asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether steps are being taken to substitute a new agreement with the Emperor of Ethiopia in place of the Military Convention of Agreement of 1942; what progress has been made; and whether he will bear in mind the advisability of relating the future of Ethiopia to the New World Organisation.

The present position is that notice of termination of the Anglo-Ethiopian Agreement and Military Convention, provided for in Article 12 of the Agreement, was given by the Emperor to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires on 25th May. In these circumstances it has been necessary, for His Majesty's Government to review their position, and they are doing so with the assistance of His Majesty's Minister, who had already reached this country on my invitation, for consultation.

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, as soon as practicable, responsibilities, financial and otherwise, should be placed on as broad shoulders as possible, and not confined to this country?

I am always in favour of financial responsibility being widely spread.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps it is proposed to take to carry into effect the recommendations of the informal Inter-Allied Committee on the future of the Permanent Court of International Justice (Cmd. 6531); and, in view of recommendation 137 with regard to justiciable disputes, what machinery it is proposed to consider for settling non-justiciable disputes, such as by establishing a tribunal in equity.

The report of the Committee has been communicated to the Governments of the United Nations for consideration. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have offered to receive and circulate such observations as any of them may desire to make on the report, and the question of the action to be taken will then be one to be decided by consultation between the United Nations. The method of settling non-justiciable disputes will presumably fall to be considered in connection with the future organisation for the maintenance of peace.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if it was with his authority that a company, named "European Claims, Limited," issued a circular stating that the body in question will assist claimants in the preparation and conduct of all types of claim arising from the spoliation of Europe by the Nazi régime for a commission on the amounts recovered; and if he will give an assurance that no official assistance will be given to this company.

My attention has been drawn to the circular in question. understand that the avowed object of this company is to act as agents for the investigation, assessment and preparation of claims of every description, and that it offers to prosecute claims on payment of fees by way of commission on amounts recovered or otherwise and to undertake or advise as regards the lodgment of such claims on behalf of refugees and others who have suffered losses as a result of the present war. I am glad to have this opportunity of issuing a warning in this House against dealing with persons or companies who issue advertisements or notices of this nature, and to state that His Majesty's Government are entirely opposed to international claims being dealt with by any persons or bodies on a commission basis, or any similar basis. The objection to the assessment and presentation of international claims on any such basis is similar to the objection to the assessment and presentation in this way of claims before municipal courts, which I am advised is illegal under the law of this country. The Foreign Office, who are as a rule responsible for the presentation of international claims, will refuse to accept claims put forward through persons or bodies acting in such conditions as are specified in this circular. Claimants who require professional and legal assistance in the preparation and presentation of their claims should, in their own interest, have recourse to qualified professional and legal practitioners, who will receive remuneration for their services in accordance with the well-established rules of their professions.

Is not this solely a question of Government responsibility? If any action has been taken which is contrary to the interests of the people concerned, should not the case be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions?

I thought this warning would, perhaps, be timely and adequate.

And if not, what then?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will convey the thanks of His Majesty's Govern- ment to the Government of the Swiss Republic for having, whilst maintaining the strictest neutrality, rendered great and humane service over a series of years to refugees and interned Service men of all nationalities within their territory.

I think the Swiss Government are already aware of the gratitude felt by His Majesty's Government for the many services which they have rendered us as Protecting Power. But I gladly avail myself of this opportunity to give public expression to the very warm gratitude of His Majesty's Government for the action of the Swiss Government in giving asylum and ministering to the needs of large numbers of refugees and escaped prisoners of war of many nationalities within their territory.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can give any information of the result of his approach to the Argentine Government regarding the proposal to confiscate the assets of the Primitiva Company.

The legal expropriation of the company's installations in Buenos Aires was decreed on 13th April and failing direct agreement between the parties it now falls to the Argentine Supreme Court to determine the compensation payable to the company. In this respect the company's representatives have received satisfactory assurances from the Argentine authorities who have been left in no doubt of the importance which His Majesty's Government attach to their fulfilment.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, apart from the interests of individual shareholders, these overseas investments, owing to the loss of other British investments overseas, will be of great national importance after the war?

I entirely endorse that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether it is proposed to recognise the National Committee as the provisional Government of France;

(2) whether he can make any statement about the negotiations with General de Gaulle; and whether any agreement has been reached with regard to the administration of occupied territory in France;

(3) whether any issue of French currency has been made to the Allied troops now fighting in France; and, if so, by whom it is backed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether conversations on the relations of the French Committee of National Liberation with the British Government, especially on matters concerning civil administration in France before elections can be held there, have yet taken place; and whether he can, make a statement on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement about the large issue of French banknotes printed in the United States for the use of Allied soldiers in France; whether this was done in agreement with the French authorities; and whether any arrangement has been made as to the responsibility for redeeming these notes.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the printing of French franc notes in the U.S.A. for use of troops serving in France was done in agreement with His Majesty's Government; whether these notes or similar ones will be used by British troops; and whether he will make a statement on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make any statement on the present relations of General de Gaulle with the United Nations.

I would ask my hon. Friends to be good enough to await the statement which the Prime Minister proposes to make at the end of Questions.

Will the Government send a firm request to America to appoint a political representative over here to discuss with the right hon. Gentleman and General de Gaulle this question of civil administration?

I hope the hon. Member will await what the Prime Minister has to say.

On a point of Order. As there are so many Questions on the Order Paper, which fall to be replied to by the Prime Minister, is it proposed that he will make a statement in a manner which will give the usual facilities to the House?

The statement will be made at the end of Questions, and supplementary questions can then be asked in the usual manner.

The practice of making very important statements of this sort, which we cannot adequately discuss, is surely being greatly abused.

I want to make it plain, Mr. Speaker, subject to your Ruling, that questions can be put as if my right hon. Friend's answer had been given now.

There are seven Questions on the Order Paper on this subject, to which I can make only one answer. I do not consider that this matter can be dealt with satisfactorily by a number of separate answers at Question Time. On the other hand, I must advise the House most seriously that a Debate on this matter would have very great dangers. One tale is good till another is told. His Majesty's Government take great trouble over their conduct of business, and on the whole it may be said that it has been conducted with success. When you look at the advance in Italy and the extraordinary achievements of the cross-Channel landing in France, a fair-minded man would consider that the Administration had a right to the confidence of the House when they said they did not wish a particular subject discussed. This is not because we are not prepared to discuss it in all detail, and if need be in all severity; but the result of such a discussion might well be to emphasise any differences which exist with the French Committee of National Liberation, headed by General de Gaulle. I should be sorry to see these issues prematurely forced to a decision, and, therefore, I ask from the House a measure of leniency and forbearance in their treatment of this matter.

If, however, there is a desire on the part of a large number of Members to bring these matters to a head, then the rights of the House must clearly be met, and a suitable occasion for a Debate will be found. I should advise strongly against this now. In addition to our relations with the French Committee of National Liberation, headed by General de Gaulle, we have also to consider our very close relations with the United States and their relations with the body I have just mentioned. I think it would be better to allow the relationships prevailing between General de Gaulle and the United States to proceed further before we have a formidable Debate on these questions, which might well be of comfort to the enemy. I, therefore, appeal to the House not to disregard my counsel.

I should like to ask my right hon. Friend two questions. The first is, whether his attention has been called to the statement of the President of the United States yesterday, that the issue of franc notes is backed by the British and United States Treasuries, and if that is the fact or not; because I think the House is entitled to know. The second question is, whether it is a fact that the French Provisional Government have appointed a regional commissioner for the Rouen district, without prior consultation with the Allies.

I said that I did not think it would be advisable to answer a number of questions. I remain of that opinion.

While recognising the right of the Government to our confidence in the special circumstances, might I ask the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking that this matter will not be indefinitely postponed? Will he, as early as possible, make a full statement, because of the natural sympathy of the people of this country for the French people, both in this country and in their own country, now that their land is partly free from the invader?

We are going into the very thing I said I would like to avoid, namely, a Debate. I have no reason to fear a Debate on the subject, except that I think it would be necessary to put a case which would cause widespread pain.

While I appreciate the desire of the Prime Minister not to have a Debate at this stage, could he reassure me on this point? Are the financial arrangements in France and the recognition of the French Committee of National Liberation, and cognate matters, now being discussed with General de Gaulle and the French Committee?

In this last week of great success, I should think as large a proportion of our time was given to the discussions about General de Gaulle and his affairs and his Committee as to any other subject. I can assure the House that it is not that these matters are not engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government. They are very much indeed. But I am reluctant to bring them to a head at present, and I hope that a better solution will be achieved than would be the case, if there had to be a quite definite threshing out of the matter in the House of Commons. With regard to the financial point, it is rather technical. The President made a statement last night, which is published, I believe, in this morning's papers, but I have not had a chance of reading that statement. I could not commit myself to anything about finance—a statement about which might well be made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer—until we know what it is that the President has said on the subject. It seems to me, however, quite clear that if notes are given out to the French population, in return for livestock and other services, the responsibility for meeting them, in the first instance at any rate, would lie with the Governments issuing them.

Is not the House peculiarly entitled to an explanation, in answer to the first question put by my hon. Friend the Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby)? If the credit of this country is being committed to any currency whatsoever, this House is the first place to be consulted on such a matter. It is not consistent with the authority or the dignity of the House of Commons, that financial transactions of this sort should be entered into, without consulting the House of Commons. May I, further, ask whether the Prime Minister appreciates the very grave anxiety which exists in very many parts of this country, that American and British lives may be endangered in France as a consequence of the political handling of this question by the Government, and that, although we are all delighted with the military successes on the Continent, His Majesty's Government do not, in fact, receive the full confidence of all the peoples in their political handling of the war? [Interruption.] They do not, and, in point of fact—[HON. MEMBERS: "Speech."] Hon. Members must allow a suggestion to be made in other quarters on these occasions. On a point of Order. I asked you, Sir, during Question Time whether full facilities were to be given to the House to discuss such a statement as this, and I, therefore, insist that I should be allowed to complete my question. Does the Prime Minister realise that certain observations by him on the political conduct of the war have been deeply resented by millions of people, in this country and elsewhere?

I am afraid the hon. Gentleman's question was so long that I have forgotten what was the point of it. I am quite certain that there has been no breach of the financial regulations and rules and practices of the House. In regard to any issue of chits or notes, in foreign countries, that is all covered by the general conditions of the expenditure on the war, and all has to be accounted for to the House in the proper method and at the proper time. As for the general question of whether there is entire agreement throughout the country and in the House, on all the ways in which the different foreign policies, as affecting all the various countries, have been handled, I can assure the House that I have never aimed at so high an ideal, and, when I think of some of the persons who would have to be converted, I am very glad that I never set my aim so high.

May I ask the Prime Minister, in regard to the question addressed to him by the right hon. Member for South-West Bethnal Green (Sir P. Harris), whether we are in this position: that this matter is now barred for an indefinite period from the consideration of the House, because, after the reply which the right hon. Gentleman has given, it is going to be very difficult for hon. Members to raise questions on this point? Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter, in view of the fact that, not only the interest but the duty of hon. Members is involved in this matter, and it is not fair that the right hon. Gentleman should make an appeal to them to maintain silence for an indefinite time, an a matter which involves such profound principles, whatever we may think of the conduct of the war by His Majesty's Government? Will the right hon. Gentleman not give some further encouragement to us to believe that this matter will be dealt with at an early date?

I never intended it to be indefinite postponement, but I do not think it would be a good thing to have a Debate in the House now. I am certain it would do more harm that good, and might lead to things being said which afterwards were found to have very serious repercussions, because, if attacks are made, answers will be given, whenever required. Therefore, I still adhere to my request to the House, and my advice to the House—it can only be advice; I am entirely in their hands—that they will not raise this matter at this time. But I assure the House it is my earnest desire to give them the fullest account of all these matters, when that can be done without prejudice to such hopes as remain, in respect of such matters in the future.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that there is great anxiety in this House and in the country and the Press, not so much about what may be said, but about what actually is now being done; and will he give the House an assurance that, as soon as he can possibly manage it, we shall have a Debate, either in public or in Secret Session, at the will of the Government, in order that we can discuss this matter, because it ought to be discussed?

I do not at all agree that there is great and widespread anxiety. It certainly deserves careful and unremitting attention, but I think that, if there is great and widespread anxiety in this matter, it will be, and should be, properly directed to our gallant soldiers who are striking down the enemy in France and advancing continually, and to the great operations which are in progress, and which give hope as well as anxiety. It seems to me very lacking in proportion for hon. Members—Would the hon. Member like to say something more? If he does not wish to do so, perhaps he will allow me to finish what I have to say. I say, I think it shows a marked sense of disproportion and I am earnestly hoping that we shall not be pressed at this time. If I had no hopes of a better solution than I could announce at the present time, I would not0 ask for the delay.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that, in recent Debates, the House of Commons has expressed a very strong view on this question, which did reflect a fairly general opinion in this country; and will he also bear in mind that, while there may be complete silence in the House, the Press of the United States and of this country is openly debating this matter? Will the right hon. Gentleman also bear in mind that many of us are being pressed by our constituents—[Interruption]—many of us are being asked if the right hon. Gentleman cannot give an assurance that there is nothing to prevent General de Gaulle from landing in France if he so wishes?

That last question is one which I hope may be found capable of solution.

May I ask the Prime Minister if he will have regard to the fact that some of us who are not pressing for a Debate, are yet disturbed by the most searching and painful anxiety about the position of General de Gaulle; and will he have regard to that situation, and not indulge in the slightest degree in any painful observations. We only want to be assured that, some time, these terrible complications which have arisen, and which may jeopardise the peace of Europe after the war, may be resolved?

As to the question of peace in Europe after the war, we have a long way to go before we can be sure what is going to jeopardise peace. We have also some way to go before we can say what is going to be done to stop peace being jeopardised.

rose—

I really think we cannot pursue the matter now.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Dodecanese Islands are covered by the provisions of the Atlantic Charter.

The post-war status of the Dodecanese Islands cannot be decided at this stage.

Surely the Atlantic Charter does not exclude territories inhabited by members of- the gallant Greek nation?

No, Sir; I think my hon. Friend's conclusion would be about correct.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that leading members of the present Italian Government have publicly expressed their wish that these territories should go to Greece?

So much the better.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs under what section of the Emergency Powers Act, 1939, he made the Emergency Powers (Defence) Employment in Essential Undertakings in Egypt Order (S.R. & O. No. 9, of 1944), whereby British subjects in Egypt are subject to direction as to their employment.

My Order of 6th May, 1944, applied to certain undertakings in Egypt Regulation 58AC of the Defence (General) Regulations and was made under power given to me by that Regulation. Regulation 58AC was made by Order in Council on 27th November, 1941, under powers given to His Majesty in Council by sections 1 and 3 of the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1939, as amended by the Emergency Powers (Defence) Act, 1940.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works whether it is proposed to extend the period covered by the Historical Monuments Commission.

I understand that this matter will come before the Commission at their meeting at the end of this month. Any recommendation made by the Commission will receive careful consideration by the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Baganda Growers Co-operative Union in Uganda is only allowed to sell coffee to the authorised pools; why they were prevented from grinding and exporting their coffee direct; how far coffee growers are being encouraged to process their own coffee; and what conditions in general have to be observed in the marketing and exporting of Uganda coffee.

I am making inquiries of the Governor and will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has approved tile action taken by the Governor of Jamaica in rejecting the unanimous proposals of the Kingston and St. Andrews Corporation for an increase of rates within the corporate area on premises whose value in the tax roll exceeds £1,000; as the alternative proposal for an increase in rates on all premises valued over £20 bears heavily upon small shopkeepers and artisans, and has increased rentals in working class tenements and residential areas; and as the overriding of the decisions of a popularly elected body tends to prejudice the future success of the Jamaican Constitution.

I am making inquiry of the Governor about this matter and I will communicate with the hon. Member when his reply is received.

Will the Colonial Secretary see to it that the big interests are not allowed to put the burden on the small people and to get away without it themselves?

I am not going to anticipate the Governor's proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will have issued a list setting forth the number of Colonial Office Advisory Committees at present in existence: their personnel, their terms of reference, how often they meet and whether their Reports and recommendations will be made available to Members of Parliament.

I will certainly issue a list on the general lines which my hon. Friend has in mind. In addition to the regular meetings of the full committees a great deal of work is done by sub-committees. These committees are advisory to the Secretary of State and stand in a confidential relationship with him. While many of their reports and recommendations have been published or otherwise made available to the House, it would not be possible to give an undertaking that this procedure should automatically be followed in every case.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give the House some indication of the passport or password to these sacred tabernacles?

When the hon. Member sees the list of these I think he will realise their efficiency and knowledge of the particular subject.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the Colonial Office Social Welfare Advisory Committee was established; how often the committee has met; what are its terms of reference; and whether it has yet made any recommendations.

The Colonial Social Welfare Advisory Committee replaces, on a wider basis and covering a larger field of welfare questions, the former Colonial Penal Advisory Committee, whose members submitted their resignations in order to facilitate the formation of the new Committee. The terms of reference of the Committee are, in general, to advise me on such questions as I may refer to them with regard to problems of social welfare. I am sending a copy of the full terms of reference to the hon. Member for his information.

Does the work of this committee overlap with the social welfare work of the Stockdale Commission?

It is entirely different. The Stockdale Commission are the field workers on the spot. This is a central advisory committee on general problems.

Could not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman publish the terms of reference in HANSARD?

If the hon. Member puts down a Question on the matter I probably can.

Do the terms of reference cover the question of judicial offences?

Yes, Sir.

Are the regulations made to cover penal offences?

They still cover the original terms of penal reform.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many men, women and children, respectively, were interned in Mauritius in 1940–41 because of attempting illegal entry into Palestine; how many have since died; how many have volunteered for service in the Pioneer Corps or in any other armed or, if women, auxiliary service of our own or Allied Forces; how many were accepted and released for such service and how many accepted but not so far released; how many have been released for civilian service or for reasons other than employment; and how many men, women and children remain interned.

As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it not the case that these people are not interned, but are in a refugee camp, which is quite a different thing?

Yes, Sir. They cannot leave it, though.

asked the Minister of Production what steps he is taking to remove permanent black-out conditions in factories and what results are being achieved; whether the permanent blackout will be removed from all factories in Lancashire before the war is over; and whether all the factories in a town of which he has been informed, engaged in essential work, will be able in the near future to work in daylight conditions.

In collaboration with my colleagues in the Departments concerned, I am taking steps to facilitate the substitution of removable for permanent black-out in factories throughout the country so far as labour and materials are available. I am informed that in Lancashire removable black-out is now installed in about 95 per cent. of the larger factories engaged in essential production and is being installed in another 2 per cent. As regards the town referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, my information is that removable blackout has been installed in 99 per cent. of such factories. My hon. and gallant Friend will, of course, understand that where removable black-out has been installed in a factory, this does not mean that the whole of the glass is so fitted. It is sometimes difficult, for technical reasons, to make use of removable blackout on a large scale in a particular factory. So long therefore as there is a risk of air raids, it will in those cases be impracticable to resume full daylight working.

Do I understand from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that out of 7,000 factories in Lancashire 6,500 are working under conditions of natural light?

I have not done the arithmetic but I repeat that 95 per cent. of the larger factories have removable black-out.

How many bombs have not been dropped in Lancashire?

Will the right hon. Gentleman do away with the black-out altogether between now and Christmas?