asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply has been sent to the letter from Miss Maude Royden, the Reverend H. R. L. Sheppard, and others with reference to the offer of a peace army to the League of Nations?

I regret that when I answered the question of my hon. Friend on 16th March on this subject I had not the full information before me. I find that the letter to which the question refers was received at Geneva and acknowledged on my behalf, but this fact was not in my mind when I gave my previous reply. I have expressed my apologies to Miss Royden for this oversight, and I trust that, since there are good grounds for hoping that active hostilities are now at an end, the conditions which inspired the gallant and humanitarian offer of Miss Royden and her co-signatories will not again arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the participation of the British Government in the appeal of the 12 members of the League of Nations of 16th February and in the resolution of the Assembly of 11th March, he will notify the Japanese Government that any change in the administrative or political relations between China's eastern provinces, known as Manchuria, and the rest of China, effected or maintained by foreign support, or brought about as a result of external aggression, or foreign military occupation, is not compatible with Article 10 of the Covenant, Article 2 of the Paris Pact, and Article 1 of the Nine Power Treaty, and cannot be recognised by His Majesty's Government; and whether he will also urge upon the members of the League, in pursuance of the Assembly's resolution of 11th March, that it is incumbent upon them to take similar action?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government is already clearly indicated in the documents to which the hon. Member refers, and neither of the steps he suggests would serve any useful purpose.

Will the steps that have already been taken run along the lines of the suggestions in the latter part of the question?

I should like to answer the hon. Member if I can. I have not fully understood his supplementary.

In the reply which he has given, the Foreign Secretary has indicated that certain steps have been taken by the Government. I wish to ask whether these steps are in line with the last two parts of the question?

My hon. Friend will see that the resolution of 11th March, being a resolution adopted without opposition by a special Assembly is a resolution to which His Majesty's Government is an active party. Japan and China are members of the Assembly and are perfectly well aware of the terms of the resolution.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the representative of the Japanese Government on the Council of the League of Nations has informed that body that his Government could not acquiesce in any system of government in Manchuria that jeopardised Japanese capital investments in that province; and whether he has called, or will call, the attention of the Japanese Government to the bearing of such an attitude upon their obligations under Article X of the covenant, and Article 1, paragraph 1, of the Washington Nine Power Treaty?

The hon. Member appears to be paraphrasing an isolated sentence from a passage dealing with Manchuria in the speech of the Japanese delegate at the meeting of the Council on the 19th of February. I find no sufficient ground in the Japanese delegate's observations for taking the action suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the resolution passed at the sixty-sixth session of the Council of the League of Nations, recommending the Governments to take all possible steps to put an end to bribery and unfair commercial practices as described in the Report of the economic committee of she League; if he has received that Report; and what action it is proposed to take thereon?

I have seen the Economic Committee's report and the Council's resolution on this subject. These will receive His Majesty's Government's careful consideration.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the information asked for is supplied?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of persons killed in this country during the last three years while flying in aircraft bearing a British-validated foreign certificate of airworthiness; and what proportion of these deaths was due to mechanical or structural failure?

During the last three years there has been one fatal accident in this country to an aircraft with a British-validated foreign certificate of airworthiness; this accident involved six deaths and was due to structural failure.

Does not the Under-Secretary think that this matter should be investigated because these validated certificates tend to bring our own certificates into disrepute?

There has been only one accident in three years and the whole report upon it has been published.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the difficulties that will be caused to operators of British civil aircraft by a reduction of the maximum permissible weight when operating at abnormal altitudes, he will give an assurance that any regulations in this matter will be on the basis of enlarged aerodromes and not of restrictive conditions with regard to the aircraft?

No, Sir. My Noble Friend is advised that an increase of aerodrome area is not of itself sufficient to ensure general safety of operation in conditions of reduced air density at abnormal altitudes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the method of computing the strength of air- craft in this country is the same as that adopted by other great Powers; and, if not, what is the difference?

I have been asked to reply. The requisite examination of the returns of air armaments rendered to the League of Nations will no doubt be carried out in the near future by the Disarmament Conference. Until this has been done, my right hon. Friend is not in a position to reply to my hon. Friend's question. It is quite possible, however, that the examination will reveal some unintentional diversity of method in the compilation of these statistics, since to reduce widely differing organisations to common formulae for the first time is obviously a very difficult task.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Transport that the future allocation of Road Fund grants should be concentrated upon the reconstruction of bridges, and in view of the unemployment in the steel trade, he is now in a position to authorise the construction of bridges which local authorities are desirous of proceeding with?

I shall continue sympathetically to consider applications for financial assistance from the Road Fund towards the reconstruction of weak and dangerous bridges; but in the present circumstances grants must be restricted to cases presenting features of special urgency.

May I ask that the Minister of Transport will keep in mind the pressing need for a large number of new bridges in Scotland?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the inconvenience which will be caused to the inhabitants of the Holmfirth and adjoining districts by terminating Baddeley's motor-omnibus service between Holmfirth and Sheffield; and will he state the reasons for his refusal to allow the appeal made to him?

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the omnibus fares charged by the Sheffield Corporation on the Sheffield-Stocksbridge route are higher than those charged by the green and white omnibus service; whether this factor was taken into account when considering the appeal, since dismissed, of the green and white omnibus service against the refusal of the Traffic Commissioners to renew their licence; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that the people of Stocksbridge are not subjected to undue charges by the Sheffield Corporation?

In their observations on this case the Traffic Commissioners stated that they had given the fullest consideration to all local transport requirements in the area, and that, under their decisions, all villages and townships in the whole area will be provided with satisfactory services to both Sheffield and Huddersfield. After considering the report of a full local inquiry into the appeal, I could find no sufficient reason for setting aside the Commissioners' decision. The Commissioners are charged with the duty of ensuring that the fares in force on any service are not unreasonable, but they are required to consider representations on the subject that may be made to them by any local authority concerned. On this point I am causing a copy of nay hon. Friends' questions, and of this answer, to be sent to the Traffic Commissioners concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will consider the advisability, when further appeals against the decisions of the traffic commissioners are heard by him, of inviting local authorities to whose area the appeal refers to send a representative to voice the opinion of the local authority in the matter at the time when the appeal is under consideration?

The persons appointed by me to hold inquiries into appeals against decisions of the Traffic Commissioners have discretion to hear additional evidence, including the views of local authorities concerned. Representations of this nature have frequently been accepted.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has con- sidered the communications from the Isle of Ely County Council pointing out that harmful effects are likely to be caused to Ely Cathedral by the unrestricted speed of traffic passing along the adjoining road; and what steps he is taking to obviate the possibility of damage to this building?

Yes, Sir, I am in correspondence with the Isle of Ely County Council on the subject and will give any proposals they may make careful consideration.

Will the Minister use his powers under Section 46 of the Traffic Act, 1930, in this matter?

Yes, Sir, if the county council of Ely will make an application for the order that they desire I will consider it.

Will the Minister hold an inquiry if the county council ask for it under Section 46 of the Act?

If they justify their request I am prepared to hold an inquiry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has investigated and, if so, with what result the effect of road motor-transport upon the water-carriage of goods; and whether he will consider attaching to the Rail-Road Conference a representative of the interests engaged in the water-carriage of goods?

I have decided to limit the personnel of the Committee in the first place to representatives of the interests immediately concerned in the operation of goods transport by rail and by road. My hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured, however, that I shall not come to any conclusions upon the findings and recommendations of the Committee without first giving those engaged in transport by water and other important interests an opportunity of expressing their views.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is now in a position to state the nature of the special measures taken by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police to prevent heavy vehicles from being driven at excessive speeds?

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has issued orders that special attention is to be given to the enforcement of the law regulating the speed of heavy road vehicles, and that excessive speed by heavy commercial and other vehicles is to be stopped. The speed of such vehicles will be checked by motor patrols and by foot police on certain stretches of road. These steps will be taken at irregular intervals and in any locality where, from information received, it appears to be necessary. As the purpose of these measures is not to secure a number of convictions, but to prevent accidents, I am grateful to my hon. Friend for giving me the opportunity of making a statement, which I hope will be taken as a warning by those concerned, and will lead to a cessation of driving at excessive speeds in London.

Have similar instructions been sent to the provinces, as the right hon. Gentleman suggested a week ago?

I have informed the chief officers of police in other districts of the steps that are being taken in London, but I am not authorised to give them instructions.

Will the same principle be applied to motor cycles?

The question on the Paper relates to heavy vehicles, but of course motor bicycles are subject to restriction and suitable measures can be taken.

Would it not be fairer if a definite speed were laid down, so that the driver would know?

It is laid down.

Will the right hon. Gentleman draw the attention of the police to the fact that this is not altogether a question of preventing accidents but of compelling heavy vehicles to comply with the speed limit laid down by law?

Yes, Sir, but it is primarily for the purpose of preventing accidents.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also communicate on this sub- ject with the Secretary of State for Scotland, so that similar action may be taken in Scotland?

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the facts.

He does not seem to be.

(for Mr. REMER) asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will take powers to prevent passengers and goods being carried by aeroplanes at charges or speeds involving competition with the railways?

I have been asked to reply. The answer is in the negative. Each method of transport has its appropriate sphere of usefulness, and it is not considered that Government intervention in the sense suggested would serve any good purpose.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of the South African route, no such danger exists as it is quicker in most cases to send mails by boat than by air.

I will convey that information to my right hon. Friend.

(for Mr. LESLIE BOYCE) asked the Minister of Transport the estimated life of the great trunk roads from the date of the completion of their construction?

Excavation, foundation and surfacing material obviously have varying lives, but my hon. Friend may be interested to know that for loan repayment purposes the three are generally equated to 20 years. There is, however, no special period for trunk as opposed to other roads.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount received by the Road Fund in respect of the administrative county of London for each of the last available five years; and the total payments made from the Road Fund in respect of the administrative county of London for each of the same five years?

As the answer contains a number of figures, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he can state when the alterations at Fenchurch Street branch post office will be completed; and whether they will improve the accommodation available for the public?

The scheme of alterations at Fenchurch Street branch post office has not been finally settled, and a date for completion cannot be given at present: the answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state when the improvements in the Finsbury Square branch post office will be finished; and whether they involve any structural alteration of the premises?

It is anticipated that the improvements in the Finsbury Square branch post office will be completed by the middle of August: the answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is the freehold of the premises in the possession of the Government?

I require notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the total amount of imports and exports for the period of 12 months ended the first week of February of the current year to and from those countries with which this country has an adverse balance of trade; and the amount of the adverse balance with each country concerned?

The aggregate value of the import and export trade in merchandise with individual countries is compiled for calendar years and quarterly periods only. The particulars for 1931 are recorded on pages 121 to 131 of the issue for January last of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom," to which I would refer the hon. Member.

Does that return show the exports and imports in the case of Russia? If so, can the hon. Gentleman state from memory whether there is a big adverse balance in the case of other countries far in excess of that in the case of Russia?

I suggest that the hon. Member adopt the recommendation in the answer that I have given, that is to study the returns, where he will be able to get the information required.

Is it not the case that yesterday a very long question was put to the President of the Board of Trade asking for a considerable amount of information with regard to various articles brought into this country and exported to other countries? Why is one Member able to get information supplied, though it will lead to considerable expense, while another Member is referred to the reports of the Board of Trade?

It was an entirely different question. The information which the hon. Member opposite has asked for is contained in the returns up to the end of the year.

So was the other information, in the Statistical Abstracts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that under the Turco-Russian commercial treaty now in effect either country can limit its imports to the amount of exports taken by the other, the Government, when reviewing the present position of Anglo-Russian trade, will consider the possibility of making a similar arrangement with the Soviet Government?

My hon. Friend must be under a misapprehension as the treaty referred to does not contain the provisions which he suggests. As regards the second part of the question all relevant considerations are being taken into account in connection with Anglo-Soviet trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the exemptions granted by the Import Duties Act to the Dominions and Colonies are being applied to Sarawak?

Yes, Sir.

Is Sarawak considered as a sovereign State or as a Protectorate?

It is a protected territory.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, by reason of the fact that two months or more are required for the execution of orders in the wool textile trade, orders to manufacturers in Huddersfield and other parts of the West Riding are being held up owing to the uncertainty as to the position when the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act will have expired; and whether, in order to enable orders to be placed with certainty, he can say when a pronouncement will be made as to what customs duties, if any, will be imposed upon wool textiles after the expiration of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act?

I am aware that uncertainty does exist. I cannot say when the Advisory Committee are likely to present any recommendations to the Treasury, but I am satisfied that they have fully in mind the desirability of reducing the period of uncertainty as much as possible.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some foreign manufacturers are endeavouring to exploit the situation by offering to accept orders and to stand the difference of any duty over 25 per cent., and to accept cancellation of the order, if the 50 per cent. duty remains?

As I say, these matters are, in fact, very much in the minds of the trading community. We are aware of that and the Advisory Committee is aware of that also.

(for Mr. HANNON) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Argentine Trade Mission is expected to reach this country; if any arrangements have been made, through conferences or otherwise, to deal with their proposals; and if decisions on all matters affecting Anglo-Argentine trade will be withheld until the close of the Ottawa Conference?

Inquiries were made by the Argentine Ambassador in December last as to whether His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom would be prepared to receive a commercial mission from Argentina. On the 21st January last the Argentine Ambassador was informed that, while fully appreciating the importance of the relations uniting the two countries and while welcoming any statement of the point of view of the Argentine Government or any suggestions for a possible reciprocal arrangement which they might care to make, His Majesty's Government felt that, as it Is not open to them to enter into any actual discussions with foreign Governments which might prejudice the Ottawa Conference, it would lead to no useful result if 'a special mission were to be sent at the present moment. It was therefore suggested that the despatch of a mission should be deferred, and that any statement or suggestions the Argentine Government might wish to lay before His Majesty's Government for discussion after the Ottawa Conference should be communicated through the Ambassador. No further communications on the subject have been received from the Argentine Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the possibility of prejudicing the value of the import trade with the Argentine, and will he also have regard to the trade involved between South Wales and that country?

We certainly have most fully in mind the importance of the trade between this country and the Argentine, both the trade which passes from this country to the Argentine and the trade which passes from the Argentine to us.

Is it not a very unfriendly action to refuse a trade mission of this kind from a friendly nation that does a large trade with us?

I am quite certain that the Argentine Government would be the first to agree that there is nothing unfriendly in our attitude.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement as to the reasons for the award of an order for 75,000 tons of coal required by the Brazilian Central Railways to Germany instead of, as hitherto, to South Wales; and whether the Government will make representations to the Brazilian Government as to debts owing by coal importers to the exporters in this country?

With regard to the first part of the question, if the hon. Member's suggestion is that hitherto contracts for coal for the Brazilian Central Railways have always been placed in South Wales, I would point out that Germany has secured these contracts on several previous occasions. I am not in a position to state the reasons of the Brazilian Government for awarding the recent contract of 75,000 tons to Germany. As regards the second Mart of the question, His Majesty's Government have frequently drawn the attention of the Brazilian Government to the existence of these outstanding debts, and have attempted to secure a settlement satisfactory to British firms.

Is the policy of the Government on tariffs responsible for Brazil buying German coal instead of British?

I think not.

Is it correct that Germany agreed to a system of barter of coal for coffee?

I believe that that question is to be raised later in discussion in the House.

(for Mr. GIBSON) asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he will instruct the Board of Customs to arrange that some members of the staff of the board shall be in attendance after five o'clock each evening in order to answer inquiries made, either verbally or in writing, on behalf of importers and exporters carrying on trade who may desire information with respect to regulations issued by the Board under the Import Duties Act in order to facilitate the trade of the country?

The hours at which Customs offices are open to members of the public having business with the Department are of longstanding usage, and I do not see any good reason for extending them; but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of any cases in which difficulty has arisen, I shall certainly have them looked into.

Does my right hon. Friend fully realise that the several Acts of Parliament passed during recent months will increase the demand for service from the Customs offices, and that industry may well on many occasions require information after five o'clock in the evening?

I think that it will be reasonable to ask for cases in which difficulty has arisen. I have promised to have such cases looked into.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he has any statement to make respecting the revision of teachers' salaries?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education if he can state the number of boys who have left school for the years 1929, 1930, and 1931?

As the answer contains a number of figures I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFCIAL REPORT.

But there are only three sets of figures.

I will circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow.

On a point of Order. I wanted these figures for to-day's Debate on unemployment. Why should I have to wait until to-morrow?

I will give the figures to the hon. Member after questions.

Read them.

The figures are:

asked the Minister of Labour what is the position, as indicated by reports to his Department from training centres, in respect to the complaints made by trainees at Shobden, Herefordshire, transfer instructional centre regarding food and accommodation; and how many of these trainees have left the centre before their term has expired?

I am not aware of any such complaints and shall be glad to know on what information the hon. Member bases his question.

Will the hon. Gentleman investigate it if I send him the case?

asked the Minister of Labour the names of all the organisations from which he has received resolutions of protest against the administration of the Anomalies Act and asking for the repeal of that Act?

I am afraid this information could not be got out without a laborious search through all the files.

Is it not a fact that certain Conservative associations, including the Conservative Association of Nelson, have asked for the repeal of the Act?

That may well be.

Are protests coming to the hon. Gentleman's Department ignored completely?

No, Sir. Careful notice is taken of their contents.

asked the Minister of Labour what proportion of the number of persons who have ceased to sign the register since October have gone off the register owing to the working of the Anomalies Act?