asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will give particulars of the number of additional quarters and/or bungalows that have been made available for officers and their families for housing purposes in the Peshawar district of the North-West Frontier Province of India during the last two years; and whether the shortage of housing accommodation for officers in this district still continues?

I am asking the Government of India for particulars, and will communicate with the hon. Member on their receipt.

Are complaints still being received with regard to those houses?

We have asked the Government of India for in- formation on the matters raised by the hon. Member's question, which I think include that point.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government have obtained particulars of the State law in regard to political responsibilities promulgated by General Franco's Government on 13th February; and what action he now proposes to take to secure humane treatment of prisoners, seeing that under that law it is a punishable offence to have taken any public part in the elections of February, 1936, except on behalf of the Right, to have opposed the national movement since 18th July, 1936, or to have had any connection with trade unions or political parties supporting the Republican régime?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Garro Jones) on 9th March, to which I have as yet nothing to add.

When does the Undersecretary expect to get the information?

I hope soon and I will inform the hon. Member when we do.

Is it not a fact that the 2,500,000 citizens who remain in Catalonia are well satisfied with the justice of the treatment served out?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further statement to make about the condition of the refugee camp at Perpignan?

asked the Prime Minister the amount of the grant made by the Government to the British Red Cross Society to aid them in their work for Spanish refugees on the French frontier; and whether the Red Cross Society is working in co-operation with the French Government in the matter?

His Majesty's Government are contributing £50,000 to the British Red Cross Society for the relief of the Spanish refugees interned in the camps in South-Eastern France, and Major-General Sir John Kennedy and Major- General F. C. Fitzgerald, who are supervising this work in close co-operation with the French authorities, are now at Perpignan, where the distribution of material has already begun. I understand that there are definite improvements both in feeding and hospital conditions in the camps.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the British steamship "Stangate" was captured outside Valencia on Thursday; and what steps have been taken to secure the release of the ship?

I understand that this ship was arrested by a unit of the Spanish fleet within territorial waters in the vicinity of Valencia, and it was subsequently ascertained by the British naval authorities that this arrest had been effected within the three-mile limit. The ship was conducted to Palma by the Spanish naval authorities, where she arrived on the morning of 17th March. The ship had entered Spanish territorial waters in disregard of a notice issued by the Spanish Government prohibiting shipping from doing so. His Majesty's Government do not propose to object in cases where the Spanish Government, after prohibiting the entry of ships into certain portions of its territory, prevent, by appropriate measures taken in territorial waters, the entry of ships into the closed ports.

Does not this attitude mean the recognition of blockade by General Franco and, therefore, the recognition of belligerent rights; and would the right hon. Gentleman further tell us about the safety of those on the ship, and has he any information that that is assured?

The position with regard to territorial waters was made quite clear by my Noble Friend the other day, and has been stated by me to the House. With regard to the last part of the question, we have sent a message to our representative at Palma asking him to do all he can to look after the safety and interests of the crew.

Does the right hon. Gentleman remember what happened to the "Stangrove," when she was left for 14 days on the rocks and the captain died?

Can my right hon. Friend state the name of the owners of this ship?

I think, Messrs. Billmeir.

asked the Prime Minister on how many occasions and at what cost to the British Treasury were refugees in sympathy with the insurgent forces removed from Spanish ports in British warships during the first two years of the Spanish war; and in how many of these cases was the consent asked for or obtained from the then recognised Spanish Government?

No statistics are available to show on how many occasions refugees were removed from Spanish ports, nor the cost of such evacuation to His Majesty's Government, These evacuations were carried out with the consent of the then Spanish Government.

Are we to understand that that condition was always carried out by the Spanish Government?

I understand that to be the case.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why, if that is the case, the Republican Government were so much more reasonable in connection with this than General Franco's Government?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Protocol opened for signature by the League of Nations Assembly affirming the independent existence of the League Covenant, and its consequent separation from the treaties of peace, has been signed by His Majesty's Government; and when it will now come into force?

The Protocol was signed on 30th September, 1938, on behalf of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and all parts of the British Empire which are not separate Members of the League of Nations, and the instrument of ratification by His Majesty the King, in respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was deposited with the Secretariat of the League of Nations on 20th January, 1939. The Protocol will come into force, in accordance with the provisions of Article 26 of the Covenant, when ratified by the Members of the League whose representatives compose the Council and by a majority of the members of the League whose representatives compose the Assembly,

asked the Prime Minister what reports he has received relating to the fortification of Heligoland by Germany in contravention of the terms of Article 115 of the Treaty of Versailles?

As was stated by the then Foreign Secretary in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington, South (Sir W. Davison), on 29th July, 1936, the island of Heligoland was already being fortified at that time. According to our information, the fortification of the island has been completed.

Have any representations been made to Germany on this subject?

It was not thought that this was a matter which should be taken up separately with the German Government. The action was unilateral and was taken by Herr Hitler following his repudiation of the Articles relating to disarmament in the Treaty of Versailles.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government contemplate granting de jure recognition to the German Government's annexation and control of the territories formerly forming part of Czechoslovakia, namely, Bohemia and Moravia?

His Majesty's Government will require to give full consideration, in concert with other Governments, to all the consequences of German action against Czechoslovakia before any statement can be made on the question of recognition.

Is the British Legation in Prague still to receive diplomatic immunity, more especially in view of the fact that a large number of British citizens have taken refuge in the Legation?

Perhaps the hon. and learned Member will put that question down.

In the meantime, what is the position of the Czech Legation here?

I am afraid the right hon. Gentleman must put that question down.

asked the Prime Minister what reports reached him from Prague or elsewhere, on or prior to 6th March, 1939, that it was the confirmed belief of the people of Prague that the Germans would march into Prague on 15th March; and what inquiries he made in Berlin and Prague on such reports?

There is, so far as I am aware, no basis for the assumption made in the first part of the question. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been drawn to a statement made by Mr. Edwards, a member of the executive of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and published in a London paper on 6th March, that it was the confirmed belief of the people of Prague, from whence he had just returned, that Hitler's troops would march in on 15th March?

I have not seen that, but if the hon. Member will bring it to my notice, I shall be very glad to look at it.

Are we to understand that a statement published in the London Press on the subject was not known to the British Intelligence Service? Are these things concealed from the wise and prudent of the Foreign Office, and revealed only to the "Daily Worker "?

I have no doubt that the wise and prudent of the Foreign Office noticed it, but it did not happen to come to my notice.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement made in the French Chamber by the French Foreign Secretary that he indicated something on the subject to His Majesty's Government about nth March?

I will inquire into the point which the hon. and gallant Member has brought to my notice.

asked the Prime Minister how many pieces of artillery, tanks, and military aircraft have passed from the Czecho-Slovak Army into the possession of the German Army?

I am not in a position to supply detailed information on these points.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received a report, attributed to the French General Staff, that there are 3,000 guns, 2,000 tanks, and 1,500 modern aircraft?

Yes, Sir, I have seen that report.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been informed of the terms of the ultimatum delivered by Herr Hitler to President Hacha on 15th March; and what representations have been made by His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin, following the intervention of the German Government in the internal affairs of Czecho-Slovakia?

asked the Prime Minister whether it has now been decided to call home His Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin to report on the situation, or whether the Ambassador has been instructed to make any representations to the head of the German Government regarding the German annexation of Czecho-Slovakia?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the Agreement signed on 15th March between Herr Hitler and the President of the Czecho-Slovak Republic. So far as I am aware, no written ultimatum was presented to Dr. Hacha prior to his acceptance of this Agreement. His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin was instructed on 17th March to inform the German Government that His Majesty's Government desired to make it plain to them that they could not but regard the events of the past few days as a complete repudiation of the Munich Agreement and a denial of the spirit in which the negotiators of that Agreement bound themselves to co-operate for a peaceful settlement. Sir Nevile Henderson was also instructed to say that His Majesty's Government must take this occasion to protest against the changes effected in Czecho-Slovakia by German military action, which are, in their opinion, devoid of any basis of legality. His Majesty's Ambassador has now been recalled to London to report on the situation.

Has the Prime Minister's attention been drawn to a statement in the Press that Herr Hitler threatened to send his air squadrons to bomb Prague unless the President of Czecho-Slovakia accepted his demands?

I have seen such reports.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent annexation of Czecho-Slovakia by the German Government, His Majesty's Government contemplate consultation with other Governments adhering to the principles of the League Covenant and the Kellogg Peace Pact, with a view to securing common measures of defence against unprovoked aggression?

The whole situation is at present under review by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether arrangements have been, or will be, made to avoid a repetition of the great congestion which occurred at the Legation and Consular offices in Vienna after the annexation of Austria by providing a substantial increase in staff and accommodation at Prague for dealing with visas, passports, etc.?

The necessary arrangements are being made, and further increases in staff are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the premises of His Majesty's Legation at Prague still enjoy extra-territoriality; what is the position of British subjects who have sought refuge in the Legation; and how their evacuation from the territory formerly known as Czecho-Slovakia will be effected?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to arrange with the German authorities for such British subjects, other than the staff of His Majesty's Legation, who are at present living in the Legation, to be allowed to return to this country without hindrance.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information concerning the suicide of the honorary British Vice-Consul at Brno, Czechoslovakia?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir. I much regret to say that Mr. Walter Neumark, British Vice-Consul at Brno, committed suicide on 16th March. It is known that Mr. Neumark had been in poor health for some time and was suffering from depression, and it would seem probable that the strain of recent events aggravated his condition.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of important people committed suicide on the same day?

I regret to say that we have had that report.

Did this gentleman not apply recently for British naturalisation? Has there been any delay?

He applied for British naturalisation two days previously.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he intends to take to safeguard the interests of the bondholders, and others, who are owed money by the late Czecho-Slovak Government?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has any further statement to make as to the release of the gold reserves of the bank of the late kingdom of Czecho-Slovakia to the present controllers of the finances of the new State?

The House is already aware of the action taken with regard to Czechoslovak gold or balances held by the Bank of England, and I must now further report to the House that on Friday last the Bank of England, at my request, informed banks and other financial institutions in this country which hold balances, securities or gold on behalf of the former Czecho-Slovak Government, the National Bank of Czecho-Slovakia, or any other persons in the former Czecho-Slovak Republic that His Majesty's Government consider that it is desirable that they should not make any payments from such balances, or part with securities or gold without the assent of the Treasury. Legislation is required to validate compliance with this request, and to secure that the institutions concerned are effectively indemnified. The necessary Bill will be introduced immediately.

May I ask whether people who have balances in the Bank of Czecho-Slovakia and who are now refugees in this country and in France will be able to. withdraw any of their money if they can prove that they had balances in the Bank of Czecho-Slovakia?

Can the Chancellor of the Exchequer inform the House whether it is the case that German military lorries have removed £25,000,000 sterling from the Bank of Czecho-Slovakia to Berlin?

I cannot answer the last question because I do not know. With regard to the question of the hon. Lady, that is one of the considerations which is now being looked into. This is a complicated matter, and I think for the moment that the thing to do is to secure an effective embargo.

May I ask whether, pending the legislation to which my right hon. Friend has referred, the various banking institutions in this country have agreed to the suggestion of His Majesty's Government not to pay out any money of the former Szecho-Slovak Government?

I feel confident they will comply with the request.

Is it possible for the right hon. Gentleman to say what are the gold reserves of the Czecho-Slovak Bank in this country, or balances held over here?

No, I cannot say that.

Will the legislation apply to branches of foreign banks in London as well as to British banks?

I am obliged to the hon. Gentleman for raising that point. I will look into it. I do not think I can answer it now.

If there are claims by the German Government upon Czech assets in this country other than bank deposits, will they similarly be resisted?

I think the practical thing for the moment is being done. It deals with gold, securities and balances which might otherwise be moved from institutions in this country. That is the practical thing to do.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information as to how many natives.in Abyssinia are being trained for military duties?

Numbers of natives in Italian East Africa are undergoing military training for purposes of local policing and territorial defence, but it is impossible to give any figures.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that during the whole of the British lease of Wei-hai-wei, from 1898 to 1930, the port and surrounding district was entirely free from the opium evil and continued so until the Japanese occupation, and that since the Japanese took over the port many opium dens have been opened; and whether he will draw the attention of the Japanese Government to the grave consequences of permitting opium dens to exist and increase in the Chinese territories in their occupation?

Yes, Sir, and the question is at present under consideration.

Is it not the case that this matter has been brought to the notice of the Japanese authorities? Has any reply been received?

Yes, Sir. We understand, as I have previously informed the House, that the Japanese authorities are giving the general matter consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of recent happenings in Central Europe, he is taking any special steps to obtain at the earliest possible moment better information as to political events and conditions in one or more of the Governments of Europe, in view of their probable effect on British interests?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government are satisfied with their present sources of information in Central Europe.

In view of the serious situation in Europe would it not be in the best interests of the country that those who have all along believed in collective security should now have control of the Government of this country?

asked the Prime Minister to what extent the manufacture of armaments in Germany, Italy and Japan, is dependent on supplies of materials from the British Empire and the United States of America, respectively; and whether he is now prepared to advocate a limitation of armaments throughout the world by a limitation of supplies of raw materials from the British Empire and the United States of America?

It is impossible to give a reliable estimate such as the hon. Member desires, and I doubt whether the particular proposal of the hon. Member would have the effect he desires.

Is the Minister prepared to try it?

I am always prepared to investigate it.

Is it not true that the armaments which Germany, Italy and Japan have at present are very largely manufactured out of goods supplied from the British Empire and America, and is the Minister not prepared to take steps immediately to stop it?

The hon. Member raises a broad question. I am prepared to investigate it. I cannot say anything more now.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen a letter in the "Times "this morning advocating this policy?

Yes, I have read that letter.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister what reply has been received by His Majesty's Chargé Affaires in Rome to his further representations concerning the strength of the Italian forces in Libya?

The Counsellor at His Majesty's Embassy in Rome had a further conversation with the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs on 16th March. The position remains unchanged.

Is it the case that the position as regards the Italian troops in Libya at present constitutes a breach of the terms of the Anglo-Italian Agreement?

We have debated this question and have had questions and answers on it a great number of times, and I do not think that I can add anything to what I have said.

When the right hon. Gentleman says that the position is unchanged, does he mean that the number of Italian troops in Libya remains at 60,000, as on the last occasion?

It remains as I last stated it.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement concerning the present situation in the Memel district of Lithuania?

Conditions in the Memel-land have not appreciably changed since my reply to the hon. Member for Wolver-hampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 1st February, but the present situation is being closely watched.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement of the leader of the Germans in the Memel territory, that the time has now come when they must return to the Reich?

Yes, Sir, I have seen that statement, and I have said that the situation is being closely watched.

Has he also noticed the formation of Storm Troopers in Memel-land?

I have noticed all those matters.

What are you doing?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. Charles Sherwin, a British subject now in Shanghai, has, during several weeks past, repeatedly applied to the Japanese consular, naval, and military authorities for permission to rejoin her husband in Hankow, and has been consistently refused; and what action he is taking in the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a large British company in Shanghai recently applied to the Japanese authorities on the Yangtze for permits for six of their employés to go to Hankow, four British and two Americans; that the permits were granted for the Americans but refused for the British; whether he has inquired why this discrimination was made; and what action he is taking to secure proper treatment for this British company?

My Noble Friend is making inquiries about these cases.

asked the Minister of Pensions (1) the number of ex-servicemen over 60 years of age who are in receipt of pensions, and the total sum paid out to them;

In reply to the first question. I would remind the hon. Member that I gave him the figures he requires in my answer to him of 27th February. The suggestion made 'in the second question that all ex-servicemen of 60 years of age and upwards, who are in receipt of partial disability pensions, should be regarded as totally disabled and pensioned accordingly would, I am satisfied, be so contrary to the facts as to be unjustifiable.

In view of the fact that there are not so many of them left now, would it not be a gesture of consideration of the services they have given if they were put into a position that they did not have to go and seek out relief: and is it a desirable thing that those who were acclaimed as heroes during the War should now be put into the position of having to seek Poor Law relief?

The hon. Member's supposition is not correct. The majority of the men of this age-group are, I am glad to say, of comparatively low assessment. Two-fifths have only minor disabilities assessed at 20 per cent. or less.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether having regard to the difficulty pensioners have at times in getting signatures on life certificates witnessed by a responsible person, he will add to the list of persons authorised to attest signatures members of rural, urban district, borough and county councils?

The classes of persons who may attest life certificates is prescribed by Treasury warrant. The list of such persons covers already a very wide field, and I have no evidence that pensioners are inconvenienced in procuring the necessary attestation.

If I send the hon. Gentleman evidence and particulars of this sort of thing, will he look into the matter?

Yes, Sir, I certainly will.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the seat allotted to the Dominion of Canada on the Board of Governors of the Imperial Institute, Kensington, which according to the annual report of the Institute for 1938 was vacant, has now been filled; and if so, by whom?

I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade, who is the responsible Minister for the Imperial Institute. The vacancy in question has not yet been filled.

Is it likely to be filled in the near future, in view of the importance of encouraging the Dominions to take part in this work?

I cannot give my hon. Friend any information on that subject, but we should very much welcome it if the Government of Canada were willing to co-operate.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will so amend the constitution as to enable peers who are Members of His Majesty's Government to speak on the Floor of the House of Commons and so to be directly answerable to the elected representatives of the British electorate?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 14th March last year in regard to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson).

asked the Minister of Health whether the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company have yet started their series of experiments in methods of firing locomotives; if so, what are the nature and results of such experiments; and what effect has been produced towards mitigating the smoke nuisance in the central area of Liverpool?

:I am informed that these experiments are now in progress and are being carried out in conjunction with measurements by the Liverpool Town Council of the state of the atmosphere at tunnel openings. Until the experiments are completed it will not be possible to assess their result.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the long delays which occur in connection with the publication of information based upon censuses of the population and of production, and that the Registrar-General's Decennial Supplement relating to occupational mortality in 1931 was published only this month; and whether having regard to the importance of returns of this, and a similar, kind, both in respect of administration and legislation, steps can be taken in future for their more rapid publication?

The Registrar-General's Decennial Supplement, which was published in October last, is part of a series which cannot be taken in hand until the reports for the previous census have been completed, and I can assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to secure the publication of the Registrar-General's statistical reports at as early a date as possible. The time between the census of production and the publication of the results has been progressively lessened at each of the last two censuses, and I understand from my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade that some further improvement may be possible at the next census.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware that if a man's income does not exceed £250 per annum the family is entitled to a free air-raid shelter; why a man with an income that exceeds that amount, if he has one or two children, must pay for the shelter; that in some cases the income of the family may exceed the £250, even although the father's income may be smaller; whether a man who earns £260 and has to maintain two small children must pay for the shelter; and what action he intends taking about the matter?

The standard which has been adopted for the free distribution of these shelters was fixed after very careful consideration and is, in my opinion, a generous one. I would point out that it covers all manual workers, whatever their earnings, and that where the income limit is applicable, that is in the case of non-manual workers, it takes account only of the earnings of the householders. I am afraid that no course intermediate between making everyone pay and universal free distribution would have avoided the sort of comparisons made in the question, and I can hold out no expectation that the decision will be reopened.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to say on what principle preference is given to a manual worker over a clerical worker with less income?

The principle is the principle embodied in the National Insurance Act.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that clerical workers are fed up with the line which is drawn in these matters?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a special committee set up to inquire into these matters recommended that this discrimination should be abolished?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can give any information in connection with the accident at Earl's Court Exhibition, on Wednesday, 15th March, when two men were crushed to death; and whether he can state the cause of the accident?

My right hon. Friend understands that an excavation had been made for the purpose of underpinning a concrete base carrying a steel stanchion. The lower part of the concrete base parted and fell on the only workman who was working in the excavation. I regret to say that this man was killed. Two other men were treated for shock. The inquest is being opened to-day and it is not possible at present to make any further statement as to the cause of the accident.

asked the Home Secretary whether generous and sympathetic consideration is given to all applications from Czechs, now resident in this country,to continue their stay in the light of present conditions?

My right hon. Friend fully appreciates the considerations which the hon. Member has in mind, and while each case will have to be considered individually and regard must be paid to the question whether an applicant has been admitted for a temporary stay with a view to proceeding overseas, the hon. Member can be assured that there will be no question of sending back to their own territory any Czechs who have a claim as refugees for protection.