asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make any further statement as to the position of the International Settlement in Shanghai?

The position has not altered since my reply to a question on the same subject put by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 23rd March.

asked the Prime Minister the number of claims for compensation made by His Majesty's Government against Japan during the present war; the total amount involved; and what compensation has been received up to date?

Claims have been presented to the Japanese Government for injury or loss of life to members of the British Forces in China, and the total sum claimed, namely £2,420, has already been paid by the Japanese Government. Instructions have also been sent to His Majesty's Ambassador in Japan for the presentation of claims for damage to merchant shipping suffered during the incidents on the Yangtse on 5th, 11th and 12th December of last year. The precise amount involved in this second category is not yet known, but it is in the region of £250,000. According to my latest information, other claims to the number of 34 and amounting to £7,190 5s. 6d. have been the subject of preliminary local notification to the Japanese authorities in China.

asked the Prime Minister what has been the result of the representations made to the Japanese Government in February and renewed during the present month on the necessity for maintaining the integrity of the Chinese Customs and preventing the continuance of the irregular situation which now obtains in Shanghai to the prejudice of non-Japanese trade?

I have at present nothing to add to the answers which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Bilston (Mr. Hannah) on 24th March.

Will my hon. Friend press the Japanese Government for an early reply? Is he aware that there is a general feeling that the Japanese Government are holding up these assurances while their goods go into Shanghai duty free, to the detriment of our trade?

The Japanese Government have promised early consideration of the representations which we have made to them.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the announcement by the Japanese Government that they will no longer recognise the Chinese Government at Hankow; whether this will affect His Majesty's Government's recognition of the Chinese Government; and whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's diplomatic representative in China will only maintain diplomatic relations with the Hankow Government?

I am aware that the Japanese Government declared on 17th January that they would cease thenceforward to deal with the Chinese National Government. This will not affect the attitude of His Majesty's Goverenment which remains as stated in the reply given to the hon. Member for Clayton (Mr. Jagger) on 8th February.

Will the Under-Secretary please answer the last part of my question?

I think that is answered by the reference to the previous answer, which gave an assurance to that effect.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have appointed military observers in China and Spain; and when were such appointments made?

There are no military observers in China or Spain appointed as such by His Majesty's Government. There are, however, on the staff of His Majesty's Embassy and resident in China, a Military Attaché and an Air Attaché, together with an Assistant Military Attaché. The dates of appointment of these officers are 13th November, 1934, 11th September, 1936, and 12th March, 1938, respectively. There are equally Assistant Military and Air Attachés on the staff of His Majesty's Minister at Barcelona, who were appointed respectively on 7th October and 18th December, 1936.

Do the military attachés or other officers report regularly to the Government on the effects of modem warfare, and do they give any guidance to the Government in regard to those matters?

I think that these officers can be relied upon to discharge their duties in the manner suggested.

I think I am entitled to an answer to my question. I am asking a specific question. Do they report regularly to His Majesty's Government with regard to the effect of modern warfare in the particular place where they are located?

I said that they discharge their duties in the manner suggested. I thought that was an answer to the hon. Member as he suggested the manner.

Will the Government consider the advisability of appointing a military attaché to General Franco's forces in order to study the offensive?

This question has been under consideration.

May I ask where these military attachés are located?

In Spain they are attached to His Majesty's Minister at Barcelona, that is, their headquarters, and in the case of China they are attached to the staff of His Majesty's Embassy.

May I not have an answer to my question? I think it is disgraceful that we should have such a reply as has been given.

asked the Prime Minister the number of claims for compensation made by His Majesty's Government against the insurgent authorities in Spain; the total amount involved; and what compensation has been received up to date?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 14th February last to my hon. Friend the Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson), of which I am sending him a copy. No compensation has been received up to date.

Are the Foreign Office using pressure to see that compensation is paid?

As I informed the House on a previous occasion, many of the claims now under consideration will have to wait until the conclusion of hostilities in order to ascertam the total amount.

Has compensation been paid by the Republican Government for losses to British trade?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister the names of the Governments that have made complaints under the procedure of the Non-intervention Committee and which of these have failed to satisfy the committee that there has been a breach of the agreement?

Complaints of alleged breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement have been put forward under this procedure by His Majesty's Government and by the German, Italian and Soviet Governments. In no case was it possible to prove to the satisfaction of the committee that a breach of the agreement had occurred.

In the case of the complaint by His Majesty's Government, did the Government do what it could to get this complaint substantiated?

Yes, Sir.

In order to substantiate a complaint has the Committee to be unanimous?

Yes, Sir.

Is it not clear that the Non-intervention Committee is impervious to all reason and argument?

asked the Prime Minister what form of inquiry is being undertaken to ascertain whether the steamship "Stanwell," bombed in Tarragona harbour on the 15th March, was the object of a deliberate attack; whether such inquiry is now completed, and, if so, what is the result thereof; and what action he proposes to take thereon?

His Majesty's Government have now completed their inquiries on this question, and after careful consideration of all the evidence they have come to the conclusion that the vessel was the object of a deliberate attack. The British Agent at Burgos has accordingly been instructed to inform the Nationalist authorities to this effect and to enter a strong protest against this attack which His Majesty's Government must regard as entirely unjustifiable, and for which they must hold those authorities responsible. Sir R. Hodgson has further been instructed to demand an immediate investigation into the incident, and to reserve the right of His Majesty's Government to claim in due course full compensation for the damage to persons and property resulting from the attack.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether we are to take the term "National" as now being the official description of the rebel movement?

There is a question on the Order Paper about that.

In view of the Under-Secretary's statement that compensation in these cases is not likely to be paid until the conclusion of hostilities, may I ask whether the seamen concerned in this attack are being compensated now, and, if so, from what source?

It is not an absolute and invariable rule that compensation must wait until the end of hostilities, and I will certainly bear in mind the point put by the hon. Member.

May I ask whether the "Stanwell" was alongside the jetty or at anchor, and, if at anchor, how far she was from the shore?

She was alongside the jetty.

asked the Prime Minister whether the acceptance by the Italian Government of the British formula for the evacuation of foreign troops from Spain includes the basic figure of 20,000?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 14th March, there has been no decision by the Non-intervention Committee to publish information of this nature.

Since the Prime Minister assured the House on 21st February that the Italian Government had accepted the British formula, and since the formula is totally inoperative without the acceptance of the basic figure on which it is founded, in what sense have the Italian Government accepted the proposals of the British Government?

The hon. Member will remember that their acceptance was dependent on the agreement of other Governments concerned, and it is impossible to give details, as this matter has not been decided to be published by the Nonintervention Committee.

Is it not a fact that the French and Russian Governments have accepted the formula, including the basic figure of 20,000?

That is a matter which is covered by my answer to the question. The Non-intervention Committee have not decided to publish this.

May I put a question to the Prime Minister? Seeing that he has told us that his conversations with Italy were dependent on the acceptance of a certain formula, how can he possibly deny to this House this information merely because of some private arrangement with the Non-intervention Committee with which we are not concerned?

The right hon. Gentleman has not represented accurately what I said. I did not say that our conversations with Italy were dependent on the acceptance by the Italian Government of the formula. I did say that the Italian Government had voluntarily given us that assurance.

That does not alter substantially my point. The Prime Minister has assured us that he had an acceptance by the Italian Government of something; now we are asking what it is, and are told that it is a secret of the Non-intervention Committee. We want to know what it is.

Is it not a fact that the Prime Minister engaged on these negotiations on condition that there should be evacuation of Italian troops in virtue of their acceptance of the formula?

What steps are the Government taking to get the Non-intervention Committee together to get on with the business?

There is a question on the Order Paper which I shall be answering in a few moments.

Is not all this bother a sign that General Franco is winning?

In view of the great importance of this question and the obscurity of the answers given, I beg to give notice that I will raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement showing what steps His Majesty's Government have taken in recent weeks to inform themselves as to the extent of foreign intervention on either side in Spain?

His Majesty's Government obtain information from a variety of sources, but I am not prepared to make any public statement of the nature suggested.

Have the military attachés been asked for reports, and have the very large number of impartial Press men now in Spain been asked to give any information to the Government as to the state of affairs on the front now?

Naturally, we derive information from any source from which we are able to obtain it.

What has the hon. Gentleman done with the information he has received?

Studied it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will make a statement to show how the responsibility for bringing alleged breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement to the notice of the Nonintervention Committee is shared between the Government members of the Committee and the officers of the Committee?

The procedure for dealing with alleged breaches of the Non-intervention Agreement submitted to the Nonintervention Committee by Governments was laid down by the Committee in September, 1936. The main features of this procedure are that a complaint may only be submitted to the Committee by one of the Governments represented thereon, and that it must be regarded by that Government as being of sufficient importance and as being founded on evidence of sufficient weight to afford a reasonable presumption that, in fact, some breach of the Agreement has occurred. Under the Observation Scheme adopted by the Committee in March, 1937, it is the duty of the officers of the Non-intervention Board to report to the board any breaches of the scheme which may come to their notice in the performance of their duties. It has then been the practice of the Secretary to the board to circulate information regarding such breaches to the Non-intervention Committee, who can of course, if they so desire, debate them. If, however, any Government wished to base a complaint against another Government on information obtained in this manner, it would be necessary to comply with the procedure laid down by the Committee as I have already explained.

As the Minister told us in answer to an earlier supplementary question that the Committee has to be unanimous on these reports, is it not known in advance that the whole of that procedure is a farce?

May I ask whether ordinary diplomatic action cannot be taken outside the Committee, or is the Foreign Office procedure completely abrogated by the Committee?

The Foreign Office always reserves to itself the right to exercise its diplomatic functions.

Would it not be much better to dissolve the Committee and let both sides get arms in the best way they can?

asked the Prime Minister whether his pledge that a general settlement with Italy must include a satisfactory solution of the non-intervention policy in Spain will be satisfied by an insurgent victory in Spain followed by the withdrawal of Italian troops and war material from that country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House last Thursday, to which I have nothing to add.

Is the Prime Minister aware that it is generally interpreted as meaning fair play for Spain that the Italian troops should be withdrawn before they have won a victory for the enemies of England and Mr. Lennox-Boyd. May I ask for a reply to this supplementary question?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Nonintervention Committee last met on 4th November and the Chairman's Sub-Committee on 3rd February, and considering the relation of present events in Spain to the policy of non-intervention, he will at once convene a meeting of the Non-intervention Committee or the Chairman's Sub-Committee in order that the present deadlock may be resolved or its causes made known?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will propose that a meeting of the Non-intervention Committee be held as soon as possible; and whether His Majesty's Government will propose at such meeting that a commission of inquiry be immediately despatched to both sides in Spain, with a view to ascertaining the extent of the help in men, aeroplanes and artillery received by both sides from foreign sources?

A meeting of the Chairman's Sub-Committee has been fixed for to-morrow. I would remind the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) that under the plan at present under the discussion of the Non-intervention Committee, it is already proposed that, with the consent of the two parties in Spain, commissions should be sent to both sides to estimate the numbers of foreign volunteers engaged in the conflict. I do not consider that any attempt to widen the mandates of the commissioners would be practicable.

Will the British Government see that, in view of the present situation in Spain, this committee is kept in constant being and meets every week instead of once in two months, in order that either a satisfactory settlement shall be reached, or that the whole principle of non-intervention shall be seen to have broken down?

Naturally, it is in the interests of the committee to keep as closely in touch with the situation as possible.

In view of the fact that the Spanish Government have officially charged the German and Italian Governments with intervention in Spain, does not the Minister consider that it is desirable for the Non-intervention Committee to consider those charges?

I have already defined the procedure under which the Non-intervention Committee deals with these charges.

In view of the attitude adopted by the Minister, I beg to give notice that I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to obtain information regarding the supply of war material and men from Germany and Italy during the present year to the insurgent forces in Spain, he will ask for reports on the subject from the British representative at Burgos, the British Consular authorities in Spanish insurgent territory, the British Consular authorities at Hamburg and other German centres, and from the British Ambassador at Rome?

It is the function and practice of His Majesty's Representatives and Consular Officers to report on all matters that may affect British interests; and His Majesty's Government call for reports on specific subjects whenever it may appear advisable for them to do so.

Have not His Majesty's Government called for reports on this particular subject? Will they do so now?

The hon. Gentleman may rely upon us to call for reports when we consider it desirable.

May I ask whether this information is given to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of his statements in another place yesterday?

I think that Consular officers can be relied upon to do their duty in the best manner possible.

Do not the Foreign Office want information which will embarrass their Fascist and Nazi friends?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the insurgent authorities in Spain have recently been officially referred to as the Nationalist authorities; whether this is the result of an official decision; and whether a change of policy is thereby indicated?

No official decision has been taken on this matter, and the fact that the current term "Nationalist" has been used instead of "Insurgent" does not signify any change of policy on the part of His Majesty's Government.

Does not the Minister realise that so to describe persons in Spain who are conducting a murderous rebellion against a Government with which we are in friendly relationship can rightly be taken by that Government as a slur and offence against it?

Can the Prime Minister tell us why this decision has been taken to change the word "Insurgent" to "Nationalist"?

No, Sir. No decision has been taken.

Is not the Prime Minister aware that the official answers that are drafted and given in the House have adopted a new term? I am asking him, as head of the Government, why the change has been made?

I take it that it is because the term has been very often used.

By whom?

It is in general use.

Will the Prime Minister give instructions that there shall not be the use of this term, which is ambiguous?

asked the Prime Minister whether any agreement, assurance, or undertaking has been obtained from the German Government as to its intentions or designs in regard to Spain; and whether he will give particulars?

It is not clear to me what intentions or designs the hon. and gallant Member has in mind; but if he refers to territorial questions, the German Chancellor stated in the Reichstag on 20th February last that Germany possesses no territorial interests which could have any effect on the civil war in Spain.

Having in mind that the right hon. Gentleman has obtained assurances from the Italian Government, is it not desirable that similar assurances should be obtained from the German Government?

They have made declarations.

Is that answer in consonance with the announcement made yesterday that 5,000 additional German troops have been landed in Spain this week?

I do not understand what the right hon. Gentleman means by "the announcement." There has been no such announcement by the German Government, as far as I know.

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to speeding up the withdrawal of foreign volunteers from Spain, the Non-intervention Committee has now ascertained the number of foreigners from the International Brigade who are in General Franco's concentration camps; and will he give the number?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that under the present scheme of the Non-intervention Committee commissions are to be sent to Spain for the purpose of making such estimates, and in advance of that information I have no material on which to base an estimate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information or reports upon the arrival of the Italian ships "Franca Fasscio" and "Palos" at Seville on or about the 1st March and 12th March, respectively, and of the German ship "Pasajes" at Larache on 10th March; whether, in view of the official statement by the Spanish Government that these ships carried war material, he has received or called for any report from His Majesty's representatives at Seville and Larache, or from any other source which would place His Majesty's Government in a position to raise the matter with the Non-intervention Committee and whether these vessels carried a non-intervention officer?

As a result of inquiries which have been addressed to the Bureau of the Non-intervention Board in regard to the movement of these ships, I understand that none of them were in the ports in question on the dates given. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise. As regards the last part of the question, the "Franca Fasscio" had observing officers on board on 1st March, the "Pasajes" embarked an observing officer on 13th March before proceeding to a Spanish port, and the "Palos," not having been to a Spanish port, did not embark an observing officer during the period in question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say why he is always able to give confident rebutting evidence against any charge which might reflect upon the Italian Government but he cannot give positive evidence in other cases?

Were these ships or some of them in other Spanish ports about this date; and has the Minister definite evidence from the non-intervention observers that they were not carrying arms or men?

I have obtained information from the Non-intervention Board which describes the movements of these ships. The first ship, which had observers on board, was not at Seville but at Palma bound for Marseilles. The second ship passed Finisterre on 11th March and arrived at Casa Blanca on 14th March. It seems hardly possible for her to have taken the course suggested. I have similar information about the last ship.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the intention of the German Government to leave troops in occupation of Spain until her colonial claims have been admitted and settled; and what action does he propose to take in consequence thereof?

I am not aware of any such intention. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many submarines were in the possession of the Spanish insurgents at the outbreak of the insurrection; how many submarines have passed into the service of the insurgents since the outbreak; at what date His Majesty's Government received information of the acquisition of submarines by the insurgents; and what inquiries were made and on what dates to ascertain the country of origin of such submarines?

With regard to the first and second part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) on 7th July last. With regard to the third part of the question, a report was received from the Spanish Embassy on 1st February last to the effect that. General Franco had received two Italian submarines. I am not in a position either to confirm or to deny the accuracy of this report.

In view of that information, have any representations been made to the Non-intervention Committee as to the acquisition of these Italian submarines by the Franco Government?

I do not think any representations have been made to the Nonintervention Committee, but that is not a question for the Admiralty. It is a case for the Foreign Office.

Have either of these Italian submarines, to the Admiralty's knowledge, been engaged in attacks on British ships?

No, Sir. I am not aware that Italian submarines were handed over.

Would not a reference to the Italian Navy List show whether they had two submarines less?

Since these are the vessels which have been engaged in piracy, and since that fact has meant a very heavy burden of expenditure on the British taxpayer, it is not desirable that the Government should endeavour to find out where they come from?

On a point of Order. Is it not an abuse of the procedure of the House to take up so much time with Spanish questions, and so little with British affairs?

These are British affairs. British sailors are being drowned.

asked the Prime Minister whether any representations have recently been made to the Brazilian Government with regard to its default upon the service of loans issued in the United Kingdom?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Rio de Janeiro has been in constant touch not only with the representatives of the Council of Foreign Bondholders but also with the Brazilian authorities. It has not so far proved possible to obtain from the Brazilian Government a statement of their intentions, but my hon. Friend may rest assured that His Majesty's Government will not relax their efforts to obtain a satisfactory solution of this question to which, as the Prime Minister stated in the House on 14th February, they attach the greatest importance.

Does the Under-Secretary not agree that it is impossible for Brazil to meet her indebtedness to this country if this country limits importations from Brazil to this country?

These considerations will no doubt be present in the course of the discussions which are taking place.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the furtherance of his policy in European appeasement, he will consider the question of Hungarian minority rights in Czechoslovakia?

His Majesty's Government are interested in and give consideration to all questions affecting the rights of minorities, which derive from treaties to which His Majesty's Government are party.

Will my hon. Friend give a report to the House on the results of that consideration?

I think I should wish to examine the matter first.

Will the Government give equal consideration to the claims of the Jewish minority in Germany?

asked the Prime Minister what measures are being proposed by His Majesty's Government in response to the invitation of the President of the United States of America for international action to assist Austrian and other refugees?

The invitation received by His Majesty's Government from the United States Government to co-operate in the setting up of a special committee to deal with the problem of emigration from Austria and Germany is receiving prompt and sympathetic consideration. It is hoped to return a reply at a very early date.

Can the Under-Secretary say what countries have accepted the invitation?

Not without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government will evolve some scheme to offer Jewish and other refugees from Austria, and similarly placed European countries, a new home in a suitable British possession overseas?

The objections to a policy of indiscriminate admission of refugees were stated by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary on 22nd March. They apply also to the Colonies. Owing to climatic and economic conditions, and to the existence of large native populations, there is no territory in the Colonial Empire where any large-scale settlement is practicable. With regard to individual cases, the Governors of a number of Colonies have recently been consulted as to the openings in their territories for refugees with professional or business qualifications, or for refugees possessing a small amount of capital. I regret that the replies so far received show that such openings are likely to be few.

Is it not very desirable that we should carry on our traditional ideal of hospitality to these people who are suffering?

Certainly, but I would point out that we cannot possibly send people to reside in West Africa and places of that kind.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say from memory the number of Jews who have been compelled to leave Austria since the recent events?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now state the results of the visit of the British Mission to Portugal?

As the British Mission to Portugal has only been in that country for little more than a month and is not expected to leave before May, I am not in a position to state the results of its visit. I can, however, say that good progress is being made in its discussions with the Portuguese military authorities.

Is the question of Portuguese assistance to the Franco forces one of the matters under discussion?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any statement on the position in Malta consequent upon the recent decision in the Court of Appeal?

The Governor of Malta has reported that final leave to appeal to His Majesty in Council was granted by the Malta Courts on 28th March. The petition in the appeal will be lodged as soon as possible. As a stay of execution has been granted no special measures on the part of the Malta Government are required in the interval.

In view of the uncertainty created by this appeal case, will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to expedite a decision?

I do not think there is anything I can do. The case will come before the Privy Council, and they will hear it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether civil servants were considered for the position of Chief Inland Revenue Officer in the Isle of Seychelles; and whether the gentleman appointed has held a Government post in the past?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as I am aware, Mr. Sauvage had not previously held a Government post. He has, however, been a member of the Legislative Council.

Do I understand that it is the rule there to appoint members of the Legislative Council to Civil Service posts, and why is it that ex-employés of private firms are appointed to these positions?

There are very few civil servants there. The island cannot afford to pay the usual scale of the Colonial service, and it is the custom to get unofficial members of the community to do jobs of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the desire of His Majesty's Government to revive the League of Nations and to lend the influence of this country to the revision of relations between nations, which appear to demand review, and in view of the opinion widely held in this country that the decline of the League and the deterioration of the European situation has been substantially due to the undue emphasis placed on Article 16, which provides for sanctions, while Article 19, which provides for the redress of injustices, has been ignored, he will either consider asking for a special meeting of the Assembly of the League in order that grievances and injustices at present disturbing European relations may be considered immediately under the provisions of Article 19 of the Covenant of the League or indicate the methods he proposes for securing the consideration and redress of grievances?

As I stated in the House of Commons on 24th March, His Majesty's Government have constantly lent, and are prepared to continue to lend, their influence to the revision of relations between nations established by treaty or otherwise which appear to demand review. They will continue whether by way of action through the League or by direct diplomatic effort to exert all their influence on the side of bringing to peaceful and orderly solutions any issues liable to interrupt friendly relations between nations. I have at present nothing to add to this statement, and I do not consider that any useful purpose will in present circumstances be served by convoking a special meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of initiating staff conversations between Great Britain and France, with a view to making precise military arrangements for joint action in any eventuality where this may be required in accordance with the close understanding existing between the two nations?

Provision was made in the arrangement drawn up in London on 19th March, 1936, and in notes exchanged on 1st April, 1936, all of which have been laid before Parliament, for contact to be established between the two General Staffs with a view to arranging the technical conditions in which the obligations of the Locarno Treaty should be carried out in case of unprovoked aggression. At the same time, it was understood that this contact could not give rise in respect of either Government to any political undertaking or to any obligation regarding the organisation of national defence. Contact accordingly took place in April, 1936, and it was then arranged, and publicly stated, that other necessary technical information would be transmitted through the channel of the Service attachés in the two capitals.

Do I understand that provisional technical arrangements for joint action between the two countries are being kept up to date?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I have just given.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will call together all the self-governing parts of the Empire to get their opinion respecting the appeal to be made that all the nations should meet to consider what stand should be made if one country encroaches on another?

I am not sure that I understand exactly what the hon. Member has in mind, but, as I have already stated, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom keep in close touch with His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions on all important aspects of the present international situation. As regards a meeting of all the nations, I cannot add anything to what I said in this House on 24th March.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman making a mistake in not taking advantage of the present situation instead of waiting until another crisis arises, because throughout the country there is a feeling that something should be done before an eventuality arises?

All those points are kept in mind.

In view of the fact that the Government of Eire has acknowledged the Italian conquest of Abyssinia and is very anxious—

rose—

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to set up a planning committee representative of the industrial, commercial, financial and scientific interests of the country, for the purpose of advising the Government on economic and other problems in relation to Government policy?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. E. Smith) on 4th November, 1937.