asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information as to the engagement of crews for ships of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Service, both as regards the ships actually owned by the Admiralty and those under charter to the Admiralty from private shipowners; whether he is aware that some of these ships, such, for instance, as the "War Sirdar," have Chinese crews; and whether, having regard to the unemployment among British seamen in this country, he will direct that British-born white seamen shall always have the preference when crews are being engaged for these ships?

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary, none of which is under charter from a private shipowner, are manned, with the following exceptions, by crews engaged in the United Kingdom. Vessels permanently attached to fleets on stations abroad are manned by local crews, and, in view of the climatic conditions, a few large oilers, including the "War Sirdar" recently in England for repairs, which are principally employed in the Far East, are manned by Chinese crews engaged at the port of Singapore. The standing instructions to masters provide that local crews are to be British subjects. In the case of Chinese ratings, it is not possible for this rule to be invariably observed, but otherwise none but British subjects are engaged. Other things being equal, preference has been, and will be, given to British-born white seamen.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what extent the Admiralty have sanctioned electric welding on naval vessels; if it is the intention of the Admiralty to extend electric welding in naval shipbuilding; and will the Government insist on trade union wages and conditions being paid to the men employed in this class of work?

With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chatham (Sir P. Goff) on the 19th of March last. With regard to the second part, the Fair Wages Clause is embodied in the contract.

The right hon. Gentleman says the Fair Wages Clause is embodied in the contracts. Is it not the case that there is a dispute going on between the Boilermakers' Society and the shipbuilding employers as to what should be the trade union rate for this particular class of work?

That has nothing to do with the Admiralty at all. The Fair Wages Clause is embodied in contracts.

If what is considered a fair wage, which is generally agreed upon between the trade union and the employers, is not agreed upon in this case, what action is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take to see that a real fair wage is paid to these men?

When that contingency arises if the hon. Gentleman puts a question to me I will answer it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman paying for this particular class of work the same rates as previously?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is satisfied that, in view of the fact that a delegate representing one or more of the signatory countries is chairman of the International Tin Committee and of the International Rubber Control Committee, and also that it is the primary business of the chairman to reconcile divergent opinions rather than to stress the interests of any particular country, the interests of the colonies will be adequately represented by the delegations of which the delegate in question is a member?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he has considered the letter sent by the committee of the British Association of Straits Merchants protesting against the imposition of quotas as damaging the entrepôt trade of the Colony; and whether the legislation to impose quotas on foreign textile imports, which was opposed by all the unofficial members, was passed with his sanction?

I have considered the letter referred to, and the Association has been informed that the most careful thought was given to the safeguarding of the valuable entrepôt trade of Singapore and Penang and that I hope that the legislation devised for the application of quota restrictions on textile imports in the Straits Settlements will give full scope for the maintenance of the entrepôt trade of those two ports. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is the primary purpose of these quotas the interests of the Straits Settlements or the interests of this country?

The common interest of the quota policy is the interest of the Colony and of this country.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to ensure that in any trade agreement with Uruguay all the jute wrappers on meat imported from that country shall be of United Kingdom manufacture?

The question of meat wrappers will not be overlooked during the commercial negotiations with Uruguay.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether in view of the increased quantity of cotton textile imports this year being of a more expensive quality, involving more wages cost per yard, he will take special steps to limit this import;

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) and for Norwich (Mr. Hartland) on the 1st May.

Does that mean that any action or no action is to be taken?

If the hon. Member will study the reply, he will find that it indicates that it is open to manufacturers concerned to make application to the advisory committee.

Is the hon. and gallant Member not aware that we can make more cotton goods than we need and that it is absolutely superfluous to import any at all?

That is a matter for submission to the committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make with regard to the trade agreement with France, having particular regard to the position of the silk and artificial silk industries?

I am not in a position to add anything to the statement on the Trade Agreement with France made by my right hon. Friend yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will obtain from the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain a statement showing the principal obstacles to the importation of British coal and goods into Spain; and will he then appoint a committee to examine the statement for the purpose of suggesting to him a line of action preparatory to drawing up a new Anglo-Spanish trade agreement to supplant that of 1922?

My right hon. Friend is at all times ready to give careful consideration to any representations made by the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, and the appointment of a committee to consider such representations would not seem necessary.

Will the hon. and gallant Member ask the British Chambers of Commerce in Spain and find out whether Spanish importers complain that they have difficulty in buying of us because British firms quote in English instead of in Spanish and use British weights, measures and money terms instead of Spanish weights, measures and money terms?

I will make a note of the suggestion.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that there is an impression among British coal exporters that there are obstacles in the way of the export of British coal to Spain, and will be see that something is done to dispel their fears or remove the cause?

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the British Chambers of Commerce in Spain have made inquiries into this matter of obstacles, and will he ask them to let him know the result of their inquiries?

I have no doubt that we shall receive the result of their inquiries shortly.

Is it not the case that one of the difficulties is the restrictions on the exchange in Spain, and will he use his endeavours to get these restrictions on British goods removed?

All relevant questions will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent ruling of the Supreme Court in Canada with regard to the powers and jurisdiction of the Tariff Board; and what action he proposes to take to ensure that effect will be given to this section of the Ottawa Agreements?

I have seen only a telegraphic summary of the recent judgment of the Supreme Court of Canada in regard to the Canadian Tariff Board, and I am therefore not in a position to make any statement in the matter at present.

If I put a question again next week, will the right hon. Gentleman give some information on the matter?

Yes, probably next week.

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been called to an explanatory statement on the subject made by Mr. Bennett, the Prime Minister of Canada, and his protest against the misrepresentation that the Ottawa Agreements are not being fully honoured?

I have just said that I have seen only a telegraphic summary, and I prefer not to give a definite answer until I see the whole case.

Has the right hon. Gentleman noticed the explanatory statement by Mr. Bennett?

I have seen Press statements to that effect.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the opinion of Ottawa on the subject as reflected in the local elections in Ontario?

I have seen it, and I am sure my hon. Friend is envious that he does not live in Canada?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which Colonies and Protectorates have implemented the action of His Majesty's Government in restricting the imports of Japanese cotton textiles in the Colonial Empire; whether Ceylon has taken action; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take?

The passing of the necessary legislation has been reported in the following territories: The Straits Settlements, Nigeria, Gold Coast, the Gambia, Jamaica, Trinidad, Bahamas, Malta and Somaliland. Legislation has been introduced in a number of other Colonies, but reports of the passing of it are not yet to hand. In Ceylon the Board of Ministers are introducing legislation in the State Council.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to show that a great deal of these cheap Japanese goods which are being imported into the Colonial Empire are imported by merchants living in London and of English origin?

That may very well be so, but it certainly is no reason why we should not pursue a policy of Imperial co-operation.

Would it not be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to take steps in London to prevent this being done?

No, that would be impracticable and ineffective. We have taken steps in London to see that a proper tariff is put upon foreign goods coming in here. We are now taking steps in the Colonies to see that adequate safeguards are provided there.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received any representations in favour of measures to assist the cotton industry by the removal of credit restrictions imposed by the banks; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government proposes to take any steps in this direction, and thus enable the cotton mills to make machinery replacements and improvements in their internal organisation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part my right hon. Friend has noted with interest the recent discussions in Lancashire on the subject of machinery replacement, but I am not clear what action my hon. and gallant Friend would suggest the Government should take.

Am I to understand that the expert advisers of His Majesty's Government have not made representations as to the evil effects on the cotton industry of the restrictions imposed by the banks?

The first part of my answer indicates that we have not received representaions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what proportion of the local taxation in Jerusalem is drawn from local rates, exclusive of water, and what proportion from urban property tax?

The information is not available, but I will ask the High Commissioner for Palestine what was the amount of revenue from municipal rates in Jerusalem last year and what amount of revenue was obtained from urban property tax in the municipal area of Jerusalem.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate population of the old city of Jerusalem and the rest represented on the municipal council?

The information is not available, but I will ask the High Commissioner for Palestine whether he can furnish it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what has been the experience of having a temporary aerodrome at Lydda during the currency of the Levant fair; whether consideration has been given to the application by the municipality of Tel-Aviv for permission to construct an aerodrome nearer that city; and whether, in view of the necessity for making early provision therefor owing to the rapid development of Tel-Aviv, approval will be given to such request?

I have not yet received a report on the use that was made of the temporary aerodrome at Lydda. With regard to the remainder of the question I am not yet in a position to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the 28th March.

Will the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiries to be made with regard to the necessity of having an aerodrome nearer Tel-Aviv?

The hon. Member may remember that I told him, in answer to a previous question, that the whole matter of the development of civil aviation in Palestine and the question of aerodromes is under the active consideration of the High Commissioner.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the question of landing facilities at Tel-Aviv is part of the same question as the aerodrome matter? Will he consider both questions simultaneously?

I think it is extremely desirable that the question of air facilities in Palestine should be considered as a whole.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that it is very important to have your landing station in Palestine on a suitable site near the railway?

I know, and that is one of the chief considerations which is being taken into account, but the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is well acquainted with the difficulties of air transport and must realise that it is enormously important not only that the site of your aerodrome should be in what would appear to be the most convenient place, but that it is really adaptable for an aerodrome.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether arrangements have yet been completed for a railway junction in the vicinity of Tel-Aviv, Palestine; and whether regard will be had to the desirability of having it close to this large and growing centre of population?

I am aware that a local committee in Palestine has recommended the construction of a railway junction in the vicinity of Tel-Aviv. This proposal and the other recommendations of the committee will require the most careful consideration by the High Commissioner for Palestine and myself, and I am at present awaiting an expression of the High Commissioner's views.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that it has been estimated that the harbours of Haifa and Jaffa will very shortly be insufficient to cope with the increasing trade of Palestine; whether any request has been made for permission to construct an additional harbour at Tel-Aviv; and, if so, whether permission is to be granted?

Steps are being taken to improve the facilities at both Haifa and Jaffa, and I have no reason to believe that when the necessary improvements have been carried out the accommodation and facilities available at these two harbours will not be sufficient to meet the needs of Palestine for many years to come. I am aware that the possibility of constructing a harbour at Tel-Aviv has been tentatively suggested, but I have not received from the High Commissioner any proposal for such a harbour, and so far as I am aware, such a work is not contemplated by the Palestine Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if any expansion of the Royal Air Force educational service is contemplated; and, if so, whether priority will be given to those officers who suffered loss of employment owing to the curtailment of services in 1932?

As regards the first part of the question a few vacancies are expected at the end of this year. As regards the second part, the applications of all candidates will be examined on their merits and all relevant factors will be taken into account; the efficiency of the educational service must, however, be the decisive consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to introduce a supplementary Air Estimate during the current financial year in connection with bringing this country up to air parity?

I regret that I am not at this stage in a position to add anything to the statement of the Lord President of the Council on this subject in the course of the Debate on the 18th May.

asked the Minister of Transport if he has any information whether the streamline rail-car experiments carried out by the Great Western and London and North Eastern Railway Companies have been successful; and whether he will request the London Traffic Board to look into the obsolete and often, when fog descends, chaotic means of passenger transport to Hertford and the surrounding neighbourhood, and take the necessary steps to improve the travelling facilities in this district that has lately so much developed?

The Great Western Railway Company have at present one stream-lined rail-car in use experimentally. The company consider that so far it has proved very successful for their purpose and I understand that they have ordered six somewhat similar cars. The London and North Eastern Railway Company have not described any of their rail-cars as stream-lined. As regards the services to Hertford and the surrounding neighbourhood, the London Passenger Transport Board inform me that they have taken over a number of small operators in the Hertford area and are now engaged upon consolidating the services.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will make inquiries from the London Passenger Transport Board as to the reason why return tickets were not issued on Sunday between Collier's Wood and London Bridge stations; and if he will ascertain whether this practice operates on any other tube railway?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to cheap day return tickets which are issued with the object of encouraging travel from suburban areas to the central areas. I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that it has been the practice on the tube railways to issue these tickets on weekdays only as it is not considered likely that they would attract sufficient additional traffic on Sundays to justify the concession.

Does the hon. Member not think that it is a great hardship upon a very large number of working people that on the only day when they are able to travel they are not able to have cheap tickets?

The hon. Member will realise that I have nothing to do with the fares charged.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations to the Transport Board with a view to trying to get cheap tickets?

I will certainly convey the point of the hon. Member's supplementary question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the organisation representing pedestrians was consulted before the new experimental crossing-places in London were instituted; and, if not, whether he will undertake that before further innovations are made regarding crossing-places in the London and Home counties area he will consult the representative bodies of all road users?

No Sir, but in accordance with my statutory duty I consulted the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee upon which the local authorities of the area are largely represented.

Is the Minister aware that pedestrians are not represented on the committee, and does he not think that the muddle and confusion which now exists would have been avoided if specialists, who have given great attention to this subject, had been consulted?

I think that I got very good advice on this matter from local authorities which represent the ratepayers. I take exception to the statement that a great deal of muddle and chaos has resulted from experiments which I believe will prove successful.

Is there any way of instructing people at these crossings. Speaking from my own experience, it is difficult to understand when to cross and when not to cross. Everyone is in the same predicament.

I understand that there is a possibility of an opportunity to discuss this matter in connection with a Prayer on the Regulations which have been laid, and I should certainly welcome an opportunity of giving full publicity to the object of these crossings.

Will that Prayer be discussed at a time when it will get the necessary publicity?

I cannot say; nor do I say that it is impossible to get publicity after eleven o'clock at night.

asked the Minister of Transport if he consulted the Paris traffic authorities before introducing the new system of crossing-places in the streets of London; and if he can state the number of casualties which take place annually in Paris as compared with London?

Before introducing an experiment with marked pedestrian crossing places in London, I obtained information as to the system adopted in Paris and ascertained that the introduction of crossing places on a large scale was accompanied by a substantial reduction in accidents. Having regard to the different conditions obtaining in the two cities, I do not consider that a valid comparison can be made between the number of casualties in London and Paris.

asked the Minister of Transport the cost of printing the publication entitled Railway Statistics?

I am informed that the cost is about £1,100 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that drivers of vehicles frequently disobey the stop signal in connection with mechanical indicators; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such practices?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Stratford (Mr. Groves) on the 18th instant, in which he indicated the measures now being taken by the Metropolitan police to secure better compliance with the indications of the light signals.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the amount of money expended by the public assistance committees in the counties of Dumbarton, Renfrew and Lanark, including the city of Glasgow and the burghs of Airdrie, Coatbridge, Hamilton, Motherwell and Wishaw, and Rutherglen for 1933?

As the answer involves a number of figures I propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the complaints regarding the fares charged by David McBrayne (1928), Limited, on the Skye route between Mallaig and Portree, which are excesesive compared with Clyde steamer fares; and will he bring this to the notice of the company with a view to bringing these fares to the same level as the charges on Clyde steamers?

I am not aware of the complaints to which the hon. Member refers. The fares charged by Messrs. McBrayne between Mallaig and Portree have twice been reduced since the new company was formed, first in 1929 and again so recently as March of this year, and I have no reason to consider that the present fares are excessive.

In view of the fact that the McBrayne Company receive a very large subsidy for carrying the mails to the West Highlands, cannot the hon. Gentleman make some investigation into this matter and make comparisons between the fares charged by this company and the ordinary steamboat fares to other parts in the West of Scotland?

I find that the single fares charged only average 25 per cent. above the pre-War rate, and that the charge for return tickets is 40 per cent. above the pre-War rate. I do not think that, in existing circumstances, one can consider those charges excessive.

But does not the hon. Gentleman realise that other steamboat companies have reduced their fares very considerably below those figures, and have special fares for special occasions?

Does my hon. Friend know that this company is now providing a very much better service on this particular route than that which existed in previous years?

asked the Minister of Labour (1) if he has issued any directions to public assistance committees with regard to the raising of the basic rates in assessing transitional payments as from 1st July next;

A Circular, dated 24th May, of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member, was issued to local authorities informing them of the proposed alteration of unemployment benefit rates and of the effect of such alteration upon their legal powers and duties in respect of transitional payments.

Would the Minister be good enough to supply all the Members of the House with a similar circular? I put a question the other day on the subject, and I would like to know the contents of the circular.

May I support that same appeal?

I will see if we can do it. If not, I will send both hon. Members a copy and put a couple of copies in the Library.

Will the hon. Gentleman have copies put in the Vote Office, and then we can get them for ourselves?

I will see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the amount of money expended on unemploy- ment benefit in the counties of Dumbarton, Renfrew and Lanark, including the city of Glasgow, in 1933, giving the amount spent in each county separately?