asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that a committee of the League of Nations, formed to discuss the question of raw materials, has proceeded to consider matters affecting the transfer of territory and other subjects concerning the sovereignty of Great Britain in the British Colonial Empire, he will give to Parliament information as to the origin of this unfriendly action?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Committee on Raw Materials at Geneva is discussing questions affecting the disposal of British Colonies; and whether he has lodged a protest and requested the withdrawal of such suggestions from the agenda of that committee?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to proposals which are being considered by the Committee on Raw Materials at Geneva, which suggest the transfer of British possessions to some other sovereignty and other matters which have no concern with the subject of raw materials; and, if so, what action His Majesty's Government propose to take?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether his attention has been called to the memorandum which the secretariat of the League of Nations has prepared for the Committee on Raw Materials; whether he is aware that that report refers to suggestions which have been offered as to preferential agreements and the domestic arrangements existing within the British Colonial Empire; and on whose behalf were these suggestions offered;

(2) whether he is aware that it is suggested in the memorandum prepared for the Committee on Raw Materials that there should be a transformation of colonies into mandated territories or the transfer of their administration to an international authority; whether His Majesty's Government have consented to this discussion on the disposal of the British Colonial Empire; and what country is responsible for tabling suggestions which interfere with British sovereignty in His Majesty's territories overseas;

(3) whether it is customary for the Secretariat of the League of Nations to frame memoranda with proposals affecting the sovereignty of member States without stating from what country such suggestions emanate; and whether His Majesty's Government will take immediate steps to protest against such procedure?

I think that there is some misunderstanding on this subject. The terms of reference of the League Committee now sitting at Geneva were clearly defined in the report of the Polish delegate to the League Council last January. A copy of that report is in the Library of the House. It will be seen that, under these terms of reference, the League inquiry is strictly limited to the question of equal commercial access for all nations to certain raw materials. Any discussion of territorial redistribution of colonies or mandated territories, or any change in their administration is entirely precluded. I am arranging to place in the Library a copy of the memorandum prepared by the Secretariat of the League to which reference has been made. This document does not in any way constitute the agenda of the present inquiry. The Committee are not working on its basis. It represents merely a collection of views of a general character which have been expressed in publications, official and unofficial, in recent years. The origin of these views will be found clearly indicated in the memorandum itself. It is naturally nowhere stated by the Secretariat in the memorandum that these views ought to be discussed by the Committee. The particular views regarding territorial redistribution and change in administration to which my hon. Friends have drawn attention, are in any case outside the scope of the Committee's terms of reference, and the Committee is, therefore, precluded from considering them.

Were the views that were offered, offered by States members of the League or were they unofficial suggestions which have been put forward from other sources, and have the Government protested against the idea that these questions can be discussed?

As I understand it, there never was any suggestion that they should be discussed. What have been collected have been various expressions of opinion on the subject recently. They are not on the agenda.

In view of the fact that these subjects are being mentioned whether they are on the agenda or not, would the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions to the British delegation that they are to withdraw from the committee if such suggestions are discussed?

If my hon. Friend has read the speech of Sir Frederick Leith Ross in the committee last Monday, he will see that the position has been safeguarded.

Which country initiated the inquiry?

We originated the inquiry.

Is the House to understand that it was on the initiation of this country that it is suggested that all Colonies should become mandated territories?

No. I have made it clear that this matter is not on the agenda at all. What has been issued by the Secretariat is a collection of opinions by persons of various countries. They have no authority or support from His Majesty's Government.

Is it not a great pity that these ideas are excluded from discussion?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether The Government adheres to the interpretation placed upon Article 16 of the Covenant of the League of Nations under Annexe F to the Treaty of Locarno, to the effect that this article obliges each member of the League to co-operate loyally and effectively in support of the Covenant, and in resistance to any act of aggression to an extent which is compatible with its military situation and takes its geographical position into account?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether woollen goods imported into Turkey are subject to quota, and, in that case, whether he will state the percentage; and whether he has recently made any representations with the object of increasing the quota?

Certain woollen goods imported into Turkey from the United Kingdom are subject to quotas. The quotas are given in the form of specified annual amounts in metric tons, and not percentages of total imports into Turkey. The answer to the last part of the question is, No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing trade of the Gold Coast, he will consider the desirability of making a survey of all the local harbours, ports and open roadsteads in order to find out whether the construction of another first-class modern harbour for deep-draught ships at Accra or elsewhere, apart from- the existing port of Takoradi, would be economically advantageous?

I have no reason to believe that the trade of the Gold Coast is increasing beyond the capacity of the existing ports, and I am sure that the Gold Coast could not economically maintain two first-class deep water harbours. The question of the provision of additional deep water wharves at Takoradi is at present engaging the attention of the Government of the Gold Coast.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the shortage in the iron and steel industry, he will, until such date as the Iron and Steel Federation can supply, suspend the quota position in a manner which will leave the market with absolute freedom without the intervention of the federation?

The quota regulation of iron and steel imports has been adopted by the Government on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee in pursuance of arrangements made between the British Iron and Steel Federation and the Continental Iron and Steel Cartel. The present system aims at an equitable distribution of iron and steel supplies at reasonable prices, and its abandonment at this moment would, in my view, increase the existing difficulties both as to supplies and prices. I am advised that every effort is being made to obtain increased supplies in this period of world shortage, and in these circumstances my right hon. Friend is not prepared to take the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of United Kingdom exports in 1936 to those countries included in the Ottawa group, and the figure for the year 1930?

Exports of United Kingdom goods to countries with which agreements were concluded at Ottawa were valued at £161,400,000 in 193o and £147,670,000 in 1936.

Is it not a fact that over 130,000 more men were employed last year in inter-Dominion trade than in the Ottawa year?

I cannot give the figures without notice, but that may be so.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what action, if any, is being taken to adjust the unfair foreign competition by the Swedish and German manufacturers of steel hinges by which the British manufacturers are forced to sell their goods at prices below cost if they are to retain any substantial proportion of the home trade?

Under the trade agreement with Sweden the import duty on butt and tee hinges cannot be increased above 20 per cent. ad valorem. Representations on this subject which have been received from the manufacturers concerned will be borne in mind when any revision of this agreement is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of cadets entered at Dartmouth College and from public schools, respectively, each year from 1931, who were from state-aided secondary schools, and the percentage they formed of these totals?

The preparation of the information asked for would entail a prohibitive amount of labour. A sample investigation suggests that only occasionally does a boy from a state-aided secondary school go to Dartmouth, but the public school entry on the basis of an analysis of the entry for 1937, would appear to include about 25 per cent. from state-aided secondary schools.

Does not the answer of the Noble Lord show clearly how useless it is to go on with public expenditure upon education, if you do not take the result of the expenditure into your public services?

It shows that we are determined to get the best officers we can from whatever source.

If that is so, why is there such a small number of boys from State-aided schools going there?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieutenant-commanders and lieutenants, ex-warrant officer, now serving who were promoted under the accelerated promotion scheme; the number who are likely to complete the necessary service for promotion to commander; and when the promotions to commander, which were part of the scheme, are to commence?

There are at present 27 lieutenants who were promoted under this scheme. These officers will not be eligible for consideration for promotion to commander until they have attained lieutenant-commander's rank, which the first of them should do in June next. It is likely that 19 of them will ultimately become eligible for consideration for promotion to commander. One shipwright lieutenant-commander promoted under the scheme was recently promoted to shipwright commander.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state at what date the democratisation of the Navy is to take place, if these promotions go on at this rate?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of engineer officers who have qualified in the advanced engineering course in each year since 1931, and the number of these officers who were commissioned from artificers?

As the information involves a tabular statement, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what are the annual basic pay and allowances drawn by a non-specialist lieutenant-commander, aged 30 and unmarried, serving on a battleship or cruiser in the Home Fleet; and what is the average promotion to the rank of lieutenant-commander?

The basic pay of a non-specialist lieutenant-commander serving in a battleship or cruiser in the Home Fleet is as follows:

• Lieutenant-commander on promotion, 27s. 2d. a day.
• Lieutenant-commander after three years, 29s. a day.
• Lieutenant-commander after six years, 30s. 10d. a day.

There are no allowances beyond the money allowance paid direct to the officers' mess in connection with their victualling. There is no differentiation between married and single officers. The average age for promotion to lieutenant-commander is just under 31, and only a small proportion of officers become lieutenant-commanders by the age of 30.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers each year since the introduction of the new sub-lieutenant (E) scheme of promotion in 1933 who have been reported on the special form from the shore-training and other establishments and ships as likely to make suitable commissioned officers; and what has finally happened to these officers?

As the answer includes a tabular statement, I will, with the hon.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ratings who have been reported on the special form and who are qualified to be recommended for sub-lieutenant?

Fifteen seaman ratings have been reported on the special form and are qualified to be recommended for promotion to sub-lieutenant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, seeing that lower-deck candidates for commissioned rank are reported to the Admiralty as soon as considered by their commanding officer as potentially suitable, and thenceforward the Admiralty and future captains under whom they may serve keep a careful watch on their training and development, so few candidates out of the total number actually obtain a commission?

As my right hon. Friend and I have previously stated, the Admiralty are at present conducting an investigation on this very point.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has information to give the House regarding the 1937 naval programme?

The printed statement recently circulated with the 1937 Navy Estimates indicates the numbers of vessels of various types included in the 1937 new construction programme, and the building allocation as between His Majesty's Dockyards and private contractors is shown on pages 374–391 of the Estimates. Distribution of orders to the several shipbuilding firms will be announced as and when contracts are placed.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will prepare, in consultation with the Foreign Office, an estimate of the proportion of the recent military expenditure in Palestine which was due to the necessities of the international situation rather than to local causes?

No, Sir. The sole object of sending reinforcements to Palestine was, as I thought I made clear when speaking on the Supplementary Estimate for the Colonial and Middle Eastern Services on 22nd February, to deal with the local disturbances, and no other motives entered into the decision of His Majesty's Government to reinforce the garrison of Palestine last September.

As something in excess of £1,000,000 is clearly a heavy burden for Palestine to bear, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the international situation at that moment also had an effect upon the sending of the number of troops that were required in Palestine to quell the riots?

That is a matter of opinion. I have told the hon. Gentleman my opinion as to the object.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, before apportioning the total cost of the arms and forces that we sent to Palestine, have the question reconsidered in the light of the possible implications of the international situation at the moment?

It is not a question of the total cost to Palestine, but the difference between the cost of maintaining the troops in other garrisons and the cost of their maintenance in Palestine.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Izzed Din Shawa and Rashad Shawa, district officers in the Palestine civil service who were dismissed from the service, were dismissed on account of political activities during the recent disturbances; and, if so, why the report of the Royal Commission was not awaited before taking such a decision in regard to Government officials?

These two men were appointed temporarily on probation as cadet district officers. Izzed Din Shawa has not been dismissed and is still in the service, although his appointment has not yet been confirmed. Rashad Shawa's appointment was terminated by three months' notice which expired on 13th January. He was known to have extreme political views, but quite apart from this fact he was found generally unsuitable for the post. The second part of the question does not appear to arise.

Is it not clear that a similar attitude has been adopted towards these officials in Palestine as that which was adopted towards the dismissed dockyard workers in this country?

That is not a matter which arises out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the total amount of money provided for education in Palestine during the next 12 months, and the amounts spent each year since 1921?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in many areas in Palestine the people have to bear the cost of education? Can he not make representations to see that the Government bear the full responsibility of education in Palestine?

The hon. Member will see from the figures for which he has asked that there has been a continuous rise every year since 1921 in the amount of money found by the Palestine Government for education.

In view of the money that is spent on education, is it not necessary to see what they are teaching the people?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the amount of money that the Government of Palestine intend spending during the next 12 months on roads and bridges, respectively, and the amounts spent each year since 1921?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in a large number of areas in Palestine the roads and bridges are in a deplorable state, and that when representations are made even for the smallest amount to be spent on bridges, which I myself saw are in a dangerous condition, no replies are made to the complaints that are being continually made?

I would point out that in the figures for which the hon. Member has asked the amount of money spent on roads in 1935–36 was more than double the amount spent in any particular year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that most of the money spent on roads is necessitated for military purposes?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government of Palestine to introduce any measures of social reform, such as unemployment and health insurance, children's clinics, etc., for general health improvement?

In 1932 the Labour Legislation Committee appointed by the High Commissioner for Palestine considered that the introduction of compulsory health insurance would be premature as large sections of the labouring population, especially Arabs, are ununorganised, and among them legislation of this kind would be inoperative. The Palestine Government is still of the opinion that any such measure should be deferred until its general success can be more definitely assured. Similar considerations apply to the question of compulsory unemployment insurance. The Palestine Government endeavours to arrange its public works programme to meet the needs of relief in the event of any section of the population suffering from unemployment. As regards public health, the Palestine Department of Health is providing for the expansion of existing special health services, such as maternity and child welfare, the teaching of hygiene, ophthalmic services, etc. Anti-malarial measures are maintained at a high level of efficiency, and apart from a very complete Jewish infant welfare service, to which the Government pays an annual subvention, there are 20 infant welfare centres maintained by Government, principally in towns, open to all communities, and 10 Government infant welfare clinics in purely Arab villages.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that unemployment and health insurance is largely borne by Jewish wage earners, and does he not think that it is a discreditable thing that the duties of the Government have to be shouldered by the working class section of the population out of their scanty wages?

I understand that Jewish workers' wages are higher than Arab wages. The question is whether the Government should apply compulsory health and unemployment insurance to the Arab people.

The working classes—

The hon. Member is giving information.

I am making suggestions.

The hon. Member must not make suggestions at Question Time.

I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will make representations to see that the catering of the social services is made in order to assist the Arabs, who are mostly in need of social reform.

I agree that the Arab population needs social reform. If the hon. Member has any suggestions to make, I should be glad if he would make them to me so that I can consider them, rather than putting questions in Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cattle raided from the Jewish colony of Mispah and carried off to the Lebanon can be recovered, or will compensation be paid?

I am not at present in a position to give the information requested by the right hon. Gentleman, but I am asking the officer administering the Government of Palestine for a report.

asked the Prime Minister whether vacancies at present exist on the Imperial Shipping Committee; and, if so, when it is proposed to fill them?

The seat formerly occupied by the High Commissioner for Newfoundland is at present vacant, and so far occasion has not arisen for filling it.

Is not Newfoundland entitled to be represented as a Dominion?

I have answered the question. Perhaps if my hon. and gallant Friend has any further questions, he will give me notice of them.

asked the Prime Minister whether the statement by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence at Fareham, on 28th February, that our armed forces will never be used except in defence of undertakings we have given to protect, collectively, France, Belgium, or, on the other hand, Germany if anybody were to attack Germany, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government?

The question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is apparently based on an incomplete summary of the statement made by my right hon. Friend on the occasion in question. In his statement, my right hon. Friend based himself on the speech of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs at Leamington on 20th November, and summarised and in part quoted a passage from that speech which had been already quoted by me in the course of the Debate on 18th February last. That speech, as has already been stated, represents the policy of His Majesty's Government.

Is it not rather unfortunate that the House has to rely for these statements of public policy on speeches made at Leamington and other places in the country and not in this House?

I would remind the hon. Member that that speech was twice specifically quoted in this House.

Why was it not made originally in this House with the authority that should always attach to speeches made at that Box?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what arrangements have been made for the provision of specific essential requirements in the event of war of which there is no available supply in this country at the present time?

These arrangements vary in character according to the commodities concerned. They cover a wide field and are an essential part of the Defence plans.

Will it be possible to let one know exactly what arrangements have been made so that one can see whether there will be any chance for Special Areas manufacture?

If the hon. Lady will specify the particular commodity about which she wants information, I will see whether I can supply it.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will examine the electric furnace products for the purpose of ascertaining, in consultation with interested manufacturers, how far it would be practicable to manufacture these products which are not already manufactured here in the Special Areas?

As regards the various electric furnace products which are imported for defence purposes, close contact is being maintained with appropriate undertakings as to the possibility of manufacture in this country. The claims of Special Areas will, of course, not be overlooked.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider informing the House what arrangement has been made for the manufacture of these products?

I will consider that when I know what final arrangements have been made.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in the equipment of armament factories or in the enlargement of existing factories to execute Government orders, he will see that preference is given to British-made equipment?