asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning the boarding of the British steamship "Nanchang," on 29th March, by Chinese pirates off the mouth of the Liao river; and what steps are being taken to rescue the four British officers of the vessel who have been kidnapped?

A report has been received from His Majesty's Minister at Peking, according to which the steamer "Nanchang," of the China Navigation Company, was attacked at noon on the 29th March by a large force of pirates, while at anchor off the mouth of the Liao river. The pirates carried off four subordinate British officers, and made away up river. His Majesty's sloop "Cornflower" at once proceeded to Newchwang, and an officer attached to His Majesty's Legation at Peking was also sent there. Urgent representations were made to the local authorities and to the Japanese Government; and all possible steps are, I am informed, being taken by the land and river police in concert with the Manchurian coastguards. Seaplanes and a number of junks are being employed to carry on the search. The Japanese Government have instructed their subordinate authorities to afford all possible assistance.

Have the Foreign Office any idea where these unfortunate British officers have been carried off to?

I have no more knowledge than that they have been carried off by a force of pirates who have made their way up the river.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to how many British subjects passports have been issued in the last 12 months to go to Russia?

Since March, 1930, the general practice has been adopted of making the passports of intending travellers to Europe valid for "all countries in Europe, including the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics and Turkey." The majority of Foreign Office passports issued since that date have been so endorsed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the publication of the annual report for the year 1932 of the Central Narcotics Intelligence Bureau, presented to the Egyptian Government by Russell Pasha, in which co-operation among European nations for the suppression of the drug traffic trade is emphasised; if His Majesty's Government intend to ratify the convention agreed at Geneva in 1931 for the limitation of the manufacture of narcotics; what other States have decided to sign the convention; and if steps will be taken through diplomatic channels to secure that they will conform to it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, the ratification in respect of the United Kingdom was despatched to the Secretary-General of the League on the 30th March. As regards the third part of the question, I presume that my hon. Friend intends to inquire what other States have decided to ratify the convention. I am not in a position to give any precise information on this point but I anticipate that sufficient ratifications will have been received to enable the convention to be brought into force by the 13th July, 1933. As regards the last part of the question, I see no reason to anticipate the failure of any party to the convention to conform to its provisions.

Is it not a fact that one particular State has caused great difficulty in arriving at a unanimous agreement?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Government propose to introduce legislation to ratify the proposals of the anti-drug convention; and, if so, when the Bill is expected to be introduced?

The Dangerous Drugs Act, 1932, was passed to give effect to the convention of 1931, to which I presume the hon. Member refers, and no further legislation for this purpose is required.

Does the Minister consider that the Act gives him all the power that he requires?

asked the Minister of Health bow many applications he has received from local authorities in England and Wales since let October, 1932, for the sanction of loans in connection with the construction of working-class houses without State assistance; and how many of such applications he has approved and rejected, respectively, to this date?

My right hon. Friend regrets that information in the form desired by the hon. Member is not available. The number of unsubsidised houses covered by sanctions given during the period mentioned is 1,208.

asked the Minister of Health if his Department has received reports of abuse of the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924; and whether the regulations are being adhered to in the county of Norfolk?

My right hon. Friend assumes that the reference is to the question of the occasional slaughter of animals on unregistered and unlicensed premises, and he has received a number of letters on this subject. It is primarily for the Local Authorities to determine to what extent such slaughtering is permissible and no specific allegations have been brought to his notice of failure by the local authorities in Norfolk to discharge their duties in this respect.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to include in the forthcoming Bill dealing with unemployment insurance any proposals providing more satisfactory arrangements for seasonal workers in respect of unemployment benefit?

I cannot anticipate the propossals of the Bill, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the question of seasonal workers will not be overlooked.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the very grave discontent that exists among classes of seasonal workers in seaside resorts?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state whether the question of shipping subsidies will be raised and fully discussed at the forthcoming World Economic Conference?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave on the 14th February to the hon. Member for Kirkdale (Mr. Rankin).

asked the Prime Minister if he is able to inform the House as to the progress which has been made for the discussion of the American debt settlement and for the meeting of the World Economic Conference?

I am not at present in a position to make any further statement on these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the measures taken against Jews in Germany, he will relax the restriction on emigration into Palestine for the benefit of refugees?

The administration of the Immigration Law of Palestine is a matter within the discretion of the High Commissioner. It is open to the Palestine Executive of the Jewish Agency to make any representations on the subject which they may wish to the High Commissioner, who can be depended upon to give full consideration to such representations; but there can be no question of departing from the principle, which has been consistently followed, that immigration into Palestine must be governed by the economic absorptive capacity of the country.

Did the right hon. Gentleman see what "Le Temps" said about England last Saturday, and is he not ashamed to allow England to fall behind France and Czechoslovakia in ordinary humanity?

I did not see the paper to which my right hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I am quite sure that no charge can be sustained that this country stands behind any other country in its humanity.

In that case is there a chance that we may offer a refuge to the persecuted in Germany?

If the right hon. and gallant Member will look at the figures of immigration into Palestine for the last year and compare them with the year before, he will see that a very large increase was made in the numbers of immigrants who were taken.

Yes, but most of these people are professional people who have lost any chance of livelihood, and is there no chance of their being admitted?

Ought we not to make a special effort in present circumstances, and will the right hon. Gentleman not consider calling together a committee of this House to consider the matter?

I think these are two perfectly distinct questions. This is a matter of immigration into Palestine, and it has always been the policy followed by the mandatory Power—and no other policy could possibly be pursued in Palestine in carrying out the idea of a national home—that the economic conditions of the country must govern the number of immigrants.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the general rules about permanent immigration will prevent Palestine being available now as an asylum for the Jews?

I think I have stated quite plainly what are the absolute commitments of this country as between the Arabs and Jews in that country, and I am sure that nothing but disaster could follow from not fully carrying out the mandate in that spirit.

What about temporary arrangements?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the terms of reference and composition of the proposed standing committee to advise the Commissioners of Crown Lands in connection with the development of the Crown's urban property?

The terms of reference are:

"To advise the Commissioners of Crown Lands on questions remitted to them by the Commissioners relating to the development of the Crown's urban estates, with particular reference to aesthetic and similar considerations of public interest."

It will be understood that it is open to the committee, if they so wish, to offer advice on any matters of public interest, affecting property administered by the Commissioners of Crown Lands, other than those arising on cases formally remitted to them.

The committee has been constituted as follows:

• Lord Gorell, C.B.E., M.C. (chairman).
• Lord Jessel, C.B., C.M.G.
• Mr. Frank Pick.
• Sir Raymond Unwin, F.R.I.B.A.
• Sir John Oakley, G.B.E.
• Mr. E. V. Lucas, C.H.

The appointments are for a period of four years; members will be eligible for reappointment. The committee can co-opt ad hoc for purposes of consultation, and they are also being asked to co-opt representatives of local government bodies specially concerned with any individual project.

Arrangements will be made, before action is taken on any question which has been remitted to the committee, to make public their recommendations. The full reports will be regarded as confidential.

As was explained by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture during the course of the Debate on the 8th February, the appointment of this committee does not in any way affect the arrangements as regards the Royal Fine Art Commission, whose advice on questions within their sphere will continue to be sought as heretofore.

Is it understood that the Minister will not take action with regard to any of the important buildings on the Crown Lands estates without taking the opinion of the committee on them first? It is not quite clear from the answer that he is under an obligation to consult the committee in important matters.

I think the terms of reference will make that point quite clear. I have no doubt my right hon. Friend will agree that it is so when he has the terms of reference before him.

Will the members of the committee be paid a salary?

I would like to ask who it is that gets the income from the Crown lands?

The State.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the acceptance by the Liverpool education committee of foreign tenders for matches and pencils; and whether he will address a circular to education committees with regard to their policy in these matters?

My Noble Friend's attention has been drawn to the references to this matter which have appeared in the Press. All local authorities have been circularised, on more than one occasion, and urged to purchase British goods and materials wherever it is reasonably practicable to do so. My Noble Friend has no reason to think that local education authorities generally are not well aware of the wishes of His Majesty's Government in this matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider taking any steps to induce owners of firearms to surrender them to the police authorities; and whether he is prepared to grant immunity from prosecution to those who hold no licence for possessing firearms as an incentive to the surrender of such weapons?

The enforcement of the Firearms Act, 1920, is a matter for the chief officers of police. As regards the first part of the question, I understand that in the Metropolitan Police district the Commissioner of Police has recently issued a notice to holders of firearms certificates suggesting that persons who did not require to retain their firearms should consider surrendering them, with any ammunition, to the police. As regards the second part of the question, I have no power to grant immunity from prosecution on the lines suggested. If, however, any persons are in possession of firearms without lawful authority, they will be well advised to approach the police in the matter without delay, and I have no doubt that chief officers of police will be ready to deal sympathetically with persons who, having omitted to observe the law in this regard, take an early opportunity of surrendering any firearms and ammunition in their possession.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider recommending those suggestions to the local authorities and the police authorities, as they will probably assist in the surrendering of the weapons?

I am sending a copy of this answer to the chief constables, in order to bring the matter to their attention.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider taking steps to obtain powers to grant the immunity, because there are many more revolvers in the hands of the public than the authorities believe?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider making a revision of the licences, with a view to cancellation in the case of people who are not justified in having firearms in their possession?

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will give the figures of enlistment of persons under 18 years of age who have been discharged through misstatement of age for the years 1929–30 and 1931–32?

During the recruiting years ended 30th September, 1930, and 30th September, 1932, the numbers of recruits under 18 years of age who were discharged for having made a misstatement as to age on attestation were 575 and 416 respectively.

asked the Home Secretary what provision has been made to house the families rendered homeless by the explosion in Mitcham; and whether he proposes to hold an inquiry as to the cause of the explosion?

I am informed that those of the families rendered homeless who required accommodation are being housed in the old Holborn Poor-Law School at Mitcham. This is a disused building, belonging to the London County Council, which has been lent by them for this purpose. As regards the investigation of the explosion, I will consider the question of holding a formal inquiry after the inquest is completed. As I have just stated, the circumstances will be made the subject of the most searching investigation possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the provision of accommodation is of a very temporary nature, quite unsuitable for the purpose, and that these homeless families are very anxious to obtain housing accommodation at the earliest possible moment? Will he or the Minister of Health give such facilities as are possible to enable these people to be housed properly in the shortest possible time?

It is not the duty of the Home Office to take steps such as the hon. Member suggests, but whatever we can do to assist in that direction will no doubt be done.

Does the Secretary of State consider that, if this had happened to the West-End class, the people would have been treated in the way to which attention has been called by the hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. Meller)?

asked the Home Secretary whether lie has caused inquiries to be made into the explosion at a chemical works in Mitcham, Surrey; whether any financial indemnity is being paid to tenants in respect to injuries received and loss of household effects; if he will state the date of the last visit to the works by a factory inspector and arrange to inspect a similar factory in the vicinity; and whether he will consider taking steps to prevent any similar factories being built adjacent to residential villas?

Immediate steps were taken by the Factory Department to inquire into this disastrous explosion, one of the engineering inspectors with special knowledge of chemical works being detailed for the purpose, and the hon. Member may be assured that the fullest possible investigation will be carried out. On the question of indemnification, I understand that active steps are being taken by the firm with a view to an expeditious settlement of claims, and that meanwhile all immediate needs are being satisfactorily met from the local relief fund. The works were last visited by factory inspectors on the 12th December last. I am informed that, while there are, of course, a number of works where inflammable materials are in use, there is no other factory in Mitcham doing similar work, but, if the hon. Member will let me know the name and address of the factory which he has in mind, I shall be glad to arrange for a special inspection. As regards the last part of the question, all I can say at present is that the whole position will be most carefully reviewed when the full results of the Inspector's inquiries and the proceedings at the inquest are available.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the report from the Lancashire Mental Hospitals' Board in regard to the excessive overcrowding at the Green Lane Public Assistance Insti-

Is the Under-Secretary aware that the Underground Railways had statutory power to create an excavation obstruction in Piccadilly Circus, and that we were able to get that obstruction taken away by bringing pressure upon his Department last year?

asked the Minister of Health the amounts of the general Exchequer grants paid to the local authorities of Jarrow Borough, Hebburn Urban District, and Felling-on-Tyne Urban District, in respect of the years 1932–33, and 1933–34; and the rate in the pound to which such amounts are equivalent?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

No such report has reached my right hon. Friend from the Lancashire Mental Hospitals' Board. In December last he called the attention of the public assistance authority to a report made by a Commissioner of the Board of Control on this matter, and my right hon. Friend is informed that the public assistance authority are now in communication with the Lancashire Mental Hospitals' Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will obtain a copy of the instructions issued by the Governor of Kenya in 1931 with regard to the expression of political views by officers or teachers in the education department in Kenya?

I am asking the Governor to supply me with a copy, which I will communicate to the hon. Member.

May I ask the Prime Minister if a date can now be given for the Motion which stands on the Paper in the names of myself and other Members of the House—

"That this House regrets that, instead of making the burden of unemployment a national charge, His Majesty's Government have driven large numbers of able-bodied unemployed persons to seek the aid of the Poor Law, thereby exhausting the resources of an ever-increasing number of local authorities."

and also whether he has any alteration to announce in the business for this week?

As regards the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, the Government desire to find an early opportunity for the discussion of the Motion standing in his name. The subject-matter of that Motion interests, not only the party opposite, but many of my hon. Friends on this side of the House. Conversations have taken place through the usual channels, and I am informed that it is considered possible to conclude the Committee stage of the Rent Restrictions Bill by to-morrow night. If that object can be achieved, then the Government would find time for this Debate before the Easter adjourn- ment. I am aware that many important points will arise during the discussions on the Rent Restrictions Bill, but I venture to suggest that, if hon. Members were willing to put their case briefly, in order to secure the completion of the Committee stage of the Bill by to-morrow, that would make it possible for the Debate on Unemployment to take place early next week.

As regards the second part of the right hon. Gentleman's question, with reference to a possible variation of business this week, a Bill will be presented to-morrow to take powers to deal with the importation of Russian goods into this country. It is proposed to pass the Bill through all its stages on Wednesday, with a view to its passage into law at the earliest possible moment. The text of the Bill will be in the Vote Office to-morrow.

With reference to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, that, of course, will depend upon the co-operation of all Members in the House, apart from ourselves, and we would press upon the Prime Minister the importance of the subject-matter of the Motion referred to. With reference to the very serious statement which the right hon. Gentleman has just made, he will be aware that the House has had no written information on this subject from the Government; we have only had verbal statements by various Ministers. I desire to ask him, in order that the House and the country may be seized of all the facts of the case, whether the correspondence and the conversations that have taken place between the British Ambassador and M. Litvinoff, and between our Ambassador and the Government themselves, could be put into a White Paper, so that the House may judge of the legislation that is proposed. Of course, we do not know what the legislation is, but it must be something of a serious character, seeing that the Government want to get it through so speedily. The right hon. Gentleman will understand that the House and the country are entitled to the fullest information before any legislation is considered.

I may remind the right hon. Gentleman that, in any event, on the 17th April, the Trade Agreement lapses, and something must be done to set up a system of trading. Regarding the conversations which have taken place between our Ambassador and the Russian Foreign Secretary, I think it would be most improper and most unusual, in the middle of the negotiations, to publish papers. The Bill proposed is a purely enabling Bill.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if, in order that the country and the House may know what is the object of the proposed legislation, he will now state categorically whether it has any relation to the incidents that have been taking place in Russia during the last two or three weeks?

May I be allowed to put a question? I was informed, in reply to my question which was on the Paper, that the Prime Minister would be making a statement. I assumed that it would be in reply to my question. I would like to know, if I may, what is the nature of the charges against the British subjects now in prison in Russia; and, furthermore, if those prisoners are going to be allowed opportunities for defence?

Into the latter part of the hon. and gallant Member's question I cannot enter, nor do I think that the House of Commons would wish me to do so at the moment.

Why?

At the moment.

Why?

Surely, we are entitled to know if these British subjects have been definitely charged or not? That is the only question that I am asking, and I think the House is entitled to an answer.

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, I would like to ask him whether it would not be in accordance with precedent, when a grave Measure of this kind is proposed, dealing with our relations with a foreign country, that the whole matter, or so much of the matter as is not of a confidential character, should be laid before Parliament in a White Paper? Otherwise, the House is not seized of the facts which would render a proposal of this kind, perhaps, admissible.

I beg the hon. and gallant Member's pardon; I misunderstood what he said. Actually at this moment it would not be in the interests of the accused for a statement to be made. It may be that to-morrow it would be, but at the moment I can assure the hon. and gallant Member and the House that it would not be in their interests. With reference to the question put by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel), for the moment it is enough to say that something will have to be done in any event, on account of the lapsing of the Trade Agreement on the 17th April. But the Bill itself will be in the Vote Office tomorrow as early as possible.

I really must press the right hon. Gentleman. The House, I am sure, wants only to know what is the terrible urgency of this legislation, that it must be passed in one day. Will not the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it has any connection in the mind of the Government with the recent events in Russia?

On that point, my right hon. Friend must wait until the statement is made on the Second Reading of the Bill.

The country has had a certain amount of information given it by Ministers, and we are told that there have been conversations in Moscow and in this country and despatches passing. Surely, if the legislation has any relation to this, the House is entitled to a White Paper giving the very fullest information in the possession of the Government.

As I say, that information will be imparted to the House and the country on the Second Reading of the Bill.

How are we to discuss it if we have to discuss it on a mere statement? We surely ought to have it in our hands at least 24 hours before the Bill is introduced. I repeat the question. Will the Prime Minister issue a White Paper giving the House and the country all the information in their possession with regard to the arrested British prisoners?

The Bill is going to be published to-morrow, and I must really ask my right hon. Friend not to anticipate what is going to be in the Bill. It is a simple Measure, mainly a one-Clause Bill, though I believe there is a second Clause which is consequential. It will be in the hands of Members to-morrow and the statement that the Government have to make upon it will be made in the proper way on the Second Reading.

Will the Prime Minister explain why it is necessary to pass this Bill through all its stages in one day when the Trade Agreement will not lapse for a fortnight from now, and will he not further consider the importance of having the statement for which the right hon. Gentleman has asked, having regard to the fact that, immediately after the Minister's speech is made on the Second Reading, we shall be asked to pass the Bill through all its stages and shall have no time to consider the statement before the Bill is expected to pass to another place?

It is necessary that the Bill should pass before the Easter Adjournment.

Arising out of the intimation on business, do I understand that the Prime Minister is asking the House to facilitate Government business on the Housing Bill so that we may have time for an unemployment Debate and for a Debate on a Bill to impose punitive taxation on Russian goods? If that is the case, we who sit in this part of the House will certainly not agree to any arrangement for the facilitation of Government business.

The facilities that we ask for regarding the Rent Restrictions Bill are for the purpose of getting a Debate on unemployment.

I really must go back. Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to ask the House blindfold to pass legislation in reference to trade with Russia and give us absolutely no information except what the Government choose to give us on Wednesday on the Bill? I ask him to consider what sort of position he would take up if he stood here instead of me. All we are asking for is that the Government shall give to the country and the House of Commons the information which have compelled them to take so grave and serious a step.

I really have already answered that question. The information which would be given in the White Paper, which could not be issued before Wednesday morning, is the same information that the Government would give in moving the Second Reading of the Bill.

I apologise for being so persistent, but cannot you leave this until Thursday and give yourselves time to print a White Paper giving the information that you propose to give us verbally? Surely the House of Commons is not to be treated as a mere automaton registering the decision of the Government blindfold.

My right hon. Friend has a very wrong impression of the House of Commons. What I have announced must be accepted by the House of Commons—