Dr Thomas Shiels: I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." 5.0 p.m. The special objects of this Bill were indicated in the White Paper which was circulated when the Financial Resolution was moved last week by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury. The point at issue is rather a technical one. Briefly, it is that under the Palestine and East Africa Loans Act, 1926, a loan...
Dr Thomas Shiels: I should like to point out that, in the case of the amounts to which I referred, the work is actually going on, with the approval of the Treasury. The loan has not actually been floated, but is awaiting a suitable time, and the work is actually proceeding under the contemplated borrowing.
Dr Thomas Shiels: As I have explained to the House on previous occasions, the law of Palestine, like the law of England, makes no discrimination between political and other prisoners. The Secretary of State—as at present advised—is not prepared to interfere with the regulations governing the treatment of prisoners in Palestine.
Dr Thomas Shiels: An agreement has been executed under which, subject to certain conditions relating to the provision of capital, a concession will be granted by the Government of Uganda for the exploitation of the fisheries in the area mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member. The concession will be worked by a company to be formed for the purpose, and the Protectorate Government will receive a royalty at the...
Dr Thomas Shiels: Yes, Sir.
Dr Thomas Shiels: A detailed account of the arrangements for the co-ordination of the railway companies concerned would involve too long a statement. I must refer my hon. Friend to the conditional agreements of 15th May, 1930, between the Crown Agents for the Colonies and the Central Africa and Shire Highlands Railway Companies and the Trans-Zambesia Railway Company respectively, copies of which were placed in...
Dr Thomas Shiels: Of the 127 bodies, 98 were those of children over three years of age and 29 were infants of unknown sex. The Governor was requested by my Noble Friend to state whether in any of the 1,851 cases reported for the year 1929 death was due to violence, and he has replied that in no case was there found to be any evidence of violence. In 521 cases of children of three years or under, the cause of...
Dr Thomas Shiels: As the answer is rather long and contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Dr Thomas Shiels: Yes, there is a difference, but it is a difference dependent on the former standard of life of the prisoners.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir. I would like to make it clear that I did not say that at all.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I am not aware that permission to extend wharves at Penang has been refused in the interests of the wharves at Prai, but I will ask the Acting-Governor for a report. The wharves at Prai have not been a success. They cost about £2,000,000. There has been no capital expenditure on them since 1926.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I think that what I have said is in general agreement with what the hon. and gallant Member has said.
Dr Thomas Shiels: Certainly. I hope there will be an opportunity for a discussion as asked for by the Noble Earl, and I think that an opportunity will be available.
Dr Thomas Shiels: If it is desired to raise any points now, I am prepared to reply, but I think it would be for the convenience of hon. Members that the suggestion of the Noble Lord should be adopted, and that the discussion should take place on the Second Reading. I am as anxious as any hon. Member opposite that the points in question should be dealt with, and I am glad to say that there will be a full...
Dr Thomas Shiels: Yes, Sir, a report has been received from the High Commissioner. In two cases tried by the District Court under the Prevention of Crimes Ordinance, three witnesses were allowed to give evidence behind screens. The officer who tried the cases has reported that in the first case the evidence of the
Dr Thomas Shiels: My Noble Friend has received from the Governor of Trinidad a despatch regarding a resolution moved in Legislative Council on 14th November last requesting that a Royal Commission should be appointed to investigate the question of granting self-government to Trinidad. He has already conveyed his views on the resolution to the Governor, and I understand that these views have been communicated...
Dr Thomas Shiels: The situation has not materially changed since the hon. and gallant Member put a similar question to me some three weeks ago. I am happy to say that, apart from an isolated and unfortunate incident in the neighbourhood of Haifa which has been reported in the Press, the Easter season, which is always a difficult time in Palestine, passed off quietly. As regards the last part of the question, I...
Dr Thomas Shiels: I note what the hon. and gallant Member has said, but, as I have already reminded him, we are constantly taking all the steps we possibly can take to bring about that desirable co-operation.
Dr Thomas Shiels: We always keep that in view, and we shall be glad to arrange such a meeting whenever it is possible.
Dr Thomas Shiels: We have already done so.
