asked the Prime Minister the number of occasions during the past two years on which the British Board of Film Censors has communicated with the Foreign Office for information or advice; and the names of the films concerned?

No such requests have been made to the Foreign Office.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government propose to offer financial assistance to the National Relief Commission of the Chinese Government, in view of the beneficent work accomplished, as shown in the report lately issued?

Through their contribution to the League of Nations His Majesty's Government already contribute towards the anti-epidemiological work of the League in China.

Will the Government be prepared to consider further assistance if an appeal is made through the League of Nations?

If it is made through the League of Nations we shall always be ready to consider it.

asked the Prime Minister whether any previous notice of their intention to land troops or occupy the Island of Hainan was given by the Japanese authorities either to this country or France; and whether any undertaking regarding the duration of that occupation has been received?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Japanese Government have stated that they have no territorial designs and that the occupation of the island will not last longer than is required by military needs.

Have the Government considered in these circumstances the desirability of sending a British warship, or even landing a British force, to protect British interests in the Island of Hainan, seeing that in view of the statement which they have made the Japanese authorities could not reasonably object to it?

I should want notice of that question.

Are we to understand that the Government accept the Japanese Government's reply and propose to acquiesce in the occupation of Hainan for the duration of the war?

I have answered the question upon the Paper, which asked whether any undertaking regarding the duration of the occupation of Hainan had been received, and I have given the House the information in my possession.

Are the Government asking for a further undertaking?

Is it the case that the United States Government have already sent a warship to Hainan?

I am afraid I cannot answer as to that.

Did not the Japanese give the same undertaking respecting Manchuria in 1931?

asked the Prime Minister whether British ships are now allowed free access to the port of Tsingtao by the Japanese authorities, and, if not, what action he has taken to protect British interests?

No, Sir. Fresh representations were recently made to the Japanese Government, and His Majesty's Consul-General and the local British naval authorities are continuing to press for the reopening of the port.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now proceed to active collaboration with the Government of the French Republic to terminate as quickly as possible the Japanese occupation of the island of Hainan and thus remove this menace to both British and French possessions and trade in the Far East?

His Majesty's Government and the French Government are in constant communication regarding the most appropriate methods of safeguarding their common interests in the South China Seas.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the increasing acts of aggression by Japanese naval and military authorities against British trade in the Far East, he will forthwith denounce the Anglo-Japanese Trade Treaty of 1911?

His Majesty's Government have under constant review the measures which may be regarded as best calculated to protect British interests in the Far East.

Is it not patent that all protests in this matter are ineffective, and that the only weapon which brings any satisfaction is some form of retaliatory action?

I would not regard that as the only method of achieving useful results.

Can the Japanese authorities be expected to pay greater attention to the protests of His Majesty's Government than General Franco has done?

asked the Prime Minister how British action, based on the resolution of the League of Nations in favour of the grant of maximum assistance to China, compares with that taken by the other Powers which adhered to the resolution; and whether he can give details?

Since the League resolution did not call for a report from individual members, I am unable to make the comparison desired

In view of the great disparity between the amounts contributed by the United States of America and by members of the League of Nations for the assistance of the Chinese Government, can my right hon. Friend offer any hope that in the near future the British Government will take the initiative in pressing for further assistance to the Chinese Government?

If the hon. Gentleman will consult the proceedings of the League Council which I attended he will see the attitude of His Majesty's Government set out there.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the present position which exists in connection with passenger transport between Hankow and Shanghai, in which only Japanese transport is available and the allocation to British subjects for the necessary passages is insignificant, although German subjects experience little difficulty; what action the Government is taking in the matter; and whether they will inaugurate a gunboat passenger service, as in the case of the Pearl River or, alternatively, utilise merchant ships under the white ensign?

I am aware of the difficulties to which my hon. Friend refers, though reports received do not indicate discrimination in favour of German nationals. As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chertsey (Commander Marsden) on 6th February, further representations were made to the Japanese Government on 14th January last. The proposals mentioned in the last part of the question as well as other suggestions are receiving consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the assurances he has received from Signor Mussolini include, at the end of the war in Spain, a complete withdrawal from submarine bases, aerodromes and fortifications, of all Italian personnel; and whether any assurances on this general question of the withdrawal of Germans at the close of the war have been received from the German Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the exchange of notes forming part of the Anglo-Italian Agreement under which the Italian Government have undertaken that on the termination of the Spanish civil war all remaining Italian volunteers would forthwith leave Spanish territory. As regards Germans now in Spain, I was informed by Herr Hitler at Munich that he would be ready to withdraw the German volunteers whenever other countries were prepared to do the same.

Is it not clear from what the Prime Minister said that the undertaking of the Italian Government does not, in fact, cover all the points which are mentioned in this question?

It appears to me to do so.

If the Italian forces now in Spain are transferred to civilian work at the end of the civil war, will that be in compliance with the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

Does the undertaking cover materiel as well as personnel?

This was an undertaking in regard to Italian volunteers.

Am I right in supposing that it does not cover materiel?

I do not think that the right hon. Gentleman is correct. I think they did say that Italian materiel will also be withdrawn.

Does the right hon. Gentleman regard the assurance of Herr Hitler as a formal and binding assurance?

I regard it as an expression of his intention at the time he spoke to me.

Is it not clear from the reply of the Prime Minister that the assurance given by Herr Hitler is not in any way a binding undertaking?

asked the Prime Minister how many protests have been sent by His Majesty's Government to the Spanish insurgent authorities since the beginning of the war?

The information requested is not readily available, and I fear that it would not now be possible to give the exact figures desired.

Would it be several hundreds or thousands?

According to the imagination of the hon. Member.

Have the results ever been satisfactory?

Yes, Sir.

Why leave it to the imagination of the hon. Member? Why not give us the facts?

asked the Prime Minister whether all British members of the International Brigade captured by General Franco have been released?

asked the Prime Minister (1) how many British prisoners are still in the concentration camp, San Pedro, at Burgos; and what steps are being taken to have them liberated;

I understand that 55 British members of the International Brigade are still held prisoner by General Franco's administration. Of these, 39 have already been transferred to San Sebastian for evacuation, and they will be released as soon as an equal number of Italian prisoners on the other side have been embarked. His Majesty's Consul at Valencia is taking all possible steps to expedite these arrangements. Of the remaining 16 prisoners, the British nationality of one or two of whom is doubtful, three are at Bilbao and 13 at Burgos. Negotiations for their exchange are proceeding as quickly as possible. A member of the staff of the British Agency has during the past year frequently visited the camp at Burgos, listened to any of the prisoners' complaints and reported them to the competent authorities, and he appears to have been satisfied that conditions were improved, and that the prisoners were on the whole well cared for.

Can the Minister say why there has been such a delay in the release of these prisoners after the International Brigade has been withdrawn; and will he make inquiries as to the case of a leading member of the brigade, Mr. Frank Ryan, who has been condemned to 30 years' imprisonment?

The delay is due to the difficulties of the exchange negotiations, and the last batch are waiting for an equal number of Italians to be embarked. I hope that that will take place very soon. As regards the other point, I will certainly continue my investigations into the case of Mr. Ryan which already has been communicated to me by another hon. Member.

If the International Brigade who have been fighting in Spain are Communists, would they not be more at home in Russia?

asked the Prime Minister the date upon which the last meeting was held of the Non-intervention Committee and the number of meetings held by this committee to date; and whether any recent statements have been made on the reasons for withdrawing representatives from either the committee or the chairman's sub-committee?

The last meeting of the committee took place on 5th July, 1938. The committee has met 29 times. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Are we to understand that this committee has now ceased to function?

It has not recently met.

Is it intended to disband it?

No such decision has been taken.

Are any minutes taken of the meetings and a record kept of the number of people who attend?

I am sure there are records, but the proceedings of the committee are confidential.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that the principal Paris newspapers, together with 10 special French delegates, four of whom are military officers of high rank, have accepted an invitation from the Burgos Administration to visit any part of Spain they desire with a view to disposing of un founded rumours as to the establishment of aerodromes, fortifications, and submarine bases under foreign control; and whether he can arrange for an independent British Commission to visit Spain with the same object?

The invitation in question was to certain newspaper representatives. If a similar invitation were to be received here, it would not be a matter for His Majesty's Government unless their views were asked.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have now come to any decision on the recognition of General Franco?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will inform all Governments concerned, that in order to ensure that Spanish affairs are decided by the Spaniards themselves, His Majesty's Government will not be a party to any alteration of the régime in or constitution of Spain, until all foreign intervention has ceased in that country?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can assure the House that His Majesty's Government will not accord recognition to the insurgent authorities as the legitimate Government of Spain until all foreign troops and armaments have been withdrawn from Spanish territory?

This matter is still under consideration by His Majesty's Government, and I am unable, therefore, to make any further statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman realise the effect on British public opinion that will be produced if the Government recognise the Persians whilst Leonidas is still fighting in Thermopylae?

Is it proposed to act jointly with the French Government in this matter and to make a simultaneous announcement?

The hon. Member had better put that question down.

Is it not clear that the wish of the Government for Spanish affairs to be settled by the Spanish people cannot be fulfilled as long as foreign intervention in Spain continues?

asked the Prime Minister whether the refusal of His Majesty's Government to grant belligerent rights to General Franco on the ground that there was no civil war in Spain owing to intervention of foreign Powers on one side or the other will be followed in relation to the recognition of the Spanish insurgent authorities as the de jure or de facto Government of Spain?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government are bound by international agreement in the case of granting of belligerent rights, but no such agreement exists in connection with the granting of recognition.

If His Majesty's Government were influenced by the fact that foreign Governments had intervened in the Spanish war when they refused to grant belligerent rights, is it not right that they should take that same fact into consideration when making up their minds whether they should afford recognition?

I have already said that the matter is now under consideration, and I could not therefore make any further statement.

I am not asking for any further statement, but whether His Majesty's Government will take that fact into consideration?

I call that asking for a further statement.

asked the Prime Minister why the decision to send His Majesty's ship "Devonshire" to Minorca was not communicated to the accredited representative of the Spanish Government in London?

In the circumstances existing at that moment it was thought right to act without delay.

While appreciating the reasons for the Government's wish to act without delay, may I ask whether it is not quite unprecedented for action of this sort to be taken without communicating with the accredited representative in this country of the Government concerned?

The circumstances with which we were dealing were unprecedented.

Was there any request by the inhabitants of Minorca for the despatch of a British vessel?

I cannot add anything to the long statement on that subject which has already been made by the Prime Minister.

Would it not have been perfectly possible, at any rate, to notify the Spanish Ambassador in London at the same time that action was taken, and would not that have been in accordance with courtesy and precedent?

I think it would have been possible. We wish to treat the Spanish Ambassador with every courtesy and distinction.

Did the Government communicate with the representative of General Franco in this country before they took this step?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that His Majesty's Government still regards the Republican Government of Spain as the only legal Government existing in that country and that all major decisions affecting Spanish affairs will be communicated to that Government or, failing the possibility of establishing contact, with the Spanish Ambassador in London?

Our relations with the Spanish Government remain unchanged in the absence of any decision to the contrary, but His Majesty's Government must themselves decide what communications they make to foreign representatives.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that decisions of major importance affecting the Spanish Government will be communicated to the representative of that Government in London?

Provided that the hon. and gallant Member understands that the discretion must rest with us.

Do the various Ambassadors meet at any time for the purpose of exchanging notes on these matters?

I am sure that the Ambassadors parley together.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are willing to take active steps to secure a settlement of the Spanish war on the basis that all foreign troops should be withdrawn, that there should be no reprisals, and that the Spanish people should have an opportunity of choosing their own form of Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will now use their good offices to bring about a settlement in Spain by proposing to both sides an armistice, with an undertaking that there shall be no reprisals on either side, and that provision shall be made for a general amnesty?

His Majesty's Government are most anxious to see the termination of the war in Spain without further bloodshed, and they will maintain touch with both sides in case their services should be desired to bring them together. But they do not consider it advisable at present to take the responsibility of sponsoring any particular terms of settlement.

asked the Prime Minister whether a condition of the surrender of Minorca to the Nationalist forces, to which the representative of the British Government agreed, was that certain persons should be evacuated to safety; and whether all of those persons were, in fact, so evacuated?

As I have already informed the House, His Majesty's Government took no part in the negotiations for the surrender of Minorca and made themselves in no way responsible for the conditions of that surrender. They merely provided a channel of communication between the two parties. It was at the independent suggestion of General Franco's representatives that His Majesty's Ship "Devonshire" agreed to embark certain refugees.

Has the attention of the Prime Minister been drawn to the statement made by the captain of the "Devonshire," widely reported in the Press, in which he states that the Governor of Minorca agreed to surrender only on condition that the cruiser "Devonshire" did take off a specified list of refugees? Is that statement correct or not?

I could not say. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put the question down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will call for a report from the commanding officer of His Majesty's Ship "Devonshire" concerning the identity of the aircraft which recently made seven air raids on Port Mahon, Minorca, while that vessel was in the harbour?

No, Sir, we have already had a report from the commanding officer of His Majesty's Ship "Devonshire" which indicates that those aeroplanes which were seen from his ship to be engaged in bombing Minorca appeared to resemble an Italian type.

In view of the explanation by the Prime Minister yesterday that these bombing raids were carried out in disobedience of orders, are we to understand that Italian aircraft in Majorca refuse to obey General Franco's orders and accept Mussolini's?

That is not a question for me.

Has any protest been addressed to the Italian Government about this bombing?

And has any inquiry been made concerning the boasts in the Italian Press about these raids?

Why was the Prime Minister's reply couched in such pernickety language?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware, that whereas passports may be renewed for periods up to 10 years, such renewal is not permitted when the pages of a passport have been exhausted, but that in such a case, application must be made for a new passport, involving amongst other formalities the provision of two references of a special nature; and whether, in order to remove this discrepancy, he is prepared to abolish these formalities in the case of any individual who has gone through them to get his first passport?

I can assure my hon. Friend that in the circumstances mentioned, where a passport needs replacement during the period of its validity, it is customary for the Passport Office, on request, to dispense with the requirement of a personal reference.

asked the Prime Minister whether provision has been made for the minorities treaties to continue in force in those areas transferred by recent frontier changes to new sovereignties from Czecho-Slovakia; and what is the position in this respect?

The position of the Czech minority in the Sudeten areas ceded to Germany is regulated by the German-Czecho-Slovak Declaration of 20th November last regarding the protection of respective national minorities. This declaration provides for the establishment of a mixed Governmental Commission to regulate questions affecting the national character of the Czech minority in Germany and of the German minority in Czecho-Slovakia. So far as my Noble Friend is aware, the Czecho-Slovak minorities in the territories ceded to Poland and Hungary enjoy the same rights as other national minorities in those countries.

Is it not clear that the minorities treaties drawn up at the time of the Peace Conference are no longer binding in those particular territories?

To take as an example the minorities in Hungary, their position is regulated by Articles 54 to 60 of the Treaty of Trianon.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the obligations of the minorities treaties are accepted by Germany in accordance with the usual practice in international law of the succession of obligations?

I have explained that the position of Germany is governed by the declaration of 20th November last.

asked the Prime Minister on how many days in the week His Majesty's consulate in Vienna is open to receive applications for visas?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 5th December to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman, the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), which contained full particulars of the arrangements operating at the passport control office at Vienna for dealing with applications for visas.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continuance of the slanderous broadcasts from German wireless stations on the conduct of British troops in Palestine, he will make an official protest to the German Government?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Prime Minister's reply to the hon. Members for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) and Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson) on 21st November last, to which I have nothing to add.

Have these attacks been answered in the German broadcasts from this country?

I will certainly look into that and find out.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to the strength of the Italian army in Libya on 16th April, 1938; when the strength of that army was reduced by one half as compared with that date; and how far it has been reinforced since?

According to information received from the Italian Government, the numerical strength of the Italian forces in Libya last April was between 65,000 and 70,000. There is reason to believe that die signature of the Anglo-Italian Agreement was followed by a marked reduction of effectives and, as the Prime Minister informed the hon. Member for Kingswinford (Mr. A. Henderson) on 8th February, the information then just received from the Italian Government was that the numerical strength of the Italian forces at present in Libya is between 30,000 and 32,000.

Is there any reason to think there has been substitution by German forces for the Italian forces in Libya?

I have no such information.

As this was a definite term of the Anglo-Italian Agreement, is there any regular means of ascertaining the definite number of the troops in Libya?

There is provision in the Agreement for the exchange of military information.

If it is a term of the Agreement that there should be definite reduction by a definite number, have steps been taken to ascertain whether it has been carried out?

There have been exchanges of information, and I have just given the House the figures that the Italian Government have communicated to us as to the Italian forces at present in Libya. I have also given to the House the strength of the Italian forces last April.

Is there any reason to believe that the Italian Government have sent further troops to Libya since the reply was given to my question last week?

I have given the House the latest information given just before I answered the question on 8th February. I have had no information since then.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information to establish what is regarded as the peace-time strength of the Italian Army in Libya?

asked the Prime Minister whether the British Government have been consulted about the proposed fortification by the Swedish and Finnish Governments of the Aaland Islands; and whether the views of the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics have been ascertained thereon?

His Majesty's Government, having been asked by the Finnish and Swedish Governments for their views on the proposals of those Governments for the partial refortification of the Aaland Islands, have replied that they see no objection to the proposals in principle, on the understanding that, as they have been assured, the other interested Governments will also be consulted and the proposals then submitted to the Council of the League of Nations. I am not yet aware of the replies returned by the other Governments consulted.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the continuance of serious unemployment in this country, he has considered the desirability of despatching a small Royal Commission to investigate conditions in Soviet Russia where, for the past 10 years, unemployment has been successfully eliminated and to report how far the methods employed there could be applied in this country?

No, Sir. I do not consider that the despatch of such a Commission would serve any useful purpose.

In view of the fact that in that country poverty also has been eliminated, and that the Russian Government are now engaged in raising the standards of life and culture—

The hon. Member cannot be allowed, at Question Time, to make a statement on the conditions in Russia.

On a point of Order. May I not be permitted to conclude my supplementary question?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has given consideration to the representations made to him by the deputation of representatives of the cotton trade unions from Lancashire on 24th January; and whether he is in a position to make a statement with regard to the specific requests made to him for assisting the cotton trade?

I was glad to have the opportunity of meeting the deputation, and of assuring them that His Majesty's Government are fully alive to the difficulties of the industry and will continue to take all appropriate steps within their power to assist it. A Command Paper has now been issued containing the clauses of a Bill based on the proposals of the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations for the reorganisation of the industry, and the firms in the producing sections of the industry have been asked by the Board of Trade to say whether they are in favour of the introduction of legislation.

Has the Prime Minister given consideration to the request that was made for financial assistance to the exporting section of the industry?

I am afraid that that is another question.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the adequacy and suitability of fishing vessels and the state of the Mercantile Marine in relation to defence needs is receiving the attention of his Department; and, in particular, having regard to the large number of very old vessels in the trawling industry and the unemployment of large numbers of skilled men who can build them, he will examine the possibility of State assistance and organisation for a scrap-and-build scheme?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Committee of Imperial Defence has examined the position of the Merchant Navy in relation to the defence of this country; and whether he is satisfied that the national safety is not impaired by the decline of merchant shipbuilding?

The state of the Mercantile Marine and fishing fleets in relation to defence needs is receiving the constant attention of the Departments concerned, and all aspects of the question are being kept under review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable apprehension lest, owing to the diversified control of and responsibility for the Mercantile Marine fishing service, important facts regarding its weakening strength are being overlooked in regard to the taking of effective action?

I was not aware of that apprehension.

On which Minister or Ministers does the responsibility rest for discussing measures for dealing with this situation?

The defence aspect of the problem is kept under review by the Committee of Imperial Defence and the Departments concerned; proposals for assisting the fishing fleet should be addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, and questions on the Mercantile Marine to the President of the Board of Trade.

Has any satisfaction been obtained, as far as fishing is concerned, from the Minister of Agriculture? Could the Government consider setting up a Ministry of Fisheries at once?