asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any conditions and, if so, of what nature, have been laid down with regard to the forthcoming visit of the Emperor of Abyssinia to this country?

My hon. Friend will appreciate the fact that the Emperor has been travelling incognito ever since he left Abyssinia to accompany the Empress to Palestine. His Majesty's Government have been happy to accede to the wish of His Majesty to come to this country and the visit has now been arranged on the same basis. In these circumstances the Emperor will be accompanied by a small suite of some eight persons. As was the case during his residence in Palestine, His Majesty will be expected, during his stay in this country, not to participate in the furtherance of hostilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Emperor of Abyssinia is to be treated as a monarch in exile or as a visiting sovereign?

The Emperor is visiting this country incognito, and the point raised by my hon. Friend does not therefore arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recent staff conversations between the representatives of Great Britain, France, and Belgium, representing the maximum collective security in Western Europe at present obtainable, have now terminated or are to be further continued; and whether the necessary dispositions resulting therefrom have been made?

The purpose and scope of these conversations was explained in my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 3rd April, and their position in the communiqué issued to the Press on 18th April. I have nothing to add to these statements.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the fact that the members of the International Red Cross Committee are entirely of Swiss nationality, he will ask the council of the League of Nations to discuss how far it is desirable for the League to recognise as genuinely international a body so constituted, having particular regard to Article 25 of the Covenant, under which reference is made to the League's relations with the Red Cross organisations?

While my information is that the hon. Member is correct in stating that the International Red Cross Committee is entirely composed of Swiss citizens, I understand that the status and functions of that body, as defined in Article 7 of the statutes of the International Red Cross Organisation, make it clear that it is an independent institution having its own statute arid particular functions. This position is no doubt well recognised by other members of the League, and I do not therefore think that action by His Majesty's Government such as is suggested is required.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information about the intention of the Italian Government to invite the Egyptian Government to sign a treaty of peace and non-aggression?

Towards the end of February reports appeared in certain Egyptian newspapers that secret negotiations were taking place for the conclusion of a non-aggression pact between Egypt and Italy. Ali Maher Pasha, who was then Prime Minister, informed the Press that there was no truth in those reports. As the hon. And gallant Member is doubtless aware from reports in the Press, the Italian Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs on 7th April handed to the Egyptian Chargé d'Affaires at Rome a declaration to the effect that the Italian Government had no intention of attacking or in any way threatening Egypt, and that Italy was always disposed to conclude with Egypt agreements guaranteeing the maintenance of the common frontier and a policy inspired by feelings of profound friendship. My right hon. Friend has no knowledge of any developments since that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the detention of Colonel Llewellyn and Major Bentinck by the Italians at Dire Dawa?

My right hon. Friend has information that these gentlemen have been arrested, but it appears that they have been prevented from leaving Dire Dawa, apparently on the charge that their papers are not in order. In view of the difficulty experienced by His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa and by His Majesty's Consul at Harar in securing further information, His Majesty's Ambassador in Rome has been instructed to approach the Italian Government immediately with a view to ascertaining the facts and bringing the detention of these gentlemen to an end.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made since 24th February in the inquiry into the cause of the leakage which resulted in a copy of the Maffey Report getting into Italian hands; and whether all the copies of the report which were circulated officially have been accounted for?

My right hon. Friend stated in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland on 24th February that a full inquiry would be held into this matter, and this has been done. My right hon. Friend has already made it clear to the House that this would not be a matter on which it would be proper to divulge details.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the suffering caused to Mr. Bunner as a result of his arrest by the Italian authorities at Dire Dawa, he will demand full compensation and an apology for this arrest from the Italian Government?

According to my right hon. Friend's information Mr Bunner' detention by the Italian authorities at Dire Dawa was due to a case of mistaken identity, which may be partly due to the fact that he had mislaid his passport. As my right hon. Friend stated yesterday, His Majesty's Government, as at present advised, do not propose to take any further action.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the arrest of Colonel Llewellyn and Major Bentinck of the British Red Cross unit, by the Italians at Dire Dawa; and whether he will demand the immediate release of these British subjects?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given today to a. question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on the same subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs on what dates recognition was withdrawn from the diplomatic representatives in this country of the republics of Georgia, Erivan and Azerbaijan?

None of these three States had at any time a representative in London whose diplomatic status was recognised by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be in a position to deal with the report on the white fish industry?

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the reply given by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, to a question put by the right hon. Member for Caithness and Sutherland (Sir A. Sinclair) on Tuesday, 19th May, to which I am not at present in a position to add.

asked the Minister of Agriculture the total weight of bacon turned out by British bacon factories for the last two years, respectively, together with their maximum capacity?

The output of bacon in Great Britain, including bacon produced from imported pigs and carcases, was approximately 2,349,000 cwt. in 1935 and 1,742,000 cwt. in 1934. I regret I have not any reliable data as to the maximum capacity of the bacon factories in Great Britain as a whole. Particulars are, however, being obtained by the Bacon Development Board, but their inquiries are not yet complete.

asked the Minister of Agriculture when he will be in a position to make a statement as to the proposals for dealing with drainage problems in North-East Lincolnshire?

I hope shortly to be able to place on deposit draft Orders constituting two separate drainage districts and drainage boards in North-East Lincolnshire, covering the areas at present rated by the Louth and Alford Courts of Sewers, and part of the area rated by the Grimsby Court of Sewers, including the Louth Canal.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what sum will have to be accumulated annually as sinking fund in order to redeem the tithe stock issued in respect of £100 par value lay tithe of the net redeemable value of £51 19s. 9d.; and whether, in calculating the amount of the Exchequer contribution to meet the expenses of the tithe scheme, any sum was included in respect of any Government contribution to such sinking fund?

Under Clauses 24 and 25 of the Tithe Bill it is proposed that a sinking fund sufficient to provide for the redemption of stock shall be established, and the sums required to be set aside for the purposes of the said sinking fund shall be paid out of the Redemption Annuities Account. On the basis of interest at 3 per cent.—the rate assumed in the White Paper—the annual amount to be set aside for accumulation in the sinking fund in respect of the compensation stock issued for every £100 (par value) lay tithe rentcharge of the net annual value of £51 19s. 9d. will be £10 9s. 2d.As regards the last part of the question, the Exchequer contribution, as explained in the White Paper, is related to the average liability of the Exchequer in respect of rates on ecclesiastical tithe rentcharge during the past three years, in addition to certain anticipated extra receipts and savings which will result directly or indirectly from the operation of the Tithe Bill. No net additional charge is being placed on the taxpayer in connection with the scheme for the extinguishment of tithe rentcharge, and the Exchequer contribution goes into the scheme and will be available, together with the net receipts from the redemption annuities, to meet all the outgoings, including the monies required to be set aside for the purposes of the sinking fund.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has had reports from the police regarding the incident when some person or persons unlawfully entered Willoughby Hall, Hampstead, on 19th May, 1936, and destroyed documents and property belonging to the Manchester and District Anti-War Council and the Hampstead Peace Council; and whether he will have a thorough investigation made into the matter in order to find out who was responsible for this outrage?

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the police are making thorough investigations into this matter.

asked the Home Secretary what instructions have been given to the police as to preventing Mrs. Van Der Elst from demonstrating against the continuation of the infliction of the death penalty on persons convicted of murder; and whether he will give an assurance that no attempt will be made in future to prevent this lady or others from attempting to rouse the conscience of the nation against this method of punishment with a view to its termination?

No such instructions is are suggested in this question have been given.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the report issued by the League of Nations to the effect that there are 30,000 drug addicts in Britain; and whether he accepts this figure as correct and will make a statement on the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question given on 27th May to the hon. Member for the Kingswinford Division (Mr. A. Henderson).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the possibility of taking steps to have light; fitted on the pylons throughout the country, in view of the number of fatal flying accidents caused by high-tension cables?

As regards lighting, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool (Mr. Roland Robinson). The danger from pylons, however, can better be met by diverting the cables or placing them underground than by lighting, and I am glad to say that in a number of cases it has been possible to make such arrangements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the concern felt by the inhabitants of the Lleyn Peninsula, in Carnarvonshire, at the intention to establish a bombing school in the district; and whether, in view of the fact that the amenities of the district will be destroyed, he will reconsider his decision?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this matter to the hon. and gallant Member for Carnarvon (Major Owen) on 22nd April.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what remuneration, if any, is received for their services by the chairman and members of the advisory committee to the Treasury on foreign financial transactions; and on what Estimate will the expenses of the committee be borne?

The chairman and members of the Foreign Transactions (Advisory) Committee receive no remuneration for their services, and His Majesty's Government are most grateful to them for their public spirited action in giving their services voluntarily. The expenses of the committee will be borne upon the Treasury Vote.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps will be taken to ensure that any increased quantities of barley required by the brewers of British lager beer, as a result of the increased duty upon foreign lager beer, will be obtained from British farmers?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 28th April to my hon. Friend the Member for East Dorset (Mr. Hall-Caine).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the question of the advantages which are expected to accrue from operating the Royal Mail Steamer "Queen Mary" on oil fuel rather than coal fuel was considered and, if so, along what lines, before the subsidising of the vessel's construction was agreed to?

My hon. Friend will remember that the construction of the Royal Mail Steamer "Queen Mary" was well advanced before the question of Government assistance for her completion arose. I have no doubt that the question to which he refers was fully considered by the Cunard Company before the vessel was laid down.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that the general standard of accommodation in tax offices is in urgent need of improvement; and whether he can state the number of tax offices in which the existing accommodation is unsatisfactory?

I do not agree that the standard of accommodation in tax offices is in general unsatisfactory. Since 1930 nearly half the staffs of tax districts have been rehoused and continuous attention is being given to this question.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the British Government has received any communications recently from the Greek Government in regard to the payment of interest on the Six per cent. Greek Government Loan, largely subscribed by British citizens under the auspices of the League of Nations?

After having been in default on the service of their foreign debt including the 6 per cent. Stabilisation Loan, 1928, since April, 1935, the Greek Government undertook in March to send a delegation to London to resume direct negotiations with the representatives of the bondholders. These discussions were to have been begun early in May, but were postponed by the Greek Government. Representations on this matter have been made to the Greek Government by His Majesty's Representative at Athens, expressing the regret of His Majesty's Government that up to the present the Greek Government should not have fulfilled their undertaking to the representatives of the bondholders.