asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement concerning the present position relating to the seizure of the customs in China'?

I assume that this question refers to the seizure of the Customs at Tientsin and the appointment of the late Mr. Lenox Simpson as Commissioner of Customs there by the Governor of Shansi last June. At the beginning of October the Governor of Manchuria, on taking over control of the Peking-Tientsin area, dismissed Mr. Lenox Simpson. A new Commissioner was then appointed by the Inspector General of Customs.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take any action in the matter?

I do not know any action that we could take.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there has been any change in the position in China since his last statement; and can he give particulars?

Since my reply to my hon. Friend's question on the 19th November I have received a report that the Chinese Government forces claim successes in their operations against bandits in certain districts, but no definite news is available.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any report in regard to the missionaries who were captured last week?

Yes. I think there is some information, but I have not got it here.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to state what progress, if any, has been made in the negotiations regarding the claim for the payment of interest on the bonds of the city of Vilna?

I understand that the negotiations are still in progress; but I regret that, according to my latest information, no satisfactory settlement has yet been reached.

If I put a question down in a month's time, or after the Recess, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give me a reply?

I can only say for the information of the hon. and gallant Member that the position is a little more favourable, but how long it will last, I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will direct His Majesty's Minister in Mexico to request the Mexican Government to state the probable date upon which the Mexican legislature proposes to consider the agreement made on 25th July last between the Mexican Minister for Finance and the committee of bankers with regard to the 16-year-old default of the Mexican Government in relation to its obligations to British investors; and will he also request His Majesty's Minister to inform the Mexican Government that as the agreement was made five months ago His Majesty's Government views with concern the delay in the ratification of the agreement?

His Majesty's Minister at Mexico City has already made such an inquiry of the Mexican Government, but was unable to obtain any information. His Majesty's Minister has already made it clear to the Mexican Government that His Majesty's Government are actively interested in the Bankers' Agreement, and I do not think that any further instructions in this sense are called for at the moment.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will ask the British Minister in Moscow to ascertain the approximate number of persons who are employed in Russia under the categories of forced labour, mobilised labour, labour in places of incarceration, and public labour; and whether any goods consigned to Great Britain are produced by workers under any of these categories?

I have addressed to His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow a despatch inquiring whether any statistics of the nature suggested in the first part of the question are available. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply of my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 25th of November to the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that statistics are available for 1928 showing that some 260,000 persons were sentenced to forced labour, and could he not get similar statistics for 1929, or some more recent date?

I am afraid that I have nothing to add.

Could we know the same figure for any part of the British Empire?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how often the main Joint Anglo-Soviet Committee dealing with claims for compensation have met since their appointment, and how frequently they are in the habit of meeting?

The committee held its seventh meeting of the 27th of November last, and as at present arranged it will meet again on the 4th of December; the meetings, therefore, average about one in eight days. The committee has hitherto been dealing with questions of principle, assignment of particular classes of claims to the various sub-committees and similar matters of procedure. Discussion of individual claims has not yet been commenced, nor has the committee yet proceeded to deal with the evidence of claimants.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the enormous sum involved, that it is urgent that the committee should meet more frequently than once in eight. days?

I agree, but I think I can claim that I have got this matter further than anyone else has yet done.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what reply he has given to the proposal made by the Soviet Ambassador with the object of Great Britain granting long-term credits to Soviet Russia?

The Soviet Ambassador has made no proposal in the sense suggested by the light hon. Gentleman, though he has suggested that additional trade will result if more extended periods of credit were possible. If the right hon. Gentleman has the Export Credits Guarantee Scheme in mind, I would point out that the length of credit covered by guarantees under the Scheme is primarily a matter between exporters and the Export Credits Guarantee Department.

Has the hon. Member had any reply from the Soviet representatives?

I can only add that the suggestion is one which must be dealt with by the exporters and the Export Credits Department.

Is the hon. Member aware of the very large increase in the exports of machinery from Italy since Signor Mussolini made such an agreement with the Soviet Government

Will the hon. Member say what is the limit of credit given to traders of this country who wish to do business with Russia 1

I am not aware that there is any limit. Every case is dealt with on its merits by the committee.

Shall we do the same for our Dominions?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Soviet subjects are at present in this country whose permits will shortly expire; whether any have applied for an extension of time; whether he proposes to extend any of these permits; and whether they will be subject to any conditions?

The first part of this question could not be answered without an examination of individual files, which would entail work which my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary does not think would be justified. Every application for an extension of time is carefully scrutinised and if an extension is granted the alien continues to be subject to a time condition.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether the broadcast appeal issued in English last night from Moscow inciting British workers to revolution is a breach of the undertaking of the Soviet. Government, and what steps he intends to take?

I have been asked to reply. My Department did not receive the full text of this wireless address until after one o'clock this afternoon. In the short time at my disposal for its examination, I have come to the conclusion that, while it does not constitute an incitement to revolution, as suggested in the hon. and gallant Member's question, it is nevertheless, in my opinion, a departure from the undertaking given by the Soviet Government in regard to propaganda. In these circumstances, I am instructing His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow to address a protest to the Soviet Government.

How many protests are now outstanding?

Will the right hon. Gentleman listen in this evening and this week in order to hear the next Moscow propaganda?

No. I think I shall be better employed.

Would not a right good revolution be practical polities at the moment?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state whether Article 246 of the Treaty of Versailles, in so far as it affects the British Government, has been fully carried out; and when this was done?

No, Sir. His Majesty's Government made representations to the German Government on this subject in 1920 and again in 1921. The German view was that the skull was not taken to Germany but buried locally. Although efforts were made to obtain confirmation of this view in Tanganyika territory, these efforts proved inconclusive and the whereabouts of the skull have never been established.

Is the right hon. Gentleman making any efforts to carry out that part of the Article and more particularly what happens in the first part of the Article?

I do not know what the hon. Member wants me to do. If he will let me know I will see what can be done.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any evidence of discontent in Tanganyika territory in the area of the tribe concerned regarding the non-return of the skull?

No.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give the House any information regarding new road or rail construction, either in progress or projected, in Southern Tanganyika?

The report of the local committee which has been sitting under the chairmanship of Sir Sydney Henn is in the printers' hands and will be available very shortly. This will, I hope, afford the House ample information on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will, in the interests of economy, make a fresh examination of the office accommodation of his Department for the purpose of inviting a transfer into the Admiralty of staff from cognate Government offices as has been done by the Board of Trade, which has resulted in the transfer of 170 persons from the Mercantile Marine Department, Great Smith Street, into the building at Storey's Gate?

The provision of office accommodation is primarily the function of my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works, but in collaboration with his Department we have this autumn undertaken a re-allocation of the Admiralty staff, which was required owing to the condemnation of derelict temporary buildings erected during the War and the lease of part of the new Bank building in Whitehall. This has enabled us to transfer 294 persons into the main Whitehall buildings from offices in Kingsway.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if copies of all Admiralty minutes relating to leading men will be furnished officially to the honorary secretary of the Leading Men's Association?

I regret that this is not possible, but if the secretary of this association desires to obtain a copy of any particular order affecting the grade he may obtain it on application to the Admiralty.

Is it not possible that a similar privilege could be extended to other organisations?

A general distribution is only made to those unions that are represented on the Whitley Council, and I am unable to go further than promise the hon. Member that if any association of the kind that he mentions wants an order applying to their particular grade I shall be very happy to supply it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cruisers and destroyers, respectively, have been commenced during the present financial year; and how many it is intended to commence before the end of the present financial year?

As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the construction programme for the year 1929, after reduction by the present Government, was held over until the meeting of the London Naval Conference, and vessels of that programme were accordingly not ordered, as in normal circumstances they would have been, towards the end of the financial year 1929. The following numbers of vessels of the classes referred to in the question were thus commenced in the current financial year:

• One 6-inch cruiser.
• One leader.
• Four destroyers.

Conditions being now normal, the vessels of the 1930 programme will be ordered as is usual, before the end of the financial year, as provided for in the Navy Estimates 1930. They comprise in the classes referred to in the question:

• Three 6-inch cruisers.
• One leader.
• Eight destroyers.

In view of the very large number of unemployed in the shipbuilding centres, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of commencing these vessels rather sooner than was originally contemplated?

I am receiving a deputation on that matter from the shipbuilding industry on Monday next, and I would rather not say anything about it at the moment, but I hope that the House will remember the difficulties of finance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the same concessions to the dockyards that he gives to private shipbuilding firms?

I think that question had better wait until the concessions have been made.

asked the First. Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that during the recent Navy week at Plymouth, although local traders were denied facilities for doing any business in Devonport Dockyard or on the ships, the canteen board of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute sold to visitors souvenirs and mementoes in the form of cigarette cases and other metal articles made in Germany and bearing in enamel the crest and name of His Majesty's ship "Renown" and other ships; and why this was permitted?

I am advised that sales to visitors during Navy week at Plymouth were not made by the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, and that all articles supplied by them to the organisers of the Navy week for the purpose of re-sale were exclusively of British manufacture.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any truth in the statement or any foundation for the statement in the question?

As far as the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute is concerned, there is no truth at all in it. Of course I cannot answer for anything beyond Government supplies or those of the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes, but I should be very hesitant as to intervening in regard to any other transactions than these.

Is it true to say that local traders were denied facilities for doing business in the dockyard during that week?

Not as far as I am aware.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the work on the "Almirante Lattore" will be completed; and if any arrangements are in view to absorb the employés who have been engaged on the work of this ship and thus obviate any necessity for their discharge?

The date for the completion of the work on the "Almirante Latorre" cannot be stated, but it is anticipated that, apart from normal wastage, there will in any case be sufficient work to enable the present level of employment in the dockyard to be maintained.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many en-apprentices have been discharged from Devonport Dockyard in the last six months; the reasons for their discharge; and whether, seeing that ex-apprentices have had to pass a bard test and have spent four years being especially trained in dockyard service, he will consider putting a more satisfactory scheme into operation whereby apprentices may not find themselves discharged on completion of their apprenticeship?

With reference to the first part of the question, 34 ex-apprentices were discharged from Devon-part Dockyard during the six months ended the 29th November, 1930. Of this number 10 were discharged at their own request; 21 on reduction and three on account of an adjustment of trades. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given in reply to his question on the 12th November, 1930 (OFFICIAL REPORT, col. 1652).

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether pre-War pensioners of the Royal Marines who re-enlisted during the War and subsequently obtained commissions in the Army or were commissioned and attached to Army units now receive full pension and retired pay as commissioned officers, or whether they are treated in the same way as commissioned pie-War pensioners of the Army?

The pre-War pen sinners in question now receive retired pay as commissioned officers, their former pensions having been withdrawn as from the date of the grant of retired pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, seeing that His Majesty's Ship "Cornwall" was built, launched, manned, and commissioned at Devonport, he car reconsider the decision to recommission this ship at Portsmouth, so that His Majesty's Ship "Cornwall" may remain a Devon-port ship

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member on 16th April last, the change has for its object the reduction of the time spent by Devonport ratings on foreign service, which has recently been in excess of the normal proportions. I think that is more important than the point of view to which expression is given in the hon. Member's question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the strong sentiment in the West Country regarding this decision? They feel that the ship should be recommissioned at Devonport as it was built at Devonport.

There seems to be a little misunderstanding in the West Country that we are taking this ship away. It must be remembered that we are merely exchanging ships. They are getting the "Dorsetshire" instead of the "Cornwall."

Will the right hon. Gentleman follow up that sentiment and see that ships which are built on the Clyde are also repaired on the Clyde?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the revision of the pay of established men in the Royal Dockyards in 1909 reduced the pay of established men, but gave bonuses on retirement to certain classes of established men; that a definite sum is deducted ach week from the pay of established men, so that a hired man, who receives no pension, gets as much as 2s. per week more than the established man doing similar work; and if ho can say what is the object of this deduction and to what purposes the money so deducted is assigned?

The hon. and gallant Member is mistaken in supposing that any reduction of the pay of established men working in His Majesty's Dockyards took place in 1900. The Superannuation Act of that year affected them as regards superannuation benefits in common with all other civil servants of the Crown and this is presumably what is referred to. As regards the second part of the question, no actual deductions are made from the wages of the established men. There is a well recognised distinction made between the rate of pay of a hired man and that of an established man of similar grade. The last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why any reduction is made in the pay of these established men?

I have already said that no reduction is made as such in respect of superannuation. I have referred to the differential rates of pay which are based on the conditions of the whole service, including that of security of tenure.

Is it not the case that if an unestablished man becomes established there is a reduction of 10 per cent. in bonus and does not that mean a reduction in the amount of his pension?

The differential rates of pay are based not on the question of superannuation alone but on the whole conditions of service, including the important question of security of tenure of those men who are on the establishment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of ratings promoted to the rank of acting mate on 1st December, 1930, and, if no appointments have been made, the date these may he expected?

Six candidates have been accepted for promotion to the rank of acting mate, to date 1st December, 1930.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the advisability of transferring the present collections of naval relics at Chatham and Portsmouth to the Royal Naval Museum, Greenwich, or to other museums where they can be looked after?

My hon. Friend's suggestion is a new one, and I will certainly look into it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what number of engineer rating artificers and chief engineer rating artificers have been invalided out of the service during 1930 owing to tuberculosis; and whether, seeing that three of them in His Majesty's ship "Rodney" have been invalided during the months of August to October, 1930, he can say whether the conditions on board are a contributory cause?

Two chief engine room artificers, six engine room artificers and one apprentice. engine room artificer were invalided from the Service between the 1st January and the 31st October, 1930, on account of tuberculosis. Of these one case was of non-pulmonary tuberculosis. As regards the latter part of the question it is not considered that the conditions on board are a contributory cause as returns received from the ship to date indicate that the general health of the ship's company is very good. Moreover the "Rodney," one of our latest battleships, is constructed entirely in accordance with the most modern principles and ideas in regard to ventilation and hygiene.

Has there been any increase in tuberculosis during the last two or three years?

No, speaking from memory I should, say not, but, if the Noble Lady will put down a question, I will endeavour to answer it more fully.

Is it not the case that the British Navy is the healthiest occupation in the world?

Yes, when there is peace.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the charges of stock thefts made against the Masai tribe of Kenya, he can give any information as to the number of such thefts which have occurred in the lands adjoining the Masai reserve during the past two years; whether there is any evidence of such thefts being committed by Masai living in the one-mile zone along the railway; and whether he will call for a report?

My Noble Friend will ask the Acting Governor of Kenya whether the information desired is available, and on receipt of the Acting Governor's report I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the Wakamba have a claim to the one-mile strip along the Kenya railway between Sultan Hamid and Athi River, the Government of Kenya proposes to include it in the Wakamba reserve; and whether the possibility has been considered, if the Wakamba need more land, of extending their reserve so as to include the Yatta plateau?

My Noble Friend is asking the Acting Governor of Kenya to furnish a report on the points raised in my hon. Friend's question.

In view of the conflicting claims of these tribes, would it not be possible to get a neutral area and so obviate the risk of further difficulties?

This matter is being gone into and the point which the hon. Member brings forward shall be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received any report from the Governor of Kenya on the question of the strip along the railway, one mile wide, between Sultan Hamid and Athi River in which the Masai tribe claim customary grazing and water rights; and whether the commission on this subject which sat at Kin has yet reported?

No, Sir, a report has not yet been received, but a dispatch was sent in October to the Acting Governor of Kenya inquiring when it might be expected.

Is it not the case that my hon. Friend promised a report in July last? Can he say when it is likely to come through?

It is true that I promised a report in July, but we are dependent on the Government of Kenya for it. As I say, we asked them last October to expedite it.

Will the rights of the Masai be prejudiced by this delay?

I do not think there is the least danger of that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Kenya Native Tribunals Bill, now Ordinance No. 39 of 1930, was referred to the native councils, or to any of the native councils, for their consideration before being passed, as laid down on page 7 of the Memorandum on Native Policy in East Africa [Cmd. 3573]?

The Native Tribunals Ordinance was drafted early this year and had been agreed to by my Noble Friend before the issue of the Native Policy Memorandum. There is no information in his possession to show that the Bill was referred to any native council after the issue of the memorandum. But it was largely to meet representations which had been made by the natives themselves through the native authorities that this legislation was introduced. Native opinion was thus already known, and there was not therefore, the same necessity to make specific reference to native councils before the Bill was actually passed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether records are kept of the number of persons compulsorily employed on roads in Kenya under the Roads Ordinance or Native Authority Ordinance; and, if so, how many men were so employed during 1929?

Records are not kept of the number of men called out by headmen for maintenance of roads in native reserves under the Native Authority Ordinance Section 8 (H). The Acting-Governor of Kenya states that no request for compulsory labour on public main roads under Section 8 (0) of the Native Authority Ordinance, which would in any event require the prior approval of my Noble Friend, has been made during 1929; and that no labour has been reported as having been ordered out during the year under the Roads in Native Reserves Ordinance.

Are not these records rendered compulsory by the Forced Labour Convention which His Majesty's Government propose to ratify?

Yes, Sir, I believe that that is so, but, of course, the hon. Member's question refers to the Department.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the amounts allocated by the Kenya Government to grants for roads in the settled areas and in the native reserves, respectively, in 1929, 1930 and 1931?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which was given on the subject of expenditure on roads in Kenya to my hon. Friend, the Member for Huddersfield (Mr. Hudson), on 5th June, 1928. I have forwarded a copy of that reply to my hon. Friend. The Acting-Governor of Kenya will be asked whether information van be supplied on the same basis as that given in the reply to which I have referred, in respect of the years mentioned in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a request from the Kenyatta - Kikuyu Central Association asking for facilities to send two delegates on behalf of the natives to give evidence before the Joint Parliamentary Committee and asking for financial assistance in order that these witnesses can attend in London; and what action has been taken in the, matter?

Yes, Sir. My Noble Friend has received a telegram to this effect direct from Johnstone, Kenyatta. In accordance with the usual procedure in such cases, a copy of this telegram is being sent to the Acting Governor of Kenya, who is being requested to inform the association that the question whether the Joint Committee will receive oral as well as written evidence is one for decision by the Committee, and that in the circumstances the question of arrangements for any delegations from East Africa to come to England for the purpose of making representations to the Committee must await the assembly of the Committee and the expression of its wishes in this matter.

Are the Government prepared to give facilities for these witnesses to come before the Committee?

I am sure that the Government will be prepared to do all that they can to facilitate the proceedings of the Committee.

Could not that fact be made known to these people, who are right in the interior and whose evidence would he very useful to the Committee?

The first meeting of the Committee is to be held to-morrow, and I do not think that there will be any harm in waiting until after that meeting, and seeing what is the decision of the Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the demand in Kenya that the publication of the report and the recommendations of the tribunal which decided adversely on the hydro-electric project known as the Maragua-Tana scheme, should be published without delay, he proposes to give instructions for the document to be issued?

My Noble Friend has been informed by the Acting Governor of Kenya that the request for publication has been withdrawn. A statement as to the action now contemplated in regard to the application of the East African Power and Lighting Company has now been made by the Acting Governor in the Legislative Council, and if the hon. Member wishes, I shall be glad to suply him with a copy of the statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Kenya and Uganda railways and harbours administrations refuse to disclose the name of the successful tenderers in connection with their contracts as well as to state the amount of the successful tender or to ensure that all tenders are opened publicly at a stated time and place; and why the practice in other countries is not followed in Kenya?

My Noble Friend will inquire of the High Commission for Transport, Kenya and Uganda, as to the practice of the railways and harbours administration in this matter. On receipt of the High Commissioner's reply, I will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will request the Kenya Government to forward a copy of a detailed compilation of the per capita amount of direct and indirect taxation paid by the various races among the Colony's population for the year 1927?

My Noble Friend will ask the Acting-Governor of Kenya whether he can supply the information suggested in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is prepared to grant facilities for the public inquiry to be held which was asked for on lath October, 1930, by the North Charterland Exploration Company; and whether tie will undertake to hold the inquiry in this country and not in Northern Rhodesia, in view of the fact that it involves charges against a Department of State in this country, and that the agreement in question between the Colonial Office and the British South Africa Company was entered into in London?

The request, which involves legal and other considerations of great difficulty, is still under consideration. An inquiry, if held, would certainly be in London.

Does that mean that the hon. Member is still considering the question of having an inquiry into this matter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he now has information as to whether the Colonial Secretary in Ceylon has announced that the Government will instruct the official members of the Legislative Council to vote for the Income Tax Bill?

The Income Tax Bill was introduced as a Government Measure, and the official members will vote, in accordance with the usual practice, as the Governor may direct.

Will the hon. Member advise the Governor to allow the official members a free vote on this occasion, or postpone the Third Reading of this Bill until the two vacancies among the unofficial members of the Legislative Council have been filled by election?

The hon. Member wed knows that these matters are normally left to the discretion of the Governor and I would point out that it is quite the normal thing when the Ceylon Government introduces a Measure for the official members to be expected to vote for it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in which Colonies of the British Empire forced labour is employed, with details of such conditions where available?

As regards the territories for the administration of which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is responsible where recourse can be had to compulsory labour, I would refer my hon. Friend to a reply given to a question by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) on 16th December last, of which I am sending him a copy. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that in view of the great variety of forms which labour that might be held to come under this definition, may take, it is not practicable within the scope of a reply to a Parliamentary question to give any detailed statement of the conditions on which such labour is employed. My hon. friend may perhaps, however, care to refer to a publication issued by the International Labour Office of which a copy is being placed in the Library of the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in connection with another question asked by my hon. Friend. This publication contains a substantially accurate summary of the conditions on which forced labour is employed not only in the Dependencies for the administration of which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom is responsible, but also in those of foreign Powers.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us any information as regards the approximate numbers in any of these places at the same time as he is giving information on the other subject?

No, Sir. I am afraid it is very difficult to get information in regard to the numbers, and I am not sure that I could promise to obtain such information.

Would not approximate figures be available?

I think if the hon. Member studies the document to which I have referred him, he will find some approximate figures there.

What is the definition of "forced labour"?

Is it not as easy for the hon. Gentleman's Department to get the actual figures in this case, as it is for the Foreign Office to get statistics as to forced labour in Russia?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present position of the sugar and other preferential arrangements between Canada and the British West Indies; and how does it compare with the position as between Great Britain and the British West Indies?

By reciprocal agreement dating from 1912, revised in 1920 and 1925, certain products in which West Indies are specially interested, including sugar, bananas and cocoa, are given preferences in Canada, and in return certain products in which Canada is specially interested, such as flour, butter and cheese, are given preferences in the West Indies. All the preferences granted by the West Indies are applicable also to imports from the United Kingdom. West Indian sugar enjoys, in common with all Empire sugar, a preference in the United Kingdom of 3s. 8.3d. per cwt. for 96° sugar as compared with a preference equivalent to 4s. 8d. in Canada.

As to the details of the other rates, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Customs Tariffs of the various Governments concerned, and as to the practical effect of the preferences on sugar, to paragraphs 30 and 31 of the West Indian Sugar Commission Report (Command 3517).

Has the hon. Gentleman any evidence that the West Indies have regarded this agreement as "humbug"?

Is the intention of the Government to increase the preference which is given by this country on sugar, grown in the West Indies, and in other sugar-growing Colonies

I think that that question has already been answered on other occasions.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if a bill for expenses was presented to the officer commanding the "Do X" at the end of its recent visit to this country, and will he give the House the details of the claim; and whether there is any international agreement about these similar matters?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, no bill for expenses was or will be preferred by the Air Minister against the officer commanding the "Do X" as a result of the visit of that aircraft to this country. As regards the last part, there is no specific international agreement. governing arrangements for visits such as that of the "Do X," but all customary courtesies were shown and received.

Will the hon. Gentleman take any steps he can to counteract the report in Germany that excessive charges were made for the visit of this air liner?

I do not know about any report in Germany, but, as far as the German Government are concerned, we have had expressions of extreme courtesy.

Does the payment in respect of the use by civilians and other people of Royal Air Force transport, from the shore to civilian air liners, come out of public funds?

It does, but the amount is comparatively small, and there is this to be said in regard to it, that our own technical experts and officers had the fullest opportunities of examining "Do X."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any further information regarding an air route between Hull and Hamburg with a view, eventually, to linking Liverpool and Belfast; and whether his Majesty's Government has now considered offering an air-mail contract to any company inaugurating such a service?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that local interests in Hull are giving consideration, as my hon. and gallant Friend is perhaps aware, to the possibility of establishing an air service between Hull and Northern Europe, and that such a scheme might lead to, or he combined with, further lines between Hull and the West. As regards the last part, no proposals for such a service have been received by the Air Ministry, and the position remains, therefore, as stated in the reply given to my hon. and gallant Friend on 80th July last.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information as to the possibilities of the link between Liverpool and Belfast mentioned in the question

I understand that a scheme is being considered by Manchester, and, as far as the Air Ministry are concerned, every possible advice and suggestion with regard to co-ordination between Hull and Manchester is being given.

Is there any possibility of a scheme between Liverpool and Dublin?

I think all these schemes depend very largely upon finance.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement with regard to the recent meeting of the sports committee of the International Aeronautical Federation; and whether a satisfactory agreement has been arrived at between the British, French, and Italian aero clubs as to the conditions under which the next contest for the Schneider Trophy shall be held?

I understand that the International Aeronautical Federation have issued an official notice to the effect that the aero clubs concerned have arrived at a satisfactory agreement, the details of which are given in the Press this morning.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any decision has been come to in regard to the question of permitting officers of the Royal Air Force to take part in the defence of the trophy

There is no decision yet. The matter is at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of road schemes in respect of which applications for grants have been made which are at present before his Department; and the aggregate amount which will be involved by these various schemes prepared by highway authorities?

Under the trunk road and five-year programmes, over 300 applications for grant, representing a total expenditure of approximately £25,000,000, are at the present time before my Department. I have indicated approval in principle to the greater part of these, but fuller details and plans are required before they can be definitely approved for grant. I regret that it is not possible, without diverting staff from urgent work, to give corresponding figures for the numerous schemes under preliminary consideration for grant under normal annual programmes.

Can my hon. Friend say whether estimates were provided by all the local authorities at the same time that the schemes were submitted?

If so, they would be in a very cursory form, but they have to put them in later.

Suppose that the Road Fund is unable to furnish these vast sums of money, does the Treasury stand behind it?

I have a satisfactory agreement on that point with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Do I understand by that that the Treasury does stand behind the Road Fund?

If the contingency mentioned by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman should arise, the Treasury will stand by the Ministry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statistics and can state the amount that has been spent in road schemes for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date, giving particulars of the approximate amount of direct wages and the amount spent on British tar and/or local stone?

A statement regarding the total expenditure on roads and. bridges will be found in Appendix 13 of the annual report on the administration of the Road Fund. The last financial year for which information is available is the year 1927–28. During that year the gross expenditure by local authorities, including expenditure defrayed out of loans but excluding loan charges, was £58,798,707. In addition payments amounting to £597,514 were made during the year from Government Funds in connection with arterial road works carried out directly by my Department. I am not in possession of information which enables me to give the approximate expenditure upon British tar and stone.

Is it not possible to obtain information, as it is generally understood that the greater part of the tar and stone comes from the Continent?

I do not think that that is true. The local authorities generally make every effort to use British material, and the Unemployment Grants Committee require them to do so. I cannot get all this information without taking my staff from urgent work in connection with unemployment schemes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has sanctioned the erection of the bridge over the London and North Eastern Railway at Belasis Lane crossing, Haverton Hill-on-Tees; if so, what is the cause of the delay in beginning this work; and will be use his influence to get an early start on this bridge in view of the number of unemployed in the district and the fact that this is a dangerous crossing?

I have not received formal application for a grant, but am informed that the Durham County Council are preparing a scheme for the erection of a bridge over the level crossing, and hope to proceed with the work at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will permit licensing authorities who have been in the habit of issuing reminders to drivers of the expiry of their licences to continue this practice provided the driver on renewal of his licence leaves with the licensing authority a stamped postcard addressed to himself for posting one month before the licence expires?

I cannot see my way to impose this additional work on the licensing authorities.

In view of the fact that this matter possesses no administrative difficulty, and would cost nothing, would my hon. Friend give it. further consideration?

I have given very careful consideration to the whole of this question. It is not true that additional cost will not be involved, but I think in any case that, in the public interest, it should not he done.

If the licensing authorities are willing to undertake it, will the hon. Gentleman allow them to do so?

The local authorities in this matter act as agents of the Ministry of Transport and of the Taxa- tion Department. I must, with due respect, control them in this matter, and I have come to the conclusion that there must be uniformity over the whole country, and that the responsibility for renewal must rest upon the motorists themselves.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is now in a position to supplement the information given in the Return of persons employed by railway companies by furnishing the following particulars: number employed at salaries exceeding £360 per annum, but not exceeding £400 per annum; £400 per annum, but not exceeding £500 per annum; £500 per annum, but not exceeding £600 per annum; £600 per annum, but not exceeding £750 per annum, £750 per annum, but not exceeding £1,000 per annum; £1,000 per annum, but not exceeding £1,500 per annum; £1,500 per annum, but not exceeding £2,000 per annum; £2,000 per annum, but not exceeding £3,000 per annum; £3,000 per annum, but not exceeding £4,000 per annum; £4,000 per annum, but not exceeding £5,000 per annum; £5,000 per annum and upwards?

I 1111 not in a position to furnish all the particulars asked for, but I am circulating certain information in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport if every opportunity was given to inventors to demonstrate the models of their inventions before the Automatic Train-Control Committee; and what was the number inspected?

The Committee to which my hon. Friend refers have now reported, and their report will shortly be published. The Committee examined a large number of specifications, or suggestions, which were brought to their notice by inventors and others, but it would appear that only in a few cases did the Committee think it necessary to give inventors opportunities to demonstrate the models of their inventions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when sanctioning the grant of 60 per cent. of the cost of installation of automatic traffic; signals for use by local authorities, any stipulation is made by him that they shall be of British manufacture

Every endeavour is made to encourage local authorities to use British materials and plant, although it is not the practice to make an actual requirement to this effect in the case of normal grants from the Road Fund. In the case of works expedited for the relief of unemployment it is, however, a condition of the grant that only British materials and plant shall be used save with the express approval of my Department.

The last time I asked this question, some months ago, the hon. Gentleman told me that they were experimenting with these instruments, and that as soon as the experiments were over British materials would be used?

The questions put on that occasion were in respect of instruments constructed by my own Department, and that answer still holds good.

asked the Minister of Transport whether British manufacturers are now in a position to supply automatic traffic-control signals for use by local authorities?

A number of British firms are now in a position to supply automatic coloured light signals for traffic control.

asked the Minister of Transport whether when sanctioning the grant for the installation of automatic traffic signals by local authorities, any grant has been given to installations of British manufacture; and, if so, by which local authorities they are used?

Grants have been made in respect of the installation of traffic control by coloured light signals of British manufacture to the following urban authorities:

• Eastbourne.
• Reading.
• Coventry.
• Leicester.
• Liverpool.
• Bristol.
• Birmingham.
• Sutton-in-Coldfield.
• Ashton-under Lyne.
• Dundee.
• Renfrew.
• Felixtowe.
• Lowestoft.

If these instruments of British manufacture are good enough for these local authorities, surely they are good enough for others, and why should not the right hon. Gentleman put them into operation all over the country?

Will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that the automatic signals that are put up are the best that can be obtained?

Those that are put up with the approval of my Department probably are the best that can be obtained, but I quite agree that the respective merits must be taken into account in connection with each installation.

Has the hon. Gentleman informed himself as to whether automatic installations in foreign countries are better or worse than or equal to those of British manufacture?

No, we have not come to a final conclusion upon that point. We are ourselves originating a scheme in Oxford Street, and we had to go to America for that purpose, because at that time British manufacturers were not in a position to give us equal service. I hope, however, that that condition of affairs will pass, and that we shall be able to take British all round.

May I have a reply to my question if British installations are good enough for the authorities which the hon. Gentleman mentions, why are they not good enough to use in other parts of the country?

Our experience is still limited, and it may be that we still do not know everything that we shall know about this subject.

Are we exporting any of these installations, and is the foreigner committing a sin by buying them?

asked the Minister of Transport whether any attempts have been made, and, if so, of what nature, to reduce the number of level railway crossings in Leicestershire during the past year?

One bridge in lieu of a level crossing is now under construction in the city of Leicester. The Leicestershire County Council have considered proposals for the elimination of three level crossings; but, in view of the large expenditure which would be involved and the comparatively small volume of traffic using these crossings, the council have decided to proceed with one only—that at Coalville, which is included in their five-year programme.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that several years ago I brought the question of this level crossing at Coal-vine before his Department

I am afraid that I was not responsible so many years ago.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has approved the scheme for the construction of a by-pass road through the parish of Thorpe St. Andrew, near Norwich?

The scheme has been approved in principle for a grant from the Road Fund. Further details are now awaited from the county council.

May I remind the Minister that the land in this neighbourhood is very often flooded, and therefore special care will be needed in the building of this road?