asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will inform the House of the action that has been taken by the Government of India and the local Governments on the recommendations contained in the Report of the Indian Roads Committee?

The import and excise duties on motor spirit have been raised from four to six annas per gallon as recommended by the Committee. A road conference of representatives of the Provincial Governments to consider some of the principal recommendations of the Committee was held in September and a Standing Committee has been appointed to advise the Governor General in Council on certain matters connected with roads. A resolution embodying some of the most important recommendations of the Committee will be considered at the next session of the Legislative Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House of the present position in regard to the strike of employés at the Golmuri Tinplate Works, near Jamshedpur, which began over seven months ago; if he will state the number of workers involved in the dispute; and whether any progress has been made towards a settlement of this dispute?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of the latest report I have received.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received a copy of the manifesto issued by leaders of all parties in India welcoming the Viceroy's declaration, in which they suggest that the representative political organisations, including the Indian National Congress, should have adequate representation at the conference to be held in London after the publication of the Simon Commission Report; and whether he will request the Government of India to see that such adequate representation is secured for the predominant political organisations?

I have seen a copy of this manifesto. My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware that the purpose of the Conference is the discussion of both the British Indian and the All Indian problems with a view to seeking the greatest possible measure of agreement for the final proposals to be submitted later to Parliament, and he may rest assured that the Government of India will co-operate in securing, when the time comes, that the Conference includes those who can authoritatively speak for British Indian political opinion and is fairly and fully representative of all points of view.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the number of persons employed in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps storehouses at home and abroad as at the last convenient date?

Approximately 10,700 persons are employed in the storehouses, yards, offices, workshops, etc., of the Ordnance depots at home and abroad, of whom some 8,800 are civilians. Of the total 10,700 approximately 5,800 are engaged in the storehouses and yards.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number of British troops of all ranks at present stationed in China?

There are at present in China six British battalions and one Indian battalion, together with ancillary troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War the amount of compensation paid to the dependants of workmen who are fatally injured in the course of their employment at Woolwich Arsenal and other establishments under his control, and the amount paid in respect of workmen whose accidents do not prove fatal; and whether the amount is paid in a lump sum for fatal cases or by a system of weekly payments?

The payment of compensation in the circumstances indicated in the question is governed by the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Acts. Such compensation takes the form of lump sums in fatal cases, and of weekly payments—redeemable for lump sums by agreement—in other cases. The amount payable depends on the circumstances of the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War, whether he can state concerning the user of Woolwich commons by the public, the present position of the negotiations between the London County Council and the War Office; and whether any conclusion has now been reached?

I understand that the London County Council are considering a scheme for the general improvement of the Common, and that they may shortly approach the War Department with definite proposals, which I shall be glad to consider sympathetically.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the big steel fusion on the Teeside; and, if so, if he will state whether such amalgamation schemes have to be registered and approved?

I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to a proposed amalgamation of steel interests on Teeside, in respect of which certain information has already appeared in the Press. As my hon. Friend is aware, Government approval is not required to schemes of industrial amalgamation as such, but registration of certain particulars with the Registrar of Companies may be required under the Companies Act, 1929.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the per capita value of British exports to the Argentine, Australia, and New Zealand, respectively?

The declared value of the exports of produce and manufactures of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, registered during the 12 months ended 30th September, 1929, as consigned to the countries specified, per head of the population of each of those countries, was approximately as follows:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the volume of British exports of artificial silk to the Argentine and of British imports of Argentine meat and cereals, in so far as these commodities come under the new Anglo-Argentine agreement?

The exact terms of the declaration to be made by His Majesty's Government have not yet been decided, and the scope of the customs concession to be made by the Argentine Government is still the subject of discussion. It is, therefore, impossible to give the information asked for by the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, seeing the substantial preferences given to British goods in countries within the Empire, he will consult with the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa before proceeding with the proposal made by the President of the Argentine Republic to the British Ambassador that Argentine dairy produce and fruit should be included with meat and cereals in the new Anglo-Argentine reciprocal agreement?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the disclosures made at Buenos Aires by the British ambassador, he will make a full statement of the obligations into which the British Government has entered in the economic agreement with the Argentine Republic; and whether, seeing that the new British obligation not to impose any restriction of any kind upon British importations, other than necessary in the interest of public health, may restrict the consideration of the problem of inter-imperial trade, which is to come before the forthcoming Imperial Economic Conference, he will consult with the Dominions before ratification?

I understand that a presidential decree has been issued in the Argentine by virtue of which duties on artificial silk goods, the produce of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, will be reduced by 50 per cent. from 1st January next on receipt of a declaration on behalf of His Majesty's Government in Great Britain and Northern Ireland that it is their policy not to impose duties or restrictions on the importation of certain Argentine food products. The terms and exact scope of the declaration are still under consideration.

Such a declaration would express the policy of His Majesty's Government and would involve no formal agreement; no question of consultation with the Dominions or ratification, therefore, arises.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he proposes to introduce any legislation for the prohibition of the importation of sweated goods into this country?

As has already been indicated, the policy of the Government is to approach the question of the importation of sweated goods by the way of international discussion, and they do not propose, in the meantime, to take the course suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the value of food products imported into Great Britain from countries outside the British Empire for the years ending 1913, 1923, and 1928?

The total declared value of articles of food and drink consigned from foreign countries and imported into the United Kingdom during the years 1913, 1923 and 1928, was as follows:

From 1st April, 1923, the above figures relate to imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Prior to that date they relate to imports into the British Isles as a whole and, therefore, include imports into Southern Ireland consigned from foreign countries.

asked the Postmaster-General if he has received a petition signed by the inhabitants of the districts of Grimisay, Hacklet, Redbank, and Creagarry, in the Island of Benbecula, South Uist, with reference to the nondelivery of letters, etc., from the post office of Creagarry on the day on which they are received by the said post office; and whether he will take steps to effect a more speedy delivery as prayed for in the said petition?

I have received the petition mentioned by the hon. Member and am making inquiry into the matter. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the number of trans-Atlantic telephone calls passed over the radio channel from Great Britain during the six months ended to the last convenient date; and whether statistics show, as far as Great Britain is concerned, whether this service is self-supporting?

The total number of trans-Atlantic telephone calls during the six months ended 31st October was 7,737. The service is self-supporting, so far as Great Britain is concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General how many new private telephones have been installed in each of the last five years; and whether, in the view of his Department, the rate of progress is satisfactory?

The following table gives the number of new telephones installed—other than public call offices—the number given up and the net growth in each of the last five years:

The number of residence telephones installed in the year ended the 30th September, 1929, was 90,032, the cessations 39,604, and the net growth of residence telephones 50,428. The number of residence telephones at present in service is more than double the figure of five years ago. I do not regard the rate of growth as unsatisfactory, though I hope still to improve upon it.

asked the Postmaster-General by what hour in the morning residents in the town area of the borough of Colchester ought normally to receive letters by the first delivery?

Normally the delivery commences at 7 a.m. and is completed by 8.45 a.m.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the approximate cost per year of the upkeep and maintenance of the capital ships of the Navy?

The approximate cost of maintenance of battleships and battle cruisers for the present financial year is £5,100,000. This amount does not include the cost of ships paid off for large repairs, alterations or reconstruction, which varies according to the extent of the repairs found necessary and on the reconstruction, etc., to be carried out. In the present financial year about £550,000 are being spent for this purpose.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what proportion of British-grown wheat and British-bred and slaughtered meat is supplied to the personnel of the Navy in ships on home stations and men on shore; and whether he will consider making an order for the use of British flour and meat to the men in ships on home stations and on shore during the six months from October to March?

I have no information as to the proportion of British-grown wheat used in the manufacture of flour and bread supplied at home stations. As regards meat, apart from small quantities supplied at certain home ports and to Royal naval hospitals, the bulk of the supplies consist of frozen meat of Dominion origin. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Minister of Agriculture on the 4th July.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will consider the advisability of using the Singapore Dockyard as a commercial dockyard for the refitting and reconditioning of merchant ships when it is completed?

The desirability of obtaining commercial work for naval dockyards abroad, which are not fully occupied with naval work, is already fully recognised, and the same policy would naturally be followed as regards Singapore.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is intended to make the increase of 2s. 6d. a week to P-class and the temporary clerks (Admiralty Fleet Orders 1349, of May, 1929) applicable to those engaged in the naval armament depots who did not transfer under the new grading arrangement instituted by Admiralty Fleet Orders 3201, of December, 1927, and, if so, when it is proposed to pay the arrears of such increase?

It has been decided to bring on to graded rates of pay the P-class and temporary clerks employed at the outports who have hitherto been paid on the special Admiralty scale, and they will thus benefit as from 1st April, 1929, from the increases mentioned in Admiralty Fleet Order 1349 of 31st May, 1929.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason why Article XIV of the Palestine Mandate has not been put into effect; and whether it is now proposed to appoint the special Commission therein contemplated?

Proposals for the constitution of the Holy Places Commission contemplated in Article XIV of the Mandate were drawn up by the British Government in 1922, but they were found to be unacceptable to certain of the Powers represented on the Council of the League of Nations, and were subsequently withdrawn by His Majesty's Government. The Powers concerned were invited to make counter-proposals but have not done so. Certain proposals by His Majesty's Government are at present before the League of Nations, having as their object the appointment of a Commission to settle rights and claims relating to one of the Holy Places, namely, the Western or Wailing Wall.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Palestine Government was advised to permit building alterations by Moslems in the area adjoining the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem; and, if so, why?

As the building operations referred to have been closely associated with incidents immediately preceding the recent disorders, I should prefer to make no statement on the subject while the Commission of Inquiry is still sitting.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the sentence of death passed upon a Jew at Jaffa on a charge of murder during the recent riots; and whether he will recommend that the sentence should be modified?

The law of Palestine provides for an appeal from all death sentences passed by the Courts of Criminal Assize. Pending the hearing of the appeal, I could not make any statement in regard to any particular case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the progress made with the Dairy Produce Notes for butter, cheese and eggs referred to in the Report of the Empire Marketing Board; and if he can state the extent of their circulation?

The Board's Weekly Dairy Produce Notes have now been issued regularly for a period of six months, and judging by the letters of appreciation received are proving of considerable value to Empire producers both at home and overseas. At the present moment the circulation list of the Dairy Produce Notes comprises 2,910 names, of which 760 are producers in this country, 800 are producers in the Empire overseas, and 1,010 are wholesale or retail traders.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether any decision has yet been reached in regard to the future location of the administrative capital of Northern Rhodesia?

No, Sir. The matter is still under consideration by the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement relating to the delay in the adoption of a scheme for the supply of electrical power in the Tanganyika territory; if his Department has received any report on the proposed hydro-electric station at the Pangani River Falls; and if he will take steps to accelerate the project with a view to contracts being placed in this country?

Negotiations are in progress in regard both to the general development of electrical power in Tanganyika and to a scheme for the production of electric power from the Pangani Falls. Every endeavour has been made, and will be made, to expedite the matter.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if his at- tention has been called to the lack of adequate port facilities on the East African coast; is he aware that on 8th November a 12-ton locomotive boiler with the crane which had been used to land it had fallen into the harbour; will he say whether the boiler has yet been raised; how it is proposed to convey it to the Tanganyika railways; and if any measures are contemplated for harbour improvement on the East African coast?

My Noble Friend has seen a Press report of the incident at Tanga, to which the hon. Member refers, but he has no further information. The improvement of facilities at East African ports has constantly engaged the attention of the Governments concerned. As regards Tanganyika, it may be mentioned that extensive development works are in progress at Dares-Salaam, and that expenditure of £129,000 has recently been sanctioned on harbour works at Tanga.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he can state whether Australia has refused to accept further emigrants from England; and, if so, if he can state when the embargo commenced?

As I informed the right hon. Gentleman the Member for West Woolwich (Sir K. Wood) on the 13th instant, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia has notified us of the decision of his Government to suspend for the present the grant of assisted passages to Australia. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is in communication with the Commonwealth Government in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has adopted or approved any general scheme relating to road construction which will encourage the fullest use of British tar, seeing that an increased output of British tar will be helpful to the coke-oven and steel industries and consequently to the coal industry?

I am encouraging the initiation by local authorities of extensive schemes of road construction and improvement, the result of which will be to promote the demand for road materials of all kinds, including British tar.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many cases assistance is being given to the abolition of level crossings; the amount of money thus involved; and the level crossings concerned?

Eight schemes involving the elimination of level crossings have recently been approved in principle and eleven further schemes are under consideration with highway authorities. In view of the fact that in most cases the cost is included as part of a comprehensive scheme embodying widen-ings or other improvements, I cannot state the total expenditure involved in the elimination of the level crossings themselves.

The schemes in question are the following:

Schemes approved in principle:

Authority and Situation.

Buckingham C.C.—Bourne End (2 L. Cs.).

Northampton C.C.—Irthlingborough.

Southampton C.C.—Lyndhurst.

Grimsby C.B.—Weelsby Road.

Ipswich C.B.—Felixstowe Road.

Leicester C.B.—Saffron Lane.

Cleobury Mortimer R.D.C.—Highley.

Schemes under consideration:

Authority and Situation.

Lancashire C.C.— Bamber Bridge, Hoghton Station.

Northampton C.C.—Wellingborough.

Surrey C.C.—Kingston Road, Merton; Diversion.

West Riding C.C.—Allerton Station, Thorpe Willoughby, Rawcliffe, Hensall, Dodworth, Spofforth.

Richmond T.C.—Manor Road.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will state the number of district councils which have applied under the Local Government Act, 1929, for the delegation of functions in respect of unclassified roads; the number of county councils which have up to date granted or refused delegation, respectively; the names of the counties in which district councils have appealed against a refusal of delegation by the county council; the names of the counties in which he has granted or dismissed such appeals; and whether he is prepared to grant such appeals in cases where only a portion of the district councils in the county have appealed to him for delegation?

The number of district councils which have applied under the Local Government Act, 1929, for the delegation of functions in respect of unclassified roads is 580. Seven county councils have granted all applications for delegations and 29 have refused all such applications. The remaining county councils have granted some applications and refused others.

The names of the counties in which district councils have appealed against a refusal of delegation are as follow:

The appeals which have been made are under consideration and I am not yet in a position to give a decision in any particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport if, in view of the high rate charged by garages within the Central London area, he will take steps to increase the number of parking places for motor cars in that area?

I have consulted the London Traffic Advisory Committee in the matter on several occasions and on traffic grounds am not prepared at the present time to increase parking place accommodation in the central area. I share the Committee's view, which is also that of the Royal Commission on Transport, that the streets are intended for the movement of traffic of all kinds, not for the purpose of parking cars while the owners or persons in charge are engaged on business or pleasure.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to statements of British Consuls, reproduced in Command Paper No. 3,424, as quoted by the Governor of Hong Kong; and whether there are any additional papers upon the subject of slavery in China, and its effect upon Hong Kong, which he will consider publishing?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. There are no recent reports from China on this subject in the Foreign Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a request from the British Council of Foreign Bondholders for diplomatic assistance on behalf of British holders of certain Mexican defaulted securities; and whether he now proposes to act in accordance therewith?

I assume that the hon. Member refers to the Mexican Packing House Company gold mortgage bonds. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 25th November to the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne).

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give the amount of the financial help given to the harbour authorities of Brixham in each of the years 1919 to 1929, inclusive?

The financial assistance afforded to the Brixham harbour undertaking during the past 10 years is as follows:—

(1) In March, 1922, a grant of £500.

(2) In January, 1925, a loan of £250.

(3) In March, 1926, a grant of £250.

(4) In March, 1927, a grant of £250.

(5) In April, 1927, a loan of £250.

(6) In May, 1928, a loan for repairing the breakwater of four-fifths of the cost involved, but not exceeding £8,000, was sanctioned, and the whole of this has been advanced. At the same time it was arranged that interest and repayments of capital on the last mentioned loan and upon the two loans of £250 referred to in (2) and (5) above, as well as upon a further loan of £4,500 advanced between 1916 and 1918, should be suspended for 12 years, provided that contributions of £1,250 per annum were paid by the harbour authority in the meantime to a sinking fund for future repairs.

(7) In July, 1929, the two loans of £250 and the loan of £4,500 referred to in (6) were converted into grants.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if the grant to the Brixham Harbour authorities, foreshadowed by the late Minister of Agriculture in the House on the 29th May, has been made; and, if so, what it amounts to?

The grant referred to has not yet been made pending reconsideration of the whole scheme for the relief of harbours in England and Scotland. But having regard to assurances which have already been given to the Harbour Commissioners, it is intended to make an early contribution to Brixham this year, and a letter will be addressed to the Commissioners on the subject at a very early date.

asked the Minister of Agriculture, if he can state the number of commons to which the public have been given access by deed under the Law of Property Act, 1925; the total acreage of such commons; and the number and acreage of such commons in the counties of Durham and Surrey, respectively?

The number of deeds of declaration deposited with the Ministry in accordance with Sub-section (2) of Section 193 of the Law of Property Act, 1925, giving the public right of access to commons or manorial wastes for air and exercise is 30, the total area affected being approximately 9,467 acres. The number of deeds affecting commons in the County of Surrey is 10 relating to an area of 4,561 acres. No deeds have been deposited affecting commons in the County of Durham.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the value of the British property in Germany which has been confiscated by the Government of that country; and whether any representations have been made at any time by the Government of this country for the return of such property or for compensation in return for its confiscation?

The value of British property in Germany which was liquidated by the German Government is over £20,000,000. The owners of such property have received compensation as determined by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal out of the proceeds of liquidation of German property in this country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if every allotment letter of 5 per cent. Conversion Loan, whether it is in respect of a cash subscription or of a 5½ per cent. Treasury Bond, carries the right to convert an equal amount of 5 per cent. War Loan?

Yes, Sir; all fully paid allotment letters carry the right to convert an equal amount of 5 per cent. War Loan.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what sums of money his Department has had to meet due to the legal processes in connection with the De-rating Act; and can he say what amounts have been paid to counsel, the Attorney-General, and the Solicitor-General in the same connection?

The expenditure to date, which has been met from the Vote for Law Charges, England, on account of legal process in connection with the Rating and Valuation (Apportionment) Act, 1928, is £2,546 4s. 4d. Of this sum £1,028 14s. 6d. represents fees to Counsel, and £422 10s. fees to the Solicitor-General. No fees have been paid to the Attorney-General.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the delay in extending the electric line from Maentwrog to Bar-mouth and other towns on the Welsh coast; and whether he will include this extension as part of the Government plan for the relief of unemployment?

The Barmouth Urban District Council by an Act passed in July of this year obtained authority to give a supply of electricity in an area including their Urban District and are under obligation to lay down certain compulsory mains for the purpose of giving that supply within a period of two years. The Electricity Commissioners have been informed that the question of the construction of the electric line from Maentwrog to Barmouth is now receiving the close attention of the North Wales Power Company who are the body charged with the duty of affording bulk supplies of electricity. The attention of all Electricity Supply Authorities has recently been drawn to the financial assistance which is available under the Development (Loans Guarantees and Grants) Act, 1929, in respect of carrying out works in acceleration of normal development. It is doubtful, however, whether the works referred to can be regarded as accelerated expenditure.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is in a position to announce any further development in his unemployment schemes?

The White Paper which my right hon. Friend hopes to lay before the House next week will give the information desired by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the number of

These workers were transferred, with few exceptions, from depressed areas in South Wales, Northumberland, Durham and Scotland. In a number of cases grants from the Lord Mayor's Fund were paid in respect of boys transferred and the amounts varied from 2s. to 7s. 6d. per week. I should explain that these grants from the Lord Mayor's Fund are not made unless the juvenile in question is receiving some payment from the employer over and above the appropriate local wage.

asked the Minister of Health how much the harbour authorities of Brixham, Fowey, Mevagissey, Newlyn, St. Ives, Padstow, and Port Isaac benefit under the Derating and Valuation Act, 1928?

The information for which the hon. Member asks is not in my possession.

asked the Minister of Labour if she will state the average official figure of cost of living for each of the years 1914 to 1929?

The yearly averages of the cost-of-living index numbers for 1915–29 show the following per-

adults, boys and girls transferred from distressed areas to Camberwell, Deptford, Borough and Westminster; which are the areas from which the transfer was made; and what amount of grant was obtained to assist these cases?

The following table shows the number of persons transferred from depressed areas to the areas served by the Employment Exchanges in Camberwell, Deptford, Borough, and Westminster from 6th October, 1928, to 28th October, 1929.

centage increases above the level of July, 1914. Figures for the whole of 1914 are not available.

asked the Secretary of State for War the price paid by the purchaser of the factory and the 147 hutments, together with the land on which they stand, giving the separate price for the 147 hutments, now in the possession of the Holbrooks Housing Estate Company, Coventry?

The factory and hutments were sold on behalf of the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, the total price realised being £54,500, of which £22,000 was in respect of the hutments and 31 acres of land. The proceeds were credited direct to the Treasury and not to Army funds.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state any reasons why the residents of the Long Thornton Housing Estate, Mitcham, are compelled by the Mitcham Urban District Council to pay a fire insurance premium of 12s. per annum on a policy valued at £800, in view of the fact that the purchase price is £595 leasehold; if he is aware that the neighbouring housing estate of Streatham Vale only pay 10s. 6d. premium on a comprehensive policy of £600 on a similar type of house purchased at £600 under similar conditions; and if he will state whether he can take any action in the matter?

The matter is not one in which I am empowered to take any action, but I will make inquiries of the local authority and communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has had any recent complaints concerning the conditions under which men are working at the Belmont Institution; whether he has satisfied himself as to the justification for such complaints; and whether he will inquire into the allegations recently made by certain members of the Woolwich Board of Guardians that a man had been kept in a dark cell on a diet of bread and water, that sleeping conditions are bad, and that task impositions were of a harsh character?

No recent complaint has been addressed to me on this matter. The institution at Belmont is frequently inspected by my officers and I have had inquiries made into the allegations to which the right hon. Member refers. I can find no evidence that a man has been kept in a dark cell as stated. As regards sleeping accommodation I am informed that all the dormitories are good and that the bedding is perfectly satisfactory. I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of a Report by one of my inspectors of the description of the work of this institution.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether His Majesty's Government proposes to make any contribution to the fund for the relief of the Scottish fishermen?

I refer the hon. Member to the replies which I gave yesterday in the House to questions on this subject.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Air what arrangements are now being made to afford facilities for a flight for Members of Parliament in airships either R100 or R101; and when the next attempt will be made?

In view of the uncertainty of the weather conditions at the present time, my Noble Friend has decided to postpone the consideration of any further flights until the spring.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has received any protests from authorities or residents in Surrey and Sussex with regard to the low flying of aeroplanes, which constitute a danger not only to the passengers in air liners but also to the inhabitants of the districts; and can he state what action his Department has taken in the matter?

Complaints of the kind referred to have been received from time to time. Each complaint has been investigated by the Air Ministry and taken up, when the circumstances have warranted it, with the owners or pilot of the aircraft concerned, with a view to preventing further cause for complaint. In particular, the British and foreign companies which operate air services to and from Croydon have been informed that complaints of unreasonably low flying have been made and have been asked to warn their pilots against the practice. It is a breach of the law (as contained in the Air Navigation Order) to fly an aircraft in such circumstances as, by reason of low altitude, to cause unnecessary danger to persons or property on the ground, and legal action can be taken against pilots or owners who break this regulation. Such legal action has been taken in various parts of the country but it is a matter for the police and not for the Air Ministry. The Air Ministry is for its part most anxious to do all in its power to prevent any cause for complaint in regard to low or dangerous flying.