions of the authorities regarding its execution.

In view of the facts that the Spanish Government now agree to the withdrawal of volunteers serving on their side and that the French frontier still remains closed, can the hon. Gentleman suggest any reason why General Franco should ever agree to the withdrawal of volunteers serving with him?

I canot answer for General Franco.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has information as to the quantities of arms and men that have been sent from Italy and Germany into Spain during the past two months; and when it is proposed that the Non-Intervention Committee shall meet to consider General Franco's refusal to accept its plan for the implementing of nonintervention?

Our information indicates that certain material arrived in the territory under General Franco's control from Italy during this period, and that any additional German aid reaching Spain was of small dimensions. As regards the second part of the question, I cannot accept the interpretation placed by the hon. Member upon General Franco's reply. As I have explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for North Cumberland (Mr. W. Roberts), Mr. Hemming, the Secretary to the Non-Intervention Committee, is shortly to pay a visit to Burgos and, until his report has been received, it is not possible to say when the Committee will meet.

Was it not six weeks ago that General Franco's reply was received, and is not such a long delay before an answer is sent likely to give the impression that the Non-Intervention Committee are not so very keen about the plans as they were?

Is it possible to say how long Mr. Hemming is likely to be in Spain?

No, Sir, not at present. He will have to do the work which has been assigned to him, but we cannot say how long it will take.

asked the Prime Minister when the French Government were informed of the Anglo-German declaration of 30th September?

On my return from Munich I addressed a personal message to M. Daladier, the terms of which have been published and which I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT. M. Daladier's reply has since been published, and I will add this also to the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not very unfortunate to make such an agreement with Herr Hitler without previously consulting with our great ally, France?

I do not gather from M. Daladier's reply that he took that view.

Whatever M. Daladier's courteous reply was, is not the Prime Minister aware that this agreement caused very grave concern among the French people as a whole?

asked the Minister of Transport at what date pedestrian crossings are to be set up in Huyton, on the Liverpool-Prescot road?

I have approved a scheme for the establishment of nine pedestrian crossings on this road, which has dual carriageways with a central reserved tramway track. The exact siting of the crossings will be settled at a conference of the parties interested which I am about to hold.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these crossings were recommended very nearly a year ago, and in view of the number of accidents on this road will not the right hon. Gentleman expedite the matter as much as he can?

Certainly, but it is for the Huyton District Council and the tramway company to agree. If they will not, I will come in and see that they agree.

Why are such obsolete things as tramways still allowed to exist?

asked the Minister of Health what is the maximum hardness laid down by his Department as desirable in a domestic water supply; and what towns, having an average water hardness greater than this, have installed water-softening plants for treating the town's supply?

I am advised that arrangements for the treatment of water must be determined on the facts of each particular case. My Department has not considered it necessary, therefore, to recommend water undertakers to adopt a maximum standard of hardness. In these circumstances, the latter part of the question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken at the present time to develop the oil resources of the Empire by prospecting for and developing oil fields in Canada; and whether any steps are to be taken in the near future to accelerate these activities?

I understand that considerable activity has taken place in connection with the development of oilfields in the Turner Valley and in other parts of the Province of Alberta. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that the scope and nature of this activity is a matter for the competent Canadian authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what methods are used by the governing Commission in Newfoundland to keep in touch with local opinion, and what measures are being taken to restore representative government to the people of Newfoundland?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones) on 10th May, to which I have nothing to add.

Is it not time that actual steps were taken to restore the democratic rights of the Newfoundland people and to allow them to make an effort, at any rate, to rebuild their economy?

That point is covered in the previous answer to which I have referred.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, in view of the fact that over 25 per cent of the population in Newfoundland are in receipt of Government relief of six cents a day or ten cents a week for children, steps are being taken to restore the economic life of the country?

The maximum number of persons in receipt of relief at any one time during the present year has never reached 25 per cent. of the population of Newfoundland: and our latest information is that in July it stood at about 14 per cent. The value of relief varies, but is generally higher than is suggested by the hon. Member, and particulars regarding this were given in an answer to a question by the hon. Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Day) on 19th July. It is the constant aim of the Commission of Government to improve the economic conditions of the island; and there is no doubt that substantial progress has been made, in spite of difficulties over which the Commission have no control.

Is the Minister aware that my latest information is likely to be more reliable than his, and if I send it to him will he give the matter serious consideration?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what statistics are available of the incidence of tuberculosis and similar diseases in Newfoundland now and at the time of the appointment of the governing Commission?

Figures of the death rate from tuberculosis in Newfoundland over a period of years from 1925 were given in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne) on 13th April last year. A recent survey which has been carried out suggests that the incidence of tuberculosis in the island is about 6,600 cases per 100,000 of the population. The problem is one which is engaging the serious attention of the Newfoundland Government and steps have been taken recently to enlarge the tuberculosis sanatorium and to inaugurate special measures to control and prevent the spread of this disease.

While it is desirable to have the sanatorium increased in order to deal with the disease, would it not be much better to make a real effort to restore the economy and the democratic institutions and to allow these people to get a real opportunity of freeing themselves from the disease?

Is not the general health of the community of Newfoundland seriously affected by the poverty of the people?

Yes, Sir, and part of the policy of the Provisional Government has been to improve nutrition in the islands so that health would also improve.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will take steps to bring the Staffordshire county education authority and the parents together under the supervision of the Board with a view to ending the school strike at Audley, which is holding up education in that area?

It is the settled practice of the Board not to intervene directly in disputes between local education authorities and parents arising out of the reorganisation of schools. The Board would be ready, however, on the invitation of the Staffordshire authority, to arrange for the presence of His Majesty's Inspector at any conference which might be convened between the authority and representatives of the parents.

Is the Board prepared to do anything in the matter or not?

I think my answer indicates that I hope it is. My answer was that we should be ready to arange, on the invitation of the authority, for the presence of one of our Inspectors.

Thank you.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will agree to an independent inquiry, free of cost, in the case of Mrs. Gladys Richard, of Hove, widow of the late W. R. Richard, who has been refused a pension on the grounds that their marriage took place after the contraction of the disease alleged by the Ministry to have caused the death of her husband, who was an officer in the Royal Scots, was gassed and twice wounded in the war and was invalided out in 1919, was refused an award for tuberculosis in 1927, but three years later was granted an award of 100 per cent. in view of the delay by the Ministry in discovering the injury to Mr. Richard's head?

I am making further inquiries into this case, having regard to the detailed representations which my hon. Friend has addressed to me since he put down his question, and I will communicate the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when it is proposed to publish the report of the Anderson Committee on the evacuation of the civil population?

It has been decided that this report shall be published without delay.

asked the Home Secretary how many gas masks are now available for the general public?

Approximately 40,000,000 have been manufactured, and further large deliveries are being received each week.

Is my hon. Friend aware that there is at least one district in this country where there was a very serious deficiency of these gas masks during the recent crisis; and can he give an assurance that such conditions will not occur again?

Can my hon. Friend say what will be done with those gas masks which have been issued to the public recently—whether they will be re-collected and stored?

With regard to the first supplementary question, as we have 40,000,000, it is obvious that we have not enough for the entire population; but I have said that further large deliveries are being received each week. With regard to the second supplementary question, we are going into that matter very carefully at the present time. A number of complicated questions are involved, which will come up for decision quite shortly.

As these gas masks are, we understand, completely harmless, would it not be as well to let the children continue to play with them?

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the uncertainty of local authorities, business firms and the general public, as to future action with regard to air-raid precautions, and whether he has any statement to make?

I recognise the importance of informing local authorities and all concerned about the future development of air-raid precautions. It is clear that these precautions, essential for the safety of the civil population, must be carried out thoroughly and must be extended. I am glad to say that recruiting of personnel is being pressed on by local authorities, for a sound scheme of precautions depends on having the necessary men and women for all the services trained and instructed beforehand. Business firms who had begun their schemes for the protection of their work-people should complete them steadily. As I stated in the House on Monday, my Department is collecting from local authorities material on the lessons of the past weeks, and no time will be lost in considering it and reaching decisions. While emphasising the need for improvements and extensions of our plans, I am sure that the House would wish me to place on record my appreciation of the work carried out by the local authorities and their staffs, by the air-raid precautions personnel, and by all the men and women who came forward to assist in the last few weeks.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that a multitude of people volunteered their services last week, and that it will be essential to have some early decision given to the local authorities as to their future action, before the people collected last week are all dispersed so that it is impossible to get them together again?

Yes, Sir, I fully appreciate the urgency of the question that the hon. Gentleman has just asked me. I am now pressing the local authorities to give me the data on which one can base conclusions. As soon as I have had the data I will then reach conclusions, and take as early an opportunity as I can of announcing them to the House.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement with regard to the present position of the Exchange Equalisation Fund?

In accordance with the promise which my right hon. Friend gave during the passage of the Exchange Equalisation Account Act, 1937, a statement of the position of the Account is published twice a year. The last such statement was made on 30th June last, and the next is due at the end of December. My right hon. Friend is not prepared to depart from this arrangement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what further proposals have been made to the Government for the purpose of constructing additional tonnage under the provisions of the North Atlantic Shipping Act, 1934; and will he give particulars?

Under Agreements, which have been laid before Parliament, the Treasury has undertaken to advance the whole £9,500,000 authorised by the North Atlantic Shipping Act, 1934, in connection with the construction of the "Queen Mary" and the "Queen Elizabeth" and for the working capital of the company. No question, therefore, arises of additional proposals under the Act.

Do we understand from the answer that all the proposals that have been made to the Government for financial assistance under the North Atlantic Shipping Act, 1934, have been dealt with?

£9,500,000 has been sanctioned, and that has been already allotted.