Royal Air Force Royal Aircraft Establishment 6. Mr. RAPER asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total personnel of the Royal Aircraft Establishment; and what are the numbers, respectively, of technical staff, clerical staff, skilled mechanics, and unskilled labourers? The SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Captain Guest) The total personnel is 1,316, of whom 270 represent scientific and technical staff (including Royal Air Force officers), 85 clerical staff, 626 skilled mechanics (including apprentices). and 335 labourers and general workers. Ex-Officers (Pay) 8. Mr. RAPER asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that a certain firm of bankers are endeavouring to recover from ex-officers money which was paid to them in error by that firm a considerable time ago and accepted by them in good faith; and what steps does the Ministry propose to take in the matter? Captain GUEST If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will investigate them and will send him a reply. Mr. RAPER While thanking the right hon. Gentleman, may I ask why the Air Force entrust the payment of their officers to two banks, one of which carries it out in a businesslike way and the other in an unsatisfactory way? Why not entrust the payment of officers of the Air Force to one bank? Captain GUEST I will make inquiries. Mr. L. MALONE Is there any reason why the Air Force should not adopt the policy of the Admiralty, and not give a monopoly to any private bank at all? Captain GUEST If the hon. Member will put down a question on the subject in a few days, I will give him a reply. Imperial Airship Service 7. Mr. RAPER asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the letter issued by the Agent-General for Tasmania regarding Commander Burney's proposal for establishing an Imperial airship service; whether His Majesty's Government have come to any definite decision regarding this proposal; and whether, in the event of this or any other similar scheme being adopted, it will be stipulated that the Air Ministry shall maintain adequate technical control? 9. Mr. MALONE asked the Secretary of State for Air what action His Majesty's Government, intend to take regarding the proposal put forward by Messrs. Vickers, Limited, and the Shell Company to develop airship communications? Captain GUEST I am familiar with the letter referred to by my hon. Friend, and have been in close communication with the Agent-General of Tasmania in regard to Commander Burney's proposal for establishing an Imperial Airship Service. Although I am unable at this stage to make any statement regarding the financial aspect of the scheme, Commander Burney has been informed that, in the opinion of the Air Council, his scheme constitutes a notable advance on previous proposals of this kind, and that if certain additional safeguards are provided, it offers reasonable prospect of satisfactory operation between India and this country. This statement is subject to the definite qualification that the commercial success of an undertaking depending upon the regular use of airships as a means of transport must, at present, be highly speculative. In the event of this or any other similar scheme being adopted, the question of adequate technical control by the Air Ministry will receive full consideration. British Investments, Brazil 10. Sir WALTER de FRECE asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will consider the publication of the list of those British undertakings, financial and commercial, in respect to whose creditors the Brazilian Government has defaulted, for the purpose of warning the British investor, especially when money is so much needed in this country. Earl WINTERTON (for Mr. Cecil Harmsworth) I have been asked to answer this question, in consequence of the indisposition of my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As a result of inquiries made since the hon. Member last gave notice of a question on this subject, I have been unable to ascertain that the Brazilian Government, as distinct from Brazilian municipalities, is in default in respect of the creditors of any British commercial or financial undertakings. Hospital Posters, Royal Parks 20. Colonel MILDMAY asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glas- gow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, if his attention has been drawn to the efforts now being made to re-establish the financial position of metropolitan hospitals; if, in view of the exceptional circumstances of the case, he is prepared to waive the rule forbidding the erection of advertisements in the royal parks; and if in this special case he can see his way to authorise the display of posters of moderate size, provided they are only fixed outside the park railings and for a strictly limited period? Major BARNSTON (for the First Commissioner of Works) The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The First Commissioner felt that, as the object in view was of such importance and of so much interest to the public generally, he would not be justified in withholding his consent to the exhibition of these appeals; but his permission was given with great hesitation, on account of possible interference with the amenities of the parks, and only on the definite understanding that it would not form a precedent. Captain Viscount C U RZO N Would applications be considered from any other charity on the same principle? Major BARNSTON That is just what I have said would not be done.