asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that British troops in Waziristan still receive no wood allowance during the summer months and are, therefore, put to personal expense, as they have to buy the wood in order to provide themselves with hot water; and whether he will arrange for wood to be issued all the year round in the future?

My right hon. Friend is asking the Government of India for a report, and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend on its receipt.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in accordance with the resolution passed on 2nd February at the last meeting of the League Council, His Majesty's Government have examined, in consultation with other similarly interested Governments, the feasibility of any further steps which may contribute to a just settlement of the Sino-Japanese conflict?

The terms of the resolution to which the hon. Member refers are familiar to His Majesty's Government, who have, however, no indication that the present moment is opportune for any active steps in the direction indicated in the resolution. The situation will continue to be closely watched.

asked the Prime Minister whether British merchants are being allowed by the Japanese military authorities to send their Chinese employés to move merchandise into and out of British-owned warehouses in the occupied area in the international settlement in Shanghai?

British subjects have for some time been able to deal with their property at British warehouses and I have no reason to suppose that they are now prevented from sending Chinese employés to handle it.

asked the Prime Minister how far hostilities have now moved from Shanghai; and what steps His Majesty's Government are taking to secure the withdrawal of Japanese troops from the International Settlement and to assist the British community to restore the trade and industries of the port?

The main front has moved about 200 miles from Shanghai, but severe fighting between Chinese guerilla bands and Japanese troops has occurred within 60 miles of the city. His Majesty's Government are doing everything in their power to ensure a return to normal peacetime conditions.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the Settlement police are perfectly able to maintain order throughout the whole of the International Settlement; and will he take steps to protect British trade and the trade of other countries, and see that the Japanese troops are removed from the Settlement?

As I said in the original answer, His Majesty's Government are doing their best to ensure the return to normal peace-time conditions.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House upon what grounds the Japanese justify the retention of troops in the Settlement?

The hon. Gentleman may not realise that they have the same rights as other countries as regards stationing of troops in Shanghai.

Does my hon. Friend really suggest that the Japanese occupation of Yangtse-pu and Hongkew is comparable to the position of the British, American and French in Shanghai? The cases are entirely different.

asked the Prime Minister the number of British merchant vessels in Spanish Government ports, or on any voyage from or to Spanish Government ports, which have been, respectively, sunk, damaged or detained by insurgent or unknown air, surface or underwater craft; in how many cases have the British Government made a protest to the Spanish insurgent authorities; in how many has compensation been claimed; and in how many cases it has been received?

Four British merchant vessels were sunk in this manner; 10 were captured and detained in Nationalist ports, being later released; and so far as my information goes some 12 have been damaged, mostly during air raids on Spanish Government ports. His Majesty's Government have protested in every case where it has been possible to establish responsibility. As regards compensation, no specific claims have yet been presented to the Nationalist authorities by His Majesty's Government, though the right to submit claims in suitable cases has been reserved.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what the total claims are likely to be?

It is usual, I understand, to submit claims of this nature after hostilities have ceased, and all these claims are at the present moment being examined.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what his answer means in reference to Nationalists? Who are the Nationalists? Is he talking about the rebel insurgents?

Has the hon. Gentleman any information in his possession showing the total claims made by British companies?

We have had claims put in, but they are all being examined, and some of them appear to be rather inflated.

In cases where the damage was done not by insurgent aeroplanes, but by Italian aeroplanes, will the claims be presented to the Italians?

asked the Prime Minister whether the information in the possession of the British Government as to the transfer of four Italian destroyers to General Franco's Government in the late autumn of last year was forwarded to the Non-intervention Committee; and, if so, what action was taken?

asked the Prime Minister the date on which His Majesty's Government first received an intimation that General Franco's forces had acquired four additional destroyers; at what date, if at all, did His Majesty's Government place this information before the Non-Intervention Committee; and what steps, if any, did they take to obtain information upon the country of origin of these warships?

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty and I have stated that there were reports to this effect in the autumn of last year. The possibility of sponsoring alleged breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement before the Non-intervention Committee has repeatedly been considered by His Majesty's Government. Early experience, however, showed the virtual impossibility of proving such breaches, and it was this consideration which prevented His Majesty's Government from taking action in this particular case.

I understood from the answer to a question the other day that there would be non-intervention, and is it not the fact that the Non-intervention Committee itself does not collect evidence and that only the Governments collect evidence? Am I to understand now that the Governments do not present this evidence to the Committee?

The Governments have the right to sponsor claims before the Nonintervention Committee. At the same time, the International Board have officers who can, by observation, collect the evidence.

Is it the fact that the observation officers present their reports to the British Government and not to the Non-intervention Committee?

No, Sir, the officers are employed by the International Board and are answerable to the board.

It is not a question whether they report to the board. The point is, who brings up the question of breaches of non-intervention? Is it the Government or the officers of the board; or is it only the Government who can bring it up?

The Government have the right to sponsor claims before the Nonintervention Committee.

The hon. Gentleman has not answered my question. Have the officers the right to initiate proceedings before the Non-intervention Committee, or only the Government?

The officers have not that right.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any claim will be put forward, or have the Government put forward any claim?

Can my hon. Friend say whether, if the Government make this claim, they will also call attention to the similar transfer of a fleet of 300 Russian tanks to the Barcelona Government?

rose—

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the speech on 16th March, 1938, in the Italian Chamber of Deputies by General Guiseppe Valle, Under-Secretary for Air, in which the rôle of Italian aviation in the Spanish war was described; and whether he will have the relevant passages circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Yes, Sir. My attention has been drawn to newspaper reports of this speech, but I am not prepared to take the action suggested by the hon. Member.

Will the Prime Minister take steps to have the newspaper reports verified, and if he finds that they are verified, will he circulate the relevant passages in the way suggested?

No, Sir, I do not think that that is part of my duty.

Has the Prime Minister seen the reports in the officially controlled Italian Press giving a verbatim account of what General Guiseppe Valle said; and will he not consider circulating that for the information of the House?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state, according to the latest information at the disposal of His Majesty's Government, the respective approximate numbers of German and of Italian military personnel and surface and underwater vessels and aeroplanes of German or Italian origin, and the approximate amounts of German and Italian war material at the disposal of the Spanish insurgents; whether there has been an increase or diminution of the same since 21st February, 1938; and what proportion the same, respectively, bears to the total personnel, vessels, aeroplanes, and material at the disposal of the insurgents?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will, I hope, realise that it is impossible for His Majesty's Government to obtain detailed and exact information of this nature.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that this question does not ask whether the Government will obtain information, but what information is in the possession of the Government, be that information little or great?

Cannot the collection of this information be left to the French and the Russian Governments?

I have answered previously the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question. It is impossible for the Government to give this information, and it is difficult to obtain the exact nature of it to verify it.

Can the hon. Gentleman give such information as the Government have upon these matters?

As I have said in reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman, I cannot vouch for its accuracy, and, therefore, could not undertake to give it.

Irrespective of the accuracy of it, will the hon. Gentleman give the information?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that many soldiers fighting in the Republican forces in Spain are not of Spanish origin but are exiles from their own countries and have lost their nationality, and part of their reward for their military services to the Republican Government is the bestowal of Spanish nationality; and whether, in considering the withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Spain, His Majesty's Government have decided to class them as alien volunteers or as Spanish nationals?

This is a matter for the consideration of the Non-intervention Committee and I can assure my hon. Friend that they are fully aware of the problem. I am not, however, at present in a position to give any information on the subject.

Are His Majesty's Government taking into consideration the fact that the Government granting this nationality is recognised neither by Germany nor Italy?

asked the Prime Minister what action he proposes to take in view of the recent resolution passed by the National Directorate of the Italian Fascist party that Italian troops were an essential factor in General Franco's recent victories and that they would establish a new civilisation in Signor Mussolini's name along the western shores of the Mediterranean?

I have seen a report in the Press of the document to which the hon. Member refers, but I do not consider that it necessarily bears the interpretation which he places upon it

As the document is quite clear that the Western Mediterranean may be a new Mussolini dominion, are the Government prepared to do nothing in view of that open admission?

My right hon. Friend said on Thursday last that he was prepared to accept the word of the Italian Government that they have no territorial, political or economic aims in Spain.

With regard to statements in foreign countries, is the Under-Secretary aware that an attack was made on His Majesty's Government by the hon. Member for North Lambeth (Mr. G. Strauss) in Spain?

asked the Prime Minister whether any report has been issued or can be made available to Members concerning the nature of methods and local distribution of the assistance given by the International Red Cross in Spain to which His Majesty's Government have contributed?

Yes, Sir. I will arrange for a copy to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the practice of His Majesty's Government to bring to the notice of the Non-Intervention Committee all verified breaches of the Nonintervention Agreement which are brought to their notice; and in how many cases has this practice been followed?

His Majesty's Government have asked the Non-intervention Committee to investigate information which had come into their possession regarding some 13 alleged breaches of the Nonintervention Agreement. The experience gained in the early months of the existence of the Non-intervention Committee made it plain that it was not possible to bring home to the Governments concerned such alleged breaches; and it was largely for this reason that the Observation Scheme was elaborated and put into operation, for the purpose of obtaining direct and impartial evidence. Since the putting into operation of this scheme there is not the same necessity for individual Governments to bring alleged breaches of the Agreement to the notice of the Committee, since the International Board are clearly in a far better position to secure evidence.

In view of the fact that the Under-Secretary has just informed me that only Governments can take action on these complaints, what happens with regard to the information that comes before the board?

I said that Governments had a right to bring these matters before the Committee. If the Committee receive this evidence from the International Board, there is no doubt they could take action among themselves in the matter.

Are we to understand that since the Non-intervention Agreement came into force the Government have no verified knowledge of any single breach of the Non-intervention Agreement?

What I said was that the Government have asked the Committee to investigate information which has come into their possession regarding some 13 cases.

Did the hon. Member not say that was before the Non-intervention Agreement came into force? What I am asking is whether since the Agreement came into force the Government have any knowledge in their possession, which has been verified, of breaches of the Agreement?

Is not the Government's reluctance to bring these alleged breaches before the Non-intervention Committee due to their reluctance to have the Italian Government convicted?

That is not true.

I could not hear what the Prime Minister said.

I said that is not true.

Will the Prime Minister lay before the Committee the report of the "Times" correspondent in General Franco's territory, that new German and Italian air forces had been arriving recently?

Is not the Prime Minister deliberately conniving at a victory for General Franco?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will propose to the Spanish Government and to the insurgent authorities the withdrawal of all troops and military material from certain areas and towns in Spain, in order that these could become centres of refuge for the infirm, women, and children under the supervision and administration of the League of Nations?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion, which presents, however, many difficulties.

Will the Under-Secretary not only consider it but recommend that steps be taken in that direction?

It is not the first time this question has been considered. We have found many difficulties, but I will give the matter renewed consideration.

Would it not be the best thing to withdraw women and children from Barcelona?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to allow the Navy to give any assistance in conveying non-combatant refugees out of the danger zone in East Spain or in protecting merchant ships used for refugees?

I have been asked to reply. As in the past, His Majesty's Ships will afford such assistance in humanitarian work as is reasonably practicable. As regards the protection of merchant ships carrying refugees, I would refer the hon. Lady to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the First Lord, on I2th July, to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell).

In view of the fact that the sufferings of the population of Barcelona are largely caused by the action of the Government in forbidding the Spanish Government to buy arms—

That is quite improper as a supplementary question.

May I complete my question by asking whether the Government will allow the British Navy to evacuate refugees as they did in the case of the refugees of General Franco in the early days of the war?

The Royal Navy is evacuating any British subjects from Barcelona who wish to go. With regard to evacuating other refugees either from Barcelona or Valencia, the House may like to know that there is no blockade of these ports and that they can leave by ships which call at these ports daily.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether he is considering the possibility of joint action with the United States Government to prevent the entry of oil from British and American concessions which have been arbitrarily confiscated by the Mexican Government into British or American ports or territories;

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government propose to take any action in view of the expropriation by the Mexican Government of the property of the Mexican Eagle Company shareholders?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further information respecting recent events in Mexico, particularly as affecting British subjects and British financial and commercial interests?

His Majesty's Government have under consideration the various steps which it might be open to them to take in order to deal with the situation which has arisen. His Majesty's Minister in Mexico City is keeping us fully informed, and we are in close touch with the British interests concerned. Hon. Members may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will do their best to safeguard British investments in Mexico, but in the meantime I may refer them to an assurance on the part of the President of Mexico reproduced in the Press of 23rd March that the expropriation methods taken against foreign oil interests would not be extended to other industries.

Will my hon. Friend consider making a discrimination against the sale of stolen commodities in this country in favour of those which are imported under legitimate trade?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any estimate of the number of British subjects, other than tourists, at present living in Germany and Austria?

Exact statistics on this subject are not available, but the numbers of British subjects resident in Austria and Germany appear to be about 1,500 and 5,000 respectively.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are being taken to prevent the broadcasting of advertising programmes in English from foreign wireless stations?

Representations have been made to foreign Governments on this matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that 400 ex-service men in Manchester are now receiving public assistance because their pensions are insufficient for their maintenance; will he inquire how many similar cases there are in other parts of the country; and will he then consider reviewing the whole position of disabled ex-service men so that the whole cost of their maintenance will fall on his Department?

I would remind the hon. Member that compensation under the Royal Pension Warrants approved by Parliament is provided solely in accordance with the particular degree of disablement resulting from each man's war service. As such, disability pensions were not designed, and could not be used in all cases to provide full maintenance in conditions of need arising from unemployment or other causes.

Does the hon. Member think it will be a good thing for recruiting that it should be known in £he country that this is the way ex-service men are being treated at the present time?

I do not think the hon. Member appreciated the last part of my answer:

"As such, disability pensions were not designed, and could not be used in all cases to provide full maintenance in conditions of need arising from unemployment or other causes."

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) whether he is aware that Mr. S. F. Maskell, 36, Great Eastern Road, E.15, case No. A427,957 P.R.H.C., is unable to work owing to war injuries; and whether he will cause immediate investigations to be made;

As in each case the question only appeared on the Order Paper on Saturday it has not been possible to obtain the particulars of the three cases referred to in time for answer to-day. I will, however, look into the cases and communicate with the hon. Member as early as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received the deputation from the British Legion; and what are the intentions of the Government with respect to removing the present injustices to ex-service men, and especially those who are prematurely aged and suffering from the ill-effects of the abnormal conditions of life in the War?

I am not yet in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave on 14th March to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith).

Is the Prime Minister aware of the great concern aroused by the exposure of the Government's ingratitude to ex-service men in the recent report of the British Legion?

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of cotton mills in Lancashire that have closed down since July, 1931?

According to the returns received in connection with the Surveys of Industrial Development, which have been held only since 1932, the net reduction during the years 1932 to 1937 in the number of establishments in Lancashire engaged in cotton spinning or weaving amounted to 214

asked the Attorney-General whether he can now announce a decision about the selection of a new area or new areas under Section 120 of the Land Registration Act, 1925?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave my hon. and gallant Friend on 3rd March.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of William Hargreaves, 31 years old, married, Territorial, who was arrested at the Ministry of Labour Office, Bootle, by two plain-clothes officers, who informed him they had orders to detain him until an escort arrived from the asylum in which he had been incarcerated 14 years ago, on the grounds that Hargreaves had not been subject and amenable to proper supervision during the 12 years he had been at liberty; and what steps he is taking to have this case reviewed with a view to releasing Hargreaves?

My right hon. Friend has caused inquiry to be made in the case of William Hargreaves. He was sent to an institution for mental defectives on 10th July, 1925, on the authority of an order made under the Mental Deficiency Act, 1913. He was allowed to leave the institution on licence on 22nd December, 1926. The periods were extended from time to time until 11th May, 1934, when the licence was revoked on the ground that its conditions had been broken. The patient was then treated as an escape from licence and was eventually brought back to the institution on 3rd February, 1938. He was again allowed to leave the institution on licence on 9th March. The Board of Control have reviewed the whole of the circumstances of the case, and as a result have directed William Hargreaves' discharge from the order under the Mental Deficiency Acts made in respect of him.

Is it not a fact that William Hargreaves has been sane all along and that he was released last week simply and solely because of the question being raised in the House, the examination having taken place only during the week; further, is it not a fact that this man has been away from an institution for 12 years, that he is considered to be sound mentally and that the Territorial officers under whom he has been working say that he is perfectly sane; and will the Minister say what inquiry, if any, he intends to make if a man is considered to be insane, sent to an asylum and treated as a convict, and what compensation he intends to pay?

Special reports were made in August last year about the case of Mr. Hargreaves, and the specialists came to the conclusion that he was not a proper person to be detained in an asylum. It was within the discretion of the board to accept that recommendation or not, and, in fact, they did not act upon it.

In view of the outrage upon public liberty, I intend to raise this question on the Adjournment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the position of a married officer who has exercised his option to draw marriage allowance and children's allowance afloat if he receives a shore appointment where service quarters are provided for him?

If employed on shore in an appointment in which for service reasons he cannot live with his family an officer will continue to receive marriage and children's allowances if quarters are provided for him. If provided with quarters in which he can live with his family he will receive children's allowance only, but if married and childless he will doubtless exercise his option of serving under present conditions until his next promotion. It may make the position clear if I add that the rules for allocation of quarters are being revised so that single quarters will not be allocated to a married officer unless:—(a) his presence is required for service reasons, or (b) his appointment is temporary, or (c) he wishes for single quarters and some are vacant.

While thanking my hon. and gallant Friend for that answer, will he tell me whether I am right in assuming that married officers receive marriage allowance for the simple and sole reason that they are married, and if that be so, why is it that they do not receive such marriage allowance when they are on half-pay?

That is quite a different question from the one on the Order Paper.

If I put that specific question on the Order Paper, will my hon. and gallant Friend give me a reply?