asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information to give the House upon the political situation in India; and whether the Government propose to summon the provincial assemblies?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he has any statement to make regarding the position of affairs in India?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is in a position to make any statement on the position in India since 8th April?

I have been asked to reply. I have nothing to add to the statements previously made on this subject.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my question?

I have nothing further to add, but if the hon. Member has any specific point on which he would like to have an answer, perhaps he will put another question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the value of exports from India to Ceylon from the latest return, and what percentage of increase or decrease they represent over previous figures; and also similar figures as regards Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika?

I am circulating the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any plan for the evacuation of foreigners fighting in Spain on both sides has been agreed upon or is under discussion?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Spain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1)

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India the values of the exports from India from the latest returns, compared with the former ones, to this country, to the Dominions and to the Colonies?

I am circulating the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will my hon. Friend draw the Under-Secretary's attention to the fact that these figures have greatly increased over the previous ones, and that the exports to Ceylon from India are up and the figures from this country are down, and what steps does he propose to take to afford compensation for the loss of trade to this country?

I will convey that to my hon. Friend.

The House will perhaps forgive the rather unusual length of my reply. As the House is aware, the Government of Senor Largo Caballero has resigned and a new Government has been formed under Senor Negrin. At the same time, the Government in Catalonia have apparently succeeded in overcoming risings of Anarchists and Syndicalists, armed conflict with whom has, I regret to say, resulted in numerous casualties in Barcelona.

Can the Noble Lord say what replies have been received up to date with regard to the invitation to other Powers for the withdrawal of nationals?

I could not say to-day. They are gradually coming in, and must be considered together, as the hon. Member will understand.

With regard to the portion of the answer which refers to the frontier control system, are the Government or the Non-Intervention Committee considering some means of extending the observations of the control system to aircraft coming by air, in view of the widespread reports of aircraft continuously arriving from Germany to aid in the destruction of the Basque country?

I would like to have notice of that question. As the hon. Lady will be aware, this question is under constant consideration, and is one of the most difficult parts of the scheme.

What is the nature of the Government's proposal for the evacuation of foreign nationals in Spain?

It was not His Majesty's Government which submitted this proposal; it was submitted to the Committee by the Technical Sub-Committee, and, of course, is still before the committee and still confidential.

Has the Noble Lord's Department any specific information that aeroplanes have flown over to the insurgents since the non-intervention scheme came into operation?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question on the Paper.

If the Government are inquiring into the arrival of aircraft by air, will they also inquire into the arrival by sea in Portugal of aeroplanes which are flown into rebel territory?

I think the hon. Gentleman knows that all those aspects of the question are receiving careful consideration from the Non-Intervention Committee.

I understand the Noble Lord to say that the Government have asked both sides to cease bombing. Can he say whether the German aircraft and airmen are actually under the control of General Franco or under separate control?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that question down.

What is the position with regard to aeroplanes of either side, landing in France?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the activities of Mr. Cockburn in Madrid, who, although he is a British subject, is acting as agent for the Valencia Government in handling and censoring Press messages?

I have no information on this subject, but I am making inquiries.

Is my Noble Friend aware that this individual is a direct representative of the "Daily Worker" in Madrid?

Is the Minister aware that this man is the representative of the "Daily Worker" in Madrid and the best correspondent in Spain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a further statement with regard to the present position of the cargoes of the steamships "Fernando L de Ybara" and "Mar Baltico"?

I regret to say that since the answer given by my right hon. Friend to a question on this subject on 21st April last, His Majesty's Ambassador at Hendaye has been informed by the insurgent authorities that the cargo of the "Fernando L de Ybara" has been declared a prize of war and seized. So far as I know the decision applies also to the "Mar Baltico." Sir Henry Chilton has, on instruction from my right hon. Friend, protested vigorously to the insurgent authorities against this decision, pointing out that they had already officially agreed to hand over these cargoes to the British authorities. The case is also being taken up by the Commercial Secretary to His Majesty's Embassy, who is now in Salamanca. It will be pointed out to the insurgent authorities that His Majesty's Government take a grave view of this action on the part of the insurgent authorities and muss demand the cessation of such action and the immediate release of the cargoes in question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement with reference to the expulsion of British missionaries from Abyssinia?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement. The delay is due to the fact that the Italian Government have not yet replied to questions which His Majesty's Government have addressed to them on this subject. I cannot regard this delay as satisfactory, and the House may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will continue to press the matter urgently upon the attention of the Italian Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House with regard to the position of affairs in Abyssinia?

Since the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member on this subject on 19th January last, the Italian forces have further extended the area of their occupation in Abyssinia. Reliable information is difficult to obtain, but, broadly speaking, the position appears to be that the Italian Government are now in occupation of the whole of Abyssinia with the exception of a district in the south-west of the country lying to the west of Maji, and a small area between Beni Shangul and Gambeila adjoining the Sudan frontier.

Will the Noble Lord make clear what our Government's attitude is towards Abyssinia's connection with the League of Nations?

The hon. Member had better put that question down. This question refers to the position in Abyssinia and not to its connection with Geneva.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what replies he has received from the Japanese Government to his repeated representations on the subject of smuggling in North China?

In reply to the representations made to them by His Majesty's Government, the Japanese Government have consistently disclaimed any responsibility and have contended that Japan cannot prevent a practice which is principally due to unreasonably high Chinese tariffs and to defects of Chinese administration. His Majesty's Government have made it plain that they are unable to share the view which the Japanese Government take in this matter, though it may be that certain items in the Chinese tariff are unduly high. The matter will naturally be kept under close review.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet able to give any results of the appointment of the special commercial assistant to His Majesty's Ambassador in China?

I have been asked to reply. My hon. Friend refers to the recent appointment of Mr. W. M. Kirkpatrick as representative of the Export Credits Guarantee Department in China. His duties are to investigate proposals submitted for guarantee and to furnish the Department and its Advisory Committee with the necessary information on which they can base their decisions. His reports relate solely to transactions with exporters which the Department is pledged to treat in confidence, and in these circumstances I regret that I cannot make a detailed statement on the subject of his activities.

If it is not possible to make a detailed statement, can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not make a statement on the general effect?

I think my right hon. Friend will realise the difficulty of doing so at present. We must give Mr. Kirkpatrick a chance: he has not been in China very long and it is a very big country.

Is it the case that Mr. Kirkpatrick will be coming home shortly, as was stated by the President of the Board of Trade the other day?

I should like notice of that question. If my right hon. Friend did say so, it is sure to be right.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what subjects are to be discussed at the present Council meeting of the League of Nations; and whether any aspect of the situation in Spain will be considered either on the initiative of the British Government or otherwise?

As regards the first part of the question, the Council itself decides at the first meeting of each session what subjects are to be discussed in the course of the session. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the Spanish Government have requested that the question of intervention in Spain should again be discussed at the Council.

But is not the agenda in possession of the Government, and cannot my Noble Friend say, for instance, whether the question of Danzig, will be considered?

I have already explained that it is only decided at the first meeting of the Council what shall be discussed. Obviously, I cannot tell the hon. Gentleman to-day what the Council will decide to discuss.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the future of the pig rearing and bacon industry; and whether the views of all sections are being obtained so that the scheme may be comprehensive?

I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement regarding the future of the pig and bacon industries. I have, however, received the views of a number of bodies representative of these industries and these are receiving my consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to make a statement in the near future regarding the future of the pig industry; and does he not think that the present position amounts to a great betrayal of the whole pig industry?

In reply to the first part of the question, I shall make a statement at the earliest possible moment. In reply to the second part, I do not agree with the hon. Member's statement. He will realise that I have received from various bodies a great mass of advice, which is all good but, unfortunately, is not unanimous.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the position with regard to the maintenance of order in Palestine: when the report of the Royal Commission is expected; and whether he can give an assurance that no decision will be arrived at. by the Government until the House of Commons and British public opinion in general has had an opportunity of considering the recommendations?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Palestine?

I have just received from the High Commissioner for Palestine statistics of cases of serious crime in Palestine during each of the periods 1st January to 10th May, which show that there was a definite improvement in the situation during the month of April and that this improvement was maintained during the period from 1st to 10th May. The figures are as follow:

Will the Government consider the advisability of publishing the report before they come to their conclusions, in order to enable public opinion, in this House and outside, to express itself on the report?

No, I think it is clearly the responsibility of the Government to give a lead to the House, in any discussion, as to their views on the report of the Royal Commission.

In how many of these cases of assassination have the culprits been brought to justice; and does the right hon. Gentleman attribute the reduction in the number of cases in April to increased respect for law and order or to the effect of the law of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth"?

I think to the very energetic measures taken by the High Commissioner and the police, in co-operation with the military, for dealing with the situation. As regards the other part of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's question, I must have notice of it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that both the report and the comments of the Government will be available to the House in the middle of June?

As I made clear, we understand that Lord Peel and his colleagues hope to sign the report in the third week of June. It will then be presented to His Majesty—that is, the Cabinet will consider it. I hope there will be no delay in presenting both the report and the views of the Cabinet on the report together, as a White Paper to the House.

With regard to 196 prisoners who were on hunger strike at Acre, was this strike terminated by the release of the prisoners, according to the news given in the "Times" three or four days ago, or are they still under detention?

I understand some of them are still under detention. They were under preventive detention under the Prevention of Crime Order. Some of them, I believe, have been released.

That is why the strike is over—because the hunger strikers have been released?

Not necessarily.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any compensation will be or has been paid to the Jewish colony of Mitspa for the 98 head of cattle, their sole source of livelihood, stolen by Arabs and driven into Syria on 10th March last?

I have already communicated to the right hon. and gallant Member a report from the High Commissioner for Palestine which is too long to quote in this reply, describing the circumstances in which the cattle were stolen, the steps which were taken to trace the cattle and to capture the raiders, and the financial assistance which the Government has provided for the owners of the cattle. This assistance consists of a loan of £30 to each farmer with interest at 4 per cent. per annum, repayable over a maximum period of eight years, and it has been decided that if the District Commissioner of the Northern District is satisfied that the colony is financially incapable of meeting the interest charges in the first year, the collection of the first year's interest may be postponed and spread over the remaining seven years. The High Commissioner hopes that this will relieve the colonists of any undue hardship until they become self-supporting again.

In view of the fact that the right hon. Gentleman said that the only compensation given to these people who had had their sole means of livelihood taken from them was a loan of £30s at interest, may I ask whether a more liberal form of compensation for losses due to the lawlessness in Palestine will be provided?

As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, the whole question of compensation will have to be considered in due course, and I cannot prejudice the basis of anything of that kind by dealing with isolated cases. It is obviously a very big question. I understand from the High Commissioner that these particular colonists are not in effect entirely without means of livelihood.

Has not this question of compensation been discussed long enough, seeing that it started nearly a year ago?

It is quite obvious that it cannot be discussed properly until we know what the whole and final situation in Palestine is, and we cannot know that until we know what the report of the Royal Commission contains, and the consequences that follow from that report.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any statement to make as to the relations between this country and the Irish Free State?

A Bill containing the details of the new Constitution is now under discussion in the Irish Free State Dail. I understand that if this passes the Dail, it will be submitted subsequently to a vote of the Electorate of the Free State, and that it will not come into operation until the people of the Free State have approved it. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom are examining the Bill. On 6th May the Irish Free State High Commissioner in London informed my right hon. Friend that the Irish Free State Government had decided not to participate in the Imperial Conference.

Is it to be discussed even if the Irish Free State are not represented at the Imperial Conference, with a view to a settlement?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has any information to give the House as to the position of affairs in Newfoundland?

There have been no developments of importance since the report of the Commission of Government for the year 1936, Cmd. 5425, was presented to Parliament last month. My right hon. Friend is in correspondence with the Governor with regard to proposals for a long-range policy of economic reconstruction in the Island, to be pursued in combination with measures of more immediate effect, and a statement on the matter will be included in the Budget speech which will be made in Newfoundland towards the end of next month.

Have there not been communications from Newfoundland upon this subject, and have they not all been in the direction that the economic position of the people is considerably worse now than it has been at any time?

No; that would not be a correct statement of the position.

Will the Budget speech to which the Noble Lord referred be made available for Members of the House of Commons?

I think I can give that undertaking.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he has any statement to make as to the position of affairs in the mining industry arising out of the dispute at Harworth?

On the occasion of the Debate on the Mines Department Vote on 5th May I gave the House a full account of what had passed up to that date. I have held many meetings since then with all the parties concerned through which it is perhaps unnecessary for me to go in detail. On Friday last I invited all three parties involved in this dispute to meet me separately at the Mines Department, and I am pleased to inform the House that following separate discussions with them, a joint conference was held under my chairmanship that afternoon. At this conference all the parties accepted the principle of amalgamation of the Nottinghamshire and District Miners' Industrial Union and the Nottinghamshire Miners' Association, and it was agreed that meetings to discuss the terms of amalgamation should be held under a neutral chairman to be nominated by me. I nominated Mr. John Forster, who accepted the appointment, and the first meeting was held this morning.

Are we to understand that all the men at Harworth are to be reinstated?

If the House wishes to know the terms of the agreement to which I refer in this reply, it was set out at length in the speech that I made on 5th May.

Have the owners also agreed to abide by the arrangements come to between the two unions as to fusion?

I should say that the fact that the principle of amalgamation has been accepted by all parties covers that.

Can my hon. and gallant Friend give any reason for the better understanding and feeling in this dispute?

No, I do not think I can do that, except to say that there has been a genuine desire on the part of all parties to the dispute to make a response to the appeal which the Prime Minister made in this House, and also I might add to that a reference to the admirable conciliation work of the officers of my Department.

Are we to understand that only 300 men are to get employment and that the other 600 are to be left without?

That has been dealt with in the reply.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any factories have opened on the Team Valley trading estate; and how many workpeople are engaged?

On 20th May one factory on the Team Valley Trading Estate was occupied by the tenant, but manufacturing production had not begun. It is expected that six further factories will be ready for occupation by tenants by the end of the month.

How many workpeople are likely to be engaged as a result of the operation of this estate? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that it is now rather more than 18 months since the scheme was started?

I am aware that the scheme has been started some time, and I consider that admirable progress has been made. With regard to the number of employes, I am afraid that it is not possible to say.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman regard the construction of one factory in regard to which it is not possible to say how many workpeople are to be employed, as admirable?

Certainly, because the layout of the trading estate, the erection of railway sidings, and the construction of roads and buildings necessarily take a considerable time.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the intentions of His Majesty's Government with regard to the recommendations of the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee that the salary limit for unemployment insurance for non-manual workers should be raised from £250 to £400 per annum?

No, Sir. A decision on this matter has not yet been reached.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman give any idea when a decision will be reached in view of the fact that it is now something like 18 months since the Statutory Committee reported?

No, I should not like to give an undertaking.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to give the terms of reference and the personnel of the Inter-departmental Committee on Abortion, the decision to appoint which by the Secretary of State for the Home Department and himself was announced when the recent report on maternal mortality was issued?

Yes, Sir. The terms of reference of the committee are:

"To inquire into the prevalence of abortion, and the present law relating thereto, and to consider what steps can be taken by more effective enforcement of the law or otherwise to secure the reduction of maternal mortality and morbidity arising from this cause."

• Mr. Norman Birkett, K.C. (Chairman).
• Mrs. Stanley Baldwin.
• Lady Ruth Balfour.
• Sir Comyns Berkeley.
• Mr. H. A. de Montmorency.
• Dr. T. Watts Eden.
• Lady Forber.
• Sir Rollo Graham-Campbell.
• Dr. G. C. M. M'Gonigle.
• Sir Ewen Maclean.
• Captain M. P. Pugh.
• Mr. W. Bentley Purchase.
• Mr. C. D. C. Robinson.
• Mrs. Thurtle.
• Lady Williams.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, when the regulations are enforced with regard to the testing of brakes of motor-cars by the police and traffic officials, no opposition will be offered to the owner of a motor-car calling expert rebutting evidence in the courts; and whether he will give an assurance that prosecutions will not be instituted based upon the evidence of one policeman or traffic official?

It will, of course, be open to the owner of a motor vehicle to call any witnesses he thinks fit, if in the opinion of the court the evidence which the witness can give is relevant and admissible. The question whether the evidence of more than one police officer will be available depends on the circumstances in which the alleged offence comes to the notice of the police, and my right hon. Friend cannot give the assurance asked for in the second part of the question. As regards traffic officials, questions should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.

Can brakes be tested without the knowledge of the owner of the car?

My right hon. Friend has given an undertaking in response to representations by Members of this House that, in regard to garages, he is advising chief officers of police not to undertake such an examination, save in most exceptional circumstances, without notifying the owner of the vehicle as well as the owner of the premises.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the apportionment of the cost of air raid precautions between the Government and local authorities?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to a number of questions on the subject on 8th April.

Will my hon. Friend endeavour to give the House some indication when he expects to make an announcement?

I hope at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary the number of additional motor fire-extinguishing pumps that have been ordered by fire brigade authorities since they were circularised on the need to make some extra provision for a possible national emergency?

I regret that this information is not available. The hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the Government have undertaken to provide in kind motor fire pumps up to a number sufficient to cover a substantial proportion of the local authorities' requirements under their approved local emergency fire brigade schemes. These schemes are for the most part still in preparation.

asked the Home Secretary (1) what steps have been taken to lessen, in the event of aerial attack, the dangers likely to arise from large bulk petrol storage in dock and manufacturing areas which are of vital importance in any scheme of national defence;

I would refer the hon. Member to an answer given on this subject by the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence on 24th February last.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give the House some assurance that it is the continued intention of the Government to keep money cheap by various methods and, at the same time, what safeguards are to he employed to prevent speculation?

I would refer my hon. Friend, as regards the first part of the question, to the reply which I gave him on 12th April last, and, as regards the second part of the question, to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle-upon-Tyne (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 6th May.

Is it not possible to have some information on this all-important subject at a fairly early date; and does not the House think it would be better if more Members took an interest in what was going on in the country?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will look at the answer to which I refer, and if it does not satisfy him I hope that he will not hesitate to put down another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can assure the House that the Government have safeguards to prevent a sudden and uncontrolled rise in money rates; and what steps are being taken to maintain a free money market and provide a constant check to uncontrolled rises in money rates?

My right hon. Friend does not share my hon. Friend's fears as to the possibility of a sudden and uncontrolled rise in money rates, and he has no reason to suppose that the situation is such as to need any exceptional precautions at the present time.

May I ask the Minister whether he will bear in mind that I will return to the charge?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any estimate of the number of companies and firms whose accounts may be affected by the National Defence Contribution, and of the average cost likely to be incurred by such companies and firms in ascertaining their liability to assessment?

It is anticipated that the number of concerns that will be liable to pay the National Defence Contribution will be in the neighbourhood of 35,00o. As regards the last part of the question the material necessary to frame an estimate is not available.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the decline in industrial production following the completion of the armaments programme, the Government have any plan in contemplation for dealing with the situation?

I have been asked to reply. While it is true that armament expenditure is now adding materially to the volume of orders, the present prosperity is due in the main to deeper causes, and the Government will continue to work for its maintenance as they have worked in the past for its development. All aspects of the matter, including that suggested in the question, are being given continuous study.

Does that reply indicate that the Government have no plan?

The hon. Member must not assume that the present Government are as barren of ideas as a certain previous administration was.

Is the increased Poor Law relief in Scotland a sample of the Government's prosperity plan?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House on the international situation?

I have no general statement to make.