HOUSE OF COMMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 April 1939, Page 5

HOUSE OF COMMONS

TO REASSEMBLE TO-DAY WIDE RANGE OF QUEST TONS • NEW SITUATION IN EUROPE I British Official Wirelessl (Received 18th April, 11.20 a.m.) RUGBY, 17th April. Questions to be addressed to Minis--1 ters when the House of Commons reI assembles to-morrow, cover a wide | field, permitting statements upon all : developments of importance in foreign I and Empire affairs and at home. ! Mr Chamberlain, Prime Minister, in ! particular, will be given an oppori tunity to acquaint the House with the ! progress of negotiations in relation to ; the new situation in Europe and with j the Government’s views on events since i the debate last Thursday. He will be I asked about President Roosevelt’s peace message and about the discussions with llie Soviet, which are understood to be proceeding in a friendly and promising atmosphere. The return of M. Maisky (Russian Ambassador) to Moscow to-morrow to. report to his Government, shows a desire on the Soviet's part to be possessed of all the information available in connection with these important consultations. Other questions in the House of Commons on foreign affairs relate to Spain and the Far East.

R.A.F. MYSTERY

| SQUADRONS “DISAPPEAR” | NEW SECRECY IN “AIK FORCE I LIST LONDON. 13th April. Two bomber squadrons formerly stationed in Britain do not appear in the new and greatly abbreviated "Air Force List” issued yesterday. either among the home or oversea forces. Presumably they have not been disbanded. Therefore, it must be presumed that they have been transferred to non-British territory. Much information usually provided does not appear in the new list, apparently on the ground that it might be useful to a possible enemy. It resembles a wartime list. The localities and functions of the squadrons are not stated. It is also impossible to tell which command administers which units. The list of each squadron’s officers have disappeared. Consequently, except from relatives, who are informed of their locations, letters must be addressed to them, care of the Air Ministry. The list shows that there are 104 squadrons at Home, one of which has been formed since February, and that 30 squadrons are overseas.

MEDITERRANEAN FLEET

IN NEIGHBOURHOOD OF MALTA (Received 18th April, noon) LONDON. 17th April. Almost the entire British Mediterranean Fleet is in the neighbourhood of Malta, including H.M.S. Glorious, six cruisers, 39 destroyers, seven submarines, six torpedo boats, ten minesweepers, six depot ship, one escort ship, one netlayer, and one minelayer.

PRECAUTIONS AT GIBRALTAR

BOOMS AT ENTRANCE TO HARBOUR ' ■ •’ A-Hv Klm.-ihc leleuiHph - (’m.vrmhi' GIBRALTAR. 16th April. Booms have been installed and entrance to the Admiralty harbour is now forbidden. Two French battleships and two destroyers have arrived. THIRTEEN FRENCH WARSHIPS (Received 18th April, 11 a.m.) GIBRALTAR, 17th April. French warships at Gibraltar now total thirteen. They comprise two battleships, three cruisers, and eight destroyers.