asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to request that the scheme of M. Briand for a United States of Europe should be placed upon the agenda of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September in order that a discussion of this international proposal may take place?

The best method of securing a discussion of Monsieur Briand's proposals, including the possibility of adopting the method indicated by the hon. Member, is at present under consideration.

Has the right hon. Gentleman informed M. Briand that it is hoped at the forthcoming Imperial Conference to arrange for a fiscal union of the United States, of the British Empire?

Will the right hon. Gentleman communicate to the House the reply which His Majesty's Government propose to address to M. Briand's circular note?

That reply is not decided upon. If the right hon. Gentleman will put a question down later, I will see if that can be done.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is able to say whether the Argentine Republic intends to be fully represented at the meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva in September; and if he will take steps to express to the Government of that country that His Majesty's Government would welcome the reappearance of a full Argentine delegation?

I have no information as to the intentions of the Argentine Government in regard to their representation at the forthcoming Assembly of the League of Nations. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 5th February, in which I said that I was confident that Argentina did not need to be assured of the satisfaction with which His Majesty's Government and all other Members of the League would welcome the full co-operation of Argentina in the work of the League.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what stage the preparations have reached for the proposed World Disarmament Conference next year; when and where it will meet; and what steps he proposes to take at the Assembly of the League of Nations this year to further the holding of this conference?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is probably aware, the meeting of the Preparatory Disarmament Commission has been definitely fixed for 3rd November next. It is hoped that this will prove the final meeting of the Commission, and that the Council of the League of Nations will thereafter be able to suggest a date for the summoning of the General Disarmament Conference. No further action can, therefore, be taken at this stage.

Does my right hon. Friend anticipate a meeting next year as originally planned?

That will largely depend on the conclusions reached by the Preparatory Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has received any communications, favourable or otherwise, from foreign countries with reference to the proposed building of the Channel Tunnel?

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the Prime Minister's statement that the existence of the Tunnel would make diplomatic work less easy, and can he state the reasons for that statement?

I believe that is an entirely different question. If the hon. Member wants the Prime Minister's reasons, he had better ask him for them.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign. Affairs whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed with the negotiations with the Soviet Government on the question of claims and counter-claims during the Parliamentary Recess; and whether he will give an assurance that any agreement which may be arrived at will not be ratified until Parliament has been given an opportunity of considering it?

The procedure in these negotiations is now under discussion between the two Governments, and I hope to be able to make a definite statement on Monday next. The Protocol of 3rd October, 1929, provides that all agreements resulting from the negotiations shall take the form of a treaty, or treaties. The treaty, or treaties, will be submitted to Parliament before ratification.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mahran Ebeid Bey and Ahmed Maher Bey, two members of the delegation which recently negotiated with His Majesty's Government regarding Egypt, have again left Egypt for this country; if so, whether they are coming with the object of reopening negotiations or discussing with His Majesty's Government the situation in Egypt; and whether their visit has been arranged upon the invitation of or with the knowledge of His Majesty's Government?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative. I understand that the gentlemen referred to in the question are coming to attend the meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the House the latest information as to the situation in Egypt, and particularly whether any riots or disorders have occurred resulting in attacks upon British or other Europeans?

I am unable to amplify the reports of recent events which have appeared in the Press, but I have no information that these events have involved any attacks upon British or other Europeans.

May we take it that there is no truth in the report that Italian subjects have been injured?

I have no information to lead me to think any such thing.

Are not these riots the direct result of the negotiations initiated by the right hon. Gentleman?

Is the British Government adopting an attitude of strict neutrality in regard to the present crisis in Egypt?

I think I have already answered more than one question declaring that our position was strictly neutral.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the proposals made on 27th June, and subsequent dates, by the Mexican Minister of Finance, Montes de Oca, to the International Committee of Bankers in relation to the default since 1914 by the Mexican Government on its obligations to holders of Mexican Government securities?

As these negotiations are still proceeding, there is no information that I can give the hon. Member at present.

If I put down a question in a week or 10 days, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give the information?

If the hon. Gentleman puts down a question, I will do the best I can to get information, but we are not in control of the proceedings.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will inquire of the Mexican Minister whether guarantees will be given to the representatives of the creditors of Mexico to ensure that any agreement arrived at between the Mexican Government and the International Committee of Bankers to terminate the 16 years' default by the Mexican Government in its obligations shall be carried out without interruption or revision except by consent of the creditors?

As direct negotiations between the Mexican Minister of Finance and the representatives of the bondholders are at present in progress in New York with a view to reaching an agreement satisfactory to the bondholders, I do not consider that the inquiry suggested by the hon. Member would serve any useful purpose.

In view of the fact that on one, if not even on a second occasion, the Mexican Government have broken the agreement to which that same Government have been a party, does he not intend to inform the Mexican Minister that guarantees will be required by His Majesty's Government to protect British savings entrusted to the Mexican Government in respect to any future agreement between the Mexican Government and the International Committee of Bankers?

That is not a matter for which the Government are responsible.

Are not the Government responsible for the savings of His Majesty's subjects abroad?

We are not responsible if another Government fails to keep an agreement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) were in the promotion zone at the time of the last half-yearly promotions; and how many were promoted to the rank of commander?

20 lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) were in the promotion zone on 30th June last, one of whom was promoted to the rank of commander.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of lieutenants (ex-mate), commissioned since the revised pay regulations of 1925, who receive less pay per annum than lieutenants (ex-cadet) who are junior to them, and the difference per annum?

The answer to the first part of the question is 13 and to the second part £33 approximately.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can state the dates of the first promotions to mate and mate (E), together with the number of each branch commissioned to 31st December, 1919, remaining on the active list, promoted to commander's rank or higher, and who have compulsorily retired since 11th November, 1918, under retrenchment schemes or due to having reached the age for compulsory retirement, respectively; and will he also state at what strength it is intended to keep the executive mate branch of officers, observing that for some years the retirements have exceded the selections, or whether it is intended to let this branch die out?

As the reply contains many figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that under Clause 5 of the scheme of retiring allowances for officers serving in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service it is provided that only one-half of the time served prior to the 1st July, 1927, will be allowed to count as qualifying time for a retiring allowance, and this provision operates to the disadvantage of those officers who are senior in rank and who served throughout the Great War, he will reconsider the provision and, in any case, allow war service to count in full in assessing allowance on retirement under the scheme?

The points raised were very carefully considered when the scheme was under preparation, and I am afraid that no modifications in the direction suggested can now be made.

Is the hon. Gentleman of opinion that service with the Royal Fleet auxiliaries during the War was less worthy of pension than such service at present?

I am not expressing an opinion. I have given the hon. Baronet an answer on the facts to the question he put.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) at what date each year new potatoes are supplied for use on His Majesty's ships in home ports; and whether all potatoes supplied are Home produced;

No stipulation is made in the contracts for potatoes and other vegetables that supplies are to be homegrown produce, and under present conditions it would not be practicable to ensure that such a condition, if inserted, was in fact fulfilled. It may be assumed, however, that home produce is supplied when available and plentiful. As regards potatoes for His Majesty's ships, the contracts provide for new crop potatoes being supplied on and after 1st July in each year.

Is it impracticable to enforce that stipulations shall be included in the tenders that will be issued that wherever possible home-grown food shall be issued to the men in the Navy?

The hon. Member must realise that it is quite impossible to enforce that in the case of ships in foreign ports. We must purchase in the market just the same as the rest of the population.

My question refers to His Majesty's ships in home ports only, and it is with regard to the home ports that I am very anxious.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the supply of potatoes is plentiful just now?

I am aware of that fact. I have answered that we purchase in the market just the same as the normal population.

Is the Fleet being supplied whenever possible with homegrown bananas?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the dates of the commissions of the first batch of mates and of sub-lieutenants, respectively, to be paid the revised rates of pay of 1925?

The dates are as follow: Mates—1st December, 1925. Sub-Lieutenants—1st March, 1929.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will inform the House of the number of service pensioners who have commuted a portion of their service pension during the past two years for the purpose of migration to British Dominions or Colonies, and the average age of such pensioners?

The number is nine and the average age 48 years.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of persons at present employed at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham who have been so employed for the past 10 years and are yet not on the establishment?

The number is 3,289.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of granting retiring pensions after a given length of service to those employés at the Royal Naval Dockyards who, although employed there for very many years, are not considered to be on the establishment and therefore not entitled to pensions?

I regret that under the Superannuation Acts pensions can only be granted to civilian employés who have served in an established capacity.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of taking on to the establishment of His Majesty's Naval Dockyards a larger proportion of those who, although coming within the category of casual employés, have been continuously employed at such dockyards for a large number of years?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of yesterday to the hon. Member for Devonport (Mr. Hore-Belisha).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of boys entered direct in the advanced class each year while the scheme was in force; and whether he can give the reason for its abolition?

The numbers entered under this scheme were:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what has been the expenditure to the latest available date on the new Singapore Base; what is the estimated total expenditure and what sums have been contributed by the Dominions; how much of the Dominion contributions has been spent; and when it is expected the base will be complete?

The total expenditure on the Singapore Base, including the Floating Deck, which has been met from Navy Votes to the latest available date is £2,577,000. The estimated total expenditure is £8,721,000. Contributions have been received by the Admiralty from the Dominions and Colonies to the extent of £1,672,000, the whole of which has been applied towards the naval expenditure incurred to date. These figures relate to Navy Funds only and do not cover expenditure from or contributions appropriated in aid of Army or Air Votes. The date for completion of the main contract is September, 1935, and about two years further will be required for equipment of the Base, and completion of the machinery installation, making the final date for completion the end of 1937. These dates are subject to the effect of any decision which may be given consequent on a review of the policy which as I have already intimated to the House is to be undertaken in consultation with the Overseas Governments concerned.

When is the review of policy to take place? Is it to be decided at the Imperial Conference?

Consultation with the Dominions will take place at the Imperial Conference. The consultation with the other Overseas Governments affected will go on direct.

Meanwhile is the Base being constructed now at full blast?

No. I have already told the House that nothing is being done at present except to proceed with the Jackson contract; that is the main contractors' contract. All the other works, armaments, etc., are suspended.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be in a position to state the final decision of His Majesty's Government in regard to the Imperial Conference?

That matter does not arise out of the question.

If the Dominions are desirous of the Dock being completed, will the Government go full speed ahead and follow out the desires of the Dominions?

I cannot anticipate what will be the decision of the Imperial Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what amount has been spent on Air Force works at Singapore and what is the Air Force garrison it is proposed to station there when the base is completed?

The answer to the first part of the question is that approximately £358,000 has been spent to date. As regards the second part, the strength of the Air Forces which will normally be stationed at Singapore as at present contemplated is one squadron of flying boats and one squadron of land machines, apart from any Fleet Air Arm units which may from time to time be disembarked there.

Is the expenditure still going on, or has it been suspended pending the result of the deliberations of the Imperial Conference?

This is an air base, and the expenditure is going on.

Is there any aircraft there at the present moment?

I shall require notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what conditions did he permit Royal Marines to act in the production of the film "Tell England"; whether any financial benefit came to the Admiralty; and what fees, if any, were paid to the Marines concerned?

The permission for Royal Marines to be photographed in connection with the production of the film "Tell England" was granted on the usual Admiralty conditions, which were stated in the reply given by the late Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Commander Kenworthy) on 6th December, 1927 (Parliamentary Debates, Vol. 211, No. 132, col. 1180). With regard to the second part of the question a percentage of any profits arising from the exploitation of the film will be paid by the company to the Admiralty, one half of which will be paid over to the Naval Sports Fund for the benefit of the men of the Fleet. No fees are paid to Naval personnel photographed.

Is my hon. Friend aware that this film company first approached the War Office and turned down their offer on the ground of cost? Are we to assume, therefore, that there are two different prices quoted from Government Departments?

I am afraid that that is a question I cannot answer. I have answered as far as the Admiralty is concerned, and I know nothing about the other matter.

Can my hon. Friend say whether there is one officer who controls all the cinematograph work for all the different Departments?

This matter is important because—

Speech.

The hon. Member must not make a speech.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the rate of charge at which the Air Ministry loaned an airplane to the British Instructional Films in their production of Secrets of Nature?

My hon. Friend has apparently been misinformed. No aircraft have been loaned by the Air Ministry to British Instructional Films, Limited. The transaction was one between the film company in question and a firm of aircraft constructors, who came to an arrangement whereby two aeroplanes which were under order for the Air Ministry, and were being tested before delivery, were used for the purpose of having certain pictures taken in the air. The Air Ministry was concerned in the matter only in so far as it stipulated, in agreeing to the arrangement, that it should not be charged with the cost of the flights made for that particular purpose. What charge was actually to be made against the film company was a matter for arrangement between the company and the firm, and I have no official information in regard to the amount.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed to amend and alter the existing procedure for the trial of Europeans on capital charges in Ashanti, Gold Coast Territory, so as to enable individuals charged on a capital charge to be represented by counsel and tried by jury; and can he say what action is being taken in the matter?

The situation as regards criminal trials in Ashanti has been radically altered by the establishment of the West African Court of Appeal, which can entertain criminal appeals from Courts in Ashanti. It is not considered that it would be practicable to alter the procedure in the case of Europeans only, and whatever alterations are made in the procedure will apply to accused persons of all races alike. There are serious difficulties in the matter of finding the necessary personnel for juries, even in capital cases, but the Governor of the Gold Coast has submitted a full review of the whole situation which is at present being considered.

Can my hon. Friend say when a decision will be arrived at with regard to that report?

No, Sir, I cannot give any date. We have just received the report, but we have not had time to consider it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if any report has been received from the Governor of Hong Kong on the administration of the mui-tsai system?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from the Governor of Hong Kong on the workings of new measures for the abolition of the mui-tsai system?

The answer is in the negative. It is rather early yet to expect the report, which is to be concerned with the six months preceding the 1st of June.

Will the hon. Gentleman circulate the report when it comes to hand?

We will consider that request.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of agricultural co-operative societies which have been established in Cyprus in each of the last three years, and the total amount of the loans made to these societies by the Agricultural Credit Bank as on the last convenient date?

The numbers are, respectively, 48, 171 and 52. The amount advanced up to the end of 1929 was £284,542.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the commission of inquiry into the disturbances in the eastern division of Nigeria has yet made its report; and whether that report is to be published?

I have not yet received any information as to when the report of the commission may be expected. Information has been received from the Governor of Nigeria to the effect that he proposes to publish the report, together with the evidence taken and official documents, as soon as the necessary material is available. I expect, however, that the report will be a voluminous document, and will necessarily take some time to print locally. As soon as copies are received one will be placed in the Library for the convenience of Members.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that non-Nigerian natives resident in Aba township, in Eastern Nigeria, have petitioned the Governor against the fine of 30s. imposed on every householder under the Collective Punishment Ordinance; that this fine will have to be paid by many natives who used their influence to try to prevent the disturbances, although European residents are exempt from it; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

No, Sir. My attention has previously been called to a report in the Press on the subject, and later reports appear to indicate that fines were not being levied at any rate for the present. The Governor has been asked to forward the necessary information.

Will my hon. Friend take note of the fact that there is very considerable feeling in this country, and in the Colony, against this method of punishing wholesale innocent people?

Yes, Sir; I recognise that there is a feeling against collective punishment. I would point out that in this case there was no personal injury, but a very considerable amount of looting took place at stores, and damage to the amount of over £25,000 was committed.

Is the hon. Gentleman in that sense trying to justify promiscuous punishment?

No, Sir. I am merely stating the facts.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position in regard to the negotiations between His Majesty's Government and the Imam of the Yemen; what other countries have already recognised the Imam; and what are the reasons for the delay in concluding an amicable treaty between Great Britain and the Imam?

A reply has now been received to the letter addressed to the Imam of the Yemen by the Resident at Aden in pursuance of the correspondence to which I referred in my answer to the question addressed to me by the hon. and gallant Member for Lewes (Rear-Admiral Beamish) on the 14th April. The reply is under consideration, and I am not yet in a position to make a further statement. So far as I am, aware, the countries which have already recognised the Imam are Italy, Germany and the Soviet Union. The delay in concluding a treaty between this country and the Imam is due to his reluctance to give an adequate assurance against his encroachment on districts under the protection of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if any report has been received from Sir John Hope Simpson in reference to the suspended certificates of immigration into Palestine?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister if the Government proposes to grant facilities for a debate on the report of the Palestine Commission of Inquiry before the end of this Session; and, if so, whether a whole parliamentary day will be provided for this purpose?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the state of public business is such that it is difficult to find time for a debate of this kind. If, however, it was desired, the most convenient arrangement would be for the debate to be taken on one of the remaining Supply days to be arranged through the usual channels.

In the event of it not being found possible to have a debate before the Recess, will the Prime Minister consider suspending the decision not to allow further Jewish immigration into Palestine in the meantime?

That question has been answered by the Department concerned. We are governed by the condition that until we have the report of Sir John Hope Simpson we must hold our hand as far as we possibly can.

Will the Prime Minister assure us that the debate will not take place until the McMahon correspondence has been published, as promised by the hon. Member?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Egyptian labourers have been admitted into Palestine since the Jewish labour certificates were suspended on 14th May?

I regret that I am not in a position to give the desired information, but I will ask for a report.

Does the hon. Gentleman imply that he is aware that a certain number of Egyptian labourers have gone into Palestine in the last few months?

Yes; I have already explained that a certain number have been admitted under very strict limitations. They are not to remain for more than three months and are not admitted if other labour is available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any influx of Arab labour from Transjordan during the past month; and whether there is any control over their employment after having entered Palestine?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject, except that I am not aware of any such influx.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether despatches have been sent to the Governors of Tanganyika, Uganda, Northern Rhodesia, and Nyasaland directing them to introduce legislation, and in particular land legislation, to bring their existing ordinances into line with the statement of native policy recently issued as Command Paper No. 3573; when the Kenya legislature will meet to consider the 31 amendments to existing local ordinances required to bring them into conformity with the detailed proposals of the White Paper; and whether any representations from the different Governments as to varying the application of the White Paper will be considered?

The Governors of all the East African Dependencies have been instructed, as is stated in the foreword to the Memorandum on Native Policy in East Africa, to take immediate steps to ensure that the policy in regard to native administration in these territories is brought into strict conformity, if in any respect this is not at present the case, with that laid down in the Memorandum. The Governors of the territories concerned will no doubt consider what legislation is necessary to give effect to these instructions. As regards the second part of the question, I am not aware when the Kenya Council will meet to consider any legislation which may be found necessary. As regards the third part of the question, the views expounded in the White Paper are a declaration of the policy of His Majesty's Government, and it was not anticipated that the Governments of the territories concerned would have any representations to make. If, however, any such representations should be made, my Noble Friend would of course consider them, but he would not contemplate any departure from the principles enunciated in the Paper.

Having regard to the diversity of conditions in these different territories and the fact that there are elected members of the various Legislative Councils, will the hon. Member take into consideration any representation that may be made either by a Legislative Council as a whole or by the unofficial members of it?

Yes, Sir. We would certainly be prepared to consider any representations subject to the conditions laid down in my answer. Although it is true that there is a great diversity of conditions, the same general principles should apply to all.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed Joint Select Committee of both Houses will be invited to report on any fresh legislation required in any of the East African dependencies for the purpose of bringing existing Orders in Council or local ordinances into conformity with the terms of the recent White Paper on Native Policy?

No, Sir. The White Paper on Native Policy will not form one of the subjects for consideration by the Joint Committee, the appointment of which my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies recently foreshadowed in another place.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken by the Governments of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia to communicate to their officers and to natives of those protectorates the terms of the statement of native policy set out in Command Paper 3573?

The Governors of Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia have been instructed that the widest possible publicity should be given to the statement on native policy set out in Command Paper No. 3573. They have been informed by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies that he wishes copies to be communicated to Government officials, who may be in any way concerned, and in particular that every administrative officer should be supplied with a copy. My Noble Friend has not yet been informed what steps have been taken to carry out these instructions.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the declarations in favour of Empire economic unity by the General Council of the Trades Union Congress and certain bankers in this country, if he will state when he will give this House an opportunity of discussing this question?

I cannot provide time in this House for the discussion of the pronouncement of outside bodies. The subject is to be embodied in a Vote of Censure for which I am to give facilities.

Will the Prime Minister take off the Government Whips during such discussion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can state the action which has been taken locally by the Governments of the West Indies for the purpose of meeting the crisis in the sugar industry there?

Jamaica and Trinidad are the only West Indian Colonies which have found themselves able to give temporary assistance to the sugar industry in the present crisis, from their own resources. In Jamaica a law has been passed to provide for a bounty not exceeding £2 per ton of sugar manufactured in the year 1929–30, available for a period of one year. The law further provides that not less than 80 per cent. of the 1929–30 crop shall be exported. In Trinidad the Legislative Council has passed a Resolution in favour of granting a loan of £2 per ton of sugar exported during 1930, for a period not exceeding 15 years and subject to certain conditions as to the price to be paid for cane and the wages of labour.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government to recommend the ratification of the convention concerning forced or compulsory labour which was recently adopted by the International Labour Conference?

The report of the British Delegates at the recent International Labour Conference on the question of forced or compulsory labour has only just reached me and the convention is not likely to be communicated officially to His Majesty's Government for some time. In these circumstances I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to be good enough to repeat his question in, say, a fortnight's time.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether he is going to publish the report of the British delegates?

I cannot give an answer to that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Mr. Harry Ringrove, of Danson Crescent, Welling, was fatally injured at Farningham on 20th June, due to dazzling headlights on approaching cars; and whether he proposes to introduce legislation to reduce this danger?

The particular fatality to which my hon. Friend refers has not been brought to my notice, but the question of dazzling headlights has been receiving my anxious consideration, and I hope to make provisional regulations under the Road Transport Lighting Act, 1927, at an early date dealing with this very difficult subject.

asked the Minister of Transport the terms of his communication to the London County Council with regard to the council's proposal that he should be represented on the London County Council Advisory Committee on the proposed Charing Cross Bridge?

AS the answer would necessarily be of considerable length, I think that it would be generally convenient if I circulate, by means of the OFFICIAL REPORT, a copy of the letter of the 20th June, which I caused to be sent to the London County Council in reply to their letter of the 4th June, a copy of which I will also circulate.

Has the Minister further considered the suggestion that Members should be allowed an opportunity to suggest a bridge?

I am not quite sure what my hon. Friend means. One matter as it now stands was referred by the London County Council to an advisory committee recently set up, and any question of other people to be consulted will be a matter for the London County Council.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take measures to secure that pedestrians may cross Piccadilly with reasonable security for life and limb at some other point than the existing subterranean passage at Piccadilly Circus, the only point where such crossing is at present possible; and whether he will adopt the idea of a second subterranean passage somewhere in the neighbourhood of Down Street, Albemarle Street, or Bond Street?

Refuges are available in Piccadilly at frequent intervals for the protection of pedestrians; and, under the London Electric Railway Act passed this Session, a subway is to be constructed across Piccadilly in connection with the re-construction of Dover Street Station.

Would it surprise the Minister of Transport to know that a refuge is no good if a line of omnibuses and more especially chars-a-bancs, one touching another, extend the whole way from the Royal Academy to Piccadilly Circus? Refuges are then extremely interesting objects, but quite inaccessible, and my experience only last week shows—

Speech!

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the £118,000,000 paid by the railway companies in salaries and wages in 1928 is represented by the employment of persons whose emoluments were not included in the Board of Trade Return in respect of the year 1913, when the total figure shown was only £44,500,000?

The amount of £118,000,000 is made up of approximately £106,000,000 representing the aggregate salaries and wages paid to railway staff in 1928 and approximately £12,000,000 in respect of staff employed in the ancillary businesses of the railway companies. The latter figure includes the staff employed in connection with collection and delivery services which, in the 1913 returns, was grouped with the railway staffs and I am unable to state what deduction should be made in respect of that staff, in order to render the figures for the two years comparable.

May I ask whether the extra staff is a comparatively trivial matter, and that, in fact, a very small figure could be set aside for this service?

Will my hon. Friend also bear in mind the fact that in 1913 railway wages were scandalously low?

Hon. Members appear to be giving information.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the latest week for which he has records of the number of accidents in which passenger vehicles, goods vehicles and locomotives and motor tractors, respectively, as indicated in the First Schedule of the Road Traffic Bill, were involved; how many persons were killed at the time; how many seriously injured, requiring detention in hospitals; and how many received minor injuries?

I regret that statistics are not available enabling me to give the details in respect of accidents for which my hon. Friend asks. The powers sought under the Road Traffic Bill will, I hope, result in more information being available on this subject in the future.

Does that mean that no statistics are kept by the Ministry of Transport?

It is not true that no statistics are kept but the figures are not known to the extent of the classification asked for by the hon. Member.

Is that due to any lack of power to obtain these statistics?

I am afraid that the existing machinery does not give us the opportunity of getting statistics in this detail, but we shall have additional powers under the Road Traffic Bill when it is passed into law.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has, by direct negotiation or through the intermediary of the London Traffic Advisory Committee, arranged for the removal from the carriageway of entrances to public conveniences and cab shelters which have been reported by the police as dangerous and obstructive to traffic and recommended for removal?

Where I have been satisfied, after consultation with the London Traffic Advisory Committee, that public conveniences and cab shelters are a cause of danger or obstruction, every endeavour has been made, in conjunction with the local and highway authorities concerned, to have them removed, and this has been successfully effected in a number of instances. The provision of suitable alternative sites often presents difficulty and, in the case of public conveniences, removal or reconstruction may involve very considerable expense.

Is there not a time honoured custom to provide shelters for those engaged with public conveyances at all hours of the night and day, and are they not entitled to some form of accommodation?

That is one of the considerations which we must keep in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the highway authorities allege that the time occupied in correspondence and the long intervals that elapse in getting replies to inquiries addressed to his Department is a principal reason for the delay in commencing road work; and whether he will investigate the procedure adopted and the time taken in correspondence and reference backward and forward between highway authorities, his own Department, the Treasury, and the Ministry of Health with a view to reducing delays, duplication and overlapping, and to relieve Whitehall by placing more responsibility for executive decisions on the men on the spot, namely, the responsible officers of the local authorities acting in consultation with his own district engineers?

The procedure adopted in dealing with applications from local authorities is kept under review, with the object of expediting the progress of works. At the recent conferences with local authorities in London and at Edinburgh, there has been a frank interchange of views and a number of useful suggestions have been made. As a result, further steps are being taken to speed up procedure, even to the extent of omitting checks with which under normal conditions it would not be advisable to dispense. Delays would often be avoided or reduced if local authorities themselves were to furnish more adequate information as to the precise nature and probable cost of the schemes when they submit their proposals.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is now in a position to make an announcement regarding the conditions of service of the employés of contractors who are entrusted with the performance of work for his Department in Edinburgh?

I am considering a proposal to take into direct employment certain men now employed by contractors in Edinburgh, but am not at the moment in a position to make a state-merit on the matter.

In view of the length of time that this matter has been under consideration, can the right hon. Member give any indication when a decision is likely to be made?

If my hon. Friend will exercise a little more patience I shall be able to give him a satisfactory answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the amount of money which has been devoted, for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, to subsidising lectures for the Empire Marketing Board; whether the synopsis of each lecture is passed by the publicity committee before it is given; and the number of lectures that have been given during the above period?

During the 12 months ended on 30th April, 1930, 2,413 lectures were delivered under the Board's auspices at a total cost to the Empire Marketing Fund of £10,408 16e. 7d. Of this amount £4,209 4s. represents expenditure on the provision of 903 subsidised lectures on subjects of general Empire interest booked through lecture agencies. The synopses of these lectures, were approved by the Education Sub-Committee of the Publicity Committee before the lectures were added to the Board's approved list. I may add that the scheme for subsidising lectures of this type terminated on 30th April last and has not been renewed.

Can the hon. Member say whether the whole of these lectures were delivered in Great Britain?

I think that is the case.

Was the Secretary of State for War present at any of these lectures?

asked the Minister of Pensions the total savings made by his Department during the past 12 months on need pensions granted to parents of dead soldiers as a result of them receiving either a widow's or old age pension?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 30th June to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Leigh (Mr. Tinker), of which I am sending him a copy.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any intention of stopping the practice of reducing these pensions?

asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of men who have been refused treatment allowance for their wives and families on the grounds that they had not been in employment previous to treatment being sanctioned during the past 12 months?

There is no record of the number of cases referred to, which I understand are comparatively few.

Is not that a reason why the right hon. Genleman should see that the wives and families of unemployed men do not suffer because they happen to be unemployed?

I am ready to consider any representations which are made to me in the cases referred to by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that for 12 mouths he has been considering this matter? He has been asked to introduce the human touch, which is lacking here. Is he not going to take steps to see that the wife of an unemployed person is at least as well treated, and that his family is not punished because he is unemployed?

I can only repeat that I am quite willing to consider any representations that are made to me.

Will the right hon. Gentleman deal with the general question?

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) who will be the representatives, or how they will be selected, to attend the roundtable Conference on Indian affairs called for the autumn;

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House an assurance that the Indian Statutory Commission's Report will form the basis of His Majesty's Government's policy at the forthcoming round-table Conference?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any further information with regard to the composition or the date of the round-table Conference or the terms of reference?

Addressing the two Houses of the Indian Legislature at Simla, the Viceroy has to-day made a statement on behalf of His Majesty's Government dealing with the matters raised in these questions. The official text of his speech will immediately be made available to Members of the House.

May I ask whether the statement made by the Viceroy deals with the composition of the Conference on its home side; the representation of this country in the Conference?