asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can make any statement concerning the accident which occurred in His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, last Thursday, in which one man was killed and three injured?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received a report from the officer in charge of His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, in regard to the death of an employé caused by an accident when dismantling a set of iron sheers; and whether compensation is to be paid to the widow?

The Board of Admiralty very much regret the accident resulting in the death of one man and injuries to three others which occurred on Thursday last during the dismantling of a 70-ton sheer legs in Portsmouth Dockyard. These sheer legs had become obsolete on account of the installation of more modern lifting appliances and were in process of removal for subsequent disposal. The operation was carried out with every precaution, but unfortunately fractures of the metal occurred causing the legs to fall and resulting in the casualties described. An inquest has been held and a verdict of accidental death returned. Any claim by the widow for compensation will be dealt with under the Government scheme of compensation framed under the Workmen's Compensation Acts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider placing all future naval contracts only in Government yards, in view of the considerable body of opinion in this country that the manufacture of arms should be under Government control?

No, Sir. The course suggested is impracticable. The principal function of the Royal Dockyards is the work of repairing and maintainting the Fleet. Even in normal times it would he impossible for the Royal Dockyards to build all the ships required. But even if this were possible, there would remain the fact that in time of emergency or pressure the necessary expansion would be utterly impossible without the assistance of the private shipbuilding yards; for this reason, apart from any other, it is essential that the skilled shipbuilders of these yards should be available for naval work. The Government's view on the proper method of controlling the private manufacture of arms have been stated on more than one occasion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman imply that the Government could not in any circumstances provide all the arms that would be required by the State?

That is entirely another question.

Is it not a fact that the Royal Dockyards are full of work the whole time on repair work?

That is so.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how the use in the Royal Navy of oil produced from coal during 1933 compares with previous years; whether there has been any noticeable change in the proportion of oil from coal used as compared with June last; and what contracts for the supply of oil from coal have been entered into for the year 1934?

The quantity of oil produced from coal contracted for by the Admiralty for delivery in 1933 was 3,025 tons. The amount actually received during that year was about 2,000 tons, and of this quantity only 330 tons has been used for trial purposes in the Fleet, compared with trifling amounts in previous years. The question of a further contract for supplies during 1934 is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what local Governments have been requested by him to supply a return giving the numbers of mui-tsai in their respective territories; when such requests were made; how many Governments have supplied the returns; and when he expects to receive the complete information upon this subject?

I am replying on behalf of my right hon. Friend. The Governments in question were those of Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and certain Malay States. Hong Kong was asked in March, 1930, and the others in July, 1933. The Hong Kong returns have been supplied at six-monthly intervals beginning with June, 1930, and copies are in the Library. No returns have yet been received from Malaya, since in certain of the Malay States the registers were not closed until the end of 1933. It is expected that these figures will be available shortly.

In view of the length of time which has elapsed since this information was asked for, will my hon. Friend do something to expedite it?

The answer made it clear that some of the registers were not completed until the end of 1933, so that there has not yet been time for the figures to be reported in London, and that is the cause of the delay.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will call for a report from the Governor of Ceylon on the working of the new constitution in that island, giving his opinion regarding the increased benefits to the workers which have accrued or are likely to accrue under the new constitution?

I anticipate that the Governor will in due course furnish a report on all matters relevant to the working of the Constitution.

Will it be possible for this report to be made public, in order to correct some of the contradictory statements made in the Debate last Wednesday?

I could not make any promise with regard to that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that it is proposed to have certificate forms for goods supplied to the Ministry by engineering and other firms sealed with a red seal, the cost of the die to be borne by the contractors; what will be the total cost of this; and what is the advantage to be gained over what has previously been standard practice?

Consideration of the proposal to which my hon. Friend refers is not sufficiently advanced to enable me to make any useful statement upon it at this stage. I should, however, add that the scheme is one which it is believed would be in the interests of the manufacturers concerned.

If my right hon. Friend had inquired sufficiently deeply into what is going on, would he not have discovered that the manufacturers object to this scheme?

As I have said, the whole scheme is under discussion, and anyhow at the outset it is purely voluntary.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an estimate of the number of persons now in Great Britain and Northern Ireland of all arms, active reserves, and civilians able to act as pilots of high-speed machines in time of war?

There are at present some 3,200 regular and non-regular Air Force pilots at home able to fly fast modern service-type aircraft, which I presume the right hon. and gallant Member has in mind. As regards civilians, it is impracticable to estimate the number at all closely, but it is very limited.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this figure is the test of the efficiency and strength of our Air Force, and can he see that a larger proportion of those enlisted in the Air Force are able to fly in these particular machines, so that this test figure may be made higher?

I do not altogether know what the right hon. and gallant Gentleman means. All those who are enlisted in the Air Force as pilots are, of course, able to fly.

But of all those who are enlisted in the Air Force, only one-tenth or thereabouts are able to fly a machine. I want to know the number of people who can fly machines in the Air Force.

Yes, but there are in the Air Force, as in other Services, other duties besides flying.

But the real test is: How many fliers have we got?

I have just given the right hon. and gallant Gentleman the figure.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any information as to the number of qualified air pilots, both civil and military, in France, Italy, Germany, and Russia, respectively, and what these numbers are?

I am not in a position to give any reliable figures, but the number may perhaps be taken, quite roughly, as about 3,000 in the case of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and between 4,000 and 5,000 in each of the other countries named.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what proportion of lubricating oil used by the Royal Air Force during the last year came from Russia?

The proportion of Russian oil in the lubricating oil for aero engines used last year may be taken as about 50 per cent.

In view of the danger of being dependent on any foreign country, is my right hon. Friend not taking steps to increase the proportion that is obtained in this country?

May I ask my right hon. Friend if all this oil cannot be obtained from sources within the British Empire?

No. None of it can.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many additional squadrons of the Royal Air Force could be accommodated as regards aircraft, officers, and other ranks in existing post-War built stations without extra extension building having to be undertaken?

Three additional squadrons could be so accommodated in this country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to increase the Royal Air Force Far East Command establishment at the Singapore base; and whether it is proposed to make this an Air Officer's command, so as to give the Royal Air Force commander equivalent rank to the naval and military commanders?

The establishment of the Royal Air Force Command, Far East, is at present under examination. The cognate question of raising its status must await consideration of the main question.

Can my right hon. Friend say when it is likely that any decision will be come to, in view of the fact that this matter has been under discussion for several months?

I think, before very long.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how the use in the Royal Air Force of oil produced from coal during 1933 compares with previous years; whether there has been any noticeable change in the proportion of oil from coal used as compared with June last; and what contracts for the supply of oil from coal have been entered into for the year 1934?

Prior to 1933 only small quantities of petrol extracted from coal were used by the Royal Air Force for test and experiment, but during the major part of 1933 one home defence squadron flew solely on such fuel. In view of the very satisfactory results of this trial, a contract has now been placed to cover the requirements of seven squadrons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air on what approximate date he received the information that the first-line aircraft strength of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was between 1,300 and 1,500; and whether he has any later information?

The figures quoted by my hon. Friend represent the latest information which was available towards the end of November last. Further information has now been received which suggests there has been an increase since that date, but I am not in a position to give precise figures.

When will my right hon. Friend be in a position to give these figures? Is it not a fact that the latest figures indicate that Russia has now the biggest air force in the world?

My hon. Friend must judge from the figures.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what proportion the annual subsidies paid to air-transport companies registered in Britain hear to the paid-up capital of these companies?

The only company concerned is Imperial Airways, and I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to that company's published accounts and to Air Estimates, where he will find the subsidy payable under Vote 8.

Does that include the entire subsidy received by Imperial Airways?

It includes all the subsidy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to what extent it is proposed to subsidise the new internal air services which are to be formed on behalf of the railway companies?

There is no proposal to subsidise the services in question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the approaching termination of the present subsidy agreement with Imperial Airways, Limited, the subject of subsidies to any British air transport company has been considered by the Government; and whether the views of the various interested sections of the aeronautical community have been or will be invited regarding the policy which should govern the granting of any future subsidies?

The main agreement with Imperial Airways does not expire for a period of over five years. The further development of British air transport is, however, continuously under review by the Air Ministry and it is always possible that a scheme or schemes may eventuate which would render desirable some alteration in that agreement. The Society of British Aircraft Constructors has recently, at the request of the Air Ministry, furnished a written statement of its views on subsidy policy, and the other interests concerned are, of course, at liberty to take similar action at any time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any of the reports which he has received on surfaces of arterial or by-pass roads in Yorkshire indicate a tendency to facilitate skidding; and whether, in that case, he will state the districts concerned?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by his Department to remove the congestion of traffic now occurring at the Wilderspool Causeway and Chester Road level crossings in the borough of Warrington?

These are primarily matters for the highway authority concerned and I await definite proposals from the corporation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to set aside during this and future years some definite proportion of Road Fund money for the purchase and extinction of toll rights in this country until all remaining toll roads and bridges have been freed?

I have notified the various highway authorities that I am prepared to give consideration to applications from highway authorities for grants for the acquisition of toll roads and bridges; but I do not think any useful purpose would be served by setting aside a definite proportion of the Road Fund for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of prosecutions for exceeding the speed limit by drivers of heavy vehicles; and whether he has considered the recommendations of the Magistrates' Association with regard to the provision of time records or log books stating the distance covered and the time occupied by drivers of heavy vehicles doing long journeys?

The latest figures available are for the year 1932 when there were 3,399 prosecutions in respect of passenger carrying vehicles subject to a speed limit of 30 miles per hour, and 26,145 in respect of goods vehicles. I regret that it is not possible to subdivide these figures between heavy and light vehicles. In regard to the second part of the question I would draw the hon. Member's attention to the provisions of Section 16 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, before approving grants for road improvements, he will insist in all cases where the necessary road materials are transported to the scene of operation partly or wholly by sea, upon British as opposed to foreign ships being used for the purpose?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in making grants from the Road Fund, he will give preference to those public bodies and authorities which stiplate in their contracts for the carriage in British-owned and British-manned vessels of any material required by them whose delivery involves coastwise seaborne carriage?

It is already a condition of all grants from the Road Fund towards road improvements that the materials used shall, so far as practicable, be of United Kingdom origin, and that failing purchase from sources within the United Kingdom, products of the Overseas Empire should be used if possible. I am sure that highway authorities generally will not be unmindful of the present position of British shipping and will, wherever practicable, wish to avail themselves of British shipping services.

The point of my question was not whether the goods were purchased abroad or in this country, but that where they had to be transferred by sea they should be transferred in British bottoms; and, while I understand that a clause cannot be inserted in the contracts, could not a Circular be sent to the local authorities?

No doubt the local authorities will see this answer.

May I ask the Minister to do what he can to see that the West Coast lines are protected from foreign competition in this way?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the probable effect on British exports, he can make a statement with regard to the loan granted by the Russian Government and the provision of technical assistance to Turkey for the building of cotton mills?

Reports have been received through His Majesty's Embassy at Angora as to the rumoured intention of the Turkish Government to establish cotton mills, partly with the aid of credit to be supplied by the Soviet Government. As my right hon. Friend has recently stated, the whole matter of Anglo-Turkish trade relations is under active consideration.

May I ask if the agreement has been signed at Angora for £8,000,000, and, if so, whether the work has started? May I also ask if the Soviet Government have made similar propositions to Iraq and Persia?

That is a separate matter. Perhaps my hon. Friend will put it down as another question. I know a little of the arrangements between Russia and Turkey, but not in sufficient detail to be able to answer those questions without notice.

Will the hon. Gentleman say why, if Russia has sufficient money to lend to Turkey, it is necessary for us to give her credit?

That is a matter of argument.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether His Majesty's Government in Canada have been invited to say whether in their opinion Article 2 of the proposed trade agreement with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics will enable His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to take effective action, if necessary, to implement the clause in the Ottawa Agreement which requires action to be taken against any state-aided dumping in the British market which is frustrating the value of a preference given to Canada?

It is for His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom to be satisfied that the provisions of the Anglo-Soviet Agreement are such as to enable them to carry out the obligations arising out of the Agreement with Canada entered into at Ottawa. They have no doubt that the provisions of the Article referred to by the hon. Member do in fact have this result. His Majesty's Government in Canada were, however, kept informed from time to time of the progress of the negotiations with the Soviet Union with special reference to the Article in question.

May we take it that His Majesty's Government in Canada think the proposal that the Government should not be able to take action for three months in regard to dumped imports is at all satisfactory?

No, I should assume that His Majesty's Government in Canada appreciate our care in seeing that there was no violation of the Ottawa Agreement.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what representative, if any, is attached to the British Embassy at Bagdad for commercial purposes?

At present a Commercial Secretary, Grade III, forms part of the staff of His Majesty's Embassy at Bagdad. On the transfer of this officer to Haifa as Commercial Agent in Palestine from 1st April next, Commercial Intelligence work in Iraq will be transacted by His Majesty's Consular officers in that country.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware of the burdens imposed by the petrol tax on the garment dry-cleaning industry by adding 100 per cent. to the cost of the chief raw material of the industry; and if he will consider allowing a rebate on the petrol tax to this industry as was accorded to it before the War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question put by my hon. Friend the Member for Kensington South (Sir W. Davison) on 13th February.

asked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Home- side Colliery Company, county Durham, have dismissed 60 young men, 20 and 21 years of age, and replaced them by younger boys, 14 and 15 years of age; and will he take steps to prevent any general adoption of this practice?

I understand that the men concerned were employed originally as boys, and would normally have been absorbed in work proper to adults. Although there was no development work in prospect the company continued to employ them on work normally done by boys until they no longer considered the extra expense justifiable, when they were replaced by boys of the age usual for such work. As regards the second part of the question I have no power to intervene in the matter.

Are we to understand from that answer that there is no way in which we can remedy a condition of things like this, which makes coal-mining a blind alley occupation for young men of 21?

I would not commit myself as to that. In the short time I have had to make inquiries since Monday, I gather that the company have tried to mitigate the worst effects of a difficult situation by continuing the men for some time on work proper to boys.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, while this system has been going on in individual cases in the coalfield and in industry generally, there has been no instance of this kind in this class of colliery?

If there is any further information which the hon. Member wishes to have, perhaps he will put a question down and I will make inquiries. I had notice of this question only on Monday.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider sending down a conciliation officer as has been done on previous occasions?

I will consider that.

asked the Minister of Health if, in view of the continued water famine, with its ultimate effect on health, industry and employment, he will consider giving special assistance to the Manchester Corporation so as to enable them to complete the Haweswater scheme to the full capacity, in order to provide the additional supply to and render possible a general linking up of the towns and other water authorities in South Lancashire and the districts adjoining?

My right hon. Friend has considered the suggestion of my hon. Friend. The Exchequer assistance provided for in the Bill now before the House is to meet the special needs of rural areas and would not be applicable to the case which he has in mind. In any event the full Haweswater scheme could not be carried out for some considerable time nor, according to my right hon. Friend's present advice, does it appear that the use of the scheme which my hon. Friend proposes would be the best method of meeting the problem to which he refers.

Why cannot help be given apart from the Bill to give assistance to rural water supplies that is now going through the House? Can the hon. Gentleman tell me why this supply cannot be used for that area, and what other scheme would meet it better?

The short answer is that the boroughs in South Lancashire can get water at a cheaper rate than they could if this scheme were completed.

These particular boroughs have not got water. That is the reason for this scheme, and in the meantime Liverpool has to take water from the Manchester reservoir.

In view of the ample supply of water in the Lake district and the fact that several towns on the way from the Lakes to Manchester have suffered from the recent drought, is it not possible for the Minister to take some action so that an ample supply will come to the towns there?

There is no point in bringing water at such a high rate that nobody can afford it.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why the 1st battalion Northumberland Fusiliers were not given better facilities to meet their relatives on their arrival at Southampton on their way to Egypt?

I understand that the arrangements made, with the assistance of the Southern Railway, gave great satisfaction to the troops. If the hon. Member is suggesting that the ship might have been detained longer, I must point out that, apart from any other reason, such a dislocation of the trooping programme is precluded by the expense involved.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that it was well known that 700 wives, mothers and children were going from Newcastle to meet these men? Would it not have been possible to give them two or three days' leave rather than to make people go to the dock in comfortless conditions?

It would have involved very great expense to have given these men two or three days' leave and to have held up the steamer during this time; also to have provided for the men who did not want leave and to have made similar arrangements for other troops passing from one station to another.

Is it true that the whole battalion was married?

asked the Minister of Pensions if he will consider the advisability of amending the regulations governing the payment of war pensions by which a man can refuse to permit any part of his pension to be paid to his wife, even though he has deserted her and she is in receipt of public assistance?

Legislation would be necessary to bring about the object which the hon. Member has in view, and I am not prepared to recommend that the House should adopt a course which would have the effect of limiting the statutory right of an ex-service man to the pension awarded to him personally on account of his war disablement.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether the statutory right of an ex-service man really involves the right to desert his wife and throw her keep on to the public assistance authority, and will he not consider bringing in legislation to make such a thing impossible?

I am not prepared to deprive an ex-service man of the compensation paid to him on account of his wounds in order to maintain a wife with whom he is not living.

Does that apply in the case of a man who has deserted his wife?

In the case that the hon. Gentleman has put to me no part of that compensation is payable to the wife. The whole of it is payable to the man on account of his wounds and that wife is not entitled to any particular allowance.

Is not a man liable to support his wife under the law; if he is, is there any good reason why an ex-service man should be put in a more privileged position than an ordinary member of the community?

I think the wounds pension ought to be treated with careful consideration, and it is no part of my duty to deprive an ex-service man of a part of his income.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the total number of convictions for contravention of the Food and Drugs Acts by sale of adulterated milk and beer, respectively, during the years 1932 and 1933?

I regret that the figures relating to prosecutions under the Food and Drugs Acts do not show separately those relating to milk and beer.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has yet considered the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for Gillingham (Sir R. Gower) calling his attention to the fact that it is proposed to hold at the White City, London, a world contest rodeo, and pointing out that in connection with this contest rodeo a large number of horses and steers will be employed, and requesting that, having regard to the fact that such exhibitions offend the public sense of decency, he will take the necessary steps to prevent this contest rodeo being held; and whether he has any statement to make?

On receipt of the hon. Member's letter, I caused certain enquiries to be instituted. These enquiries have not yet been completed, and I shall be much obliged if the hon. Member will be good enough to repeat his question one day next week.

asked the Prime Minister is he is aware that when the closure was applied on Monday at 7.30 Clause 38 of the Unemployment Bill had not been reached; and will he consider re-committing it so that an opportunity can be given for its consideration?

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that, during the consideration of Clause 37 of the Unemployment Bill in Committee, there was no opportunity of discussing the needs test, nor the 50 per cent. of disability pensions and workmen's compensation; and will he arrange that Clause 37 be recommitted so that these important matters can be considered?

I would refer hon. Members to what my right hon. Friend, the Lord President of the Council, said on this subject on Monday last.

I have read the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, but I would ask the Prime Minister whether the Clause mentioned, which we did not reach, had not 23 Amendments down to it, and when that careful consideration is being given to this matter will more attention be paid to this Clause?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord President of the Council simply referred us to his answers previously given in the House?

Therefore his answer was quite accurate.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the means test was concerned in this matter, and that what happened caused great disappointment among all parties in the House, and will he not seriously reconsider the recommittal?

That point was covered by my right hon. Friend's answer.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the answer of the Lord President of the Council and the Prime Minister's former answers applied only to Clauses that had not been discussed? Clause 37 deals with the means test, but, though the Clause was partly discussed, the means test was never covered. What I am asking is whether the Prime Minister will put down this Clause again, so that we can have an opportunity of discussing the means test, which was the kernel, or ought to have been the kernel, of the discussion?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that what my right hon. Friend said covers that point.

Will the right hon. Gentleman go carefully through the proceedings on this Bill and the Order Papers and see the number of instances where important points of principle and points of administration have not been discussed, and consider whether it is not possible to arrange for the recommittal of certain Clauses or parts of Clauses which have received no proper discussion?

That is only a paraphrase of what my right hon. Friend said.

Is it not the case that some of the trouble arose because hon. Members opposite take so long to say what they have to say?

The right hon. Gentleman knows that is not true.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only answer we have been able to get in the past has been that consideration will be given to the matter, and, in view of the fact that certain Clauses of the utmost importance have never been touched at all in Committee, is it too much to ask that he will now come to a decision and tell us that he will recommit the Bill?

I can only repeat that every consideration will be given to the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have decided upon any fresh action designed to solve the problem of unemployment?

It has been explained on a number of occasions that the general policy of the Government is directed to restoring industrial activity. This is the only effectual way of finding work for the unemployed, and the considerable improvement in the employment situation since January, 1933, is evidence of the success of that policy. The Government have continually under review further means of fostering the expansion of trade which is now taking place, and, as they have already shown in several instances, are prepared to take part in any well-considered measures to that end. As regards those who, unfortunately, remain unemployed, the Bill now before the House contains proposals which will improve substantially the provision hitherto made for them.

On a point of Order. Before the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander) presents his Bill, may I ask if it is in order for him to do so in this way, in view of the fact that the House had a very full discussion last Friday on a Bill dealing with joint industrial councils, and that that Bill was defeated by a vote of this House? Is it in order to introduce a similar Bill by Notice of Presentation?

I am informed that this is an entirely different Bill from the other.