asked the Secretary of State for Air what provision he has made to prevent trials with the balloon barrage from being a danger to aircraft in conditions of bad visibility?

The instructions are that balloons should not be flown in conditions of bad visibility, that is when the horizontal visibility from an aircraft is less than 1,100 yards, or at night when aircraft lights cannot be seen at that distance.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of types of military aeroplanes which are now being manufactured in Great Britain; and the number of such types of which mass production is being carried out?

The number of types, including those for training purposes and for the Fleet Air Arm, at present under construction in Great Britain and being delivered to the Royal Air Force is 23. This excludes new types in various stages of construction for future delivery. Methods appropriate to large scale production are applied so far as is practicable to all types which are required in large numbers.

Can my right hon. Friend say the number of types likely to be produced during the next 12 months and also what percentage of the aeroplanes now being turned out, are looked upon as having been produced on mass production lines?

I would like to communicate with my hon. Friend on the question. I am endeavouring as far as possible to reduce the number of types. I would like my hon. Friend and the House to understand, however, that of that number of 23, some half are types for specialised training and the like.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what decisions have been reached with regard to the proposals for an aerodrome at Langham, Norfolk?

Yes, Sir. It has been decided to build an air station at Langham and action to acquire the necessary land is now proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of civilians employed in officers' messes in Norfolk aerodromes, and the terms of their engagements?

Seventy-six civilians are at present employed as mess stewards, waiters, cooks and batmen at officers' messes at Royal Air Force stations in Norfolk. The men are on a weekly engagement with a minimum attendance of 48 hours a week, and their wages range from 40s. to 56s. a week. Their conditions of service are those generally applicable to civilian employés of these grades at Royal Air Force stations.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to increase the number of fighter-aeroplane squadrons in the North of England with sufficient allocated to prevent air raids upon Liverpool by enemy bombers?

asked the Secretary of State for Air what progress is being made in the establishment of the balloon barrage system of defence at Glasgow and Clydeside?

It would not be in the public interest to give particulars of the defence arrangements for any particular part of the country, but protection for the areas referred to is being provided by both general and local defences. As announced in my speech during the Debate on the Address last Thursday, balloon barrage units are being formed, amongst other places, at both Liverpool and Glasgow.

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it would be in the interests of the country, if the people were assured that progress was being made with these defences? That is all we ask.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date was authority given to Lord Nuffield to erect a factory for the production of super-marine "Spitfire" aircraft; on what date the site of the new factory was ready to commence building; on what date the building commenced; and on what date the building of the factory is expected to be finished?

The answer to the first part of the question is 23rd May, 1938. With regard to the second and third parts, the selected site was ready for the commencement of the preliminary work of drainage and excavation on 15th July and the work was begun that day. The erection of steel work has now commenced. With regard to the fourth part of the question, I am advised that the whole of the factory is expected to be completed in August next but part of the factory will be available for production, I hope, in February next.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it satisfactory that a period of four months should have passed before they began to erect the steel work upon the site?

I hope the hon. Gentleman will appreciate the fact that a great deal of preliminary work had to he done, and I would suggest to him that in fact a great deal of expedition has been shown by Lord Nuffield in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any bombing aircraft squadrons were detailed to proceed to France during the recent crisis; whether any of these squadrons were equipped with the Browning gun; and whether he can give any estimate of the time it will take to substitute the Browning gun, with turrets, for the obsolete Lewis gun in all Service bombing squadrons?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to disclose any such information regarding plans for the air defence of this country. As regards the last part of the question, the replacement of the Lewis gun, which forms a part of the equipment of certain bomber aircraft, by a more modern type is now being undertaken and. will be completed early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Air on what date negotiations began with an American film company for the production of a film to stimulate interest and recruiting in the Royal Air Force; on what date, and for what reason, these negotiations fell through; for how long, and with how many other film companies, have negotiations been proceeding with a similar object; and whether any person other than the Secretary of State has authority to bring this matter to a decision?

Discussions have taken place with a number of British companies, some of which are associated with American companies, for the production of films of the nature referred to. Assistance has been afforded by the Royal Air Force in the production of three films, one of which has already been exhibited, while a second has just been completed. As regards the last part of the question, my approval is normally obtained before assistance is given in the production of films of a major character.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement concerning the manufacture of aircraft in Canada?

I will defer my reply till the end of Questions.

Negotiations with the representatives of the Canadian industry have now been successfully concluded, and agreements have been signed under which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have placed an initial order for the manufacture of large bomber aircraft; and the Canadian aircraft firms concerned undertake to maintain during the next 10 years a manufacturing capacity available for further potential orders of a similar character if required.

The contractual arrangements have been made with the new central company, Canadian Associated Aircraft, Limited, which has been brought into being expressly for the purpose of this scheme. That company will control the whole scheme and provide two central establishments, located at Montreal and Toronto respectively. These two central establishments will themselves in due course develop manufacturing facilities, whilst also serving as central erecting establishments fed by components supplied by six associated aircraft companies, namely:

• Canadian Car and Foundry Company, Limited.
• Canadian Vickers, Limited. Fairchild Aircraft, Limited.
• Fleet Aircraft, Limited.
• National Steel Car Corporation, Limited.
• Ottawa Car Manufacturing Company, Limited.

The initial order will ensure immediate implementation of the plans and will enable the increased potential progressively to be developed. It is the intention that further orders should be placed as and when necessary to maintain the progressive development of the manufacturing potential and the desired flow of production. In addition to the arrangements for group manufacture of large bomber aircraft, negotiations are now proceeding in London with two Canadian companies for the manufacture of fighter and general reconnaissance types, at Fort William and Vancouver respectively.

I should like to express the thanks of His Majesty's Government to Sir Hardman Lever and his colleagues in our Mission; and to Sir Charles Gordon, of the Bank of Montreal, Mr. Morris Wilson, of the Royal Bank of Canada, Mr. A. B. Purvis. of Canadian Industries, Limited, and to Sir Thomas White, of the Bank of Commerce, all of whom greatly facilitated the course of negotiations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House some further particulars with regard to the initial order?

The type of aircraft to be manufactured under the initial order is the "Hampden," which is now in production in this country. The aircraft orders are due for delivery during 1940, and although it would not be in the public interest to disclose the numbers ordered, I can say that the order represents a considerable development of Canadian manufacturing capacity in preparation for the large production programme which will call for aircraft of a still more advanced type running in parallel with the later stages of the initial order.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state at this stage how the Canadian machine compares in price with the English machine?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question down. The matter has been the subject of careful negotiation and scrutiny so far as the Treasury is concerned, and I think that on the whole a reasonable price has been arranged.

Would it be possible to arrange for any percentage of British workers to take part in the construction of these factories, or to work in them afterwards?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put that question down.

Will these contracts which are being placed in Canada be subject to the same price control as contracts placed in this country?

I should like notice of that question. I know that very careful consideration has been given to all those matters.

In view of the enormous amount of unemployment in the distressed areas ought not some of this work to be allocated to those areas?

While I have due regard to the necessities of the distressed areas, obviously there are a good many more implications in this scheme.

Has the Minister really come to the conclusion that with 2,000,000 unemployed here there are not sufficient persons in this country to produce these aircraft?

Yes, Sir, but it must be obvious to the House that there are other and important considerations.

Is the Minister not aware that this is a sign of inefficiency on the part of the Government rather than of lack of efficiency on the part of the people?

No, Sir, and I must say that I think that question shows a very false and small conception of the position.

Is it not a fact that the Opposition have been constantly clamouring for Empire aeroplanes?

Could my right hon. Friend assure the House that these arrangements have been carried through in harmonious accord with the Canadian Government, and has he in mind making similar arrangements in any other part of the Empire?

That is a matter for further consideration. So far as the Canadian Government are concerned, this has been a matter of negotiation between His Majesty's Government and the Canadian industry, and, of course, the Canadian Government have been kept fully informed.