Written Answers
Brazil (British Investors)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, for the protection of British savings invested in defaulted securities of public authorities in Brazil, request the British issuing houses responsible to submit to him for approval the terms they may make on behalf of the Brazilian Government for the coming issue of Brazilian funding bonds, so that he may be assured that satisfactory compensation will be included in relation to the fourth default by Brazil upon her sinking fund obligations to British investors and that sinking fund obligations on all bonds under the three defaults are to be maintained in operation or, alternatively, compensa- tion made for any suspension of sinking fund rights?
Any decision of the Brazilian Government to issue funding bonds in respect of interest and to suspend the sinking funds of certain of its external loans is primarily a matter between that Government and the bondholders concerned. As at present advised, my right hon. Friend does not consider that His Majesty's Government can intervene in the matter.
Manchuria
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information relating to the proposal to set up a separate government in Manchuria?
Reports have been received indicating that the ex-Emperor has proceeded from Tientsin to Mukden, but I am unable to confirm their accuracy or to state whether in fact any attempt is being made to set up an independent government for Manchuria. My information is that the provincial governments in Mukden and Kirin collapsed after the events of 18th September, and that emergency committees are at present acting in their place.
Transport
Humber Bridge Scheme
asked the Minister of Transport what is the estimated total cost upon public funds involved in the proposals of the Humber Bridge Bill now before Parliament; and will he reconsider the expenditure proposed under this scheme?
The proposed Humber Bridge scheme was estimated to cost £1,750,000, of which 75 per cent. (namely, £1,300,000 approximately) was to be contributed from the Road Fund. I understand that the promoters themselves recognise that postponement of the work is inevitable, and in view of the altered circumstances I must hold myself free to reconsider the question of grant from the Road Fund in the event of the project being carried out at some future date or of any further expenditure being incurred upon it.
Severn River Barrage
asked the Minister of Transport if he can now make any further statement as to when the report of the committee on the Severn river barrage may be expected; and whether, in view of the possible benefits which might accrue from this scheme, he can give an assurance that the investigation is being conducted as expeditiously as possible?
I understand that the Committee of the Economic Advisory Council have encountered a large number of highly technical engineering problems in this inquiry, which is, however, being conducted as expeditiously as possible.
Housing (Newcastle)
asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire into the shortage of working-class houses which exists in Newcastle resulting in families of six to 10 persons having to live in homes of one room in numerous cases; whether he will sympathetically consider what steps can be taken to deal with this question without delay; and whether he will consider the relaxation of the existing building regulations in such cases until the shortage of houses is overcome?
The corporation of Newcastle, who have already completed 5,483 houses, have also submitted orders made under the Housing Act, 1930, involving the rehousing of 2,386 persons, and I do not think the circumstances call for any such intervention on my part as my hon. Friend suggests. I am not aware that the existing building by-laws, which have been brought up to date in Newcastle as elsewhere, have any adverse effect on house production.
Royal Navy (Discharges)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) if he is aware that the 24 naval ratings recently dismissed were not informed of the charges made against them or given any opportunity of defending themselves against such charges; and whether, this being so, he will institute a public inquiry into the matter;
(2) if he will indicate the nature of the conduct subversive of discipline indulged in since their return from Invergordon by the 24 naval ratings recently dismissed from the Navy?
I am not prepared to meet either request. I would ask the hon. Member and the House to accept my assurance that it would not be in the public interest nor in the interests of the individuals concerned to give any further publicity beyond what has already been given to the circumstances in which the Board of Admiralty have acted in these particular cases. The Naval Enlistment Acts reserve entire discretion to the Board of Admiralty to discharge or authorise the discharge of any seaman or other person whatsoever from His Majesty's Naval Service, and the Board have exercised their lawful discretion on the present occasion with the fullest sense of their responsibility for the discipline and well-being of the Navy.
Johore
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make a statement as to the discussions between the Sultan of Johore and the Government on the subject of the future independence of this State?
I am informed that no such discussions took place.
Unemployment (Transitional Benefit)
asked the Minister of Labour if he will cause to be published as a White Paper circular letter L.A. 3, of 10th November, 1931, addressed to all county boroughs and county councils dealing with transitional payments?
This document has already been printed, and I have arranged for a supply to be placed in the Vote Office for the convenience of Members.
Post Office Savings Bank Fund (Borrowings)
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the practice followed by various Government Departments with regard to borrowing for Departmental purposes from the Post Office Savings Bank Fund; and what amounts have been so borrowed by each particular Department, and for what purpose in every case, during the past five years?
| Borrowing Acts. | 1926. | 1927. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Telegraph Acts | 11,400,000 | 9,700,000 | 10,550,000 | 10,650,000 | 11,500,000 |
| Housing Act, 1914 | 6,000 | — | — | — | — |
| Unemployment Insurance Acts. | 11,362,000 | 3,070,000 | 8,122,000 | 6,800,000 | 16,080,000 |
| Pensions Commutation Act. 1869. | 478,000 | 458,000 | 358,000 | 364,000 | 324,000 |
| Church of Scotland Act, 1925. | — | 408,000 | — | — | — |