asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the approximate cost of the recent mobilisation of the Fleet and all measures taken consequent thereto?

The cost of the recent mobilisation of the Fleet and of measures taken consequent thereto, apart from certain expenditure on measures for which provision would in any case have been required later, is provisionally assessed at a little less than £1,000,000.

Does that figure include the loss of prestige?

Was the mobilisation carried out smoothly and efficiently?

We have been at some pains to make inquiries, and I think it is fair to say that our plans went smoothly and efficiently. We have had very little complaint.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Government have considered the desirability of re-opening Pembroke Dockyard; and what decision has been come to?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, whether, in view of the fact that the Pembroke Dock is far removed from areas likely to be bombed and possesses considerable natural safeguards, he will consider the re-opening thereof?

The present position at Pembroke is that the greater part of the old dockyard is used by the Air Ministry as a base for flying-boat squadrons, and part is leased to Messrs. Wards, a firm of shiphreakers. Arrangements have been made for certain land to be used by the Admiralty for storage purposes, but after a careful examination it has been decided not to re-open the establishment as a Naval dockyard under present circumstances.

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that this dockyard would certainly be required in time of war, and that it would be better to prepare it in time of peace? Has it not been absolutely dismantled since 1926, and could not steps be taken to prepare it?

It is a very big question. I think I can say simply, that in time of peace this dockyard is surplus to our requirements, and that in time of war there are docking facilities available for our purpose in the West of England and on the North-East coast of Ireland.

Ought not this question be reconsidered, in view of the importance of the approaches to our Western ports in time of war, and bearing in mind that in the last War we had this vital area of Pembroke Dock and also places in Ireland which are no longer available?

All these questions were taken into account when we considered the question of re-opening, and, admittedly, the points raised by the hon. and gallant Gentleman were factors in favour of re-opening. On the other hand, other factors, into which the House will not expect me to go, are, in our view, decisive against re-opening.

May I draw my hon. Friend's attention to the large number of young people in this area? What steps are the Government taking to see that they receive adequate training in case the dockyard should be re-opened?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a beginning has yet been made with the erection of the swimming pool at Rosyth Dockyard; and whether any progress is being made for the provision of a gymnasium?

Tenders have been received and are under consideration. It has, however, not yet been possible to place a contract.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I last had this question on the Order Paper I was informed that the erection of the swimming pool would be begun last month, that is, October?

Yes, Sir. I think that the reply was to the effect that the contract would be placed in October, but the hon. Gentleman, no doubt, realises that at that time the staff were engaged on more important matters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of occasions during the last two years that assistance has been given to various film companies by his Department for the production of films of a naval character; whether this permission included the rights to photograph ships at sea and also to take photographs on board; and whether he will give particulars of the general charge that is made for such facilities?

Assistance has been given in the production of three films of a naval character during the last two years. Facilities were afforded to photograph ships at sea and also to take photographs on board. Out-of-pocket expenses only were charged in respect of these facilities.

Are these films subject to censorship by the Admiralty?

Are the films now being shown in the schools of the country?

Do we understand that they are shown without censorship?

One of them was sponsored by the Navy League and was of advantage in recruiting.

Has the American Ambassador been consulted?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether retired officers called up for service have to provide duplicate sets of uniform, one for use when ashore and a different one for use when afloat?

No, Sir. They are required to provide the uniform appropriate to the appointment.

Is it not a fact that after having the rank of Commander officers may be appointed to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, and that, therefore, they have to change their uniform?

As I understand the position, a Commander on the retired list will have the uniform of the rank he held when on the active list. In that case it will be the appropriate uniform.

If these officers are permitted to hold the rank of Commander and have the uniform of that rank, is it not obvious that when called up for service they will have to alter that uniform and go back to a lower rank?

No, Sir. If an officer is on the active list as a Lieutenant-Commander and on the retired list as Commander, and he has kept his active service uniform, he will wear that.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the terms of the old regulations governing the employment of officers on the retired list in the event of their being called up for service?

My hon. and gallant Friend will find these Regulations set out on pages 107–9 of the Appendix to the Navy List, a copy of which will be found in the Library of the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the recent decision about the rank in which officers on the retired list who have received promotion on their retirement are to be appointed, in an emergency, is interpreted as meaning that such an officer will never be re-employed in the rank he holds on the retired list?

No, Sir. The officer will be appointed in the higher rank, whenever the higher rank would not be inappropriate to the appointment. As far as practicable, the Admiralty would avail themselves of the services of the more senior officers for such appointments.

Will the hon. Gentleman have inquiries made in the office of the Second Sea-Lord whether it is not possible that, as a rule, officers shall be appointed in the rank which they hold on the retired list rather than the active list?

Is it not clear that in whatever rank an officer is reemployed he gets the pay of his higher rank?

That is so, because he comes from the retired list and his reemployment is of great assistance to the Navy. I give my hon. and gallant Friend the assurance that in every case where it is possible to give a higher rank to a retired officer coming back to the active list to be re-employed, that will be done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of Pahang proposes to alter the boundaries of the King George V National Park in Malaya by cutting off practically all the low-lying land essential to the well-being of some of the animals which the park is designed to preserve; and whether he will make representations to the Government of Malaya with a view to the preservation of the original boundaries?

I have ascertained from the High Commissioner that the Government of Pahang have not the intention suggested. The rights of certain Malays which are alleged to have been disturbed by the proposed boundary are under examination, but no substantial, if indeed any, modification of the boundary will be required in that respect.

Would the right hon. Gentleman state the cause of the delay, since the area of this national park was settled as long ago as 1926, and that his predecessor stated, two-and-a-half years ago, that the matter was being actively considered?

I am considering this matter, and I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of Malaya, in view of the strong demand there for increased self-government?

No, Sir. I am not aware that there is any strong demand for increased self-government in Malaya.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, when creating a passenger transport monopoly to increase safety on certain omnibus routes in Uganda, an exclusive licence was given to the alien Overseas Motor Transport Company, Limited, to the detriment of Baganda omnibus owners, creating a public service Baganda Government?

The object of creating the monoply in Uganda was to ensure a safe and satisfactory passenger transport service for the general public. Tenders to operate the monopoly were invited over a period of two months; and I am satisfied that, in awarding the contract finally to the British Overseas Motor Transport Company, the Protectorate Government took the course best calculated to serve the public interest.

Was it the lowest tender?

It was the best, having regard to all the circumstances, but I am not certain that it was the lowest as regards the amount.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the anxiety expressed by the Governor of Uganda regarding child labour, any legislation is proposed to limit it in agriculture and to prohibit it in factories?

By Ordinance No. 18 of 1938, enacted last month, the age below which the employment of children in industrial undertakings is prohibited was raised to 16 years. It is the intention of the Government of Uganda to consolidate the labour legislation of the Protectorate, and the Governor has intimated that the consolidating Ordinance will include provisions regulating the employment of children in all other forms of employment, including agriculture.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Hanna Asfour, legal adviser of the Palestine Arab Workers' Society, was arrested in Haifa at the beginning of this month; whether he is still interned in a concentration camp at Acre; what was the reason for his arrest; and whether, in view of his important services to the Arab labour movement, he may be set at liberty?

I have no information on the matter, but I have asked the High Commissioner for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further statement to make regarding the proposed discussions on Palestine?

Yes, Sir. Formal invitations to send representatives to the proposed discussions have now been issued to Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Transjordan, and to the Jewish Agency. We are still in communication with the Yemen on the matter. As regards the Palestinian Arab delegation, I have informed the High Commissioner that His Majesty's Government desire that all the important leading groups in the country should be represented, and have asked him to endeavour to arrange for this in consultation with the groups or individuals concerned, and to report to me as soon as possible. I have already informed the House of His Majestys' Government's attitude towards the present Mufti of Jerusalem. But as regards individuals who are at present deported or are the subject of an exclusion order, if, as a result of the High Commissioner's consultations, it is proposed that any of these should be amongst the representatives of the Palestinian Arabs, His Majesty's Government will give facilities to these individuals to proceed to London for the purpose of the discussions.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect the first assembly to take place, and how long does he expect the investigation or inquiry to last?

I cannot give any date until the delegations have been finally fixed up, but I hope the discussions will start within the next few weeks; and, as was stated in the statement made by His Majesty's Government, we do not intend that the discussions shall last for more than what is a reasonable period to allow for some understanding or agreement being reached in that period. If some such understanding is not reached, then the Government, in the light of their examination of the question and of the discussions, will announce the policy that they propose to pursue.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any representations as to the advantages which would accrue if the Mufti were allowed to be present at this conference; and is the decision which he has announced concerning the attendance of the Mufti to be regarded as final?

The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the first part, I have received a good many expressions of view from individuals, some in favour and some against, but I have received no official representation.

In view of the great interest of this matter to the United States. will not the Minister consider the advisability of inviting representatives—

rose—

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the statements which appeared in the Government-controlled German Press yesterday, accusing British troops and police in Palestine of looting, rape, murder and of torturing their prisoners; and whether it is proposed to instruct His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin to make a protest to the German Government and to ask that these unwarranted allegations affecting the honour and good name of His Majesty's Forces should immediately be denied in those organs of the German Press in which they have been published?

In the absence of the Prime Minister, I will reply. There is, of course, no truth whatever in this newspaper story. I would repeat the observation made by the Prime Minister, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on Monday, that the German Government must be well aware of the unfortunate effect on Anglo-German relations of such articles.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, now in the West Indies dealing with social and economic problems, include questions of the franchise and of federation?

In so far as these questions prove to be relevant to the economic and social problems of the West Indies, they are covered by the terms of reference of the Royal Commission.

If these questions are not raised in the terms of reference of the Royal Commission, will the right hon. Gentleman take them into consideration when he is considering the report of the Commission?

Yes, Sir. I cannot, of course, extend the terms of reference of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes to take immediate steps to deal with the under-nourishment and disease referred to in the report of Major Orde Brown on Northern Rhodesia?

Yes, Sir. The conditions to which Major Orde Brown directed attention, together with the proposals for the extension of the Northern Rhodesia health services put forward by Sir Alan Pim and Mr. Milligan in their recent report, are receiving active consideration. A disease survey of the territory is being undertaken, and campaigns against syphilis, yaws and skin affections are being initiated. Additional provision for health services will be made in the 1939 Estimates; and I can assure the hon. Member that, in considering questions of health, the Government are fully alive to the importance of securing an adequate standard of nourishment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman recognise that proper dealing with this matter would mean that all these people would be more likely to remain thirled to the British Empire?

I am not aware that there is any desire among the people of Northern Rhodesia to be anywhere but inside the British Empire.

Have there not been a great many of these reports, all of the same character, within the last nine or o years, and have we not always been promised that the matter shall receive active consideration? Has anything really substantial yet been done?

Practical steps have already been taken, and in the Budget for 1939 money will be provided for additional practical action.

In view of the enormous size of the problem, are the steps as big as may be required to deal efficiently with the situation?

That may be a matter of opinion, but we are doing everything possible within our financial resources.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to delay the operation of recent legislation in respect to native and European land in Kenya; and whether the policy of eviction of native people from the European Highlands continues to have the support of His Majesty's Government?

The two Bills dealing with native and other lands have been passed by the Legislative Council of Kenya, but they have not yet received the Governor's assent, and I am not yet in a position to say when they will be brought into operation. As regards the second part of the question, there has been no change in the policy of His Majesty's Government in this matter. I am, however, in communication with the Governor in regard to the arrangements for providing the natives who are removed from the Highlands with satisfactory alternative accommodation elsewhere.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when the legislation reaches him and the Governor has given his assent, bear in mind the very considerable native opposition that there is to it; and will he, while he is in communication with the Kenya Government, ask them to put a stop to these brutal evictions until further inquiry has been made into the matter? Further, will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the fact that these matters are receiving the attention of Middle Europe and are used to prejudice British Colonial administration in the eyes of other countries?

As regards the first part of the hon. Member's supplementary question, I have that matter continuously in mind. With regard to the second part. I am not aware of any brutal eviction. If the hon. Member wants to put before me any information that I have not got, I will gladly consider it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give instructions that the present orders for evictions shall be stopped pending inquiry? I have already given him considerable information regarding the thousands of cases of evictions which are going on at the present time.

I am giving close attention to the information which the hon. Member has already given me, but, as far as I am concerned, I am satisfied that the action which is being taken at the present time is proper action. So far as future action is concerned, I am, as I have said, in communication with the Governor on the matter.

Is it not the fact that the Colonial Secretary cannot do two jobs?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the inability of the Land Bank in Kenya to lend at a low rate of interest and the consequent departure of settlers from their holdings and the abandonment of thousands of acres in the Colony; and whether he will consider measures to provide agricultural credit commensurate with the requirements of the situation by placing Kenya, in respect of Land Bank assistance, in the same position as other overseas agricultural countries, particularly in view of the scale of present agricultural indebtedness, which, for white settlers alone, is already estimated at £4,000,000?

I do not agree that the rate of interest on loans charged by the Land Bank is the cause of the departure of settlers from their holdings. The present capital of the Kenya Land Bank is £750,000. I am considering whether there is any justification for making a larger sum available.

If it be the fact that, as stated in the question, thousands of settlers are leaving their holdings, is there any reason to evict native landholders as evidenced in connection with the last question?

I have no evidence of any large-scale abandonment of holdings in Kenya, though there has been some, owing to the poor price of coffee.

Is any alternative provision being made for those settlers who are leaving their holdings?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Committee on Child Labour in Kenya has yet presented its report; and, if not, when this report is likely to be ready?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I returned on 16th November to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones), to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered representations from members of the State Council in Ceylon regarding the present Constitution; and, if so, would he communicate the nature of his reply to the House?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a number of questions on 16th November.

Will the statement in question be printed for the information of the House? Will it be published as a White Paper?

Yes, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a deputation representing the minorities in Ceylon who are definitely opposed to these changes?

Yes, Sir; I have had an opportunity of coming into touch with the representatives of those communities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action of the Board of Ministers in Ceylon has been taken on the report of the commission that inquired into the order of transportation made on Mr. Bracegirdle, particularly in regard to the recommendation of the commissioners that the services of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. P. M. Banks, be retained?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature of the communication received from the Government of Ceylon with regard to the services of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Banks; and whether Mr. Banks has applied, on his own initiative, for a transfer from Ceylon or for retirement from the public service, or does he contemplate the transfer of the Inspector-General of Police from Ceylon?

I am not aware what action, if any, has been taken by the Board of Ministers on the report of the commission. The Governor has informed Ministers that, in view of the findings of the commission, he cannot entertain their previous request for the removal of Mr. Banks. So far as I am aware, Mr. Banks has not applied for a transfer from Ceylon or for permission to retire from the public service. Like other officers in the Colonial Police Service, his claims to promotion are reviewed as occasion offers, but his transfer is not at the moment in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the professional or ex-professional standing of the Commissioners composing the Commission appointed to inquire into the allegations against the Inspector-General of Police in Ceylon, Mr. Banks; and whether he is aware that the Commission rejected the evidence of the Minister of Home Affairs, Leader of the House, but that the State Council of Ceylon has since adopted a resolution expressing their continued confidence in this Minister?

The Commission consisted of the present Chief Justice, a retired Senior Puisne Judge, and a retired Solicitor-General of Ceylon. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

In view of the fact that the Commission vindicated Mr. Banks of the accusation made against him and recommended that he should be retained in his present post, will the right hon. Gentleman see that he is so retained?

My hon. Friend will find that I answered that on an earlier question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British holding posts under the Government of Ceylon have retired prematurely or been sent away since the new Constitution was inaugurated in 1931; and how many British heads of departments in the Government of Ceylon have been replaced by Sinhalese during the same period?