asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Committee on International Loans, which met at Geneva on 6th December, has made any recommendations with regard to future contracts for international loans issued by States which are members of the League of Nations?

I understand that the Committee on International Loan Contracts is not yet in a position to make its report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Italy has discharged her financial obligations as a member of the League of Nations up to nth December, 1937; and, if not, approximately what sum she owed at that date?

The answer to the first part of the question is. Yes, Sir. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, under the League of Nations scheme for technical collaboration with China in its campaign against epidemics, it is proposed to promote the formation in this country of one or more mobile units, as has been done in France?

Yes, Sir; the Secretary-General of the League of Nations is making arrangements for the formation of an English-speaking unit. I understand that Dr. R. C. Robertson, head of the Division of Pathology and Bacteriology at the Lester Institute of Medical Research, Shanghai, has accepted the post of epidemic commissioner and leader of the unit, and that the other members of the unit are in process of selection. The interested Departments of His Majesty's Government are giving all possible assistance to the Secretary-General and Dr. Robertson in the performance of their task.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state that in this very praiseworthy humanitarian work our country will lag behind no other?

That is quite clear. That is what we are doing, as I have just described.

Has there been any protest from Japan?

There is no occasion for anybody to protest. Action of this kind is fully justified.

Hear, hear.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the official statement recently published in Warsaw that the Polish Government might have to withdraw from the League of Nations if the League became engaged in a struggle of ideological doctrines; and whether His Majesty's Government will take action, in conjunction with other members of the League, to dispel this fear?

I am aware of the statement referred to, though the question does not, I think, quite correctly reproduce it. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member of the statement issued on nth November, 1936, by M. Beck and myself at the conclusion of M. Beck's visit to London, in which we recorded our opinion that nothing would be more fatal to the hopes of European appeasement than the division, apparent or real, of Europe into opposing blocs. The Polish Government are, therefore, well aware of the attitude of His Majesty's Government with regard to this point, which remains unchanged.

Is it not the fact that the only ideological doctrine with which the League of Nations itself is concerned is their maintenance of world peace?

That is certainly my view.

Is it not the case that, if the advice of the Opposition is followed, this country will be engaged in an ideological struggle against peace?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Council of Foreign Bondholders consulted the British Government before recommending to holders of bonds of the Republic of Poland 7 per cent. Stabilisation Loan Sterling Issue acceptance of a reduction of interest rate and a modification of sinking fund provisions as proposed by the Polish Government; and whether, in view of the balance of trade between Poland and the United Kingdom being in favour of Poland, he will represent to the Polish Government that the proposed departure from its contractual obligations is unnecessary and injurious to the credit of Poland?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. I would remind my hon. Friend that, while the Council of Foreign Bondholders are in very close touch with the Foreign Office and the Treasury, who at all times are ready to give to the council their fullest support, the responsibility for recommending settlements to the bondholders rests with the council. I am satisfied that this procedure is in the best interests of all concerned

In the circumstances, will my right hon. Friend consider setting up a clearing office for Anglo-Polish payments, and will he request the Council of Foreign Bondholders to publish their reasons for making the recommendations to the bondholders referred to in the question?

I do not think I can do either of the things that my hon. Friend asks for. The matter is one for arrangement between the representatives of the bondholders and the governments concerned. Our policy is only to help.

What authority has the Council of Foreign Bondholders to speak on behalf of the bondholders?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs particulars of the decision and/or agreement that was arrived at by the sub-committee of the Non-intervention Committee at their meeting held on Tuesday, 7th December; and whether it was considered that both parties in Spain had now accepted the principle of the London plan?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made on 8th December, in answer to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander).

Has any decision been come to to send a visiting commission to Spain?

I understand that the committee decided that the answers were such as would enable them to continue their task. Part of their task is the appointment of a commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of British ships that have been sunk or damaged by mine, torpedo, bomb, gun or machine-gun fire during 1937 by the Spanish insurgents, by the Spanish Government, and by unidentified aeroplanes?

Of the two British ships sunk during 1937, one was torpedoed by an unidentified submarine, and the other bombed by aircraft belonging to the Salamanca authorities. Three British ships were damaged on the high seas during the same period, and His Majesty's Government consider that the damage caused to these ships was due to action taken by the Salamanca authorities. In addition, a certain number of ships have been damaged during bombardments when in Spanish ports, but I regret that I have not full details of all these incidents.

Is it not a fact that the unidentified submarine to which the right hon. Gentleman refers was, in fact, identified by the British intelligence service as an Italian submarine?

Can the Foreign Secretary say that no damage has been caused to British ships by Spanish Government ships or aeroplanes, as far as he is aware?

I think that that can be inferred from my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to say what zone is being patrolled by the Italian naval forces under the Nyon Agreement?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government have initiated inquiries, but I am not to-day in a position to add to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Derby (Mr. Noel-Baker) on 1st December.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a statement by Sir Robert Hodgson made to a member of the State Delegation for Press and Propaganda at Salamanca in which he described the aim of his mission as the re-establishment of normal relations, confidence and friendship between Spain and this country; and whether he will make a statement on the matter in view of the announcement of Government policy made before Sir Robert Hodgson's appointment?

I am unable to confirm the report of the statement to which the right hon. Gentleman refers, the text of which has not yet reached me. I would add, however, that if the statement attributed to Sir Robert Hodgson is correct, it does not appear to be in any way inconsistent with the policy of His Majesty's Government which this House has approved. The aim of Sir Robert Hodgson's mission is to protect British interests in that part of Spain under the control of General Franco. An essential preliminary to the satisfactory protection of these interests is the establishment of friendly personal relations with the authorities concerned.

Does not the establishment of normal relations imply the recognition of a government which His Majesty's Government do not recognise at the present time?

No, Sir, I really do not think that that appears from the context. If you do not have normal relations, you have arbormal relations, and I prefer normal to abnormal relations.

Surely the position of a trade agent sent to a government which is not recognised is necessary abnormal, as contrasted with ordinary diplomatic relations with a government which is recognised?

If the right hon. Gentleman will read the context as I have seen it in the Press, he will see that it is not quite as he has said. Perhaps I ought to read it to the House. The words are these:

"If we meet with a friendly disposition on the part of the authorities—and I do not doubt that such will be the case—we shall consider our mission crowned with success and that we shall have achieved something leading to the re-establishment of the normal relations, confidence and friendship which have existed for so many centuries between Spain and my country."

Is it the usual practice of consular agents, on appointment, to make general statements of that kind on relations?

Sir Robert Hodgson is the head of the mission, and I think it quite natural that he should have made this announcement. It appears when the whole context is read that he had in mind the past friendship between the two countries.

Was Sir Robert Hodgson asked to sign the same kind of nonintervention declaration as that which has to be signed by every other person who leaves this country for Spain?

Is not the use of the phrase "friendly relations between Spain and this country" inconsistent with the interpretation which the Secretary of State put upon Sir Robert Hodgson's speech, when he spoke of the personal relations between Sir Robert Hodgson and General Franco?

I think the right hon. Gentleman will see that that is not the case if the whole context is read. Sir Robert Hodgson was referring to

"the re-establishment of the normal relations, confidence and friendship which have existed for so many centuries between Spain and my country."

Does not that imply that he is accepting General Franco as the successor of those with whom those relations existed?

Did not this House receive from the Foreign Secretary, when the Bill was being considered by us, a specific assurance that these men's duties were to be entirely of a commercial and a trading nature; and is not what we have heard the language of diplomacy such as is used by Ambassadors and Foreign Secretaries and not by trade commissioners?

I cannot think that there is anything in what Sir Robert Hodgson said which is not calculated to facilitate his task of protecting British interests in that part of Spain.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make it clear that this statement by Sir Robert Hodgson will only be approved in so far as it is consistent with the declaration which the Foreign Secretary has just made?

Certainly, Sir, I am defending the statement because it seems to me, on the facts before me, to be entirely consistent with what I have said and with what this House has approved.

Would hon. Members allow their questions to be tinged with caution and common sense?

rose—

Hon. Members seem to be repeating the same thing over and over again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the intensified Italian broadcast propaganda in Arabic; and whether the British diplomatic representatives abroad are asked to report on its nature and effect?

The answer to both parts of the question is. Yes, Sir.

Would it not be worth while to let the Italians know that unless this broadcasting stops His Majesty's Government will have to consider broadcasting in Italian?

Perhaps the hon. Member will await the answer to another question on that point.

How long will it be before a proper broadcasting station is erected in Cyprus, or some other site on the Mediterranean, which will give proper British news and correct false statements?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now make a statement on the full reports received by His Majesty's Government in connection with Italian propaganda in Palestine?

Yes, Sir. In view of certain reports which had been received of Italian propaganda in the Near and Middle East, I recently informed the Italian Ambassador that His Majesty's Government were well aware of this propaganda and added that unless it could be brought to an end, it would be impossible to create the atmosphere necessary to the prosecution of successful conversations designed to improve our mutual relations.

Has any reply been received to that representation?

I said that it was a recent conversation.

If it is possible that the Italians do not desire conversations to go on, would the right hon. Gentleman make representations, as I suggested in an earlier question, that we should start broadcasting in Italian?

I think that, as far as the broadcast of news in the Near East is concerned, the House is aware that there is at the present time a broadcast of news in Arabic from Palestine.

Would not Italian be useful, too?

Is not this propaganda absolutely without any precedent of any kind, and is it not an intolerable outrage?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Italian propaganda has ceased since the representation was made?

No, Sir.

In view of the fact that nearly every Government in the world is disseminating news or propaganda in foreign languages, why does the Foreign Office—presumably it is the Foreign Office—restrain the British Broadcasting Corporation from disseminating straight British news in German and Italian as well as in Arabic?

The right hon. Gentleman must not assume that the Foreign Office is restraining anybody from doing anything of that kind. At the moment, as I have said, news is being distributed in a number of foreign languages.

Only in Arabic and Spanish.

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will put down a question to the Postmaster-General, whose Department is concerned?

May I ask what the B.B.C. did on 7th May?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that in certain countries where British interests are concerned, Germany and Italy have appointed active representatives for purposes of propaganda; that large sums of money are spent for this purpose on the films, broadcasting, and the Press; that much of this propaganda is not merely in pursuance of the interests of these nations, but is strongly anti-British; and whether he will arrange for steps to be taken directly by the Government to deal with these activities?

I can assure the hon. Member that His Majesty's Government are fully aware of the active propaganda work being done by certain other countries in furtherance of their own point of view and interests abroad. As the House will also be aware, certain steps have recently been taken with a view to distributing objective news in particular areas. The employment of other methods of making known the British point of view is, moreover, the constant concern of His Majesty's Government, but I am not able to make any statement on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the decision recently arrived at upon this matter did not really affect other methods of propaganda besides broadcasting; and in view of recent rather startling information will he say whether the Government intend to review the whole position?

I fully appreciate the point which the hon. Gentleman has just made, but my answer covered other things beside broadcasting, and I am not in a position to make any further statement at present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in touch with the Home Office upon this matter, and particularly in respect of the admission of aliens into this country?

That has nothing to do with the question on the Paper, which is concerned with propaganda in foreign countries.

Is not this particular practice of these two countries following the bade example previously set by Soviet Russia?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Government are aware of the rise in both lime and basic slag which has taken place since the introduction of the scheme for land fertility by the Government; that the rise has, to a large extent, offset the grant made by the Government; and what steps the Government are taking to prevent a further rise?

The facts are not as stated. Since the introduction of the land fertility scheme, the price of basic slag has been reduced, and producers of lime have, in general, been approved as suppliers on condition that the prices charged by them under the scheme do not exceed those normally ruling on 1st May, 1937, that is, before the proposals were announced.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a premium of 10s. or 12s. has been asked in certain cases, and will he look into this matter if I have a word with him afterwards?

I am not at all aware of the particulars upon which my hon. Friend founds his general allegation, but if he has any cases of the contravention of the provisions of the scheme, I hope that he will be good enough to bring them to my notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any application from organisations representing the producers of lime to approve of an increase of price?

Yes, Sir. I have received a memorial signed by 108 producers of lime asking for an increase in the permitted price because of the increase in the costs of production. The scheme itself has provided for such an eventuality by means of an independent accounting examination, and that is now being undertaken.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether the Land Fertility Committee proposes to issue an explanatory memorandum of what is required to enable an association of smallholders to be approved for the purposes of the land fertility scheme?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the memorandum is almost in final form, but that it will be some days before it is issued.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether in view of the large quantity of fish which is destroyed or thrown back into the sea, the Government will consider setting up a factory for the production of fish meal to enable the poultry-keepers to obtain a supply of this feeding-stuff at a reasonable figure, seeing that the difficulties of the poultry-keepers may, to a large extent, be attributed to the high cost of feeding-stuffs?

There are already factories for the production of fish meal at a number of the leading fishing ports. The quantity of fish that is destroyed or thrown back into the sea represents an extremely small percentage of total landings, and the greater part of this occurs at ports where supplies would, in any case, be wholly inadequate to make economic the establishment of a factory to deal with surplus landings.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the real plight of the poultry-keepers throughout this country, and that Evesham way they are very exercised over this matter?

I am aware of the plight of poultry-keepers, but I would point out to my hon. Friend that fish meal can be used only in very small proportions in the ordinary poultry rations, and that other ingredients very largely add to the costs.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that every little helps?

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that it is a curious commentary upon the economic system that good fish should be wilfully destroyed?

The matter must not be exaggerated. If you take into account the landings of white fish into this country up to the last months of this year, the amount thrown back amounted to only .004 per cent. The position in Scotland as regards herring is rather different, but even there the amount destroyed was only 1½ per cent. of the total landings.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the quantities and not the percentages?

I have them, and if the hon. Lady cares to put down a question, I will give the quantities from which these answers were produced.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Milk Marketing Board are not carrying out their statutory obligations in declining to prosecute large distributors in the Accrington area who are now selling milk at 4d. a quart or 3d. per quart below the regional price, whereas a few weeks ago the Board fined the small retail-producers for selling milk at 6d. per quart; and whether he will take steps to see that the Board enforces the law and thus prevents the smaller producer-retailers from being forced out of business by subsidised price cutting?

Whatever may be their contractual rights, I am not aware that the Milk Marketing Board are under any statutory obligation or that they have any statutory power to prosecute, or to impose penalties upon, distributors who sell milk at cut prices. As to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to previous answers given on this subject.

If my right hon. Friend will read the Act, he will see that it says that the Board "shall" impose a penalty, not "may"; and is he aware that the Milk Marketing Board are not carrying out that Section of the Act?

I think that my hon. and gallant Friend is under a slight misapprehension in this matter. The rights of the Milk Marketing Board as against the purchasers of milk wholesale are governed entirely by the terms of the contract, and it is the duty of the Milk Marketing Board to decide, as it would be in the case of any other person, whether they will commence civil proceedings for breach of contract. In the case of the relations between producer-retailers, on the other hand, and the Milk Marketing Board, these are statutory, and are enjoined in the scheme.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can now state the cause of the pollution of the River Wye near Morsal Dale and Miller's Dale, Derbyshire; and whether the Trent Fishery Board has decided on a prosecution?

I understand that, as a result of investigations, the Trent Fishery Board have reached the conclusion that the cause of the recent pollution was the accidental breaking of a pipe in the gas works installation of the Buxton Corporation, and have decided to take proceedings against the corporation under Section 8 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1923.

As this pollution is due to the flow from business premises, will the Minister call the attention of his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health to this matter?

The matter is really one for the Trent Fishery Board, and as they have undertaken proceedings against the corporation responsible, I feel that I ought not to say anything about the question in the meantime.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, following the Government's expressed view at the International Labour Conference at Geneva that the Government saw no reason for the nationalisation of employment agencies, he will say whether the British Broadcasting Corporation have consulted the Government as to their intention to open an artistes' agency; and what has been the Government's reply?

I am assured that the corporation have no intention of opening an artistes' agency.

asked the Postmaster-General particulars of the reason for the delay in completing the arrangements of the proposed television station at Birmingham; and when it is contemplated that this or other similar television station will be opened in the provinces?

The question of extending the television service to areas outside the present range of the London station has been considered by the Television Advisory Committee, who have decided that further research is necessary on certain aspects of the problem. This research is in progress and, until it is completed, the committee will not be in a position to make any recommendation concerning the establishment of additional television stations.

What is to become of the equipment supposed to be used for Birmingham?

That is a matter about which I have to inquire, but I can assure the hon. Gentleman that this committee is pursuing its research night and day.

Is it intended to link up the provinces with the television broadcast from the London end?

asked the Postmaster-General the volume of Christmas mail carried by Imperial Airways, Limited, to Africa; and whether it is being found that the arrangements are adequate to carry all such communications without any delay?

During the period 19th November–18th December, inclusive, about 45 tons of first-class mail were carried from this country to South and East Africa by Imperial Airways, or more than double the normal monthly load. So far as the second part of the question is concerned, it is too early to express a final opinion on the results of the special measures taken by the Post Office and Imperial Airways for the conveyance by air of these unprecedented loads, but I anticipate that the provision made will prove to have been adequate.

Is the hon. Member aware that serious complaints have already been made as to the impossibility of getting the air mail in time for Christmas?

I am not aware of that. If the hon. Member can bring to my notice any complaints I should be glad to investigate them. Our information is that everything has gone very smoothly. We have had airships ready to take on any extra load.