Mr Bonar Law: As regards the Housing Bill, it is proposed to introduce the Bill as early as possible, and it is hoped that it will be in the hands of Members not later than the 16th April. The Second Reading of the Bill will be taken on Tuesday, the 24th April. It is not yet possible to say exactly when the text of the Rent Restriction Bill will be published, or when the Second Reaching will be taken.
Mr Bonar Law: It is not possible.
Mr Bonar Law: I have nothing to acid to the statements already made in the House on behalf of His Majesty's Government.
Mr Bonar Law: Statements were made by M. Poincaré at the Conferences held in London and Paris. the Minutes of which have been published. Further, an official communiqué was issued by the French and Belgian Governments on 12th March last.
Mr Bonar Law: Nothing except the statement on the 12th March.
Mr Bonar Law: I have another question about that.
Mr Bonar Law: I think not. I have not. seen such a statement.
Mr Bonar Law: The grant of autonomy to Eastern Galicia by the Polish Government is part of the settlement, but that Government will not be required to furnish details of any particular scheme to the Ambassadors Conference.
Mr Bonar Law: Yes, they have taken the steps directly embodied in the agreement.
Mr Bonar Law: Inasmuch as the Conference in London is one of Allied experts who have assembled in order to discuss in a preliminary and informal way the counter-proposals put forward by the Turks, the very worst step that could be taken in the interests of settlement would be to give premature publicity to their proceedings. This was the unanimous view of the assembled delegates.
Mr Bonar Law: I have not heard of that.
Mr Bonar Law: I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on Thursday last to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn).
Mr Bonar Law: It has been decided that the Parliamentary Secretary for Overseas Trade should become Chairman of the Overseas Settlement Committee and be charged under the Secretary of State for the Colonies with the conduct of oversea settlement business. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies will remain a member of the Committee.
Mr Bonar Law: He would arrange that, I have no doubt, with my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Mr Bonar Law: If there is a general desire for such discussion, I shall consider whether it will be possible to find time for it later in the Session.
Mr Bonar Law: I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly as to the date of meeting of the Imperial Conference, and of the Imperial Economic Conference, but at present I cannot add anything to the answers already given to my hon. Friends and to other hon. Members.
Mr Bonar Law: Yes, when they become the Government.
Mr Bonar Law: The answer is in the affirmative. The General staff and Air staff, as well as the Naval staff, took part in the proceedings of the Committee of Imperial Defence on this subject and approved its recommendations. The date of the final recommendation of the Committee that the decision of the late Government be re-affirmed was 14th December, 1922.
Mr Bonar Law: They decided in favour of a naval base.
Mr Bonar Law: It. is not customary to give the names of members of sub-Committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence. I am glad to say, however, that Lord Balfour and Lord Weir have consented to join the Committee. With regard to the second part of the question, the Committee has already held several meetings, but it is not yet possible to say when it will be able to report.
