asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make the statement on the future status of Tangier?

I am happy to say that the Protocol amending the Tangier Convention of 1923 was initialed yesterday on behalf of His Majesty's Government and the Governments of France, Spain and Italy. The main feature of the Protocol is the accession of Italy to the 1923 Convention on practically the same footing as the three original signatory Powers. Provision is made for an Italian judge and an Italian Assistant Administrator, as well as for Italian representation in the International Assembly. New regulations have been drawn up for the Tangier gendarmerie, and the existing French and Spanish tabors will be disbanded; and a certain number of technical amendments have been made in the text of the 1923 Convention. The text of the Protocol and its annexes will be published in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he supported the resolution passed by the Council of the League of Nations at its recent session, at which he represented His Majesty's Government, begging governments and countries to give their whole attention and active support to carrying out the recommendations of the Economic Conference, and calling their attention to the economic consultative committee's Report; and whether he can make any statement as to the measures which His Majesty's Government intends to take in order to give effect to this resolution?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question how best to give effect to the recommendations of the Conference is now engaging the attention of the Economic Committee of the League, and His Majesty's Government will, of course, be ready, as a member of the League, to give any assistance that may be required in that connexion. The general attitude of His Majesty's Government to the recommendations has been frequently explained in this House, and, in particular, by the President of the Board of Trade in Committee of Supply on the 20th of July, 1927. The columns in Parliamentary Debates are 530 et seq.

Is it correct to say that one of the main recommendations of the Economic Conference was the breaking down of artificial barriers to trade, and will the right hon. Gentleman bear that in mind the next time that the Safeguarding of Industries is under discussion?

Would it be possible to expedite the inquiry into coal, and to give that subject preference over others; and will the right hon. Gentleman assist in that direction?

I do not think that I can do more than I did on the last occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he intends to present a Report on the recent session of the Council of the League of Nations to this House, in accordance with precedent?

Very shortly, Sir. I will lay the Report as soon as it is ready.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in what capacity well-known members of other parties were attached to the British delegation to the Assembly of the League of Nations under all previous administrations; by what authority they took part in the official deliberations of the League of Nations; and what is the reason why the present Government has abandoned the practice of all former Governments during the existence of the League of Nations in appointing to the British official delegation only those who are members of a single political party?

The hon. Member is, I think, still under some misapprehension. As far as I can see from the nominal list of the delegations which I caused to be printed in the Parliamentary Debates of the 11th instant, there were only two cases—those of the Third and Fourth Assemblies—in which a member of a political party not supporting the Government of the day was included—in each case as a substitute delegate. The authority by which these gentlemen acted was the letter of appointment issued to them by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government consider it of prime importance that the British Delegation should as far as possible know and represent the mind of the Government of the day, so that obligations may not be undertaken at Geneva which the Government here may find themselves unable to fulfil.

In regard to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, is it not a fact that in other delegations, starting with the Coalition, there were members of more than one political party? With regard to the last part of the answer, am I to understand that, so far as this Government are concerned, they intend to abandon the practice of appointing to delegations re- presentatives from other political parties, or does that apply to this particular year and is it their desire that that is how their decision to confine the delegation to their own party is intended to apply?

No, Sir. Delegations have not always been confined to politicians. There have been diplomatic members drawn from the diplomatic service. In so far as the delegation represents a form of people belonging to political parties and chosen for that reason, we consider that the first object to be secured is that the delegation shall know and represent the mind of the Government of the day, so as not to undertake obligations which that Government will be unwilling to fulfil.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that in the interests of continuity it would be better to have at least one representative on the delegation of a very large section of the electorate who can never be represented by the Government of the day?

No, Sir, I think not. I think that for our authority and influence in Europe it is more important that the Government of the day, to whatever party it belongs, should be properly represented by the delegation than that it should include a member of the Opposition who might, in pursuance of what he thought to be his public duty, undertake obligations which the Government of the day would be unwilling to shoulder.

Does not the French Government generally include a member of the Opposition party like M. Boncour?

The hon. Member had better put that question on the Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether the delegation to represent this country at the next meeting of the League of Nations has been fixed; and, if not, whether he will, following the practice of the French Government, include in it at least one member belonging to the Parliamentary Opposition so as to give the delegation a real national character?

I have been asked to reply. Yes, Sir; I gave the names of the members of the British delegation in my reply to the question of the Noble Lord the Member for West Derbyshire (Marquess of Hartington) on the 9th of July. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Hember to the answer which my right hon. Friend has just given to the hon. Member for West Leicester (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that under the Treaty of Versailles the Allies are empowered to take such steps as may be necessary from time to time to ensure that no poison gas is being manufactured or stored nor any plants being maintained which could be utilised for that purpose, the League of Nations are taking any action entirely to prevent the use of such gases in future warfare?

Under the auspices of the League a Protocol was signed at Geneva in 1925 prohibiting the use of gas in warfare. This Protocol has so far only been ratified by six States not including this country. His Majesty's Government are not prepared to ratify the Protocol unless all the other signatories are ready to do the same.

Are we to understand that my right hon. Friend and the Government, with all this increase that is taking place in regard to the manufacture of these poisonous gases, think that liteps should not be taken, notwithstanding the Treaty of Versailles, in order to prevent what might be a terrible state of affairs in this country in the event of the outbreak of war?

This has nothing to do with the Treaty of Versailles. It is a question of the ratification or securing the ratification of the Protocol at Geneva, which it has not yet been possible to secure. His Majesty's Government do not think it desirable that they should ratify, without the ratification of other Powers.

Is the statement in the first part of my question correct, and, if so, is it not necessary for the Government to keep their eyes upon other countries and to see that the manufacture of these poisonous gases is not continued?

I find it very difficult to understand exactly what my hon. and gallant Friend is suggesting.

It is quite clear.

The question is not very clear to a person who knows all the facts. There are two distinct questions. There is the question of the ratification of the Protocol against the use of gases, and there is the question of the fulfilment of the military Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles. These questions are now in charge of the Council, and it is for the Council to take action, if any, and it no longer rests with the Allies to take Individual action, as they did before.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that no such gas is being manufactured in this country to-day, and, if so, can he say how many dye works have been shut down?

That question does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has given consideration to the recent request of the German Chancellor regarding the evacuation of the Rhineland; and whether it is prepared to act in sympathy with that request?

The German Chancellor has made no request regarding the evacuation of the Rhineland. In a recent speech, he expressed the view that in the present circumstances the occupied Rhineland should be evacuated before the time limits fixed in the Treaty of Versailles. His Majesty's Government sympathise with this view, but, as was explained in answer to a question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for North Norfolk (Mr. Buxton) on the 9th February, such earlier evacuation can only be the result of an arrangement between the occupying Powers on the one hand and the German Government on the other, and other Powers besides the occupying Powers must be consulted. His Majestys' Government will be ready to give friendly consideration to any proposals which may be put forward with this object by the parties more immediately concerned.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman be able to take the initiative in this matter, especially seeing that Germany has exercised great restraint in the last three years with respect to military tendencies, and only last year turned down proposals for a military programme that she was entitled to develop under the Treaty of Versailles?

I always feel rather embarrassed when I am asked to reply to a question which embodies so many allegations. I confine myself to the actual question. I do not think that I can usefully take any initiative at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, in considering this question, bear in mind the additional cost to this country of retaining our troops in the Rhineland, and will he tell the House what that additional cost is annually at the present time?

Yes, Sir; it is nothing at all.

Is it not a fact that the cost of maintaining our troops in the Rhineland is deducted from the sum which we get as reparation from Germany?

The cost of maintaining the troops is a charge which is paid prior to reparation. Our share of reparation would not be the same as our share of the cost of the troops.

Therefore, we get less in reparation?

And more in troops.

Is the Foreign Secretary not prepared to play the part of the big man, the generous part, and has not the time arrived for Britain to demonstrate to the world that she is anxious for peace and to withdraw all her troops from the Rhineland?

I have said that I do not think I can usefully take the initiative at the present time. The withdrawal of British troops alone would not solve the question, and would not, I think, aid in its solution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the recent statements of the Agent-General for Reparation Payments and of the German Chancellor, any steps are being taken to prepare the way for calling a conference to discuss the final settlement of the German reparation obligations?

His Majesty's Government have noted with interest the statements referred to, and they will, of course, be ready to examine most carefully any proposals for a final settlement of German reparations that may be submitted to them, provided such proposals are so framed as to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of this country in conformity with our declared policy. But, so far as I am aware, no concrete proposals of any kind have yet been formulated, and I do not think that any action on the part of His Majesty's Government is at present either possible or advisable.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether negotiations are being conducted for the conclusion of a bi-lateral treaty between this country and the United States of America providing for the pacific settlement of disputes between them; and whether this House will have an opportunity of discussing its provisions?

The only treaty negotiations that are at present taking place with the United States, other than those relating to the proposed treaty for the renunciation of war, are concerned with the proposals made by the United States Government for a new arbitration treaty to replace the Arbitration Treaty of 1908. These proposals are receiving careful consideration at the hands of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain in consultation with the Dominion Governments. As regards a bi-lateral treaty between Great Britain and the United States for the pacific settlement of disputes, the right hon. Gentleman will be aware that the Anglo-American Treaty of the 15th September, 1914, for the establishment of a Peace Commission, is in full force.

Will not the signature of the multi-lateral Pact produce such a new situation that the conditions for the bi-lateral treaty cannot yet be foreseen?

I am not prepared to prophesy as to what results will be achieved by the signature of the treaty for the renunciation of war. Let us hope that they will be large and effective.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can yet say when His Majesty's Government will be in a position to sign the proposed American Peace Pact?

I handed this morning to the United States Chargé d'Affaires the replies of His Majesty's Governments in Great Britain, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa, and the reply of the Government of India, accepting the proposals of the United States Government for a multi-lateral treaty for the renunciation of war. As regards the signature of the proposed treaty, His Majesty's Government will be happy to sign it at such time and place as may be agreeable to the Government of the United States.

May I ask whether there were any reservations in the reply?

The reply will be published on Friday morning, and I cannot make any statement as to its contents until the time agreed upon for publication has arrived.

Was the Irish Free State among the other Governments, and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman explain the omission?

No, Sir. The Irish Free State, like the Dominion of Canada, has its own representative in Washington, and I think there is a United States Minister in Ottawa; and they will deal direct with the United States and give their own replies.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to say if their replies are identical with those of the other Dominions?

I am able to say that they are replying in a favourable sense. The replies are not in identical terms. It is for those Governments to publish their own replies.

I would like to ask the Foreign Secretary if there is any reservation. He says that the reply will be published on Friday, but we want to know if there is any reservation, and if he can state so now in the House.

I have said that I am not in a position to make any statement as to the character of our reply in greater detail than I have given in my answer, until the time arrives when it has been agreed between the United States Government and ourselves that that reply shall be published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Governments in China or Manchuria are recognised de facto or de jure at the present time by His Majesty's Government; if so, which are they; what representation His Majesty now has at Nanking; and what provision has been made for looking after British interests in Nanking and the Yangtse Valley generally?

The reply to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative. As regards the third part, the position remains as stated in the reply given to him on the 27th of June last. In addition to the Consul-General for Nanking, there are in the Yangtse Valley British Consuls-General at Shanghai and Hankow and Consuls at Chungking, Ichang, Changsha and Kiukiang.

I did not hear whether the right hon. Gentleman said that no Governments in China or Manchuria are recognised de facto or de jure. Is that what I am to understand?

Yes.

What about the Government which sends a representative to the Council of the League of Nations? Is that not recognised?

At present, we have not recognised the late Government or the present Government.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Mr. Justice Bateson, in giving judgment in a lawsuit arising out of a collision between His Majesty s Fleet Auxiliary "Bacchus" and the Greek steamer "Ioannis Fafalios," on 4th May last, decided that the "Bacchus" was alone to blame for the disaster, having apparently broken every rule of navigation; and whether, in view of the loss of life resulting from this negligence and the expense to the British taxpayer, he will take disciplinary measures in regard to the officer or officers responsible?

The Admiralty are aware of the result of the action in the Admiralty Division of the High Court arising out of this unfortunate collision in a dense fog; and the disciplinary aspect of the matter is receiving careful consideration.

Seeing that this happened as long ago as May last, can the hon. and gallant Member not say when these disciplinary measures will take effect?

I suppose that the hon. Member is referring to the accident and not to the result of the action.

I am referring to both.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the name of the small obsolete warship which he is willing to lend for the purpose of experiments with pulverised coal; how soon it will be available; for how long it will be lent; how soon trials are to commence; and can he state the names of some or all of the technical experts who will conduct the experiments?

The sloop "Hollyhock" is available now and for as long as she is required. If she is not acceptable, there are other vessels which can be suggested to the parties interested instead. As regards the rest of the question, I am not in a position to say more than that, if it proves possible to proceed with this investigation, it will no doubt be carried out under the supervision of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, who are considering the matter and with whom the Admiralty are in communication as to the help that they can give.

May we take it that it is the intention of the right hon. Gentleman to maintain direct contact with these experiments, along with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, in the interests of the Admiralty, in connection with the use of pulverised fuel?

Of course, we shall keep in as close touch as we possibly can, because it is to our interest to know as much as can be known on this subject. Primarily, it is the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research who are promoting the inquiry, not merely in the interests of the Government and the Mercantile Marine, but in the interests of the coal industry.

From the experiments already made, can the right hon. Gentleman say what is the advantage in pulverised coal, taking the value of a ton of ordinary coal?

That does not arise out of the original question.

Yesterday, I put this question to another Department, and I am putting it again. Cannot we get the information to which we are entitled? If I put down a question, I want a guarantee that the question will go through. I am discovering in this House that certain questions cannot be answered in Debate, and, when I put down a question I cannot get an answer.

The hon. Member must realise that he cannot ask a supplementary question which has no bearing on the question on the Paper.

It has a bearing in regard to pulverised coal.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the unemployment in our coalfields, he has given or will give instructions for coal to be burnt in preference to oil wherever it is possible to do so; and if he will press forward the tests of powdered coal?

Coal is already being burnt in preference to oil for all services in which its use would not affect adversely the efficiency of the Fleet. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to the hon. Member for Anglesey (Sir R. Thomas) on the 26th April last [OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 1083–4] and to-day.

May I ask whether this question is being carefully watched, because obviously it is not economical to burn foreign oil instead of English coal when there is so much unemployment in the coalfields?

I do not think the hon. Member need have any apprehension. It is perfectly clear that the Admiralty, like everybody else, will be only too glad, if possible, to burn coal instead of oil in British warships, and, therefore, he may rest assured that we shall do all we can to see that this experiment is thoroughly tested. It would be very premature at the moment to say that our hopes are very high that we shall be able to do so.

May I ask, taking oil as against coal and the burning of a ton of oil as against the burning of a ton of coal, what the saving is?

That question does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether His Majesty's Ship "Dauntless," which was recently wrecked near Halifax, has now been salved; whether the task was performed by local salvage equipment alone or with assistance from the United States Navy; and whether the complete repairs will be undertaken by the local Halifax shipyards?

His Majesty's Ship "Dauntless" was salved on the 11th July. From information received in the Admiralty she was towed off by Canadian salvage tugs assisted by His Majesty's Ships "Despatch" and "Heliotrope" and is now in dock at Halifax. Until more detailed reports have been received I am not in a position to say what other assistance may have been rendered. It is the intention if the extent of the damage permits that temporary repairs should be undertaken at Halifax with a view to finally bringing the ship to England.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of men discharged from each of His Majesty's dockyards and Admiralty establishments, respectively, during the months of April, May and June, 1928, and what likelihood there is of further discharges?

As the reply to the first part of the question is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

As regards the last part of the question, beyond the figures of those under notice of discharge in the tabular statement, I am afraid I can say nothing, as any prediction I might make would be so liable to be falsified in the event that it could only arouse unjustified hopes or fears. In general, however, there must be a progressively downward tendency in numbers at the yards.

Has the attention of the Parliamentary Secretary been called to the statement made recently, after the recent industrial council, that there would be more discharges and that this has caused perturbation in the minds of the remaining men?

I under-stand that the remarks of the Director of Dockyards have been misreported, and that he said nothing which in any way

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the approximate full speed of His Majesty's aircraft-carrier "Furious" before her conversion and now; how many aeroplanes and seaplanes, respectively, she has on board; and what is the radius of action of the longest-ranged aircraft she normally carries?

The approximate full speed of His Majesty's Ship "Furious" was 31½ knots before conversion, and is now 30 knots. She carries 36 aeroplanes, of which 12 can be converted to seaplanes. As regards the third part of the question, it is not the practice to give details of the performance of Service aircraft as this is not in the public interest.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any of the ports or inlets in the more southerly part of Spitzbergen are normally open or accessible to vessels not fitted as icebreakers at this season; and whether the question of sending any of His Majesty's ships to assist in the rescue operations in that area has been under consideration and with what result?

The west coast of Spitzbergen is usually ice-free by July, but the harbours on the southern coast

contradicts the statement I have made in this answer.

Following is the reply:

are often blocked by ice at this time of the year. The question of sending one of His Majesty's ships to assist in the rescue operations was fully considered, but was not pursued for the reasons given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air in his reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 16th July (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 31 and 32).

Would not the right hon. Gentleman have been able to send war vessels to Spitzbergen for warlike operations in this season of the year if they had been required?

The hon. and gallant Member must have heard the answers which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air has given on this question, in which he made an offer and asked the people on the spot whether they desired any assistance. Realising probably that it could not be done by warships, they have not asked us to send one.

Did not the Secretary of State for Air admit that he did not specially offer an aircraft carrier? Will the right hon. Gentleman make the suggestion?

The offer of my right hon. Friend was a general one, and I can add nothing to what he has said.

May I ask whether the Admiralty have throughout kept in touch with the position?

The answers of the Secretary of State on the subject are perfectly clear, and, if the hon. Member will read them, he will see the position.

Is it not the case that the last rescue north of Spitzbergen was made by aeroplane, which landed in the channels between the ice? Was that use of aeroplanes considered?

asked the Minister of Labour why action is not taken against Messrs. A. E. Brough and Company, of Liverpool, under the Trade Boards Act, in view of this firm's non-payment of the rates of wages to its employàs as set out by the Hollow-ware Trade Board?

I am making inquiry and will let the hon. Member know the result.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will hasten up the inquiries in view of the long time that this matter has been under consideration?

Yes, I will do everything that I can.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to increase the number of inspectors under the Trade Boards Act, because these functions are common?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that Edgar Lewis, an unemployed coal miner, was on 18th June sent from the Mountain Ash Employment Exchange to Trowbridge, and was informed he could commence work next day; that when he arrived he found a number of unemployed men in the district, and after searching for work for a week was employed on a road improvement scheme at the rate of 11½d. per hour, which is below the district rate for work of this kind; and will he inquire into this matter, and take steps to prevent these unemployed miners being employed at rates lower than the trade union and district rate of wages?

I am making inquiries into the case, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that men living in Porlock have to go to Minehead, a distance of over six miles, to draw their unemployment benefit; and whether he can make arrangments for these men to draw their benefit in Porlock in future?

I understand that there are at present no claimants for unemployment benefit who live in Porlock, though there are eight who live at a village near. Arrangements are being made to pay them their benefit by post if they so desire.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of young men and women, respectively, receiving unemployment benefit whose benefit was reduced by the coming into operation of the rates under the new Act in July?

The reduced rates of benefit operative from 5th July apply to young men and young women aged 18 to 20 years who are not in receipt of dependants benefit. I can give the hon. Member the total numbers of young men and young women with current claims to benefit. I cannot say how many of these were actually in receipt of benefit or how many were in receipt of dependants benefit, and therefore did not have their benefit reduced.

Can the Minister of Labour give me the number?

Yes, I will send them on to the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour the total number of fresh and renewal claims to benefit made from 24th April to 11th June, 1928, inclusive, and the number of claims disallowed by insurance officers in the same period in Glasgow?

During the period 24th April to 11th June, 1928, 41,751 fresh and renewal claims to benefit were made at Employment Exchanges in the Glasgow area. In the period 19th April to 11th June, 12,475 claims made at those offices were disallowed by insurance officers. The disallowances by insurance officers are those recorded during the period and relate in a proportion of cases to claims made earlier. They also include cases in which the decisions were reversed on appeal.

asked the Minister of Labour the debt of the Unemployment Insurance Fund at the 19th April, when the new Act came into operation, and the debt at the latest available date since then?

The debt of the Unemployment Fund to the Treasury on 19th April, 1928, was £24,190,000 and on 17th July, 1928, was £25,760,000.

asked the Minister of Labour if the posts of chairman of court of referees for Glasgow were made known in any way and, if so, in what way; and the number of applicants, and by whom they were interviewed previous to appointment?

It is not the practice to invite applications for these posts. They are offered to persons known to have the necessary qualifications. The selection is not made by interview, but candidates are sometimes seen for the purpose of obtaining further particulars of their qualifications.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me how many candidates were written to, and how many were offered posts?

Does the hon. Member mean Glasgow posts?

Yes.

Fourteen.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is proposed to increase the facilities for the training of young women in the city of Glasgow, and, if so, will he state their nature; if it is proposed to start a new training centre in this city for young men similar to the one on the North-East Coast; and, if not, does he propose to consider doing so?

There are eight juvenile unemployment centres open to girls in Glasgow. A home training course conducted by the Central Committee on Women's Training and Employment was completed last April, and I understand it is proposed to commence a further course next September. The question of opening a training centre for young men is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour how many mine workers were unemployed in Yorkshire on the latest date for which figures are available; and how many were working three days a week or less?

At 25th June, 1928, 46,580 insured persons classified as belonging to the coal mining industry were recorded as unemployed in Yorkshire, including 30,451 who were temporarily stopped from the service of their employers. The numbers temporarily stopped would include those working three days a week or less who were recorded as unemployed on 25th June, but separate statistics in respect of such persons are not available.

In view of these figures, will the right hon. Gentleman circularise his officials in the various Employment Exchanges and instruct them not to send unemployed persons from other counties into Yorkshire while there are so many unemployed persons there?

I should always have to consider that case; it depends on the actual requests made by employers.

Does it mean that the number of men who are working three days a week are included in the figures of those who have been temporarily stopped work.

If I understand the hon. Member's question, it is this. Supposing a miner is working on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, is he included in the figures of those who have been stopped temporarily, together with those who have been set off for two or three weeks? I am pretty sure that is the case just at the moment, but I would like to verify my recollection and confirm what I say?

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to see that unless and until Yorkshire unemployed persons have been given an opportunity to fill Yorkshire vacancies, no persons will be sent there from other counties?

That does not arise out of the question.

Could not the Minister circularise the coalowners in each coalfield to the effect that they ought to offer employment first to the miners in their own area?

Broadly speaking, that is the case, but, of course, hon. Members opposite know just as well as I do, that there are all sorts of different grades and occupations among miners, and, because a man is an unemployed miner in one grade, it does not follow that he is suitable for a post in another grade.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, when colliery companies apply to any Employment Exchange for a number of experienced coal-getters, any conditions are laid down before asking unemployed men to submit themselves for selection; and, if so, what are these conditions?

No conditions are laid down by the Department, but it is, of course, open to the colliery company to specify its requirements in any way it thinks necessary. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, these vacancies would be subject to the restrictions contemplated by Section 18 of the Mining Industry Act, 1926.

If a certain colliery asks an Employment Exchange to send along a certain number of men, and if, when those men are sent along to the colliery, only one-tenth of the number or less find employment, what steps will the right hon. Gentleman take in such a case?

I encourage employers to inquire at the Employment Exchanges, and when the Exchange is asked to send along the miners they send along miners of the kind which it is thought are required. If those miners are not taken on, that is not a matter for which I am responsible.

asked the Minister of Labour how many colliery companies in South Yorkshire applied to the various Employment Exchanges during the month of June for experienced coal-getters; how many miners were sent; and how many obtained employment?

I am having inquiries made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of a recent case in which a colliery company sent to an Employment Exchange for 24 men, and the 24 men travelled 15 miles—

This point does not arise on the question.

On a point of Order. The question which I intended to submit to the right hon. Gentleman affects 24 men, who, at the request of the Employment Exchange, have to travel a considerable distance—

The hon. Member has already occupied a considerable time, and must not take up more than his fair share of Question Time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether his Department has yet acquired a site upon which to build a new Employment Exchange in the Kinning Park district of Glasgow in place of the admittedly unsatisfactory building now in use?

No, Sir; but the question of providing improved accommodation at this Exchange is being actively pursued and it is hoped to come to a decision shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will take steps to ensure that where grants are made from the Road Fund in respect of road improvements labour is recruited, where it is suitable and available, from the unemployed workers in the district where the improvements are being carried out?

In matters of this sort, I do not think it necessary or desirable to interfere with the discretion of the competent local authorities.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say if, where there is a great deal of general labour unemployed, it is not rather a hardship to have other people drafted into the district to carry out work of which they themselves are capable? If I give him particulars, will he look into the matter?

No; I think this is a matter in which I should not interfere with the local authorities.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has been requested to receive a deputation from the local authorities in Yorkshire with regard to the relief of unemployment; and whether he proposes to receive such a deputation at an early date?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government's proposals for the reform of local government which have recently been issued in a White Paper, and will form the subject of discussion with the local authorities' associations, include a substantial measure of Exchequer assistance to areas suffering from unemployment. If, however, the local authorities in Yorkshire desire to make any special representations on the subject of unemployment in their areas, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour will be prepared to receive a deputation from them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many aeroplanes are now on order for the England-to-India air service which is to start on 1st April, 1929; and how many will be delivered before that date?

The air service in question is to be operated by Imperial Airways, Limited, and it rests with the company to order any aeroplanes required for it and to decide dates of delivery. Provided services are efficiently operated, the Air Ministry is concerned only when it happens that aircraft constructed under the civil aircraft experimental programme are taken over by the company for commercial use; two Calcutta flying boats, as I explained in the recent White Paper. Cmd. 3143, are being so taken over.

Is not part of the agreement that the service should be operating on 1st April next year; and, if there are no machines available, how can the service start?

There are machines available.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many flying officers and men have been killed since the beginning of this year; and what is the total number of officers on regular flying duty in the Royal Air Force?

The answer to the first part of the question is 50, including one officer shot down in action. This number covers the Royal Air Force and Auxiliary Air Force and personnel of the Army and Navy attached. Of the 50, 30 were pilots and 20 passengers. The answer to the second part of the question is 2,706, including the Auxiliary Air Force, cadets and airmen pilots.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will publish a return of the number of fatal flying accidents in the last three years showing the following particulars: type of machine, total number of hours flying performed by the pilot, and the number of hours flying performed by the pilot in the previous four weeks, weather conditions and time of day in which the accident occurred, together with the official cause of the accident as reported by the Air Ministry inquiry?

On the assumption that the hon. and gallant Member refers to civil accidents, a full summary and analysis of all such accidents to British civil aircraft will he found each year in the Annual Report on the Progress of Civil Aviation. If, however, he refers to Royal Air Force accidents, I would refer him to the replies given him in the past on this subject.

Is the fact that the Prime Minister made a brief inquiry—which occupied two or three days of his Christmas holiday, without any previous information—to be used for all time to mollify public anxiety on this question; and will the right hon. Gentleman publish the full particulars asked for in the question?

I have nothing to add to the answers which I have given to the hon. and gallant Member, and to other hon. Members in various parfs of the House on the subject.

Is it to be understood that we are not to get any further information about the causes of these flying accidents, other than the mere ipse dixit of the Air Ministry inspector?

I must again refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answers already given on the subject. I have nothing to add to them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the Vickers Vulcan machine which crashed last week was fitted with the slotted wing safety device; and if not, how many of the machines in regular use by the Imperial Airways Company are not so fitted?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I understand that certain new machines on order for Imperial Airways, Limited, are to be fitted with this safety device, but that none of the machines now in use is so fitted.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any representations to the Imperial Airways Company, in view of the fact that this device is fitted to the Royal Air Force machines, pointing out that the company ought to fit it to their existing machines?

I know, from the communications which I have had with the company, that they are fully alive to the position. As the hon. and gallant Member will see, there is a difference between the use of the slotted wing in the case of service machines and its use in the case of civil machines. The fact that 3,000,000 miles have been flown without serious accident to any passenger, differentiates the civil machines from the service machines.

Can the Minister say whether this accident might have been obviated by the use of the slotted wing on the machine in question?

I have not yet had the report of the Inspector of Accidents.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the proprietors of the safety invention known as the slotted wing have been in negotiation with the French Government for the sale of that invention; and whether he is satisfied that this mechanism will be fully available for the Royal Air Force as well as British civil machines.

As regards the first part of the question, the hon. Member appears to be misinformed. I am informed that there has been no proposal for the sale of the invention to the French Government and that it has been merely a question of negotiations with certain foreign constructors, including the French, for user of patent rights in their respective countries. As regards the second part of the question, I am satisfied that no such arrangements could affect the use of the patent in this country, whether by the Royal Air Force or civil aircraft.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any representations from the Thames pilots and licensed watermen as to making it obligatory for foreign vessels navigating between Gravesend and London to take on a licensed pilot; and whether he proposes to take steps to give effect to this suggestion.

The answer to the first part part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of navigation of vessels in the Thames is under the consideration of my Department in consultation with the Ministry of Transport, the Trinity House and the Port of London Authority, all of whom are concerned, and I hope that a decision will be reached shortly.

If I put down a question towards the end of the Session, does the hon. Gentleman think I could get a reply?

Yes, possibly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade upon what grounds an application made for an investigation into the affairs of Radiation, Limited, under Section 109 of the Companies Act, 1908, has been refused by the Board of Trade.

The matters in respect of which an investigation was applied for in the case of Radiation, Limited, had already been the subject of full discussion at the annual general meeting of the company, after the members of the company had been circularised by the applicants and publicity had been given in the Press to the complaints which had been made, when the resolution for the adoption of the report was carried by a majority of more than two-thirds. This majority had not been obtained by the use of a dominating voting power attached to the shares held by the directors, but represented the considered view of the shareholders. After very careful consideration of the whole circumstances, the Board of Trade came to the conclusion that the case was not one in which they ought to exercise the powers conferred upon them by the Section.

Did the Parliamentary Secretary receive a communication from the Radiation, Limited, Shareholders' Protection Association; did his Department undertake to communicate with the directors; did they receive a reply from the directors; and, if so, why is the Shareholders' Protection Association denied the right of seeing the reply of the directors?

The Department carried out the usual procedure, and came to the decision which I have announced.

Does that answer mean that, in spite of the shareholders' meeting, the Board of Trade felt it necessary to make further inquiries of the directors; and is it the case that, when they got the reply from the directors, they made no further communication of a satisfactory nature to the Shareholders' Protection Association?

There is no obligation on the Board of Trade to disclose its correspondence with other people.

I shall raise this matter in the Debate on the Companies Bill.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what representatives attended the Rome Conference on copyright on behalf of the British Government; whether representations were received from the Society of Authors and the Publishers' Association to co-operate in this conference; and why the experience of these organisations was not made use of?

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the representation of Great Britain at the Rome Conference on Copyright is confined to three officials; and for what reason there was no direct representation of authors, or publishers, or authorities in copyright law?

The British delegates to the Rome Copyright Conference were Sir Sydney Chapman, chief economic adviser to His Majesty's Government, and Mr. W. S. Jarratt and Mr. A. J. Martin, Comptroller and assistant Comptroller respectively of the Industrial Property Department. The British delegation was limited to officials because its function was to express only the views of the British Government which had been reached after consulting the many interests concerned, and after giving full con- sideration to the interests of the general public. If representatives of the associations referred to in the questions had been accorded direct representation on the British delegation, similar representation must have been accorded to other bodies who bad also asked for representation and whose interests conflicted with those of the associations named. In these circumstances, it would have been impossible for the British delegation to have expressed solely the views of the Government, and it was considered desirable to confine the membership as stated above. On the other hand, the assistance and advice of the Society of Authors and the Publishers' Association, as well as of the other bodies interested, were welcomed and made use of by the British delegates both in preparing for the Conference and during its session.

Why was the British delegation confined to only three, as against 10 from France, 10 from Germany, 12 from Italy, and six from the United States of America?

As far as I can judge from the reports of the Conference, the small size of our delegation had material advantages over the larger delegations sent by some other countries.

Is the hon. Member aware that that is not the opinion of the people most directly interested in this country, who consider that Britain has suffered considerably from not being properly represented?

No communication to that effect has been received from any of the interests concerned, so far as I am aware.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that a senior administrative officer who was discharged as redundant from the Enemy Debts Department at exceptionally short notice after eight years' service, raised the question with the Board of Trade; that his discharge was brought about by adverse reports to which, contrary to the Regulations of the Civil Service, he had not had access; that the head of the Department denied that, to the best of his knowledge, such adverse reports had been made or were on record; that the officer in question challenged this denial with a demand for a full inquiry as to the system of secret personal reports obtaining in the Department; that the head of the Department could not make it convenient, despite repeated applications, to interview him until 28th December, whereas his discharge took effect on 31st, December, 1927; whether the relevant correspondence is on record at the Board of Trade; and whether he will make an inquiry into the circumstances of this case?

The officer to whom this question presumably refers was not discharged at exceptionally short notice. The terms of his employment provided for one month's notice of discharge, and he was informed on the 14th October, 1927, that his services would be terminated on the 31st December. Three other officers received similar notice on the same day. His discharge was not brought about by adverse reports but by the fact that reductions of staff were necessary. Certain minor criticisms of his work had been made about a year previously, but the incidents did not govern the question of his selection for discharge. No specific request for an interview with the Controller can be traced, beyond a possible suggestion in a letter of 16th December, 1927. All the correspondence is on record in the Board of Trade, and the circumstances of the discharge were fully gone into early this year. I see no reason for any further action.

When is this Department to be wound up?

When its job is finished.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give any information respecting the composition and the terms of reference of the Royal Commission on Transport?

I have been asked to reply. I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on the subject before the end of the Session.

asked the Minister of Transport if any regulations exist restricting the width and weight of motor vehicles proceeding by road; and, if so, is he prepared to state what they are?

As the answer is of considerable length, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Has the weight mentioned been altered recently or not?

There has been a slight alteration, in my recollection.

Following is the answer:

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers only to motor cars and heavy motor cars as distinct from locomotives. The maximum limits of width and weight are prescribed under the various Orders governing the construction and use of motor cars which have been made from time to time under the Motor Car Acts. The maximum width of motor cars and of heavy motor cars under three tons in weight unladen is 7 feet 2 inches, and of heavy motor cars exceeding three tons in weight unladen is 7 feet 6 inches. The maximum unladen weight of an ordinary heavy motor car is 7¼ tons, but in the case of six-wheeled vehicles, which comply with certain constructional requirements laid down in the Regulations, the maximum is 10 tons. The maximum laden weights are 12 tons and 19 tons respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make a statement as to the proposed new road to be made in the neighbourhood of Jordans?