Dr Thomas Shiels: I have no information with regard to the trial in question, but inquiry is being made.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I will consider that matter.
Dr Thomas Shiels: As I have stated before, both the Arab and Jewish leaders have been given an opportunity of expressing their views on the proposals of the Government with regard to development in Palestine. I hope that it may be possible before long to make a further statement on the subject; but I am not yet able to say when that can be done.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The consultations with the Jewish Agency are practically concluded. In regard to the Arab Executive, the position was that they were invited to consult with the High Commissioner on these proposals, but they said that before they could do so certain conditions would have to be observed, and those conditions made formal consultations impossible. The High Commissioner, however, consulted with a...
Dr Thomas Shiels: I cannot say definitely, but I hope it will not be long.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The Donoughmore Commission recommended the insertion in the Order-in-Council of an article preserving to the Secretary of State the final decision in all matters affecting the salary and emoluments of all public officers whose appointment is subject to his approval. In view of the special position occupied by the Governor and the officers of State, it seemed desirable to make special...
Dr Thomas Shiels: In Freetown, so far as shown in the registrations, the birth rate in 1930 was estimated at 22.04 per 1,000, and the death rate at 27.16. In the Colony, other than Freetown, the birth rate was estimated at 17.5 per 1,000, and the death rate at 18.6. No figures are available for the Protectorate.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The question of Arab education in Kenya is already under consideration, by my Noble Friend and it is proposed to discuss it further with the Director of Education when he arrives in England on leave.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I may say that recently I had an interview with two Arab representatives from Kenya who are in this country in connection with the Joint Committee, and we went fully into questions of their special grievances, which are now being considered.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No girl under 15 may be employed in any industrial undertaking between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. or for more than five hours continuously. Mui-tsai are normally employed in domestic duties in the home, and there is no statutory limitation of the hours of work in domestic service.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I will ask the Governor whether such reports can be obtained from inspectors employed by the charitable societies.
Dr Thomas Shiels: There are at least 10 such charitable societies in which Europeans are interested and in addition a large number of Chinese charitable societies. I will ask the Governor if he can obtain particulars as to the number of inspectors employed and the nature of the work undertaken by them.
Dr Thomas Shiels: I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read the Third time." The Bill deals with a technical point, arising on the wording of the 1926 Act, which prevented East African Governments from raising loans. It corrects that difficulty. There has been a full discussion on both the Financial Resolution and the Second Reading, and I think it was generally agreed in all parts of the House that the Bill...
Dr Thomas Shiels: The Governor has informed my Noble Friend that he is submitting proposals for such an appointment.
Dr Thomas Shiels: The Governor has reported that there is no evidence that registration is being evaded. If the hon. Member has any evidence of evasion, I shall be glad to receive it.
Dr Thomas Shiels: On the basis of an exchange rate of one dollar equals one shilling, the difference is estimated as £75,000 in one year on a salary bill of £450,000. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
Dr Thomas Shiels: This is a difficult subject, I agree that there is a hardship, and I can assure the right bon. Gentleman that the proposal was agreed to by my Noble Friend with very great reluctance. The condition of Hong Kong finances, however, is so serious as to make very strong measures necessary. There is at present a financial committee examining the whole currency position in Hong Kong. We expect to...
Dr Thomas Shiels: It is worth about a 1s., but, as I said on a previous occasion, a special arrangement has been made that half the salaries are paid at the current rate of exchange, which exceeds the proportion normally remitted by those who send money home, so that it will be seen that an effort has been made to meet the greatest difficulty. The matter will, as I say, be considered when we get this report.
Dr Thomas Shiels: No, Sir.
Dr Thomas Shiels: As the answer is long and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
