asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House the approximate proportion of the sum total raised by the Russian Government from British nationals before the War for railway construction and other public utility loans in general, which was expended in Finland, Esthonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Bessarabia; and whether any approaches have been made to the Governments or municipal authorities of Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Roumania to secure a return of the capital so expended?

In the case of Finland, which was an autonomous State within the Russian Empire, the loans in question were raised, not by the Russian, but by the Finnish Government, who have never repudiated their responsibility. The territories now occupied by the other countries mentioned formed an integral part of Russia. It is, therefore, impossible to ascertain what proportion of the loans raised by the Russian Government for the construction of railways, roads, telegraphs, etc., was devoted to these particular territories. In these circumstances, the latter part of the question does not arise.

May I ask if any correspondence has taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Governments mentioned in the Question with regard to the construction carried out by means on Brtish capital?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government of Finland has paid the interest on these loans?

I must have notice of both those questions.

May I ask the Foreign Secretary whether it would not be possible to communicate with the Russian Government and find out from them the proportions of these loans spent in these States, so that we may have a chance of recovering some of the money which is due?

I think the Russian Government should deal with their own debts first.

Has any correspondence taken place between His Majesty's Government and the Governments of these States?

I must ask the hon. Member to give me notice of that question. If he will do so, I shall be very glad to give him an answer, but I cannot pretend to carry in my head a list of the correspondence that takes place between His Majesty's Government and other Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any inquiry has been made into the conduct of the international police force at Tangier with respect to the charge that prisoners have been tortured in order to extort confessions from them; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?

On the 22nd July the International Assembly voted a resolution inviting the Mendoub to nominate a commission of inquiry. I hope that effect will be given to this request.

As the alleged cruelties were reported about three weeks ago, could not the right hon. Gentleman make some further statement as to the action which has been taken?

As I say, on the 22nd July the Assembly passed a resolution inviting the Mendoub to appoint a Commission, and I hope the Mendoub will comply with that request. The Commission has not yet been appointed, and therefore it has neither inquired nor reported.

Is there any likelihood of an Englisman being on this Commission of Inquiry?

I cannot say.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any representations as to the desirability of an Englishman being on the inquiry?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what concessions were made by theGovernment of Italy in return for the support given by His Majesty's Government to their efforts to obtain for Italy an equal position as regards matters referring to Tangier with that of the States which signed the Statute m December, 1923?

His Majesty's Government are anxious, in the general interest, that Italy should accede to the Tangier Convention, and they are prepared to give sympathetic consideration to any proposals from the Italian Government, but there is no foundation whatever for the hon. Member's suggestion that the matter has been the subject of a bargain between the two Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, according to the notice issued on 12th July by the Council of Foreign Bondholders, representing British holders of debts of the old Austro-Hungarian monarchy, no arrangements have yet been made about the Hungarian Four per cent. Consolidated State Rentes, 1910, held by British subjects; will he inquire of the Reparation Commission what the cause is for the delay in fixing the percentage of contributions to be distributed to the bondholders by the Caisse Commune in accordance with the Protocol of Innsbruck and the Accord of Prague; and will he instruct the British representative on the Reparation Commission to urge the fixing of the contributions without further delay, having regard to the fact that the negotiations have been in progress since 4th June, 1921?

With regard to the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question, I am informed that the Reparation Commission has completed the arrangements for distributing the liability for the Hungarian Four per cent. Consolidated State Rentes, 1910, with the exception of the adjustment provided for in the third paragraph of Article 4 of the Agreement signed at Prague on the 14th November, 1925. As this adjustment depends upon certain operations, for the completion of which the Article referred to lays down a time limit as recent as 1st July, 1920, the full data which would enable the adjustment to be effected have not yet reached the Reparation Commission. It is, however, anticipated that the Reparation Commission will be in a position to complete its task under this Article in the near future. The British Delegate on the Reparation Commission is doing his utmost to expedite the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the conferences with the American prohibition officers are concluded; if so, what, if any, further facilities are to be provided by His Majesty's Government for assisting in the enforcement of prohibition in the United States of America; and if he can arrange for the publication of details of the recent conferences?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can make a statement as to the recent negotiations of representatives of the American Government in the matter of the prohibition of the illicit importation of alcoholic liquors into the United States?

I will answer these questions together. I would refer both hon. Gentlemen to the full statement made on this subject yesterday in reply to a question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Brentford.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the policy of His Majesty's Government is to adhere to the resolutions arrived at at the Washington Conference in respect to the relations between China and the Powers?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of His Majesty's Government in respect of the claim of the German Government to include payments made by the German Government to German nationals in calculations of the Dawes Annuities?

The hon. and gallant Member is no doubt referring to the claim, presented in October, 1924, by the German Government to the Reparation Commission, that there should be charged against the Dawes Annuities the compensation paid by the German Government to their nationals in respect of the liquidation of property, rights and interests under the Economic Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. This claim the Reparation Commission in February, 1925, declined to entertain, and the German Government propose to submit their claim, as they are entitled to do, to the arbitrator appointed under the provisions of the London Agreement of 30th August, 1924.

Supposing the Arbitration Commission allows the claim, what will be the effect on the Debt settlement?

As I have told the hon. and gallant Member, the German Government have taken steps to appeal to the arbitrator, as they are entitled to do.

Would any decision in favour of the German Government he a default as contemplated in the Anglo-French Agreement?

That I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any reply has been received from the German Government to the communication recently addressed to them by the Inter-Allied Control Commission on the subject of German disarmament?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Penistone (Mr. Rennie Smith) on the 21st July, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in accordance with the undertakings given at Locarno or shortly after, and with a view to clearing away outstanding points of difference before the meeting of the League of Nations Assembly in September, His Majesty's Government intend to propose to the other occupying States any steps for the reduction of the armies of occupation. In the Rhineland to the number which was maintained there by Germany before the War?

The hon. Gentleman who put the question on the Order Paper is, I think, under a misapprehension. No undertaking was ever given to the German Government that the troops of occupation in the Rhineland would be reduced to the number maintained there by Germany before the War. But His Majesty's Government naturally stand by the note of the Ambassadors' Conference of the 14th November last, the text of which has already been laid before Parliament in Command Paper 2527.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, with regard to the new building at Geneva which it is proposed to erect for the League of Nations at a cost of over £500,000, in view of the difficult financial conditions now prevailing, the British representative at the next session of the League will be instructed to recommend that the expenditure of this large sum should he postponed?

No, Sir. At the last Assembly a cheaper scheme than that originally approved was adopted with the concurrence of His Majesty's Government. The scheme is now being put into execution, and I do not think that circumstances have so altered since March last that His Majesty's Government would he justified in asking for postponement, or successful in obtaining it.

May I ask whether the cost is to be divided pro rata amongst all the members of the League of Nations?

Yes, Sir. It is partly met out of the accumulated funds of the League, and the balance is to be divided pro rata amongst the various nations.

Supposing, as has been the case in the past with regard to the expenses of the League of Nations, some members do not pay their proportion, shall we have to find the balance?

That is rather a hypothetical question.

May I ask what is to be the sum?

I cannot answer that question without notice, bus it anybody has seen the hall in which we have to meet—anybody who has been a member of the delegation—will know that the accommodation is inadequate and ill-suited to the purpose.

Is the- right hon. Gentleman aware that even the larger sum of £500,000 is only one quarter of the cost of one of our light cruisers?

I cannot see what relevancy that has.

asked the First Lord of Admiralty whether it is intended to preserve any types of the British men-of-war which took part in the late War as national relics and objects of interest to students and others; and, if so, which vessels it is proposed so to preserve?

The answer is in the negative. As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, under the Washington Treaty no battleships, battle-cruisers, or aircraft carriers could be retained.

May I ask whether, in the case of His Majesty's Ship "Colossus," arrangements were made to saw her guns and otherwise render her useless for fighting purposes, and is she not now in use?

Yes, that is so.

In that case, could not His Majesty's Ship "Colossus," as a type of vessel which took part in the War, be preserved?

She is being employed economically and usefully at Devonport.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what it would cost to keep His Majesty's Ship "Colossus" as a national relic?

I should want notice of that question. The "Colossus" is at present being used for a purpose which would otherwise have to be served by some other vessel.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of officers against whom claims were made by his Department for recovery of over-payments of allowances during the War; the total sum so claimed; how many of those claims were paid; and the total sum received by his Department?

The compilation of these particulars would necessitate the examination of the pay and allotment accounts of all officers who served during the War, and would involve an expenditure of time and labour which I think the hon. Member will agree, would not be justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Deputy Accountant-General of the Admiralty invited Captain Ball, whom his Department had made bankrupt for overpayment of £190 of allowance during the War, to make an offer in clearance of the sum involved, and that Captain Ball sent a cheque for, £150, which was retained by the Admiralty for several days and then returned to the officer; and whether he can state the reasons for the return of the cheque and for the invitation to make the offer?

During the course of an interview which Captain Ball sought with a representative of the Accountant-General of the Navy, with a view to disposing of the Admiralty claim, the question of an offer was discussed, but it was made entirely clear to Captain Ball that acceptance of any such offer would be subject to the approval of higher authority and to the concurrence of the Admiralty's legal adviser. A cheque for £150 was received with a covering letter stating that it was offered on certain conditions, which Captain Ball subsequently explained to the Official Receiver in Bankruptcy meant that if the Admiralty accepted the cheque the bankruptcy proceedings should be annulled. He was informed by the Official Receiver that before his bankruptcy could be annulled it would be necessary that the whole of his debts should be paid in full. In the circum stances, as the condition on which the cheque was offered could not be complied with; the Admiralty were advised that the cheque should be returned to Captain Ball

Will the hon. Gentleman say what were the costs in this case?

Not without notice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much coal has been unloaded from the three American vessels at His Majesty's Dockyard, Portland, for the railway company by dockyard labour from the naval store officers' department; and what is the cost to the Admiralty of this work?

The reply to the first tart of the question is 23,501 tons. The entire cost of the work is being borne by the railway company.

asked the Minister of Labour whether married women and others who only seek part employment of a seasonal nature for a few weeks in the year are regarded for statistical purposes as unemployed persons during the period that their names are registered just prior to the commencement of such seasonal work?

Persons registering in this way for hop-picking are not included in the returns prior to the commencement of the season. In other cases there are no express instructions and the practice may not be uniform, but, probably, those registering would be included in the returns.

If I were to send the right hon. Gentleman the ease of 327 women registered for jam manufacture, would he look into it?

Yes, I am always ready to look into a, ease sent me by an hon. Member.

Is it the practice to allow benefit during the off season in trades which are essentially seasonal?

No; that is a separate, quite distinct, and very intricate question. The question on We Paper is merely whether they are registered for employment.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of contracts for painting, bricklaying and carpentering that have been completed by training 0centres throughout the country, the number at present awaiting execution, and the comparative prices of such contracts as between competitive firms; and the wages paid and the hours worked by the trainees?

Twenty-three contracts for painting, bricklaying and carpentering have been completed at instructional centres for young unemployed men, and 11 are at present in hand or awaiting execution—all for a total sum of £463 19s. 1d. I am unable to quote the comparative prices of such contracts as between competitive firms, but the prices charged by the centres are based upon current, market rates for similar work. The trainees, who perform the work upon these contracts as part of their training, normally work a 44-hour week. They are not paid wages.

asked the Minister of Labour when he hopes to he able to publish information as to the number of insured persons recorded as belonging to each industry on 1st July; and whether he can arrange to publish at an early date that part of the statistics relating to safeguarded industries?

The estimates of the number of insured persons in each industry at the beginning of July will be based on the statistics obtained in connection with the exchange of unemployment books which is now proceeding. It is expected that the process of exchange will be sufficiently advanced to enable estimates to be computed by the middle of November. I regret that it will not be possible to give earlier figures in respect of such safeguarded industries as are separately classified.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the number of men on the registers of the Employment Exchanges whose unemployment is directly attributable to the coal shortage?

Precise figures on this point are not available. Having regard, however, to the downward course of the unemployment figures previously, I think it may fairly be assumed that the number of men on the Employment Exchange registers whose unemployment is due to the coal shortage is not less than the total increase in the number of men on these registers, viz., 445,900 between 26th April and 19th July.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the case of George Higgins, 16, Darran Road, Abertillery, Monmouthshire, employed as a banksman at Gray Colliery, Abertillery, who was unemployed from 28th June to 10th July, then worked six days, and was again unemployed; and, seeing that Higgins has claimed benefit in the ordinary way and his claim has been refused, will he state why he is refused unemployment benefit?

I am having inquiries made and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

How long is it likely to be before a reply to this question is available?

I cannot tell in any particular case, because there has to be correspondence to and fro, and it depends on how far there is any intricacy in a case, necessitating the passing of letters. All cases are dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

I put a similar question three weeks ago and no answer has yet been received.

If the hon. Member will give me his particular case, I will see that it is expedited, and I will communicate with him directly.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the practice generally followed by the Ministry of Pensions, that where a case takes any length of time the Member is informed that it is taking more than the ordinary length of time?

I will consider that suggestion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of these cases have been within the ambit of this Department for three months?

asked the. Minister of Labour if he is aware that Albert Way, 11, New Hall Street, Abertillery, was unemployed as a colliery banksman at Gray colliery, Abertillery (Mon.), from 10th July to 24th July; that he claimed unemployment benefit at the Abertillery Unemployment Exchange and was refused; and that Way has been unemployed one week out of every three weeks since 30th April and has been unable to get unemployment benefit; and will he state why this man is refused benefit?

I am having inquiries made, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible. I am trying to get the cases expedited as much as I can. As a result of the strike and what occurred afterwards, the work has been abnormal.

asked the Minister of Labour how many applications have been made by men and women for extended unemployment benefit during the last three months for which figures are available; how many were successful: and how many were rejected?

During the three months 13th April to 12th July, 1926, the applications for extended benefit considered by local employment committees numbered 707,394 in respect of men and 103,372 in respect of women. Of these numbers 621,665 applications from men were recommended for allowance and 85,729 for disallowance, while 72,224 applications from women were recommended for allowance and 31,148 for disallowance.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us how these figures compare with those of any similar previous period?

I think I can get the figures for the previous periods, if the hon. Member wishes to have them for comparison, but I cannot give them to him from memory.

Is any special consideration being given to people who were out of work previous to this stoppage, and who, at the moment, have little or no chance of obtaining employment so as to come within the meaning of the Regulation as to trying to find suitable work?

I cannot give an answer to any of these questions unless the hon. Member will give me notice. The test that is applied is the reasonable possibility, amongst the other criteria, of being able to obtain work.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that some of the juniors employed on the railways were instructed by their seniors to withdraw their labour at the time of the general strike; that these juniors have not been reinstated; and will he use his influence on behalf of these young people, who were influenced to act, as has been shown, against their own individual interests?

I am not aware of the circumstances referred to in the question. If my hon. Friend has any particular cases in mind and will forward the details to me, I will have inquiries made.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any further reports have been made to his Department of cases where trade unions have imposed, or threatened to impose, penalties of fines, expulsion, or refusal of benefit to their members on account of their action during the general strike; and, if so, whether he will state the number and the action taken in each case?

I have received further reports of the kind indicated covering 22 individuals. One case has been settled. I am investigating the remainder.

May I ask whether in cases of this nature, where action has been taken prejudicial to the interests of a contributor to the scheme, that contributor would have a justifiable action against the officers of the union?

I am afraid that I cannot give a legal opinion; it is not my business.

In how many cases has there been expulsion, and what are the different unions mainly concerned?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will give him an answer. So far as expulsion is concerned, I am not aware that there has been any case where expulsion has in fact been carried out, hut I am speaking from memory.

What redress would a member of a union have against the officers of the union in the event of his taking action.

The question cannot be argued.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of applications for admission of foreign musical and theatrical artists made since 1st January last and the percentages of admissions and refusals, respectively?

959 permits were applied for; 884 or 92 per cent. were granted, and 75 (8 per cent.) were refused.

Are restrictions imposed on similar British artists in foreign countries?

I could not answer that question without notice.

Why are so many foreign artists allowed in when British artists are obviously the best?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of our British musicians are out of work, and that they are, if anything, superior to the musicians who are granted permits to come to this country?

I am delighted to find this concurrence of opinion on both sides of the House, and the fact that there is such an opinion, which in many cases may be correct, is really another justification of the action which we took.

Will my right hon. Friend get into touch with some hon. Members and persuade them not to employ these foreign musicians?

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the fact that the National Gallery is full of pictures by foreigners?

Many of them were certainly not imported during the painters' lifetime.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that the British public are likely to go and see foreign artists if British artists are as good?

On a point of Order. The hon. and gallant Gentleman the Member for Dulwich (Sir F. Hall) pointed to me when he made that remark and asked that question. May I ask supplementary question of the Minister of Labour?

If the cap fits, the hon. and gallant Member can wear it, can he not?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why Michael Prooth, a prisoner serving a sentence of five months' imprisonment for offences against the Emergency Powers Regulations, was taken by the police from Pentonville Prison on Wednesday, 14th July, and conveyed to Hay's Wharf, London, and placed on board a steamer bound for Russia, and upon refusal of the master of the ship to accept him as a passenger was re-conveyed to Leman Street Police Station and afterwards to Pentonville; if he is aware that this prisoner has a wife and children who wish to accompany him when he is deported after serving his sentence; and why no intimation of the removal on the 14th instant was given to his wife?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which was given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Cleveland (Sir Park Goff) regarding this case. The action referred to was taken in pursuance of the recommendation of the Court that the man should be deported from the United Kingdom. With regard to the second and third parts of the question, I was and am prepared to afford all facilities to enable the man's family to join him in Russia, and will communicate with the hon. Member on their behalf as soon as the arrangements for his departure are completed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why the wife was not communicated with, as she did not expect the deportation to take place before 1st October, when the sentence expires and will she be communicated with in the future?

The possibility of removing this man is being taken up with the representatives of the Soviet Government. Meanwhile I found a Russian ship, but the master of the vessel refused to take him.

asked the Secretary or State for Air whether it is possible for an award or grant to be made to the mother of the late Mr. Elliott, engineer to Mr. Alan Cobham, with a view to commemorating the valuable work in which he assisted in connection with aviation?

I regret that there are no funds at my disposal from which a grant could be made. It is under- stood, however, that the late Mr. Elliott was insured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company and that the claim has been paid.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how Mr. Alan Cobham met his death?

I think the hon. Gentleman is under a misapprehension. Mr. Alan Cobham, I am glad to say, is no injured.

I beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. I intended to ask how Mr. Cobham's mechanic met his death.

As far as we know, by a rifle shot wound.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the South Wales Miners' Federation, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members, other than dispute pay, respectively;

(2) if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the National Union of Railwaymen, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members other than dispute pay, respectively?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if hit can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members, other than disput pay, respectively;

(2) if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the National Union of General Workers, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members, other than dispute pay, respectively?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the Electrical Trades Union, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members, other than dispute pay, respectively;

(2) if he can give the figures for the year ended 31st December, 1925, of the Railway Clerks' Association, showing the total receipts, working expenses, officers' salaries, allowances and expenses, and benefits paid to members, other than dispute pay, respectively?

As the reply contains a number of figures I propose to circulate a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Was it not formerly the custom to publish periodically a return of the particulars of the 100 chief trade unions in the country and in this way to supply those particulars to the House; and is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to resume the publication of these particulars so that the House may have the information desired.

And the Conservative clubs!

If the hon. Member wishes me to reply to that question from memory, I think there used to be published a periodical return of information as regards trade unions. I think this information, or something similar, was published before the War. I am not certain whether it has been published since the War; if so, I think it was only on one occasion. If the information is obtainable in the same form, I am perfectly willing to consider the publication of a return of a, similar character to the return which used to be published as a regular custom.

Will the right hon. Gentleman keep in mind that while the House, certainly, ought to have this information, it is already obtainable. Is he not aware that this information can be obtained in a public document from the Registrar, and that these questions can only be fishing questions put for an ulterior object?

Withdraw!

I should like to look into that matter. If it be the fact that ibis information is available to Members in other ways, apart from the Question Paper, those other means ought to be used, but I have not, at present, knowledge on that point.

On a point of Order. Is it in order for the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby (Mr. Thomas) to impute ulterior motives to hon. Members on this side?

On the same point of Order. You yourself, Sir, have expressed some doubt as to whether this information could have been obtained elsewhere, and some of us were in doubt as to the legitimacy of these questions. I desire to say that I did not put my supplementary question until I was certain of the facts which I have stated, and it is within the knowledge of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen on the Government Bench that this return to which I refer, is public property and can be obtained through the Registrar.

I shall communicate with you, Sir, afterwards, when I have ascertained exactly how far this information is obtainable, apart from question and answer in the House.

I think that is the best way to deal with it. With regard to the point of order of the hon. and gallant Member for Westbury (Captain Shaw), I understand his objection is to the term "fishing questions."

No, Sir. An ulterior motive was assumed to lie behind the questions asked by hon. Members on this side.

Arising out of the Minister's first reply, can we not. be given an answer on the Floor of the House to these questions? A similar question was asked on Monday and was answered in a very short way. Could we not have an answer in the House to these questions which have not been asked for any ulterior motive?

The Minister has undertaken to circulate an answer to these questions giving these statistics. After what has occurred, it is my duty to inquire whether this information is available by other means than question and answer in the House, but that applies to future questions and not to those which are to-day on the Paper.

Is it the case that this information is not circulated free?

Arising out of question 34—

I put a point of Order.

I am about to deal with the hon. and gallant Gentleman's point of Order. I do not think there was anything in the question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Derby (Mr. Thomas) to call for my intervention. Seeing the series of questions on the Paper I cannot see that it is my duty to take objection to it.

May I point out, in reference to the suggestion of ulterior motives, that, as I have already stated, all this information was formerly supplied to the House, and it was with a view to obtaining this information as to the 100 chief trade unions, as it was formerly supplied to the House, that I put down the question.

I certainly do not desire to pass any personal reflection, but if that was the object of the hon. and gallant Gentleman this is the tenth question and it has been intimated that each question costs something. If the hon. and gallant Member's object was as he has indicated, he could merely have asked for the former return, which, incidentally, could have been given.

Is it not the case that the hon. Lady the Member for North East Ham (Miss Lawrence) pressed that a certain question should be answered in the House the other day; and could not that be granted to-day?

I think the House ought to pass to the next question.

With regard to question No. 34, the Minister states he is going to give a reply in detail. May I ask where is he going to get the information for that reply, in view of the fact that there is no such trade union in this country as the Amalgamated Society of Engineers.

The hon. Member had better wait and see what the answer will be.

rose —

Other hon. Members have questions on the Paper, and this

Following is the table:

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to state what action he proposes to take with regard to the 11 known members of the Communist factory group stated in Document 33 of the Blue Book on Communist papers to be employed in the Air Force depot at. Kidbrooke?

It is not in the public interest to make a statement on this matter, but I am satisfied that the steps that have already been taken are adequate to safeguard public interests.

Can some action not be taken to stop aspersions upon the honour and loyalty of the majority of the men engaged at this depot?

I do not think there is any need to take any action. The great majority of the men have the best possible characters, and it is not necessary to afford them any further testimonial.

matter has already taken up too much time.

Is it the case that any steps which are being taken against these people are being taken because they are Communists?

I have nothing to add to the answer I have given.

Is it not obvious that men holding these views are a menace to the safety of the force?

asked the Secretary of State for Air if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience occasioned to residents in the Kingston and Weybridge area, during the early morning hours, owing to the noise from the double - engined Vickers - Napier long-distance bombing machines, with which home defence units are equipped; and will he cause such routine training to be carried out in less thickly-populated districts?

As regards the first part of the question, no flying training is carried out by Service aircraft in the areas referred to, and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of British aeroplanes which have been wrecked during the last year from 30th June, 1925, to date; how many of these aeroplanes were new and how many were machines with reconditioned war-time engines; the estimated value of these machines; the number of men injured and the number of men killed during the same period: and how these casualties compare with those in the air forces of other countries?

As the answer is somewhat long, and contains a number of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

As regards the first two parts of the question, 70 aeroplanes of post-War design and 192 of War design were written off Air Force charge after crashing during the period 30th June, 1925, to 30th June, 1926.

As regards the third part, the undepreciated value of the machines involved in these crashes was roughly £500,000; the value of parts salved cannot be estimated without undue labour.

As regards the fourth part, the numbers of Royal Air Force personnel killed and injured in flying accidents during the same period were 65 and 89, respectively. In addition, two Army officers and two officers of the Royal Air Force Reserve were killed.

As regards the last part, these casualties compare favourably with those of other air forces.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the Colonies of Kenya and Uganda and the Sudan are combining financially with the object of running a six months' survey between Kisimu and Khartum to establish a permanent air service between these places, and to connect up with the England to India air service, in view of the far-reaching importance of the Cairo to the Cape route, the Government will give financial help to encourage the Colonies in their efforts to speed up Imperial communication, in accordance with the declared policy of assisting air-line development?

On a point of Order. May I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to this question, which refers to "the Colonies of … Uganda and the Sudan," one of which is a Protectorate and the other is held in condominium with the Egyptian Government. Is it proper to call these two territories "Colonies"?

I do not think there is any libel in doing so.

The proposed 12 months' experimental air service between Khartum and Kisumu has been arranged without any guarantee of assistance from Air Votes. If, as I hope, this experimental service proves successful, and it is decided to institute a permanent service, the relation of this service to the projected Egypt-India service, the grant of financial assistance, whether in the form of a subsidy or otherwise, and the source from which such assistance shall be furnished, will, of course, receive careful consideration. In this connection, I may say that the question of Imperial air routes and their future development is one of the subjects to be discussed with the Dominion representatives, including those of South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, at the forthcoming Imperial Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what amount has already been paid to the Air hip Guarantee Company in respect of the £50,000 voted towards the capital expenditure incurred in the construction of the new 5,000,000 cubic feet airship R 100, and in respect of the actual cost of the construction of the airship, respectively: and how far the construction of this ail ship has advanced?

As regards the first part of the question, the whole of the £50,000 voted towards the Airship Guarantee Company's capital expenditure on shed, plant, etc., together with £100,000 as a first instalment of the contract price of the airship, was paid to the company on the signature of the contract. As regards the second part, I am informed that the company have completed the tests considered necessary before, passing from the stage of design and research to that of construction, and are now snaking the girders for the hull of the airship.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has addressed any further communication to the Hornsey Education Authority as a result of the deputation which he received on 26th July; and whether he has any statement to make on the character of the advanced instruction provided by that authority?

Yes, Sir. My right hon Friend has suggested certain lines of inquiry to the authority, and in doing so has explained that he does not desire to criticise the quality of the advanced instruction given in the authority's area, but only the method of its organisation.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can give any information with regard to Communist propaganda in the Crown Colonies?

I have been asked to answer this question. It would obviously be contrary to the public interest for me to make a full disclosure of the information on this subject which is in the possession of the Government, but the hon. Member can rest assured that the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates will not fail to deal with any activities of this kind that are serious enough to warrant their intervention.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the traffic delays which now occur in the vicinity of Victoria Station; and whether any measures are proposed to be taken to improve the existing state of things?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Proposals for the erection of direction signs, with a view to inducing traffic passing between Hyde Park Corner and Vauxhall Bridge, and between Chelsea, Sloane Square and Westminster Bridge, to use alternative routes which would avoid Victoria Station, have been submitted to me by the London Traffic Advisory Committee and the necessary arangements for the erection of such direction signs are in hand. In addition, the Advisory Committee are considering whether any further steps can be taken to relieve the traffic congestion at Victoria Station itself.

Is it not a fact that the greater part of the congestion is caused through the best part of the station being taken up by the bus station?

I do not think so.

Could not traffic be facilitated in the neighbourhood of Victoria Station if the road were widened round Grosvenor Gardens?

All these considerations are being gone into.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information to give to the House with regard to the working of the new traffic plans in Piccadilly and at Hammersmith; and whether, if successful, other congested districts are to be dealt with in a similar manner?

The revised traffic arrangements in Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus and neighbourhood, and also at Hammersmith Broadway, are reported to be working satisfactorily, but these experiments have not been in operation sufficiently long to enable definite conclusions to be reached as to the final form which the arrangements will assume. In the case of Piccadilly Circus, the full benefit of the new system will nor be secured until the street works in connection with the Underground Railway extensions and the various re-building operations in the neighbourhood are com- pleted. Proposals for somewhat similar alterations in the traffic working at Knightsbridge, Sloane Square, and other congested centres, are under consideration by the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the electric signals will be working?

On Monday next.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is intended to resume work on the new arterial road between Farnborough (Kent) and Seven-oaks?

The position is that work in the neighbourhood of Farnborough is drawing to a close under the contracts already let, and tenders for surfacing operations are now being invited.

Is the Minister aware that a- great deal of widening has been done beyond Green Street Green, and that now grass is growing over the place where the work was being done six months ago?

Probably this might happen when waiting for the surface.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fatal accident in Park Road, Newton-le-Willows, and the evidence given at the Coroner's Court regarding the danger arising to the public; whether he is aware that the tunnel of the railway bridge is only 12 feet wide, with no pavement for pedestrians; that the tunnel is at a different angle to the roadway; and that approaching vehicles cannot see through the tunnel, and have to judge of on-coming traffic by sound alone; and whether, in these circumstances, he will take steps to cause the parties concerned to widen and straighten the bridgeway for the safety of the road users?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this accident, hut I understand that the road in question is a non-classified district road. I have no power to cause the bridge. to be altered, and no application has been made to me by the responsible highway authority for assistance towards the cost of any such improvement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether be is aware that the trade committee formed to consider the question of British film production has been unable to arrive at any common ground of agreement; and whether, having regard to the importance of this subject to the Empire as a whole, he will take action without delay with the object of bringing the cinema industry in this country into line before the subject comes up for discussion with the representatives of the Overseas Dominions at the Imperial Conference?

I have not yet received the cinema industry's report; when I do, I shall take the earliest opportunity of considering what action I can take on it.

Is it not far more important than a commercial proposition? Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman himself to give a lead to the trade to get them together before the Imperial Conference meets? If they do not, the opportunity may have passed till the next Conference meets.

Every conceivable encouragement has been given by the President of the Board of Trade to the various sections of this industry to come together on this very important matter. The importance of it is, I am sure, not lost on anybody concerned, but the President of the Board of Trade is not able to do more until the report of these meetings reaches him. He will then take such action as he thinks it necessary to take.