asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet able to report the result of the representations of His Majesty's Government to the Argentine Government respecting Anglo-Argentine railroads?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that the provisions for safeguarding United Kingdom interests in the matter of exchange contained in the Roca Agreement of 1938 have failed to protect British shareholders in the Argentine railroads; and will he remedy this defect by using, in an exchange clearing, the £25,000,000 excess purchases by the United Kingdom of Argentine products over purchases by Argentina of United Kingdom products;

(2) whether he will state the result of His Majesty's Ambassador's protest at Buenos Aires, on 4th December, regarding the treatment of £250,000,000 of British capital invested in Argentina; and will he postpone renewal of the Roca Agreement until he has ascertained from the Association of British Trust Companies that the ill-treatment of non-Argentine capital in Argentine public utility companies has ceased?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that British public opinion will not support ratification of any proposal to continue arrangements about the import of meat from Argentina until after the Argentine federal authorities have put into operation legislation to rectify the ill-treatment of British capital in Argentina; and will he notify the Argentine Government?

In fulfilment of the assurance which I gave my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hertford (Sir M. Sueter) on 16th December, His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires has on two separate occasions made representations to the Argentine Government regarding the various difficulties experienced by the companies in question. I understand that discussions are now proceeding between representatives of the British-owned railway companies and the Argentine authorities concerned. In these circumstances it will clearly be best to await the result of these discussions, but I can assure my hon. Friends that the situation is being carefully watched.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the result of these discussions has reached us this morning; that the Argentine Government have refused the request of British owned railways in Argentine to review railway rates but have offered to study the indirect tax on exchange; and will he inform the Argentine Government, in order to avoid misunderstanding, that no renewal of the Roca Agreement will be accepted by this House until there is a cessation of the hostility to British investments in Argentine?

I have not seen the report to which the hon. Member has referred, and I should like to see it before giving any further reply?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will, before His Majesty's Government discuss renewal of the Anglo-Argentine Trade Agreement, give the House an opportunity of expressing its views about any renewal, seeing that £200,000,000 of British capital, which has developed Argentine public utility concerns, has been rendered unproductive by the hostility of the Argentine authorities to non-Argentine capital?

My hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will obtain an official explanation from the Argentine authorities why the Anglo-Argentine railway companies have been prohibited from continuing to transmit messages by railway telegraph offices where Government telegraph offices exist; and will he request His Majesty's Ambassador in Buenes Aires to support an appeal to the courts that this prohibition should be cancelled?

I have no information on this subject other than reports which appeared in the Argentine Press in April last, but as far as I am aware the railway companies themselves have at no time sought to enlist the assistance of His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway Company has already taken action in the courts against the Argentine Government in view of the fact that they have suffered substantial damages by this action, and will he not do his utmost to support the action of the railway company in the matter?

That is rather different from diplomatic intervention. I do not think we should approach the railway company; I think we must let them approach the Argentine Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the desirability of drawing the attention of the Japanese Government to the effect on British loans to China of the policy approved by the Tokyo Government of enforcing on parts of China gradual independence of the Central Government at Nanking with the concomitant loss of revenue?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to my noble Friend the Member for Bristol, Central (Lord Apsley) on Monday.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give information as to the present situation in Sinkiang and in Outer Mongolia; who now exercises the most effective sovereignty in these two areas; how many British and how many Soviet Consular or political agencies are established in these areas; and whether, in view of their increasing importance, he will take the necessary steps, with the Government of India, to ensure increased British representation there?

The Province of Sinkiang is governed by General Sheng Shih-Tsai, who is recognised and supported by the Chinese Central Government at Nanking. A British Consulate-General is established at Kashgar. Soviet Consulates are established at Urumchi and Kashgar, and there are Soviet Trade Agencies at Urumchi, Kashgar and Aksu. The Government of Outer Mongolia styles itself the Mongol People's Republic, and is in practice an independent administration under Chinese suzerainty but enjoying close associations with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, which, I understand, has four agencies established there. The question of British representation in Sinkiang will be considered in the light of the report of Sir E. Teichman, who recently journeyed through the province. British connections with Outer Mongolia are so slight that the expense of maintaining official British representation there would not be justified in present circumstances.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say now when Sir Eric Teichman's report will be published? He did not know yesterday.

I do not know when it will be published, because I have not yet received it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Nine-Power policy in the Far East is in any way affected by the recent declaration by the Japanese Foreign Minister, M. Hirota, that China must abandon definitely her policy of playing one foreign nation against another; and, if so, whether Great Britain has recently made representations to China against the adoption of any such policy?

I have no information of the declaration to which the hon. Member refers. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to whether the college for trained Communist agitators in the use of the various Indian dialects and other Oriental languages, formerly situated at Tashkent, is still functioning?

I understand that this college was closed in 1921.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that the provisions of the Treaty of Locarno, requiring that this country shall immediately come to the help of France or Germany in the event of a flagrant breach by the other of Article 42 or 43 of the Treaty of Versailles concerning the demilitarised zone, will be rigidly adhered to as long as the Treaty remains in operation and have not been abrogated by general consent of the parties?

The obligations of His Majesty's Government are specified in the Treaty of Locarno itself. His Majesty's Government stand by those obligations and, as has been previously stated in this House, intend, should the need arise, faithfully to fulfil them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the railway which is being constructed from Fuka to Matruh is expected to be a remunerative undertaking; and, if so, why the British Government are not to receive any return on the sum of £20,000 which it is contributing to the project?

From the information in my possession the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the British Government give away £20,000 without any return whatever?

I never said that there was no return.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what return we get for this £20,000?

Railways may be a convenience even if they do not pay.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what members of the League of Nations trade con cessions have been made by this country as compensation for the losses in their trade with Italy that such countries may have suffered as a result of the policy of sanctions?

Jugoslavia.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether other members of the League of Nations as well as the British Government have made concessions to Jugoslavia?

I could not say without notice.

Can we have an assurance that nothing will be done which might defeat the general policy of this House by any agreement of this kind without it being brought before the House?

These matters are dealt with in consultation with the Board of Trade and other Departments.

Is it too much to ask for a White Paper giving details of these sanctions and how they are operating in different countries?

Can the right hon. Gentlemen say what would happen if the United States and Germany made a claim under the Most Favoured Nation Treaties against us? They are not members of the League.

I should like to see that question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the findings of the League Committee which is examining the feasibility of prohibiting imports of oil into the Covenant-breaking State?

No, Sir. The Committee have not yet reported.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report is likely to be published?

That depends on the Committee.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do all in his power to expedite the report of the Committee and bring to an end the scandalous condition of affairs under which the Italian war is being fed by British oil?

Obviously the Committee are fully aware of their duties and require no advice from me.

Will the report be published as a White Paper?

It is a League matter—not a document of the British Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in any cases Italian war aeroplanes have been given permission to fly over British Somaliland or the Sudan or to re-fuel in these territories on their way to the seat of hostilities in Abyssinia?

No, Sir.

May I ask whether any applications have been made by the Italian authorities for the purposes specified in the question?

Not as far as I am aware.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what desertions of Italian troops across the frontier into Kenya have taken place, with numbers and dates; and what the present position of these persons is?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information regarding deserters from the Italian forces crossing the frontier of Kenya Colony; if so, to what corps they belong; and whether they have been interned?

Between the 15th and 22nd January approximately 380 Italian native troops deserted into Kenya. These men, who are understood to be Tigreans belonging to regular battalions recently moved from Libya, have been disarmed and are at present detained at Isiolo. I have no later information.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether they will be staying there till the end of the war, and whether the Italian Government will be asked to contribute towards their upkeep?

I am quite sure they will be more interested in their ultimate fate than the hon. Member, but I could not say what it will be.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to give a serious answer to this question, at any rate? Will he be good enough to consider whether the Italian Government ought not to be asked in the circumstances to pay for the maintenance of these men?

That is obviously a question for future consideration. I have given the answer to the question put on the Paper.

Can the right hon. Gentleman ascertain to what corps, whether black or white, these troops belong?

Certainly, we could ascertain that if a question were put down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether in the placing of contracts, prices not being unfavourable, preference will be given to those tendering from the North?

In accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government, it is the practice, other things being equal, to give special consideration to tenders submitted by manufacturers in areas suffering from prolonged and severe unemployment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the reductions in naval personnel, which were made prior to 1934, have now been made good; and, if not, what is the proportion of such reductions which have still to be re placed?

Except for the excess in authorised bearing of naval and marine personnel referred to in the White Paper of 4th December last, for details of which I must ask the hon. Member to await the Supplementary Navy Estimate, the information desired will be found in the second column of the Table on page 8 of the current Navy Estimates.

In view of the fact that the report shows a very serious shortage in naval personnel, do not the Government realise that it is very necessary to fill up the shortage at once?

The figures show that the shortage is being made up.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the probability of increased naval building, he will consider the advisability of extending the facilities for shipbuilding in Portsmouth Dockyard so as to allow ships of maximum size to be built there?

The advisability of extending the facilities for shipbuilding in Portsmouth Dockyard has already been considered and sufficient information exists to enable the slip to be extended if required. As the Royal Dockyards exist primarily for the repair and maintenance of the Fleet, the amount of new construction undertaken is dependent to a great extent on the current programme of repairs. For the present, it is intended to continue building cruisers in these yards, and it is expected that the slip will be occupied with these for some time to come.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether butter or margarine, or both, is part of the regular daily rations of men in the Royal Navy?

Margarine is the normal ration, but the issue of butter is possible in some circumstances in lieu of margarine to an equivalent value. Butter is also provided on certain foreign stations for local and climatic reasons.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the food value of butter is very much higher than that of margarine?

Cannot the Government give these sailors butter, since the public assistance committees of this country have turned from margarine to butter; and is it not the case that if the sailors were fed on butter they would be able to fight better?

Is butter supplied to the officers and magarine to the rank and file?

It depends on the arrangements that are made by those responsible for messing in the different ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that many young men in Newfound land wish to join up in the Royal Navy but are unable to do so at present owing to lack of facilities for enlistment in that dominion; and if he will take steps to remedy this?

Although no recruiting organisation is established in Newfoundland, arrangements are made when possible for desirable recruits to be provisionally examined in one of His Majesty's ships when visiting St. John's. In addition, wherever possible, passages for candidates who are found fit are arranged in any of His Majesty's ships which may be returning home, though the normal procedure would be for candidates to find their own way to England.

Do the Government pay their passages when they come to England to enlist?

No, Sir—only if we give them passages in our own ships.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether His Majesty's Ship "Amphion" has run her trials successfully; and, if not, what were the defects which developed?

His Majesty's Ship "Amphion" has not yet run her trials successfully, defects having developed in the mechanical reduction gears. Work of replacement is now in hand.

Can the Minister state the name of the contractors and the contract price of the defective machinery?

The machinery for this ship was constructed by Messrs. Beardmore and by Messrs. Vickers as sub-contractors for Messrs. Beardmore. It would be contrary to the public interest to publish the contract price.

Does any penalty clause operate against either of these contractors?

I would require notice of that question. The information I am given is that this was an occurrence, happily rare, which might happen in any engineering works.

Does the cost of replacement fall on the State or the contractors?

Is it the intention of the Minister in future, because of this failure in a contract, to put orders on the Tyne instead of the Clyde?

Is it not the case that Messrs. Beardmore have closed down their engineering side, as far as marine engineering is concerned, and that that is why somebody else got this contract?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men time expired with pension for the years 1932, 1933 and 1934 who had received training fitting them for civil life; the length of training period; and for what occupations they are trained?

The total numbers of ratings of all categories who have been tarined during the financial years 1933, 1934 and 1935 are 1,225, 1,346 and 1,368, respectively. Approximately 90 per cent. of these totals are men completing time for pension, but the exact number of such men cannot be stated without special returns being obtained from foreign stations. The men are trained for a very large variety of occupations, and the length of the training periods varies according to the nature of the occupations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what success has attended the use of oil engines in the German battleship "Deutschland"?

So far as is known, the performance of these engines has come up to expectations. There is, however, no reliable information as to durability or maintenance costs.

Can the Noble Lord say whether the new German ships have been fitted with oil engines or turbines?

I would like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, since the British Government have approved rubber restriction, he will ask the Government of Malaya to investigate the treatment of European planters employed by the companies which have benefited?

The adjustment of the terms of service of employés of this grade is not a matter which falls within the province of the Malayan Governments. I understand that, with the improved prospects of the plantation industry, a number of companies have already been able to make considerable improvements in the terms of employment.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to carry into effect the decision to constitute a national park in Malaya, to be called King George V National Park, in commemoration of His late Majesty's Jubilee?

The situation of the King George V National Park has been declared by the respective Sultans in Council, legislation has been drafted, and a sum of $2,500 has been voted by the State of Pahang for the preliminary investigation and survey of the park.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any knowledge of the fact that, although this area was set apart as long ago as 1925, very little has been done to develop it, that in fact the boundaries have not yet been laid out and that practically no money has been spent on it at all?

I have already answered that the matter is now being seriously considered.

Will the right hon. Gentleman push the local authorities really to do something? They have been extraordinarily slack.

I will inform them how much pushing there is on this side.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps have been taken to implement the recommendations for the conservation of wild life in Malaya submitted by the special commission in 1931?

I am informed by the High Commissioner that legislation to amend the Federated Malay States game laws has been drafted and will be published and introduced into the Legislature in the near future.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that much of the local fauna is disappearing, owing to the lack of proper conservation?

I have never been there, so I do not quite know.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is suggested that he should go there and stay there?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action he proposes to take with regard to the unsatisfactory condition disclosed by the report of the committee of investigation on the mui-tsai system in Hong Kong?

The governor informs me that the report is under consideration by the district watch committee composed of leading Chinese citizens of Hong Kong. He hopes to be in possession of the views of this committee very shortly, and will then report to me on the subject. I propose to await his recommendations before considering what action should be taken.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the report and the long time this terrible state of things has continued, will the right hon. Gentleman see that there is no delay?

No one could read the report without dismay, and I have no hesitation in saying that definite promises were made many years ago by the authorities and I am determined to end this system.

Is it not a fact that conditions in the colony of Hong Kong compare very favourably indeed with those in the neighbouring territories of the Republic of China?

I do not know about that, but I do know that this report discloses a state of affairs that no one in any part of this House or the country could regard as satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table copies of the proposed Palestine Ordinances dealing with the constitution, land alienation, and immigration?

Provision for the establishment of a legislative council in Palestine will be effected by an Order made by the King-in-Council under the Foreign Jurisdiction Act, 1890, and I am advised that it would be contrary to established practice to lay such an Order in draft form. But I think I can best meet the wishes of the right hon. Gentleman by placing in the library a copy of the communiqué issued by the High Commissioner for Palestine last December, which sets out clearly the proposals of Government, and I will arrange for this to be done. As to immigration, I am not aware that new legislation is being drafted. As regards land alienation, approval has been given in principle to the enactment of legislation, but the law will not be drafted pending discussions which the High Commissioner will have with Jewish and Arab leaders. I shall be glad to consider, when the legislation has been drafted, how most conveniently to make it available to the House.

Am I to understand that the draft Order for the establishment of the Constitution of Palestine has been shown to the Arabs and the Jews in Palestine but has not been passed by the Cabinet, or has it been passed by the Cabinet and is it now in its final form?

The High Commissioner in all his negotiations both with Arabs and Jews has acted under the instructions of the Cabinet and with full Cabinet approval.

Has the scheme got full Cabinet approval; and may we in this House have the same information on this deplorable scheme as the people in Palestine have received?

I do not think it will help in a very delicate and difficult stage of the negotiations to define the proposals as other than a genuine attempt to give effect to the Mandate.

May we have the same information here as they have received in Palestine?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any satisfactory reply has yet been obtained from the Italian Government with regard to the propaganda broadcasts from Italian stations for reception in Palestine and Transjordania; and by what date the Palestine broadcasting station will be in full operation?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the right hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 18th December, to which I have nothing to add. It is hoped that broadcasting from the Palestine station will begin in the first fortnight of April.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is contemplated to appoint a Catholic to membership of the Jerusalem Municipal Council, thus further weighting the council against the Jewish majority of the population of Jerusalem; and, if so, is he to be an Italian or a German?

I will make inquiry of the High Commissioner for Palestine, but I may say that I should not be prepared to interfere with his discretion in the matter.

Does the right hon. Gentleman always leave a question of this sort to the man on the spot?

No, but if in the main the man on the spot is doing his job well, it is just as well to trust him.

Is this one of those questions in which the Colonial Office does not interest itself?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied with the teaching of English in Malta?

No, Sir. I am not prepared to say that I am entirely satisfied. But the situation has been much improved in recent years following upon the reforms of 1932, under which English became the sole language, in addition to the Maltese vernacular, to be taught in the elementary schools.

In view of the Government's well-known concern for the welfare of the inhabitants of British Dominions, is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is the wish of the majority of the inhabitants of Malta to have the English language taught in their schools?

I do not know, but I should think it would be a good thing for them.

Is not the English language, with all its disabilities, a good deal better than Mussolini's language?

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider giving this question his personal supervision?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the request by the Convention of Representatives of Northern and Southern Rhodesia that a deputation should be received by His Majesty's Government to discuss the question of amalgamation and self-government, and of the fact that His Majesty's Government still adhere to the policy announced in 1931, he will make a statement to this House?

As no request for a deputation has yet been received by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, no further statement appears to be called for at present.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the resolution passed by these two great Colonies ought to receive such consideration and are of such importance that a statement ought to be made to the House, or a White Paper issued?

If these two great Colonies attach so much importance to the resolution they passed, they ought at least to communicate it, but we have not had it yet, and it rather looks to me as if they did not attach much importance to it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman remember that our responsibility is to the natives of these two Colonies who have no voice in the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total population of Northern and Southern Rhodesia separately; the number of the white population in each area; and its percentage of the whole?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The total population of Northern Rhodesia in 1934 is estimated to have been 1,377,889, and of Southern Rhodesia 1,212,000. The white population of Northern Rhodesia is estimated to have been 11,464, or 0.83 per cent. of the total population, and of Southern Rhodesia 52,950, or 4.37 per cent. of the total population.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the failure of the Kenya Government to provide for the Native Betterment Fund, which was agreed to as the result of Lord Moyne's Committee's recommendations?

The Governor of Kenya decided, with the approval of my predecessors and myself, that the establishment of the fund must be postponed for the present in view of the financial stringency in the Colony. The position will be further examined when Sir Alan Pim's report on the finances of Kenya is available. In practice there has been little difference between the amounts spent on native services and what would have been credited to the fund if it had been established.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies as to the position regarding the Kenya Defence Force, how the officers are enrolled and whether they are paid; at what age conscripts are enrolled; and whether they are compensated for loss of time away from their usual occupation?

Officers of the Kenya Defence Force are appointed by the Governor. The age limits for enrolment in the force are 18 to 50. The answers to the second and fourth parts of the question are in the negative, except that there are a salaried staff officer and a musketry instructor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state for each year in which the Kenya Defence Force Act has been operative the number of men called up; the number of exemptions granted; what were the main grounds of exemption; how many were prosecuted for refusal to serve; and the nature of the penalties imposed upon those convicted?

This information is not available here, but I am asking the Governor to furnish it as far as may be possible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from the Governor of Kenya Colony upon the allegation in the legislative council that women are being seized and held as hostages pending the payment of hut taxes by their male relatives; and whether, as in the case of similar allegations in Nyasaland, he will ask the Governor to furnish him with a full and immediate report?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give instructions that the arrest by chiefs and headmen of native women in Kenya as hostages in case of non-payment of taxes shall cease?

I understand that a commission is being set up to inquire into the allegations that have been made. I am not in a position to announce its composition or precise terms of reference, but I have no hesitation in assuring the House that if the allegations are substantiated, the practice will of course be immediately stopped.

Why is it necessary to have a commission to ascertain a simple question of fact?

When a statement of a serious character such as this is made, obviously drastic action is necessary, and one does not attempt to take action unless one can prove the facts. The object of the commission is to ascertain the real facts.

Will my right hon. Friend at the same time extend the inquiry to discover the origin and source of this agitation against the payment of tax?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that these allegations have been made in the legislative council itself by responsible members?

That is true, but one has only to look at the record of legislative councils and parliaments to know that allegations are made which require to be investigated.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information on the inquiry into labour conditions in Tanganyika; and whether the question of reviving the labour department has been considered?

A senior administrative officer is at present investigating the labour problems arising in Tanganyika as a result of the expansion of the mining industry, but, so far as I am aware, he has not yet presented his report. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave him on 11th December.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the government in Tanganyika is considering any proposals for extending the growing of cotton in suitable areas within the mandated territory; and whether he can state the nature of the proposals?

I am glad to say that with valuable financial assistance from the Empire Cotton Growing Corporation the Tanganyika Government has put in hand special measures designed to encourage native cultivation of cotton. New experiment stations and seed farms have been established. Assistance is also being given indirectly by opening up suitable areas through the construction of new roads.

Under what control are these experiments being carried out?

They will naturally be under the control of the Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman convey his answer to the President of the Board of Trade who is engaged in restricting the manufacture of cotton?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government have not considered, and are not considering, the handing over of any of the British colonies, either under mandate or otherwise, to a foreign Power, and that they are not prepared to make British colonies the subject of barter in any world conference?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a speech made in Berlin by Dr. Goebbels, the minister of propaganda, on 17th January, when he stated that the time would come when Germany would demand her colonies back; whether he will give an assurance that the British Government have no intention of handing over to the German Nazi Government any of the territories held under British mandate; and whether he will confirm previous Government declarations on this subject?

No, Sir, His Majesty's Government have not considered, and are not considering, the handing over of any of the British Colonies or territories held under mandate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this reply will be received with gratification and relief throughout the whole of the Empire?

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to see that this statement is conveyed to Herr Goebbels for his information?

I am not in direct communication, but I am quite sure he will receive it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's statement refer likewise to British protectorates?

I have already said British colonies or territories held under mandate, and that includes the last.

No, I do not think it does.

I answered specifically on the question of mandated territories; I did not refer to protectorates.

That is why I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether his statement did refer, or was equally applicable, to protectorates?

My answer covers the whole question, both of colonies, mandated territories, and protectorates.

Then has my right hon. Friend forgotten the Zeila negotiations a few months ago?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he can make any statement on the development programme which is being initiated by the Government of Uganda; and whether money will be made available from the Colonial Development Fund?

The Uganda Government has, with my approval, decided to incur some expenditure on public works in addition to the normal annual programme. These works include a drainage scheme, water supplies and improvements thereto, new police lines, work on roads and bridges in various places and a remodelling of the Agricultural Department's headquarters. Uganda is happily able to meet all expenditure from its own surplus balances so that no assistance from the Colonial Development Fund is necessary.

In what part of Uganda is the water supply being installed?

If the hon. Gentleman will put the question on the Paper, I will give him the information.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider appointing a Select Committee to inquire into the liability of State servants towards the members of the public who are injured by the activities of such servants; and whether there is any department which does recognise its responsibilities in that respect at the present time?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to various questions on this subject by my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Attorney-General on the 6th instant. I would also refer him to the Report of the Select Committee on Estimates, 1935, in which the Committee state their conclusion that in this matter members of the public are fully protected. In the light of this information I hope that he will agree that the action suggested by him is unnecessary.

Is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to introduce a Bill covering the findings of a committee that was appointed by the Lord Chancellor in 1921?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take into consideration, with a view to introducing appropriate legislation, the desirability of restricting the power of the Lords Spiritual in the House of Lords to intervention in matters concerning the spiritual affairs of the Church?

No, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that this suggested action would be a suitable retort courteous to the Bishops who wish to restrict the powers of this House?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to allot a day for the Second Reading of the Bill for the nationalisation of coal royalties?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recall the statement he made when the Gracious Speech was introduced in which he promised to introduce legislation at an early date?

The hon. Gentleman asked me if I could name the date. There is no departure from the intention, but I cannot yet name the date when the Bill will be introduced.

While the right hon. Gentleman is unable to name the precise date, can he assure us that the Bill will be shortly introduced?

I cannot say when, but we have every intention of introducing it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any assurance to the House that it will be introduced shortly, and can he give any approximate date?

No, I cannot give any approximate date, and I shall not use the term "shortly" because it is very often misconstrued.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken, in view of the mining development in the West African dependencies, to secure that the largest possible proportion of the profits shall be reserved for the Government and shall be used for the benefit of the native population; and, in particular, what was the last date at which the amount of royalties payable to the Government was reviewed?

The rates of the royalties and other charges payable on the profits of mining undertakings in the West African Colonies have been fixed either by legislation or by the terms of concession agreements with due regard on the one hand to the interests of the community, and on the other to the desirability of encouraging mining development. These rates are not subject to revision at stated intervals, but they are constantly under review, and in recent years the rates of royalty or export duty have been increased in certain cases where circumstances were held to justify such a course.

How far do the Government, or the natives, or both, benefit from the proceeds of mineral royalties or profits in West Africa?

I cannot say how far a particular interest benefited, but it is undoubtedly true that developments of this character are in the main a benefit to all concerned.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state how many thousands of natives are employed in the mines and how many more desire employment at the present time?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information on the disorders which occurred in Zanzibar on 7th February?

With my hon. Friend's permission I propose to circulate a statement of the information available in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have asked the Resident to furnish further information as soon as he is in a position to do so.

I am sure I am interpreting the opinion of the House aright when I express very deep regret at the deaths of Mr. Rolleston and the Indian Police Inspector.

Following is the statement:

The information which I have received is that rioting broke out in the morning of 7th February. The cause is still uncertain, but was apparently some dispute which arose in connection with the inspection of copra and the strict enforcement of the regulations against adulteration. A mob first attacked the European Produce Inspector, on whom they inflicted severe injuries, and then they proceeded to attack the Provincial Commissioner and the Acting District Commissioner, Mr. Rolleston, who happened to be in the neighbourhood. They also attacked the Acting Commissioner of Police who attempted to restore order. These officers received serious injuries, to which Mr. Rolleston, I regret to say, has succumbed. Subsequently the rioters attacked the Post Office where they did some considerable damage and in the course of the attack on the Post Office an Indian Inspector, Mr. Camrudeen, sustained injuries which proved fatal. I am glad to state that the other injured officers are making favourable progress. A force of police was asked for by the Resident from Tanganyika Territory and arrived late in the day.

According to the latest reports which I have received the total number of casualties were:—two dead (Mr. Rolleston and Mr. Camrudeen) and 13 injured, namely, Mr. Donkin, the Produce Inspector, Mr. Skinner, the Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jones, Provincial Commissioner, the Secretary of the Arab Association, who had endeavoured to restore order, two Arabs who happened to be in the neighbourhood, one native policeman and one Swahili youth, with five other native police slightly injured. Among the rioters four were killed and two are in hospital wounded. These casualties were caused when the police under Inspector Camrudeen were attacked. The Resident reports that 14 people have been arrested and that normal conditions are being restored. On the information at present before me I see no reason to attach any political significance to this regrettable incident.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total number of lives lost in, and what is the present position regarding, the malaria epidemic in Ceylon; and what, if any, action has been taken to safeguard against, or to minimise, the incidence of such epidemics in the future?

During the period of the epidemic, from November, 1934, to April, 1935, inclusive, the number of deaths in the districts affected by the epidemic exceeded the average for the previous four years by 59,144. Colonel Gill, the expert appointed to investigate the epidemic, furnished a report which was published last September. This report was fully considered by the appropriate Executive Committee of the State Council, who recommended a series of measures for giving effect to its proposals. The matter came before the State Council in November and is to be considered in further detail during the coming session.

the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he proposes to take steps to establish coastal reconnaissance squadrons on the south coast and in the west country for the especial purpose of protecting convoys approaching or leaving these shores in time of war; and whether he will increase the intended number on the east coast?

The expansion scheme now in progress will provide a substantial increase on or near the East coast of all types of squadrons. Full consideration is, of course, also being given to the requirements in the south and west within the limits of our available resources.