asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet ascertained whether the negotiations for the purchase by the Chinese Government of the Soviet Government's share in the Chinese Eastern Railway include the reduction of customs against Russian goods with similar reductions to British goods under our Treaty rights?

My right hon. Friend has asked His Majesty's Minister in China for a report, and is now awaiting his reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will postpone his statement on extra-territoriality in China until the Feetham Report is in the hands of Members of this House?

My right hon. Friend's statement will be made when the Foreign Office Vote is put down for discussion in this House. This is a matter which rests with right hon. Gentlemen opposite rather than with him. Copies of the first volume of Mr. Justice Feetham's report were placed in the Library three weeks ago. My right hon. Friend hopes to receive copies of the second volume, which will likewise be placed in the Library, in the course of the next fortnight. But he cannot, of course, give any definite undertaking to postpone the Debate until after the second volume has been received.

Will the Foreign Secretary defer his final decision about Shanghai until we have had a full opportunity of considering the Feetham report?

My right hon. Friend, of course, is very anxious to read the Feetham report, as all serious students of this problem are, but I doubt if I can add anything to the statement that I have already made.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further communications have taken place with the French Government regarding the Dead Sea concession which was given to Mr. Moses Novamesky; and what is the present position of the negotiations?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A further note from the French Government has recently been received and is now being examined.

Can the hon. Member yet say whether this matter is going to be taken to the Hague? Has not the condition of affairs rather changed since the original note?

His Majesty's Government made an offer in July of last year to take the question to the Hague, but that offer has up to date not been accepted by the French Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement on the negotiations concerning land development in Palestine?

No Sir, not yet, but I hope that it may not be long delayed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies when the appointment of a director of development for Palestine will be made; what his precise duties will be; how long his engagement will last; and the amount of his remuneration?

It is hoped to make an appointment in the near future. I expect to be able to give the particulars asked for when the announcement of the appointment is made.

Can the hon. Member say whether this director is to be an Englishman, so as to make a balance?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make a statement on the present situation in Spain?

The present situation in Spain is one of comparative calm. The elections duly took place on Sunday last, but the information available as to the results is still incomplete. His Majesty's Ambassador has reported that things were quiet in Madrid, though there was a small anti-clerical incident in one of the suburbs. There were minor disturbances in some of the provinces.

Is any form of censorship still in existence in Spain?

I could not say without notice.

Is it not a fact that Spain is more stable on account of so many Social Democrats being returned?

I am sure my hon. Friend will be glad to know that, according to Press reports, the Socialist party are the strongest party in the new Parliament, and hon. Members opposite will be reassured to know that no Communists have yet been elected.

Arising out of the original reply, can the hon. Member state if he has had any complaints of any inconvenience to British citizens in Spain under the new régime?

No, I am glad to say that we have had no such complaints except—I do not want to deceive the hon. Member—that there were, of course, one or two complaints made with regard to losses of property, which have already been referred to in this House. But so far as our information goes, British subjects are travelling freely and happily in Spain under the new régime.

Can my hon. Friend say whether the system of election there was the alternative vote or proportional representation?

I am afraid I should require notice of that question.

Is it not also a fact that the Liberal party will be the controlling party in the new Parliament?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is now in a position to make any statement on the confiscation of British travellers' money under the currency regulations introduced by the Russian Government last March?

No, Sir. My right hon. Friend has as yet only received an interim reply from His Majesty's Ambassador, who will report further as soon as possible.

Has the Foreign Secretary made any protests on these confiscations of travellers' money, which have now been going on since last March?

Our Ambassador in Moscow has been asked to take the matter up with the Soviet authorities. He has already done so, and he hopes to send us a further report shortly as to what their attitude is on the representations which he has made.

Why is it that negotiations with the Soviet autho- rities always take nine or 10 times the length of negotiations with other foreign countries?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any further information as to the progress of negotiations in relation to the United States of America's proposal for the postponement of inter-governmental debt and reparations payments?

As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, negotiations are now proceeding, but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to make any statement at present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give a comparative table showing the effect of the acceptance of the Hoover debt holiday compared with the effect of a moratorium of conditional payments under the Young plan?

It would be premature to attempt to give any precise figures as to the effect of the acceptance of President Hoover's proposal until the technical arrangements required to carry it out have been finally settled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs from which of the Powers signatories to the International Convention for the purpose of regulating the police of the fisheries in the North Sea outside territorial waters, signed in 1882, representations have been received as to the need for the reconsideration and revision of the articles of the convention?

A Note has been received from the Netherlands Minister inquiring whether His Majesty's Government would be prepared to participate in an international conference with a view to a revision of the Convention. His Majesty's Government are at present considering their reply.

Will the hon. Member take an opportunity of communicating with the other Powers signatories to the Convention, so that the matter may be discussed among all those interested in the North Sea fisheries?

And with Norway too?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he now has further information with regard to the French naval programme for 1931–32; and whether the naval attaché credited to His Majesty's Embassy in Paris is making the usual reports?

I have no further information with regard to the French Naval programme for 1931–32. The programme has been voted by the Chamber of Deputies in an amended form, but it has not yet been debated in the Senate. The reply to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

Did not the amendment mean that the large capital ship proposed to be constructed has been postponed?

Yes. The Chamber decided to postpone the motion to lay down a battleship.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what assistance is being rendered by his Department to Sir Hubert Wilkins; and whether any arrangements are being made for an escort for the submarine "Nautilus" on her voyage north from Empire waters?

The "Nautilus" has been taken in hand at Devonport Dockyard for docking, cleaning and coating bottom, and carrying out certain repairs to her machinery and electrical equipment. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the legislation introduced into the legislative council of Cyprus, amending the Village Law of 1900, imposes forced labour for six days on road-making upon those who do not pay the tax required; and whether he will take steps to terminate this forced labour entirely?

As I stated on 23rd June, the text of the Amendment Law to which the hon. Member refers has only recently been received and is still under examination. Until the examination has been completed, I can express no opinion as to the effect of the law and must not be understood as accepting the interpretation which the hon. Member puts upon it.

Is not the only difference this, that previously they paid if they did not work, and now they work if they do not pay?

How do the conditions of forced labour there compare with the conditions of forced lahour in Russia?

Would it not be possible for us to have a copy of the Amendment Law to which the hon. Member referred?

I will see if that is possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of aerodromes in the West Riding of Yorkshire at the present time; whether these are regarded as sufficient for existing purposes; and whether his Department has made, or intends to make, representations to the local authorities in favour of the building of an aerodrome at Sheffield?

There is one permanent civil aerodrome licensed for public use in the West Riding of Yorkshire; this is at Sherburn-in-Elmet. The provision of additional aerodromes would certainly be in the best interests of civil aviation, and in October, 1928, municipal authorities throughout the country, including Sheffield, were circularised in this sense. The Corporation of Sheffield have had the matter under active consideration, and, at their request, one or two possible sites in the neighbourhood have been inspected by the Air Ministry. I hope that the result may be the provision of an aerodrome at Sheffield.

Can the hon. Member say whether any negotiations are in progress with his Department regarding the establishment of an aerodrome in any other part of this area?

I have already said that negotiations have been proceeding. The only thing that we can do is to advise the corporation of Sheffield as to suitable sites, and that has been done.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what utility there is in the policy of close flying; and whether in view of the danger which it entails, he will give instructions to discontinue such formation flying?

The late War showed conclusively that formation flying was essential for the mutual protection of aircraft against the enemy and its effective development undoubtedly resulted in a marked reduction in casualties. Its practice in time of peace is therefore indispensable. The training regulations of the Royal Air Force provide for the observance of minimum distances between aircraft when flying in formation, and I can assure the hon. Member that every possible care is taken to remove the risk of collision. I may add that collisions between aircraft flying in formation have been very few.

May I draw the hon. Gentleman's attention to the casualty at Chichester recently, and will he state the minimum distance required for flying in close formation?

I cannot answer that question without notice. Of course, I know all the facts with regard to the accident mentioned by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the proposal to increase the subsidy to Imperial Airways, Limited, in order to enable the company to fly the Indian section of the London-Australia air-mail route has been considered again; what would be the amount of extra subsidy required; and whether any objection is raised to such a course by any other Government?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what arrangements are contemplated for the carrying on of Imperial Airways' service to India and beyond, in view of the decision to suspend the development of Indian civil aviation?

I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India on Monday last, from which it will be seen that the organisation at Karachi will be maintained for the operation of the England-India service and that the service from Karachi to Delhi now operated by Imperial Airways will be continued until the expiry of the present charter. It would be premature to make any further statement as to the future pending a final decision by the Indian Government with regard to the operation of an Indian State Air Service across India.

The hon. Gentleman has not really answered my question. Has the question of our paying the subsidy to Imperial Airways been reconsidered in view of the need for economy in India, and may I ask him to answer the last part of my question whether any objection has been raised?

The answer to the last point is no. So far as consideration is concerned, we have considered all aspects of the question, including the need for economy in this country.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the other part of Question 23 as to the amount of the extra subsidy required?

The hon. Member is able to put down a question on that.

It is on the Paper.

I must really ask for a reply. How can we get answers to questions that are down? I ask for a definite sum, I know that it is available, and how can I get it? There is nothing confidential about it.

The main part of the two questions has to deal with what has happened in India in regard to civil aviation. I admit that the question asked about the amount of the extra subsidy, and I will do my best to let both hon. Members know.

Why not now?

On a point of Order. Information on the subject being of importance, should it not be circulated and not sent only to the two hon. Members?

On the Estimates I gave full information on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether, as one of the conditions upon which financial support will be given to India, he will insist that a preference shall be given to British goods entering that country?

asked the Prime Minister whether, before granting financial support to India he will insist upon a definite undertaking that the boycott against British goods entering India shall cease?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will take into consideration, when settling the suitable conditions under which financial assistance shall be offered to India, that one of such conditions shall be the safeguarding of the liberty to sell Lancashire cotton goods in India, which is at present being denied to our traders?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, in considering the question of financial aid to India, took into account the practicability of purchase by the Government from Lancashire mills of supplies of cotton cloth, suitable for use in India, such supplies to be placed at the disposal of India on long-term credits, in order to check the decline of the industry in Lancashire?

asked the Prime Minister what are the guarantees and safeguards attached to the offer of financial support from the Imperial Govern- ment to the Government of India; and if he will arrange for a White Paper to be issued setting out the terms of the financial arrangements which have been agreed to by the Government?

asked the Prime Minister for what reason he proposes that financial support should be given at the expense of the British taxpayer to maintain the credit of India, in view of his refusal to use British credit to reorganise British industries?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House an estimate of the contingent liability incurred by Great Britain under the proposal to give financial support to the credit of India?

The purpose of the statement I made on 26th June was to remove apprehensions pending the settlement of the constitutional problem and the formulation of provisions which will ensure the maintenance of India's credit. No occasion for giving financial assistance to the Government of India has arisen, and I trust and believe no such occasion will arise. If it did, the consent of Parliament would of course be required, and the opportunity would then be available to discuss the conditions under which assistance could be given. As regards the boycott of British goods, I would refer to previous statements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for India, and as regards economic concessions, I may say at once that the Government do not contemplate in this connection any measures that would interfere with the operation of the Fiscal Autonomy Convention which has now been in force for a number of years.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether the important declaration made by him the other day was made upon the sole authority of His Majesty's Government, or whether it has been the subject of consultation with the leaders of other parties?

I am afraid that I cannot charge my memory definitely at the moment as to what the operation was, but certainly it was communicated to the leaders of the parties. Whether they were consulted or not, I am not very sure.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the very grave and far-reaching issues which have necessarily and inevitably been raised by his declaration—the merits of which I am not discussing—he will arrange for the House to have an early opportunity of debating this question?

The Debate undoubtedly will come if and when it is necessary to bring the matter before the House in the form of leave to make whatever grant or arrangement may be necessary in order to implement that statement.

I want to raise a point of Order. In consequence of the fact that I have a question on the Paper, No 50, applying to this matter, and the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill) has no question on the Paper, may I ask that the questions on the Paper should be dealt with before matters affecting right hon. Gentlemen, who have no questions down?

We are dealing with the questions on the Paper.

May I ask leave of the right hon. Gentleman——

On a point of Order. May I ask whether it is not a rule of this House that when Members have questions on the Paper, and they rise to put supplementary questions, they are called upon before other hon. Members?

I do not know that there is any rule about it. I endeavour to give a preference to those hon. Members who have questions on the Paper. We are now dealing with an answer to seven or eight questions.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that his statement definitely commits this country to certain contingent obligations, in view of which the investors throughout the country are being guided, and that thus, in a way, we are being committed to—[Interruption]—the right hon. Gentleman will not allow the House an opportunity of Debate upon this question?

Has there been any consultation with the Opposition about this matter?

Certainly there would be a debate. This Government and any other Government responsible for the government of this country will see to it that any obligations incurred in relation to India's credit will not be allowed to be let down.

rose——

The right hon. Gentleman must not abuse the latitude which I have given him of putting supplementary questions.

With regard to the question of boycott, will the Prime Minister see that no financial support is given to India unless there is a definite improvement with regard to the boycott of Lancashire?

We cannot allow the credit of India, for the management of which we are very largely responsible, to be mixed up and made conditional to any other subject upon which we are negotiating in an independent way.

May I ask, arising out of the original reply to Question 50, if the underlying economic principle covered by that question will be kept in mind by the Prime Minister, particularly in view of the fact that this would be turning unemployment pay into useful economic channels?

Whatever sympathy I may have with the view of my hon. Friend, it would be most improper to mix this question up with the problem of the security of India's credit.

When the right hon. Gentleman made his statement in the House in which he said it will not be possible to introduce the proposed constitutional changes if financial stability is not assured, may I ask whether the Prime Minister made that statement entirely on his own initiative; or whether he had been in communication with India on the subject, and if so, will he be kind enough to lay a White Paper on the subject on the Table in order that we may be made fully aware of the whole facts of the case?

That is a totally different subject from the one raised in the question, but, as a matter of fact, there are no papers, so far as I know, upon this subject to lay on the Table.

Are we to understand, from the right hon. Gentleman's reply, that no conditions so far as the boycott is concerned are to be taken into account; and will the right hon. Gentleman, in the event of financial assistance being given to India, take into account the financial position of Lancashire?

The financial position of Lancashire is being taken into account; but the Government is not, and I am perfectly certain that the nation is not, going to allow people who have invested in Indian credit to be worsened by anything that may happen because there is doubt as to whether that country is going to fulfil its responsibilities or not.

rose——

I cannot allow any more supplementary questions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any communication from the railway companies relating to the electrification of main line railways; and can he give particulars and state what his reply has been?

I have within the last few days, received a communication from the Railway Companies' Association in regard to this matter, but I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Have the experts of the railway companies examined this scheme?

Yes. The technical officers of the railway companies have examined it, but the reply has only just been received, and I would rather not say more at this stage.

Is it not a fact that the question of the electrification of railways has been before the House repeatedly, and that promises have been made from time to time of a definite statement as to the intention of the railway companies? When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to tell the House?

I hope that the hon. Gentleman does not think that I am the railway companies. They belong to private owners, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will respect their rights more than I should. The reply has only just been received, and I do not think there has been undue delay.

In other words, the private companies are much more efficient than the Minister?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any records and can state the names of the county or other local authorities that have utilised foreign broken stone in their works during the previous two years?

I have not sufficient information to enable me to give a list of the county or other local authorities that have utilised foreign road stone during the previous two years.

Is the county of Devon one of those that have used foreign broken stone in some of their public works?

I cannot say.

Has the Minister any power to insist that British stone should be used?

No, not to insist.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience and discontent caused by the regulation limiting the number of people allowed to stand in motor omnibuses to the number of five, particularly in sparsely-populated districts in wet weather and also elsewhere during rush hours; and whether, especially since many such omnibuses have been specially designed to allow a greater number to stand, he will have this regulation in some way modified?

Before making the regulations to which my hon. Friend refers, I gave careful consideration to the views of representatives both of operators of public service vehicles and of persons employed in the industry. I do not think that in general it would make for the convenience or the safety of the travelling public to increase the permissible number of standing passengers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the complaints to which I have referred are complaints that cannot possibly be foreseen by those engaged in the Traffic Department when making arrangements for vehicles, particularly in the rural areas, where the services are necessarily infrequent; and cannot some elasticity be allowed in the rural areas?

On the other hand, one must be careful that vehicles constructed to carry a certain number do not carry a bigger number. I have to face the fact that the workpeople in the industry strongly object to standing passengers, and my hon. Friend will not mind if I take the views of the trade unions into account as well as the views of other people.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that in restricting the number of omnibuses this problem becomes very acute, especially in London in rush hours, and will he invite his predecessor to stand with six or seven others on a wet day and compete with a crowd of flappers for a place in an omnibus?

I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is altogether respectful in his reference to the young ladies of London who use the omnibuses. I rather resent it. In any case, the hon. Gentleman has assumed that a situation exists wich he has no right to assume does exist.

May I refer to that point——[Interruption.]

asked the Minister of Transport the results of the experiments in certain towns of using crude oil for motor omnibuses?

I understand that certain experiments are now being made with engines using heavy oil on public service vehicles, but it is not at present possible to arrive at any definite conclusions as to their results.

asked the Minister of Transport the result of the special traffic regulations in Oxford Street?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a statement as to the working of the new traffic regulations in Oxford Street; and whether any steps are being taken to ameliorate the congestion in the side streets and to deal with the increased danger to pedestrians?

The new traffic regulations were brought into operation in Oxford Street on 22nd June and are part of a scheme which includes the introduction of traffic control signals. It is, therefore, premature to form any final opinion as to the working of the regulations until the signalling installation has been in operation for a reasonable trial period. At present the traffic is being controlled by constables on point duty in order that drivers of vehicles may gain experience of the effect of the regulations, but the additional advantages which may be expected from the accurate and co-ordinated timing of the periods during which traffic is held up or released at the various street intersections cannot be secured until the signals themselves are brought into operation. Some time must necessarily elapse before drivers of vehicles, as well as pedestrians, have become familiar with the altered conditions, and the experiment will be closely watched from the point of view of the safety as well as the convenience of all classes of road users.

Is it not a fact that even with this inadequate experiment so far Oxford Street is much less congested?

I have visited Oxford Street, and I think, certainly, that on the whole it has improved. There are bound to be difficulties during the first period of control, and no final opinion can be expressed until the light signals have had a reasonable trial.

What is the right hon. Gentleman doing to ameliorate the congestion in the side streets?

That is an aspect of the matter which is being watched. Of course, particularly in the early stages, some difficulties might arise, but we shall watch them carefully. The whole experiment will be subject to review after two or three months' trial.

Has the Minister been made aware of the result of the new traffic regulations as shown in these papers?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the light signals are in operation at midnight and onwards, but that vehicles pay no attention to them? Is not that a dangerous process?

At the moment they are not effectively in operation at all. We are, so to speak, experimenting with them during the night hours. Certain other experiments are taking place until they are permanently in operation; but there is no serious use of the light signals so far.

In view of the congestion that exists at the present time, could not the right hon. Gentleman suspend this experiment until the light signals are ready?

No, Sir. It was decided that we should have this experimental period without the light signals in order that we can gradually work into them, and, on the whole, I think that is the sound thing to do.

asked the Minister of Transport what expenses the Crown is now liable for under the agreement to pay 75 per cent. of the legal charges incurred in promoting the Humber Bridge Bill; and whether he has formed any estimate as to the Crown liability in the event of the Bill being opposed in another place?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend, by "legal expenses" means the total expenses, including witnesses, shorthand notes, etc., up to the date when the scheme received the approval of the Committee of the First House. It is not possible to give a definite figure, as this cannot be accurately ascertained, the costs being subject to taxation, but the nearest estimate of the total cost is £28,600, to which the Road Fund will contribute 75 per cent., namely, £21,450. It is not possible to estimate the expenses which may be incurred by the promoters in the event of the Bill being opposed in another place, as this is entirely dependent upon the extent of the opposition, which, until petitions are lodged, is unknown. It is not, however, anticipated that the Committee stage in the Upper House is likely to occupy anything like so much time as it did in the First House.

I am much obliged to the right hon. Gentleman, but is there any way by which he can inform the bodies who are opposing this, the railway companies, the canal companies, and so on, with all their shareholders and others, of the tremendous expense that is being run up?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the medical officer of health for Leyton, in his report for 1930, states that the overcrowding in the trains from the City to Leyton exposes the travelling public to risks of infection; and whether he is prepared to take action to provide better travelling facilities from the City to Leyton?

I am aware of the observations contained in the report referred to with respect to train services between the City and Leyton. I am, however, informed by the railway company that a recent examination of the loading of the trains in each direction on this section of the line discloses that, taken as a whole, the seating accommodation is adequate, but that it happens in some instances that while there are vacant seats in the front part of the trains, at the rear passengers are standing. I also understand that the trains are being run to their maximum length, and that owing to the volume of traffic passing over the line it is not possible to increase the service by running additional trains during the peak hours.

Was not the investigation by the railway company made at least a year ago? May I ask whether the differences in view between the railway company and the borough council and the people of Leyton would not justify an independent investigation by the Ministry of Transport?

I am not sure when the inquiry was undertaken. I would remind my hon. Friend that there was lately an elaborate inquiry into the travelling facilities in East and North-East London, an outcome of which was a recommendation that much could be done towards improvement by proper coordination, which is being undertaken under the London Passenger Transport Bill.

Are there any negotiations for a new railway down to Ching-ford and to Romford?

That might be one of the happy consequences of the London Passenger Traffic Bill. I see no other way of doing it.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the increase of motor accidents, often fatal, through collisions at crossroads; and whether he will approve of a standard form of danger sign to be erected at these points?

I am not aware of any evidence that would point to the conclusion that motor accidents at cross-roads are increasing at the present time. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, there is already in existence a standard international sign giving warning of the approach to cross-roads which has been erected in large numbers throughout the country. I may add that I propose shortly to review the whole question of road traffic signs in connection with the provisions of Section 48 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Traffic Commissioners in various areas to give attention to this matter, so as to advise him on any further means that may be taken to deal with this cross-roads question?

This is not a matter which comes within the jurisdiction of the Traffic Commissioners at all. It must be settled in consultation between the Ministry and the local authorities, and it is actively under consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider putting up danger signals at cross-roads in London?

Yes, we will consider that.

Has it been brought to the attention of the right hon. Gentleman that a disproportionate number of accidents at cross-roads is caused by long distance coaches working to scheduled time?

In so far as that is a problem, and I agree that it is, it will progressively be brought under control under the new licensing system.

In view of the fact that there are, unfortunately, cases of petrol tanks catching fire, can the Minister make representations to car owners on this matter?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can inform the House when the one-clause Bill providing for the repeal of Sub-section (3) of Section 61 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, will be introduced?

The Bill has already been introduced in another place.

Will the right hon. Gentleman use every endeavour to expedite the passage of the Bill, bearing in mind that if it does not soon become law many thousands of children will not be able to go for their summer holidays?

We have that point in mind, and I understand there is a general desire among all parties concerned to co-operate towards that end, and I will do what I can to assist.

Is the Title of the amending Bill wide enough to allow the House to discuss additions to it?

No, Sir, it is not; otherwise we should not get the Bill quickly enough.

asked the Minister of Transport what experiments were made with non-dazzling and dipping headlights before the draft regulations on this subject were issued; whether the experiments were conducted under ordinary night-travelling conditions on busy roads; and whether an experiment on the French way of dealing with the dazzle difficulty was included?

The officers of my Department have kept in constant touch for many years with all developments in connection with antidazzle devices and have attended and carried out numerous tests and experiments both on the road and on testing grounds. As the hon. and gallant Member knows, I am acquainted with the views of the French authorities on this subject, and one of my technical officers has attended a demonstration of one of the devices of which they have approved.

Is it not an obligation upon car drivers to turn down the headlights?

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the importance of making these experiments on the big main roads, so as to be able to see the power effect of the antidazzle devices?

I think my answer indicates that that is one of the factors which is and ought to be taken into account. My hon. Friend the Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) will find that his point is covered by the regulations which I propose to make.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many licences to omnibus companies in London have been issued and how many rejected from 1st January to 1st June, 1931?

In the period mentioned, 2,689 omnibus licences and 1,432 coach licences (or "consents to use" under the Transitory Provisions Order) were issued by the Commissioner of Police. No omnibus or coach was finally rejected; 407 vehicles were rejected at first presenta- tion, but were subsequently licensed after alterations had been made, excepting one coach, which has not been presented a second time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider arranging for an experiment to be made in the military control of traffic on certain occasions when, as in the case of the Air Force pageant, the ordinary methods of control are inadequate?

The problem presented by the Hendon traffic is mainly one of road space, and my right hon. Friend does not think there is any reason to suppose that any modification of the method of control or personnel engaged at and near the aerodrome would afford a solution of the difficulties.

asked the Minister of Transport how many different types of electricity tariffs for lighting and domestic purposes are in operation in the London area; and whether any action is being taken to bring about greater uniformity in this connection?

In the area of the London and Home Counties Joint Electricity Authority there are at least 20 different types of electricity tariffs or methods of charging for lighting and domestic supplies, and within each of these methods there are many variations. I understand that the Joint Authority is engaged in exploring the possibility of reducing the number of variations in the basis of charge for domestic purposes, but up to the present as unable to report any measure of success.

Does not the Minister think that uniformity in charges would be very beneficial?

I quite agree.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the towns of Minchinhampton, Chalford and Brimscombe are not yet supplied with electricity; and whether he will urge the Electricity Commissioners to press the West Gloucester Power Company to supply these towns as soon as possible?

The Electricity Commissioners have informed me that they are making inquiries into this matter; and I will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what was the country of origin of the various materials other than steel reinforcing bars used in the construction of the new British Legation at Lima, Peru?

The following have been supplied from British sources:

• Ornamental ironwork,
• Sanitary goods.
• Electric light fittings.
• Door and window fittings.
• Wall-tiling.
• Paint and distemper.
• Grates and ranges.
• Glass.

I have no definite information as regards the remainder of the materials used, but it is probable that sand, gravel, bricks, cement, and wood for joinery were obtained locally by the contractor. Local stocks of constructional timber and wood flooring are being used, but these have probably been imported from the United States of America.

Is it a fact that the cement used in this building was imported from the United States of America?

It happened to be on the spot, and, as it was not a very big job, we bought it.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what response he has made to recent representations regarding the need for a concentration of Government offices in Edinburgh; and whether he will give instructions for new plans and designs to be prepared for a building on the Calton site, which will meet with the approval of the Fine Art Commission, and so make it possible to proceed as soon as practicable with the erection of the new offices there?

I have received a number of resolutions and other communications, as stated by my hon. Friend. I regret, however, that it is not possible to add anything to the reply which I gave him on this subject on 16th March last.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not realise the very great economy that there would be with the erection of such offices, not only economy in respect of rents being paid at present, but economy in time to people who have to go round these offices; and does the right hon. Gentleman's answer suggest that his Department is not capable of designing a building that would meet with the approval of the Fine Art Commission?

To the last part of the question, my answer is distinctly in the negative. With regard to the question of going on with the building in Edinburgh, it is subject to financial stringency.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what steps are being taken to make use of talking films for the purpose; of instruction in agriculture?

The educational value of such films is, I understand, now being considered by the Commission on Educational and Cultural Films, whose report I shall await with interest. For propaganda purposes, as distinct from education, two short talking films have already been produced by my Department, and the extension of this means of publicity is under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have yet arrived at any decision on the wheat quota; and whether he proposes to make any statement upon the matter before the summer Recess?

I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the statement made by the Minister of Agriculture on 22nd May last on the Motion for the Adjournment, to which I have nothing more to add.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman give us some more up-to-date information because some time has elapsed?

It is perfectly definite that no statement can be made before the summer Recess.

asked the Minister of Agriculture (1) whether, seeing that the Irish Free State have a clean bill of health as regards foot-and-mouth disease, he can now relax the severity of the regulations forbidding the import of cattle from Southern Ireland;

(2) whether, seeing that the period of incubation of foot-and-mouth disease is from four to six days, and that for all cattle a six days' detention is a statutory requirement, and seeing that after this detention outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease appeared simultaneously in various places in England and at one place in Northern Ireland, he can yet state what was the cause of all the outbreaks; and will he investigate other possible causes of the outbreak, and in the meanwhile suspend the embargo against the importation of cattle from Ireland?

The evidence clearly shows that foot-and-mouth disease was introduced in Great Britain by cattle shipped from Belfast on the 10th June to Heysham and Ayr. Some of these cattle came direct from premises on which, according to information furnished by the Minister of Agriculture for Northern Ireland, disease must have existed since the first week in June. According to the latest information received from Northern Ireland, the origin of the outbreak in that country has not yet been established. I am carefully considering the question whether any modification of the embargo on animals from Ireland can now be made with safety, and I will make an announcement as soon as possible.

Seeing that there has been no foot-and-mouth disease for many years past, and that it might come from some imported foreign substance, such as oats or, possibly, butter, will the right hon. Gentleman put an embargo on such foreign stuffs, which might have led to the disease, until this country is completely clear?

On a point of Order. Have you not forgotten, Mr. Speaker, to call my Question No. 48?

In my Question No. 55 I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can say what was the origin of the disease, and I am now simply asking whether he could not put an embargo on certain substances which might have to do with it?

That really does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will be able to make any further statement before the House separates for the summer recess as to the Government policy in aid of cereal cultivation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by the Prime Minister to-day to a question put by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Woolwich, West (Sir K. Wood).

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister's answer only referred to one particular policy, namely, the quota; and are we to understand that the Government have no other policy for cereals?

rose——

The question of supplementary questions is being abused.

On a point of Order. Is it right, on the question of cereal cultivation, which affects the workpeople in our arable districts more than any other, that supplementaires should be curtailed?

May I ask why I was ruled out?

The hon. Member did not rise to put a point of Order, but to put a supplementary question, and I thought that we had had enough of them.

With great respect, I have hardly asked a supplementary question this Session. The gravity of the agricultural situation, and the entire absence of legislation, render——

The hon. Member has been rather unfortunate in his choice of the time to ask his only supplementary question.