asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any British advisers have recently been acting with the chiefs or heads of any native governments in South-Western Abyssinia with the approval of His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan; whether any such advisers have recently been withdrawn or recalled; and, if so, for what reasons?

The answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. The second and third parts do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a native government or governments now function in all or part of South-Western Abyssinia; whether order is being maintained in that region; whether, in order to preserve peace and order in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, steps will be taken to assist such native governments; and what response has been made to any recent requests from such governments for assistance in money or ammunition from His Majesty's Government or the Government of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan?

As I informed the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 22nd June last, the few Amhara officials remaining in Western Abyssinia to-day are not in a position, owing to the hostility of the Galla population, to exercise any authority. Reports have recently been received from His Majesty's Consul at Gore that very disturbed conditions continue to prevail in his district. Communications between Gore and the interior are extremely uncertain, and the road between Gore and Gambeila is also unsafe. There are at present in the unoccupied portions of Abyssinia, including the Gore consular district, many independent bands of Amhara soldiery living on the country, who are in frequent conflict with the local tribes. As there are a number of foreign missionaries and traders and various isolated settlers in the unoccupied portions of Western Abyssinia, His Majesty's Consul at Gore has been authorised at his discretion to take such steps as may be possible to facilitate their evacuation; and a number of persons have succeeded in reaching Gore and Gambeila. As regards the last part of the question, I cannot add anything to the statements which have been previously made on this subject. I should like to take the opportunity of making it clear to the House that there is no foundation whatever for allegations which have been made in certain quarters that His Majesty's Consul at Gore has been engaged in political activities. On the contrary, Captain Erskine's sole concern has been to endeavour to maintain order and ensure the safety of foreigners in his district. His work in this respect has been of the utmost value.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to publish, as promised on 17th June, Sir Sidney Barton's report with regard to events in Abyssinia; and whether he will also publish recent reports received from British consular representatives in Abyssinia with regard to the existing position?

The report referred to in the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question was published as a White Paper (Cmd. 5123) on 1st July. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the result of the Montreaux Conference?

I propose to deal with this subject in the course of this afternoon's Debate. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to wait tell then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he has taken in cases which have been brought to his notice where British Indians have been unable to dispose of the land owned and held by them in the United States of America which was in their possession prior to the decision laid down by the Supreme Court of the United States of America in 1923; and whether British Indians are now allowed to be naturalised and acquire citizenship in the United States?

Representations were made to the United States Government in 1923 and 1924 with a view to giving Indian land holders affected by the Supreme Court's decision time to dispose of their property. No cases have been brought to my notice where British Indians have been unable to do so, but I am making inquiries. With regard to the second part of the question, subject to certain exceptions in the case of persons who served in the United States Forces during the War, persons of Indian race are not, so far as I am aware, eligible for naturalisation in the United States.

Are British Indians now permitted to dispose of their property if a purchaser can be found?

This regulation was made in 1923, and I have heard no complaints.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which, if any, of the five Mediterranean assurances of mutual assistance are still in operation on a basis of reciprocity; and for how long it is proposed to continue them?

I hope to deal with this question in the course of this afternoon's Debate. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to wait till then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations?

I hope to deal with this subject in the course of this afternoon's Debate. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to wait till then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the present position in Spain?

I hope to have an opportunity of referring to the situation in Spain during the Debate later in the afternoon. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to wait till then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why, at the outbreak of civil disturbances in Madrid, the Ambassador's staff of His Majesty's Embassy did not return to the capital to safeguard the interests, lives, and property of British subjects resident there?

Owing to the sudden and unforeseen interruption of road and rail communication, it was impossible for the Ambassador and his staff to return to Madrid, but the appropriate steps will be taken as soon as travelling becomes practicable.

Could not some members of the Embassy staff have endeavoured to return to Madrid by air?

I do not think I can add anything to what I have said. The position is one of considerable difficulty, and again I would say that I shall have something to say on this subject in the Debate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any request from the Spanish Government for facilities to purchase munitions from British firms, in view of the fact that the French Government have been so approached by the Spanish Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any representations from the Spanish Government, similar to those addressed to the French Government, for permission to negotiate for the supply of armaments from British sources?

The answer to both questions is, No, Sir.

Is there any substance in the second part of Question 20 which suggests that the Spanish Government approached the French Government for the purchase of munitions from British firms?

I cannot answer for the French and Spanish Governments. I merely said, "No, Sir."

Is it not absurd to ask our own Foreign Minister whether the Spanish Government has approached the French Government on any matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of the supply of arms and munitions to Spain, where a civil war is now in progress?

No applications have been received for licences to export arms to Spain since the commencement of the rebellion. The ordinary regulations governing the licensing of exports of arms destined to foreign countries are applicable to shipments of arms to Spain.

Is it not the policy of the Government to assist a friendly Government when it is combating these scoundrels?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will ask the British Ambassador in Madrid to furnish a report on the traffic in arms from other countries into Spanish territory?

I see no reason to ask for a special report on this matter. His Majesty's Ambassador will in the normal course report on all relevant aspects of the situation in Spain when the position is clearer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been in communication with the French Government on the subject of British co-operation in the Spanish conflict; and whether he can give an assurance that this country will not be involved in any French intervention?

The answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. As regards the second part of the question, I have no knowledge of any intervention by the French Government, and no question of intervention by His Majesty's Government arises.

Is it not a fact that all that the Spanish Government is doing now is seeking to preserve public order against rebels?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any armaments have been supplied from this country to Spain in recent weeks?

Particulars of exports from this country are not compiled for periods of less than a calendar month and the figures of exports of arms, ammunition and military and naval stores consigned to Spain during July will not be available until the middle of August.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the policy of His Majesty's Government with regard to allowing Spanish or other refugees to enter Gibraltar; how many have already been allowed; and how many have been refused entrance?

The policy has been to admit British subjects and families freely in addition to Spaniards living outside Gibraltar who normally work there. It is not possible to give reliable figures of the numbers who have entered, but it is estimated that there are between 5,000 and 9,000 British subjects and Spaniards. It has been necessary to refuse admission to large numbers of Spaniards as the accommodation available is extremely limited, and for sanitary and military reasons it is not possible to take more than have been admitted at present. A refugee camp has been established on the North front and food kitchens have been opened.

May I ask whether the men who are employed by the various coal distributing firms in Gibraltar enter Gibraltar each morning and return to their homes in Spain in the evening?

They used to do that, but at present conditions are such that they cannot do so. A great deal of fighting has been taking place in the neighbourhood of Gibraltar.

Do I understand that these men are now being housed in Gibraltar?

I make no doubt that within the category referred to in my answer as Spaniards who have been admitted, are those who normally live outside British territory but work inside British territory.

Is there any zone delimitated as territorial waters, and, if so, in view of the narrow waters which surround Gibraltar, how are these difficulties being overcome?

I would rather have that question on the Order Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the levy by Icelandic courts of a fine of £1,046 on the skipper of the Grimsby trawler "Reboundo" for alleged illegal fishing; and whether he will instruct His Majesty's representative in Iceland to assist him in his appeal against this judgment?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Government have been informed of the case by the owners of the vessel, and it appears that the sum of £1,046 represents the amount of the fine plus the value of the gear confiscated. I have not yet received an official report on the case from the British Consul-General at Reykjavik; but it is his invariable practice to give all proper assistance to the defendants in cases of this kind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any answer has been received from Germany to the British Note; and whether any reason has been given for this delay?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given by my noble Friend in the House on 8th July, to a similar question by the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Emmott).

Is there any other State that treats British notes in this way?

asked the Minister of Pensions how many officers and how many men who were drawing war disability pensions died as the result of their War disability in each year ended 31st March, 1930, to 1936; and how many of these left widows or children who were granted pensions under the War Pensions Regulations?

As detailed figures are involved I will, with permission, circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that the records of my Department do not enable me to give the information asked for in the first part of the question.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, having regard to the importance of the expert adjustment by experienced surgeons of the artificial limbs required in cases of amputation, as demonstrated by the Ministry's work in War disabled cases, he can make arrangements for civilian cases to have the benefit of similar treatment?

Yes, Sir. The Committee of Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, have specific powers for this purpose under the scheme of the Charity Commissioners governing their funds and a certain number of civilian cases of amputation have for some time, by arrangement with the London County Council and other public bodies, been successfully dealt with at Roehampton, with the expert advice of Ministry surgeons, on the basis of payment for all charges incurred. I feel that it would be deplorable if the knowledge and skill developed in this service were allowed to lapse with the decreasing number of ex-service men necessarily now coming forward. I have accordingly agreed to a suggestion made by the committee of the Hospital that the services of the limb fitting surgeons of the Ministry, both at Roehampton and in the provincial centres where ex-service men are dealt with, should be made available to the committee for the expert adjustment of artificial limbs for further classes of civilian cases submitted to them. Under the agreement to be entered into for the purpose, fees which will entirely cover all expenses incurred by the Ministry will be charged, and the service will be inaugurated as early as possible. I should add that so far as the Ministry is concerned these arrangements will in no circumstances be allowed to interfere either with the practice of any independent surgeon who may desire himself to supervise the adjustment of an artificial limb in any case in which he has been concerned, or with the supply of artificial limbs by any firm of limb-makers that it may be desired to employ.

asked the Minister of Pensions, with reference to the conference he held in April last with representatives of certain voluntary funds, whether he has been able to meet the suggestion then made that an authoritative guide to the numerous voluntary funds and agencies for assisting ex-Service men and their dependants would be of great service both to the funds themselves and to the public?

Yes, Sir. I have found a general measure of agreement amongst the voluntary funds consulted that an authoritative guide is called for. They are co-operating in its compilation and arrangement, and I hope to issue it in the Autumn.

asked the Postmaster-General the number of telephone subscribers at the latest date for which information is available; and the increase in five years up to that date?

The number of telephones in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the 31st May, 1936, the latest date for which the information is available, was 2,613,601. The increase during the previous five years was 605,120.

Having regard to the fact that the number of consumers of electrical energy increases each year by more than the telephone increases in five years, will my right hon. and gallant Friend consult the electrical supply companies on the matter?

The concessions that we have made for cheaper telephones enable us to go ahead at a more rapid rate.

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what progress has been made with regard to the removal of the dangerous low iron railings bordering certain of the paths in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens; and whether he is aware that further accidents have occurred since his attention was drawn to the dangerous character of these railings?

My Noble Friend has himself inspected these railings in Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens and, while he agrees with the principle of removing railings when this can be done without detriment to the turf, experience has shown that in some places their removal results in entire destruction of the surrounding grass by wear and the forming of unsightly bare tracks. He has decided to remove a further long stretch of low railing near the Round Pond. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

While I am obliged to my hon. Friend for that statement, I hope that he will take into consideration the many hundreds of yards of railings all through Kensington Gardens which are still there, that these accidents are daily occurring, and that really they serve no useful purpose, as in Green Park and also in Hyde Park where they have been removed the grass verges to the paths are in very good condition?

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the total annual cost of bulbs and flowers in Regent's Park and Hyde Park, respectively?

The figures are £750 and £600 respectively so far as purchases are concerned. The bulk of the flowers are, however, propagated in the park nurseries and green-houses for the various parks and gardens and no separate figures of cost are available.

Will my hon. Friend say why this preference is shown to Regent's Park as compared with Hyde Park; and will he again take into consideration the desirability of a few summer flowers in the railed enclosures in Hyde Park, which are a mere fraction of the large area devoted to bulbs?

I will bring the matter to the notice of my Noble Friend.

Seeing that all the country is contributing to Hyde Park and Regent's Park, will the hon. Gentleman see that there are a few sent to Royston Welfare Park?

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Com missioner of Works, whether he will give particulars of what alterations he is contemplating for opening or closing the Royal or public parks under his control; and will he consider increasing the speed limit for motorists in the parks to 30 miles an hour so as to make it uniform with that which exists in built-up areas?

In reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question, there are no such alterations at present contemplated. With reference to the second part of the question, the First Commissioner considers that the amenity of the Royal Parks, and consideration for the safety of pedestrians in particular, fully justify the retention of the existing speed limit.

With regard to the first part of the question, is it the fact that the parks overseas and in America are all kept open?

Is my hon. Friend aware that the speed limit is constantly disregarded, especially by taxi cabs, and will he see to it that it is more properly enforced?

asked the Minister of Pensions, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether any special arrangements affecting Members of this House are being made in connection with the meeting of the Canadian Pilgrims to be addressed by the Prime Minister in Westminster Hall on Wednesday, 29th July?

Yes, Sir. The Prime Minister proposes to address the Canadian Legion in Westminster Hall on Wednesday morning at about 10.30. In view of the large numbers expected to assemble, it will unfortunately be necessary to ask hon. Members not to park their cars in New Palace Yard until after 11.30. They are asked to arrange that cars driven by their chauffeurs should leave after setting them down, but arrangements have been made for Members driving their own cars to leave them in the Star Chamber Court. This should be approached via New Palace Yard and the police constables on duty will give the necessary directions. Cars driven by chauffeurs will be directed to an alternative parking place.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government to encourage private persons to undertake housing schemes for persons of the working classes, especially schemes for the provision of houses and flats to let; and whether every encouragement will be given by the Government to facilitate the carrying out of such schemes by private enterprise?

Yes, Sir. The Government look to private enterprise as the chief source of supply of dwellings to meet the general needs of the working-class population and hope to see an increasing proportion of small houses and flats for letting among the dwellings provided by private enterprise. The Government are certainly ready to encourage the activities of private enterprise in this direction and to give them all practicable assistance.

Is the hon. Member aware that certain local authorities when they see an owner developing his own property for letting in working-class houses or flats, serve him with a compulsory order to purchase the site so that they, rather than a private individual, may get the credit of the improvement.

asked the Prime Minister whether the meeting of the three Locarno Powers in London is solely to prepare for a later meeting of all five Locarno Powers; whether the object of such a later meeting will be to discuss a treaty to replace the Locarno protocols and whether Germany will be invited to such a meeting on a basis of absolute equality, with the German peace plan as the basis of the discussion and with no reservations calculated or likely to cause her non-acceptance of the invitation?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the communiqué which was issued at the conclusion of the Three-Power Meeting on 23rd July.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we are prepared to remove the guarantees of mutual assistance in the Mediterranean in view of Italy finding them an objection to accepting an invitation?

That is a separate question. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will put it on the Order Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a Motion on the Order Paper standing in the names of over 120 supporters of the Government urging the Government to make an explicit reaffirmation of the then Foreign Secretary's statement to the German Chancellor in March, 1935, that the transfer of any British mandated territory is not a discussable question; and, if so, whether he is able to give the desired assurance?

Perhaps my right hon. Friend would be good enough to await the statement which will be made in the course of the Debate this afternoon.

Before a statement is made, will the right hon. Gentleman endorse the declaration recently made by the Colonial Secretary that we are quitting nowhere?

On a point of procedure: Before the hon. Member answers, may I say that this question is an important one and that an answer read by any one other than the Minister of Labour does not provide the Member concerned with the opportunity of asking vital supplementary questions? In regard to Question 59 to the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence that Minister was courteous enough to say that he would not be present, and he asked me to postpone the question. If I had known that the Minister of Labour was not to be present to-day, I should have asked that Question 54 be postponed. Is it possible to postpone it now?

The hon. Lady can postpone it if she wishes.

I desire to postpone it.

On a point of Order, Sir. You have not called my Question, No. 82.

The hon. Member has already put three questions.

Further to that point of Order. This question was put down for last Thursday and those questions were not automatically carried forward to the Order Paper of Friday. In the circumstances, I should be glad if you would advise Members what they can do with regard to questions put down last Thursday.

I thought the questions had been answered already.

No answers were given to the questions down for Thursday last. They were all automatically wiped off the Order Paper.

They can be put down again.

asked the Secretary for Mines the tonnage of export trade in coal for each respective year since the coming into operation of the Coal Mines Act, 1930, specifying the quantity for export purposes and foreign bunkers?

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

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will take steps to allay the dissatisfaction among milk producers in the Dundee district because of the delay on the part of the Milk Board in collecting the producers' supplies; and whether he is aware that there have been instances where, owing to the delay, the milk has gone bad and the board have returned it to the producers and have refused to pay for it, although the deterioration in the milk was due to the negligence on the part of the board in collecting?

I have been in communication with the Scottish Milk Marketing Board, who state that, while they have had to reject a small quantity of milk in the Dundee district on account of its poor quality, this was not necessarily due to defects in the haulage arrangements. I may add that the board do not themselves undertake haulage in that district. It is in the hands of licensed haulage contractors, and each registered producer may select his contractor. The board are, however, reconsidering the transport arrangements in the Dundee district, and I understand that they are in communication with the hon. and gallant Member on the subject.

Are we to understand that the board refuses to accept responsibility for its own enactments?

I understand that the question is being investigated by the board, but if the hon. Member has any information to give I shall be happy to receive it.

Is the Milk Board still in existence?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Milk Marketing Board or the Scottish agricultural colleges have worked out the average cost per gallon of seasonal and all-the-year-round milk production, respectively, in both the eastern and western portions of the area of the scheme; and, if so, will he state the approximate dates of the ascertainments and the figures ascertained?

A joint inquiry into the costs of milk production is being carried out by the three agricultural colleges and the Department of Agriculture for Scotland. The inquiry is not yet completed, and I therefore regret that I am unable to give my Noble Friend the information she seeks.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend not agree that it is a serious matter that the different costs of production, seasonal and all the year round, were not ascertained before it was decided that under the milk scheme the price should be the same in both areas?

asked the Secretary for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the treatment by the police of untried prisoners is both fair and considerate; and what representations he has received in recent time to the contrary effect?

I am sure that all police forces recognise the need for the utmost fairness and consideration in the treatment of untried prisoners. I have received no recent representations on the subject.

Is the Home Secretary aware of the remarks of Mr. Justice Charles recently at Manchester Assizes, and may we look forward to some improvement in the method of dealing with accused and untried prisoners?

I do not think the learned judge is the one to whom the hon. Member refers. I saw a newspaper report. The case is under appeal, and I cannot say more about it except to point out that the police were never called in that case.