Dr Thomas Shiels: As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the Empire Marketing Board mainly concern themselves with background advertising rather than with advertising specific commodities. This matter has, however, been before them. They are unable to do anything at present, although they may later.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir. The scheme does not apply to Transjordan, which, as my hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware, is under a different administrative system.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I think we feel that we have quite enough material to deal with in Palestine.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I am sure that the Committee has listened with interest and appreciation to the various speeches which have been made on this subject of the Iraq minorities and other cognate matters. I appreciate very much the spirit of the speeches and the obvious desire in all quarters to be helpful. Just about a year ago the right hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare) brought this matter before us, and...
Dr Thomas Shiels: The Treaty was signed in June last year and soon afterwards presented to the House. We had a discussion in July, which the right Hon. Gentleman himself initiated, and the treaty was not ratified until January of this year. Had there been in that interval any obvious desire for another discussion, I am sure it would have been given. But I am glad, at any rate, that as in the discussion last...
Dr Thomas Shiels: There will be a number of officials of different kinds. A long dispatch has recently been received from the High Commissioner on this subject going very comprehensively into it all. That is now being examined by the proper authorities, so I would like to assure the right hon. Gentleman and others that the matter has been before us, and. is by no means being lost sight of. Every point which...
Dr Thomas Shiels: The practice of licensing motor vehicles exists in every British Colony except Bermuda, where such vehicles are not permitted. As to the new Kenya legislation, my Noble Friend has not received from the Government of Kenya the Ordinance as passed by the Legislative Council. Nor has he received any information from the Governor to show that the Bill has been proceeded with. The Ordinance, when...
Dr Thomas Shiels: My Noble Friend is not aware that any schools in the Kyambu district have been closed in recent years. Inquiry will be made of the Governor of Kenya in the matter, and if my hon. Friend has any information I will be glad to have it.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No negotiations are in progress between the two Governments.
Dr Thomas Shiels: As far as Governments are concerned, certainly. I understand that the railway companies are in communication with the Portuguese Government in regard to certain legal points of a routine character.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The association suffered considerably owing to losses caused by the heavy fall in prices last season. It is, however, solvent and has been reorganised on the basis of subscriptions instead of depending, as formerly, on commission on sales. The latest figures give 12,231 members owning about six million trees.
Dr Thomas Shiels: At the end of 1930 there were 1,424 European children of school age in Northern Rhodesia, 879 of whom were receiving education in Government controlled schools. Owing to the influx of European families in connection with mining development, the number of European children for whom educational facilities are urgently required is rapidly increasing. The latest estimates show that the Government...
Dr Thomas Shiels: On the conclusion of the East African campaign, there were certain balances standing in the names of native carriers which remained unclaimed. For various reasons, it was not clear what was the total amount actually due, but endeavours were made to establish the rights of the claimants, and up to 31st March of this year payment has been made to all who could establish their claim. No money...
Dr Thomas Shiels: I regret that in the present state of the national finances both here and in the Colonies and Protectorates there is no prospect of the cost of this service being met from public funds. The Colonial and Protectorate Governments are prepared to pay over for this purpose the greater part of any funds they might raise by way of licence fees, but the amount likely so to be obtained at any rate in...
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir.
Dr Thomas Shiels: A despatch has been addressed to the High Commissioner dealing with the initial steps to be taken in order to give effect to the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to agricultural development and land settlement in Palestine. It is being published in Palestine to-day, and, to meet the convenience of hon. Members, I am arranging for a copy to be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Dr Thomas Shiels: That question, I think, should not be addressed to me.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I think it will be found that it is entirely consistent with all the documents that have been issued in that connection.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I think my hon. and gallant Friend will find a full explanation of the procedure in the document concerned.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I might point out that there may be an opportunity of discussing this matter in the ordinary way in Committee of Supply.
