asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of appeals made to him by members of the Metropolitan Police Force from decisions of the disciplinary board under the Police Appeals Act, 1927, for the three years ended to the last convenient date; and the number of these appeals which succeeded?

During the three years ended on the 31st ultimo three members of the Metropolitan Police Force appealed to the Secretary of State under the Police Appeals Act, 1927. None of the appeals was successful.

Do these persons have an opportunity of being legally represented in appeals before the Home Secretary?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether the following German subjects. Dr. Marietta Goetze, Herr Heinz Mitschke, Dr. Wichert, Herr Bumbee, Dr. Gunther Gurcke, Herr Klaus Bumke, Herr Eberhard Heerde, Herr Karl Lin-hard, Fraulein Sonnenfeld, Herr Hildebrandt, Herr Huschelrath, and Herr Heinz Schloer, are still in this country; and for what purposes they were granted admission?

Of the persons mentioned, four have left this country, and three cannot be identified from the particulars given. Of the remaining five, four are working as assistant teachers under Ministry of Labour permits and one is a student teacher.

Does the hon. Gentleman appreciate that all these persons have recently delivered lectures before the German propaganda agency organisation in this country known as the "Link," which is partly financed by the German Government, and will he make careful inquiries into the activities of these persons and decide whether they ought to be allowed to remain in this country any longer?

The information before my right hon. Friend is that most of the persons mentioned have given talks on various subjects at such meetings. On the general question, my right hon. Friend did give the hon. Member an answer yesterday on the activities of this organisation, and, of course, the question whether these particular individuals are abusing the hospitality of this country depends upon the nature of the talks which they have given.

With whom are they friendly?

May I have an assurance that their activities are being carefully watched?

That assurance has been given to the hon. Member several times before, and he can rest assured that the organisation is under very close watch all the time.

Has the hon. Gentleman been to see the film "Confessions of a Nazi Spy"?

asked the Home Secretary whether the five aliens smuggled into Britain on the Dutch ship "Velocitas," and who were recommended by the West London magistrate for deportation, have now been deported, and if so, to what country?

Yes, Sir. The aliens in question were removed from the United Kingdom on 2nd August in the "Velocitas" to Antwerp, the port at which they had embarked for this country.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that at the inquest held in Leigh on the five persons who lost their lives at Astley Green collieries on 6th June, the jurymen attended on nth, 17th, 18th and 19th July; that some of them had to lose work, and therefore wages; and will he say in what way recompense will be made to them for the loss?

The general principle of the law is that jury service is one of the remaining public services which citizens are required to undertake without financial compensation, though in some cases small allowances are payable. The amount which may be paid by a coroner to a person who attends at an inquest is governed by the scale of allowances made by the local authority under the Coroners' Acts. My right hon. Friend has no information of the scale of allowances fixed by the Lancashire County Council.

Can the hon. Gentleman advise me how to tell these people to proceed in order to get some recompense, as this is a serious matter for a man who has to leave his work and attend for three or four days and get no recompense?

If these men have received no fees or allowances, they should apply to the coroner. The coroner has discretion within the limits fixed by the scale of fees laid down by the county council.

May I take it that I should tell them to proceed on that line, and then let the hon. Gentleman know what happens?

I should prefer, if the hon. Member fails to get any satisfaction in that way, that he should take the matter up with the county council upon whom the primary responsibility falls for settling a schedule of fees and allowances.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to an assault committed by members of the Criminal Investigation Department upon Mr. Gladwyn Clements, a journalist of national repute, on Saturday evening last, 29th July; and what steps he intends to take to afford just amends to Mr. Clements and to prevent in future such unauthorised attempts upon the freedom of the Press and the liberty of the subject?

The information my right hon. Friend has is that after the police who were in charge of some prisoners had requested certain photographers not to take photographs, one man nevertheless took a photograph. The police then took charge of his camera and when the prisoners had gone off by train returned it to him on his undertaking to destroy the film. On this version of the incident the hon. Member will no doubt agree that the photographer was in the wrong and not the police.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what authority the police had to request a photographer not to take a photograph in a public place, what authority they had to seize his camera by force, what authority they had to exact any undertaking from him, and what authority they had to destroy his film, if that indeed was the case?

To start with, of course, Euston Station is not a public place; secondly, it is one of the recognised duties of the police to protect prisoners, convicts and other people in their charge from publicity of this kind; and the hon. Member would be the first to complain if a prisoner in whom he was interested had been permitted by the police to have his photograph taken.

Is it not in the public interest that when deportees are taken away under the recent Act with expulsion orders served upon them, the public should know who these people are?

No, certainly not.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of applications received for enlistment in the Royal Air Force for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date and the number that were medically examined, found physically fit, and attested?

I have been asked to reply. Of a total of 103,652 applicants for the 12 months ended 30th June, 1939, 66,276 were medically examined, 48,167 found physically fit, and 40,113 attested.

Am I to understand that the remainder were rejected on medical grounds?

No, Sir. I understand that the difference between the number of those found physically fit and the number actually enlisted was due to cases in which applicants were rejected for other reasons, such as failure in the trade test, or did not proceed with their application.

Are they notified of the reason for their rejection?

I should imagine so.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the disclosure in the report of the County Medical Officer for Wiltshire that pasteurised milk used under the milk-in-schools scheme and also pasteurised milk sent wholesale to London and else-where has been found to be tubercular: and what is being done in the matter?

My attention has been called to this report by the county council. I understand that investigations were made and certain pasteurising plants in the county were found to be producing milk which was inadequately pasteurised. The county council informed the local authorities concerned, and the latter took the matter up. In forwarding the report to me the county council recommended that the responsibility for the licensing and supervision of pasteurising plants should be transferred from the local authorities with whom it now rests to the county council. This recommendation would involve an amendment of the Milk (Special Designations) Orders which would doubtless arouse controversy, but I will bear it in mind for consideration when other amendments of the Orders are contemplated.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he has any statement to make on the progress of negotiations between Moscow and London.

I have nothing to add to the statement which the Prime Minister made on 31st July.

In order to complete the military side of these negotiations, will the Government of the United Kingdom now send to Moscow a Minister Plenipotentiary?

I am afraid I can add nothing to the statements which the Prime Minister has already made on this and other aspects of this matter.

Are we to take it from the remark made by the Prime Minister on Wednesday last, during the Debate on the Adjournment of the House, that he has very little hope of these negotiations being successful within the next month?

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the formulas put forward by the Russian Government on the one side and the British Government on the other to cover the case of indirect aggression?

No, Sir. It is not customary to publish documents of this character without the assent of other parties to the negotiations.

In view of the controversy and uncertainty which exist in this country on this matter, does not the Prime Minister think that it would be in the public interest that the relative positions taken up by the two countries should be clearly stated, and will he be good enough —.

The hon. Member has had a very decided answer to his Question.

But may I ask —.[HON. MEMBERS: "Order."] I think there is a point which you will admit, Mr. Speaker —.[Hon. Members: "Order."] On a point of Order. The question I want to put to the Prime Minister —.I am not putting it now —.is this: He says that it is not desirable to make any statement without consulting another Government, and my point is whether he will be good enough to consider the possibility of consulting with the Russian Government about a joint publication. That arises directly out of the reply.

The hon. Member has already had his answer.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the negotiations between Japan and the United Kingdom?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to await the Debate which will be taking place this morning.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Japanese Government have yet furnished any evidence showing the guilt of the four Chinese alleged to have murdered a Japanese agent in Tientsin?

Yes, Sir. The Japanese have communicated to the British representatives in Tokyo their evidence against the four men, and this is now under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Japanese Government have asked His Majesty's Government to prohibit the use of the Chinese dollar in Tientsin and to hand over the Chinese silver reserves held by British banks there; and what reply His Majesty's Government have made to these requests?

As I stated on 31st July, these are matters which involve interests of other nationals besides our own and we could not, therefore, come to any agreement about them without reference to other Governments. I may add that the silver is not held by British banks, but is in premises owned by the Bank of Communications in the British Concession.

Have not other Governments already been consulted?

We are in touch with other Governments.

asked the Prime Minister whether any reply has been received from the Japanese Government to the representations made on behalf of His Majesty's Government in regard to the anti-British campaign in China, fomented by the Japanese authorities?

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that this anti-British agitation still continues, will not His Majesty's Government press the Japanese Government for a reply; and, failing a reply, will they not consider recalling the British Ambassador for further consultation?

I think the cessation of the agitation is a great deal more important than the reply. His Majesty's Government have made their point of view perfectly clear to the Japanese Government, the latest occasions being the speeches by the Prime Minister and myself in the recent Debate.

Has not ample time been given to the Japanese Government to answer these representations; and is it not an ominous sign that they have failed to do so?

I think they have had time, and I think there can be no doubt about our feelings in the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, speaking within the limits of the Far Eastern situation and having regard to the world situation, those of us who heard the Foreign Secretary speaking in another place last night were reassured with regard to the way in which this matter's being handled?

Is it not the fact that the Japanese are treating the Government with contempt?

asked the Prime Minister, whether he can make any further statement on the detention of Colonel Spear.

No, Sir. I regret that I have nothing fresh to report.

Is there any prominent Japanese who might be detained pending the release of this officer?

What action do His Majesty's Government propose to take in the event of the Japanese Government refusing to release this officer or even to bring him to trial?

The hon. and learned Member may be assured that we are taking a very serious view of this case and that we have the possibility of future action under consideration.

Can my right hon. Friend say where this officer is at the present time, and is he satisfied as to the conditions of this officer's detention?

The officer in question is detained at Kalgan. There has been a delay in providing this officer with certain amenities, but we understand that in some respects the conditions of his detention have recently improved as a result of the representations which have been made.

What is the date of the last news which has been received about Colonel Spear?

I think yesterday.

Is it not plain that this officer's detention is a definite breach of international law and will not the Government be more vigorous in the protection of their citizens?

Vigour in this case is obviously necessary and the Government have not relaxed their efforts to secure this officer's release. As to diplomatic. immunity, there is some question whether this applies to the exact circumstances of Colonel Spear's movements.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make on the growth of Nazi aggression in Danzig?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the extent to which Danzig has now been militarised?

There has in recent weeks been increasing military and paramilitary activity in the Free City. As the Prime Minister stated in the Debate on Monday, the local situation is being carefully watched and the Polish Government is maintaining close contact with His Majesty's Government.

Will the mounting of heavy guns in Danzig be a test of direct aggression?

We have no information that they have been mounted.

Yes, but supposing heavy guns are mounted there, will it be a test?

I cannot answer a question of that hypothetical character.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say whether the High Commissioner for Danzig keeps the League of Nations informed of all proceedings there, in accordance with his duties?

Yes, Sir, the High Commissioner is in touch with the Committee of Three, appointed by the Council to follow the situation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is not the case that Danzig, in effect, has already been completely handed over to the Reich, except for the introduction of heavy artillery which would command Gdynia?

No, Sir, I cannot.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the present position with regard to the Czech blocked accounts in this country; to how many persons and to what value payment has already been made or is contemplated; the total sum involved and its form; through what channel, apart from the Treasury, the administration is taking place; and with what persons and to what extent conversations have taken place concerning the matter with representatives of the German Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to my hon. Friend the Member for East Willesden (Mr. Hammersley) on 13th July and to the hon. Member for South West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris) on Tuesday last.

Would the right hon. and gallant Gentleman be good enough to answer the last part of my Question which is not covered in the answer to which he has referred me?

As far as that is concerned I think it was covered. The fact is that there have been no conversations or negotiations subsequent to those informal ones which I reported to the House in the middle of May.

The question asks with what persons and to what extent these conversations have taken place. May I have an answer to that?

If the hon. Member looks at the reply, he will find the answer.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what was the total cost of the Sea-Fish Commission for its first year of operation, showing salaries, separately, and when its first report will be published.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the Official Report.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the answer to the last part of this question cannot contain anything statistical, and, therefore, will he give me an answer to that?

Certainly. The Commission's report reached my Department yesterday and will be published as soon as possible.

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, whether he has yet come to any decision as to which of the three alternatives for raising the £2,400 necessary to pay 70 per cent. of his staff full-pay he is going to adopt?

The advisability or method of raising the sum mentioned in the question has not yet been considered by the Kitchen Committee. I will inform the hon. and gallant Member as soon as a decision has been made.

Is my hon. Friend aware that I sent a letter to Members of this House the answers to which have not yet been received, and that, therefore, instead of raising this question to-day, I will ask the hon. Member's agreement to postpone it till a later date, when we shall have got fuller facts?

Is it not a fact that already all employés of the Kitchen Department receive three weeks' holiday in the year on full pay, and that in addition 30 per cent. of all the employés receive an additional three months' holiday on half pay?

That is quite correct.

Is it not also true that the Law Courts pay in full?

asked the hon. Member for Dulwich, as Chair, man of the Kitchen Committee, what would be the cost of agreeing to take on the 70 per cent. of the staff who normally would be dismissed this week for two months until the House reassembles in October; and whether he will do this so as to enable his Committee to consider final measures after the House reassembles.

The cost of paying full wages to 70 per cent. of the kitchen staff, referred to in the Question, until the House reassembles in October would be £1,200. The Kitchen Committee have unanimously decided that this payment cannot be made.

Have any payments been made to the relatives of the two unfortunate people whose deaths have been reported?

So far no payment has been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that in some fishing ports dissatisfaction with the method of inspecting settling accounts has not been removed by steps hitherto taken under the Sea Fish Industry Act; what steps have been taken to implement the specific assurances given by Ministers during the passage of that Act, that the staff of superintendents and staff to strengthen supervision would be increased; and, if not, when these assurances will be acted upon?

No, Sir. I have received no complaints, and special reports called for from the Board of Trade superintendents at the end of March last indicated that the arrangements as to settling accounts under the Sea Fish Industry Act were working well. The staff at Grimsby was increased; and the question of staff at other important fishing ports is under review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that 12 months have now passed since the assurance was given that the staff would be increased, and can he say how much longer that question will be under review before the staff is increased?

I do not think any assurance was given that the staff would be increased, if no necessity for it was shown.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to look at the report of the discussion on the Bill, and then he will find that the necessity for an increase was then admitted and has not since been acted upon?

I can only say that I have had no complaints, and therefore, prima facie it would appear that the existing arrangements are working well.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many meetings have taken place of the National Joint Council representatives of teachers and education authorities; and whether consideration has been given to the need for placing non-graduate teachers on the graduate scale in future after a definite period of service?

I am informed that the National Joint Council have held two meetings, and that they have not, so far, considered the matter to which the hon. Member refers.

Will the Minister draw the attention of the Council to the importance of this question and the great injustice that these non-graduate teachers are suffering?

I think my right hon. Friend said in reply to a previous question that he is not prepared to instruct the National Joint Council on what matters they should consider, but if the hon. Member wishes, I will undertake to see that this Question and Answer are brought to their notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Trinidad is willing to admit refugees and under what conditions; and whether they have granted the request of the Zurich Church Committee for Refugees to be permitted to send to Trinidad 15 to 20 Christian refugees aged 25 to 50, selected as having special experience in industries suitable to the Colony and submitted for approval to the British Consul-General at Zurich?

Up to the beginning of this year Trinidad had already admitted some 500 refugees. The position regarding both employment and accommodation for refugees then became serious, and therefore the admission of alien refugees into Trinidad was prohibited except with the special permission of the Governor. I have no information regarding the latter part of the question, but am making inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider whether the application for this particular group can be considered in view of the fact that they appear to be specially carefully selected?

I am making inquiries and I will communicate with the hon. Lady when I see the information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet been able to make any arrangements for the disposal of the 700 refugees from Czechoslovakia now in quarantine in Beirut, and for whom he has been asked to find an asylum in Palestine, Cyprus, or some British Colony?

It is clear that these refugees embarked on one of the vessels attempting to land illegal immigrants in Palestine. I regret that the difficulties in the way of giving so large a number of unselected immigrants an asylum in a British Colony are very great. Amongst the considerations which have to be kept in mind are the opinions on the matter of the existing inhabitants of these territories.

Is it not the case that very great anxiety is expressed that something should be done, and has the right hon. Gentleman taken into consideration that the country from which these refugees come is one to which His Majesty's Government has acknowledged particular obligations, and that their plight arises directly out of the events of last March?

We have taken all considerations into account and we are doing everything we can to facilitate the regulated settlement of refugees in different parts of the British Empire, but we cannot accept any responsibility for refugees who do not come within the regulated scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, how the estimated sum of £4,380,000, which represents the total amount of financial grants made to Colonial and Middle Eastern Services for 1938, is made up?

The figures quoted in the answer given to the hon. Member on 26th July, represented the total provision made in the original and supplementary Estimates for the Colonial and Middle Eastern Services Vote for the year 1938-9, as indicated on page 7 of House of Commons paper No. 45, of 1939, less the savings and miscellaneous receipts which are expected to be realised. The savings and receipts which are, in fact, realised will, of course, be shown in due course in the Appropriation Accounts for the year 1938-9.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that the Surbiton Borough Council are compelling their employés to do air-raid precautions work in their spare time without pay; whether this action has been taken with his knowledge and approval; and whether he will represent to the local authorities that the success of this work must largely depend upon willing volunteers.

My Department had no previous knowledge of the matter which appears to have given rise to the hon. Member's Question, but I have now seen a copy of a circular issued by the Surbiton Borough Council to their employeės which may possibly be open to misconstruction in failing to make sufficiently clear a distinction that must be drawn between employés in whom knowledge of Civil Defence matters is essential for the efficient discharge of the duties for which they are paid and other employés who have no obligations other than those that they may assume voluntarily. I am making further inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman go further than making inquiries? Will he ask for the withdrawal of the circular and the issue of one that is strictly in accordance with the spirit in which he is endeavouring to administer the service?

As the House knows, the Government rely entirely on the voluntary principle in the recruiting and training of civil personnel, and on my present information I have no evidence that this Council has made any attempt at an inroad into that principle. I am not sure at the moment of the actual facts, and in the circumstances I do not want to commit myself to a more definite statement. If I come to the conclusion, after getting further information, that something has gone wrong, I will certainly do my best to put it right.

The right hon. Gentleman will take steps to see that any misleading circular is withdrawn?

I will.

asked the Prime Minister, whether he will introduce legislation to make it possible if war broke out during the progress of a General Election for the election to be suspended and postponed and the old Parliament recalled.

The Government have not overlooked this matter, but they do not at present see any necessity for the introduction of legislation.

Will the Prime Minister now give us the date of the General Election?

Yes, Sir, sometime before the Autumn of 1940.

Is the Prime Minister not aware that the Government has no statutory authority for taking the steps mentioned in my Question, and that as the Act of 1797 applies only to the demise of the Crown special legislation would be necessary?

Yes, Sir, and as I said we have not overlooked it.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the war or the general election that is troubling the hon. Member?

Will the Prime Minister consider the possibility of introducing some legislation which will enable the old Parliament to be still in being until the new Parliament is actually elected?

I will think about that during the Recess.

May we take it that the Prime Minister will not do anything in this matter which will give him an unfair advantage over his political opponents?

Yes, Sir.