asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the Brazilian Government that, whatever the terms may be upon which the Aranha-Boucas unilateral arrangement is to be renewed, the four times repeated repudiation of public contractual obligations has caused such losses to British creditors of Brazil as to nullify the benefit of British export trade to Brazil; and will he request full reinstatement of Brazilian debt services to British subjects?

As my hon. Friend was informed on 6th April last, the Council of Foreign Bondholders are in negotiation with the Brazilian Government in this matter. No request for assistance has been received from the Council by His Majesty's Government.

Cannot pressure in some direction be brought to bear?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that this is, in the first instance, a matter for the Council of Foreign Bondholders. His Majesty's Government are perfectly willing to give any help if it is asked for, but it has not been asked for.

Cannot the Government do something to improve the position?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many countries have reported to the League of Nations at Geneva that they, with Germany, recognise the Italian Empire of Abyssinia?

There is no obligation on members of the League of Nations to report any such decision to the League and so far as His Majesty's Government are aware, no State has yet communicated with the League in this sense.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs particulars of any information he has received from His Majesty's representative at Shanghai as to negotiations for payment for the consolidation of the unsecured and partially secured foreign obligations of China; and whether His Majesty's Minister has made it quite clear to the Chinese Government that any solution should provide for the payment in favour of all valid British claims at the earliest possible moment?

Settlements have been reached in all the negotiations relating to Chinese loans (secured, partially secured and unsecured) issued in London, on which defaults have occurred. I have no information regarding any negotiations which may be in progress for the settlement of defaults on other foreign obligations of China.

Are we to understand from that that there are no further outstanding loans?

So far as loans issued in London are concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any restrictions have been imposed by General Franco and the insurgent forces on British nationals and British commercial and industrial interests in the Basque area; and, if so, of what nature?

No, Sir.

Have we any commercial representative with General Franco with whom we may make a trade agreement when it is possible?

So far as Bilbao itself is concerned, a consular representative is on his way there now.

May we take it that no British mining interests more or less adjacent to Bilbao are affected, or likely to be affected?

The hon. Member will, no doubt, have seen a statement in the Press from Salamanca, to that effect.

Will the Government take steps to see that supplies of iron ore from the Basque territory will he available to this country in the future as in the past?

That is exactly the point with which the statement deals.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he possesses, or will secure, information respecting the approximate number killed, wounded, and taken prisoner by both the insurgents and the Spanish Government in Spain since the beginning of hostilities?

As indicated in the reply given to the hon. Member on 3rd March last, there is no reliable information available on this subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to secure some information: Surely that would be most valuable as showing the results of modern warfare?

If no casualty lists are issued by either side, it is not possible for me to issue them.

Will foreigners in that total be in a majority?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take steps to ascertain and publish the nature and extent of foreign assistance in men and material at the disposal of each side in Spain?

As I have previously explained, no means exist of obtaining an accurate estimate.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no ships have left Odessa laden with munitions of war since the signing by Russia of the Non-Intervention Agreement?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will instruct the British Ambassador in Rome to ask for an elucidation of the public statement by the head of the Italian Government that Italy has not been neutral in Spain but has fought and that victory will be hers, observing that this utterance appears to be inconsistent with Italy's participation in the work of the Non-Intervention Committee?

His Majesty's Government are not aware of any official statement that such is the attitude of the Italian Government upon which formal representations could be based.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to this public utterance?

As far as I am aware, there is no official statement on which I can make representations.

Does not Signor Mussolini speak as head of the Italian Government?

When has a statement to be issued, and in what form, to induce the Foreign Secretary to take any notice of it if he does not want to?

The hon. Lady will perhaps agree, that, if intervention was confined to newspaper articles, we should get on much better than we do.

Will my right hon. Friend instruct the British Ambassador in Rome to inform the Italian Government that public opinion in this country is in no way represented by the hostile antics of the Opposition?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give the House concerning the note presented by the Portuguese Ambassador on 26th June?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the control scheme is operating effectively in Portugal; and whether the Portuguese Government is giving the agreed facilities to the duly appointed observers?

The Portuguese Government have informed His Majesty's Government that, in view of the gap in the work of naval observation caused by the withdrawal of Germany and Italy from the naval patrol, they must reserve the right to withdraw from the scheme of observation at sea in the event of the continuance of the present circumstances, and that they have decided to suspend for the time being the facilities granted to His Majesty's Embassy at Lisbon for the purpose of carrying out the scheme of observation on the Portuguese-Spanish frontier. Pending the consideration of the working of the naval patrol by the Non-Intervention Committee, however, the Portuguese Government will continue to observe their engagements in regard to the export of arms from, or in transit through, Portugal to Spain and in regard to Portuguese merchant ships proceeding to Spanish ports. The necessary decrees to give effect to these engagements remain in force. His Majesty's Government have made it clear to the Portuguese Government that they regret the decision, and, in reply, have been given to understand that, if general assent is obtained in principle in the Non-Intervention Committee for a plan for the re-establishment of maritime control, the Portuguese Government will consider the prompt resumption of their duties by the observers. In the meantime, the latter remain at their posts along the frontier, and would be able to resume their duties at the shortest notice.

What is the precise purpose of depriving these observers of the right to perform their duties if the Portuguese Government asserts that it intends to prevent the passage of arms?

That is why I regret this decision. I think myself it would have been better if the observers had continued to function until we know, as we must in the next day or two, whether this gap will be closed or not.

That is not exactly the question I asked. What grounds did the Portuguese Government give for forbidding the observers to function?

The ground they gave was the gap in the scheme.

Are the observers to remain on the spot in the meantime?

I understand that is so.

Does the assurance of the Portuguese Government include volunteers?

Yes, Sir.

Is not this step by the Portuguese Government quite unjustifiable, and only dictated by a desire to frustrate the work of the Committee?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Governments of Germany and Italy have yet agreed to the scheme for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain prepared by the Non-Intervention Committee?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on 21st June. I understand that the Non-Intervention Committee had under consideration yesterday the report of the technical Sub-Committee and the additional proposals which His Majesty's Government had themselves made on this subject, and that a further suggestion was put forward by the French representative with a view to the immediate withdrawal of all non-Spanish prisoners of war or wounded. These proposals are still under consideration and will be on the agenda for the Committee's next meeting on Friday.

Is it not perfectly clear that the Germans and Italians are determined that the non-intervention scheme shall not work?

They have said so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Germany and Italy remain associated with that part of the commission of control scheme which provides for international observers on board merchant vessels and at the Spanish frontiers?

As the House is aware, all observing officers of German and Italian nationality have withdrawn from service under the scheme. I understand, however, that German and Italian ships are continuing to comply with the procedure laid down under the scheme of observation of the Spanish coasts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information concerning the reported sinking by torpedo of the Spanish merchant ship "Cabo Palos"; and whether, according to his information, the insurgent forces are in possession of any submarines?

From such information as is at present available it is not possible to establish definitely whether the vessel in question was sunk by a torpedo or by a mine, I understand that General Franco's forces possess some submarines.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the statement by the Diplomatic Correspondent of the "Times" on the 23rd instant that General Franco has no submarines:?

Our information is that he has some submarines.

Is not the right. hon. Gentleman aware that somewhere a voice is calling "Britannia rules the waves: get rid of the Spanish obsession before we are all in our graves"?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many ships flying the British, Spanish, or other flags and engaged on evacuating refugees from Santander have received the protection of His Majesty's ships?

The only ship evacuating refugees from Santander to receive British naval protection has been the British steamship "Marian Moller."

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the steps which have been taken to mainatin the effectiveness of the naval control off the coast of Spain following the withdrawal of the German and Italian Governments?

The position in regard to the scheme of observation at sea was considered yesterday by the Chairman's Sub- committee of the Non-Intervention Committee. As the House is no doubt already aware from the communiqué which was published after the meeting, the United Kingdom representative outlined certain proposals for reconstituting the Naval Observation Scheme, which the United Kingdom and French Governments had agreed to submit to the committee. Under these proposals the United Kingdom and French Governments are prepared to assume responsibility for the operation of the naval observation scheme in respect of the whole of the coasts of Spain, and have agreed in principle to the appointment of neutral observers to be stationed on the patrol ships. The two Governments are agreed that the United Kingdom Government should be responsible for the naval observation of those parts of the coast of Spain now in the hands of the Spanish Government, and that the two Governments should share responsibility for the observation of those parts of the coast now in the hands of General Franco on a basis to be arranged between the two Governments. By far the greater part of the last named coasts would inevitably require to be included in the French zone.

Did either the German or Italian Government put forward alternative proposals to those put forward by His Majesty's Government?

No, Sir, but I understand that they have been asked to do so.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make any further statement with regard to the evacuation of refugees from Santander?

Since the reply which I gave on this subject to a question asked by the right hon. Gentleman yesterday, I have been in repeated communication with the French Government with regard to the reception of further refugees in France and the setting up of the necessary measures of control, and have represented to them the urgent nature of the problem. I have again been in communication with the French Ambassador this morning, and I understand from him that the French Government have this question under most urgent consideration and hope to be able to transmit proposals to His ' Majesty's Government this afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any date has been fixed for the postponed visit to London by the German Foreign Secretary?

No, Sir.

Is the House to understand that the visit is cancelled or merely postponed?

I think the German Government said at the time that it was postponed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the German Press stated—

The right hon. Gentleman is not responsible for the German Press.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to lay proposals before Parliament for the ratification of the London Naval Treaty?

Ratification has been delayed pending the conclusion of the naval negotiations which have been proceeding with Germany and Soviet Russia. It is, however, the hope of His Majesty's Government that it may be possible to proceed with the ratification of the London Naval Treaty at an early date.

Has this Treaty been ratified by any other Government?

The United States.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the quantities of oil and motor spirit produced from Scottish shale used by the vessels of His Majesty's Navy during the years 1934, 1935, and 1936, respectively; and whether it is his policy to extend the use of this home product?

Roughly 50,000 gallons of light products derived from Scottish shale were purchased in each of the three years mentioned by the' hon. Member for use by the Royal Navy. The exact quantity cannot be ascertained because one of these products—namely, petroleum spirit—is refined from both shale oil and imported petroleum in unknown proportions. It is the policy of the Admiralty to extend the use of home products, but the possibility of increasing the purchases from the Scottish shale industry is limited by the fact that owing to the better prices obtainable for other products, the industry is not now making any fuel oil.

Does the First Lord realise that the answer he has given involves a correction of a statement he made in reply to a question a few days ago where he did not indicate that any oil for the Navy came from Scottish shale deposits?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the conditions governing the licences issued in respect to recruitment for the mines in the Union of South Africa so far as such licences relate to Africans recruited from territories north of latitude 22× S.?

No licence has yet been issued for recruitment in Northern Rhodesia, but about 1,300 Barotse natives have been allowed as an experiment to proceed to a recruiting station established just outside the Northern Rhodesia border, and to be engaged for work on the Rand under the usual twelve months contract of the Witwatersrand Native Labour Association. In Nyasaland, as I have stated in reply to previous questions, the London and Blantyre Company were granted a licence in September, 1935, under Section 25 of the Nyasaland Employment of Natives Ordinance to recruit up to 2,000 Nyasaland natives (later raised to 4,000) for work on the Rand. They undertook to enter into contracts with such natives whereby the interests of the natives are fully safeguarded in such matters as food, clothing and transport on the journey, payment of hut tax, deferred pay (if the natives agreed) and return to Nyasaland at the end of the term of engagement. A full report on the results of this experiment up to February, 1937, will be published shortly.

Will the Minister be good enough to let me have particulars of the conditions governing this employment and will he also make representations to the Government of South Africa that future supplies of labour should be conditioned by the application of the Native Recruitment Convention?

I replied the other day to a question on that very point, that I had made representations to the High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa here and to the Government of South Africa that the question of payment for the transport to and from Nyasaland is a very important one.

In view of the fact that some years ago when natives from tropical areas were engaged at these mines the death rate was very high, has the Colonial Secretary any reason to think that the situation has now changed and that the natives will not be subject to such a high death rate?

Yes, Sir, there is every reason for that. We have a great deal of new data, and the conditions obtaining now do not warrant that assumption. I dealt with that matter in the Debate the other day.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any report on this matter up to the present, and, if so, can it be made public?

I have just said that it is about to be made public.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies particulars of the number of prisoners that can be accommodated in the juvenile section of the new central gaol at Luzira, Uganda; and what reports have been received on the modified form of Borstal training that was introduced in Kenya?

The admissions of juvenile offenders and vagrants to Luzira Central Gaol during the years 1933–35 averaged 50 per annum. I understand that more extensive accommodation than is at present available is required. The whole question of the treatment of juvenile offenders is, however, under new consideration as a result of the recommendations made by a committee appointed by the Governor of Uganda to inquire into the prison policy and organisation in Uganda. In that report is is recommended that an approved school on Borstal lines should be established for juvenile offenders, with accommodation for 75 in the first instance. A report of the establishment of approved schools in Kenya in which some of the more outstanding methods of the Borstal system have been introduced is contained in the annual report of the Prisons Department of the Colony for the year 1935. I am arranging for a copy of the report to be placed in the Library of the House.

Can the Minister say whether separate sections have been set up for juvenile male and female offenders?

Not without notice.

Is the purpose of the report to ease juvenile crime in this particular area, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman send a copy of it to the superintendent of the Maryhill Division of Glasgow?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of establishing a wireless station at Cyprus to broadcast in the languages of Africa and the Middle East statements of fact with regard to the actions and policy of Great Britain?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Mr. Petherick) on 16th March, to which I have nothing to add.

Is it not very important that tendentious propaganda should be effectively answered in the interests of this country?

I am not as expert on propaganda as the hon. Member, but I am not at all sure whether the methods adopted by some of the other broadcasting stations are very advisable to follow.

Is it not a fact that we cannot have a wireless station there without asking Hitler and Mussolini for their consent?

Oh, no. At present we have a Government wireless station there.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the inability to identify the aeroplane which flew over London on the morning of Friday, 18th June, and the consequent uncertainty whether it was or was not a foreign machine, he will make regulations prohibiting the flying of aeroplanes, other than those of the Royal Air Force, over cities after 10 p.m. or after some other hour; and, in order to enforce such regulations, will he consider the advisability of consulting with the Home Secretary regarding the provision of facilities for the police for using aeroplanes?

My Noble Friend is advised that he has no legal power to make such regulations as the hon. Member suggests. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. My Noble Friend is, however, glad that publicity has been given to this matter and he is arranging for the attention of civil pilots to be drawn to the undesirability of indulging in unnecessary private flying over cities at a late hour.

Would it not be advisable to take legal powers, and would it not be a great advantage if the flying squad could actually fly?

The question of whether the flying squad should fly or not is a matter for the Home Secretary. With regard to the taking of legal power, probably there is general agreement that one does not want to have legislation involving restrictions unless the case is absolutely proved. Up to now the complaints have not been sufficient to justify that.

Have the Air Ministry any power to restrict the flying of aeroplanes advertising trade products?

As far as I am aware there is no difference in the case of such aeroplanes as compared with any other.

Is the Minister aware that it is a very frequent practice for aeroplanes to fly over London at night, and that there was flying going on last night between midnight and 1 a.m.?

Like the hon. and gallant Member, I was also up between those hours, and heard it.

asked the Attorney-General when the last meeting of the Advisory Committee of Durham City magistrates was held; and whether the two last appointments to the Advisory Committee, one of whom was appointed in 1933, have attended any meetings?

The Advisory Committee for the City of Durham has not been called together since 1932 because the number of Justices in the City of Durham is more than enough for the discharge of the magisterial duties. The two new members of this Committee who were appointed in January, 1933, and April, 1935, respectively, have, therefore, not been summoned to any meetings of the Advisory Committee.

Is it not the usual thing that in arrangements between the parties there should be a balance, and as these two men who have been nominated by the Lord Chancellor are miners' representatives is it fair that the bench should want to keep itself to itself and should refuse to accept advice from these two people? Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the same bench, or members of it, the other week were sufficient and strong- enough to give a man two months on his first appearance; and does he not think it is about time there was a new bench of magistrates?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I do not think he has quite understood the position. There has not been anything for the Advisory Committee to do because there are more than sufficient magistrates for the area, and as there was not anything for the committee to do, it would have been a waste of the members' time if they had been called together.

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman know that we object to cathedral and university opinion in the centre of a mining area?

Will the Attorney-General say who has authority, to call the Advisory Committee together, and who decides as to whether or not there is anything for the Advisory Committee to do?

I imagine it is the chairman.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware that there is a big demand in Durham City at the present time, and has been for some years, for some lady magistrates, and that the Advisory Committee has not even been called upon to discuss that matter?

I was not aware of that.

May I ask who is the chairman?

asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware that in a case tried at the last Cardiganshire Assizes, held at Lampeter, in which two defendants were convicted of conspiring to obtain money by false pretences, part of the evidence for the prosecution related to conversations carried on, and representations made, in Welsh, and that several of the witnesses, being Welsh-speaking, expressed their desire to give their evidence in Welsh; and whether he will inquire into the facts and consider what steps may be taken to see that Welsh-speaking witnesses are permitted to give their evidence in Welsh?

According to my information with regard to this case, it is inaccurate to suggest that Welsh-speaking witnesses were not permitted to give their evidence in Welsh. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Is it not a fact, according to what appeared in the Press, that they were not permitted to give their evidence in Welsh, although they requested to be allowed to do so, and is that in accordance with the policy laid down by the hon. and learned Gentleman in this House that Welsh-speaking witnesses should be allowed to give their evidence in their natural tongue?

There was some comment in the course of the trial, in the report which I saw, with regard to one witness, but it appeared that that witness had given his evidence in English in the police court, and the learned counsel when he called that witness expressed his respectful agreement with the line that the learned judge took with regard to that witness.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that to give evidence-in-chief in the English language is a very different thing from being cross-examined in it, and is he not aware that the witness did ask to be allowed to give evidence in Welsh? I am asking the hon. and learned Gentleman whether what happened was in accordance with the practice which he explained to the House?

From such reports as I have seen, there is no ground for believing that an interpreter was refused. I have read such reports as have been available for my information, and I do not think anything that took place in that trial is a proper basis for suggesting that the learned judge was not fully alive to the considerations which the hon. Gentleman has put, or that he did not give witnesses every chance to give their evidence properly.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the shortage of water in the village of Llanbedrog, Carnarvonshire, and the inconvenience and hardship caused to the inhabitants by the diversion of part of the water supply to the Penrhos aerodrome; and what steps it is proposed to take to remedy the present position?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the position. He has approved a scheme which will augment the Llanbedrog supply, and tenders are awaited for the execution of the necessary works.

How long will it be before work is commenced, as the matter is extremely urgent, seeing that the water supply has to be cut off for long hours every day and that the village depends upon visitors for its livelihood?

My right hon. Friend appreciates the urgency, and is doing his best to expedite the matter. I understand that the only outstanding matters now are the receipt of tenders and the talk with the consulting engineer on 6th July, on the design of filters.

asked the Minister of Health whether the Liverpool Port, Sanitary and Hospitals Committee have notified him of their intention to close two municipal day nurseries; whether he is aware that such action would be widely deplored and might lead to the mothers of the children having to relinquish necessary wage-earning employment in order to care for their children at home; and, to avoid causing these mothers to seek public assistance, will he take steps to investigate fully any contemplated reduction in day-nursery accommodation in Liverpool?

My right hon. Friend has not received any such notification from the city council. He will communicate with them and inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can now state how soon a telephone user will be able, in case of fire or other emergency, to indicate to the exchange, by dialling a special number, that the call is specially urgent?

I am glad to be able to inform the House that the necessary technical arrangements have now been completed so far as London is concerned, and that if a subscriber or call office user dials "999," a special signal indicating that the call must receive immediate attention will be given to the exchange operator. The "999" call may be made free of charge from a call office: I would strongly emphasise that the number "999" should be dialled only when the fire brigade, police or ambulance is needed in circumstances of real emergency, otherwise the whole purpose of the arrangement may be defeated. It will, until further experience has been gained, be operative in London only. It relates to all automatic exchanges in London save those few in the case of which the telephones do not bear letters as well as figures on the dial.

Can my hon. Friend also answer this: If a householder knows the actual number of the fire station, is it better to dial the fire station direct, or to dial "999"?

I have personally witnessed experiments with this particular signal call, and I should say that the person using the telephone would be wise to use the emergency number rather than the other number.

How would a lady with a burglar in the house remember to dial "999"? Why not have some sort of button on the telephone which could be pressed?

Our engineers have tried every kind of device, and have come to the conclusion that this is the best method of getting a sure direct call.