asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any committees or other bodies have yet been set up under the protocol of 4th October to go into the question of Russian debt settlement?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply of Monday last to the hon. and gallant Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald).

Does the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the statement made last January, that these would be no question of financing the Russian Government until such time as a debt settlement was arrived at?

I have already reported to the House any discussions, and the line that we are proposing to follow, and we are still endeavouring to adhere to the statements made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the Russian Government to assist him in recovering the lost plate from the British Embassy at Petrograd?

In reply to inquiries on this subject made by His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in 1926, the Soviet Commissariat of Foreign Affairs said that a search instituted by them had proved unavailing, and that inquiries at Leningrad had not thrown any light on the circumstances in which the plate was lost. I do not consider that any further representations to the Soviet Government on this subject would serve any useful purpose.

On a point of Order. Is the right hon. Gentleman in order in suggesting that this friendly Government is either unable or unwilling to assist in the recovery of stolen goods?

I do not think I suggested that. I suggested that the Government which the hon. Member so closely supported failed, and I do not hope that I can succeed.

Will the Russian Government pay a sum of money in lieu?

I am not sure that the previous Government ever made an attempt to get such a sum of money.

Would the right hon. Gentleman try?

No; I have nothing more to say on the subject.

rose—

Colonel Wedgwood.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action has been taken by the Refugees Committee of the League of Nations to afford assistance to Russians who have sought refuge in Poland owing to religious persecution; whether such action was taken as the result of reports received from the Polish Government and, if not from what source the information as to the plight of these refugees was obtained; and if he will lay upon the Table papers on the subject?

I understand that the Polish Government are considering what measures should be taken for the relief of the refugees who, for various reasons, have recently crossed the frontier from the Soviet Union, As far as I am aware, the Refugees Committee of the League of Nations have not had the matter under consideration.

Have the Refugees Committee had an opportunity of seeing and studying the suppressed report of the British Ambassador at Moscow?

Is any action being taken to assist the Polish refugees who are in Russia, Germany, and surrounding countries, and are suffering political persecution by their Government?

May I ask for an answer to my supplementary question? [Interruption.]

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet Government are conceding the ordinary privileges of extraterritoriality to the house, rooms, or premises occupied by His Majesty's ambassador and his suite?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Ambassador and his staff are enjoying the ordinary privileges to which they are entitled by international law.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a short statement giving the result of the recent representations to the Portuguese Government by His Majesty's Ambassador at Lisbon on the question of flag discrimination so far as it is operated by the Portuguese Governrnent against British goods and shipping?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the result of the representations which His Majesty's Ambassador was instructed last month to make to the Portuguese Government on this subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a clog on British export trade, and is it right to let the matter go on like this?

The hon. Member must know that we cannot force the hands of Governments with whom we are in relations. All that I can do is to make representations, which I did, as I stated in answer to a question last month.

If the Portuguese Government put this clog on our export trade, would it not be possible to hint to them quite discreetly that we could put a duty on their port wine?

I am not sure how far that sort of policy of retaliation would carry us.

Have not the Government to be very careful in their dealings with the Portuguese at present?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he now has any information about the proposed alterations in the Australian tariffs; and whether it is proposed to prohibit the import of certain goods?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 13th of March.

Will my hon. Friend let me know when he receives the information about this matter?

I shall be pleased to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he will state the number of films that have been made by the Empire Marketing Board; whether there are any films at present in the making; the name of the cinema officer who is employed at the Empire Marketing Board for the supervision of these films; what previous experience this officer has had in the actual production of cinematograph films, and the amount of the percentage of net profits paid to this officer in addition to his salary of £1,200 per annum on any films made under his direct supervision?

The Empire Marketing Board have completed some 17 films of varying lengths, many of them edited from existing material placed at their disposal, and further films are now in course of preparation. As regards the name of the Board's Cinema Officer, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on 5th March. The officer in question had no previous experience in the actual production of films. In the event of net profits being secured upon films made under his direct supervision, he would be entitled to a percentage of 5 per cent. up to a maximum payment of £3,000 in any one year.

Does my hon. Friend not think that for this very large salary a very highly experienced and technical man could be engaged instead of one without any experience in production at all?

Is it not a fact that the recent film produced by the Empire Marketing Board has been described by the criticis as being of the highest standard of any British film which has been produced?

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any films are being made of industries in this country?

That matter is under consideration now by the Films Committee of the Empire Marketing Board, and I have good reason to believe that steps will be taken to produce suitable films in that direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any negotiations have yet been entered into with the United States of America to define and agree on the right of search and capture of private property at sea in time of sanctions?

The answer is in the negative.

Can my right hon. Friend say when he will be in a position to give me an answer to this question?

No. This is a very big question, and we have big enough questions in hand with the United States at the moment without tackling this one at the same time.

Is not this part of the same problem which is being tackled at the present time?

Yes, in a certain sense It is; but I think it was the desire of that Government that we should not raise this question during the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make with regard to China?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the position of affairs in North China; and whether he has any information as to the Peking-Hankow Railway administration and as to whether foodstuffs are now being commandeered in the Peking and Tientsin districts?

His Majesty's Minister at Peking reported on the 20th instant that the outlook in China had changed for the worse, and that an outbreak of civil war was again regarded as imminent. The Northern authorities had taken over control of the telegraph and other public offices in Peking hitherto staffed by Nanking appointees, and the Chinese Government's troops appeared to be withdrawing from Shantung. I have subsequently seen reports in the Press that agents of Yen Hsi-shan, the leader of the Northern movement against the Central Government, took over the Peking-Hankow Railway administration and the wireless station at Peking on the 23rd instant, and that necessaries for the anti-Government bloc were being commandeered in the Peking and Tientsin districts. I have, however, received no official confirmation of these reports.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that, in these disturbed conditions, the legations are safe and adequately guarded?

I have no reason to doubt their safety at the moment. As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we are splendidly represented there, and Sir Miles Lampson keeps us very fully informed of everything that is going on.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the statement he has made as to the condition of affairs in China, that it is wise for us at the present time to relax any of our extraterritorial privileges?

I do not see that the two points are entirely associated. After all, the movement with regard to extra-territoriality was made under the Government of which the right hon. Gentleman was a member.

Are negotiations suspended for the moment, during the present disturbed conditions?

No; I cannot say that they are actually suspended. We have to leave that matter for the time being in the hands of our representatives.

Has the right hon. Gentleman heard anything about Mr. Chen lately?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can furnish the House with any information in respect to the opinions and recommendations of the Piracy Committee which, under the Governor of Hong Kong, is studying the question of piratical outrages on British ships in Chinese waters?

The answer is in the negative. This Committee is a Standing Committee set up to advise the responsible authorities on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the anxiety which prevails in shipping circles, and especially in mercantile marine officers' organisations, following upon his decision to abolish the armed anti-piracy guards on British ships in China; if his decision in the present situation in Eastern waters is definite and final; and, if so, will His Majesty's Government undertake to indemnify owners, officers and men for losses sustained as the result of inadequate protective measures against piracy?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as yet, a reply has been returned to representations which have been made to him with regard to the proposal to withdraw, as from 1st April, the armed guards from His Majesty's Forces that have recently been supplied to British merchant vessels permanently trading on the China coast; and, if so, will he state the terms of the reply?

The Government have informed the companies that they are prepared to sanction a further extension of the provision of regular naval and military guards for a definitely limited period subject to the following provisions:

(1) That the shipping companies before 1st April agree to accept an elaboration of the present scheme under which Indian guards are made available by the Colonial police authorities for the internal protection of shipping.

(2) That any regular guards supplied after 31st March are paid for by the shipping companies in full.

(3) That the whole cost of the elaborated scheme, including that of maintaining guards when not actually employed on board ship, should be borne by the companies in proportion to their requirements.

A meeting was held with the shipping companies on 24th March at which explanations of the above decision were given, and I am still awaiting a reply from the companies.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think, in view of the state of civil war that the Foreign Secretary states is imminent, or actually in force in China, it is reasonable to throw on shipping companies the whole cost of the defence of their ships, crews and officers and to withdraw facilities hitherto given in this respect by the Government?

The whole position has been explained to the companies. The question of civil war does not closely affect the question of piracy on board these ships. Piracy arises very often from the conditions under which either the crews are enlisted or the passengers are admitted to the ships, and in all the circumstances we feel that the policy adumbrated last year by the late Government, giving notice to withdraw the guard, is sound, and we have gone as far as we can in extending the period for the supply of armed guards on payment.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the part of my question dealing with indemnity to officers and men and shipowners whose property and lives may be endangered or lost in piratical operations in the China seas?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is a new principle that naval guards should be paid for? For example, in the fishing industry we do not have to pay for fishery cruisers.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any arrangement between the Admiralty and the Performing Right Society for permission to play copyright music by the bands on His Majesty's ships; and will he give particulars?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part, therefore, does not arise.

Have the Admiralty received any threats from the Performing Bight Society, and is the position different from that of the bands of the Territorial Force?

I am not aware that any representations have been received from that body. The Crown has no liabilities under the Act.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the proposals of the Government for the total abolition of the battleship were first submitted to the naval war staff; and whether they envisaged any increase in the number of cruisers?

I cannot see that the two points of the hon. and gallant Member's question can be held to arise out of the Government's expression of the hope that battleships may ultimately disappear, which occurs in paragraph four of Part II of the Memorandum in Command Paper 3485 on the Government's position at the Naval Conference. No more definite proposal in this regard has been made by His Majesty's Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Memorandum not merely expressed a wish that agreement should be reached that battleships should disappear altogether, but proceeded to say that they were a very doubtful proposition, giving technical reasons of submarine attack? Surely the staff was not consulted on that point?

The Admiralty staff are consulted on every question of a technical quality which affects policy.

Did the Admiralty staff express agreement with what was put into the Memorandum?

I have nothing to add to what I have said.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any naval ranker officers qualified for promotion under the scheme for accelerated advancement are now available for the 1 per cent. of commanderships open to those who have taken the courses for such early promotion; and, if so, if it is the Admiralty's intention to put the scheme into operation in regard to such officers of the military branch?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part of the question, promotion is by selection and each case will be considered on its merits.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement as to the Admiralty's intention regarding the Naval College at Dartmouth?

I assume that the hon. Member's question is prompted by recent reports in the Press that the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth is likely to be closed. Such reports are without foundation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that, before any decision to close this old established naval academy is taken, the House will have an opportunity of discussing the matter?

The Minister has said that he is not going to close it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the arming of merchant vessels has been dealt with in the course of the proceedings of the Naval Conference?

No, Sir.

If the right hon. Gentleman receives evidence that some European countries are making preparations to arm merchantmen, will he consider laying the question before the Naval Conference?

No, Sir. We can only deal with the Naval Conference on the basis of the agenda.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any instructions are issued by the dockyard authorities to the Devonport and Plymouth Employment Exchanges that shipwrights should not be submitted for entry as labourers in His Majesty's dockyard; and whether, in cases of shipwrights who are unemployed and are anxious to secure work in any capacity in the dockyard, he will give instructions that they can be entered as labourers, if they so desire, until such time as there is a vacancy in their own trade?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the impression which I have mentioned is the impression at the Employment Exchange?

I have already made particular inquiries, because of the hon. Member's question being on the Paper. My answer represents the facts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what, reforms have been initiated in the administration of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate since the Report of Lieut.-Colonel Sir Harry Moorhouse in January, 1929?

The Protectorate administration has been addressed upon the several matters dealt with in the Report by Sir Harry Moorhouse. The proposal to divide the island of Malaita into two administrative districts is being proceeded with, but action upon some of the other recommendations involving increased expenditure has been delayed owing to financial stringency.

When is that further action likely to be taken?

I am unable to give any date. We are pursuing the policy recommended in the Report, but our progress must be conditioned by financial conditions.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the whole question of imposing direct taxation upon extremely primitive people to whom the whole system is absolutely unintelligible?

That is a matter that we have constantly under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the fact that the Lebanese authorities suppressed the Arab newspaper "Il Aad el Jadid" for publishing a letter from the Mufti of Jerusalem, inciting the Moslem inhabitants of the Lebanon to revolt against the French Government; whether the Mufti is on the salary list of the Palestinian Government; and whether any steps are being taken to prevent further incitements by this dignitary?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Mufti of Jerusalem is on the civil establishment of the Palestine Government and in receipt of a salary from its revenues; whether his attention has been drawn to the letter addressed by the Mufti of Jerusalem on 17th February, 1930, to the Sheikh Moustafa Ghalaini, President of the Moslem Council in Beyrouth, inciting the Syrian Moslems to resistance against the French authorities; and what action he proposes to take?

I understand that the paper mentioned has been suppressed by the Lebanese authorities. With regard to the second part of the question, the Mufti is President of the Supreme Moslem Council in Palestine and, as such, receives remuneration from Palestine Funds. As regards the last part, the Secretary of State will consider whether it is necessary or desirable to take any action.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this paper is the official organ of the Moslem Supreme Council in Palestine?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this paper was not suppressed for publishing the Grand Mufti's letter, but because it published the fact that the Palestine Arab executive decided not to hold the feast of Ramadan this year on account of the disastrous conditions in Palestine caused by the Zionists?

I am aware of all the facts in connection with the case.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my question?

I think I have answered it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now state the circumstances under which Mr. Jabotinsky was convicted by a military court in 1920 to 15 years' penal servitude; whether he is aware that this was almost immediately afterwards reduced to one year's imprisonment in the second division, and that Mr. Jabotinsky was amnestied and released, but subsequently appealed against the original sentence, as a result of which the proceedings of the military court were quashed with the exception of the finding that Mr. Jabotinsky had been guilty of being in possession of a revolver without a licence; and whether Mr. Jabotinsky entered into any undertaking never to return to Palestine?

The events referred to took place before the Colonial Office had any connection with Palestine; but I have ascertained that the facts are substantially as stated in the second part of the question. As regards the last part, I am not aware that Mr. Jabotinsky ever entered into the undertaking referred to.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the services rendered by Mr. Jabotinsky during the War, especially in regard to the formation of a Jewish battalion?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that Mr. Jabotinsky went to Palestine and made a very violent incendiary speech—

The hon. and gallant Gentleman is always giving information instead of asking questions.

Is it not a fact that a person deported from Palestine or any other country is ipso facto debarred from returning as and when he likes?

Was he deported?

Is it not a fact that the sentence was quashed and never ought to have been passed, and the hon. Member's suggestion is, therefore, without foundation?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Collective Punishment Ordinance has now been put into effect at Safed and other places in Palestine; that this ordinance has been given a retrospective effect and has caused hardship and injustice to the Arabs; and will he take steps to have this ordinance repealed?

The Collective Punishment Ordinance was applied with the Secretary of State's approval to Safed and other districts of Palestine as a measure necessary on account of acts of violence which occurred during the disturbances of last year. My Noble Friend is not prepared to take any action in the matter.

Is the hon. Member aware that there is no occasion whatever for retrospective effect being given to this ordinance, that it is creating very great hardship and unrest in Palestine, and can he not put an end to it?

Is not this punishment inflicted for very foul murders on helpless women and children?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what other Addresses similar to that passed by the Barbados Assembly have been sent to the Government on the subject of the West Indian sugar industry?

Requests for assistance in the present sugar crisis have been received during the last month from Trinidad, Leeward Islands, St. Lucia, and British Guiana.

Were they not unanimous that the abolition of the present preference would ruin the trade?

I think the House is familiar with the nature of the representations, and, as there is an opportunity to-morrow night, I understand, to debate the whole subject, T do not know that it is wise to develop it now.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer my question?

Why have the Government rejected the recommendations of the Olivier Report?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of the Federated Malay States have Secured any control in the Perak Hydro Electricity Company in respect of their recent loan to that company of £850,000; and, if so, of what nature?

Yes, Sir. One of the conditions of the loan is the amendment of the Articles of Association of the company so as to give the Federated Malay States Government voting control by virtue of its holding of preference and ordinary shares.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the inquiry into the claim of the Masai to an area of land known as the one-mile strip, lying to the south of the railway line from Simba to Athi River, and to the fact that the chairman of the Ulu Settlers' Association has disputed the desirability of granting the Masai claim on the ground, inter alia, that the land in question is a potential white settlement area, he will take steps to protect the Masai claims, based on treaty rights, on long occupation, and on the desirability of their having free access to the railway?

My Noble Friend has no information as to the inquiry referred to. The Governor of Kenya will, no doubt, report to him in due course, but in the meantime he will ask the Governor for a statement as to the position.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the recommendation of the Young Commission that certain lands should be reserved for individual cultivation and ownership by the natives?

All those points will be borne in mind.

I wish to know whether that particular point is being borne in mind.

In view of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's representations, I will see that it is borne in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how the constituted native authorities in Kenya Colony are appointed; and whether the natives have any voice in such appointments?

When a local native council has been established by the Governor-in-Council under the Native Authority Ordinance, the, Governor appoints as members of the council such headmen or other natives as he thinks fit; but before any person other than an official headman is appointed, the natives of the area concerned are given an opportunity to nominate suitable persons to represent their interests and these names are submitted to the Governor with the recommendation of the District Commissioner. Under the same Ordinance, provision is made for the Governor to appoint any chief or other native whom he may think suitable to be an official headman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the recent prohibition of certain public meetings of Africans in Kenya Colony; and whether he will state on what grounds and by what authority such prohibitions have been made?

My Noble Friend has been informed by the Governor of Kenya that certain meetings of natives have been recently prohibited in the Kikuyu Reserve. This action has been taken by the native headmen under powers conferred on them by the Native Authority Ordinance to prohibit natives subject to their jurisdiction from holding or attending any meeting or assembly within the local limits of their jurisdiction which in their opinion may tend to be subversive of peace and good order. Further information is expected front the Governor on the subject.

Has the attention of my hon. Friend been drawn to the arrest of one or more African natives for attending meetings described as unauthorised meetings, and does he not think that this particular method of preventing public discussion will encourage unrest?

We have not yet received full information, and I certainly think that the Governor of Kenya and the local Government believe that what they are doing is in the best interests of the peace of the Colony.

Will my hon. Friend draw the attention of the Archbishop of Canterbury to this form of persecution?

Is it not a fact that every Governor always thinks that what he is doing is for the best interests of the subjects?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what alterations in the Southern Rhodesian Land Apportionment Bill, 1929, have been recommended by the Dominions Office and accepted by the Southern Rhodesian Government to balance the consent of His Majesty's Government to change the letters patent of the Southern Rhodesian constitution and the consequent loss to the natives of the right to buy and rent land?

As my right hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the object of the Southern Rhodesia Land Apportionment Act is to give effect to the recommendations of the Southern Rhodesia Land Commission of 1925. I would refer in this connection to the reply which I gave to him on 22nd January. After full consideration of the question, the Secretary of State came to the conclusion that the general adoption of the Commission's proposals was to the interest of the natives, and he has not asked for any amendment of substance in the Act.

Are we to understand that the Secretary of State has altered the letters patent to deprive natives of their rights to own land without getting any modification in an Act which deprives the natives of an opportunity of living in their own country and working there?

I think that that is altogether a wrong understanding of what is the position in regard to what has been considered in changing the letters patent. My right hon. and gallant Friend knows the objects of the legislation, and the only matter in which the Secretary of State has taken an interest is to make clear what are the rights and claims of the natives.

Is not my hon. Friend aware that the Anti-Slavery Society and the Aborigines Protection Society have made representations on this question, frequently urging modifications and amendments of the Act, and are we to understand that the Government have consented to alter the letters patent of the constitution without taking any steps to safeguard native rights as requested by the Anti-Slavery Society?

I think that my right hon. and gallant Friend must take my reply that the Secretary of State has asked for no alterations of substance in the Act which is now under consideration by the Legislature in Southern Rhodesia.

Do you say that he has made alterations, or that he has not?

Alterations in form, but not alterations of substance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he has made inquiries as to the reason why certain prospective immigrants to Alberta, who had been approved as such, had given up their occupations, and had paid their £15 deposit by the 13th February last to the Alberta Government, were prevented from leaving England on the 20th February by the sudden cancellation of their contracts at the orders of the Alberta Government; and whether he will try to arrange with the Alberta Government that such a position does not occur again?

Arrangements were made with the Government of Alberta in this year as in former years for a limited number of young men to proceed to Alberta for employment on the land after a preliminary period of training in agricultural schools maintained by the Alberta Government. In view, however, of the restricted demand in the present season for farm labour the Alberta Government have represented that it would be desirable to suspend these arrangements for the present. Efforts are being made to place the young men concerned in farm training schemes in other Provinces of Canada. It is hoped that a similar difficulty will not occur in future, but my hon. Friend will no doubt appreciate that the representations of the Alberta Government were dictated primarily in the interests of the young men themselves.

Are they all single men?

As far as I know.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is at the present time considerable unemployment in the Province of Alberta because the surplus of wheat grown in that Dominion has been detrimental to the agricultural community?

The action of the Government has been influenced by the unemployment at this moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether Royal Air Force units are ever permitted to take part in flying meetings organised by private aero clubs; and whether the decision as to which clubs should have Royal Air Force assistance allocated to them rests with the Air Ministry or any other body?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second that the decision rests with the Air Council. The assistance which, with due regard to Service training requirements, can be given by the Royal Air Force to these meetings is very limited and its most appropriate allocation is determined by the Air Council in the light of the recommendations of the Royal Aero Club, who obtain, I understand, the advice of the General Council of Associated Flying Clubs.

Does the hon. Member realise that that procedure penalises clubs which are not affiliated to the Royal Aero Club, and, in particular, a very fine club, the Northamptonshire Flying Club?

This procedure has so far been the practice, but I am willing to consider any further point that may be involved.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air in what directions and to what financial extent the Air Ministry consider the recently introduced scales of lodging and travelling allowances will be of benefit to Royal Air Force officers below the rank of group captain?

The reply being necessarily of some length, with the hon. and gallant Member's permission I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The revision of the regulations in question will benefit officers below the rank of group captain in be following respects:

(1) The rates of lodging allowance for stations outside Europe are being increased for both married and single officers.

(2) Lodging allowance will be issued to married officers during absence from duty in certain circumstances not previously recognised.

(3) A new furniture allowance of 2s. a day, in addition to lodging allowance, will be issued to married officers for whom furnished married quarters are not available.

(4) The new rates of subsistence (travelling allowance) will not be subject to deduction of ration allowance, as are certain of the present rates.

(5) Conveyance of furniture will be allowed for married officers on permanent change of station in the United Kingdom as a new concession.

(6) Certain other concessions will be made as regards travelling expenses of officers and their families in the circumstances set forth in paragraphs 2 to 9 of the Air Ministry Weekly Order No. 58 of 1930, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy. It is impossible to state the extent to which officers will benefit financially as a result of the new regulations. The effect depends in each case upon the rank and the station of the officer, whether he is married or single, whether quarters are available for him, etc. On the whole there is no doubt that the new regulations will result in a distinct financial benefit to officers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of general list promotions of permanent Royal Air Force officers from flight-lieutenant to squadron-leader and squadron-leader to wing-commander for the years 1927, 1928, and 1929, respectively; and if he will state whether it is anticipated that the number of promotions in these ranks for 1930 will be equal to the 1929 totals?

The numbers of promotions of permanent officers (General Duties branch) from flight-lieutenant to squadron-leader and from squadron - leader to wing-commander were 26 and 14, respectively, in the financial year 1927–28; 53 and 21, respectively, in 1928–29; and 67 and 29, respectively, in 1929–30. My Noble Friend is not prepared to forecast the number of promotions that will be made during the coming financial year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Air Ministry will consider detaching units of the Royal Air Force, when service duties permit, for the purpose of taking part in opening ceremonies of municipal airports in a similar manner to the Royal Air Force support to be granted to a limited number of club meetings, and at least to the same extent?

I regret that it is not possible to agree to the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion. The assistance which is already being given by the Royal Air Force to civil flying meetings is the utmost that can be done in that respect and I am advised that Service training requirements preclude absolutely the extension of such assistance to the ceremonies to which he refers.