asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to show what proportion of Ethiopia is now effectively controlled and administered by the Italian Government?

I have been asked to reply. The information in the possession of the Foreign Office goes to show that there have been sporadic outbursts of disaffection amongst the native population, especially in Western Abyssinia. The Italian military authorities are understood to be taking steps to deal with these; and to be in general control of virtually the whole country. So far as we are aware, civil administration is established in the main centres of population.

Would it be right to think that the Italian Government controls, perhaps, half of Abyssinia now?

I could not add to my answer.

Can the Noble Lord say what proportion of the British Cabinet is controlled in the same way?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what sum is allotted for education in the Sudan Government budget; and what proportion this bears to the total annual expenditure?

In the Sudan Budget Estimates for 1937, £E94,197 was allotted for education out of a total expenditure of £E4,672,500. This sum is approximately 2 per cent. of the total expenditure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, following the joint resolution issued on 14th April, 1935, by the British, French, and Italian Governments recommending the conclusion of a Central European agreement to include the Danubian countries, he can now state whether any negotiations are taking place with regard to such an agreement?

No negotiations are at present taking place for the conclusion of a Central European agreement of the nature envisaged in the joint resolution of 14th April, 1935.

Is it not a fact that conversations have been taking place between the Governments of Czechoslovakia and Austria with a view to securing an economic agreement?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the recent Austro-German agreement?

Yes, Sir. It is now possible to make a somewhat fuller statement on the Austrian situation than was made by my right hon. Friend last week. From information received from Austrian sources it is clear that no actual Treaty instrument was drawn up as a result of the conversations at Berchtesgaden, and it follows, therefore, that no document of this kind will be published. I am informed, however, again from Austrian sources, that the main points of the agreement reached at Berchtesgaden are as follow:

The Austrian Chancellor will take far-reaching and conciliatory measures with a view to furthering the internal pacification of Austria, while on the other hand Germany re-affirms the continuance of the Austro-German Agreement of July, 1936, and renews her assurances of nonintervention in Austrian domestic affairs. The consolidation of Austrian internal affairs, as well as the strength of the Patriotic Front movement in Austria, makes it possible for the Austrian Government to take up a more friendly attitude towards those who have hitherto held aloof from the main trend of Austrian politics. In particulars we learn that the following measures have been taken by the Austrian Chancellor:

(1) A general amnesty has been declared covering all political offences committed before 15th February of this year, provided the offender has remained in Austria. This amnesty has been extended to school and university students and its execution was completed on 19th February. All those released must sign an undertaking of good behaviour until 31st December, 1941.

(2) The Government has been reconstructed and in the new Cabinet Dr. von Seyss-Inquart, the Minister for the Interior and Security, will be the only representative of National-Socialism, apart from Dr. Glaise-Horstenau, who was also a member of the last administration.

(3) The cases of public officials who were deprived of their pensions are to be re-examined. It is understood that in general these pensions will be restored and the officials will receive an appropriate indemnity.

(4) Austrian National-Socialists will be legally permitted to indulge in political activity, within the framework of the Patriotic Front, and of other Austrian organisations, to the same extent as is permitted to other groups, provided they are loyal to Austria and her constitution. It should be pointed out that the Austrian Constitution of 1934 remains unchanged.

To complete the information at our disposal I should add that an official communiqué published in Austria states that the above measures cover all the measures of which the execution was contemplated at Berchtesgaden. The communiqué continues to the effect that, contrary to rumour, the bases of Austria's monetary and economic policy will not be changed in any way, but that the endeavour to intensify commercial exchanges between Austria and Germany will be continued. It is also announced that measures are to be taken in Germany designed to exclude the interference of German Party Offices in Austrian domestic affairs.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that statement, which was very interesting in more senses than one, may I ask whether His Majesty's Government accept this new technique of aggression on the part of Germany?

In view of the provisions of the Geneva Protocol of 1922, under which Austria undertook not to enter into any negotiations that might compromise her independence, do the Government propose to take action under that Treaty?

That is not a matter which I can deal with in answer to a supplementary question.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consider making a very early statement as to the attitude of the Government to this problem, saying whether it is part of their policy to make no answer to this new technique of aggression?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Anglo-French declaration of 3rd February, 1935, regarding Austrian independence and integrity, was in any way contingent upon the support of other countries?

In the declaration referred to, His Majesty's Government stated that they considered themselves to be among the' Powers which would, as provided for in the Agreement of 7th January, 1935, between France and Italy, consult together if the independence and integrity of Austria were menaced. His Majesty's Government did not pledge themselves to any further course of action and the question of support by other countries does not, therefore, arise. His Majesty's Government are, in fact, in consultation with the French Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many times Britain has guaranteed the independence of Austria since the Armistice; and how many assurances that Britain will assist in the maintenance of the independence of Czechoslovakia have been given to that State since the same date?

The obligations of His Majesty's Government towards Austria and Czechoslovakia are those which every member of the League of Nations assumes towards all its fellow members. Apart from these, His Majesty's Government have given no special guarantees towards either country.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman that if we give general guarantees we do not expect to keep our word?

I do not know to what general guarantees the hon. Member is referring.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know what the general guarantees mean in the answer which he has given us?

Have the Government any evidence to confirm the report that the German Government have asked for the withdrawal of Austria from the League of Nations?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Vienna Socialists are being released from prison as well as the Nazis; and, if he has no information, whether he will inquire on the ground that our attitude towards the crisis must take account of the Austrian Government's actions in this respect?

The general amnesty for political offences was announced to be regardless of party, and, since this question was put down, our Minister at Vienna has sent information that under the amnesty Socialists are being released from prison.

Is there any truth in the story in the Press that they are being released from prison and sent to a concentration camp, and, further, do the arrangements made for the release of Nazi prisoners apply to those who were Socialists?

I cannot give more information than I have already given, but I can tell the right hon. Gentleman that inquiry was specially addressed to our Minister in Vienna on account of this question having been put down, and the right hon. Gentleman will no doubt find that my answer covers the point.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government's declaration of policy relating to Austria's independence and integrity includes any objection by this country to an agreement between Austria and Germany for a Customs union?

I am not aware that His Majesty's Government has made any specific declaration on this point.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the ex-Foreign Secretary stated in this House only last week the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to Austria, and will he therefore say whether that policy excludes a Customs union between the two countries?

I do not think that I should be called upon to enlarge upon a statement which was made only last week.

Could any effective communication be made to Austria?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether recent developments in Austria will affect in any way the guaranteed loan to that country under the auspices of the League of Nations, to which Great Britain was a direct party, as shown by the agreement in Cmd. 4207; and whether he is aware that this loan of 1932 was made at the special request of the Austrian Federal Republic addressed to the Council of the League of Nations?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was the total amount of the loan guaranteed to Austria by the League of Nations; what was the Government's share of the loan; and what amount has been repaid?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement as to British participation in loans made during recent years to Austria; what amounts are involved; and whether the conditions upon which these loans were made will be impaired by the new Austro-German agreement?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government is paying attention to the new situation in Austria, having especial regard to the financial guarantees incurred by His Majesty's Government in connection with Austrian State obligations?

The two guaranteed loans for Austria still outstanding are as follow:

The Austrian Government International Guaranteed Loan, 1933–53, of which the amount issued in London and guaranteed by His Majesty's Government was £4,514,200. Of this amount £3,824,500 is still outstanding; and the Austrian Government Guaranteed Conversion Loan, 1934–59, of which the amount issued in London was £10,163,900. Of this amount £10,082,200 is still outstanding. This loan was issued for the redemption of the original Austrian Government Guaranteed Loan of 1923, and His Majesty's Government's guarantee is for 24½ per cent. of each of the several tranches of the loan. The total amount of the guarantee at present rates of exchange is in the neighbourhood of £4,750,000. In addition there was an amount of £3,000,000 issued in London of the Austrian Government International Loan, 1930. This loan was not guaranteed, and the amount outstanding of the London issue is about £2,473,000. There is nothing, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware, in the recent Austro-German agreement to affect the liability arising under these loans in any way.

Was not the House persuaded to agree to these loans in order to enable Austria to keep her complete independence?

Does the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of Germany's gobbling up of Austria, that the Government are ever going to get their money back?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now any information to give the House regarding the attitude of Italy to the recent developments in Austria?

His Majesty's Government have no information regarding the attitude of the Italian Government in this matter beyond what has appeared in the Italian Press.

Have any conversations or exchanges of opinion at all passed between this country and Italy regarding the Austrian situation; and, if not, why not?

So far as I know, the recent conversations, to which I suppose the hon. Gentleman is referring, were concerned with Anglo-Italian relations.

Was not Italy concerned, with ourselves and France, in the joint declaration of 1934; and, in view of that, has there been no approach at all from this country to ask for the opinion of Italy on this matter?

I have answered the question on the Paper, and have informed the hon. Member what was the subject of the recent conversations. I cannot give any further information now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information to give as to the initiative being taken by any State member of the League to bring the Austro-German agreement under notice by the League?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government have no such information.

Is it the intention of the Government to take any such initiative, or to suggest any such initiative?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will recall, perhaps, that, in reply to an earlier question, I think No. 10, I stated that our information was that there was no treaty drawn up; and I apprehend, therefore, that this question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the permission of the Argentine Government to the Anglo-Argentine railways on 20th December to increase their rates has been stated to produce £312,000 for the coming year, upon a capital of £270 millions; and, in view of the fact that this increase is insufficient, will he obtain from the Argentine Government an official statement as to the estimated extent the proposed increased tariffs will benefit the railway revenues?

I assume that my hon. Friend bases his question on a report which appeared in the Press last December that the Argentine Government were about to issue a decree permitting the increase in railway tariffs which he describes. My information does not indicate that any such decree has, in fact, been issued. His Majesty's Ambassador at Buenos Aires has been requested to throw any light he can on the origin of the above mentioned report.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the inability of the directors of the Anglo-Argentine railways to obtain redress from the Argentine Government, notwithstanding their prolonged efforts, he will request the Council of Foreign Bondholders to take up with the Argentine Government the ill-treatment of the £270,000,000 of British savings invested in the Argentine railways, and in respect of which His Majesty's Treasury is concerned in relation to Income and Surtax and Death Duties?

My right hon. Friend thinks that the preferable course is that difficulties between the Argentine authorities and British railway companies operating in the Argentine should continue to be discussed between the British companies and the authorities concerned. His Majesty's Government are always ready to consider any request for support made by such companies. In so far as the question implies that the Argentine Government's attitude to such companies is one of hostility or that the directors of the British companies have failed to represent adequately the interests of the British capital invested therein, my right hon. Friend does not agree that such implications correctly represent the facts.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he intends to present a report of the proceedings at the recent meeting of the League of Nations Council in the form of a White Paper; and whether the report of the special committee on the application of the principles of the Covenant will be placed in the Library?

It is contrary to usual practice to publish a White Paper on the proceedings of meetings of the Council of the League. The minutes of the Council meetings and the report and minutes of the Committee of Twenty-Eight on the application of the principles of the Covenant will, however, appear in the Official Journal of the League of Nations, and steps are being taken to make available copies of the document in the Library of the House.

Will the Government consider issuing a yellow paper in future?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information concerning the recent voyages of the British ship "Dover Abbey" to the ports of Valencia, Castellion, Alicante, Barcelona, and Port Mahon; and whether he will call for a special report from the observers of the Non-intervention Committee, who were on board during each of these voyages, as to fuel for aircraft having been carried by this vessel under false bills of lading?

I understand that the "Dover Abbey" has embarked observing officers on all her recent voyages to Spanish ports, and that no breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement have been reported to the Non-intervention Board.

In view of the facts, of which there are reliable reports, would the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries if I put down a further question?

I have no doubt that all proper inquiries will be made, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that oil fuel is not one of the articles the export of which to Spain is prohibited under the Non-intervention Agreement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that while a British ship was recently loading at Marseilles a cargo of condensed milk for Valencia a drum burst open and was found to contain cartridges, he will propose to the Non-intervention Committee a further form of control which will prevent contraband goods being carried under false bills of lading?

No report has been received of the incident to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, but I shall be happy to make inquiries if he will provide me with more information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are taken to supervise the loading of cargoes for Spanish ports by the Nonintervention authorities in Marseilles; and how many persons they employ to do this work?

The duties of the officers of the Non-intervention Board are clearly set out in the Resolution adopted by the Non-intervention Committee on 8th March, 1937, which was published as a White Paper. In so far as cargo is concerned, their duties are confined to examining the bills of lading and other ships papers and to requiring the master of the ship to have opened for his inspection any package which is being unloaded in a Spanish port and which the officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting to contain war material in contravention of the Non-intervention Agreement. These duties are carried out on board and the observing officers have no authority to supervise the loading of cargo, responsibility for which rests solely with the authorities in the port of loading. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the result of his inquiries into the alleged recent landing of large quantities of armaments in insurgent Spain from ships accompanied by Italian destroyers?

No reply has yet been received to the inquiries which, as the hon. Member was informed on the 14th instant, are being made into the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any further information regarding recent shipments of war material from Italy and Germany to the rebels in Spain?

No, Sir. I understand that no reports regarding the despatch of war material to Spain have been recently submitted to the Non-intervention Committee.

Does the pledge given by the previous Foreign Secretary about the sending of more troops being regarded as a breach of non-intervention, now hold good?

There is no change in that regard.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the percentage which is to constitute a substantial proportion for the purposes of the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain, under the plan being prepared by the Non-intervention Committee, will be applied to each separate category of such troops, and to each separate grade within each category?

This is a question which is at present under discussion by the Nonintervention Committee. I regret that I am, therefore, not able to give the hon. Member the information for which he asks.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any reports indicating that insurgent submarines have left the rebel naval bases at Majorca or elsewhere since the adoption of the new measures agreed to by the British, French and Italian Governments for the prevention of piracy?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make on the forced closing by the Soviet Government of our consulate-general at Leningrad?

The answer to this question is necessarily lengthy, and, in order not to occupy too much time now, I would ask my hon. Friend's permission to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is not this decision in consequence of the action of the Soviet Government in making Leningrad a great naval port in future, and do the Government welcome this proposal?

I think the right hon. Gentleman will agree that it will perhaps be just as well to have this long and detailed answer printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT and then, if he wishes to, he can put down a further question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any approach has been, or will be, made to the Government of the Soviet Union of Socialist Republics concerning the possibility of joint or parallel action in connection with Czechoslovakia or whether any such steps are being taken via France or the League?

His Majesty's Government have not made any approach to the Soviet or French Governments nor to the League of Nations of the nature envisaged by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman. As was stated in this House on 17th February, this country has always had the friendliest feelings towards the Czechoslovak nation and is fully aware of the treaties which bind Czechoslovakia to other Powers. I do not think that there is anything that I can usefully add to that statement for the moment.

In view of the increased danger of the situation to Czechoslovakia, would it not be advisable even now to make approaches to Russia and France with regard to concerted action when next this sort of thing takes place?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the repudiation by Germany of the Locarno treaty, he can say whether the arbitration treaty between Germany and Czechoslovakia, initialled at Locarno on 16th October, 1925, and included in the Locarno protocol, is still in operation?

His Majesty's Government understand that this treaty is still in operation.

In view of the fact that that this treaty was included in the Locarno Protocol, may I ask whether, in the event of action on the part of Germany in breach of the agreement, the Government would not be seriously concerned?

I do not think that that question arises, in view of the answer which I have just given.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the national losses caused by foreign Governments defaulting on loans raised for developing their countries, he will ask the United States of America, France, and Holland to join with this country in refusing to admit the products of those defaulting countries until an acceptable debt rearrangement has been reached, with a view to assisting the rehabilitation of international trade created by foreign loans; as, although this may result in temporary loss of export trade to the creditor countries, it will compel debtor countries to feel the effect of their debt repudiation on their own-trade?

I agree with my hon. Friend that in cases of default it is desirable for His Majesty's Government to act, so far as possible, in co-operation with the other creditor countries concerned, and this is the existing practice. The appropriate action to be taken to defend the interests of British bondholders is a matter for consideration in each case in the light of all the relevant circumstances. I do not, however, consider that a proposal on the lines suggested by my hon. Friend would be likely to achieve the results desired.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many men disabled as a result of the Great War are now undergoing institutional treatment in war hospitals; and how many are permanently disabled in such hospitals?

The number of officers, nurses and men who were receiving hospital treatment for their war disabilities at the end of last month was 2,121. It is not possible to say how many were permanently disabled.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the application from the University of Oxford for a contribution towards the sum of £70,000 payable by the university in settlement of a claim in respect of depredations by a former official of the university; and whether he will make a statement on this matter?

This matter is at present under discussion with the university, and a full investigation of the facts is taking place. This necessarily will take time, and I am not, therefore, in a position to make any statement at the moment.

asked the Minister of Agriculture why no survey has been completed by the survey department since October, 1936; and, in view of the fact that delay in making additional surveys deprives the public of an extension of the benefits of the land registry, what further steps he is taking to expedite the work, without which no initiating order under Section 120 of the Land Registry Act, 1925, can be made?

Surveys for the purposes of the Land Registration Act, 1925, are carried out by the Ordnance Survey Department at the request of the Land Registry. The most recent survey was completed in October, 1936, and no requests for further surveys have since been received by my Department.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider taking steps to revise the praemunire in connection with the appointment of bishops?

No, Sir.

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to the extraordinary language used by a former Member of this House about a Unitarian Prime Minister having the right to appoint bishops, and has that statement made any impression on his mind?

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to the speech to which the hon. Member refers. It made no impression on my mind.

Did the Prime Minister take note of the extraordinary language used?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the international situation, he will consider the desirability of expediting rearmament in this country?

The question of the scale and rate of progress of our armaments has recently been the subject of exhaustive investigation. The policy of the Government will be stated during the Debates on Defence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the continued ineptitude of the Government's foreign policy, increasing armaments are bringing no increase in security?

Is the Prime Minister satisfied that he will have the support of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen opposite?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider whether the cheap milk scheme as applied to schools could be extended to hospitals owing to the enhanced cost of milk, which is throwing a burden on hospitals which they are finding difficult to carry?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Sheffield Royal Hospital, which purchases large supplies of milk, paid in the year October, 1932, to September, 1933, before the Milk Marketing Board operated, an average price of 1s. per gallon, and that in the year October, 1936, to September, 1937, the average price paid was 1s. 5¼d. per gallon; how this increase of 44 per cent. is accounted for; and what steps he is taking to reduce the price of milk to hospitals?

The milk-in-schools scheme was initiated with a view to encouraging the milk drinking habit in children. Different considerations apply to the question of the price paid for milk by hospitals, as to which I would refer to the replies given to the hon. Member for the Park Division of Sheffield (Mr. Lathan) on Thursday last, and to the hon. Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 22nd November last.

Does the Minister not think that hospitals should receive some exceptional treatment, and is he prepared to consider some other method?

At present, hospitals can get milk at wholesale rates, with an additional payment for special services. I do not think that if hospitals are to get cheaper milk that should be done entirely at the expense of the producers of milk. I do not see why producers of milk should sell milk to hospitals at below cost of production, any more than suppliers of bandages.

Is it not true that the Government's policy is making milk more expensive?

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the estimate that the cost of milk to the hospitals has now gone up by £400,000 a year?

I am not aware of the estimate to which the hon. Member refers. One can only say that milk is expensive if one compares prices now with prices at a time when the whole industry was in a state of collapse—a situation which would have caused a serious shortage of milk in this country if it had not been dealt with.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, (1) when the rehousing of the staff of His Majesty's inspector of taxes, Southampton second district, now at 59, High Street, will be Carried out; and whether he is aware of the loss of efficiency which now occurs owing to the overcrowding in this office;

(2) whether he is aware that representations have been made by the officer in charge of the inspectorate of taxes, Southampton, second district, that it is not possible to accommodate in the existing premises all the staff that is necessary to carry out the work; and whether, in view of the fact that suitable alternative premises are available in the vicinity, he will give permission for the staff to be transferred at the earliest opportunity?

I am aware that representations have been made in regard to the premises occupied by the Southampton No. 2 Tax District and of the conditions obtaining in those premises. I am assured that no premises suitable for permanent occupation are available, and provision is being made in the Estimates for 1938 for the purchase of a site for the erection of a Crown building to accommodate the staffs of the Inland Revenue Department in the town, and probably certain other staffs. In the meantime, efforts are being made to secure temporary accommodation to permit of relief being afforded to the staffs now in 59, High Street.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what gifts have been made to the Royal parks during the past year?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of gifts to the Royal Parks during the year ended October, 1937. It gives me much pleasure to receive these gifts, and I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my sincere thanks to the donors.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware of the conditions of the workpeople in the Euxton area and of the lack of transport and other essentials and amenities; and what steps are being taken to improve the situation?

The conditions of the workpeople employed in the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory at Euxton, Chorley, are constantly under review by my Department. Canteens, recreation rooms and shelters are provided by the contractor. A railway station has recently been opened on the site and there are omnibus services from the neighbouring towns. I am not aware of any grounds for complaint, but if the hon. Member can give me any particulars of unsatisfactory conditions, I will have the matter looked into immediately.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when he expects the new clock to be placed in position in the Chamber?

I shall shortly place over the Speaker's Chair another model which I hope may prove more satisfactory than the others which I have tried. But until the most satisfactory solution possible is found, I am unwilling to order the necessary work to be put in hand.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he had better lose no time in case Mussolini orders the closing of the House of Commons?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Mr. E. B. Bankole, formerly a clerk in the service of the Government of Nigeria, was dismissed from the service, with loss of pension rights, because he had allowed a relation to incur a debt of over £500 to Messrs. John Holt and Company, and his relative, having defaulted, had become responsible for the debt, and had subsequently denied to his employers that he was financially embarrassed; and whether, as Bankole alleges he was refused leave to employ counsel in his defence and that there was contributory negligence on the part of Messrs. Holt in that they did not call his attention to the debt, his case will now be reconsidered?

Charges against Mr. Bankole of incurring debts which rendered impossible the proper discharge of his duties and of making a false statement in regard thereto were investigated, in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Colonial Regulations, by a committee of the Executive Council of Nigeria under the chairmanship of the Attorney-General. The committee found that the charges were established and that Mr. Bankole's conduct had been extremely reprehensible, and the Governor, with the unanimous advice of his Executive Council, recommended that he should be dismissed. The records of the proceedings do not bear out the allegation that Mr. Bankole asked to be represented by counsel, but in any case this is a matter within the discretion of the committee of the Executive Council. After full consideration of all the aspects of the case, I was completely satisfied that dismissal was justified and action was taken accordingly. I am not prepared to reconsider that decision.

Is it the custom in the Government of Nigeria to refuse the right to be represented by counsel and that accused men have to defend themselves in a foreign tongue? Is not the penalty of dismissal rather severe for a man's good nature in allowing a relative to incur a debt?

I think the hon. Lady did not listen to my answer. He did not ask for counsel to represent him. I understand that they did not know English but there was an interpreter there. The charge was not merely one of incurring a debt but of making a false statement, and I am quite satisfied that the unanimous decision of the Executive Council in dismissing him was fully justified.

asked the Secretary for Mines (1) whether he will issue the yearly statement of the output, etc., for the year ended 31st December, 1937;

(2) whether he will issue the quarterly summary of the output, etc., for the quarter ended 31st December, 1937?

I hope that the two statistical summaries will be published early in April. Meanwhile the hon. Member will find a considerable amount of provisional information in the quarterly article in the Board of Trade Journal which will be published on Thursday.

asked the Minister of Health whether, as in pursuance of the powers conferred upon them by Section 10 (1) of the Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, 1933, local authorities are entitled to set up committees to give information for the assistance of landlords and tenants as to their rights and duties under the Acts, and, as in Circulars 1348 and 1354 the Ministry of Health expressed the view that the Acts did not empower the local authority to offer advice on questions arising between individual landlords and tenants, he has taken steps to reconcile such committees' duties under the Act with the injunctions thereon contained in the circulars in question?

My right hon. Friend cannot agree with the hon. Member that there is any discrepancy which needs reconciling between the language of the Section which he cites and the views expressed in the circulars. The Section only empowers a local authority to publish information of a general character for the assistance of landlords and tenants in their rights and duties and the like and not to offer advice on legal questions arising between individual landlords and tenants. If, however, the hon. Member will let my hon. Friend know more specifically the difficulty he has in mind, he will be glad to consider it.