Dr Thomas Shiels: Does the hon. and gallant Member mean the number of workers?
Dr Thomas Shiels: We have no information concerning that. We may get it later on, but at the present moment we have no information.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir. I am not in a position to make any fresh statement. There has been no change in the position as regards the relations of His Majesty's Government with the Imam of the Yemen.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir, I know of no conversations that are taking place.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir; the Royal Commission have left Malta but propose to take further evidence in London. It follows that I am not at present in a position to answer the second part of the question.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I have seen a statement to the effect that Palestine Potash Limited have produced a small consignment for shipment; but I have received no official report on the subject. I understand that both Arab and Jewish labour is employed on these works, but I am not aware of the precise terms of employment. I am unable to say where the company has placed its contracts for machinery.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir, I should not be prepared to give such an undertaking. The hon. and gallant Member must realise that Palestine is mandated territory, and it would not be proper to give such an undertaking.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No Sir, not yet, but I hope that it may not be long delayed.
Dr Thomas Shiels: It is hoped to make an appointment in the near future. I expect to be able to give the particulars asked for when the announcement of the appointment is made.
Dr Thomas Shiels: As I stated on 23rd June, the text of the Amendment Law to which the hon. Member refers has only recently been received and is still under examination. Until the examination has been completed, I can express no opinion as to the effect of the law and must not be understood as accepting the interpretation which the hon. Member puts upon it.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I will see if that is possible.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The position as regards the Workmen's Compensation Bill an Mauritius is that its consideration was deferred during the final session of the last Council of Government for various local reasons. The Bill was reintroduced at the opening of the new Council in May, and is now awaiting its Second Reading the discussion on which was expected to take place to-day.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The words used in the Prime Minister's letter were: With regard to public and municipal works falling to be financed out of public funds, the claim of Jewish labour to a due share of the employment available, taking into account Jewish contributions to public revenue, shall be taken into consideration. That is the policy which the High Commissioner is engaged in carrying out. My Noble Friend...
Dr Thomas Shiels: The difference in the economic standards of the two races is one of our great difficulties. We are pursuing, sympathetically, the objects indicated in the question.
Dr Thomas Shiels: That is certainly an object which we would desire.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The position was explained in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member's question on 2nd June, to which I have nothing to add.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I ask the House to give a Third Reading to this Measure. We have had two fairly prolonged discussions on the Bill, because, it being a Money Bill, there was the additional opportunity of Debate on the Financial Resolution, and I think that most of the points were covered. I take no objection to the intervention of my two hon. Friends who have spoken to-night, because it is an indication of an...
Dr Thomas Shiels: I would not like it to be thought——
Dr Thomas Shiels: I would not like it to be thought that the Governor and the Legislative Council of Mauritius do not express the will and the desire of Mauritius in this as in other matters. We have responded to the need of Mauritius in a way and to a degree which we believe is sufficient to meet their needs, and we know that this gesture has been very much appreciated by the people of the island. I do not...
Dr Thomas Shiels: These are works of public utility, such as roads and water schemes and other things, which were either in process of construction or have been projected and which cannot be proceeded with without the assistance given by this Bill.
