asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the Chinese Government are calling for tenders for four ships to be used in the Chinese coastal trade and that these ships are being paid for out of the British Boxer indemnity; and whether he will make representations to the Chinese Government that the money returned to China by the British taxpayer should not be used to compete with British shipping on the China coast?

I am aware that the Chinese Government are calling for tenders for ships to be used in the Chinese coastal trade, and that these ships are being paid for out of British Boxer Indemnity funds. The development of a Chinese coastal shipping service will naturally entail competition with British shipping companies but I am not satisfied that there are grounds for effective representations in the matter. It should be stated that the orders for the ships concerned are being placed in the United Kingdom.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it desirable that the shipping companies of China, which are going through a very hard time, should be subjected to competition, the capital of which is provided by money belonging to this country and which was originally intended to be used for educational purposes?

I thoroughly share the hon. Member's feeling, but the question is whether there is, in connection with an international matter of this sort, sufficient ground for making effective representations. The same question arises as regards railways in China.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is the best use the money could be put to in order to give work to shipbuilders in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give to the House the comparative figures of value of total imports into all the Colonies of Japanese and British goods for the nine months ended September, 1933, and for a similar period of 1928, respectively?

The information requested is not available as the majority of the Colonies only publish detailed trade returns annually.

Cannot my right hon. Friend take steps to obtain this information, which is so important and necessary, in order to see where we stand against this competition?

No, I do not think that I can do that. I think that we all realise the tremendous importance of getting a satisfactory settlement of Japanese competition, but I do not think that it would be practicable in a number of Colonies with a very small Customs service to get the sort of detailed monthly returns such as are supplied by the Customs and Excise here.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether he will reconsider the question of increasing the total amount of Colonial sugar on which preferential rates of duty are allowed, in view of the fact that the proposed total of 842,000 tons is inadequate to provide for the normal expansion of the West Indian sugar industry;

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, with respect to his announcement at the World Economic Conference that the Government were willing to limit the quantity of Colonial sugar, he is aware that this announcement is causing concern in the trade, in that the total quantity proposed to be allowed will be inadequate to provide for the normal expansion of the West Indian sugar industry, and one result of the announcement has been to stop orders in this country for machinery; and whether he can make any statement which will allay the anxiety felt in the industry?

As the answer is a long one, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that it is time that a colony like Jamaica should be given a chance of reverting to its old policy of producing sugar, now that it has been visited by such great losses in its banana plantations?

If my hon. and gallant Friend reads the main answer which I have given, he will see that nobody is doing anything which prevents Jamaica producing sugar.

What about our subsidy on sugar-beet? Surely, the £5,000,000 subsidy on sugar-beet may have something to do with it?

The Noble Lady, I think, forgets the very large increase in Imperial preference granted to the Colonies in the year after we came into power.

I do not forget that we are spending £5,000,000 a year on sugar-beet.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will take steps to bring about a Customs union between this country and the Crown Colonies?

If, as I assume, my hon. and gallant Friend means by a Customs union that identical rates of Customs Duties should be levied in the United Kingdom and in every Colony and Protectorate that would be quite impracticable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is the policy of the Government to increase our export trade and to diminish or eliminate tariffs, and will he not exercise his power in regard to the Crown Colonies in that direction and carry out that policy, in order to get our goods into the Crown Colonies without any tariff?

Certainly not. The thing which matters to the British manufacturer in regard to the entry of his goods into the markets of the Crown Colonies, is not so much the absence or the presence of a duty on British goods but the margin of preference which he enjoys over other goods. If I were to follow the advice of my hon. and gallant Friend, the only result would be that, without the least benefit to any British manufacturer, every Colony would come on the dole and become a charge to the British Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the price of Accra cocoa in the European markets has now fallen to 15s. 6d. per cwt. f.o.b. Accra; and whether any action has been taken by His Majesty's Government upon the resolution relating to cocoa passed by the Monetary and Economic Conference?

I am aware that the present price of cocoa is most unsatisfactory and the position is being closely watched. I informed the House in reply to a question by my hon. Friend, the Member for the Moseley Division of Birmingham (Mr. Hannon) on the 16th instant that, a draft memorandum setting out the attitude of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom had been prepared and sent for concurrence to the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates interested in the production of cocoa. Two replies have already been received and, as soon as the remainder arrive, which I hope will be very soon, His Majesty's Government propose to send the memorandum to the Secretariat of the Monetary and Economic Conference with the request that a cocoa conference may be convened.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the exports of non-ferrous metals in the October trade returns are correctly described in cwts. for the present year and in tons for earlier years?

The units of quantity, as shown in the Trade and Navigation Accounts for October last in respect of the exports from this country of non-ferrous metals and manufactures thereof, are correctly stated.

In these circumstances are we entitled to assume that the figures given by the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. D. Grenfeil) last Thursday were totally inaccurate?

They were corrected in the Debate.

Is it not the case that the figures were accurately quoted and that the only difference was that by a slip cwts. were described as tons?

I can hardly subscribe to that idea when cwts. are described as tons.

Is it not the case that the word "cwts." was recently placed in an unobtrusive position, and that my error was due to a failure to notice the alteration.

The alteration dates from last January.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious effect to trade and employment in Sheffield, particularly to safety-razor blade manufacturers, caused by the increasing importations of German blades at retail prices below British production cost; whether he is aware that owing to the Anglo-German trade agreement the fixed maximum rate of duty precludes the Tariff Advisory Committee from recommending further increases; and what steps he proposes to take to relieve the committee of these restrictions?

The average number of safety razor blades imported monthly from Germany during recent months exceeded that of 1932 by some 10 per cent., and was only about one-sixth of the 1931 average. I do not consider that steps on my part are called for.

In view of the fact that the Advisory Committee have intimated to the firms concerned that action in this matter is nullified or precluded by the Anglo-German Agreement, and in view of German currency manipulations which a re depressing British industrialists in this country, will the hon. Gentleman recommend his right hon. Friend to take steps to terminate the Anglo-German Agreement or to establish favourable conditions for British manufacturers?

It is not proposed to terminate the Anglo-German Agreement.

Will the Government see that British manufacturers are treated better?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the total importation from Germany of razor blades for the three months preceding the Anglo-German trade agreement, and for the three months ended 31st October, 1933?

The trade agreement with Germany came into operation as from the 8th May last. The total imports of safety razor blades into the United Kingdom registered as consigned from Germany during the three months ended 30th April, 1933, amounted to 597,000 dozens, of a declared value of £7,869. During the three months ended 31st October, 1933, the corresponding imports were 657,000 dozens, valued at £9,148.

Does not that indicate the necessity for taking the action suggested in my first supplementary to Question number 63?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet received any communication from the French authorities with regard to the withdrawal in the near future of the recently imposed Surtax on British imports into France; and whether negotiations for a new commercial treaty with that country will be commenced at an early date?

No communication has been received from the French Government since my right hon. Friend made a statement on this subject on the 23rd November. Negotiations for a new commercial treaty are not contemplated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the sum of money invested by British nationals in the textile industry, and in other industries, in Japan, at the latest date for which figures are available?

No precise information is available, but it is believed that the aggregate investment of British nationals in Japanese industries is small.

Is it possible to ascertain the exact figures? They are of great importance.

No precise information is available, but everything that we have points to the amount in question being quite small.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what progress has been made to date with the Anglo-Soviet treaty negotiations; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement in this connection?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) on 27th November, to which I have at present nothing to add.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty where the proposed new cruisers will be built and when the orders will be placed?

As stated by my right hon. Friend last Thursday, in reply to the hon. Member for Portsmouth Central (Mr. R. Beaumont), the three cruisers of the revised 1933 programme will be built by contract. The order for the vessel of the Arethusa class will be placed towards the end of the present financial year, and those for the other two vessels will, it is anticipated, be placed about the beginning of July next.

Does not the Noble Lord think, as the whole Labour party stands against private enterprise in building armament s, these new cruisers should be built at a national yard, such as Plymouth?

I can assure the Noble Lady that the Government dockyards have sufficient work in hand already.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is his intention to construct ships up to the maximum treaty limits?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement by my right hon. Friend made on this subject in the course of a Debate on 30th November, 1932. As regards cruisers, we are building as much new tonnage as the London Naval Treaty allows us to build. As regards destroyers and submarines, we are not building all the new tonnage that we might: in view of the importance of maintaining a steady replacement programme, we prefer to retain, temporarily, a corresponding amount of existing tonnage.

Is it not a fact that we are entitled to spend something like £39,000,000 under the Treaty, and did not the First Lord tell me a short time ago that we had only authorised some £8,000,000 or £9,000,000 of that £39,000,000

In answering those questions, we were dealing in terms of tonnage, and not of money.

Is it not a fact that our position with regard to destroyers over age, and therefore obsolete and capable of being replaced under the London Treaty, is so large that we can build a complete flotilla for many years to conic and yet not overstep the mark?

I said we prefer to keep to a steady programme of building one flotilla a year so that we can embody new improvements.

We can still build two and not overstep.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can give the number of men working at His Majesty's dockyard under Vote 8 in November, 1933, and in November, 1931, established men and hired men?

On the assumption that the hon. Member refers to His Majesty's dockyard at Portsmouth, the numbers of workpeople employed under Vote 8 were as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of commissions a warded to the lower deck for sublieutenant and sub-lieutenant (E); the number of special entry cadets to be entered for executive and engineering duties; and the total number of cadets to be entered at Dartmouth College this year?

Six general service ratings and four engineering ratings have been promoted to acting sub-lieutenant and acting sub-lieutenant (E), respectively, in 1933. Twenty-three special entry cadets (executive), 11 special entry cadets (engineering) and 104 Dartmouth cadets have been entered this year. The above figures represent the totals for the year.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of officers, ex-cadet and ex-mate, respectively, now undergoing the long specialist courses for gunnery, torpedo, navigation, signals, wireless telegraphy, anti-submarine, physical and recreational training and staff duties; and the number of ex-mates to be selected for next year's courses?

The numbers of officers ex-cadet undergoing the gunnery, torpedo and staff duties courses are 10, 8 and 18 respectively. No officers ex-mate are undergoing these courses. The remaining courses mentioned in the question are not running at present.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the ages of each one of the six sub-lieutenants, ex-lower deck, in January, 1934, and the maximum and minimum ages of the sub-lieutenants, ex-cadet, with whom the former will then commence courses?

The ages on the 1st January, 1934, of the six acting sublieutenants promoted from the lower deck in 1933 will be as follow:

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of Lieutenant-Commanders in the zone for promotion to Commander on 31st December next; the number of promotions to be made; the number of Lieutenant-Commanders (ex-mate) in the zone; and the number of the latter now serving in fully-commissioned ships of the sea-going Fleet?

The number of Lieutenant-Commanders in the zone for promotion to Commander on 31st December next is 421 including ex-Mates. The number of promotions to be made is 25. The number of Lieutenant-Commanders (ex-Mate) in the zone is 30, including three who are not qualified by sea service for promotion: 17 of these are serving in fully commissioned ships of the seagoing Fleet.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why only six of the final 12 candidates recommended by the Fleet selection boards for commissions under the new sub-Lieutenant scheme were promoted, as against 12 commissions awarded in 1931 and in 1932 under the old Mate scheme of promotion from the lower deck?

The number of commissions given in 1932 was 8 and not 12. The old regulations did not provide for any further selection of candidates after they had once been put forward by the Fleet Committees. The new system of selection by a Final Selection Board after the preliminary course of training may in some years lessen the numbers from which the final choice is made. I would add that the average number promoted to commissioned rank in the years 1923 to 1930 is 6½.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many new vessels of the 1933 building programme have already been ordered; and what is the number of vessels for which contracts have been placed, and their value, with private firms, and the names of those firms, and with Government dockyards, respectively?

Apart from small craft, the vessels of the 1933 building programme that have been ordered to date are:

The Convoy Sloop (His Majesty's Ship "Bittern") from Messrs. J. Brown & Co., Ltd., Clydebank, and The Coastal Sloop (His Majesty's Ship "Kingfisher") from Messrs. Fairfield Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., Govan.

Is it not the case that £6,500,000 has been given to private shipyards, and only £1,500,000 to Government dockyards, and will the Noble Lord tell the House why there is this discrimination against Government dockyards?

The hon. Member does not take into account what work the Government dockyards are doing in repairs, which largely accounts for it.

Will the Noble Lord tell us why private dockyards should get four times as much as Government dockyards?

I have given the reason already, that the main purpose for which we require national dockyards is for repair work.

Is it not the case that there are 12 times the number of workers outside the Admiralty dockyards who have to be provided for?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that some foreign countries over which British commercial aviation services operate still charge full customs duties upon fuel taken in aeroplanes even though such fuel is not for consumption over the territory of the country charging the duty; and whether, as foreign aeroplanes are allowed to take on board fuel free of duty in similar circumstances in British territory, he will make imme-

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air Whether, in view of the Air Ministry orders of 15th November in regard to machines entering the Croydon zone, he will take steps to obviate the necessity of pilots having to clear customs when landing to receive their navigation orders?

I regret that I have no information of substance to add to the replies given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 7th December, 1932, and 21st June, 1933. A meeting of the appropriate League of Nations committee was to have been held by this time, but has been postponed till the end of the year.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how the total numbers and horse-power of British commercial and private aeroplanes compare with those of France, United States of America, Russia, Italy and Germany, respectively?

As the answer contains figures in tabulated form, I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICI A I, REPORT.

My hon. Friend has in mind aircraft arriving from abroad. In such cases the landing will normally be made at Lympne, Which is itself a Customs aerodrome. In the rare case when a landing is made elsewhere, by an aircraft not fitted with radio, Customs clearance will be dispensed with if the pilot reports his arrival to a police con- stable. The latter is authorised to allow the aircraft to proceed to Croydon or other Customs air port, provided no passengers are landed for their destination and no goods or animals are unloaded.

Will the Under-Secretary see that constables are available?

I will bear it in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the reasons for the delay in extending the British air-mail service to Australia; and whether he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to expedite the matter?

The extension from Karachi to Singapore should be in operation before the end of this year. I understand that His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, who are responsible for the extension onwards, have invited tenders for the service between Singapore and Australia which are returnable in January next.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the maximum speed of British mail aircraft, and those of America and Holland?

According to my information, the maximum speeds of the fastest mail-carrying aircraft on British, American and Dutch regular air services are 150, 215 and 186 miles per hour, respectively.

In view of this ghastly state of affairs is the Under-Secretary prepared to take any action in the matter?

I should like to say hat speed is not everything, safety and silence enter into the question, and there are also other factors which operate in an economical working.

But in the case of mail aircraft is not speed the mast important factor?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if, in view of its importance as a base, it is proposed to raise the status of the Royal Air Force Far-East command to that requiring an officer of air rank for command; and whether the present grading of the officer commanding is junior to that of the corresponding ranks of the senior naval and military officers?

It is not proposed at present to raise the status of the Royal Air Force command in the Far East. The answer to the second part of the question is in the Affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what size of garrison ground force will be required for the protection of the proposed mid-desert Iraq air base of Dhibban when fully occupied; how the safe arrival of stores and supplies from railhead will be assured; and what forces will be required for the protection of the lines of communication?

It is not practicable within the limits-of an oral reply to give my hon. and gallant Friend the detailed information for which he asks. With his permission, therefore, I will communicate with him in writing on the subject at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what living accommodation for officers and other ranks will be provided in the new mid-desert Iraq air base of Dhibban; whether any wives of officers or other ranks will be allowed to have quarters within the camp walls; and, if not, whether wives of certain officers and other officials hitherto allowed to reside in Baghdad will continue to be permitted to stay in that city?

It is intended to provide living accommodation at the new base on the scale approved for British troops in India, but married quarters will not be provided. The matter raised in the last part of the question will be considered at the appropriate time in the light of the circumstances then prevailing. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the move to Dhibban will not take place for some four years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the approximate time that would at present be required to increase the strength of the Royal Air Force by 10 regular squadrons?

It is difficult to give any precise reply to my hon. Friend's question, as everything would depend upon the circumstances. An increase on the scale suggested could be completed in a period of about four years, since it would be necessary to provide additional aerodromes and buildings. The training of the requisite technical and other personnel would also take some time. In emergency, of course, as was done in the late War, the above period could be greatly curtailed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to a recent order made by the prefect of police in Paris forbidding the sounding of horns or sirens by motor drivers between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.; and whether, in view of the annoyance and detriment to health caused to residents in London and other cities in Great Britain from this cause, he will consider the introduction of legislation enabling similar regulations to be made in this country?

I am aware of the order to which my hon. Friend refers and am considering at the present time whether it would be practicable and desirable to institute a scheme of this nature in a defined area in London for an experimental period.

When he is taking these particulars, will the Minister bear in mind that this has been successful in Paris and has recently been amended by extending the hour from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. as indicated in the question? There is no reason why it should not be adopted in the towns of this country.

May I ask the Minister of Transport whether he has considered factory hooters, which disturb people between five and six o'clock in the morning?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that a charge of 7d. a ton is levied on sugar-beet taken across Selby toll-bridge; and whether, in the interests of agriculture as well as that of the town of Selby and surrounding districts, he will now take the necessary action to free the bridge or assist in the provision of a new bridge?

I have no jurisdiction over the tolls levied at Selby toll-bridge, but have ascertained that a charge of 7d. per ton is levied on sugar-beet taken across the bridge, no charge being made for the unladen vehicle on its return journey. In reply to the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I am afraid I cannot usefully add anything to the answer I gave him on the 27th March last.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that in a number of cases where serious or fatal bodily injury has been sustained in motor-car accidents it has proved impossible to recover damages, even when judgment has been obtained in the courts, as the insurance companies involved have repudiated liability on various grounds, such as mis-statements in proposal forms, withholding material information, etc.; and if he will introduce legislation to remedy this state of affairs and ensure that the courts have jurisdiction in all these cases of disputed liability?

I am aware that in some cases injured persons are unable to recover damages owing to the repudiation of liability by insurance companies. An insurance policy is a contract of indemnity between the insurance company and the insured, and misrepresentation or the withholding of material information when a proposal for insurance is made is liable to render a policy so obtained void. The question of further legislation on this and on other points connected with the insurance against third party risks required of owners of motor vehicles is receiving my consideration, but the problem presents many difficulties.

Is the hon. Member aware that about six months ago an unemployed man standing on the edge of the curb was knocked through a glass window and disabled for life, and that nothing has been done in his case because the motor car was being driven by a friend of the owner? What can we do?

asked the Minister of Transport whether in the returns of motor accidents he intends to obtain, he will make it obligatory to include information as to whether the accident could have been avoided if the side and tail lights had been at a recognised uniform height and position?

When the scope of the special investigation into the causes of fatal accidents was being settled last year in consultation with a large number of organisations interested, it was not thought necessary to include the points to which my hon. Friend refers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that drivers of motor cars are fined if they drive on when there is a red light against them, but that no proceedings are taken against pedestrians who cross the road under similar circumstances, thereby endangering both themselves and the motor traffic which has been signalled to proceed; and whether steps will be taken to deal with this?

The primary purpose of light signals is to control vehicular traffic which is bound by law to obey them. I do not think it would at present be practicable to impose a corresponding obligation on pedestrians. At road junctions controlled by light signals pedestrians should be guided by the movement of vehicles and not solely by the indications given by the signals.

Is my hon. Friend aware that frequently when motor cars are signalled on by the green light just at that moment pedestrians cross the road and the motor driver has to jam on his brakes, or swerve with the result that other cars behind run into him causing great danger to life and limb, not only to pedestrians crossing the road but to people in other cars and to other pedestrians who remain on the pavement in obedience to the light?

I agree that great risk is run when pedestrians cross without careful consideration, and I would recommend them to follow the example of the right hon. Gentleman opposite.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the recent fatal results consequent upon fire in a Manchester corporation omnibus; and whether he is satisfied that adequate measures for the prevention of fire are provided in public vehicles?

My inquiries into this case are not yet complete. In general, I think the requirements as to the construction and equipment of public service vehicles are adequate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any action is being taken on the report of the Weir Committee on the electrification of the main line railways?

As I informed the hon. Member for West Lewisham (Sir P. Dawson) on the 15th November, the railway companies are continuing to give consideration to this matter.

Can the hon. Member give any indication as to when action is likely to result from this consideration?

No, Sir. The consideration involves the preparation of very detailed estimates, which necessarily take a long time.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is able to make any statement as to the projected electric railway from Liverpool Street, via Bethnal Green, to Ilford and beyond?

The projection of the electric railway from Liverpool Street via Bethnal Green to Ilford and beyond is one of the questions which are now under consideration by the Standing Joint Committee of the Main Line Railway Companies and the London Passenger Transport Board.

Is the hon. Member aware that for years it has been stated in this House that this matter was under consideration? Cannot he take steps to expedite a decision?

It could not have been under consideration by this body for a number of years, because it was only set up in July last.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the district committee of the County Council of Aberdeenshire, in or about December, 1925, declared the road leading from the Aberdeen and Ballater public road to Lochnagar Distillery, Inchnabobart, and Loch Muick to be a public passage and right-of-way which the county council might be called upon to vindicate at any time; that a gate has recently been placed on the road in question; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the gate is removed and the public right to use the road vindicated?