asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to state the names of the British and Canadian representatives on the League of Nations Committee, agreed to be set up at the April meeting of the Council, to study measures to render the Covenant more effective in the organisation of collective security and to define, in particular, economic and financial measures to be applied against a State endangering peace by the unilateral repudiation of its international obligations; when the first meeting will be held; and whether the British Government propose to take an active part in the proceedings and to take their full share in any scheme devised?

The United Kingdom representative on this Committee has not yet been appointed. I do not yet know the name of the Canadian representative. The Committee will probably hold its first meeting during or immediately after the forthcoming session of the Council of the League of Nations. The United Kingdom representative will naturally take due part in the proceedings, and His Majesty's Government will carefully consider any recommendations that the Committee may make.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made to the Italian Government, or are contemplated, with reference to the obligation which this country would be under with regard to the use of the Suez Canal and facilities in British ports for Italian shipping in the event of hostilities arising between Italy and Abyssinia contrary to international treaty obligations?

No, Sir.

Is not this matter likely to be raised in a very serious form in the event of hostilities.

I have no reason to suppose that the Italian Government are not well aware of the obligations of this country.

Is it the case that British transport ships are conveying Italian troops across the Mediterranean?

That point hardly arises out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to make a statement with regard to the negotiations for the Western Air Pact?

I have nothing to add at present to the answer I gave to the hon. Member on the 8th May.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he expects to be able to make a further statement on this matter?

I cannot say now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has yet been received from the Japanese Government to the further note addressed to them by the British Government with regard to the establishment of an oil monopoly in Manchukuo, and indicating that the Japanese Government would be held responsible for any loss on this account by the British interests?

No, Sir.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to make a statement, seeing that this matter has been in abeyance for some months?

The question I was asked was whether a reply had been received, and the answer was "No." I have no reason to think that we shall not get an answer, but I cannot, naturally, say when it will be received.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it has yet been suggested to the Japanese Government that they should accede to the convention for the regulation of whaling; and whether there is any evidence that Japanese whalers will be operating in the Antarctic during the current year as in 1934?

I hope shortly to receive an indication of the views of the Japanese Government as regards accession to the convention for the regulation of whaling. Although I have no authoritative information it seems possible that Japanese whalers will be operating in the Antarctic during the current year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs upon what date His Majesty's Minister to China was last in Nanking and Shanghai, respectively; and what was the period of his stay on each occasion?

His Majesty's Minister proceeded to Nanking from Peking on. 11th March last. On 1st April he went on to Shanghai where he remained till 8th April. On his way back to Peking, he made a further short stay in Nanking. I should like to add that His Majesty's Minister, since his arrival in the Far East last year, has spent a very considerable portion of his time in Central and South China, not only at Nanking and Shanghai, but also visiting other points where important British interests are situated. In November last, for instance, he paid a visit of several weeks to Canton and the south-western regions.

On the average, how many days a year does His Majesty's Minister spend in the capital, Nanking?

I should require notice of that question.

Are not the Minister's residential quarters in Nanking finished and at his disposal?

As my hon. and gallant Friend probably knows, the accommodation at Nanking is being enlarged for the purpose of enabling His Majesty's representative to live there in tolerable comfort—at present the place is very inconvenient—for a much more substantial part of the year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Consulate-General in Nanking is to be replaced by a Consulate?

There is no question of reducing the status of the consular officer at Nanking whose substantive rank is that of Consul with, until a short time ago, local rank of Consul-General. It was recently decided that, in order to facilitate the work of his Majesty's Diplomatic Mission at Nanking, this officer should, concurrently with his consular rank, be appointed an additional secretary of legation with local rank of first secretary. The effect of this change is that, while the officer in question has ceased to hold the local rank of Consul-General, he retains his substantive rank of Consul and, in addition while at Nanking, has become a member of the diplomatic staff of the Mission.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will state the progress made in the way of providing adequate residential and office accommodation in Nanking for His Majesty's Minister to China?

It has been decided to give His Majesty's Minister, or his personal representative, the exclusive use of the house originally provided for His Majesty's Consul at Nanking, and this house is now about to be improved and enlarged at a cost of approximately £6,000. Provision of this amount has been taken in the Vote for Public Buildings Overseas, 1935. The offices and staff are housed in rented buildings which have recently been modernised and improved. These are in a compound adjoining the Consular compound.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it will be ready, in view of the importance of His Majsety's Minister being in touch with the Government of Nanking?

We cannot proceed with any expenditure until the Vote is through. It was passed a few weeks ago and the work was put in hand as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government, having brought the subject of pollution of the sea by oil before the League of Nations, will now give a lead towards international action for the prevention of pollution by declaring its willingness to agree with other nations that the fitting of separators shall, after a certain period, be made compulsory in oil-driven and oil-carrying ships?

The United Kingdom representative on the Second Committee of the last Assembly of the League of Nations stated that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were prepared to fall in with any international scheme calculated to lessen the damage done by oil pollution in navigable waters. The practicability of any remedy, including that referred to by the hon. Member, will be determined by a survey of the evidence which is at present being obtained from the Governments concerned by the Communications and Transit Organisation of the League of Nations, in accordance with the procedure outlined in the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Brighton (Sir C. Rawson) on the 18th February.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House of the nature of the reply given by His Majesty's Government to the specific question No. 3 of the questionnaire?

If my hon. Friend will give me an opportunity to get the information, I will communicate with him, if I can.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to receive a report of the Society of Engineers dealing with oil separation and with the magnificent work that they are doing in respect of it?

As representing the principal maritime country in the world, will not His Majesty's Government see that this country gives a lead in this matter?

I would remind my right hon. Friend that I have already reported to the House that His Majesty's Government did give a very definite lead. As the representative of His Majesty's Government, I gave the lead.

Seeing that the answer just given was that His Majesty's Government would be prepared to fall in with any international scheme, the suggestion which I would ask him to consider is whether His Majesty's Government will not themselves formulate a scheme for the acceptance of other countries?

This matter is being dealt with by the League of Nations, and we have been very largely instrumental in pushing it forward. The League of Nations have instructed the proper organisation to go into the whole matter, and our own representative has played his full part there. I am sure that my right hon. Friend will agree that if anything is to be done—and I hope that something can be done—it must be done by international agreement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many officers and men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Royal Naval Reserve, the Royal Fleet Reserve, and from the regular, retired, and emergency lists will be ordered to participate in the Jubilee naval review at Spithead?

291 officers of the Royal Naval and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserves have volunteered to take part in the naval review, and most of these will probably do so, together with two chaplains on the retired list of the Royal Navy, who have similarly volunteered. Approximately 3,000 reserve and pensioner ratings will also be invited to take part. None of these officers or ratings has been, or will be, ordered to take part; their participation in all cases will be entirely voluntary.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty which foreign nations have been invited to send representative ships to the forthcoming naval review at Spithead; and what foreign ships will be in attendance?

As the Jubilee celebrations are essentially domestic in character, no foreign nations have been invited to send ships to represent them.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether steps have been taken to express to his Department the gratitude of the Members of this House, and all other persons concerned, for the excellent way his Department carried out their duties during the Silver Jubilee celebrations?

The officers of my Department are most grateful for my hon. Friend's remarks, and for the expressions of appreciation which they have received from Members of Parliament.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also express appreciation to the police for the work they have done?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give instructions for the memorable series of speeches made by His Majesty during Jubilee week to be suitably printed and to be made available to Members of bath Houses of Parliament and the general public?

The speeches to which the hon. Member refers have been fully reported, and I think that any further step, such as is contemplated in the question, is more a matter for the initiative of publishing houses. I understand that no question of copyright will be raised.

Would it be possible for these magnificent speeches to be circulated in the schools through the education authorities?

Is it not a fact that the "Morning Post" is already publishing these speeches?

asked the Minister of Labour whether His Majesty's Government are taking steps to ensure that the financial benefits in respect of His Majesty's Jubilee already enjoyed by other sections of the unemployed shall be extended to those members of the unemployed who are in receipt of statutory benefit?

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is now proposed to take steps to extend to those unemployed in receipt of statutory unemployment benefit the additional allowances which have been paid to those in receipt of assistance on account of His Majesty's Jubilee celebrations?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which I gave on this matter on 2nd May to the hon. and gallant. Member for Kingston-upon-Hull, East (Brigadier-General Nation).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that those on statutory benefit are not receiving any extra payment? Can he give any reason why they should be treated differently from other sections of the unemployed?

In the previous reply, to which I have referred, I said that there were no funds at my disposal out of which such payments could be made.

Is it not the case that if the Act were fully operative those under Part I with statutory benefit claims would have been entitled to have had their money subsidised from those under Part II, but that owing to the delay that cannot happen. Cannot he see that Part II shall apply to statutory benefit claimants?

That is not the position. If the second appointed day had come into force, no doubt those on benefit could have applied to the board, but they would only have been able to receive the second payment on proof of need. As the position was, they could equally well apply to the local authority, and where the local authority was making this extra payment, on proof of need, they would be able to receive the benefit.

In view of the great dissatisfaction felt by certain sections of the unemployed, will the right hon. Gentleman consider introducing legislation to put this matter in order?

The matter has received the fullest consideration, and it was felt that the action of the board and local authorities in giving this extra payment to those whose claims were based on need was justified. In the circumstances, the decision of the Government, which has been announced, is not to extend it to other classes of recipients getting allowances under statutory rights.

Is it not the case that those who are getting the extra amount have already had their needs assessed, and that this sum was in addition to the amount assessed. Cannot the same distribution be made to those on statutory benefit since the money comes from practically the same source, that is out of the Government?

Is it not the case that no Income Taxpayer has had any allowance to enable him to enjoy the Jubilee, and will the Government not take some steps to remedy this gross injustice?

It is now five weeks since I put a question to which the Minister of Labour said that he had no funds out of which to make the payment. Since then this House has voted £60,000—

The hon. Member is now making a speech.

I am not making a speech. My question to the Minister of Labour is whether he is aware that if he comes to this House and asks for power to go to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for a grant to meet this demand, I am satisfied that the House will grant it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will commemorate by a brass plate in the floor the spot where His Majesty stood to receive the Addresses at the Joint Session of Parliament on 9th May?

As I stated in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for the Hanley Division of Stoke-on-Trent (Mr. Hales) on Monday last, the question of the best form of any commemoration of last Thursday's ceremony will require very careful consideration. I am grateful for my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that inhabitants of Tel-Aviv, Palestine, in need of hospital treatment have in many cases to be transferred to hospitals in other parts of the country because of lack of available beds in the municipal hospital; and whether he is yet in a position to state if the Government has decided to accede to the request of the municipal authority of Tel-Aviv to be permitted to provide the necessary additional and improved accommodation?

I am not in a position to confirm the statement contained in the first part of the question. As promised in my answer to my hon. and gallant Friend's question of 3rd April, I have communicated with the High Commissioner for Palestine, but I have not yet received information as to the intentions of Government regarding the proposals of the Tel-Aviv municipality for financing the enlargement and improvement of the municipal hospital. I should add that during last year this hospital, to the cost of which the Government contributes, was enlarged from 125 to 184 beds.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that at the present time beds are having to be put up in the corridors of the hospital, and that, in addition, inhabitants of Tel-Aviv are having to be sent to Afulah to be treated, because there is no room in the hospital; and will he urge upon the High Commissioner the need for dealing with this matter with expedition?

I said, in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, that I had forwarded his statements to the High Commissioner. I am sure we can reply upon the High Commissioner to give all due weight to all relevant considerations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman point out that in his opinion it is not correct to say that there should be no provision for maternity cases, whether rich or poor; that it is not correct that there should only be two beds for every 1, 000 of the population; and that 184 beds for a population of 12, 000 people is wholly inadequate?

I think it would be very unwise for me to make ex parte statements to the High Commissioner, who, in the knowledge of this House, gives the most careful consideration to every possible interest.

While not casting any aspersions at all on the High Commissioner's views and intentions, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that there has been a considerable amount of correspondence on this matter for years; that cases have to be turned away; and that the facts which I have asked him to consider and send forward have been actually stated in a report of the medical officer in Palestine?

I am not aware of those facts, and do not know whether they are correct or incorrect; but I am sure that all relevant facts are very well known to the High Commissioner, who is constantly visiting Tel Aviv, and that he will give the fullest consideration to these matters.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the conference of East African governors at its session, in May, 1934, or subsequent sessions, succeeded in accepting any further recommendations of the Report of the commission of inquiry into the administration of justice in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika territory in criminal matters?

The Report was exhaustively discussed by the East African Governors' Conference in May last year, with results which I communicated to the House in reply to a question on the 11th December. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of that reply, and of my despatch to the Governors which summarised the decisions taken on all the Commission's recommendations affecting more than one territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the intention, announced by him in February, 1934, of demonetising the gold dollar of the United States of America as legal tender in the British West Indies, British Honduras, and British Guiana, has yet been carried into effect.

The proposal to demonetise the gold dollar of the United States of America in the West Indies and British Guiana has not yet been put into offect, as doubt has arisen as to the effect of such action in those parts of British Guiana where the coin still remains in circulation. Action will be taken as soon as it is decided whether British Guiana should be included. As explained in the reply to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 8th February, 1934, British Honduras is in a special position, and it is not proposed at present to demonetise the United States gold dollar there.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received a copy of the Trade Union Bill which has secured a third reading in the legislative assembly at Colombo; and, if so, what action does he propose to take?

I am aware from the Minutes of the State Council, of which I have seen a copy, that the Bill was read for a third time on the 29th of March. I shall no doubt receive the text from the Governor at an early date, but it has not yet reached me.

When the right hon. Gentleman receives the text of the Bill, will he take an opportunity of examining it and its possible effect upon the disorganised workers of Colombo; and will he in due time inform the House what action he is likely to take in regard to it?

I cannot inform the House as to what my action is likely to be towards the measure until I receive the Bill, but of course the Bill will come home in due course in the ordinary way.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all those who claim to be able to speak for the organised, or disorganised, workers, were opposed to this measure, and that they regard it as the one means of preventing the workers of Colombo from being organised; and will he take note of that fact when he is examining the Bill?

I will take note of everything, but I presume that all these matters were debated in the State Council when the Bill was under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in the year 1934 Hungary exported to Palestine £115,000 worth of goods, and in return purchased fruit, goods, and materials to the value of only £920; and whether he will cause representations to be made to the Hungarian Government to withdraw its present refusal to grant the importation of Palestinian oranges into Hungary?

I am aware of the trade position stated, and of the difficulties arising out of the import and exchange restrictions in force in Hungary, but I have no information of any discrimination against Palestine. If information showing the existence of such discrimination can be given, consideration will be given to the desirability of representations to the Hungarian Government.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that it would be more useful if, instead of urging Hungary to buy more from Palestine, it were pointed out that, if Palestine transferred these orders to our own country, we should get the trade?

I do not know what the orders are, but certainly it is very wise that any country should buy from the best market in the world.

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that, so long as we allow Hungary to have cheap money from this country, we have the right to see that the taxpayers of this country have proper value in regard to what we spend in Palestine?

I understood the question to refer to trade with Palestine. I did not know that we were supplying cheap money to Hungary at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the case of the headmaster of Calne county secondary school, Mr. C. T. T. Apps, who is retiring in July next; whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that Mr. Apps's pension is calculated on the basis of his average salary for the last five years, he will sustain a loss in pension of £16 a year; and whether the board will arrange to restore the pension to the amount which it would have been had Mr. Apps's salary not been reduced by 10 per cent. in 1931?

I am aware of the facts in this case. There is, however, no power under the Teachers' (Superannuation) Acts to calculate pensions on salaries in excess of those actually received. The general question of the possibility of steps being taken to mitigate the loss in such cases is under discussion with representatives of the teachers.

Is it to be understood that if the reply and contribution from the teachers is considered satisfactory that the Board of Education themselves will make some contribution towards remedying this injustice under which certain teachers who are retiring in the next few years are suffering?

The whole matter at the moment is under discussion with the teachers' representatives. The Board of Education is with them in desiring to find a solution of the matter. I cannot at the moment say anything definite when it will be finally settled, but I hope the solution will not be long delayed.

Does the hon. Member realise that I raised this subject last August and that the Treasury then undertook to give speedy consideration to the matter? Does he consider that it is an example of speed that the matter has still to be opened in May, 1935?

asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to make a statement regarding the Government's proposals for dealing with persons who have fallen out of national health insurance?

My right hon. Friend hopes to introduce legislation on this subject very shortly.

Is the hon. Member in a position to say that the medical side will be considered, as this matter is causing great anxiety to a number of people?

I do not think my hon. Friend will have long to wait, but I cannot anticipate the terms of the Bill.

Will the maternity side be considered?

May we take it that the Bill will be passed through all its stages before the end of July?

Obviously, I cannot guarantee that, but we should like it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has considered the resolution passed by the Tyldesley Urban District Council calling his attention to the inadequate postal facilities in the township of Astley, which is now joined on to Tyldesley; and whether he will look into the matter and try and remove the grievance?

The matter is under consideration and I will write to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the case of Alfred Welch, 20, Hume Road, Notting Hill, London, who, after three months' training, was on war service at Ypres and the Somme, being there severely wounded; that the Ministry granted this man full disability pension, but afterwards reduced it to 8s. per week, terminating their liability by a gratuity of £10 in 1920; that the man's disability became aggravated to the extent that later he was admitted to Roehampton Hospital and one leg was amputated; and whether he will state what provision is now made for this man's maintenance?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is familiar with this case. He is informed that Mr. Welch was never assessed at 100 per cent., but drew pension at 70 per cent. for a few months, after which his disablement fell to 20 per cent. In 1921 he was found not to be disabled to such an extent as to justify the continuance of pension, and he received a weekly allowance for 52 weeks, followed by a terminal gratuity of £10. Except for a short period of out-patient treatment in 1926 and 1927 nothing further was heard of him until 1932, since when he has received a considerable amount of treatment from the Ministry, with allowances amounting to £2 14s. 6d. a week while maintained in hospital, and £3 3s. 6d. a week while living at home. Following the amputation of his leg he has continued under treatment and is at present receiving 3s. 6d. a week at home until able to use the artificial leg supplied by the Ministry. He will then receive pension at the rate appropriate to his amputation.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can now make a statement regarding the disturbances in Newfoundland; and whether any action is being taken by him for the relief of the destitution existing among large numbers of the population there?

I read to the House yesterday an account of the demonstration by unemployed at St. John's on 10th May, which I had received by telegraph from the Government of Newfoundland. The very comprehensive measures taken by the Commission of Government for the relief of the unemployed were set out in a statement which I communicated to the House on 5th March. I have recently asked the Governor for a special report on the unemployment situation in Newfoundland, and I propose that this should be issued as a White Paper as soon as possible after its receipt.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position to add to his statement of 1st November, 1934, with regard to the revision of the regulations made in 1923, under the Cinematograph Act, 1909?

A draft of regulations so far as quick-burning films are concerned is near completion, but owing to uncertainty as to the scope of application of the Cinematograph Act, 1909, I have thought it right to hold in abeyance the question of issuing regulations in respect of slow-burning films.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with regard to the further stages of the Government of India Bill?

Yes, Sir. The House will be aware that to-day is the thirtieth day in Committee on the Government of India Bill and that under the agreement we are to finish this stage at to-day's sitting. Conversations have taken place with the parties and sections represented on the Committee presided over by the Chairman of Ways and Means with regard to the concluding stages of the Bill. It is agreed that four days should be adequate for the Report stage and two days for the Third Reading of the Government of India Bill. The Report stage will begin on Thursday next, 23rd May; will be continued on Monday and Tuesday, 27th and 28th May and brought to a conclusion on Thursday, 30th May. The Third Reading will be taken during the following week on Tuesday and Wednesday, 4th and 5th June.