BRITISH POLITICS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 24 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

HOUSE OF COMMONS 4 REPLIES TO QUESTIONS FOREIGN AFFAIRS (British Oilicial Wireless.) RUGBY, 22nd .July. King Fund of Egypt visited Buckingham Palace, this alternoon and was received by the Queen. Replying to a question in Parliament, Mr Henderson, Foreign Secretary, said that having regard to the private, nature of King Fund's visit it was not proposed to have, conversations with His Majesty regarding relations 'between Egypt and this country. \\ilh references to a recently published letter from the Pope to the Bishop of Malta and Gozo denouncing the Maltese Government, Ihe foreign Secretary said ho could not yet make a .statement on the subject, but the situation created by tho despatch of this letter was receiving careful consideration. .Mr Henderson staled that Hie. contribution payable by the British Government to the League of Nations, including the International Labour organisation, during 1929 amounts to 2,702,000 .gold francs. The percentage of the League's expenses payable by llto British Government is 10.65 per 'cent, and by the British Empire as a whole 26.2 per cent. (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, 23rd duly. Answering a question in the House of Commons regarding the amount the Soviet Government, as successors to the Russian Imperial Government, owe British investors, Mr Graham, President of the Board of Trade, said the capital amount of bonds in Russian state loans, guaranteed railway loans, and loans'-to municipalities' and other institutions-in" respect of which claims had been lodged with the Russian Claims Department, was approximately £41.000,000 and 242,000,000 roubles respectively. In addition there was an unascertained amount of secured interest due on securities. He had no doubt that in any negotiations for the resumption of diplomatic relations with Russia the question of getting some payment of amounts due, or at least some recognition of the debts, would be borne in mind by his colleagues in the Cabinet. Questioned regarding the result of the sale of German private property in Britain in accordance with the Treaty of Versailles, Mr Graham said the total proceeds amount to date to £.">."),000,000. All British private claims against Germany and German nationals which hitherto had been admitted had been paid in full. It was estimated that, after all such claims have been met there will be a surplus, which will be retained in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty against Germany's reparation obligations. The Government has under consideration recommendations made by the Committee of Experts on Reparations regarding German property not already liquidated. Mr MacDonald announced that tomorrow he would make a statement regarding the Government's naval programme. NAVAL PROGRAMME LONDON, 23rd July. The "Daily Telegraph"' says Parliament will, adjourn on Friday for the summer recess, reassembling on 22nd October or 29th October. Mr MacDonald proposes to make a, statement on naval construction on .Friday, but it is not yet decided whether the Government will cut out all six submarines. It is understood the Singapore base decision will be postponed until progress has been made in the discussions on naval disarmament. REDUCED MINING HOURS LONDON. 23rd July. It is reported on good authority at Blackpool that the Government intends to revert to the seven-hour day in the mining industry bv easy stages. It will introduce a 7-i hours Bill before the end o[ the vcar, and when the Eight. Hours Act expires in 3931 seven hours will be reached. This is expected to meet the demands of the Miners' Federation. The owners, however, regard the position as critical, and a meeting has been convened to discuss the situation.