asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House information concerning the proposals of the Government of the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics to create a force of military reservists, stating the numbers proposed to be so raised?

My right hon. Friend has requested His Majesty's Ambassador at Moscow to inquire into the truth of certain Press reports which have recently appeared on this subject.

Would it not have been better if the Government had followed the usual procedure and appointed an attaché at Moscow to inform us?

No, Sir, my right hon. Friend has several times stated that we hold the contrary opinion.

Will the hon. Gentleman communicate the result to the House when he receives it?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a question a little later.

Is there a Naval or Air Force attaché at Moscow?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the result of the negotiations between Soviet Russia and the Chinese Republic concerning the protocol signed in 1929 by the representatives of the Manchurian local government, particularly concerning the future of the Chinese Eastern Government and the resumption of diplomatic relations?

These negotiations have been temporarily suspended owing to the departure from Moscow of the chief Chinese delegate, who has returned to China, presumably to consult his Government. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the details of the negotiations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have now acceded to or are in process of or have undertaken to accede to the General Act of Arbitration, Conciliation, and Judicial Settlement?

Norway, Finland, Luxemburg, Denmark, Spain and Belgium have acceded to the whole of the General Act. Sweden and the Netherlands have acceded to Chapters I, II and IV. The French Government have expressed their intention of acceding to the whole of the General Act, and a Bill providing for this has already passed the Chamber of Deputies. My right hon. Friend understands that the Italian Government are also considering the question of accession.

Does the hon. Gentleman expect to be able to take the Motion for accession in this House at an early date?

Yes, Sir, I hope so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the present position with regard to the League of Nations' inquiry into the causes of the world economic crisis; and when a report is expected?

My right hon. Friend understands that a considerable amount of material has already been collected, and a meeting of economic experts, in connection with this inquiry, has been summoned for 2nd March at Geneva. It is impossible to say at present when the report will be forthcoming, but the United Kingdom delegation at the recent Assembly of the League emphasised the urgency and importance of this inquiry and expressed the hope that the report would be completed before the next Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether tie proposes to make a detailed statement on the disarmament policy of the Government at any time before leaving this country for the forthcoming disarmament conference at Geneva?

As the hon. and gallant Member is no doubt aware, the Disarmament Conference will not meet until 2nd February, 1932. I have no doubt that a statement on the policy of His Majesty's Government will be made before that date.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much money has actually been spent on each of the three cruisers authorised by the 1930 building programme; in each case whether the ship has yet been laid down, what is the state of its construction or on what date it will be laid down, and the date on which each of the destroyer-leader and eight destroyers of the 1930 programme was ordered or when will the orders be given; and how much money will actually have been expended before the close of the financial year on the 1930 naval programme?

The amounts reported as actually expended to date on the three cruisers of the 1930 new programme are as follow:

				£
Neptune	…	…	…	950
Orion	…	…	…	480
Achilles	…	…	…	480

Neptune at Portsmouth Dockyard, and Orion at Devonport Dockyard, will probably be laid down during August or September, 1931. Achilles was ordered from Messrs. Cammell Laird and Company, on 16th February, 1931, and the date of laying down is not known. The date of order of the Flotilla Leader Duncan (to be built at Portsmouth Dockyard) was 14th February, 1931, and orders for the eight destroyers to be built by contract were placed on 2nd February, 1931. It is estimated that the amount that will be spent by the end of the current financial year on the 1930 programme is £13,175.

In view of the present situation of unemployment, is it not advisable to expedite this programme so as to give work?

It is being pushed forward as quickly as possible, following the practice which has been adopted for a number of years of beginning the programme towards the end of the financial year.

Will the hon. Gentleman undertake not to reproach any subsequent Government for having spent money on armaments?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that men regularly employed on wiring work under his Department are refused the wiremen's rate; and what steps are being taken to remedy this grievance?

To be graded and paid as wiremen, skilled labourers must have been employed on electrical wiring for at least five years and be certified by their officers to be fully competent as wiremen. The men to whom my hon. Friend refers have not fulfilled these conditions.

Are the Admiralty at the present time considering an application from these people, and, if so, are they prepared to submit the matter to arbitration?

The Admiralty are always prepared to, and will, consider every application, but they are not prepared to agree that this matter should go to arbitration, because they are of opinion that it is not within the competence of the arbitration courts to decide whether dockyard employés are competent to discharge particular duties.

Is this not an application for wages, and, if so, is it not a matter of wages and not competence that is under discussion?

My hon. Friend is misinformed, even as to the nature of the own question. It is not a question of wages, but whether they can do certain work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why civilian pensioners employed by the Admiralty in shore establishments are paid a lower rate than other industrial employés?

The duties performed by civilian pensioners employed by the Admiralty correspond generally to those performed by labourers and undifferentiated skilled labourers in the industrial establishments and their rates of pay are fixed generally to conform.

Are these lower rates fixed by taking into account the pensions of which these men are in receipt, and, if so, is that the policy of the Admiralty?

Oh, no, they are not. It is according to the work they are doing. These men cannot definitely be allocated to any particular category. They are paid for their work.

Are we to understand from the question that better wages are paid by private enterprise than by national undertakings?

That question does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with reference to the mui-tsai system in Hong Kong?

A copy of the Governor's report of the 4th December, 1930, which covers the second six months of 1930 and which is the latest report on the subject which my Noble Friend has received, will be placed in the Library.

I asked my hon. Friend whether he had anything to state with regard to the position. Can he give the House any further information?

This is the report of the Governor. As my hon. Friend is probably aware, we are having six-monthly reports from the Governor on this subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is in a position to make any further statement with regard to the proposed mission to Hong Kong to inquire into the question of Hong Kong currency?

It has been arranged that a mission shall proceed to Hong Kong forthwith to inquire into the currency system of that Colony and report. The members of the mission will be Mr. W. H. Clegg, Governor of the South African Reserve Bank, and Mr. P. H. Ezechiel, C.M.G., one of the Crown Agents for the Colonies, with Mr. G. L. M. Clauson, 0.B.E., of the Colonial Office, as Secretary. Mr. Ezechiel and Mr. Clauson will leave for Hong Kong to-morrow, and Mr. Clegg will meet them at Singapore, whence they will proceed together to Hong Kong. The Commission will report to my Noble Friend, and action will not be taken upon their recommendations until the Government of Hong Kong has been further consulted. Should it appear desirable also to consult other interests, this will be done.

Can the Under-Secretary of State say whether the mission will be empowered to consult the Chinese Government and British traders in China, seeing that the question concerns depreciation of silver currencies?

I have no doubt that the mission will take into account all relevant considerations, but it is solely concerned with the currency of Hong Kong.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost to Tanganyika of the Henn Railway Commission; and if he will say whether it is the intention of the Government to proceed in the near future with the construction of any railroads in Tanganyika; and, if so, between what points?

No information is available at present as to the exact cost of this Commission. Pending the receipt of reports on economic and technical surveys which are now in progress, no decision has been reached in regard to the construction of any new railway lines in the territory.

(for Rear-Admiral BEAMISH) asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what rates are paid by the Tanganyika Government and the public, respectively, for the lighterage of imports and of exports?

The general export charge at Dar-es-Salaam was reduced on the 1st of February to 3s. 6d. or 4s. 6d. per ton according to the class of goods. The general import charge is at present 8s. 6d. a ton, which will be reduced to 7s. a ton from the 1st April next. These are the lighterage rates at the inner anchorage. There is a small additional charge for wharfage and cranage and the rates at the outer anchorage are higher, while special rates are charged in the case of certain commodities. I am sending a list to the hon. and gallant Member. There is no differentiation made in the case of Government imports.

(for Rear - Admiral BEAMI SH) asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many lighterage companies are operating in the port of Tanga, in East Africa; and whether Government lighterage licences at this port are restricted to British interests only, or whether other and what national interests now possess and exercise equal facilities for the lighterage of the port

Two lighterage companies are at present working at Tanga. Government lighterage licences are not restricted to British firms. I understand that one of the two firms operating at Tanga is largely controlled by the Holland-Africa steamship line.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when he expects to receive the report of the court of inquiry dealing with the disaster to the airship R 101?

I understand that most of the report is written and in print, but I am unable to give a definite date on which the court will have completed it since, as I informed the hon. Member on the 4th instant, the court has asked for certain experiments to be carried out at the National Physical Laboratory, with a view to fixing more definitely the cause of the accident, and these experiments are not yet completed. Results of great value are to be expected from these experiments, and no time is being lost in carrying them out, but the court feels that it would be unwise to present its report until the results are available, or to curtail the experiments for the sake of a slightly earlier publication of the report. With this view my Noble Friend entirely concurs.

Can the Under-Secretary of State say whether the report will be issued before the Air Estimates come forward?

Will the hon. Gentleman whisper a little louder?

I am hoping so, but I cannot say definitely.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the recognised procedure whereby the instructor engaged on instructional flying in the Royal Air Force aircraft is in command of the machine, regardless of the executive rank of the pupil being possibly senior to that of the instructor, is made known to all ranks; and whether, in view of the recent flying-boat accident, he will consider republishing this in the form of an Air Ministry Order?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the evidence given at the inquiry into the recent disaster to a flying boat at Plymouth, he will consider a revision of the discipline of the Royal Air Force so as to provide for the absolute control of ail such craft during flying exercises being in the hands of pilots experienced in heavy seaplane work, notwithstanding the presence aboard of inexperienced persons of higher rank?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, and to the question put by the hon. Member for Newcastle, North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle), my Noble Friend is considering whether any expansion or clarification of the Regulations is desirable. Since the hon. Members clearly have in mind the recent most regrettable accident to a large flying boat at Cattewater, I think it my duty to inform the House that it has emerged quite clearly from the court of inquiry that this accident would not have occurred but for direct disobedience of orders on the part of an individual officer. I may add, since there has been considerable misconception on this point, that it has also been established that the officer concerned went up simply to act as marker for gunnery practice, not for flying instruction.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if a decision has yet been reached as to whether the R 100 is to be dismantled and the air base at Cardington closed; whether he can state the number of Government staff employed in this work; and whether any final decision has been arrived at with reference to this airship?

As regards the first and last parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave him on 5th November and 11th February last, to which at present I have nothing to add. On the second part of the question, the total personnel now employed at Cardington is approximately 450.

Can the hon. Member say with regard to the rest of the men whether they have been found employment in the Service?

For some of the men employment has been found, and, in addition, certain work has been transferred from other stations to Cardington in order to employ as many as possible there.

Will the hon. Member consider the advisability of awaiting the report on R 101 before coming to a decision on this matter?

That certainly will be done.

Will the hon. Member consider using the Cardington base for heavier-than-air craft?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air with regard to the new long-range Fairey-Napier monoplane which is now being built, whether it is intended to attempt with it a non-stop flight over a longer distance than any yet made; and whether he contemplates restricting the crew on such attempt to unmarried officers or men?

The aircraft in question is being built not for any specific attempt for a record non-stop flight, but in pursuance of the general policy of increasing the range of aircraft by all practical means, and thereby further developing the powers of mutual reinforcement by air forces in different areas which is an essential feature of air strategy. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Will the hon. Gentleman in regard to the Second part of the question ask for volunteers for these long-distance flights?

I cannot promise that.

asked the Minister of Transport, in view of the recommendations in the third and final report of the Royal Commission on Transport with regard to toll roads and bridges, what inducement is offered by his Department at the present time to local authorities to use their powers under the Road Traffic Act to buy and free toll roads and bridges; and whether he will take immediate steps to expedite their abolition?

asked the Minister of Transport how many local authorities, if any, have taken advantage of their powers under the Road Traffic Act, 1930, for the abolition of toll roads and bridges; how many toll roads and bridges still exist; and whether he intends to take further action in the matter?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he intends, in view of the proposals contained in the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to facilitate the movement of traffic along the roads of the country, to bring to the notice of the different local authorities concerned the powers they possess for acquiring by negotiation and arbitration the different toll bridges and tolls in their areas?

asked the Minister of Transport how many toll bridges or tolls have been acquired or are in process of acquisition by local authorities since the passing of the Road Traffic Act; and what steps have been taken by his Department to inform authorities of their powers under the Act?

I am about to issue a Circular to local authorities drawing attention to the additional powers conferred upon them by the provisions of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, and in particular the provisions contained in Part III of the Act. This Circular will refer, among other matters, to the provisions of Section 53, which deals with the transfer of toll bridges and toll roads to local authorities. I have already announced my willingness to make grants up to 60 per cent. of the net expenditure incurred on approved schemes, the amount of the grants varying with the importance of the road affected. The initiative in the promotion of schemes of this kind is with the highway authorites concerned. There are 55 toll roads and 80 toll bridges still existing. Seven schemes for freeing bridges from tolls are now under active consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement as to the road development programme of the Government; and whether he has any new proposals to put before the House?

I have nothing to add to the statements made on behalf of the Government in the course of the Debate on the Motion by the right hon. Member for Darwen (Sir H. Samuel) on the 12th February.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the statement of the Prime Minister on this matter, and am I to take it that the usual programme of the Ministry is being conducted?

Certainly, I have noticed the statement of the Prime Minister, and I agree with the statement of the Prime Minister.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any figures to show what was the increase in the number of third-party risk insurance policies taken out in January, 1931, as compared with January, 1930?

I have no information with regard to the number of third-party risk insurance policies which have been taken out.

Has there been any increase in tariff rates as a result of the operation of the Act?

Not to my knowledge.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that it is necessary under the recent Road Traffic Regulation Bill for a farmer desiring to move a tractor from one field to another, which necessitates a short journey along a road, to take out an insurance policy against third-party risk for this tractor; and whether he will introduce legislation to mitigate this burden imposed on farmers?

I cannot see my way to introduce amending legislation with a view to exempting from the provisions of Part II of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, farmers who use motor vehicles upon the public road. I understand, however, that agricultural vehicles used to a very limited extent upon the public roads may be insured against third-party risks in respect of such use at specially low rates.

Has the Minister of Transport received any complaints in regard to this matter from farmers?

I do not think the complaints have been extensive, and I am not sure that there have been any at all, but the point has been brought to my notice on more than one occasion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any accidents occurred last year involving third-party risks owing to the dangerous driving of these farm vehicles.

I cannot say.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order that passengers in public service vehicles may know at what speed the vehicle is travelling, he will consider making an order under the Road Traffic Act for all such vehicles to carry efficient speedometers with dials placed in such a position as to be plainly visible to the passengers?

I have no evidence of any general desire on the part of passengers in public service vehicles to know the precise speed of the vehicle in which they are travelling, and I am not satisfied that, on grounds of public safety, regulations for the purpose mentioned by the hon. Member are necessary.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the result of putting speedometers in these vehicles would be to reduce the excessive speed of some of them?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any schemes before his Department at the present time for the reconstruction of Wandsworth Bridge; and will he give particulars?

The London County Council have not yet submitted any definite proposals to my Department in regard to the reconstruction of Wandsworth Bridge.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the views of the local authorities interested in the construction of road bridges over the Forth and Tay; and whether any decision has now been arrived at by him on the subject?

I have considered the views of the local authorities interested in the construction of road bridges over the Forth and Tay, and I have already offered a grant towards the cost of a new bridge at Kincardine-upon-Forth where the local authorities are prepared to bear a share of the outlay. I hope that powers for the construction of this bridge will shortly be obtained and that work will proceed. Bridge projects at Dundee and Queensferry are still undergoing examination.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to indicate the extent of the financial assistance the Government are prepared to render to these undertakings?

I would point out that up to the present, out of a total estimated cost for the Forth Bridge of £6,110,000, the local authorities have only definitely offered £108,000, which is 1.7 per cent. With respect to the Tay Bridge, no offer whatever of any local contribution has yet been made.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that a Government responsible for a national undertaking of this kind should say what they think is the right contribution for them to make?

I am certain that every local authority would like the Minister to assume that every scheme is a national scheme, but I am afraid that I cannot assume that, in view of the traffic statistics in the area.

asked the Minister of Transport when he anticipates he will be able to put forward his precise proposals with regard to the suggested traffic pool for London?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a reply which I gave to a question on this subject on the 11th February, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position of the scheme for the Tees Bridge; if he can give any idea when the work, which will give employment to unemployed workers, is likely to be commenced; and whether any of the preliminary work can be expedited?

Tenders for the construction of a bridge over the Tees have been received, and my Department has approved the proposal of the Tees (Newport) Bridge Joint Committee to accept the lowest tender. It may be anticipated therefore that the works will shortly be commenced.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of level crossings over railways in Lancashire at a convenient date about two years ago; and the number of schemes approved during the past two years to eliminate these crossings?

The information which the hon. Member requires regarding level crossings in Lancashire is not at present available, but I am causing inquiries to be made and will communicate with him as soon as possible.

Will the Minister of Transport let me know the number of schemes upon which work has actually been commenced and also the number upon which the work has been completed?

I will endeavour to secure that information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any action is being taken by the Government on the recommendations contained in the first report of the Standing Committee on Mineral Transport?

As my right hon. Friend is aware, the principal recommendation contained in the interim report to the effect that Government financial assistance should be given for the conversion of colliery and other sidings so as to enable them to accommodate 20-ton wagons, has been accepted, and arrangements for giving effect to this recommendation have been made with the railway companies. With regard to the question of anti-breakage appliances, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my hon. Friend the Secretary for Mines to the question by the hon. Member for Newcastle North (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle). The recommendations of the committee with regard to siding rent charges, the prompt working of wagons, arrangements to allow reserves of coal to be maintained in wagons at ports, and the establishment of sales depots at railway stations, have been brought to the notice of the parties concerned, and the committee have been asked to proceed on the lines suggested in their report with the further consideration of such questions as the standardisation and pooling of mineral wagons.

May I ask whether Treasury assistance involves any ultimate charge on the taxpayer, or is it only by way of guarantee of loan?

To the extent that the Treasury assists railway companies in securing the reconditioning of terminals the Treasury will contribute towards the interest charges.

With reference to the case of the mining industry, can the Minister of Transport indicate what proposals the Government have for absorbing miners into the industry or finding them other employment?

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give particulars of the further traffic restrictions proposed on the movement of private motor vehicles and taximeter cabs in the City and West End; and when it is proposed to bring them into operation?

Apart from the proposed regulations in connection with the scheme for the control of traffic in Oxford Street, notice of which was given in the "London Gazette" on the 20th of this month, the only proposal that I have under consideration at the present time affecting private cars and taximeter cabs is an extension of the number of streets in London in which such vehicles may not wait for any longer time than is necessary to enable persons to board them or alight therefrom. Notice of my intention to make regulations to this effect will shortly be published in the "London Gazette." The regulations cannot be made until 40 days have elapsed after the publication of the notice, and during this period representations may be made by persons who would be affected thereby?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these Regulations will be laid on the Table of the House; whether we shall be able to debate them or not?

In the ordinary way the House would not debate this particular type of Regulation.

We have not the right?

I would not say that, but they are not Regulations which require an affirmative Resolution of the House.

Can we have a Prayer against them if we do not approve of the Regulations?

You may, but I hope you will not.

asked the Minister of Transport if the new regulations dealing with certain horse-drawn vehicles in Oxford Street will apply to private carriages; and, if so, whether such carriages will be permitted to cross Oxford Street or New Oxford Street?

The proposed London Traffic (Oxford Street) Regulations provide for the prohibition of slow-moving traffic, including all vehicles drawn by horses or other animals, except under the conditions defined in the Regulations, but these conditions will not prevent such vehicles from crossing Oxford Street or New Oxford Street or from going to any destination in those streets.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why preference is given to rich people in their motors instead of to poor people with their horse-drawn vehicles?

May I point out that rich people ride in omnibuses sometimes, and working people ride in omnibuses which are also motor cars? I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that, despite the fact that everything I say is interpreted in some quarter or other as class bias, it is never present in my mind.

There is no such idea in my mind.

Before the Minister of Transport replies I should like to correct an omission. After the word "improvements," the word" and "should be inserted.

I am afraid that the answer would not read in the amended form of the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will be good enough to put the question down again.