§ 18. Mr. MANDERasked the Home Secretary why no reply beyond a formal acknowledgment has been sent to the secretary-general of the League of Nations in reply to his circular of 6th October, 1934, sent out in accordance with the resolution of the 15th Assembly, requesting Governments to communicate, if possible annually, and if necessary with the collaboration of qualified associations, the experience obtained and any other observations relating either to the application of the standard minimum rules of the International Penal and Penitentiary Commission, or to reforms brought about in penitentiary matters; and whether he will arrange that a report be forwarded to the secretary-general before 1st July, in accordance with his request?
§ Sir J. SIMONThe Secretary-General was informed more than twelve months ago that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom approve the standard minimum rules prepared by the International Penal and Penitentiary Commission and already apply them in practice. As regards any general developments in penitentiary methods, information is sent as a matter of course to the International Penal and Penitentiary Commission, which is the recognised International body for the collection and dissemination of such information and acts in close co-operation with the League. A reply to this effect was sent to the letter of October, 1934, from the Secretary-General of the League.