asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what instructions have been given to our representatives at Geneva concerning the grievances of the Ukrainian minority in Poland now before the League?

The British delegate at Geneva is aware of the views of His Majesty's Government on this matter, which have net changed since the last Secretary of State was a member of the Committee of Three appointed to advise upon it. The matter is still under consideration by the committee, and it would be improper to make any farther statement at present.

Will the hon. and gallant Member consider the utility and propriety of asking the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Barr) and the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) for their views and experience on this question?

I shall be glad to consider any representations that are made to me by any hon. Members.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the last occasion on which the Ambassadors' Conference met; and whether any representations have been made to the League of Nations for the work done by this conference to he taken over by that body?

The last occasion on which the Conference of Ambassadors met was on the 12th January last. So far as I am aware, no representations have been made in the sense suggested by the hon. Member. The work of the conference has now reduced itself to dealing with minor questions, some of which are the sole concern of the ex-allied Powers. For such purposes this conference forms a convenient channel for carrying out the necessary exchange of views between the Powers concerned.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say whether this subject has been considered by His Majesty's Government?

I have said that the matters in question are of secondary importance, and there seems no particular reason for altering the present procedure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the attitude of the Government towards the proposal made at the League of Nations Assembly by Signor Grandi for an armaments truce until the conclusion of the Disarmament Conference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy) on Monday last.

Is it not possible foe the Government to say at once that, in principle, they accept this excellent proposal?

The appropriate committee of the Assembly is now considering the resolution which has been moved by certain Governments. It is obviously necessary that, until we know in detail what that resolution entails, we should reserve our judgment.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that in the answer given to me there was no information at all as to our attitude?

There was as much information as I have just given to the hon. Member.

Is not the reduction of armaments the most fertile means of economy that can be adopted?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what measures for the economic restoration of Europe are before the League of Nations at the present time, and to what extent the Government is supporting them?

The Commission of Inquiry for European Union has forwarded a report by its Co-ordination Sub-Committee on Economic Questions to the Assembly of the League. This report embodies a report by a subcommittee of economic experts, which contains a number of suggestions of the kind my hon. Friend has in mind, and will no doubt be published shortly as a League document. I have not yet learnt the result of the Assembly's deliberations during the past week, and decision as to the action of particular Governments must await those deliberations.

In view of the fact that the problems of this country can only he solved in the long run by international action, does not the right hon. Gentleman feel that it is desirable that some Minister should be at Geneva at the present time taking part in these discussions?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in this matter the Government have yet received their instructions from the bankers?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can inform the House what progress has now been made in the matter of the Anglo-Soviet debts question?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given to similar questions on Monday last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet received the report of His Majesty's Consul-General at Leningrad on the circumstances of the shooting of Mr, Stephenson, of South Shields, on 18th August, 1931, and on the trials of the sentry who shot him; has he communicated the report to the relatives; and what further steps does he intend to take in this case?

The report has just been received, and there has not yet been time for its examination. Apart from the report, arrangements are being made for the collection, from the officers and crew of Steamship "Kingswood," of such supplementary evidence as may bear on the case. Pending an examination of all the evidence available, I can make no statement on the possible course of future action.

Will the hon. and gallant Member show me the report; and will he bear in mind that this case has excited the utmost interest and apprehension among the seamen of the North-East Coast?

I shall be glad to give any information that I can to the hon. Member. The evidence of the sailors has been difficult to procure from the Steamship "Kingswood," because their ship has gone direct to Durban; but we have made arrangements to obtain their evidence and any information that they can give, as soon as the ship reaches Durban.

May I be shown this report, or a copy of it?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me an opportunity of looking at it first myself.

May I take it that there is no refusal to show the report to me?

I think we must leave it at that.

Have the Foreign Office asked for compensation for the relatives?

Until we have considered the report we cannot ask for anything.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the Austro-German Customs Union proposal?

On the 5th September the Permanent Court of International Justice, by eight votes to seven, gave their opinion that the proposed Austro-German Customs Union was incompatible with the terms of Protocol No. 1, signed at Geneva on the 4th October, 1922. Two days previously the German and Austrian Ministers for Foreign Affairs had, at a meeting of the European Commission, announced the decision of their Governments to refrain from giving effect to the Vienna Protocol of the 19th March, 1931.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make a statement as to the progress of the negotiations with the Netherlands Government with a view to the restriction of the production or shipment of rubber from British and Dutch possessions, so as to avoid the collapse of the rubber-planting industry?

No negotiations on the subject are being conducted.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time has come, considering the distress in those areas of the British Empire, that negotiations should be undertaken?

The question put to me was whether I could make a statement on the progress of negotiations. I have answered that there are no negotiations. If the hon. Member will put down a question of broad principle, I will answer it on its merits.

Was this proposal abandoned under the pressure of a foreign financial Power?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of manufactured goods sent by Soviet Russia to the United Kingdom in 1930; and what has been the value up to the latest available date in 1931.

According to the trade returns of the Soviet Union the value of goods classed therein as manufactured articles exported to the United Kingdom during 1930 amounted to 5,263,000 gold roubles, or about £556,500 at the par rate of exchange. In addition, petroleum products—including refined petroleum which is classed in the United Kingdom trade returns among articles wholly or mainly manufactured—were exported to the United Kingdom to the value of 38,473,000 gold roubles or £4,068,000. No corresponding information for any period of 1931 is yet available in my Department.

Will the hon. Gentleman give us any figures regarding the exports from this country to Russia during the same period?

asked the Prime Minister whether, with a view to providing opportunities for employment, he will consider the sanction of credits towards financing the establishment of new industries for producing articles now wholly imported from abroad for which there is an assured home market of substantial and increasing extent?

I fear that the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion is impracticable.

May I be informed why it is in practicable? Seeing the quantity of money we are paying out to the Employment Exchanges now, cannot some of that be transferred in the form of credits?

That proposal has been consistently opposed by the party to which the hon. and gallant Member belongs.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the application of Mexico for admission to the League of Nations has been accompanied by any notification by the Mexican Government that it proposes to honour its obligations to British holders of Mexican Government bonds now in default for over 17 years; and will he instruct our representative at Geneva to ask the Mexican Government its intention in this default?

So far as I am at present aware, the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the intention of the Mexican Government, it has been frequently stated in this House that the International Committee of Bankers are the properly qualified agents of the bondholders, and are authorised to carry on negotiations with the Mexican Government on their behalf. They have not appealed to His Majesty's Government for any assistance. In the circumstances it is not apparent how the action suggested would serve the interests of the British bondholders. Should representations become desirable, they would be made through the usual diplomatic channels.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the discoveries in Shanghai of a centre of Far East Communist organisation; and whether he can make any statement as to the attempts to carry on this propaganda in British territory in the Far East, which constitute a breach of the undertaking to refrain from propaganda?

My attention has been drawn to this case, which is at present forming the subject of judicial proceedings by the Chinese courts in Shanghai. Pending the conclusion of the trial, I regret that it is impossible to say with any precision how far British interests are affected.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to insist that the undertaking with regard to propaganda shall be complied with, and whenever that undertaking is broken, will they make the most urgent protests against it?

That question has not yet arisen here.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that groups of Communists were found studying the propaganda issued by the hon. Member?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any revision of charts has been made of an extensive character as the result of recent earthquakes: and, if so, where?

No changes in depths resulting from recent earthquakes in England have been found by His Majesty's surveying ships working round the coasts. Certain minor changes in depths in deep water beyond the Continental Shelf off Nova Scotia as a result of the earthquake of the 18th November, 1929, have been reported by telegraph cable ships and these depths have been embodied in the appropriate Admiralty charts.

Will the First Lord give us any information about the recent earthquake on the Treasury Bench?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Lieutenant Jabotinsky may now be allowed hack in Palestine?

After considering this matter further in consultation with the acting High Commissioner, I am satisfied that the circumstances are not such as would justify any modification, at the present juncture, of the attitude adopted by the late Secretary of State.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Lieutenant Jabotinsky fought for us in the War and was decorated, and that he has been excluded from Palestine solely because of the Arab massacres?

The question as to what should be the attitude to those who fought in the War will have to be considered in relationship to their present attitude. I am sure that the late Secretary of State, who is always anxious to preserve what is called freedom of speech, arrived at this decision in the best interests of Palestine and in the best interests of everybody.

May I ask whether the previous Secretary of State, who knew Jabotinsky well, did not have quite a different opinion of him?

I do not know the opinion of the previous Secretary of State, but the late Secretary of State, Lord Passfield, considered the whole situation before coming to a decision. I see no reason to alter his decision.

Is not this gentleman a firebrand; and would it not be unwise to allow him to enter Palestine in the present state of affairs in that country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Crown Colonies or other Dependencies have failed to balance their Budgets for the current year; and has he yet formed an estimate of the grants-in-aid or loans which we shall be called upon to find at the close of their financial year?

The question, as worded, would appear to imply that any deficits incurred by Crown Colonies or Dependencies become automatically a charge upon Parliamentary Votes. I have no doubt that the right hon. and gallant Member is aware that this is not the case. The financial depression has affected very adversely the finances of a number of Crown Colonies or Dependencies and they are meeting the situation by retrenchment in the public services and by additional taxation. Only in the last resort will this House be invited to vote money for their assistance by way of grant-in-aid or loan. In a number of cases the deficiencies, which are anticipated in the current financial year will be met from resources of the Dependencies concerned. Every possible effort will be made to avoid the contingency of further demands on the Exchequer, and to reduce such demands as may prove inevitable to a minimum. In the meantime, I would prefer not to make any statement in anticipation of information which is not at present available. I may add that I have already addressed a circular despatch to all the Colonies and Dependencies calling attention to the pressing needs of the financial situation.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether it is proposed to continue the research schemes into the hydrogenation of tar oils and coal decided upon by the late Government?

The schemes for research into the hydrogenation of tar oils and coal referred to by the hon. Member are at present under review together with other work of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in the light of the present economic situation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that there will be no modification with regard to this process, below what is necessary to obtain reliable results?

I have taken the greatest possible interest in this matter. As I have said in reply to this question, all the work of scientific and industrial research is now under review. If the hon. Member will put down another question next week I can give him a definite and final reply.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the importance of these research proposals in relation to the position of the British coal industry?

I have gone into this question long before the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any measures are under consideration to prevent the transfer of British capital and funds abroad into foreign currency, in view of the financial situation?

The Government will not omit from consideration any measure which might be necessary in dealing with the financial situation. My right hon. Friend wishes to add that any British citizen who increases the strain on the exchange by purchasing foreign securities himself or assisting others to do so is deliberately adding to the country's difficulties.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say why this matter has not been treated as one of emergency, in view of the known fact that very large transfers by British subjects have taken place?

I have nothing whatever to add to the answer that I have given.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer in what proportion the £5,000,000 cut proposed in the three Fighting Services, other than on pay and pensions, is to be distributed between the three Services; and whether this saving is to be made in warlike equipment, weapons, warships, and the like, or in amenities, buildings, etc.?

The total savings which will be made in the Estimates for the Fighting Services in 1932 will be as follow:

	£
Navy	3,942,000
Army	3,693,000
Air Force	954,000
Total	£8,589,000

The saving on pay and pensions is estimated to be as follows:

	£
Navy	1,612,000
Army	1,960,000
Air Force	194,000

The difference between the actual saving on pay and pensions and the total cut in each case will be made good by reductions under other heads but the exact methods by which this will be achieved are still under consideration by the respective Departments.

asked the Prime Minister on what date or dates the Economic Council or any committee or members of it were consulted concerning the measures to be adopted for dealing with the financial crisis?

The proceedings of the Economic Advisory Council and of its committees are confidential; and I am not, therefore, prepared to add anything to the answer which I gave the hon. Member in reply to a similar question on Monday last.

Would it not be better for the Prime Minister frankly to admit that the Economic Council was not consulted rather than continue to evade the question?

I should not make any such statement, which would not be true.

Will the Prime Minister say which is untrue, the statement that he has evaded the issue or the statement that the Economic Council were not consulted?

In view of the widespread effect that the recommendations of the Economic Council have upon the nation, would it not be a wise thing for the Prime Minister to issue a report of the findings of the Economic Council and also the reasons for those findings?

I am afraid that that question has been answered by the first answer that I gave to the question on the Paper.

(by Private Notice) asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to classes of persons involved by various economies whose cases are of peculiarly great hardship for special reasons, and whether the Government can see its way to consider them?

Yes, Sir. Various cases have been brought to the attention of the Government in which particular classes of persons affected by the proposed cuts have been represented to be unfairly affected. These difficulties have been the subject of consideration by the Government, which believes that they can generally be adjusted without materially affecting the Budget Estimates.

Will that include the whole of the unemployed?

No, it will not.

Does it include consideration of many of the civil servants who are subject to more than one cut?

That is another matter for which this Government are not responsible.

Will the reconsideration include all classes of teachers?

The consideration is not yet complete. The statement regarding class and class will be made as decisions are come to. I anticipate—though I make no pledge—that during the Debates on the Committee stage of the Bill, some of these announcements will be made.

Seeing that the Prime Minister has made a definite statement that the unemployed are not going to be affected by this reconsideration, has he now come to the conclusion definitely that 15s. 3d., or 23s. 3d. for two persons, is not an undue hardship?

Answer!

The questions that are being put are not relevant to this question.

My question is very relevant. I want to ask the Prime Minister whether he has considered the very hard case of the Attorney-General?

Has the question been reduced to this, that 15s. 3d. is too small a matter to be considered by the Prime Minister?

The point is that within; certain general blocks of cuts there are details that do not fit very well into the general scheme, and we are dealing with these.

Are the adjustments which the Prime Minister mentions to be made at the expense of other classes or at the expense of the Budget?

The hon. Lady must wait until the specific announcements are made.

Will the Prime Minister give an indication when the announcements will be made, and will he undertake, in the event of a question being submitted from this side of the House, to give as early as possible a list of the persons affected? Does he not now consider that his replies to-day offer some justification for the criticisms that have been made?

I do not want to go into the controversy about the criticisms that have been made. What I say is that the scheme at which we have been working has revealed certain of these points, and we are very anxious that they should be met if possible. I cannot say when an announcement will be made, but an attempt will be made to refer to it a little more fully during the Committee stage of the Bill.

In view of extreme poverty in our city, will the right hon. Gentleman give further consideration to the question of the unemployed if a deputation waits on him and points out our wants?

Has it been necessary for discontent in the Navy—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]

Can the Prime Minister assure me that the particular case of the Glasgow teachers, who have already had a cut of 10 per cent. in wages, will be taken very carefully into account so that they will not have an additional cut of 15 per cent.?

The question of the Glasgow teachers, and also the Perthshire teachers—[An HON. MEMBER: "And the county of Carmarthen teachers."]—who have already had cuts recently, is under consideration.

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is able to give the House any information as to why ships of the Atlantic Fleet have been recalled?

(by Private Notice) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement about the reported unrest in the Royal Navy over pay cuts?

I have also a question from the hon. Member for North Portsmouth (Sir B. Fa11e). The Board of Admiralty have had under their earnest consideration the representations received from the Officer Commanding the Atlantic Fleet as to the hardships involved in certain classes of cases by the reductions ordered by His Majesty's Government in naval rates of pay. Their Lordships have directed the ships of the Atlantic Fleet to proceed to their home ports forthwith. Personal investigation will then be made by the Commanders-in-Chief and representatives of the Admiralty into those classes of cases in which it is alleged that the reductions press exceptionally on those concerned. His Majesty's Government have authorised the Board of Admiralty to make proposals for alleviating the hardship in these classes as soon as the facts have been ascertained by the contemplated investigation.

May I ask the First Lord of the Admiralty to remember, when he and the Board of Admiralty go into this matter, that at the moment an able seaman suffers a 25 per cent. cut in salary, whereas the First Lord of the Admiralty and the rest of the Cabinet are suffering only 20 per cent. cut, and other members of the Government only 10 per cent.; and will he remember that these men, owing to the conditions of their service, are not in an adequate position to represent their case?

I cannot accept either of the assumptions of the hon. and gallant Gentleman. I deprecate questions of that kind, which, I am sure, are not in the interests of the Service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure me that any change in the incidence of pay can be arranged without the consent of this House, or is it necessary for this House to authorise them?

I do not think that any action by this House is called for as to any changes which investigations show to be desirable.

Did the late Cabinet favour these cuts?

While welcoming the announcement that a revision is to take place, may we ask the Prime Minister if he proposes to revise every one of the other proposed cuts?

I am sorry that that question has been put to me by the right hon. Gentleman, as he knows perfectly well that, even when temporary consideration was being given to these blocks of cuts, it was clearly understood that each Department, when it produced the saving, could adjust internally the burden of the saving itself. That was a general rule laid down and applicable to all Departments.

May I ask the First Lord of the Admiralty why it is these investigations are being made now, and why the men's conditions were not inquired into by himself, on his own responsibility, before these cuts were announced?

The hon. and gallant Member knows that this Government succeeded to a situation in which rapid action is essential—

You have got it.

and the only information which I could make available when they were considering this matter was the information which had already been made available for my predecessor.

Does not the requisite machinery for—[Interruption.]

May I ask a question?

On a point of Order. Should I be in Order in asking leave to move the Adjournment of the House?

Oh, no! The hon. and gallant Member for Central Portsmouth (Captain Hall) has given notice about it. It is all arranged.

On a point of Order. [HON. MEMBERS: "Name!"] I am a very infrequent speaker and a still more infrequent questioner in the House, and I rose before anybody else to ask a Supplementary question.

There does not seem to be any need for further supplementary questions.

May I ask one question as to whether—

Name!

May I put a point of Order?—[Interruption.]

May I—[HON. MEMBERS: "Name!"] I would rather be named if I cannot ask a question.

rose—

The hon. and gallant Member has already asked a long supplementary question and has had two answers.

I ask leave—[HON. MEMBERS: "Name!"] I ask leave to move the Adjournment, of the House for the purpose of calling attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, "the abandonment of the Atlantic Fleet exercises on account of unrest over pay cuts."

That is a matter which clearly does not come under the provisions of Standing Order No. 10. The matter could just as well be debated tomorrow as to-day.

May I put to you as a precedent the fact that when there was brought to his notice the fact that two battalions of the Guards were being disbanded the Speaker at that time accepted that as a definite matter of urgent public importance; and may I submit to you that a question of grave insubordination in our premier Service is indeed a matter of first importance, and of urgent importance?

The hon. Member has referred me to a case which he thinks is similar to the present one. I have not had an opportunity of looking into that case, but it is quite obvious to me that the present circumstances would not justify me in accepting the Motion under Standing Order 10.

May I submit to you that this matter is both urgent and important, important in the highest degree and also urgent in the highest degree— of great public importance. If this is not a matter upon which the Adjournment of the House may be moved, what matter is there?

Certainly this is not such a case.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what financial liabilities have been entered into by the British, Malayan and Nigerian Governments in respect of the international tin pool?

No financial liabilities in respect of the tin pool have been entered into by the British, Malayan or Nigerian Governments.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Malayan Government have entered into any liability to finance stock outside the pool?

I have answered the question on the Paper. I presume the hon. Member has in mind the fact that in the last quarter the Malayan Government exceeded their quota. I am taking the necessary steps to see that Malaya adjusts that position. If you enter into an agreement with foreign countries, it is obviously necessary to show that you intend to keep it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the British, Malayan or Nigerian Governments have a representative on the committee of the international tin pool; and, if so, who that representative is?

No, Sir; but the chairman of the International Tin Committee, Sir John Campbell, is ex officio chairman of the International Tin Pool Committee.

Does he not represent the British or the Malayan Government on the pool?

He is obviously conversant with the views of the British Government and the Malayan Government. The principle was determined after careful consideration by the late Government, and I am endorsing that policy because I think it is right.

As there is a representative of the Government on the Commission, will the Government share any of the losses or profits made under the pool?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put down a specific question on that point, and I will answer it. I cannot answer a hypothetical question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what decision has been arrived at with regard to the closing of the ports of Cape Coast and Saltpond, on the Gold Coast, in order to give preference to the Central Province railway and Takoradi harbour?

No such proposal is before the Colonial Office.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the method of censoring films in those British Colonies wherein the level of cinema entertainment for Europeans has to be subordinated to the intellect of the natives; and how many British-produced films have been actually barred from exhibition in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika during the past year?

No British-produced film was barred from exhibition in Kenya during the past year, and only one in Uganda. No record of the country of origin of films censored is kept in Tanganyika, but only two films were completely rejected by the local Board of Censors during the past year. I am afraid that I could not give an adequate account of the method of censorship within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the films?

No, Sir.

In regard to that part of the question which refers to the effect which cinema films may have upon the natives, will the Secretary of State see that no films representing the present Cabinet are shown?

I have already taken into consideration the case of the natives, and, if there was a suggestion that there should be a film of this House, I should see that the hon. Member was not included.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs which of the Dominions have now introduced legislation corresponding with the quota clauses contained in the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927; and will he give particulars?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his question of the 17th February, legislation of this nature has been passed in New Zealand and in Victoria. Since that date similar powers have been taken in the Province of Ontario in Canada.

Is anything being done to try to get the other Dominions to implement their existing legislation and to bring it into line with our legislation?

We are in communication with them. As the hon. Member will see, since my previous reply one other has come into line. The matter is not being lost sight of.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the cost to Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika of the suppression of the recent locust invasion; and what reports he has received as to this pest being endemic or otherwise?

As regards the first part of the question, the Governors of the Dependencies have already been asked to furnish particulars of the cost of measures against the recent locust invasion, and I will communicate this information when received to the hon. Member. As regards the second part, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any progress has been made in the negotiations with Italy regarding the better control of elephant-hunting for ivory on the Jubaland frontier?

No progress has been made in these negotiations. The question of introducing more effective measures for the protection of game in Africa by international agreement was raised at a congress recently held in Paris at which His Majesty's Government was officially represented and the matter will be further considered when the report of the proceedings of the congress is available.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the usual requirement for the majority of official posts in Kenya that the holder shall be able to speak Swahili has been dispensed with in the case of the Director of Education; and what arrangements are made to enable him to understand what is going on when he inspects a native school?

The present Director of Education was selected for appointment after long experience and distinguished service elsewhere in Africa. His duties are connected with general administration and do not involve the detailed inspection of schools in which only native languages are employed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking for the establishment of a regular air-mail service between England and Australia?

A scheme for the establishment of a regular airmail service to Australia is still under consideration by the Governments concerned. My Noble Friend is most anxious to see this scheme carried into effect as early as possible, but, since it involves payment of a subsidy, I fear that the financial situation is likely to retard its progress.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what reply has been sent to the civil aviation section of the London Chamber of Commerce with reference to their suggestion for the use of standard air signs being placed on prominent buildings throughout Great Britain?

So far as I am aware no official communication from the London Chamber of Commerce of the character stated has been received by the Air Ministry. A memorandum on the subject of a scheme of standard air signs by means of ground markings has, however, been prepared by the Automobile Association and has received tie approval of the Air Ministry. I understand that the civil aviation section of the London Chamber of Commerce has issued this memorandum to local authorities and other bodies throughout the country.

Will the Under-Secretary say what is the attitude of the Air Ministry towards the memorandum?

They have approved it. The London Chamber of Commerce have issued it, and it now remains for local authorities to carry it out.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the petition of 4,000 of the inhabitants of Wokingham and district against the action of the traffic commissioners in refusing to license the Led-bury Transport Company's vehicles Reading-London has been considered by him; and whether, in view of the recommendations of the Wokingham Town Council, he will now allow the service to be recommenced?

The Ledbury Transport Company, Limited, exercised their right of appeal against the refusal of the Traffic Commissioners for the Southern area to grant a road service licence for a service of stage carriages between Reading and London, via Wokingham. A petition and also certain representations of the Wokingham Town Council were received and my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport in the late Government, caused an inquiry to be held in order to enable him to arrive at a decision on the appeal. After careful consideration, he decided not to make any order on the Traffic Commissioners and his decision has been notified to the parties concerned.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the late Minister refused to allow a representative of the town council on the appeal, and that their view has never been properly presented? Will the hon. Gentleman, therefore, not reconsider the matter?

I am afraid that the question is now finished with, and that it is impossible to re-open it.

May I come and represent the case of the inhabitants of this district who are suffering very much?

I understand that it is now quite impossible to do anything in the matter.

In view of the very unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the application sent to him from the urban district council of Nailsworth for a grant towards the cost of repairing the damage caused by the recent cloudburst; and whether he can come to some decision in the near future in order to enable the council to repair the damage as early as possible?

The application by the Nailsworth Urban District Council is receiving careful consideration and every endeavour will be made to reach an early decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to ensure that traffic commissioners will not authorise any motor coach time tables which will entail the driving of any motor coach at any time on the route at a speed of over 30 miles an hour?

It is already laid down in Sub-section (3) of Section 72 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, that the traffic commissioners shall not grant a road service licence in respect of any route if it appears to them from the particulars of the time tables which the applicants are required to furnish that the provisions of the Act relating to the speed of motor vehicles are likely to be contravened. The traffic commissioners have not yet dealt with all the applications for road service licences which have been made to them and, therefore, only a proportion of the road services have at present been brought under their review. In the circumstances my hon. Friend does not consider that action on his part is necessary.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is to be any reduction in the salaries of the chairmen of the traffic commissioners, who are now paid £1,000 per year in addition to possessing pension rights?

The general question of the reduction of salaries apart from those dealt with in Command Paper No. 3952 is under consideration, and pending a decision on the general question my hon. Friend is not in a position to make any announcement as to the effect upon the salaries of the chairmen of traffic commissioners. My lion. Friend will communicate with the lion. Member when a decision has been reached. I may add that these appointments do not carry pension rights.

When may we expect an answer to this question—this week or next week?

I am not certain, because I believe the whole of these cases are being reviewed, not only in connection with the Transport Ministry, but in connection with other Departments.

Were there not a certain specified efficiency and certain abilities required of these men before the agreements were signed?

As to pension rights, is the Minister aware that of these commissioners, in addition to £1,000 a year, one has £000 a year and another £800 a year now as a pension?

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position of the arterial road developments in Wiltshire and especially the widening of the Bath road; and what steps are being taken, in the interests of economy, to cancel or postpone these developments?

The position of road improvement schemes in Wiltshire is that work on the London-Exeter road has not yet been commenced. In the case of the London-Bath road, contracts have been let for two sections estimated to cost £48,775 and £54,516 respectively. Eighty per cent. of the work on the first section has been done and work on the other was recently commenced. With regard to the second part of the question, my hon. Friend is meeting representatives of the County Councils Association this after- noon to consult with them as to expenditure on road developments generally in view of the need of economy.

Is the hon. Gentleman's Department in touch with the county council of Wiltshire in order to see whether there may not be some substantial slowing down?

I have no doubt that the county council or the association with which they are connected will be communicated with.

Is it real economy to throw men on the Poor Law instead of giving them employment?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether he will reconsider the decision arrived at by his predecessor regarding the statue of the late Lord Haig, seeing that the statue in question has been publicly condemned by Lady Haig, by the British Legion, and by public opinion generally?

The sculptor selected to execute the memorial statue was commissioned to carry out the work seven months ago and this is now in progress. In these circumstances, the First Commissioner of Works is unable to cancel the appointment of the sculptor.

Does the hon. Gentleman really mean "execute"?

asked the Attorney-General if he will consider in future appointments of magistrates the length of residence in the borough or comity where they hold office, as well as public service that persons have had, in order that citizens will be in a position to judge the qualifications for appointments?

Regard has been, and will continue to be, paid to these considerations.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, seeing that the pay of officers and other ranks who joined the Forces prior to 26th October, 1925, has been reduced so that. a major loses 3.4 per cent., a second-lieutenant, after three years, 4.2 per cent., a regimental sergeant-major 14.3 per cent., a regimental quartermaster-sergeant 16.7 per cent., a company sergeant-major 15 per cent., a sergeant 14.3 per cent., a corporal 20 per cent., and a private 27.3 per cent., the Government will take steps to make these reductions conform more closely to the principle of equality of sacrifice?

The figures used in the question present a somewhat misleading picture of what will actually take place when the new rates come into force. It has been decided to apply to all officers and men the rates which already apply to all who have been commissioned or enlisted since 1925. Under this arrangement the pay of the majority of private soldiers will not be affected, and the apparent inequalities are due to the fact that the Committee who reported to the Government in 1923 on the remuneration of State servants recommended reductions in the rates of pay of junior officers, non-commissioned officers and men and not in the rates of pay of senior officers. These rates have been in force for the last six years, and there is no intention at present of revising them.

Will the lion. Gentleman consider consulting the representatives of the troops in the same way that the representatives of the senior service are being consulted at the moment about the matter of hardship, and will he arrange for a regimental sergeant-major to give, in clear and explicit language, his view of these proposed reductions, in the light of the sanctity of contracts in the soldier's service?

As far as I am aware, no representatives of senior officers are being consulted.

I said the senior service—the Navy.

As to that, I have no information. With regard to the hon. Member's suggestion about consulting representatives of the non-commissioned officers, I am not sure that even, if it were adopted, it would promote discipline.

Will the hon. Gentleman consult the Prime Minister about the establishment of soldiers' councils?

May I ask whether an Army Order on this matter has been issued?

Yes.

asked the Secretary for Mines how much the chairman of the Coal Reorganisation Committee has been paid by way of subsistence allowances or expenses in addition to his salary?

The only payments made to the chairman of the Coal Mines Reorganisation Commission, in addition to salary, have been in respect of travelling expenses actually incurred while absent from headquarters on official business and subsistence allowances payable in connection with such absences in accordance with the Treasury Regulations governing the payment of such allowances to members of commissions and committees. The amounts thus paid up to the 31st August were £78 18s. 9d. on account of travelling and £19 4s. in respect of subsistence allowances.

By how much is it proposed to reduce the subsistence allowance in connection with the salary of the chairman of the Reorganisation Committee?

I do not know that any proposal to that effect has been made.

Is the hon. Gentleman considering this economy in the chairman's salary?

I have nothing whatever to do, and my Department has nothing whatever to do, with the salary, Which was decided previously.

Were these allowances not supported by the votes of Socialist Ministers?

asked the Secretary for Mines whether it is intended to proceed with the safety conferences initiated by his predecessor?

It is certainly my intention to continue the general policy of fostering in all sections of the mining industry discussion and the spread of knowledge on the many problems of safety. Already four conferences have been held at Newcastle-on-Tyne, Glasgow, Sheffield and Cardiff. It is my desire that conferences on similar lines shall be held in the four other inspection divisions and arrangements will be made accordingly as soon as conditions make this possible.