asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give an assurance that it is still the intention of the British Government to give support to the French plan for the general supervision of arms under the Disarmament Convention?

I would refer the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. A. Bevan) on the 11th December.

Do I understand that we still adhere to the French plan, and have not withdrawn from it at all?

I do not know what the hon. Member understands by the French plan. Perhaps he will turn up the speech of my right hon. Friend on the 7th November. The position there stated is the position now.

Does the hon. Gentleman mean that we stand by the principle of general permanent supervision?

If the hon. Member would not mind turning up the speech of my right hon. Friend he will find it more clearly stated there.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any international consideration has been given to the advisability of raising under Article 213 of the Treaty of Versailles the question of the present position of German armaments?

No. Sir; not so far as I am aware.

Does that mean that it has not been raised by France?

As far as we are aware, it has received no international consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the advisability, in the diplomatic negotiations on the subject of disarmament which are now taking place, of putting forward, on behalf of this country, proposals which would include the abandonment of all the weapons forbidden to Germany in the Treaty of Versailles, including tanks and heavy mobile artillery; a return to the original five-year plan of the British draft convention without a probationary period; budgetary control; and an all-round supervision of armaments?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is in a position to make a statement upon the course of the supplementary and parallel conversations taking place on the subject of disarmament;

I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. A. Bevan) on the 11th December.

Would not a policy of this kind be better than a policy of drift?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent negotiations between the British and French Governments for a mutual arrangement to stimulate week-end tourist traffic by the elimination of passports?

The French Government have recently inquired whether French tourists holding week-end tickets available for live days from Friday to Tuesday will be allowed to proceed to London, without passports, on a basis of reciprocity. I understand from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department that, for some time past, French tourists holding weekend tickets to Channel ports, available for five days from Friday to Tuesday, have been admitted without passports, and no objection has been raised to their proceeding to London after the purchase of a ticket at the port of arrival. In the circumstances, my right hon. Friend is informing the French Government that His Majesty's Government are glad to enter into an arrangement by which British and French holders of these weekend tickets will be allowed to continue their journey to Paris and London respectively without passports.

Is any record kept of these foreign people who come into this country: and is some precaution taken to see that they eventually go back again?

That is a matter for the Home Office.

Are the Government considering any general abolition of passports, as was the case before the War?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he will be in a position to indicate to this House the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the reform of the League of Nations?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the declaration of the Fascist Grand Council of Italy upon the subject of the League of Nations; and whether he can state the attitude of His Majesty's Government to any proposed alterations in the character and constitution of the League?

I cannot add anything at present to the statement which my right hon. Friend made on this subject on the 11th December.

Will my hon. Friend make an announcement to the House as soon as possible?

I am afraid I could not indicate when it would be in the public interest to make a statement.

Will His Majesty's Government set its face against any attempt to sabotage the League?

Cannot the Government associate themselves wholeheartedly with the French declaration of policy in regard to support of the League of Nations? Are they not able to do that?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will approach the Government of the United States of America with a view to ascertaining what are the chief objections to-day of the American Government to membership of the League of Nations?

No. Sir. My right hon. Friend regrets that he does not consider such a step would be either desirable or profitable.

Is it the case that the chief deterrent, as far as the United States are concerned, lies in the sanctions of the Covenant? Would it not be possible for the Government to explore that aspect of the question?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what terms the concession to export the guano phosphates from Ocean Island was held by the concessionaire company before it was bought out; what profits accrued to the shareholders during the latest year for which statistics are available; what amounts were paid out of the profits during that period to the Gilbert Islands treasury and the natives of Ocean Island, respectively, whether in royalties or in rent; and on what terms native labourers are now employed to dig and ship the phosphates, and whether they enjoy any Government protection?

The licence granted in 1902 to the Pacific Phosphate Company, Limited, provided for a royalty of 6d. per ton upon all exports of guano and other fertilising substances. From 1912 onwards the company paid an additional royalty of 6d. per ton for a trust fund to be used in the interests of the islanders. Particulars of the profits made or distributed by the company, whose operations were not confined to Ocean Island, are not on record in the Colonial Office. The native labourers on Ocean Island, in common with other British subjects, enjoy full Government protection. I do not know the actual wages to the native labourers but there is a minimum rate fixed by law. The other information requested is not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire and let me know?

It would take a good time to get the information, but I could write and inquire.

Many very serious allegations have been made of the exploitation of the phosphates in these islands and the very great mineral wealth there of which the natives are receiving no portion. Would the right hon. Gentleman get all the information he can on the subject?

I will endeavour to obtain the information, but I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman is wrong in supposing that the natives get nothing. In my main answer I said that in 1912 the company paid additional royalties for a trust fund for the benefit of the islanders and that there is a minimum wage rate fixed.

What prospect, if any, is there of bringing those British phosphates into this country, where hundreds of thousands of tons of foreign phosphates are used annually?

The hon. Member is making a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that in the London area alone there arc 80 separate agencies for the distribution of electricity, he proposes to take steps to implement the work of the Central Electricity Board in the generation of electricity by establishing a similar unity of control by amalgamation or otherwise for the distribution of electricity, so as to enable the benefit of the board's grid-power system to be passed on to the domestic consumer?

The possibility of improving the organisation of the distribution of electricity is naturally a subject which is engaging my attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the rate of subsidies paid by the principal maritime Powers to their mercantile fleets?

I am sending my hon. Friend the information at my disposal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the chartering, on 7th December, of two Dutch steamers to load timber and grain in British Columbia for the United Kingdom in January, 1934; and, in view of the fact that these two ships have been laid up at Amsterdam since 6th September, will he state what action he is taking to defend British shipping by concerted action with the Dominions or otherwise?

I have seen a report to this effect in the Press. The second part of the question raises issues of policy which are under consideration.

As this matter of policy in regard to the sale of vessels has been under consideratoin by the Board of Trade for a considerable number of years, can the hon. Gentleman give the House any information as to when they are likely to arrive at a decision?

think that that matter might possibly be raised in the Debate which is to occur this afternoon.

Will the decision be given in the reply of the Minister in that Debate?

That rests with the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and net tonnage of sailing and steam, including motor, vessels on the register of the United Kingdom which were sold to foreign countries in the years 1931 and 1932, respectively?

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

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the answer includes the amount of tonnage sold for use as well as the amount of tonnage sold for breaking-up purposes?

The statement which I propose to circulate gives the number and the net tonnage of vessels registered at ports in the United Kingdom sold to foreigners. It does not differentiate between use and breaking up. It is the mere question of sale.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number and tonnage, net or gross, of registered steam, including motor, vessels belonging to the United Kingdom and employed in foreign trading in the years 1931 and 1932, respectively, and the number of persons employed therein during each of those years, distinguishing between British, foreign and lascars?

As the answer is long and includes a table of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can not we have the figures now, as they do not seem to involve a long answer?

It is the custom when a number of figures are involved, and for the convenience of the House, to circulate them.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the forcible removal to a lunatic asylum of a sane woman from her home in Bedford Park, West London, by servants of the Middlesex County Council, who refused to verify her statement that her name was not that of the person they stated they had been ordered to remove; and whether he will set up a committee to inquire into the whole question of the removal and detention of persons alleged to be insane, and to make recommendations with a view to preventing such mistakes in future?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Broad, who was forcibly removed from her home and confined in a mental hospital and was afterwards found to have been mistaken for another person living at a different address; and, in view of the public concern at the possibility of persons being removed and detained in such institutions to-day, if he will set up a public tribunal to inquire into the existing regulations and to suggest such new safeguards as will prevent any arrest and detention of sane persons in future?

The occurrence has been reported to my right hon. Friend by the Middlesex County Council, who are the authority primarily responsible in the matter. The whole circumstances are being investigated by the Council, and the result of the investigation will be reported to him without delay. My right hon. Friend must consider this report before he decides what action on his part is desirable.

Can my hon. Friend say whether it is a fact that no written particulars were given to the officers of the Middlesex County Council who were instructed as to the removal of this patient, and that they were instructed by telephone; and will he suggest to the Middlesex County Council, or whoever is the authority, that it is very undesirable that matters of great importance of this kind should be ordered by telephone without written instructions, and, indeed, whether it would not be possible for the officer certifying a person as mentally deficient to be present so as to identify the patient?

As I stated in the answer, the precise facts are under inquiry, but I think I can say that, if the facts as represented in the Press are true, after due inquiry has been held, the whole House will desire to join my right hon. Friend in expressing deep concern and regret that an incident of such a grave nature should have taken place.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the representatives of the Native Chief Tshekedi, now in this country, have been received by him or have submitted material in connection with this case; and whether he has yet reached any definite opinion as to the verdict given in this case?

Mr. Buchanan has discussed informally with my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State and with the officials of the Dominions Office certain matters relating to the Bechuanaland Protectorate. It has been explained, however, that any representations regarding any matter relating to the Protectorate which the Acting Chief Tshekedi may desire to make should be submitted to the High Commissioner for South Africa through the Resident Commissioner of the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether, apart from local officials, persons with experience of native administration, especially in Tanganyika, were consulted in the drafting of the Bechuanaland Proclamations?

Yes, Sir. In drafting these Proclamations the laws in force in other British African Dependencies were fully considered, and the local Administration also had the benefit of the advice of Mr. Tagart, formerly Secretary for Native Affairs in Northern Rhodesia.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet received a report on the cause of the deaths of five workmen at the British Celanese Works at Spondon?

Investigations are actively proceeding, but they may take some time as difficult medical and technical questions are raised. My Department will pursue their inquiries as rapidly as possible and I will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I can usefully do so. As he will be aware, inquests are still pending.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a decision has yet been reached in regard to compensation?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that Miss Gladys Baynes, of 12, Hardwick Street, South Shields, has been missing since the middle of October from her situation at Dane's Court, Longdown Lane, Epsom Downs, Surrey; what the results of the police inquiries have been; and whether he will cause further inquiries to be prosecuted with a view to allaying the anxiety of Miss Baynes's parents?

This matter had not previously come to my notice, but I have made some inquiries. It appears that Gladys Baynes was engaged as a domestic servant at Epsom on 27th September, her services having been obtained through an agency in South Shields. On 13th October she was left in charge of the house during the temporary absence of her employer who, on returning home about 5 p.m., found that Gladys Baynes and her belongings had disappeared. At the request of the South Shields police inquiries have been made and a description has been circulated in the Metropolitan Police District, but hitherto without result. The girl is 21 years of age; there is nothing to suggest that her departure was other than voluntary; and it does not appear at present that any further action can usefully be taken by the police.

Having regard to the fact that the girl's parents are suffering grave anxiety on account of her disappearance and as nothing is known to indicate whether she took steps to disappear voluntarily, cannot further inquiry be made, as it is impossible to believe that the inquiries that have been made have resulted in no traces being found, the girl being a complete stranger in the place and very noticeable in consequence?

I have no reason to suppose that the police are not taking every step in their power to ascertain her whereabouts.

asked the Home Secretary if he will include in the forthcoming Bill to regulate the hours of labour for young persons employed in the distributive trades provisions requiring the payment of minimum rates of wages?

The provisions to be included in the Bill have not yet been finally settled, but I may say that it is not intended to include any provision relating to wages.

Is it not the case that the Committee of inqury did recommend the inclusion of a provision of this kind?

In view of the very low wages which have been disclosed from time to time in connection with the payment of these young people, will the right hon. Gentleman consider very seriously whether he cannot put something into the Bill to deal with the wages of these girls?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that cooperative societies throughout Great Britain are now supplying large quantities of milk to school children in sealed bottles for one penny; that the purchasers are not members of the society and that no dividend is payable by the society upon these purchases; if he will state by what method the receipts from such sales are separated from the general returns of the society; and if, in view of the increase of such sales, he will consider the application of a special revenue tax upon them?

I have no information in the matters to which my hon. Friend refers, but I would explain that any profits arising from such sales would, of course, be included in computing the society's liability to Income Tax in accordance with the provisions of Sections 31 and 32 of the Finance Act, 1933.

In view of the fact that the local education authorities are responsible for the purchases of milk from the societies, are the local authorities entitled to use the money for any specific purpose they lay down, and, if not, will the Minister take into consideration a reduction of the amount equal to that received in dividend when the Education Vote is taken'?

I cannot follow what it is that my hon. Friend wants. The co-operative societies are assessable to Income Tax now on exactly the same basis as private concerns.

Does the hon. Gentleman know that thousands of mothers in this country are still supplying milk free of charge, and does he propose that they should be taxed for that reason?

No. Sir. Presumably, mothers have always supplied milk free of charge, and will continue to do so.

Is the hon. Member aware that this milk is supplied to the children on a humane basis, without profit, and that the co-operative societies are rendering a great service?

They are performing the ordinary industrial service of selling.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether and, if so, when it is intended to introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendation made in the Report of the Committee on Industrial Assurance and Assurance on the lives of children under 10 years of age [Cmd. 4376.]

I am not yet in a position to say when action will be taken on this report.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that local excise officials have demanded the payment of Entertainments Duty on tickets sold for a political meeting; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a recurrence of this demand?

I am not aware that payment of Entertainments Duty has been demanded in respect of any purely political meeting but if my hon. Friend will let me have particulars of the case he has in mind, I will have inquiries made.

Is the hon. Member aware that wide publicity was given to this meeting in one daily newspaper?

Provided the meeting is political, it is not an entertainment. Entertainments Duty is payable provided that the band costs more than 2d. to hear.

I do not know whether the meeting was purely political, but the daily newspaper referred to is; it is the "Daily Herald."

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representations from municipalities in Lancashire or other bodies favouring legislation to the effect that agreements which have been entered into by organisations of employers and employed in the cotton trade or in other industries should be made obligatory upon all engaged in the industry concerned; and whether the Government will consider the introduction of legislation on the lines of the Industrial Councils Bill introduced as a private Member's Bill last Session?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the statement made in the House on 29th November by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board that any joint representations made by employers' and operatives' organisations in the cotton industry would receive our sympathetic consideration. As regards general legislation such as that referred to by the right hon. Gentleman there are wide differences of view among employers' and employés' organisations and among the joint industrial councils themselves as to the desirability of such legislation.

Will the Minister favourably consider other organisations besides the cotton industry, such as newspapers?

asked the Minister of Labour the total wages paid in the cotton industry in 1920 and in 1932, respectively?

I regret that information is not available as to the total wages paid to workpeople in the cotton industry in 1920 and in 1932. Some information bearing on the wages paid in 1924 and in 1930 is given in the final report on the Census of Production, 1930

asked the Minister of Health whether he will call for reports from local authorities in London on the condition of the nursing homes registered with and inspected by them, with a view to ensuring that registered medical nursing homes are housed in hygienic premises suitable for modern therapeutic requirements and staffed by certificated nurses?

The fitness of the premises and the suitability of the staff are factors to be taken into consideration by the local supervising authority before agreeing to register an applicant in respect of these premises under the Nursing Homes Registration Act, 1927. As a decision on this matter is under the Act a matter for the local authority subject to an appeal to the courts, my right hon. Friend does not think that he would be justified in calling for reports, but if my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind he will be ready to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Health the reasons why writing assistants employed in his Department have, without previous knowledge of clerical class duties, recently been promoted after three months' trial to the established general clerical class; and is he aware that such persons are now being trained in their new duties by ex-service "S" Class clerks?