asked the Minister of Transport what steps he has taken, or is taking, under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, to ensure the erection of efficient and uniform road traffic signs; and what expenditure and period of time are likely to be involved before a national scheme can be introduced?

Prior to the passing of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, I had issued circular letters to highway authorities recommending suitable types of traffic direction and warning signs as well as traffic control light signals, and the terms of assistance available from the Road Fund were also explained. Before taking any comprehensive action under Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, I think it desirable that the whole question should be reviewed by a departmental committee which I propose to set up, and on which the highway authorities will be represented. Upon their recommendations will largely depend the measures to be taken for carrying into effect any changes that may be found necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any com- parative information as to the crossfall, or superelevation, of roads at bends and curves in this country and abroad; and what steps are being taken in Great Britain to prevent skidding owing to lack of superelevation or to the use of unsuitable road surfacing materials under the varying climatic conditions of this country?

I have no comparative information relating to the crossfall or superelevation of roads at bends and curves in this country and abroad. The practice is general; but, owing to diversity of conditions, uniformity is impracticable. The advisability of superelevation has long been recognised by my Department, and a memorandum making recommendations upon the subject was issued to all local authorities in Great Britain in August of last year. The use of unsuitable surfacing materials was referred to in a circular dealing with the prevention of skidding, issued in March, 1929, and I have reason to believe that highway authorities are carrying out the recommendations of my Department on both these matters. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member copies of the Memorandum and Circular for his information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the number of chief roads, such as the Kingston by-pass, which are now under repair in many places; and whether he will suggest to the surveyors concerned that such repairs should be concentrated in the autumn and winter months when traffic is not so heavy as now?

I am aware that a considerable volume of repair work is now being carried out on important roads. In the case of streets in the Metropolitan area prescribed by me in pursuance of Section 4 of the London Traffic Act, 1924, the various repair works are co-ordinated each half-year with a view to securing that reasonable alternative routes are available. I am advised that it would not be practicable for engineering reasons, as well as on traffic grounds, to concentrate all such work into the autumn and winter months.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the names of the British delegates to the Imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa?

I have been asked to reply. I am not in a position to add anything to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject addressed to me by the hon. Member for Kidderminster (Mr. Wardlaw-Milne) on 19th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British officials have travelled to or from their posts on non-British vessels during the last 12 months; and whether in all these cases their fares were paid by the British taxpayer?

When officials of the Colonial Service receive free or assisted passages the cost is borne by the public funds of the Colony concerned. The information asked for in the first part of the question is not available in this country, and to collect it would involve such considerable research that I trust the hon. Member will be satisfied in view of the first part of my reply.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the oil-pipe line which is to be laid from the Iraq oilfields to Haifa will be of British materials and construction throughout?

The pipe line will be constructed by the Iraq Petroleum Company either directly or by a subsidiary company formed for the purpose. The company's agreement with the Iraq Government does not provide for the exclusive use of British materials.