asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the association of Italy with the German-Japanese Anti-Comintern Pact?

My hon. Friend will, no doubt, have seen in the public press the text of the agreement concluded since he gave notice of his question, and providing for the accession of Italy to the agreement concluded between the German and Japanese Governments on 25th November, 1936, against the Communist International. For the convenience of the House I am arranging to have it circulated in the official record as my reply to the hon. Member's question.

What are the Noble Lord's views about this association?

I do not think I am called upon to express the Government's views on an agreement which has been reached between three other countries.

Are we to understand that the Government so far have not made up their mind?

Arising out of the original reply, may I ask the Under-Secretary whether the agreement is in fact against the Communist International and not against Communism generally?

I think that question should be addressed to the German, Italian and Japanese Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, arising ow: of the recent firing by Japanese aeroplanes on three British Embassy cars, it is now the practice for the Japanese military authorities to be notified of the movements of British subjects by car in China?

As regards British subjects in general, there is no such practice. Arising out of the shooting of Sir H. Knatchbull-Hugessen, however, it was decided to notify to the Japanese authorities, where possible, the intention of His Majesty's officials in China to enter a danger zone. The absence, however, of such a notification would not of course absolve the Japanese Government from responsibility for any unlawful hurt or damage committed by their forces in China.

Would not the proper course be for the Japanese to cease bombing a country with whom they are not at war?

Has the Japanese Government made any payment by way of compensation to Sir Hughe?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will inform the House of the contents of the latest reports he has received from His Majesty's representatives in China as to the general situation at present in that country?

I would refer the hon. Member to recent statements on the situation in the Far East by my right hon. Friend in this House, to which I have at present nothing to add. If, however, the hon. Member desires information on any specific point, my right hon. Friend will do his best to provide it.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether the nationalists and rebels are really united?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries are in arrears at the present time, and to what extent, in their contributions towards the expenses of the Non-Intervention Board; and whether any countries have given notice of their intention to cease contributing?

I understand that it is contrary to the practice of the Non-Intervention Committee to furnish to any Government detailed particulars regarding the payments into the fund made by the. various participating countries. But I am informed that, as regards the majority of the countries, there are substantially no arrears due. As regards the second part of the question, the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics has, I understand, intimated that it does not propose to make the payment due on 8th October last or further payments until agreement has been reached for restoring and strengthening the observation scheme.

Is it really worth while any country paying this contribution? Can the Noble Lord say which countries are covered by the first part of his statement?

I will repeat what I have said in the answer. It is contrary to the practice of the Non-Intervention Committee to furnish any Government with detailed particulars. As to the payments into the fund, I can give the hon. Member the assurance that as regards the majority of the countries, there are substantially no arrears due.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government is demanding compensation from the administration of General Franco for the detention of British ships conducting legitimate trade with Government Spain?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the total amount of claims outstanding against General Franco in respect of compensation for attacks on or damage to British ships; and what is the present state of the negotiations regarding these claims?

A considerable number of ships have been seized and unlawfully detained, and a few have been damaged or sunk, as the result of attacks by the Salamanca authorities. In addition, various British-owned cargoes carried in foreign ships have been unlawfully seized and detained. In all these cases His Majesty's Government have protested against the action of the Salamanca authorities and have reserved the right to claim damages, but have not yet presented any claims in detail, and His Majesty's Government are not at present in a position to state what the amount of these claims is.

Has the Under-Secretary made is clear that these are acts of piracy and that the fullest compensation will be demanded from the Salamanca authorities?

I have already said that we reserve the right to demand compensation, and by compensation I mean full compensation.

But has it been made clear that we regard them as acts of piracy?

Is it the case that the Foreign Office has before it at the present moment a claim of £61,000 from one firm of shipowners alone, and can the Noble Lord say what is being done in respect of that claim?

I should like to have notice of the details of a claim. I understand the general practice in the case of hostilities is that arrangements are made for a settlement at the end of the conflict. I understand that has been the universal practice in the past.

What will happen if General Franco files his petition?

Can the Noble Lord say by what method compensation is exacted from a Government which you do not recognise?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information regarding the number of Italian troops that have reached or left Spain since 1st October of this year?

I have been in touch with the Non-Intervention Board, and I understand that certain reports alleging that Italian troops have reached or left Spain since 1st October have been investigated, but that the Board has no confirmation.

Does that mean that no troops have arrived in Spain?

it means exactly what it says. It means that the Board have no confirmation of such rumours.

Is it not the case that the Board have never had any confirmation of the arrival of Italian troops in Spain, which we know are there?

That appears to be an extension of the previous question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in the course of his inquiries into the case of the "Jean Weems," he has ascertained whether the attack on the vessel was deliberate or accidental?

There can be no doubt that the attack was deliberate in the sense that the dropping of bombs on the ship was a deliberate action. From my information it was, however, undertaken under the impression that the vessel was carrying armaments.

Do the Government accept as a legitimate explanation that an aeroplane believes that a ship is carrying arms; and even if it were, is it a justification for sinking a ship on the high seas?

No, we do not regard it as legitimate.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the captain of the British steamer "Jean Weems," sunk by bombs from an aeroplane when 60 miles off the coast of Spain, has stated that the Union Jack was prominently displayed on the deck of his vessel at the time of the attack; and what steps he proposes to take to protect British ships in the future?

According to my information the "Jean Weems" was 15 miles from the coast when the attack took place. Reports received by my right hon. Friend do not specify that the Union Jack was displayed on deck at the time. With regard to the last part of the question, I would invite the hon. Member's attention to the statement made by my right hon. Friend in reply to a question put to him on 1st November by the right lion. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition in which my right hon. Friend referred to the consideration of future arrangements for strengthening the measures against air attack now in force under the Nyon Agreement. This consideration is being urgently pursued with the French Government. His Majesty's Government have also, as the House is aware, required assurances from the Salamanca authorities regarding the future.

Is the Noble Lord aware that the captain of the "Jean Weems" has now arrived in this country and has made a statement with regard to the sinking of that ship, in which he says; "We were flying the Red Ensign and the non—intervention emblem, and we had the Union jack painted on the poop and the deck house. When the aeroplane first flew over the ship she saw the whole of that, but despite that she returned and sunk the ship when she was 53 miles from Barcelona"?

I am not disputing the statement about the Union Jack. I am merely saying the the reports we have received do not specify that particular fact. As regards the distance, we have been carefully investigating it. Our report says 15 miles from the shore. That is not a point of principle, although it is a point of fact. It makes no real difference.

Will the Noble Lord consult the captain as to the exact position of the ship when she was sunk and take definite steps to protect British seamen in such circumstances?

Yes, but I am pointing out that whether it is 15 or 60 miles from the coast, it is outside territorial waters.

Can the Noble Lord explain why there has been a change in the phraseology of the Foreign Office, which now refers to the Salamanca authorities, whereas formerly it referred to the insurgent authorities?

Is it not very dangerous for our ships to fly the Union Jack, in view of the fact that it is the one flag which pirates seem to think they can attack with impunity?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make representations to the Government of the Union of South Africa flat, in return for the concession of recruitment of labour for the Rand from British Colonial territories, that Government should ratify the International Labour Office convention on the recruitment of Native labour?

No, Sir. The question of the ratification of the Convention in respect of the Union of South Africa is entirely a matter for His Majesty's Government in the Union.

In view of the fact that the Government are now issuing licences for recruitment in certain British Colonial territories for work in the Union, will not the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Union that this Convention should be ratified before the labour is supplied?

I have no constitutional position under the Statute of Westminster to communicate in any way with the Government of the Union of South Africa. This is entirely a matter for the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, to whom such questions should be addressed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to his right hon. Friend?

No. This is entirely a matter for him, and if the hon. Member will put a question to my right hon. Friend, he will no doubt answer for that for which he is responsible.

Before further licences are granted for recruitment for the Rand, will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that the Union of South Africa have not ratified the International Labour Office Convention?

I have already made my opinion quite clear on that in answer to many previous questions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the committee on nutrition set up in Jamaica is expected to report soon; and, if not, whether, in view of the importance of the subject, its interim report will be published?

I have not the information asked for; but I will make inquiry of the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what is the present position in Trinidad;

I am glad to say that there have been no further disturbances in Trinidad. Recently a strike occurred at a sugar factory, but it came to an end early and without disorder. Nevertheless, a considerable amount of tension exists, and may be expected to continue pending the publication of the Commission's report. In this connection I would invite reference to the announcement made by the Governor on 2nd November, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House. From this it will be seen that the duration of the stay of the troops will depend upon circumstances. I do not feel able to lay down precise conditions precedent to their withdrawal.

Has the right hon. Gentleman heard anything of a charge of incitement to disaffection made by the Governor against a member of the Legislative Council?

No, I have not.

When is the Commission expected to report?

Two members of the Commission have now returned to this country, and the third is on his way. They have made considerable headway with the preparation of the report, and I expect it some time next month.

Can we have an undertaking from the Government that the presence of British troops there is not being used to overawe people who are making a perfectly legitimate protest against low wages?

It has nothing to do with that. The hon. Lady will remember that there was, in connection with an industrial dispute, very serious loss of life and acts of violence, including the burning of a police office, and it is felt by the Government that that is not the right way to conduct industrial negotiations and that it is essential to prevent sabotage and violence.

But is anything being done to improve the low wages as well as to prevent acts of violence?

Yes a Commission of Inquiry has been out, and will make proposals.

How is it that when there is trouble of this kind and when a person on one side is killed it is always murder, but if a worker is killed it is not murder?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the plight of the 30,000 to 40,000 Assyrian Christians in Iraq; and whether he will consider their settlement in some place in Africa under British protection?

I have nothing to add to the full reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a question by the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie) on 4th November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the colony of Hong Kong; what is the decline in trade; what are the numbers of persons who have taken refuge in the island; how these are being maintained; and what is the financial position of the Government and the economic position of the community at the present time?

My hon. Friend's question is a very comprehensive one, and if he would be so good as to repeat it next week as a non—oral question I shall be in a position to give him a detailed reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give information as to the scope of the inquiries to be made by Major Orde-Browne in Northern Rhodesia; and whether he will be empowered to make recommendations for dealing with the question of natives working at some distance from their homes, either within the territory or outside it, in order to prevent the continuance of evils such as those described in the Report on Migrant Labour in Nyasaland?

Under the terms of the appointment of the commission of which he is chairman, Major Orde-Browne will be empowered to investigate the labour problem in all its aspects.

Does that include the conditions of employment of white labour?

Major Orde-Browne is an experienced officer, and will deal primarily with the question of native labour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with a view to preventing the possibility of anti-British propaganda among the East and Central African natives, he will consider the subsidisation of a more powerful broadcasting station at Nairobi with the object of disseminating British news?

The Empire news broadcasts from Daventry are well received throughout East Africa and are considered adequate in present circumstances. The possibility of establishing and developing further local broadcasting services somewhere in East Africa is being examined by the various Governments concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the urgent need for the formation of dams or reservoirs in Cyprus to store the heavy winter rains for the irrigation of the great agricultural plain during the six dry summer months; and whether steps will be taken as soon as possible to deal with this urgent matter?

I fully share my hon. Friend's opinion of the importance of water supplies to Cyprus. Technical investigation has already been made, and last year a grant of 30,000 from the Colonial Development Fund was approved, which will enable an engineer to carry out further investigations as to the best means of developing water supplies. There are great difficulties about the method of using dams and reservoirs, but the present investigation will show whether any development in that direction is in fact feasible.

Can my right hon. Friend say when the investigation will be completed and when he will be likely to get his report from the engineer?

He is there now. So many of the mountains in that part of the world consist of porous strata and will not hold water.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the criticisms of the situation in the Lupa goldfields which were made by the Permanent Mandates Commission, he will take steps to ensure that in future no persons shall be allowed to undertake mining in the area unless they hold a minimum amount of capital such as would enable them to cover their wage liabilities, and that a stricter use shall be made by the board of control of its powers to expel undesirable employers?

Early this year the Government of Tanganyika considered the possibility of introducing a system whereby holders of prospecting licences in the Lupa area would be required to make deposits to cover wage liabilities, but it was decided that such a system would be quite impracticable. I am, however, asking the Governor whether the Government proposes to give further consideration to the matter in the light of the criticisms to which the hon. Member refers. As regards the second part of the question, the Tanganyika Government has impressed on the Control Board the importance of its taking resolute action to expel undesirable persons from the goldfield where this is necessary in the public interest.

asked the Prime Minister what further steps he proposes to take to meet the increased cost of living in its relation to the unemployed persons who are dependent on insurance benefits or unemployment assistance allowances, or upon old age, widows' and orphans' pensions; and, in view of the fact that the increased cost of living increases distress and want among these persons who previously had no surplus for food, clothing, heating, and rent, will he give this House an early opportunity of discussing the necessity of increasing all these allowances to avoid a further impairment of their health and well-being?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour has replied recently to a number of questions on the subject of unemployment benefit and unemployment assistance in relation to the cost of living, and has indicated certain action which the Unemployment Assistance Board are taking. I would refer in particular to the replies given by him to the hon. Members for Doncaster (Mr. Short) and Llanelly (Mr. j. Griffiths) on 21st October, and to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 28th October. My right hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary has replied to analogous questions as regards pensions, in particular on 28th October, to my hon. Friend the Member for West Leeds (Mr. V. Adams). As regards the last part of the question, in view of the discussion which took place within the last few days in the Debate on the Address and the references to this subject then made by my right hon. Friends the Home Secretary and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, I do not think there is any ground for making arrangements for a further discussion.

Is the Prime Minister perfectly satisfied with all the questions he has heard put across the Floor backing up the statement I have made in this question, and is he satisfied that he is doing his job correctly in allowing conditions to remain as they are [HON. MEMBERS: Order! "] On a point of Order. Owing to the reply being so unsatisfactory I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity with the Prime Minister and nobody else.

May I put a supplementary question?

The hon. Member has given notice to raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in considering air—raid precautions, attention has been directed to the greater visibility from the air at night of light-coloured roads compared with dark—coloured roads; and whether he will discuss with other Departments of His Majesty's Government the best methods of darkening the surface of arterial roads in case of emergency?

The point has not been overlooked in connection with the choice of suitable road materials.

May we have the answer repeated in view of the noise up here?

We cannot have every question repeated. If hon. Members do not remain quiet, I cannot keep them quiet. [Interruption.]

Attention is paid to foreign affairs but not to the poor folk of this country.

If the hon. Member cannot behave himself, I shall ask him to leave the House.

I do not give a damn if you ask me to leave the House or not.

The hon. Member will withdraw.

I will not withdraw.

Then I must name the hon. Member for disregarding the authority of the Chair.

I beg to move, "That Mr. Kirkwood be suspended from the service of the House."

The hon. Member having—