asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state the time of receipt at Fort Blockhouse of the reported absence as overdue of submarine M 2; the name of the officer on duty at Portsmouth Dockyard at that time who had executive control of all measures of rescue work; the nature of the latter's immediate action, if any; on whose authority, and on what grounds, all rescue work was confined to surface craft; whether, in view of the nature of the discretion allowed under King's Regulations in such an emergency to officers commanding and of the known reliability of methods of sound detection for use by submarines in underseas conditions, he can state why such a step was not ordered forthwith by the officer commanding; and whether at the official inquiry this aspect will be particularly inquired into, and opportunity provided for competent engineering and commercial authority other than officers of the Royal Navy, to assist the inquiry on this point?

As the reply is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell me whether the first part of the question will be the subject of particular inquiry?

I think the hon. Member when he reads the answer will find that the specific question to which he refers does not arise. I can give him an assurance that the inquiry will be very comprehensive.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why Leading-stoker J. W. H. Lee, His Majesty's Ship "Rodney," was dismissed from the service, after 19 years' service, without trial and without pension; and whether, in view of his service, it is possible to grant a modified pension?

This man was one of 24 men discharged "Services no longer required" by order of the Board of Admiralty. The reasons for discharge were stated in this House in the reply which was given to a question by the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 12th November, 1931. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

Is it not the case that the late First Lord of the Admiralty said that there would be no penalisation of men at all in connection with this matter?

That is true; and there has been no penalisation.

Will my Noble Friend and the Board take into account the special circumstances of these men, and their long service, 19 and 20 years?

Can the Parliamentary Secretary tell us why certain hon. Members will not allow Communists in their own party, but want them in the Navy?

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that we do not allow Communists in our organisation?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the result of the trials that have been made in His Majesty's Submarine "Rainbow," as regards the indicator buoys for locating the position of submarines that may sink in consequence of an accident?

Trials of the indicator buoy in His Majesty's Submarine "Rainbow" have been carried out and are reported to have been generally satisfactory. The results are now being considered in the Admiralty.

In these circumstances will instructions be given at once to fix something after the style of these buoys on submarines?

There are a few small points which have to be corrected, but the matter is well in hand.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made with the ships of the 1929 naval construction programme?

Normal progress has been made on all the vessels of the 1929 programme. Three sloops and a tender to the Mining School have been completed and the remainder are expected to be completed in the next 12 months. Full and detailed particulars will be included in the printed statement to accompany the Navy Estimates, which will be issued in about a week's time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the establishment of naval surgeons is complete; and, if not, What is the deficiency?

The establishment of naval medical officers is not complete, the deficiency at present being approximately 60.

Is it proposed to take any steps to make up that deficiency?

Yes, the whole question of the conditions of service, recruit-merit, etc., in the medical branches of the three Services is under consideration by an inter-Departmental committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average amount of sea time already served by captains when appointed to command ships during the year 1931; and what was the corresponding service of captains in 1913?

The average amount of sea time already served by captains in that rank when appointed to command His Majesty's 'ships during 1931 was one year 121 days, and the corresponding service of captains in 1913 was two years 37 days.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the normal period during which an officer appointed to command the battle cruiser squadron holds this appointment?

It is customary for this and other rear-admirals' appointments to be held for two years. When, however, an officer is promoted to the rank of vice-admiral during the tenure of a rear-admiral's appointment, the question of his retention of the appointment for the full period of two years is specially reviewed.

Would the Noble Lord say whether the super-cession of an officer who has only done 10 months in this appointment may be assumed to be the usual normal change of flag appointments, or whether there is some special reason for this change?

No, Sir; every case is reviewed on its merits. We have always to bear in mind the desirability of giving experience to other flag officers of the rank appropriate to the command.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that boys are sent to the Atlantic Fleet and thence transferred to ships of the Mediterranean Station without previous notice and without the granting of leave, as is done in the case of other naval ratings; and whether he will issue instructions that in future boys are to be warned and given notice before being sent on commissions?

It has been a long-established practice to transfer boys from the Atlantic Fleet and the training establishments to the Mediterranean Station in January each year, the boys taking passage in Atlantic Fleet ships. All the boys who were so transferred last month had leave just prior to sailing. The Admiralty already have under consideration whether this system of drafting boys to the Mediterranean shall continue.

Does it follow that leave will be given to these boys so that they may have a chance of going home?

I have made careful inquiries, and I find that on the last occasion every boy had a minimum of 14 days' leave before he sailed?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any further warships, and, if so, what, are being sent to Shanghai?

No further warships are being sent to Shanghai. It has been arranged, however, for His Majesty's Ship "Berwick," which is due to return shortly to the United Kingdom, to be relieved temporarily by His Majesty's Ship "Devonshire," an 8-inch cruiser from the Mediterranean Station.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons for the recent alterations in the conditions of the annual retaining fee paid to engine-room artificers in the Royal Naval Reserve?

No recent alteration has been made in the Regulations for the payment of retainers to engine-room artificers, Royal Naval Reserve.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state in which of the colonies, protectorates, and mandated territories there are export duties in force and in respect of what commodities; and whether, seeing that these duties tend to hinder the export of such commodities to the United Kingdom, he will bring this question before the forthcoming Imperial Conference at Ottawa?

The list is a long one, and I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I have not received any evidence that export duties in force in any Colony hinder the export of their products to this country. If the question arose with regard to any particular duty, I should take the matter up direct with the Government of the Colony concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state the nature of the replies received from Colonies and Dependencies in response to the cabled message addressed to them following upon the adoption of the Financial Resolutions to the Import Duties Bill by this House?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to the hon. Members for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) and Stockport (Mr. Hammersley) on the 10th and 17th instant, of which I am sending him copies. I should add that the Governor of Ceylon has informed me that Ministers intend to propose a resolution in the State Council in favour of the principle of reciprocal preference. I have also received telegrams from the Governor of the Seychelles and the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific intimating that they hope to submit proposals for the introduction of preferential tariffs in areas under their jurisdiction where preference has not hitherto been granted.

Following that very satisfactory reply, can my right hon. Friend say that the gesture made regarding the future relations with Colonial Empire has been general satisfaction?

universally.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can make any statement with regard to the trade commissionership in Jamaica?

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he can make a statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the representations from Jamaica as to the desirability of retaining the British trade commissionership in that Colony in view of forthcoming inter-imperial trade development?

I am glad to be able to announce that it has been found possible to make arrangements for continuing for the present the office of the Trade Commissioner in Jamaica.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in order to give members of the public who are at work all day an opportunity to visit the British Industries Fair and view the special display of Empire produce, he will make arrangements for the fair to be open to the public later than the present closing hour of 7.30?

I will see that my hon. Friend's suggestion is carefully considered in connection with the arrangements for next year's fair. The existing closing hour was settled after careful deliberation in consultation with the exhibitors' advisory committee, and the decision was in accordance with the views of the majority. Exhibitors have signed contracts on the basis of existing hours of closing, and I am afraid in all the circumstances that it would be impracticable to make a change which would involve extra expense now that the fair is running.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make a further statement as to the present position with regard to the removal of the 15 per cent. Surtax oh British coal imported into France?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Spennymoor (Mr. Batey).

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the quantities and values of imports from British and foreign countries, respectively, during 1931 of foodstuffs preserved in airtight containers in their several categories?

My hon. Friend will find particulars of the imports from British and foreign countries respectively of the various tinned, canned and battled foodstuffs for the year 1930 in Volume II of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom for that year. I regret that similar information for the year 1931 is not yet available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the fall in the value of raw silk since the Silk Duties were imposed in 1925 from 26s. per pound to 11s. per pound, approximately; if he is aware that the duty of 3s. per pound, which was approximately 11 per cent. in 1925, is now an ad valorem duty of 28 per cent., whereas the duty on the full manufactured article remains at 33⅓ per cent. ad valorem; and in view of the unemployment in the silk industry, what action he intends to take to amend the Silk Duties?

I am aware of the fall in the prices of raw silk since the duties were imposed in 1925. As regards the last part of the question, I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that Great Britain is the only country in the world that imposes a tax on the prime raw material of the silk industry?

I have said that I cannot anticipate the Budget statement.

Will the Chancellor, in preparing the Budget, take into account the fact that employment in the silk trade since the imposition of the Silk Duties has fallen from 140,000 to 37,000?

The Silk Association and the British Celanese Company have already sent a request for a revision of the Silk Duties, and this will be taken into consideration.

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the ad valorem duty includes freight, commission, and insurance?

All these duties are imposed on that basis in this country.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that France is at the present moment sending 40 per cent. of her total output into this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in Inquest No. 10 of 1930, held at the Rendul magistrates' court at Kisumu, Kenya Colony, it was proved that a European employer had withheld wages for four periods of labour from a Kavirondo Native named Asuna, who was found to have committed suicide after a bullock had been taken away from him for the payment of his cousin's poll tax; and whether action has been taken by the local government against this employer for withholding wages or what official notice has been taken of this case?

I have seen the finding of the Court which records that Asuna was owed four tickets by a European employer. Summonses had already been issued against this employer in respect of several claims for wages, but the prosecution was dropped on payment of the amounts due. The verdict of the court does not suggest that Asuna's act was in any way attributable to the delay in the payment of his wages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make a statement as to the developments that have taken place regarding the granting of land at the junction of the Maragua and Tana Rivers, in Kenya Colony, to a company for the purpose of a hydro-electric project; whether provision is in contemplation for the 150 Kikuyu families who live on this area of land; and if he is aware that a ford over the river at this point has been closed to the Kikuyu and Komba, people who have used it from time immemorial?

An arrangement has been arrived at with the consent of the local native council and the Central Native Lands Trust Board for the grant to the East African Power and Lighting Company of an uninhabited area of 3.80 acres in the Fort Hall native reserve, in addition to about 22 acres of Crown Land. The conditions agreed upon include an addition of approximately 20 acres to the native reserve, and provide for the keeping open of the Mathengeta track leading to the Maragua River. I have no information as to the closing of a ford.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make representations to all gas undertakings in this country with a view to getting them to paint on the top of the gasholders when next repainted the name of the town in which they are situated?

My Noble Friend does not consider that any special representations are called for at this juncture, having regard to the official scheme of ground markings referred to in my reply of the 9th December last to the hon. Member for Central Bristol. I may, however, add that the Air Ministry would welcome any voluntary action on the lines suggested as a supplement to this scheme and would be prepared to give advice on the subject to any gas companies interested.

Is my hon. Friend aware of the great success of this scheme in the county of Leicester, not only to civil aviation but also to the military service, and is he not prepared to see that the scheme is extended throughout the country?

Yes, Sir; I think the Ministry would welcome a scheme of that kind, but we have already approved a standard scheme of ground markings, in conjunction with the aero clubs and local authorities throughout the country, and I do not think it would be advisable at the moment to recommend any other scheme.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the scheme of ground markings is a very expensive scheme, whereas the scheme of marked gasometers is undoubtedly comparatively cheap?

I know it is a very efficient scheme.

Is my hon. Friend aware that every year, or every other year, gasholders are repainted? Would he consider the advisability of asking gas companies to co-operate in any schemed the kind?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the type of machine used for training purposes by the Cambridge University air squadron; and whether all these machines are fitted with slots?

The types of aircraft used are the Atlas and the Avro 504N; the former are fitted with slots and the latter with Frise ailerons, which have a comparable effect.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will state how much of the amounts of £15,000 and £5,000 allocated to the light aeroplane clubs and National Flying Services, Limited, respectively, in the Air Estimates for 1931 has been expended to date; and whether he can give any estimate of the total expenditure likely to be incurred by the end of the financial year?

The answer to the first part of the question is £9,092 and £1,470 respectively; as regards the second part, it is estimated that the total expenditure for the year will be £12,600, £10,000 to light aeroplane clubs and £2,000 to National Flying Services, Limited.

In view of the fact that the Light Aeroplane Clubs and National Flying Services cannot, under the present regulations, earn the whole subsidy granted by this House, will my hon. Friend consider altering the regulations?

The agreements with the Light Aeroplane Clubs expire on 31st July, and meanwhile I had better not say more about it, but the whole matter is being very sympathetically considered by my Noble Friend.

Does the hon. Gentleman propose to collect the expenses of this grant back in the way of increased licences for the use of aeroplanes?

I require notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what action is being taken in respect of complaints which have reached him from British pilots of difficulties in obtaining permission to fly over Turkish territory?

No complaints have reached me of difficulty in obtaining permission to fly over Turkish territory. On the contrary the Turkish Government have shown themselves ready to grant applications submitted in accordance with Turkish Air Regulations. Difficulties have arisen only when civil pilots themselves have failed to comply with the regulations of the Turkish Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost to the Air Ministry of the ground organisation, including the pro- vision, maintenance, and lighting of aerodromes, landing grounds, hangars, and buildings, the pay and travelling expenses of traffic and inspection officers, works, and technical equipment of the Cairo-South African route since its inception; and if the full amount of such expenditure would have been incurred if the route had not to be used by Imperial Airways, Limited, but retained for service use only?

As regards the first part of the question, the responsibility for the special provision of the necessary ground organisation rested mainly on the Governments whose territories are traversed by the route, and the provision by His Majesty's Government of facilities at existing aerodromes and landing grounds involved no appreciable additional expenditure to public funds. The only cost involved to the Air Ministry is in respect of certain ground staff and the temporary loan of some wireless equipment, and has amounted to date to slightly over £3,000. The answer to the second part of the question is accordingly in the negative.

Are the Government prepared to grant similar loans of equipment and similar facilities to other unsubsidised companies?

These facilities] have been afforded, as I said in my reply, by the Governments whose territories are traversed by the route.

Will the hon. Gentleman kindly answer my question. I asked for information as regards the specific items amounting approximately to £3,000.

As we have to ask the various Governments concerned to give help over this line, it is only natural that the British Government should help a little also.

May I press the hon. Gentleman on this point: Will the Air Ministry grant similar facilities to other unsubsidised companies, as are given to Imperial Airways?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would put down a question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cost falling on public funds of the ground organisation, including the provision, maintenance and lighting of aerodromes, landing grounds, hangars, buildings, the pay and expenses of traffic and inspection officers, works and technical equipment, on the Egypt-India route for the financial years 1928–29, 1929–30 and 1930–31; and if these sums are in addition to the subsidy to Imperial Airways, Limited, in respect of air services over that route?

As regards the first part of the question, the cost to public funds of the ground organisation on the Egypt-India air route for the financial years 1928, 1929 and 1930, was approximately £4,850, 26,220 and £6,690, respectively. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative; this was an essential feature of the agreement, and the amount of the subsidy was determined in the light of it.

Are these facilities at the disposal of other unsubsidised lines, in the same way as they are at the disposal of imperial Airways and on the same terms?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put down another question.

Does not the hon. Gentleman consider that the time has come when Imperial Airways and the Air Force should be amalgamated under some scheme?

I do not think that I could deal with that question now.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air on what date the decision to abandon the mechanical transport repair depot at Harlescott, Shrewsbury, is to take effect; and what arrangements, if any, have been made for disposing of the land and buildings?

This depot will be vacated on the 31st March. Arrangements regarding the disposal of the property are still under consideration.

Is the hon. Gentleman in a position to disclose what price is likely to be agreed upon, what the sale price is likely to be, in view of the fact that the original capital expenditure amounted to over £500,000, and that a very substantial loss is likely to result from the sale?

The property has not yet been advertised for sale. The retention of the married quarters is still under consideration. I could not give any figure at the moment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of Royal Air Force stations at which instruction in blind flying by instruments is given; the number of serving officers who have qualified; and the number of Royal Air Force aircraft equipped for this work?

Instruction in instrument flying is given at the Central Flying School; this is with a view to the qualification of all flying instructors. The subject is also being introduced into the course of initial flying training of all pilots. Instruction will shortly he commenced for Fleet Air Arm pilots at two other stations. The number of pilots who have so far been instructed in this subject is 122 and the number of aircraft already equipped or in course of being equipped for this work is 59.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the advisability of allocating annually some small but definite proportion of the Road Fund to the purpose of freeing toll bridges and toll roads throughout the country until they have all been freed?

I appreciate the hon. and gallant Member's interest in the matter and whilst I am not prepared to set aside a specific annual sum for freeing toll bridges and roads, applications with this object from highway authorities will receive my careful consideration, with due regard to the funds which may be available.

Is it the case that only two toll bridges have been abolished since that Measure was passed through the House; and is the reason given by the local authorities that the Ministry of Transport refuse to give adequate grants?

I can only deal with the position as I find it, and I have to cut my coat according to the cloth.

Does not the hon. Gentleman think that the funds of the Ministry would be better used in the way suggested in the question than in the destruction of national monuments?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in consideration of the increasing wear and tear on the roads caused by the multiplcation of the heavier type of commercial vehicles, he will consider the increase of the licence duties on all lorries weighing over four tons unladen; and whether he will take steps to prevent the evasion of the weight tax on heavy commercial vehicles by the use of trailers, three of which may be attached to a lorry for £6 a year?

I have noted my hon. Friend's suggestion. As regards the second part of the question, I think he overlooks the fact that only locomotives are permitted to draw three trailers and these vehicles are not charged with trailer duty, but pay an inclusive duty.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these heavy commercial vehicles are rendering certain centres absolutely hopeless both for pedestrians and for smaller vehicles; and will he consider dealing with the matter in some way?

I have the matter under very anxious consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to take legislative action to carry out the recommendations of the departmental committee appointed to inquire into the law relating to the stopping-up and diversion of highways?

The matter is under consideration, but I doubt whether any opportunity will present itself for promoting legislation during the present Session.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of accidents that have taken place in Oxford Street since the installation of traffic signals; and the figures for a corresponding period previous to the use of automatic signals?

The traffic signals have been in operation in Oxford Street, between Portman Street and St. Giles' Circus, from 12th July, 1931. I will give the figures of accidents between that date and 11th January, 1932, in comparison with the corresponding period a year earlier. They are as follows: Fatal accidents in the later period, none; in the earlier period, one; accidents resulting in serious personal injury, 12 and 21 respectively; accidents resulting in slight personal injury, 128 and 162 respectively; accidents involving damage only, 1,003 and 652 respectively. There is a satisfactory decrease in the accidents involving injury, and the increase in the other accidents is to some extent attributable to the state of the road in the recent wet summer.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware that inconvenience is still caused to the public by the lack of route boards on the new omnibuses and the indication of the terminal destination only; and whether he will take further steps to have the old route hoards restored on all omnibuses in the Metropolitan area?

Steps have been taken, and are actively proceeding, to restore these route indicators. It is anticipated that in a month from now about nine-tenths of the omnibuses running in London will have the indicators, and the remainder will be dealt with as soon as practicable.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that imports of certain food for cattle and other requirements of the agricultural industry are proposed to be made dutiable on entry into Northern Ireland, while similar imports will continue to be imported duty free into the Irish Free State; and how he proposes to counteract this anomaly?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, it is not in the Minister's power to take any action in the direction suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Minister of Agriculture what reports he has received from his officials regarding the losses of animal life and suffering during the last voyage of the Steamship "Lady Galway" from Dublin to Preston; if lie can state the cause; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent a repetition of the cruelty incident to this Anglo-Irish traffic?

As the answer is long, with my hon. Friend's permission I propose to circulate it in the OFFCIAL REPORT.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what steps are to be taken to prevent a repetition of this cruelty to animals?

I would ask the hon. Member to possess his soul in patience and to wait until he gets this reply.

(for Mr. KIRKWOOD) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to give the House the names of the reorganising committee for the bacon industry?

My right hon. Friend would refer the hon. Member to the reply which he gave on the 18th February to my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for Wycombe, (Sir A. Knox). He will communicate the names to the House in due course.

Can the hon. Gentleman assure us that someone will be put on that Committee, say, a wholesale or retail purveyor, who understands the needs of the consuming public?

I could not give any pledge.