asked the Minister of Labour for particulars of the alterations that have taken place in the schemes for the training of unemployed men or women during the last 12 months; and how many openings have been found for men who have completed their training during that period?

During the past 12 months one new Government training centre with 220 places has been set up, and 2,200 additional places provided at the existing centres. Three new instructional centres and four new summer camps have been set up, but two instructional centres and three summer camps were closed. The net result has been an addition of 200 places at the instructional centres. Two new non-residential domestic training centres and 10 new centres for hotel workers have been opened, while one non-residential centre has been closed. The addition in the number of training places for women is thus 336. During the same period, 8,357 men from the Government training centres and about 3,250 from the instructional centres entered employment.

Do men from these centres have preference over other unemployed men?

I should like notice of that question.

Is it proposed to close down any more of these training centres?

There is nothing in contemplation.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that public indignation exists and unrest is created in families in the county of Dumbarton as a result of efforts being made in the junior instruction centre at Messrs. Beardmore's, Dalmuir, Clydebank, to induce young persons to leave their homes to undergo training in English centres; and what steps, if any, he intends taking to alleviate the situation?

I am having inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour to which towns the special grant supplied by the Commissioner for the supplying of special foods for expectant mothers has been allocated; and on what basis the selection was made?

I am informed that the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) has recently decided to make a grant of £3,000 to the National Birthday Trust Fund to enable them to extend their scheme for the distribution of special foodstuffs to expectant mothers; and with that assistance, I understand that the fund have agreed to operate the scheme in the county boroughs of Gateshead, Merthyr Tydfil, South Shields and Sunderland, and the Special Areas of Monmouthshire. The selection was made in consultation with the National Birthday Trust Fund having regard to the facilities available and the extent of arrangements already made.

If these experiments are successful from the point of view of helping the mothers, will the scheme be extended to other towns?

I think that it has always been an understood thing that the operations of the Commissioner in the Special Areas are experimental, and no limit has ever been laid down as to what will be done if the experiments are successful.

Then there is no reason why the schemes should not be immediately extended to other towns in a similar position?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any early decision may be expected from the Commissioner for Special Areas with regard to the proposal to establish medical comforts depots in the Special Areas which has been submitted to him by the National Council of Social Service.

I am informed that the Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales) has carefully considered this scheme and feels that there may be some danger of overlapping with existing organisations. He has, therefore, requested the council to reconsider the position, in consultation with the district nursing associations, with a view to securing their co-operation in the administration of a scheme on somewhat different lines. I understand that the Commissioner is prepared to make a grant towards the cost of a modified scheme.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the decision will be long delayed in view of the fact that there has been a considerable delay before this announcement was made?

I have nothing further to add to the reply.

Is not the work of the Commissioner rather to provide work in those areas than to dole out charity?

The work of the Commissioner embraces all the activities of the Special Areas. A great deal of his work has been to improve the conditions of those areas.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is a rapidly growing opinion in those areas that as long as this method of charity is continued there will be no work found in the areas?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman make representations to his chief to examine the medical scheme of the Glasgow Labour majority?

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has yet been taken upon the land reclamation scheme submitted to the Commissioner for the Special Areas by the River Wear Commission?

No. Sir, but I understand that the Commissioner for Special Areas will shortly open negotiations with the interested parties?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of individual and household removals of unemployed persons and their families arranged by the Ministry of Labour from South Wales to other areas during each of the last three years, together with those of the first two months of 1936?

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state as on the last convenient date, the number of persons in receipt of unemployment allowances in each divisional area?

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

Will the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the advisability of publishing these figures, or some comparable figures, each month in the Labour Gazette?

I will consider the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is the practice of the Unemployment Assistance Board to take into account the special needs of invalids and other requiring additional nourishment when assessing household needs, or whether such requirements are held to be medical needs?

I am informed by the board that wherever it is ascertained that persons whom the board is assisting are in need of extra food, such need is taken into account by its officers in deciding the amount of the allowances to be granted. This provision does not cover drugs or surgical appliances, which are definitely medical needs and therefore outside the scope of the board.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the appointment of local advisory committees to the Unemployment Assistance Board has now been completed?

I am informed by the board that they hope to set up advisory committees for most parts of the country by the end of next month.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the refusal of the Government to support the 40-hour week convention at Geneva on the ground that it does not safeguard wages will be followed by any scheme by the British representatives to amend the convention so as to ensure that such wages protection may be included?

The question to be discussed at the coming International Labour Conference is the application to certain industries of the principle contained in the general draft convention adopted at last year's conference, and not the amendment of that draft convention. In this connection I would point out that when it was under discussion last year it was not found possible to secure a majority in favour of including a specific provision that the maintenance of earnings should be a condition of the reduction of hours of work.

Is this form of objection to the convention, namely, that it does not safeguard wages, a real and genuine objection of the Department, and, if so, why should not the hon. and gallant Gentleman undertake to put in some new conditions to secure the removal of the objections which the Department has?

All objections taken by my Department are genuine. With regard to the amendment, I would remind the hon. Member that a majority decision at the last meeting was definitely against an amendment to this agreement which we recommended. It is perhaps early days to imagine that opinion has undergone any change. Certainly it is not possible to put down an amendment at this stage for this year's meeting.

Has any consideration been given to the question who is to provide the wherewithal to ensure that wages will not be reduced?

The workers.

asked the Minister of Labour what stage has been reached in the study of the problem of the nutrition of the workers which is being organised by the International Labour Organisation?

In pursuance of a resolution adopted by the International Labour Conference last June, the governing body of the International Labour Office decided in October, 1935, to set up a committee of experts on nutrition questions. This committee met at Geneva in December, 1935, and agreed upon the plan of a report drawn up by the office for submission to the International Labour Conference in June this year. The International Labour Organisation is also represented on the Mixed Committee on the Problem of Nutrition set up by the Council of the League of Nations, which met in February of this year and drew up the outlines of a report to be presented to the Assembly at its September meeting.

Will the Minister tell us what the Government policy is in this matter?

We are co-operating in the inquiry.

Can we be assured that the Government are giving this matter the attention that its importance deserves?

Yes.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman studied the report that has been made on nutrition in this country, and what does he propose to do about that?

We study any report which we think bears on this question.

Will the Department use the expert services of Sir John Orr, who is one of the greatest authorities on this subject?

Sir John Orr is well-known to us.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what progress is being made with local authorities respecting the defence of the civil population in case of air raids; how many authorities have been approached; and how many have agreed to co-operate?

Local authorities are now actively engaged in preparing schemes of air raid precautions. All local authorities were asked to co-operate with the Government in this matter and all but a very few are doing so. Progress is very satisfactory.

Is there any need of this in view of the tranquillity among all States at the present time?

Is my hon. Friend now in a position to tell us what progress is being made in providing instruction for medical practitioners in giving first aid to gas cases?

Yes, Sir, but I should require notice of that question.

What steps are being taken by the Government to reimburse local authorities for the expenses involved?

asked the Home Secretary the number of gas masks it is intended to purchase for the use of the civilian population; how many are already available; the names of the gases with which these protective devices have been tested; whether the local authorities are in possession of all necessary information in respect of the precautions which may require to be taken in the event of an air raid in which gases are used; and whether the gas masks are all of British manufacture?

As was explained in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) on 8th April last, the final design of the respirator intended for use by the civil population has not yet been settled. The number of respirators to be made will depend on a variety of circumstances, but, hi any event, it is not anticipated that less than 30,000,000 will be produced. The respirator is designed to give protection against any probable concentration of any type of poison gas which might be met in time of war, but it would not be in the public interest to state the names of the gases against which it is being tested. Local authorities have received a certain amount of information on the precautions which are required against poison gas, and further memoranda on the subject are in course of preparation and will be available shortly. In regard to the last part of the question, any respirators made for the Government, or approved by them, will be of British manufacture.

How is it possible to determine whether the precautions are satisfactory unless we know the names of the gases?

I understand that the hon. Gentleman is really concerned as to whether these respirators are satisfactory or not in the case of certain unknown gases, or gases which he thinks may be unknown to the Government. If the hon. Gentleman will give me the names of any of the gases which he has in mind, I will see that a special test is made.

Will the number of respirators be sufficient for the use of the civilian population in those areas in which local authorities either unpatriotically or foolishly refuse to cooperate?

I do not think the hon. Member was here a little earlier when I said that the co-operation was very satisfactory. There are only 15 local authorities who have not co-operated so far.

asked the Home Secretary what action he proposes to take arising out of the report of the Departmental Committee on the social services in the courts of summary jurisdiction?

The report is receiving careful consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Home Secretary the cost in man-hours of the drive that the police are conducting against motorists in the Metropolitan area?

There has been no recent increase in the number of men employed daily to enforce the traffic laws. All that is being carried out is an experiment on the lines of concentrating in different areas each day a proportion of the force normally employed on these duties. I should like to take this opportunity of pointing out that the whole object is to reduce the appalling number of accidents and not, as the question might seem to suggest, to harry motorists.

Will the Minister consider issuing instructions that the police should devote themselves to keeping observation upon dangerous and inconsiderate drivers rather than to prosecuting motorists for exceeding the speed limit in roads where, possibly, they may do so without causing serious danger?

Is it not the duty of the police to enforce the laws passed by this House?

This is a very difficult but also a very important piece of administrative work, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that it is constantly under consideration, and that every effort is made to discharge the duties in the best way.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that police officers shall be in uniform and not hide behind hedges?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the motor omnibuses operating on the Wanstead to Putney service, No. 96, are of the old type and very uncomfortable to passengers; and whether he will represent to the London Passenger Transport Board that they should transfer these omnibuses to routes where the road surfaces are of either wood blocks or asphalte and instal a modern type of omnibus on the No. 96 route, which covers a large section of stone sett roads?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that they propose very shortly to commence replacing the existing omnibuses on route No. 96 by omnibuses of a modern type.

While thanking the hon. and gallant Gentleman for his reply, may I ask him to be good enough to inform his right hon. Friend that I had a similar reply six months ago?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to make a statement of his attitude to the proposed Severn bridge?

The Government has already indicated its position in regard to this bridge by offering a substantial grant to the project, subject to the approval of Parliament. A Select Committee of the House has, however, found the Preamble of the necessary Bill not proved.

Do I understand from the answer that the Minister of Transport wants this bridge to be built?

That is so.

Do I understand that the Minister will reconsider the situation that has now arisen, with a view to finding some way out of the difficulty?

I will convey that question to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the recently published summer programme of Railway Air Services, of which the Government-subsidised company of Imperial Airways, Limited, and the railway companies are shareholders, propose new routes not previously operated by this concern but hitherto by independent smaller companies; whether the Air Ministry will check this uneconomic competition by railway and Government interests in the light of the need for encouraging enterprise by small concerns; whether the Air Ministry was approached by Railway Air Services before this programme was adopted; and, if so, what reply the Air Ministry gave to these proposals?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the programme of the services proposed to be operated this summer by Railway Air Services, Limited, was received by the Air Ministry in the normal course of circulation. As regards the second part, my Noble Friend has no reason to suppose that the new services are contrary to the public interest, but in any case he has at present no power to veto any proposed air service in this country, nor can he prejudge any questions of general policy which may require consideration in the light of the report of the Maybury Committee. As regards the third and last parts of the question, it will be seen from what is stated above that the company were under no obligation to approach the Air Ministry, and they did not in fact do so.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a report from his divisional engineer on the problem of a road-crossing of the River Tyne near its mouth?

The answer is, No, Sir.

asked the Home Secretary whether the attention of the police has been called to a recent judgment of the Lord Chief Justice to the effect that it is their duty to be present at meetings when there is good reason to think that a breach of the peace may occur; and whether the police undertake the duty of determining whether such a breach is likely to occur, or what notice they require to be given to them by the promoters?

Police authorities understand their duty as laid down in the judgment referred to, and do their best to discharge it. Their action in any given case depends upon circumstances. Notice of meetings is frequently given to the Police, but there is no general requirement as to the giving of previous notice.

asked the Home Secretary whether in view of the recent disturbances outside prisons on the day of an execution, he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend Clause 7 of the Capital Punishment Act, 1868, under which it is laid down that he must make known the time and place of such executions?

I do not think it would be practicable to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the simplest method would be to abolish the death sentence?

asked the Home Secretary the number of cases in which magistrates have ordered the corporal punishment of children for each year between 1930 and 1935, inclusive?

The answer involves a number of figures and, with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate the table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Have the figures increased this year?

I do not think there is a general increase. The numbers fluctuate a little. If may hon. Friend will study the table, I think he will get the information.

asked the Home Secretary whether he proposes to make any arrangements to ascertain the views of the various organisations concerned before drafting the Government Measure to deal with the problem of bogus clubs?

I shall be glad in due course to receive and consider representations from any well-informed quarter which may assist in this difficult matter.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has made, or will make, any representations to the Blythwood children's court magistrates in regard to the reduction or cancellation of the committal to a remand home for one month of a child of eight against whom no offence has yet been proved?

The discretionary action of the juvenile court before final disposal of a case would not appear to be a matter in which I have any authority to intervene, but, without delaying to consider this, I have at once made inquiries in regard to this case, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

I wish to thank the right hon. Gentleman for the steps he has taken, but is he fully impressed by the fact that it is a little boy of eight who has been forcibly taken from his mother and put in this remand home?

The question states the age of the child.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give me some idea of when there will be an answer to his inquiry, because there is a lot of emotion in the town of Blyth? The town is seething with indignation about this little boy's case.

I can well understand the feeling with which my hon. Friend puts the question. I nave pointed out, that before the magistrates discharge their function this is not really a Home Office question, but, none the less, I have already communicated with the authorities, and I communicated by telephone again to-day, and I hope that I shall be able to let the hon. Member know something.

I recognise that the magistrates may have made a mistake—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech!"]

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of children attending the elementary schools at Doncaster, Bentley, and Adwick-le-Street who became available for employment during1935?

The number of children who left the public elementary schools in Doncaster county borough and the urban districts of Bentley-with-Arksey and of Adwick-le-Street for employment in the year 1st April, 1934, to 31st March, 1935, was 1,333, and in the year 1st April, 1933, to 31st March, 1936, 1,720. I regret that figures for the calendar year 1935 are not available.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has received any recent reports from His Majesty's inspector with reference to the experiments to determine the educational value of the sound films used in schools under the control of his Department; and will he give particulars?

The inspectors of the Board of Education take such opportunities as are afforded them of observing experiments in the use of sound films in schools and make reports. The general conclusion to be drawn from them is that sound films, when properly used, are of value as an aid to teaching. The hon. Member cannot expect me to give details within the limits of a question and answer.

Are there any schools which regularly use those films for educational purposes?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

If a question is put down, will the Minister also inquire whether the machines and other apparatus are not of foreign manufacture?

Perhaps the hon. Member will also put that question down.

asked the President of the Board of Education how many secondary school places per 1,000 of the population are provided for boys and girls, respectively, in the county borough of South Shields; and what is the percentage of special and free places to the total number of pupils of each sex?

On 1st October, 1935, the number of pupils in grant-aided secondary schools in South Shields was 616 boys and 273 girls, being 5.5 and 2.4 respectively per thousand of the population in July, 1935, as estimated by the Registrar-General. The percentage of these pupils who were receiving remission of fee (either in whole or in part) was, boys 33.3, girls 46.2.

asked the President of the Board of Education, how many local education authorities award special places in secondary schools to the extent of 100 per cent. of the admissions?

The number of such authorities is 36.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider the practicability and advisability of making a small charge for admission to the Victoria and Albert Museum on three week-days in each week and of keeping the museum open upon the three remaining free week-days until 8 p.m., the fees so received being used to defray, or to contribute in defraying, the additional cost of the extended hours of opening?

I have carefully considered my hon. Friend's suggestion; but I am afraid I do not see my way to adopt it. Students at present experience no difficulty in obtaining the requisite facilities for study, and past experience at the Museum suggests that the proposal would be likely to cause a much heavier restriction of atendances than would be compensated for by evening openings. I may add that the Royal Commission on Museums in 1929, after a careful review of all the circumstances, expressed themselves as strongly opposed to admission fees.

When the right hon. Gentleman refers to past experience, does he wish us to understand that this experiment has been tried before?

Yes, I think it has.

asked the Minister of Health how many children attending London County Council schools were inoculated against measles during the recent epidemic; and whether the consent of the parents was obtained in all cases prior to the inoculation?

I am informed that no children in attendance at London County Council schools were inoculated against measles during the recent epidemic. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will inquire from local authorities as to the conditions obtaining where there are burning pit-heaps in the area which they control; and whether he will ask them if they have any suggestions to make as to how they should be dealt with?

I do not at present contemplate the repetition of such general inquiries as were made two years ago. My officers are in frequent communication with the local authorities affected, and in the course of these communications discuss the possibilities of remedial action. Some references to this problem are made in the 72nd annual report of the Chief Alkali Inspector which is now in the Press.

As the right hon. Gentleman will not give facilities for a Private Member's Bill, can he not do something on his own?

asked the Minister of Health what is the latest report he has had concerning the burning pit-heap at Gin pit, Astley, near Manchester; and what is the date of the last visit made to it by the inspector of alkali works?

The last visit made was in October, 1935, when the inspector reported that the improvement already made had been maintained.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give comparative figures for the infant death rate in areas adequately supplied with district nurses and those not so supplied, respectively?

Certain information relating to the adequacy of the district nursing service in the administrative counties, county boroughs, and metropolitan boroughs in England and Wales has recently been published by the Queen's Institute of District Nursing; no other comparative figures are available. The rates of infantile mortality in these areas are given in the Registrar-General's Annual Statistical Review.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether, generally speaking, the infant death rate is lower?

I can hardly answer a question like that without notice, but I think that, generally, it is so.

Would my right hon. Friend consider what to do in the case of the local authorities who have not yet taken advantage of the Poor Law Act?

That question is too far from the one on the Paper, which is about the figures.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the Railway and Canal Commission's decision in connection with railway assessments; that unless there is some alteration made in the rating assessments of the railway companies it will mean an additional rate to many local authorities that have railway property in their boundaries ranging from 5d. to 1s. in the pound; and whether the Government have any intention of bringing a Bill before the House to deal with the matter?

I am aware of the decision with regard to the Southern Railway. I am not at present in a position to calculate what its effect may be on the rates of the local authorities concerned, but that aspect of the matter is engaging my attention. The associations of local authorities, as I understand, have the whole issue under review, and I can make no statement at present in reply to the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is satisfied with the manner in which the Monmouthshire County Council is conducting its affairs; and, if not, will he, in view of representations made to him, consider the advisability of taking powers to nominate persons to supersede the county council and to administer local affairs in their stead?

I am aware that the county council is meeting certain financial and other difficulties which I am arranging to discuss with them in the near future. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Can the Minister take steps to investigate the finances of this matter?

I understand that the hon. Gentleman has a question down on that point.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will institute an inquiry to investigate the administration of the Glamorgan county, with special reference to the redundancy of staff, with a view to ascertaining to what extent the expenditure of public money can be saved without affecting the efficiency of the services?

I am not at present aware of any ground for such an investigation of the staffing arrangements of the council as is suggested.

Would my right hon. Friend make inquiries?

I have the reports of my district auditors.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount to which the urban and rural councils, who are responsible for collecting the precept of the Glamorgan County Council and the Monmouthshire County Council, are in arrears?

In the five years ended 31st March, 1935, the latest date for which figures are in my possession, arrears owing to the Monmouthshire County Council of precepts imposed on district councils were reduced from £174,173 to£35,291. I regret that comparable figures for Glamorgan are not available.

Does not the inability to collect the precepts show the urgent necessity for continuing the utmost care and vigilance in the expenditure of every penny, and is the Minister satisfied that such care and vigilance are being exercised?

I think that the answer to the question shows that some successful efforts are being made in this direction.

asked the Minister of Health the present shortage of houses in rural areas, apart from overcrowding; and what steps are being taken to provide more houses for rural workers?

Under the slum clearance programmes submitted by local authorities, it was estimated that 32,096 new houses would be required in rural districts to replace houses unfit for habitation. Eleven thousand, seven hundred and two houses have so far been, approved for erection with Exchequer assistance, under the Housing Act, 1930, which provides a special subsidy for houses required for persons displaced from houses in agricultural parishes, and 5,876 are completed. The attention of local authorities is at present concentrated on the most urgent problems of dealing with unfit houses and overcrowding, and I have no information as to the total number of additional houses which may be required in rural districts to meet other needs. Since 1st April, 1933, 5,990 houses have, however, been approved for erection without Exchequer assistance by rural district councils to meet other needs, and of this number 3,136 are completed.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that non-parlour council houses are being assessed at a higher rateable value in the South Devon assessment area by the Newton Abbot rural rating authority than more commodious privately-owned houses of the parlour type; and what steps he intends to take to see that such discrimination against council-owned houses is brought to an end?

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend is informed that proposals for increases in the assessments of a number of council houses in Newton Abbot rural district, and other areas in the county, have been made by the Devon County Valuation Committee, the body on whom devolves the statutory duty of promoting uniformity of assessment throughout the county. He understands also that the Newton Abbot rural rating authority intend to oppose the proposals relating to their district when they come before the local assessment committee for determination. There is a right of appeal from the decision of the assessment committee to quarter sessions, but the matter is not one in regard to which my right hon. Friend has any jurisdiction.

asked the Minister of Health under what statutory authority the Birkenhead Town Council are at present enforcing the municipal sale of dust-bins to property owners at a profit estimated to be 35 per cent.?

The corporation have special powers in this matter under a local Act. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the Section.

Do those special powers permit the corporation to charge for things before they deliver them?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will have a look at my answer.

Is the objection of the hon. and gallant Member to the profit-making system or to the profits being returned to the community?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman had better have a private conversation with the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Minister of Health when proposals will be placed before Parliament to enable shopkeepers and others working on their own account to have the advantages conferred by the Widows', Orphans', and Old Age Pensions Act on a voluntary basis?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the statement which I made on the subject in this House on 10th December last.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has yet reached a decision upon setting up a Ministry of Supply or a Ministry of Munitions in order to secure the punctual execution of the rearmament programmes now presented to Parliament?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend is reserving judgment as to this matter, pending experience of the progress attained.

Are we then to understand that the Government are satisfied that the programmes to which Parliament has assented are, in fact, being punctually executed?

I think that the answer which I have given is quite clear. If my right hon. Friend will remind himself of what the Prime Minister said in the Debate on 9th March, he will see that the matter has been closely considered.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to announce the decision upon the restoration of the Immediate Reserve for the Royal Navy on a pre-war basis, or on any other basis?

It is not proposed to restore the Immediate Reserve as it is felt that the objects for which that Reserve was formed can be more easily and economically effected by exercising the power to call up pensioners under the age of 55.

Do I understand that we shall have a statement from the Noble Lord on Tuesday next on this point?

Whenever the Report stage of the Estimates is taken, I shall be delighted to give it.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government regard Ethiopia as a kingdom possessing full independence as commonly interpreted in international law; if so, do they regard Haile Selassie as the Emperor of Ethiopia and possessing full sovereign rights in respect of Ethiopia; and, if not, in whom do they regard the sovereignty of Ethiopia as vested at this juncture?

The only change which His Majesty's Government have so far recognised in the status of Ethiopia is that a large part of the kingdom is under Italian military occupation.

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision of the Emperor of Abyssinia to renounce the direction of affairs was in any way influenced by representations or suggestions made to him by the French or British representatives at Addis Ababa; and, if so, will be state the terms of such representations?

His Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the French representative at Addis Ababa made any such representations, and the suggestion that His Majesty's Minister exerted any influence of the kind indicated by the hon. Member is entirely without foundation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the view of the Government, the decision of the Emperor of Abyssinia to renounce the direction of affairs constitutes abdication or in any way prevents his recognition as the head of a sovereign state?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as the Italian Government now control the sources of the Nile in Abyssinia, any change in policy is contemplated in consequence?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given by my noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to my hon. Friend the Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie) on 28th April, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have been officially informed that Baron Aloisi has handed to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations a notification of the annexation of Abyssinia by Italy; and whether the Government intend to recognise such annexation?

His Majesty's Government have no official information of the action alleged in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister yesterday to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher), to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether any request was made by the French Government that the Emperor of Abyssinia, before leaving Jibuti, should be asked to accept limitations on his activities abroad or whether it was a proposal of the British Government alone; whether the undertaking not to participate in the furtherance of hostilities in any way precluded the Emperor from rendering diplomatic and political assistance to his country; and whether the precise terms of the undertaking can now be published?

No request was made by the French Government with regard to the conduct of the Emperor while resident in territory under British mandate. The Prime Minister made it clear, in the reply which he gave to the hon. Member on Tuesday last, that there was never any question of any formal undertaking from the Emperor being required as a condition of fulfilling His Majesty's desire to proceed with his family to Palestine. The Emperor was informed that he would be expected while in Palestine not to participate in the furtherance of hostilities. The hon. Member may be assured that there is no intention of interpreting that phrase to mean more than it says.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no pressure has been or will be put on the Emperor not to come to this country, as is rumoured?

That is another question, which would certainly have to be put on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what important commodities the Union of South Africa has denied to Italy since sanctions were invoked; and the approximate total loss in trade to that Dominion?

The commodities whose export to Italy has been forbidden in the Union of South Africa are those covered by the export prohibitions adopted by the Co-ordination Committee: particulars as to these are contained on pages 43, 44 and 46 of Command Paper 5071. The statistics supplied to that committee for November and December, 1935, and January, 1936, which are the latest available, indicate that during those month the value of exports from the Union of South Africa to Italy and her colonies decreased from 1,219,500 gold dollars in the corresponding months of 1934–35 to 272,200 gold dollars.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Gov- ernment, so long as the agreed sanctions against Italy remain the declared policy of the League of Nations, to insist on their strict observance by British nationals and to use all the means in their power to secure an equally strict observance by those other States members of the League who have concurred in that policy?

The answer to the first part of the question is Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government will naturally expect the other members of the League who may endorse this policy to carry out their obligations with equal fidelity.

What effective alternative proposals to deal with the situation have the Government in mind?

I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any consideration has been, or will now be, given by the League of Nations to the possibility of taking action in support of economic measures against Italy by establishing an effective blockade of her seaboard and entrusting some members of the League with the execution of the blockade operations, in accordance with the 18th resolution concerning the economic weapon adopted by the Assembly of the League of Nations on 4th November, 1921?

No such proposal has been considered by the Co-ordination Committee or the Committee of Eighteen. As regards the future, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which the Prime Minister gave yesterday to a question asked by him regarding the Government's policy towards sanctions, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will provide the House with the materials for establishing the truth of the allegations of barbarous practices in the conduct of the war made by the Italian and Abyssinian Governments, respectively, including the alleged use of dumdum bullets supplied by British firms, by causing the report of the Committee of Jurists to the League of Nations to be published as a White Paper?

Copies of the document prepared by the Committee of Jurists were placed in the Library of the House on 24th April as an annex to the report to the Council of the League of Nations by the Committee of Thirteen dated 18th April. The jurists' document was not properly speaking a. report, but an analysis of the documents concerning the conduct of the war in Ethopia which had been communicated to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations from official sources down to 16th April, 1936. The Committee of Thirteen's Report, which should in the opinion of His Majesty's Government be treated integrally, is, as hon. Members will have noticed, a long and detailed document, and I do not think any useful purpose would be served by publishing a part of it as. a, White Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the public is being deluged with Italian propaganda? Would not the publication of these documents, even uncommented on by the committee, be the best answer to that propaganda?

This is, of course, a League of Nations' document, I do not think taking a portion of the report will necessarily be a good way of doing it.

Could not they be printed as a whole?

asked the Lord President of the Council the present position with regard to the proposal for a union of benefices in the case of All Hallows Church, Lombard Street?

A scheme for a union of benefices involving All Hallows, Lombard Street, was certified by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to His Majesty in Council on 21st February last. A Petition of Appeal against the scheme has been lodged, and this and certain other representations are at present receiving consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the hearing is likely to come on?

I could not say without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider introducing legislation to amend Section 38 of the Finance Act, 1924, so as to give relief from death duties to any person in the various services of His Majesty who, in carrying out orders from a superior, may die as a result of any dangerous peace-time training?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 23rd April to the hon. and gallant Member for Altrincham (Sir E. Grigg).

Does that answer also apply to short-term officers in the Royal Air Force?

I think that that would need a separate question.

Can the Patronage Secretary say whether the Chancellor of the Exchequer is engaged on important business?

My right hon. Friend is engaged on other business. I would ask the hon. Member to allow me to reply to these two questions together.