asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to what extent at the present time persons are appointed to the Colonies for the purpose of trade development work on the lines of the British Trade Commissioners in the various Dominions; and whether, with a view to stimulating trade with the Colonies, he will consider appointing further Trade Commissioners to the principal Colonies?

I have been asked to reply. Trade Commissioners are not appointed only for the Dominions. There are, in fact, four Trade Commissioners in different parts of the British Colonial Empire, whose number it is not proposed at the present time to increase. These Trade Commissioners are assisted by 21 Imperial Trade Correspondents. In addition, the area of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in India includes Ceylon, and that of His Majesty's Trade Commissioner in Southern Rhodesia includes Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland, whilst there are also 19 Imperial Trade Correspondents in those parts of the British Colonial Empire which are not included in the areas of Resident Trade Commissioners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities and values of all foreign-made footwear imported into this country for the six months ended at the latest convenient date in 1938, and the approximate amount of employment that would have been provided by the manufacture of these goods in this country?

During the six months ended October, 1938, the total declared value of the imports of footwear consigned from foreign countries was £756,000. Corresponding figures of quantity are not readily available and would have little significance as an aggregate, in view of the different kinds of footwear concerned, but particulars of the quantity and value of the principal kinds imported are published monthly in the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom." I am unable to state the amount of employment that would have been provided by the manufacture of these goods in the United Kingdom.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is increasing apprehension regarding the supply of oil for the fighting services and civilian needs in war time; and what measures have been taken to ensure the continuity of adequate supplies?

It would not be in the public interest to disclose the steps which have been and are being taken to ensure that supplies of oil for the fighting services and civilian needs in time of war are made available. Nevertheless, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that very considerable progress has been made not only in planning, but in the actual provision of the necessary supplies and organisation, and the completion of this work is being treated as an urgent matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of seamen ratings recommended for the 1937 Fleet selection boards for commissioned rank; the number which appeared before, and was selected by, the boards and which received the special course of training in His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies"; the number who were commissioned in August last; and the schools attended before joining the navy by the successful candidates and the rejected candidates, respectively?

Following is the information required:—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the number of seamen ratings recommended for the 1938 Fleet selection boards for candidates for sub-lieutenant; where the boards were held and the numbers which appeared before the boards and were recommended for the special course; and the number now undergoing training on board His Majesty's Ship "Resolution"?

The total number of candidates to appear before Fleet Selection Boards in 1938 was 67. Of this number 42 were accepted and are undergoing the special training course. The following are the details:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what were the reasons for the rejection of a further six candidates for commissions, in addition to the eight who failed in the educational examination, after taking the special course of training and qualifying both professionally and educationally, so that only 17 ratings were commissioned out of 31 candidates, observing that 126 officers were last year taken from the Mercantile Marine and a similar number is to be taken this year?

In addition to the candidates' educational standard, the final selection board have to consider such matters as the candidates' professional knowledge of seamanship, their power of command and force of character. The selection board after considering all these factors came to the conclusion that the six candidates mentioned were unsuitable for immediate promotion to commissioned rank.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the cruising range of a Southampton-class cruiser, and how long it takes to bunker a vessel of this class?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give this information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many deserters from General Franco's army have entered Gibraltar during the last month for which figures are available; and what was the corresponding figure six months and 12 months earlier?

The figures asked for are not in my possession; but I am asking the Governor to report.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the number of British ships which have been bombed or otherwise attacked in Spanish waters since the signing of the Munich Agreement; and the number of Britishers who lost their lives or were wounded or injured as the result of such attacks?

According to the Government's information 16 British ships have been struck during the course of air attacks during this period. Of these two were sunk. There have been no British casualties in the course of these attacks.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give a list of the officers and men who have lost their lives in action in Palestine during the current year; what was their length of service in the Army; and what pensions are being paid to their dependants in each case?

I will send my hon. and gallant Friend a list of officers and men killed in action in Palestine this year, with their length of service. Their number is 43. There has not in every case been a claim to pension. Six awards have been made and 19 are under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister what representations have been received from the United States Government relating to Palestine?

The United States Government have reminded His Majesty's Government of the interest felt in the United States in the question of Palestine, and of the intention which His Majesty's Government expressed in July, 1937, to keep the United States Government fully informed of any proposals which they might put forward to the Council of the League of Nations for the modification of the Mandate.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the cattle-ranching industry of Bechuanaland is considerably hampered by the refusal of the Union Government to allow the Bechuanas to sell into the Union more than 200 head of cattle per week weighing 1,100 lbs. each; and whether His Majesty's Government is considering what steps can be taken to secure a wider market for the fat stock produced by the people of Bechuanaland?

The weight restriction imposed on the entry of cattle from the Bechuanaland Protectorate into the Union applies to oxen of under 1,050 lbs. and cows of under 790 lbs. The matter has been discussed with the Union authorities on various occasions since the restriction was first imposed in 1924, but they have not hitherto found it practicable to modify it. The Union authorities have however agreed, as from the 1st April last, to increase the annual quota of cattle of the Bechuanaland Protectorate from 10,000 to 12,500 heads. The hon. Member may be assured that no opportunity which may occur for securing a wider market for the Protectorate cattle will be overlooked.

asked the Prime Minister what provisions are being made to secure the carrying on of the humanitarian work formerly performed by the Nansen office?

This subject was fully considered by the Sixth Committee of the Nineteenth Assembly of the League of Nations. On the proposal of the committee, the Assembly adopted a resolution providing that a High Commissioner of the League of Nations should be constituted to deal with refugees hitherto coming under the Nansen International Office and the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees coming from Germany. These two offices are to be wound up and their functions transferred to the new High Commissioner as from 31st December, 1938.In a further resolution the Assembly appointed Sir Herbert Emerson, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., C.B.E., lately Governor of the Punjab, High Commissioner for a period of five years from the 1st January, 1938. His headquarters will be in London.I am arranging for a copy of the report of the Sixth Committee to the Assembly, which gives full details of the duties of the new High Commissioner, to be placed in the Library of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has notified the Government of Japan that it is in agreement with the Note addressed to that Government by the United States of America on 6th October?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend, the Member for Kidderminster (Sir J. Wardlaw-Milne), on l0th November. I am satisfied that the Japanese Government are fully aware of the attitude of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government, with reference to the American Note to Japan on 6th October, have signified to the Government of the United States of America their desire to co-operate in maintaining the policy of the open door in China?

His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo has been in constant contact with his United States colleague, and I do not think that the United States Government can be in any doubt as to the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the "open door."

asked the Minister of Transport how many fatal accidents have occurred to people from contact with the live rail on the Southern Railway since December, 1937; and how many miles of their new protective fencing has been completed since the same date?

Five members of the public, all trespassers, have been killed in this way since the end of December, 1937. Forty-two miles of the new protective fencing have been erected since that date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the request from the Selby Chamber of Trade requesting him to expedite a settlement between the West and East Riding County Councils with reference to the freeing of the Selby toll-bridge and its being replaced by a new bridge; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

Yes, Sir. I have offered to acquire the tolls and rebuild the existing bridge if the local authorities concerned will contribute 40 per cent. of the cost of the tolls and 25 per cent. of the cost of the new bridge. The county council of the East Riding of Yorkshire have offered, subject to certain conditions, to contribute half these sums, but I very much regret that the county council of the West Riding have declined to help. I propose to leave my offer open for the present, but I have no power to compel its acceptance.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the serious number of road accidents which have occurred in Islington recently; and what measures he is prepared to initiate to reduce the number of casualties occurring on the roads of the country?

During the first 10 months of this year there were in Islington 1,137 accidents involving injuries—a decrease of 33 on the figures for the same 10 months of 1937. As to the second part of the question, perhaps the hon. Member will await the statement I hope to make later in the afternoon.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the desirability of exercising greater supervision over gliding clubs with a view to taking action that will avert such accidents as have occurred from time to time during recent years?

It would appear that the safeguards taken by the gliding clubs in relation to private flying are adequate, but the situation is being carefully watched.