asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men at present serving in the Royal Naval torpedo factory, Greenock, who have volunteered, and have been accepted, for service in the Royal Naval torpedo works at Alexandria, have been unable to get housing accommodation at Alexandria, and whether he will forthwith proceed with the erection of houses at or near Alexandria for torpedo workers, as was formerly done by the Admiralty at Greenock, or take other steps to relieve these workers of the inconvenience and expense of travelling between Greenock and Alexandria?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have ascertained that of the 10 men transferred for service reasons from Greenock to Alexandria, nine have obtained houses in that locality. In answer to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 17th February by my right hon. Friend. The erection of houses at Greenock at Admiralty expense during the War was an exceptional measure, taken at a time when municipalities had not the facilities for undertaking housing schemes which they now possess.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the total number of British, United States of America, Japanese, French, Italian, and German cruisers, respectively, built and building, each of which carries more than six 6-inch guns?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state, separately, the total number of British, United States of America, Japanese, French, Italian, and German cruisers, built and building, each of which carries not more than six 6-inch guns?

As regards the foreign cruisers, I am unable to add anything to the information contained in the Command Paper "Fleets"; and as regards our own, it would be undesirable to give any additional details.

Would the Noble Lord indicate whether the "Dido" class of cruiser is built with any specific purpose or objective, in view of the fact that other nations are not building cruisers with so small a proportion of guns?

My hon. Friend will, of course, realise that we do not necessarily build ships to follow the example of other countries; we build them for our own needs. Cruisers of this kind will have a very useful purpose.

Does the Noble Lord not think that the Germans and Italians know all that is going on in this country just as we know what is going on in Germany and Italy?

I could not agree to that.

Is it worth while putting these guns into British ships, if they are not allowed to fire them?

Will the Noble Lord appeal to his hon. Friends to have regard to the national interests before putting questions of this kind?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in order to allay public anxiety, he will make a statement in regard to the striking power and effectiveness of the "Dido" class of cruisers in relation to the gun-power, armour, and range of the cruisers at present built or building by the principal naval Powers?

The Admiralty are satisfied that the cruisers of the "Dido" class will prove a valuable and effective addition to the Fleet. I must not, however, be drawn into a premature disclosure of their design and armament.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the terms of the notice sent to other Government Departments informing them of the circumstances of the dismissal of the five men from the dockyards in case those men might apply for entry into other Government industrial establishments?

No, Sir. I think the hon. Member will agree that it is quite inadvisable to publish confidential communications between one Government Department and another.

In view of the fact that these communications condemn these men to become more or less permanent recipients of public assistance, does the Noble Lord not think they ought to know the contents of the message?

The hon. Member is quite wrong in saying that these communications condemn these men before all employers.

Are private employers likely to employ men who have been prohibited from being engaged in any Government establishment?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the date of publication of the Palestine report?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that this House will have an opportunity of considering the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine before a Government decision is reached on the matter?

Until the Report of the Royal Commission on Palestine is received I can make no statement.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the report will be communicated to Members of the House before it is sent to any persons outside?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question down.

I hope the Prime Minister will not neglect to let the League of Nations know.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the damage done to the Palestine citrus industry during the recent season as a result of the bad conditions under which the fruit was shipped from Palestine to Great Britain; and whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent a repetition of this damage in future seasons?

I am aware that some of the Palestine fruit has, unfortunately, arrived in this country during the present season in a very bad state. I am advised that, in so far as such wastage is abnormal this year, it is probably due to the exceptionally heavy rains during the harvest. The Palestine Government are at present considering a plan of research to discover the causes of the smaller amount of wastage that normally occurs. Meanwhile it would be wrong to assume that the conditions on shipboard are solely responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the murder of Mrs. Engelhardt, near Petach Tikrah; and what steps are being taken to protect life and stock in Palestine?

I have no official information regarding this murder, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply which was given on 6th April to the Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander). No murders or attempted murders have been reported between 18th March and 11th April, when I regret to learn that not only the crime referred to by the right hon. Gentleman, but also armed attacks on several Arabs took place.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman get reports of these murders that take place? Why is it that he never has any information?

Reports are usually sent once a week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking any steps to enforce law and order in Palestine; and has he still complete confidence in the High Commissioner?

I am not in Palestine. I am not taking any steps, but, as I have explained in answer to the question, a great many steps have been taken.

Surely the right hon. Gentleman is responsible for law and order? May I ask what steps are being taken?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can make any statement as to the Departmental Committee in Tanganyika on the subject of human nutrition in that territory; and whether that committee will take into consideration the memorandum by the International Institute of African Languages and Cultures, pointing out the need of combining medical and anthropological inquiry in respect of nutrition problems?

As the result of the circular despatch published in 1936 as Colonial No. 121, a Departmental Committee has been set up in Tanganyika as in many other parts of the Colonial Empire to study questions relating to human nutrition. Copies of the memorandum to which the hon. Member refers have already been sent to all African Governments, and I have no doubt that the desirability of combining medical and anthropological inquiry will be given full weight by the committee.

Is there actual guidance in the despatch referred to that inquiry should follow those lines?

Yes. This despatch suggests certain lines, and, as I think the hon. Gentleman knows, a special committee of the Civil and Research Organisation here are receiving replies as they come in from the various Dependencies.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent strikes in Selangor and Negri Sembilan, it is intended to permit the coolies on the rubber plantations and the mine workers in the Federated Malay States to organise in trades unions; and whether, as the agitators arrested by the police in Selangor were trying to organise such trade unions and as strikes are in fact legal in Selangor, he will state by what authority in the past organisers of strikes have been banished from Selangor by the British Resident under the provisions of the Banishment Enactment?

The association of labourers in trade unions in the Federated Malay States is, and has for many years been, permitted. Unions and guilds of labourers can be, and are, established by registration under the Societies Enactment. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware of any cases of expulsion simply in respect of the organisation of strikes, but there have been cases in which expulsion has been ordered where industrial disputes have been misused for the purpose of incitement to violence and disorder.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the purpose of the exchange of land which has recently taken place in British Honduras between the Government and the Belize Estates and Produce Company; and whether he is satisfied that this exchange was in the public interest?

The purpose of this transaction is to settle a long-standing dispute between the Government of British Honduras and the Belize Estate and Produce Company, Limited, as to the ownership of certain lands on the western frontier of the Colony. I am satisfied that this settlement is in the public interest.

Is it true that the land received by the Government has been completely denuded of saleable trees?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the amount proposed to be spent during the coming year in British Honduras on building houses for officials and on paying their passages when on leave?

The only sum provided in the Estimates of British Honduras, 1937, for building houses for officials is $1,500 for quarters for a police sergeant. Proposals for constructing quarters for five senior officials at a total cost of $57,000 are under consideration in the Colony, but no decision has been reached. No "leave passages" are provided from public funds in British Honduras.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to recommend the grant of a new and enlarged constitution to the important colony of Trinidad and Tobago, in view of the new constitution granted to the lesser West Indian islands?

I have not received any serious demand for a revision of the existing constitution, and in the circumstances I am of the opinion that consideration of the matter would be premature.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to give an undertaking that if the application is made he would regard it in a friendly fashion?

I would rather see what proposal is made and from whom it comes. I understand that the majority of the people in Trinidad are very well satisfied with their present Government.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being taken to bring the recruiting of labourers in British Dependencies in Africa into line with the provision of the International Labour Office Recruiting Convention of 1936, especially as regards the payment by the employer of the expenses of the worker's journey to and from the place of his employment and the protection of the workers on this journey?

I am still in communication with the Governments of the Colonial Dependencies on this matter. I am hoping that it will be found possible for the Convention to be applied without modification to all the Dependencies for which I am responsible.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has instituted any inquiries into the question of contract labour in connection with indigenous workers in mines and other industries in preparation for the International Labour Conference of 1938?

The Governments of the Colonial Dependencies are already in possession of the recommendations of the Committee of Experts on Native Labour of the International Labour Office on this question, and I intend to communicate with them again as soon as the report on the subject, which is now being prepared by the International Labour Office for consideration at the International Labour Conference in 1938, is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether the provisional agreement between the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern and Southern Rhodesia would preclude any possibility of recruiting natives in any of those territories for work in the Union of South Africa; and whether he will take steps to secure that it shall be open to natives of Nyasaland, if they desire it, to be recruited for work in the Union, where wages are higher?

The agreement does not preclude recruitment of natives for work in the Union, but it provides that any proposal for such recruitment shall form the subject of prior consultation between the Governments of Southern and Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Hitherto, organised recruitment of Nyasaland natives for work outside Nyasaland has been prohibited, but the question whether it is desirable to permit such recruitment on a limited scale for the Rand is receiving careful consideration, and a small experimental recruitment has been sanctioned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies in what manner the Colonial and/or Protectorate Governments assist financially towards the cost of broadcasting to the British Colonies and Protectorates, and what broadcasting services for Europe are at present being operated in their respective territories?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Postmaster-General to the question by the Member for Willesden, West (Mr. Viant) on 12th April. With regard to the latter part of the question, no broadcast services designed for reception in Europe are operated in the Colonial Dependencies.

Are any negotiations going on for the purpose of increasing the contribution?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British subjects have been repatriated from Cuba to the various West Indian islands; and what steps have been taken to ensure them a livelihood in these islands?

As the reply to this question contains detailed figures, and is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. But I may say that the total number repatriated from Cuba to British West Indian islands in the last two and a quarter years is 458 persons.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give me the answer to the second part of my question, which will not be in tabular form?

As regards the second part of the question, the Government of Jamaica has under consideration proposals for various schemes of public works which should provide employment for local labour. The Governor of Barbados reported in June, 1936, that there was not a great deal of employment in the Colony, and that various schemes of public expenditure, e.g., on waterworks and roads, provided work for a large proportion of the labour which was not engaged in agriculture.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider, along with the President of the Board of Education, the provision of school aeroplanes at convenient places for the encouragement of civil aviation among the rising generation?

It has been found possible to present obsolete airframes and engines for instructional use on the ground to schools.

Does that mean that any education authority that desires to take advantage of these aeroplanes for tuition purposes will be able to do so, with the assistance of officers of the Air Department?

Yes, I think so, if they apply and if they have suitable premises and machines are available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what weather reports were given to the "Capricornus" from the French meteorological stations as to the conditions around Macon on 24th March; and whether any warning was given as to the possibility of ice-forming conditions?

As this accident is at present under investigation by the French authorities, no official information regarding the weather reports given by French meteorological stations is as yet in my possession. As regards the last part of the question, however, the weather forecast supplied to the pilot before he left England indicated that conditions favourable for ice formation might be met with up to 5,000 feet between Macon and Marseilles.

In view of the fact that the inquiry is being held by the French authorities, have we in this country the power to cross-examine the French witnesses; and will the evidence and conclusions of the French inquiry be published in this country in the same way as in the case of a British inquiry?

As my hon. and gallant Friend says, the investigation is being carried out by the French authorities. I hope it will be possible to publish the conclusions of the report, but we shall have to get the permission of the French Government to do so.

Can we cross-examine witnesses?

No; the investigation is being carried out by the French authorities.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that two large air-liners belonging to Imperial Airways have been lost in Europe during the last month, and that neither of these machines was fitted with de-icing apparatus in spite of the fact that the weather reports indicated snow or sleet; and whether this company proposes to run its European services next winter with machines still not equipped with deicing devices?

As regards the first part of the question, the facts are as stated, but pending the conclusion of the investigations it is not established that if there had been de-icing equipment on the aircraft they would not have been lost. As regards the last part, I can only say at the moment that the closest possible attention is being given both by Imperial Airways and by the Department to the two outstanding problems of ice formation on the wings and on the air-screw.

Do Imperial Airways propose to run their European services next winter with machines not equipped with de-icers?

I hope that the experiments that are now being conducted will result in a suitable device.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that the other line, British Airways, has machines which are equipped with de-icers?

Is there any difficulty in making the equipment of so-called ice-breaking contrivances compulsory upon all aircraft when time and circumstances so warrant?

I should like to explain that there are a great many parts of an aeroplane which have to be protected against ice. The most important is the engine, and, as far as that is concerned, we have satisfactory protection.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken by the Air Ministry to ensure that the proposed Trans-Canada air route is equipped with British machines?

The organisation of this service is a matter for His Majesty's Government in the Dominion of Canada.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry has made any investigations in the latest methods of blind flying and homing now installed at the airports of Dubendorf, Zurich, and Tempelhof, Berlin, with a view to their adoption on Imperial Airways routes; and what has been the result of such investigations?

I am advised that the apparatus installed at the airports named is similar to that with which Croydon, Heston and Gatwick are now equipped. The question of the installation of this equipment at other airports on the Imperial routes is under consideration, but except at Newfoundland it does not necessarily appear that its employment will be required in the meteorological conditions obtaining outside Europe.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been reached regarding the establishment of an airport at Lulling-stone, Kent, for the use of Imperial Airways, Limited?

While the Air Ministry welcome the proposal to create additional aerodrome facilities within reasonable distance of London and have given and will give all such technical advice as may be desired by the Southern Railway in connection with the development of the site at Lullingstone in accordance with the plans which are being prepared by the railway's own technical advisers, any decision in regard to the establishment of the Airport will be one to be taken by the Southern Railway and will not rest with the Air Ministry. It is understood that the railway are proceeding with the project. As regards the possible use of the Airport by Imperial Airways, there is nothing that I could add to the information which I gave my hon. and learned Friend on 24th March last.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether this aerodrome will be for the use of Imperial Airways exclusively or for the use of general air traffic?

That will depend upon the company. I have no information.

Does the right hon. Baronet consider that it would be right or not that, if an air port is established in this district, it should be utilised exclusively for one firm, namely, Imperial Airways? Does he not think that, as a matter of policy, it should be available for general use by all air traffic?

The hon. and learned Member must not assume that that is the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement relative to the correspondence with the National Council of Aircraft Workers with reference to the alleged non-operation of the Fair Wages Clause at the firm of Airscrew, Limited; and what action does he propose to take?

I have examined carefully the correspondence forwarded to me by the National Council of Aircraft Workers and the statements made by that organisation and I cannot see that there is any evidence that the terms of the Fair Wages Clause are not being complied with by the Airscrew Company, Limited. I am making further inquiries, however, with regard to certain statements which appear in the correspondence.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry have given consideration to the conclusions and recommendations of the committee that considered the development of civil aviation in the United Kingdom; and what action is being taken at present?

Consideration has been given to the conclusions and recommendations of the committee and, as stated by my Noble Friend in the Memorandum accompanying Air Estimates, the Government have approved those recommendations which call for action on their part. The necessary steps to put these recommendations into force are at present under active consideration in the Air Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will indicate the amounts of State aid and/or subsidies paid towards civil aviation for the most recent year by foreign countries for which figures are available?

As a table of figures is involved, I am circulating the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it the policy of the Air Ministry at any time in the near future to encourage the promotion of British internal air lines by granting some State subvention? Has anything been done since the publication of the Maybury Report to give effect to any proposals for the promotion of home air lines?

Yes, we have taken steps for that purpose.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the windows of the Empire flying boats are of such a size that in case of emergency it would not be possible for passengers to escape thereby; and whether he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions that whenever possible windows of all passenger aeroplanes should be sufficiently large to allow passengers to escape through them?

The windows of the Empire boats are specially constructed to withstand buffeting from the sea in heavy weather, and consequently are not intended for use as emergency exits. Adequate emergency exits are, however, provided from all passenger compartments of these boats, and the dimensions of all these exits are larger than the minimum considered necessary for safety.

Is it not a fact that the emergency exits are in the roof and, if the machine is on its back, incapable of use?

Will the right hon. Baronet see that these emergency exits are not sufficiently large to enable certain people to commit spectacular suicide?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Inter-Departmental Committee on International Air Communications has considered the question of the establishment of a British air service to South America; and whether any decision has been reached in the matter?

Yes, Sir. As my right hon. Friend the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence intimated on 22nd March last, His Majesty's Government have decided, subject to satisfactory terms being agreed, to select British Airways Limited to operate an experimental service to West Africa and to act as the chosen instrument of the Government for the development of any future subsidised South American service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what legislation will be necessary in order to carry into effect the recommendations of the Maybury Committee; and how far can the recommendations be carried into effect without Parliamentary action?

As regards the first part of the question, so far as can be seen no legislation will be necessary. As regards the second part, further Parliamentary action will be required in regard to a draft Order for the licensing of air transport and commercial flying which will be laid before both Houses in due course in accordance with Section 5 of the Air Navigation Act, 1936.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how soon this matter will be brought before the House?

These recommendations were only approved in March of this year. I cannot say exactly when they will be brought before the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to discover and secure a suitable site for a standard aerodrome to the north of London, as recommended by the Maybury Committee?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Everard) on 24th March last.

Is there any reason why Hendon should not become a civil aerodrome?

At present it is a Service aerodrome.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether any orders have been given during the past three years by the German Government or German private firms to firms in this country for the supply of machines or material to Germany in connection with German re-armament?

I regret that I have no information on this matter.

Did not the Minister last week in reply to a question state that the British Government had bought £169,000 worth of machines and material from German firms in 1936 for British armament purposes, and did he not consider it derogatory to this country to be obtaining supplies for British re-armament from Germany?

The hon. Member's question refers to orders given to private firms in this country. As to that I have no information.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he has made any further inquiries into the published statements affirming that the price of MS joists has risen during the past year from £4 12s. 6d. to £9 12s. 6d. and MS bars from £4 17s. 6d. to £10?

Yes, Sir. I am informed that the prices referred to are f.o.b. Antwerp, and only prices for shipment to the East. They do not apply to British material or to sales in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the circular in question, which was issued by William Jackson and Company, is being sent out to firms in this country?

I have no information to that effect, but I will accept it from the right hon. Gentleman.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the circular in question, and has he communicated with William Jackson and Company as to the undesirability of issuing statements which might be misinterpreted?

I will consider the suggestion, but I would point out that the word "nominal" appears, which indicates that the quotations are not very important.

Having regard to the fact that figures are published which are found to be incorrect, will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Iron and Steel Federation the desirability of having authentic figures published from time to time?

I will consider that suggestion, but I do not think there is any doubt at all as to the prices of iron and steel issued by the Iron and Steel Federation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the House the standard of profit laid down for the manufacture of aircraft?