asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the League of Nations has received any communication from the Austrian Chancellor with reference to legislation which is being introduced in the Austrian Parliament, in order to prevent the illegal retention of arms by private individuals; and whether this legislation has now been passed?

The League was informed on 13th March last by the Austrian Federal Chancellor of his intention to introduce legislation increasing the powers of the Federal Government to restrict the possession of arms by private persons. This Bill, having passed through the Austrian Parliament, is now law, and will come into force shortly on publication in the Federal Law "Gazette."

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Assembly of the League of Nations has agreed to the alterations in the method of dealing with the complaints of minorities; and, if so, in what particular direction the change improves the position of the minorities before the League?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend will find full information on the subject of the changes involved in the revised procedure dealing with minorities in the League of Nations Official Journal Special Supplement No. 73 for 1929, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to make an announcement with regard to the additional naval programme for this year?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to state what additional cruisers, submarines, and other vessels, respectively, he proposes to include in this year's naval programme?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is now in a position to make a statement on the naval building programme for the current year?

The Government's naval construction programme for 1930, is as follows:

• Cruisers—Three. All of the 6-inch gun type.
• Destroyers—One Flotilla (comprising one Leader and eight Destroyers).
• Submarines—Three.
• Sloops—Four.
• Netlayer and Target Towing Vessel—One.

How long does the right hon. Gentleman expect it will take to build these ships?

I could not give a time as to months, but I should say a little less than the "Kent" class in the last programme. We have not had full experience yet of this size of ship, but I should say rather more than two years.

First of all, are these ships to be additional to those the right hon. Gentleman has already announced since the conclusion of the Conference, and, secondly, can he give the total cost?

The ships the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to were the suspended ships of the 1929 programme. I must remind the House of that point, that of the original 1929 programme the Government cancelled more than a half, and, therefore, they had to take that into account when considering the 1930 programme.

Does the right hon. Gentleman contemplate that the allocation of this cruiser to Devonport will maintain the present rate of employment?

It is very difficult to give an exact estimate on that point I think the hon. Member has a question on the Paper with regard to casual labour. With regard to other labour, I think we shall be able to do so, but he must not bind me to that estimate.

Did I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say the destroyer flotilla would be built by contract in private yards?

All with the exception of the leader.

What about the size of the 6-inch gun cruisers?

A lot of these points will be much better dealt with in the debate later on, but I should think something more than 6,500 tons.

May we be told the total cost?

The total cost spread over three years will be about £9,000,000.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the terms of the Naval Treaty, our smaller 6-inch gun cruisers are to be armed with 6-inch guns or with 155-mm. guns?

It is our present intention that cruisers to be built of the sub-category (b) class referred to in Article 16 of the London Naval Treaty shall be armed with guns of 6-inch calibre.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the 155-mm. gun is superior to our present 6-inch gun, and does he propose to arm the new cruisers with the old-fashioned 6-inch gun which is inferior to that of the United States and Japan?

rose—

If other nations are building 6-inch gun cruisers with a larger and better gun, have I not a right to ask if we are using the old-fashioned guns?

The hon. Baronet asks whether the cruisers are to be armed with 6-inch guns. If he wants any further information, he must put a Question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he will state the reasons why acting mates promoted from able seamen spend three months only at Greenwich College, though it is considered necessary for sub-lieutenants who have spent three years and eight months at Dartmouth College to remain for six months;

(2) what practical difficulties exist to prevent acting mates spending a second term at Greenwich College to undergo the much more general course for sub-lieutenants (vide OFFICIAL REPORT, column 1889) after the existing more directly professional course;

(3) whether, in view of the recently increased syllabus for acting mates, he will consider allowing them to remain at Greenwich College for a second term and to receive instruction in French as do sub-lieutenants?

The question of giving additional education to acting mates at Greenwich was carefully considered in 1923, but the advantages obtained by increasing the period spent on theoretical instruction were not considered to outweigh the disadvantages entailed by the consequent loss of sea training in an officer's duties. As my hon. Friend has drawn my attention to the matter I am taking the opportunity of looking into it afresh.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether alternative work has been found in Devonport Dockyard for those employés who have been displaced owing to the introduction of the clocking system?

No clocks have yet been installed in His Majesty's Dockyard, Devonport, and no employés, therefore, have been displaced by the introduction of the clocking system at that yard.

Is it intended to introduce the system or not and will the right hon. Gentleman give the undertaking asked for?

It is intended to introduce the system, as already stated, at Devonport in the near future and I think I have already stated that we shall make every endeavour to absorb the labour which may be displaced thereby.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many discharges of employés, casual and otherwise, have taken place during the last three weeks in Devonport dockyard; and how many further discharges are contemplated in the near future?

333 employés were discharged from the dockyard, victualling yard and armament supply depot at Devonport during the three weeks ended the 21st June, 1930; of this number, 287 Were employed on a casual basis, and of this latter number 165 were specially engaged for a few days only. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply made to him on the 8th May (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1462).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many established men have been discharged from each of His Majesty's dockyards during the last three months; and whether all these discharges have taken place because of the superannuation age having been reached?

The numbers discharged were:

Portsmouth	61
Devonport	49
Chatham	28
Sheerness	10
Portland Base	1

Of the total of 149, 119 were for age, 10 were invalided, one was released on request and 19 died.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the earliest age at which a lieutenant-commander (cadet entry) can obtain the maximum retired pay of his rank under normal conditions; and the earliest age at which lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate), other than those retired under special retirement schemes, have so far been able to retire with the maximum?

The earliest age at which a lieutenant-commander (cadet entry) can, under normal conditions, obtain the maximum retired pay of his rank is 43 years. No lieutenant-commander (ex-mate), other than those retired under special schemes, has so far earned the maximum rate of retired pay. This is due to the fact that the numerous officers who were selected young enough retired under the special schemes, or are still serving. Promotions are now being made as young as 21 years, and an officer promoted at 21 or 22 could earn the maximum retired pay at the age of 43, while those promoted at from 23 to 26 could earn the maximum at the age of 44.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) are eligible for appointment as officer instructors of Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Divisions, as assistant inspectors of naval ordnance, and in other employment under the Director of Naval Ordnance; and the numbers so employed?

Yes, Sir. Lieutenant-Commanders (ex-mate) are eligible for the same appointments, under the same conditions, as Lieutenant-Commanders (ex-cadet). No Lieutenant-Commanders (ex-mate) are at present employed in the appointments mentioned.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the strength of the British Empire and Italy, respectively, in destroyers and submarines in the Mediterranean?

The numbers of destroyers and submarines in the Mediterranean are:—

—		Destroyers (including Flotilla Leaders).	Submarines.
Great Britain	…	40	6
Italy	…	81	44

If we are to obtain parity in that sea with that Power, will it not be necessary to concentrate our entire destroyer and submarine forces?

That matter can better be raised in debate, because obviously it is a matter of opinion. The hon. and gallant Member in putting questions like that, must remember that

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he intends to make any special provision for ranks and ratings discharged into civil life as a result of the Naval Treaty?

No ratings will be discharged as a result of the Naval Treaty. Reductions will be effected by limiting entries. The method of effecting any small reduction in officers who cannot be absorbed is under consideration.

Will any man be prevented from continuing for a pension?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of destroyers and submarines building or projected by the British Empire and Italy, respectively?

As the reply is in tabular form, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is not the balance going further in favour of Italy as against this country as a result of this Conference?

We debated that point at great length on two previous days, and I pointed out that we are safeguarded in the future by the actual wording of the Treaty.

Does the right hon. Gentleman suppose that he will have to avail himself of Clause 21 of the Treaty fairly soon?

Not so far as I am aware, but I should like notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware of the uneasiness among Jewish people in many parts of the Empire and in foreign countries at the suspension of Jewish immigation into Palestine; and whether he has any further statement to make on the subject?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the interference with the normal process of granting immigration certificates into Palestine has caused inconvenience and uncertainty as to the intention of British policy; and whether the customary procedure will now be resumed until the Government has any change in policy to announce?

I am fully aware of all the circumstances. The policy of His Majesty's Government in this respect is explained in the reply given on the 21st of May to the questions put by the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton) and the hon. Member for Dundee (Mr. Marcus), and I do not think I could usefully make any further statement at present.

Will my hon. Friend be good enough to say whether conditions have developed since the answer was given to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Sir R. Hamilton)? Has he no further statement to make on the matter?

No, Sir. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, we are awaiting the report from Sir John Hope Simpson in regard to this matter before we reach any decision.

Has the attention of the hon. Gentleman been drawn to the great uneasiness which is felt by the Arab population at the increasing Jewish immigration?

Will my hon. Friend be able, in the course of the debate to-morrow, to give a rather fuller answer on this question?

As far as I understand, the time available to-morrow for the Colonial Office Vote would not give an opportunity to do full justice to this question. If I had to deal with the question of Palestine, I should like an opportunity to deal with it fully. As far as I can gather at present, to-morrow does not appear to give that opportunity.

Does not my hon. Friend know that to-morrow we hope to raise the question of Palestine and expect an answer from the Government upon it?

No, Sir. I have had no intimation on that point.

May we have an assurance that an announcement will be made as early as possible in this matter?

Certainly.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Egyptian labourers are still being imported into Palestine for stevedore and similar work?

Yes, Sir. Egyptian labourers are still admitted to Palestine for temporary employment, but the Chief Immigration Officer does not grant permission for their entry unless he is satisfied that the labour is needed and cannot be found in Palestine. The prospective employers are placed under bond to secure the repatriation of such labourers as soon as the authorised period of stay, which is usually under three months, has expired. From the 1st January last some 285 foreign labourers have been admitted under this arrangement.

What becomes of the argument that there is no work in Palestine and that Jewish immigration certificates have had to be cancelled?

Is my hon. Friend aware that for the first time in Palestine, owing to the introduction of such widespread Jewish immigration, there is actually unemployment in Palestine; and what is the purpose of introducing further people into it when already the land is afflicted by them?

It is my lot to hear many of these statements, but I pointed out in the answer that Egyptian labourers are only admitted for temporary employment and in cases where no Palestine labour is available. I think it will be obvious that every safeguard is taken in regard to this matter.

Has my hon. Friend been able to settle the quarrel which has been going on for a long time now between the Arabs and Jewish labourers as to who shall do this class of work?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the whole of the machines of the Royal Air Force have provided for them a parachute for every seat?

Parachutes have been provided on a scale sufficient to equip every pilot and member of the crews of all aircraft. As has been previously stated, there have been difficulties in the carriage or use of parachutes with certain types of aircraft, but these difficulties are in process of being surmounted.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether these parachutes are fitted with quick release gear?

Quick release gear experiments have been developed, and that is included in the remark with regard to surmounting difficulties. Great progress has been made.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state whether the Government have complied with the request made by the League of Nations that three or four aeroplanes should be earmarked for League use in case of emergency; if so, will he state the type and numbers of the machines and the names of the pilots; and what distinguishing mark it is proposed that the machines shall bear?

I think that the hon. Member is under a misapprehension. The facilities to be afforded in times of emergency to aircraft used for communications of importance to the working of the League are the subject of a resolution to be submitted to the next session of the Assembly, but this resolution (which is, of course, not yet approved by the Assembly) contains no request for the earmarking of aircraft or of pilots in the manner suggested in the question. The answer to the first part of the question is accordingly that no such request has been made, and the second and third parts do not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that members of the Royal Air Force in Iraq, whilst in hospital, are deprived of their Colonial allowance and have to pay 2s. 6d. a day as a hospital charge, thus undergoing a total loss of 11s. 6d. a day; and whether he will see that this Colonial allowance is restarted forthwith and/or what other help he can give?

My Noble Friend is aware of the facts stated by the hon. and gallant Member, but he does not see his way to alter the regulations upon this subject. The charge of 2s. 6d. a day is the normal hospital stoppage for officers, and the issue of Colonial allowance is also properly suspended since it is not an ordinary emolument, but an additional allowance granted solely to meet the extra cost of living in a command abroad as compared with the coat at home. When an officer is in hospital and is not subject to the additional expenses which the allowance is intended to cover its continued issue is clearly not justified.

Will the hon. Gentleman call for a report on this matter from Iraq and thus learn of the great difficulties and distress of feeling which there is in that country upon this subject at this time?

I would point out to the hon. and gallant Gentleman that there is no marriage rate in Iraq at all. The marriage state is not recognised in that respect there.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of years which the expenditure of the present road programme is spread over; and whether it exceeds to any appreciable extent the programme in operation before June last year?

The Trunk Road and Five Years Programmes inaugurated last year relate to works intended to be carried out by the local authorities over a period of five years. The answer to the latter part of the right hon. Member's question is in the affirmative.

Can the hon. Gentleman reconcile this reply with the recent statement of the late Chancellor of the Duchy?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in regard to the grants already made from the Road Fund to schemes involving an estimated expenditure of approximately £13,500,000 for improvements of classified roads, he will state whether the local authorities concerned can proceed to put the work in hand forthwith without further reference to the Ministry of Transport in respect of specifications, acceptance of tenders, or sanctions for loans?

The grants made in respect of the schemes referred to by the hon. Member were issued to enable the local authorities concerned to put the work in hand forthwith. I am anxious to facilitate the operations of local authorities in every way, and to reduce formalities and delays wherever possible, but I do not think that the examination of specifications and other similar documents can be dispensed with, in cases where the documents were not available when the grant was issued, especially when it is remembered that the grants from public funds are so substantial. The sanction of my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health, to a loan proposed to be raised by a local authority for defraying expenditure on road works is a statutory requirement.

Will the hon. Member see that in all these works proper tenders are sent out and accepted by the local authorities?

That is so. Before a local authority gets a tender it must prepare specifications, and we might as well have them at the same time.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can say when work on the lower Thames tunnel will commence; how many will be employed on this work; and how long will the tunnel take to construct?

As the Bill for the promotion of this scheme has not yet passed through all its stages, and various points still remain to be settled with the local authorities concerned, the hon. and gallant Member will understand that I am not yet in a position to answer his question. I am, however, making every effort to expedite all the preliminary stages.

Can the hon. Gentleman give an approximate estimate of the number of men likely to be employed?

No, Sir. That would be premature at this stage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the annual report of the medical officer of health for Wembley, in which he draws particular attention to the fact of the serious overcrowding of trains running between London and Wembley; and can be state whether any representations have been made by his Department to the railway authorities for the purpose of providing increased travelling accommodation from and to Wembley during the rush hours?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative, but I will draw the attention of the railway companies concerned to my hon. Friend's suggestion to the effect that increased travelling facilities are required in the district to which he refers.

Has the hon. Member's attention been called to this being general throughout London?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that work on the south circular road at Woolwich has been held up for some time; that this work would give employment to a considerable number of men; and will he state what is the present position in regard to it and when it will be possible to proceed with the work?

Work is temporarily held up at one point by reason of difficulties with respect to the lay-out of the junction with Well Hall Road. Negotiations are proceeding for the acquisition of land, but I am unable to say when these will be completed. Work is proceeding on other sections of the road and tenders for the new bridge to carry the Southern Railway over the road will be advertised by the London County Council early next month.

Will the Minister of Transport try to expedite a conclusion of this matter?

As a temporary measure, will my hon. Friend set back the road so as to give pedestrians a safer chance of walking between the wide margin of the uneven road which at present exists?

That point has been under consideration. The hon. Member for Woolwich, East (Mr. Snell) knows that I will do everything I can to expedite the matter. In another capacity I have been engaged on this task since 1922.

Can the Minister of Transport say when this circular road will be completed?

I cannot say. I understand that these schemes were inaugurated under the Coalition Government, many years ago, and doubtless the right hon. and gallant Member knows what happened during the period when he was Minister of Transport. I am doing my best in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any offer has yet been made by the West Riding of Yorkshire County Council to acquire the toll bridge at Selby; and whether, in view of the inconvenience that has been caused to local residents by the recent accident to this bridge, he will suggest to the county council in question the necessity of dealing with this matter and constructing an adequate free bridge at the earliest opportunity?

I am not aware that the West Riding County Council have made an offer to acquire the toll bridge. The desirability of constructing a by-pass to Selby, including the provision of a new bridge, was discussed with a deputation of the East and West Riding County Councils recently received by the Parliamentary Secretary of my Department and is now forming the subject of discussion between these authorities.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is proposed to establish an experimental section of road surfacing on the Kingston by-pass road; and, if so, if the National Physics Laboratory will supervise the construction and watch the results?

Negotiations are in progress with a view to laying test sections of various types of surfacing materials on the Kingston by-pass. The work will be supervised and the experiments conducted by the Experimental Branch of my Department.

Will my hon. Friend say whether in this and similar cases his Department acts in conjunction with the National Physical Laboratory?

Yes, I have already said so.

Is it contemplated to put down a section of rubber road in view of its great durability as compared with other surfaces?

That is a matter for consideration. There is the cost of the rubber and the supply of the material to be taken into account.

Is not rubber a British material?

In resurfacing roads will the Minister of Transport consider the question of not tarring roads for miles on end without putting on pebbling to the great inconvenience of the travelling public?

That is one of the points on the question of road surface which is now under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends to inform the House from time to time of the conclusions that are arrived at by the new Advisory Committee on Unemployment?

The only conclusions that could appropriately be made public will be the conclusions of the Government.

Would it be possible for the House to appoint an observer to see how the Prime Minister gets on with the right hon. Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George)?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of its greater convenience for the purpose of eliciting comprehensive information, he will revert to the previous system by which a single Minister was responsible to the House for all aspects of the Government's unemployment policy?

No, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 5th June in reply to a question by the Noble Lord the right hon. Member for Aldershot (Viscount Wolmer).

Does this mean that, with the exception of the First Commissioner of Works, there is no Minister who is specially responsible for unemployment under the new arrangement?

It means the opposite. It means that the Departments become responsible for their proper share of the work.

Has the Prime Minister abandoned the idea of a central brain. May not the House consult the central brain if it still exists?

The right hon. Member for West Birmingham (Sir A. Chamberlain) has always been under a misapprehension about "the central brain." To begin with we took over what was left by our predecessors. We then improved it and appointed an Economic Advisory Council, to which I referred when I used that expression.

Is there to be no one Minister in this House to whom the House and the country may look as the person specially charged with an endeavour to resolve the problem of unemployment as far as possible?

No; that such should have been the case was an innovation. The body responsible for Government policy, which cannot be concentrated in any one Department, is the Cabinet, the Government itself.

Am I to understand that the Prime Minister, having tried his own cure, has now reverted to the example set by his predecessors and is going to allow individual Departments to discharge their individual functions?

It is much more than that, as I have explained.

May I ask whether the Lord Privy Seal has anything to do now with unemployment grants?

Yes, the Lord Privy Seal is one of the Members of the Cabinet Committee which is responsible for unemployment policy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the nature of the reorganisation of Ministerial duties to deal with unemployment?

As I have already stated, there will be no one Minister responsible for unemployment questions. Each Departmental Minister will be responsible under the Cabinet for matters arising within his own field. The Cabinet in exercising its general responsibility will have the assistance of a special Committee of Ministers. I would also refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave on Monday last in reply to a question by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woolwich West (Sir K. Wood).

If it is convenient, and he is in a position to do so, can the Prime Minister tell us what will be the duties of this organisation to which he has just referred, of the Lord Privy Seal, and of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster?

As I have just stated, the Lord Privy Seal is a member of the Committee, and the Chancellor of the Duchy is not.

What duties has the Lord Privy Seal, besides sealing documents, in order to earn his salary?

The Lord Privy Seal has heavy responsibilities placed upon him to co-operate with his fellow-Ministers in this Committee in dealing with unemployment policy.

Is it not a fact that as a result of this reorganisation of offices another brand-new first-class office with £5,000 a year has been created and added to the Ministerial list, without any countervailing economy?

That is perfectly incorrect. The two offices were in existence before, but for certain reasons that were totally inadequate they were not actually separated. Two Under-Secretaries have been appointed, and what has been done is to give the Dominions the proper status that they ought to have in the government of the country.

Setting aside all these details, is it not the fact that we are actually paying more for the present Administration than for any other Cabinet which has ever yet been seen?

So far as the new appointments to the Dominions are concerned, His Majesty's Government have no intention of asking that work should be done by charity.