asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question has recently been considered of abandoning the permanent seats held by the five great Powers on the Council of the League of Nations and relying for election in future on the votes of the delegates to the Assembly; and what the present position is?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative, and I am very doubtful whether this particular proposal would receive any large measure of support, even if it were made.

Would my right hon. Friend be willing to give it sympathetic consideration in the event of it being put forward?

No, I am afraid I could not, at present.

Is it not a fact that most of the commitments and responsibilities entered into by the League of Nations would have to be borne by those five great Powers?

Yes; it opens up a very large field. It would mean a departure from the Treaty of Versailles and would mean altering, I think, the Covenant of the League of Nations. It would be very difficult.

Is it not right that the strong should bear the burdens of the weak?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any communication has been received from the United States of America Government with reference to negotiations for a consultative pact to be employed at moments of international crisis; and what the policy of the Government is on this matter?

No communication of the nature mentioned by the hon. Member has been received by His Majesty's Government.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of taking the initiative in this matter if the appropriate moment would seem to have arisen?

From my information the appropriate moment is not likely to arise, at any rate at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government have been informed of any proposals made by France and Italy with reference to their naval building programmes?

As I informed the right hon. Gentleman on the 19th of November, certain conversations have been taking place, and these are still in progress. In the circumstances, I am not in a position to say any more at the present time.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the number of Continental countries that are now made available for British subjects under group heading for travellers intending to visit the Continent?

British passports are now normally made valid for all European countries, including the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Turkey.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is necessary for an intending traveller to apply in that way, or whether he has to apply for one specific country?

No; as I understand it the procedure is as I have stated in the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any acknowledgment or reply from the Soviet Government to his protest concerning the broadcast of propaganda; and will he publish the reply, if and when received?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made in the House on this subject the day before yesterday.

Will the right hon. Gentleman now follow the example of the Soviet Government and prosecute traitors—

That is quite another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will arrange for a transcript of the anti-British radio broadcast from Moscow, to which exception has been taken by the Government, to be circulated to the House as a White Paper; and whether steps will be taken to ensure that official verbatim reports shall be obtained in future of similar radio broadcasts?

I am not aware of any general desire that this message should be published as a White Paper, but I am prepared to place a copy in the Library of the House. Arrangements as suggested in the second part of the question have already been made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the wonderful advertisement this station is getting from the action of hon. Members opposite?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—

Not because of something the hon. and gallant Member has said.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as a result of his telegraphic instructions to our Ambassador at Moscow urging on the Soviet Government the importance which. His Majesty's Government attached to the case of the Lena Goldfields, Limited, he can now say what action the Soviet Government have decided to take with reference to the arbitral award in favour of that company of the 2nd September last?

His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow has received a reply from the Soviet Government with regard to this case, and the full text is now on its way to me. Until I have had the opportunity of considering the terms of the reply and communicating with the company it would clearly be undesirable for me to make any further statement.

Without entering into details, can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House, as this is a very serious matter, whether they do intend to make at any rate some payment on account of the very large sum of £13,000,000 which was awarded to this British company?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given. I must await their report and read it, and see exactly what it says.

When may I put the question down again?

There, again, I am not in a position to say when I shall receive the report.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the all-union council of trades unions in Russia is under the supervision or control of the Soviet Government or the Third International?

I have asked His Majesty's Ambassador whether he can give me any information on the points raised by the hon. Member. If the hon. Member will put his question down again in a week's time, I will then give him a considered reply.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all unions in Russia are free, or otherwise, to join the Third International, exactly in the same way as British trade unions are free to join the Trade Union Congress.

That question does not arise out of the answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any military attaché has been appointed to the Soviet Embassy in London?

There is no military attaché to the Soviet Embassy in London.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that there never will be?

That is too tall an order for me.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the strength in machines and personnel of the air force in Soviet Russia, including partially trained men and volunteer men and the Oso aviat Khin?

I would refer the hon. Member to the Armaments Year Book, 1929–30, published by the League of Nations, which contains such official information as is available on this subject?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will give a list of enterprises in Russia which are not controlled by the Soviet Government?

I understand that under Soviet law only enterprises employing less than 10 hands may be regarded as private enterprises. I am not in a position to state how many such enterprises exist in the Soviet Union at the present time.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the industry of broadcasting is a private enterprise or not?

No, Sir. I have no information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the decision taken at Geneva to recommend the calling of the world conference on disarmament as soon as possible, the Board has considered the advisability of postponing further new warship building in the meantime; and whether any decision has been reached?

The policy of His Majesty's Government is to spread the replacement of obsolete warships evenly over a period of years. Such a replacement programme within the terms of the London Naval Treaty will not, in the opinion of His Majesty's Government, prejudice any agreement which may be reached at the world disarmament conference.

Yes, but have the Board been made aware of the proceedings of and the decisions reached by the Preparatory Commission in regard to this whole question?

My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the Board are fully aware of all that happened.

But does the hon. Member recall that last time this matter was raised on the Navy Estimates he himself was unaware of what had happened?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the shortage of silent films, it is intended to fit the larger British battleships and cruisers of His Majesty's Navy with sound-film apparatus; and will he give particulars?

The installation of cinematograph apparatus in His Majesty's ships is not undertaken as a public service, though the Admiralty have regarded with favour the efforts already made in this direction by the Men's Canteen Committees, assisted by the officers. Silent film apparatus has now been installed in most ships of the Royal Navy, and a serious problem is arising for the men owing to the shortage of silent films. To help them on the question of the possibility of a change over to sound-film apparatus the Admiralty are at the present time undertaking inquiries, which are not as yet completed.

Can the hon. Member say whether inquiries about sound film apparatus have been made from British manufacturers, or whether it is intended to instal American?

I cannot say.

Cannot my hon. Friend take steps to see that any sound film apparatus installed shall be of British manufacture?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (1) whether he will consider the introduction of some method whereby the ex-mates can have more than one recommendation forwarded in order that their chance of promotion may not rest on this one alone seeing that ex-cadets are able to get six;

(2) if he will state the number of half-yearly recommendations received on behalf of lieutenant-commanders (ex-cadet) promoted to commander at six years' seniority and the number received on behalf of lieutenant-commanders (ex-mate) promoted at three years' seniority, now that the lower limit of the zone is three years?

I agree that their greater age has a bearing on the chances of promotion of mates. As my hon. Friend is aware the general question is now under consideration by a committee, and their report must be awaited. As has already been explained, however, the actual number of the recommendations received has nothing to do with the matter. The information asked for in Question 18 cannot be given, since recommendations differ in degree, and any figures given would depend on the precise degree of recommendation which should be counted.

Can the hon. Member say when the committee are likely to make their report?

I cannot say.

Is it not a fact that all recommendations are taken into account in considering the promotion of ex-mates, and not merely one?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what quantities of Russian-produced timber and other materials, respectively, have been purchased by his Department for use in the royal naval dockyards since the 1st July, 1929; the respective dates upon which such purchases were made; and the respective prices paid?

The quantities of Russian-produced timber and other materials purchased by the Admiralty in the 17 months since 1st July, 1929, are as follow:

Will the hon. Gentleman state why British-produced timber and materials were not purchased, instead of Russian, on those particular occasions?

If the hon. Member will refer to the answer given some time ago, he will see that much less has been purchased by this Government than by the last Government. The reason for these purchases was that we could not get supplies from Empire sources to meet the needs of the Navy.

Will the hon. Member say whether attempts have been made to obtain Empire supplies?

I should have thought it was obvious from my answer that if we could have got Empire supplies we would have used them, but we could not.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the desirability of giving instructions that all timber and other materials respectively used in ship-construction, ship-repairing, and other work in the Royal naval dockyards, shall be of British production or manufacture?

The existing instructions already provide that all timber and other materials used in the Royal dockyards shall be of British or Imperial production or manufacture whenever practicable. All manufactured articles used in the dockyards and made under Admiralty inspection are required to be of British manufacture and no foreign product is used when there is a suitable British product obtainable at a reasonable price.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to see that the conditions which apply in respect of this timber apply to all the timber which is used?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made with the experiments for the use of oil fuel distilled from British coal for the Royal Navy; to what extent shale oil is in use; on what scale the experiments with British oil fuel are being conducted; and whether it is proposed to erect special extraction plant?

Creosote oil mixed with petroleum oil has been in use in the Royal Navy for several years. Three 20-ton samples of oil fuel produced by the low-temperature carbonisation of coal have been burnt experimentally in naval type boilers at the Admiralty Fuel Experimental Station, Haslar. The results which were generally satisfactory are being communicated to the producers. Two further samples are on order and it is proposed to carry out further trials with these oils in a destroyer in the near future. In addition trials have been carried out at the Admiralty Engineering Laboratory, West Drayton, with Diesel fuel oil produced by hydrogenation. Shale oil is used to a small extent for special purposes. The answer to the last part is in the negative.

Now that this oil fuel is being used at sea, why are the trials only made on a destroyer and why could not a larger ship be used for trying this oil out?

I think it is obvious that we should try this experiment on a small scale first, and, if it is satisfactory, it can be extended.

May I ask— I did not hear the first part of the hon. Gentleman's reply—if this oil is extracted by low-temperature carbonisation?

Yes.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when a decision will be promulgated on the representations received from officers of and from warrant rank asking that ratings of the officers' stewards and officers' cook branches should be authorised for their mess in all ships and establishments?

I regret that the employment of a proportion of seamen and stokers as warrant officers' mess servants is necessitated by considerations of fighting efficiency.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of cases of tuberculosis in the Royal Navy as a whole for each year in the last 10 years?

I will, with the Noble Lady's permission, circulate the figures in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The numbers of cases of tuberculosis, pulmonary and non-pulmonary, in the Royal Navy as a whole for each year in the last nine years, were as follow:

I regret that the figures for 10 years are not available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if his attention has been called to the gallantry of the sailors of His Majesty's Ship "Suffolk" in rescuing the crew of 14 from the Swedish motor-ship "Hedvig," aground on the Pratas Reef; whether any recognition of the services rendered has been considered; and if he intends taking any action in the matter?

A report on the circumstances referred to by my hon. Friend has been called for, which will enable the Board of Admiralty to determine whether special recognition would be appropriate.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary be able to give me an answer to this question if I put it down next week?

Yes, I hope so. I will endeavour to do so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the amount of tonnage included in the 1930–31 naval programme, orders for the construction of which have not yet been placed; and whether he will consider the desirability of placing a further order in respect of a part of such tonnage with the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham?

I cannot now contemplate any alteration of the allocation of orders for the 1930 programme already announced. Although orders have not actually been placed, plans are well advanced. Tenders for contract-built ships are already in office, and it is expected that a decision in regard to them will be reached shortly. The desirability of placing further new construction with Chatham Yard is now being considered in connection with the Estimates for 1931.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary say the amount of tonnage in the 1930–31 programme which was allocated to the Royal Dockyard at Chatham?

I cannot give the tonnage, but the ships allocated to the Royal Naval Dockyard at Chatham under the 1930–31 programme are: One net-layer and target-cowing vessel, two submarines and one sloop.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent the system of shore patrols is being continued in naval ports during leave periods; and whether, having regard to the improved morale of the men in His Majesty's Navy, he will discontinue this system?

No change is being made in the procedure of shore patrols at the naval ports. I gladly take the opportunity of testifying to the generally excellent standards maintained by the men of His Majesty's Navy and Royal Marines, both afloat and ashore, but naval patrols have their value in other directions than that of dealing with the few cases of misbehaviour which may arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent the general messing principle has been applied in His Majesty's Navy and what are the reports concerning its effectiveness; and have any complaints been received from the men of the lower deck concerning its working?

Over 40,000 ratings are now victualled under the general messing system, and the system is working satisfactorily. Complaints and suggestions on matters of detail have been received from time to time and are dealt with as they arise. The general trend of representation is in the direction of improving the detailed working organisation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes to withdraw the Admiralty grant to naval units of the cadet corps?

This matter will be considered in connection with the Navy Estimates for 1931.

In considering this matter will my hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that these cadet corps give a good many boys to the Mercantile Marine as well as to the Royal Navy?

Yes, Sir, all these facts will be borne in mind.

Will the hon. Gentleman take account of the reasons which were held to be justifiable by the War Office in dealing with similar organisations?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has been arrived at for the utilisation of the late military hospital at Stoke, Devonport, for the purposes of a torpedo and gunnery school for service ratings in the Plymouth depôt?

The matter is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the members of the Kenya Native Lands Trust Board have been appointed to represent native interests; and what are their qualifications for so doing?

Apart from special provisions relating to the appointment of an African or Africans as circumstances permit, the Native Lands Trust Ordinance does not contemplate sectional representation on the Native Lands Trust Board. The Ordinance while declaring native lands to be under the management and control of the Board, also requires such land to be administered for the use and benefit of the natives. All members of the Board are therefore in the position of trustees for the natives, and my noble Friend is confident that they will, without exception, fully recognise this responsibility. I will, if my hon. Friend wishes, send him a list of the members of the Board as now constituted; it includes the name of the member of the executive council appointed on account of the value of his advice on matters affecting Africans.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the proposed Kenya Colony loan of £2,231,000, of which £1,250,000 is to be spent on public buildings; whether his Department has considered the question whether the Colony can afford at the present time so large an expenditure on building; and whether the proposed expenditure portends an increase in the Government official and clerical staff?

The provision referred to is not new expenditure but represents commitments in respect of a building programme already approaching completion the cost having been met from advances pending the issue of the recent loan. The question of the capacity of the Colony to bear the additional loan charges involved was fully considered when the works were approved. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

Have the Department received criticisms from the settlers there that too much money is being spent on buildings and that it might far better have been spent on roads and other developments?

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that forced labour is in operation in the colony of Kenya at the present time?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether special provision has been made for the repatriation of Indian plantation labourers in Ceylon thrown out of employment as the result of the depression in the rubber industry; and, if so, the number of Indian labourers who have been so repatriated since the scheme came into force?

I am not aware that any special provision has been made for the repatriation of unemployed Indian labourers in Ceylon. My Noble Friend will, however, make inquiries of the Governor.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any special provision has been made for the repatriation of Indian plantation labourers in Malaya thrown out of employment as the result of the depression in the rubber industry; and, if so, the number of Indian labourers who have been so repatriated since the scheme has come into force?

It is the policy of the Malayan Government to repatriate all unemployed Indian labourers. All recruitment of them has stopped, and 13,360 were repatriated from Port Swettenham in the first nine months of this year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government that evidence should be given before the Joint Committee on East Africa by Government officials from East Africa, by unofficial European representatives from East Africa, and by natives; whether the expenses of either or both are to be defrayed from public funds; and, if so, whether these expenses will be borne on Colonial or British funds?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply appearing in to-day's OFFICIAL, REPOBT to an unstarred question asked by the hon. Member for Blackpool (Sir W. de Frece), of which I have sent him a copy. I would like to make it clear that it is for the Joint Committee, not for the Government, to decide what witnesses the committee will invite to give evidence, whether written or oral, and this question is already engaging the attention of the committee.

Is it the intention of the Government that those whom the Committee desire to give evidence will have their expenses paid if they come to this country for that purpose, and, if so, will those expenses be borne by the Imperial or the Colonial Government?

Yes, Sir, I give that answer in the case of a later question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether an opportunity will be afforded to official and/or unofficial representatives of Northern Rhodesia to give evidence before the Joint Committee on East Africa; and, if so, whether the expenses of such representatives will be defrayed from public funds?

The question whether or not representatives of Northern Rhodesia are to be heard is one for the Joint Committee to settle. If invited at the instance of the Committee, their expenses will be defrayed from British funds.

Does that answer apply also to the supplementary question which I put on Question No. 31, with regard to the expenses of witnesses coming from the other East African Colonies?

Yes, it applies to all witnesses from East Africa.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the duties for which the Governor of Bermuda is paid a salary of £2,000 from the Exchequer in addition to his normal salary and allowances; and whether it is proposed to discontinue this payment?

The Governor of Bermuda is also in command of the troops comprising the garrison. The allocation of the emoluments of the Governor of Bermuda to which His Majesty's Government and the Colonial Government jointly contribute in agreed proportions is not based on any specific duties of the Governor.

Is it not the case that the salary is continued though practically speaking the garrison has been abolished —it is now less than 1,000 men all told, including officers.

Yes, Sir, that is so.

In that case, is there not a case for abolishing the salary also?

There is a case for consideration, and this matter is now being fully gone into.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that, although a General is appointed to Bermuda, the guns have long since tumbled into the sea, and only a company of troops remain there?

I am aware of that fact.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the statement of the British South Africa Company that they had authority to agree to terms which would be binding upon the North Charterland Company was accepted by the Colonial Office, seeing that the British South Africa Company were not managers of the North Charterland Company and did not possess that company's authority to agree to terms on its behalf?

The question appears to be based on a misapprehension. No such statement has ever been received from the British South Africa Company.

Is it not a fact that the British South Africa Company have no right to make an agreement for and on behalf of the North Charterland Company, and has not the hon. Gentleman or the Prime Minister received correspondence regarding this matter in the last few days?

I could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any progress has been made in the establishment of a West Indies air service?

Proposals for the establishment of air services in the British West Indies have been put forward by Atlantic Airways, Limited. It is understood that the initial operation contemplated by the company is the establishment of a service connecting Trinidad with British Guiana, Barbados and Venezuela. Full particulars of this initial scheme have been communicated by my Noble Friend to the officers administering the Governments of the colonies in question, and he hopes shortly to receive their observations on the company's proposals.

Is it contemplated, if it is carried out, that this new service shall carry the mails?

I expect that will be so if the service is established, but the proposals are not yet sufficiently formed to enable me to go into that matter now.

Is it a British company?

Yes, I understand that it is entirely a British company.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to an American project for establishing a transatlantic air service viâ, Bermuda-Azores to this country; and whether any steps are being taken to safeguard British air interests in this proposed air route?

Yes, Sir, negotiations for establishing an air service between Baltimore and Bermuda, with a view to the eventual extension of the service across the Atlantic viâ, the Azores to this country, have for some time been in progress. The project is not exclusively American, and involves co-operation between British and American air interests.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when an announcement will be made regarding the appointment of a new Director of Civil Aviation in place of the late Sir Sefton Brancker?

I hope that an announcement will be made in the course of the next week or so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the final Report of the. Air Ministry inquiry into the causes of the Meopham air disaster last July will be issued, and if the Air Ministry will give an undertaking that opportunity will be given to representatives of the relations of those killed to examine witnesses or call evidence at a further inquiry yet to be announced?

The reply to the first part of the question is that, as stated in the interim report on the accident already published, it has proved necessary to carry out extensive tests on a model of this aircraft (which had to be made specially for the purpose), to elucidate some of the technical problems involved. The results of these tests have only just become available, and the sub-committee of the Aeronautical Research Committee are considering them to-day. I hope that a final report from the committee will be available about the middle of January at the latest. With regard to the second part of the question, my Noble Friend would prefer not to make a decision as to the holding of a public inquiry until after he has received the report of the Aeronautical Research Committee; but, if it then appears that any useful purpose can be served by such an inquiry, it will be held.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Air Ministry representative, at the inquest on the victims of this accident, gave an assuraance to the court, when he was asked by the representatives of the relatives of those who were killed, that the Air Ministry would grant such an opportunity as is asked for in the second part of my question?

I know that that question has been raised on several occasions, but I do not think that any good purpose would be served by my amplifying the answer that I have given.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable public anxiety in regard to this matter? In view of the unsatisfactory nature of his reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take for the purpose of consolidating the economic position of the Colonial Empire?

The economic interests of the Colonies and Protectorates formed one of the principal subjects of discussion at the Colonial Office Conference, and are under continuous review by the various appropriate authorities. They present a variety of problems which call for, and receive, separate consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps His Majesty's Government in Great Britain propose to take for the purpose of consolidating the constitutional position of the Colonial Empire?

I regret that I cannot understand the hon. and gallant Member's question. If the hon. and gallant Member will be good enough to put it down again in clearer terms, I shall be glad to try to answer it.

Will the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that no further White Papers will be issued by his Department without consultation with the Governments concerned?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the date of the construction of engines in all service aircraft which have crashed with fatal result since 1st January, 1929?

If the hon. Gentleman particularly wishes, I will have a return prepared giving the particulars for which he asks. I think, however, I can answer his question more briefly by saying that the average life of the engines concerned was approximately one year, either from the date of purchase or from the date of what is known as "complete overhaul," a process which includes the replacement of all parts necessary to bring the engine up to the standard of a new engine.

Can the hon. Gentleman say to what extent the age of the engine is a factor in fatal accidents or fatal crashes?

There is no definite relation, and, of course, a certain proportion of accidents arise from an unknown cause.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how many times these engines are overhauled?

I cannot answer a technical question like that without notice.

May I ask, as an engineer speaking for engineers, what is the particular build of engines with which there are most accidents?

That, obviously, is a question that I cannot answer without notice.

That is exactly the point. Can the hon. Gentleman tell the House to what extent this unknown cause is attributable to engine trouble and the age of the engine? [ Laughter. ]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if it is now the intention of His Majesty's Government to permit officers in the Royal Air Force to compete in the Schneider Trophy contest?

This question, with others in connection with next year's Schneider Trophy contest, is still under consideration.

In view of the importance of this to experimental aviation, as well as to British flying, and of the fact that the British Air Force is the best in the world, will the hon. Gentleman reconsider the question of allowing officers of the British Royal Air Force to take part in the next Schneider Trophy contest?

The whole question of the Schneider Trophy contest is under consideration, and I hope that within the next week I shall be able to give a more definite answer.

If I put down a further question, will the hon. Gentleman be able to give me an answer?

I hope so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement as regards Government support being given to the Schneider Trophy air race to be held next year?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the decision taken at Geneva to recommend the calling of the world conference on disarmament as soon as possible, the Air Council has considered the advisability of reducing expenditure on the expansion of the Royal Air Force in the meantime; and whether any decision has been reached?

My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that this and other relevant considerations will be borne in mind when the Air Estimates for next year are being framed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the statement made in the Russian State trial to the effect that Colonel T. E. Lawrence, alias Aircraftman T. E. Shaw, was in London in 1927 engaged in a conspiracy against the Soviet Government, he will state the dates of Aircraftman Shaw's departure to and return from India, and what leave, if any, he had during that period of service?

Aircraftman T. E. Shaw sailed for India on the 7th December, 1926, arrived on the 7th January, 1927, and served in that country till the 12th January, 1929, when he embarked for home, arriving on the 2nd February, 1929. He was not granted any leave whilst serving in India.

Is it not true that Aircraftman Shaw is leading a perfectly-quiet, respectable and useful life?

asked the Prime Minister whether the texts of the Trade Disputes Bill and the Electoral Reform Bill will be available to Members before the Christmas Recess?

I hope that the text of the first Bill mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman will be available before we rise for Christmas. As regards the second Bill, I am more doubtful.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's doubt about the Electoral Reform Bill, may I ask whether all the difficulties with regard to this Bill were not cleared away on Friday by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Carnarvon Boroughs (Mr. Lloyd George)?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of reducing the size of the Cabinet?

The answer to this question is in the negative.

In view of the manifesto which was recently issued by certain hon. Members sitting behind him, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Prime Minister to give his further and, perhaps, more sympathetic consideration to that portion of the manifesto which suggests his own abdication in favour of the "Big Five"?

I am sure that the Prime Minister will give to every representation the consideration which it deserves.

Has the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to the suggestion that the five dictators should be Low, Strube, Tom Webster, Poy, and Horrabin?

asked the Prime Minister whether an opportunity will be afforded to the House of discussing any proposals that may be formulated by the Preparatory Disarmament Commission before they are considered at the general conference in 1931; and whether a summary of the proceedings and conclusions of the commission will in due course be issued for the information of Members?

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs undertook, in replying on 12th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), to issue a White Paper setting out the conclusions of the present session of the Preparatory Commission. This White Paper will be issued as soon as possible after the conclusion of the session of the Commission. The question of a discussion had better wait till after publication of this Paper.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has considered the resolutions, passed on 3rd December by the meeting representing all branches of the fur trade, concerning Soviet Russian imports; the nature of his reply; and whether he has agreed to the meeting's proposal that he should receive a deputation from this trade?

The Prime Minister has not received the resolutions referred to in the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. The second and third parts do not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any decision has yet been reached in connection with the suggestion made in the report of the Chelmsford Committee that a site should be acquired and buildings erected in which the British Industries Fair may be held in future years; and whether a committee will be appointed to formulate definite proposals?

The recommendations of the committee are receiving careful consideration, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make a statement?

Not until after the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the number of road transport companies in which the controlling interest is held by a railway company; what is the amount of railway-owned capital and the approximate amount spent in developing them during the last 12 months; and what grants, if any, have been made by the Government towards such concerns?

The proportion of the passenger road transport undertakings of the country actually controlled by railway companies is, I believe, small. At the same time I understand that the railway companies have acquired financial interest in a large number of such undertakings. As regards the second part of the question my hon. Friend will find particulars of the capital invested by the four amalgamated railway companies in road transport undertakings, as at the 31st December, 1929, on page 139 of the Annual Railway Returns for that year. As regards the third part, no grants have been made by the Government for the development of road transport companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the lighting on many of the arterial roads at night; and whether he will consider taking this subject up with the various local authorities concerned?

Representations have been made to me from time to time. I have no power to intervene, however, as the matter is entirely one for the lighting authority.

Cannot my hon. Friend take some action, especially in view of the fact that it is extremely dangerous when going through villages which have no footpaths?

My hon. Friend must face the fact that I have no powers to deal with street lighting; and, in the case of arterial roads in rural areas and areas not built upon, I really cannot see that it is necessary that there should be any lighting.

Will the hon. Gentleman advise his hon. Friend that if he would drive his Rolls Royce more slowly it would save a lot of bother?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is yet in a position to state the names of the persons appointed by him under the terms of the Road Traffic Act to serve as traffic commissioners in England, Wales, and Scotland; and what sum will be allocated from the Road Fund to meet the cost of salaries and expenses of these gentlemen and their offices?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he has decided what salaries shall be paid to the chairmen of the traffic commissioners; and what remuneration shall be paid to the other traffic commissioners under the Road Traffic Act, 1930;

(2) in how many of the 13 traffic areas he has appointed traffic commissioners under the Road Traffic Act, 1930; who are the men appointed; and what their last employment or occupation had been prior to their appointment?

This answer is rather long, but I assume that the House will wish to have this information given to them this afternoon. I will give the area first, the name of the person second, and previous appointments third. Appointments have been made to 11 of the 13 traffic areas. As I indicated in the course of the discussions on the Bill, it is not proposed to remunerate the commissioners appointed from the panels nominated by local authorities, but they will receive payment of their travelling and out of pocket expenses. The estimated cost of the salaries and expenses of the traffic commissioners and their offices for the year 1931–32 is about £150,000, which in part represents expenditure transferred from the existing licensing authorities. The estimated cost of the chairmen's salaries

I have also appointed Sir Haviland Hiley, K. B. E., formerly General Manager, New Zealand Government Railways; Member, Royal Commission on Local Government of Greater London; Chairman, Rhodesian Railways Commission, but his Area has not yet been determined!

I hope to announce shortly the remaining appointments, including the appointments of Commissioners selected from the panels nominated by local Authorities.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is intended to pay the other commissioners any money at all, or will their services be entirely without pay?

As I understand the position, the local Government commissioners will receive travelling and out-of-pocket expenses, but otherwise they will receive nothing.