asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give the cost per standard ton of His Majesty's Ships "Nelson" and "Rodney," and all ships due for completion in 1934–35, giving each type separately; and

As the information is in tabular form, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is making inquiries into the complaint from Greenock that Messrs. Hamilton and Messrs. Lithgow, contractors to the Admiralty, are not observing the fair-wages clause in the treatment of apprentice electric welders?

I understand that a strike of apprentice electrical welders has been in progress since the 4th February, and I am asking the Greenock Trades Council for further information about the recognised conditions of the industry. It is, however, contrary to the practice of the Admiralty to intervene in a labour dispute when a strike is proceeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the question of the treatment of Socialists in Austria was raised by him during the Austrian Chancellor's visit?

The House has already been informed that the visit of the Austrian Chancellor to this country was not official and it was agreed that no communiqué should be issued. I may say, however, that judging from my conversations with Austrian Ministers when in London, I have no reason to doubt that they appreciate the interest shown by British public opinion in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will consider the advisability of proposing that a special meeting of the Council of the League of Nations should be summoned to deal with the dispute between Italy and Abyssina, in view of the failure of Italy to pursue negotiations as arranged at the last meeting of the Council in the spirit of the Italo-Abyssinian Arbitration Treaty of 1928, and her action in endeavouring to use military force as a means of national policy?

I have been informed by the Italian Ambassador that direct negotiations between the Italian and Ethiopian Governments have in the last few days resulted in an agreement for the establishment of a neutral zone in the disputed area.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he considered the opinion expressed by the following bodies regarding the tin buffer stock scheme; the council of the Federated Malay States Chamber of Mines, the Singapore Chamber of Commerce, the Federated Malay States Chamber of Commerce, the Straits Settlements Association, the Selangor Miners' Association, and the London Metal Exchange; and whether any and, if so, which of these bodies expressed opposition to the scheme?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. All the bodies mentioned passed resolutions opposing the buffer stock scheme.

Was due consideration given to their point of view when this scheme was introduced?

Yes, most certainly, due consideration to their point of view and to the very strong opinion expressed by the majority of tin users and, above all, to the great interest which consumers had in the institution of this pool.

Do not the bodies which the right hon. Gentleman says expressed opposition to the scheme represent the bulk of the British Empire producers?

No, certainly not. They do not. The majority of producers, I think all over the world, were in favour of this scheme. But what seems to me much more important even than that where you have a Government involved is the interest of consumers, and I know quite well the great importance which consumers, including the United States Government, attached to a plan of this kind.

Are not the opponents of this measure speculators on the Stock Exchange who have some representatives in this House?

May I ask your guidance, Sir? If I understood the hon. and gallant Gentleman aright, he made a statement that implied that I myself was a speculator in tin.

I did not hear what the hon. and gallant Gentleman said.

Might I be allowed to say that such a suggestion is entirely without foundation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office or the Governments of Malaya or Nigeria or the International Tin Committee were informed beforehand of the intention to create the private tin pool; and, if not, when the fact of its existence was first made known to them?

The Colonial Office and the Governments of Malaya and Nigeria were not informed beforehand. I understand from the chairman of the International Tin Committee that the fact that certain companies engaged in tin production had decided to endeavour to stabilise the price of tin by operating on the London Metal Exchange was communicated to him in July. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the chairman was subsequently kept informed of the operations undertaken by the group.

Do I correctly understand the right hon. Gentleman to mean July, 1934?

Last July.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the specific recommendations made by the Joint Select Committee on Closer Union in East Africa, issued in 1931, regarding the claim of Kenya taxpayers to secure the right to control their own financial affairs?

As I reminded the hon. and gallant Member in reply to his question last week, the Joint Select Committee advised in paragraph 75 of their report that

"Conditions in East Africa demand the maintenance of an effective power of intervention by the Crown in all matters of local legislation and administration. This power will be exercised by His Majesty's Government acting through the Secretary of State."

The Committee went on to point out in paragraphs 96–98 that the wishes of the Governor and, if necessary, of the Secretary of State are carried out, and must continue to be carried out, by the existence of an official majority in the Legislative Council.

Are not opinions expressed in December, 1934, of greater force than opinions expressed in 1931?

Is it not a fact that the finding of the Joint Select Committee was generally accepted in Kenya?

The opinions expressed by some of the elected members in Kenya were fully considered by the Joint Select Committee which represented all parties in both Houses. The report of the Joint Select Committee was unanimous, and I think it was fully debated and unanimously accepted in both Houses of Parliament.

That was in the period before the four years of deficit which have since ensued.

No. I should say the position to-day, financial and economic, is better than when the Commission reported.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the expressed determination of the India Office to raise presently the case of the discriminatory land legislation in Zanzibar, he wishes to make any further statement on the matter raised by the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood)?

I am obliged to the right hon. Member for putting this question, as I inadvertently milled him in a supplementary answer, for which I apologise. The facts as regards communication between the India Office and my office are as stated in the reply of the Secretary of State for India on the 4th of March. The land alienation decree is not "discrimina tory," and the right hon. Member will see from Mr. Menon's report that, while criticising the decree in certain respects, Mr. Mellon expresses the view that the objections of the Indian community rested, to some extent, on a basic misconception, and that India could not logically object to such legislation, which was based on an Indian model.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make a fresh inquiry in Zanzibar as to whether this legislation is not in fact discriminatory

No. I have given the most careful consideration to that, and I have had reports, and I think, if the right hon. Gentleman studies the decree and, what is more, the way it is administered, he will see that it is neither in terms nor in practice discriminatory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the large annual wastage of "A" licence pilots because their licences are not renewed, he will adopt an additional method of subsidies to the clubs on hours flown or provide some other means of cheaper training facilities?

This matter is under consideration with a view to reducing the large annual wastage of "A" licence pilots, to which my hon. Friend draws attention, if possible. I should, however, add that the chief object of the Light Aeroplane Club subsidy is to stimulate the training of new pilots, and that the continuance in flying practice of pilots once they have received their initial training, whilst of importance, must be regarded as secondary to this main consideration.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to give consideration to this before the Air Estimates?

Certainly. A subcommittee of the Light Aeroplane Association of Clubs have the whole matter under consideration and will furnish a report before very long.

Will the right hon. Gentleman study the Belgian and French systems of subsidy with a view to ascertaining their relative merits in respect of the number of machines and pilots encouraged thereby compared with the corresponding cost to their respective Exchequers?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is pro-posed to increase the number of stations who transmit weather reports; and where the new stations will be situated?

It is proposed to increase the number of such stations during the current year. I am not yet, however, in a position to state the localities, since the final siting of these stations will be subject to the results of an investigation by the Meteorological Office which is now proceeding.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in fixing the sites of these stations, the advantage of having some of the stations on the derelict coalfields where there are empty pits where petrol can be stored?

Yes, certainly, but the most important thing is that these stations should be situated where their position is suitable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is proposed to increase the number of directional wireless stations in Great Britain; where the new stations will be situated; and whether preference will be given to those municipalities who are prepared to establish a station without recourse to Government funds?

Arrangements to augment direction-finding facilities are well advanced, and new stations will be brought into operation gradually, commencing next month. Subject to the satisfactory completion in certain cases of negotiations with the aerodrome owners, it is anticipated that facilities will be provided in the following localities amongst others—Heston, Hull, Renfrew, Bristol and Plymouth. As regards the last part of the question, the fact that a municipality is prepared to bear the cost will certainly be taken into account, but the overriding consideration must be the fitting of the stations as a whole into the national network of air routes which is in process of being built up.

Will my right hon. Friend give consideration to a station in the Midlands, as it is very important to have one in the centre of England?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the station to be put down at Renfrew is to be equipped with all the most modern and up-to-date appliances?

Yes, these are the most up-to-date wireless appliances.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there now operate in or to the South American continent air lines belonging to France, Holland, Germany, and the United States of America; and whether, in the interests of Anglo-South American trade, he will take steps to secure the formation of a British air line to South America?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Air Ministry is anxious to encourage, so far as practicable, any scheme for the operation of British air lines to South America which offers reasonable prospect of success. The far-reaching expansion of our Empire air services now under consideration must, however, take priority, and it is unlikely that, in present circumstances, the necessary finance could be found to assist in the organisation of a fifth competing national air line to South America, however desirable this project intrinsically.

In view of the desire of the Government to encourage Anglo-American trade and the very prejudicial effect the absence of any British air line to that continent is having, does not my right hon. Friend think that the Government ought to take some initiative in this matter and not wait for somebody else to do something?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received any report from the fresh investigation on the desirability of establishing a new airport in Palestine for use in that country and on the Croydon-India service; whether the site in Tel-Aviv has been re-examined and is now considered satisfactory; and whether, as this location is more convenient and useful than Gaza, any action is now contemplated in the matter?

After expert inquiry and careful consideration of possible alternatives, sites at Lydda and Haifa have been selected for development as airports, and approval has been given far the purchase of the land.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can now intimate the date upon which the Paris-Brindisi rail journey will be eliminated from the regular Empire services of Imperial Airways?

The final elimination of the rail journey from Paris to Brindisi must wait on the augmentation of Imperial Airways present fleet, which has had new and heavy demands made upon it in recent months by the decision to duplicate the services to Calcutta and the Cape, which has been considered as the most urgent objective. I am hopeful, however, that it may be possible to organise an interim service by air from London to Brindisi by lighter aircraft, primarily for the carriage of mails, within the next few weeks.

Can my right hon. Friend say whether all formalities between the French Government and the British Governemnt are now completed in this matter?

The conclusion of formalities is expected almost immediately.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can state definitely that a report will be issued on the investigation into the cause of the recent Royal Air Force autogyro fatal accident; and, if so, when such a report will be expected?

My Noble Friend hopes to be in a position to issue a statement to the public in regard to this accident in the early future.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what percentage of young men applying for short-service commissions in the Royal Air Force fail to attain the required medical standard?

Full information regarding the medical examinations of candidates for commissions is published annually in the report on the health of the Royal Air Force. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy of the latest issue.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the legal position in regard to level crossings as it affects the Wormley, Herts, railway accident, which position is stated in the case of Jenner v. South Eastern Railway Company, as reported in 105 Law Times Reports, page 131, he will take the matter up with the North Eastern Company to see that they discharge their duty in the interests of the public?

I am already in communication with the company.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the case where an Oxford undergraduate who recently ran down and killed a miner riding on a bicycle has been acquitted of a charge of manslaughter and of two other charges of negligence and dangerous driving, although the undergraduate admitted that he had been driving at 50 or 55 miles per hour; and, in view of this case and of others to which attention has been directed and other similar cases, will he take steps to strengthen the law so that in cases of this description a severe penalty shall be imposed?

Whatever may be the facts in this case, Magistrates have been endowed by Parliament with powers to protect the public, but it is difficult to see how any further increase of these powers would be of effect in cases where Magistrates decide not to convict.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the justification in this case for not sending the man to prison was that it might ruin his career; and does he realise that these very light penalties which are inflicted are not tending to decrease the slaughter on our roads at the present time?

The question relates to an acquittal, and it is not proper, I think, that I should comment upon it.

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that evidence was given by the police—

We cannot go into details.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a feeling abroad that if a miner had killed an undergraduate, it would have been quite a different matter?

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to provide proper facilities for the travelling public by the London and North Eastern Railway Company from Liverpool Street to Leyton between the hours of 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. during the working days of the week; and whether he is aware of the increased danger arising through the present overcrowding of the carriages in this section at those times?

Parliament has not conferred upon me any powers of control over the travelling facilities to which my hon. Friend refers. No instance of danger has been brought to the notice of the company or myself.

May I ask my hon. Friend to note that the people are being carried as though in cattle trucks on the section of the line to which I refer; and am I to understand that his Department permit such a thing to obtain without any supervision?

My Department are bound to permit what we have no power to restrict, and I have made it plain to my hon. Friend that Parliament has not conferred on me any powers of control over the traffic facilities in question.

Do I understand that my hon. Friend has cognisance of this matter and that he is not prepared to apply to Parliament for powers of supervision?

Parliament considered this matter and decided not to give me the powers.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in the interest of promoting greater road safety, he will consider the compulsory use of microphone-amplifiers on lorries, the use of tow-signs, and the desirability of painting yellow lines to indicate an approach to a main road?

I have no evidence that the compulsory use of microphone-amplifiers or of tow-signs would reduce road accidents. The "Major Road Ahead" sign is already authorised for the purpose of indicating the appoach to a main road.

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is the law in France for all new lorries to carry these amplifiers at the back in order that the drivers may know when a car is about to overtake them?

That may be the law in France, but I have no evidence before me that it would restrict accidents in this country. If any evidence is brought before me, I think my hon. and gallant Friend knows that I should be only too happy to consider it.

Will my hon. Friend consider sending someone from his Department over to France to study the matter?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps, if any, he is taking to move the authorities in the City of London to ameliorate the traffic congestion opposite the Mansion House underground station; and, to this end, whether he will consider the early removal of the small island site at the western approach?

As my hon. Friend will be aware traffic light signals have been erected at this junction. I am advised that the refuge to which my hon. Friend refers is necessary to divide the traffic and for the safety of pedestrians. If my hon. Friend has any other suggestions, I will be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that extensive advertising is taking place on road surfaces in the Metropolitan area, advertisers using whitewash and other similar materials to print information in large letters; that many of these advertisements are placed across the ends of streets giving on to main thoroughfares; that these advertisements may distract the attention of motor drivers while driving and of pedestrians while crossing the roads; and whether be will issue an instruction that all such advertisements must be in line with and near the kerb so that they may be easily read by passers-by from the footpath?

While I deprecate the practice of advertisements being painted or otherwise marked on road surfaces, I have no statutory power in the matter, but am informed that the responsible highway authorities have powers to make by-laws to deal with this abuse of the highway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in redrafting the Highway Code, any steps will be taken to clarify the position with regard to the conduct of those in charge of led horses on the highway; and, if so, what is the nature of the alterations it is proposed to make in the existing code so far as it affects this matter?

Yes, Sir, but I would be obliged if my hon. Friend would await the exact wording of the new Highway Code.

asked the Minister of Transport how many agreed charges have been referred to the tribunal under Section 37 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933; and how many have been approved?

271 applications (including applications for approval for a further period) have been made to the Railway Rates Tribunal for the approval of agreed charges, 229 applications have been approved, four have been withdrawn, and 38 have yet to be heard.

In view of the extreme importance of this subject, will my hon. Friend consider circulating this information in a handy and compact form with greater detail?

If my hon. Friend will consult with me I will see what can be done.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any communication from the Selby Urban District Council with regard to a toll Tree bridge at or near the site of the present toll bridge; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Proposals for a new bridge and by-pass at Selby are the subject of investigation by consulting engineers, and when I receive their report I shall be in a position to make a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the dangerous conditions prevailing at the Oval gates at the junction of Harleyford Street and Kennington Oval; and what steps he proposes to take to mitigate the danger?

Yes, Sir, and I am to-day issuing a grant towards an improvement scheme which provides for the widening of Harleyford Street at its junction with Kennington Oval. This will enable the kerb radius to be substantially increased, the tramway lines to be splayed, and two refuges to be provided between the tramway tracks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration any proposals for promoting road safety among school children?

Yes, Sir, I have been in consultation with my right hon. Friends the President of the Board of Education and the Secretary of State for Scotland, on this very important question. We are in agreement that it is necessary to discover what form of instruction is most suitable for the purpose, and we have accordingly decided to set up two inter-departmental committees, one for England and Wales and one for Scotland, with the following terms of reference:

"To consider and advise what steps can best be taken with a view to promoting road safety among school children and what forms of instruction in the matter are best adapted for children of different ages as a regular part of the school curriculum."

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the sittings of the committee will be in public or in private?

I will consider that question in consultation with the chairman of the committee.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that he has the advice of women who know something about school children? It is very important when you have a chairman like that that you should have a good woman, who really knows.

I agree with my Noble Friend and I will consider her suggestion.

Does the hon. Member not consider that the best remedy would be to teach the children to regard the roads as rivers which ought to be crossed either by subways or by bridges?

Will the hon. Member consider the appointment on the committee of a representative of one of the motor organisations who could indicate some of the dangers that arise in the act of driving a car?

No, Sir. This is a committee to consider the education of school children, and it will take evidence from motoring organisations and other bodies. I might inform the Noble Lady that there are two ladies on the committee.

Will the hon. Member consider using the cinema in the schools to illustrate the danger?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the House an approximate estimate of the number of de-restriction signs which will have to be exhibited on the by-pass roads in and around London, on which he has decided the 30 miles an hour speed limit shall not apply, as a result of paragraph 2 of his direction dated 4th January, 1935, issued in pursuance of Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state what is the estimated number and cost of 30 miles per hour speed-limit de-restriction signs which are to be placed on by-pass roads under the proposed arrangements in the London area by which certain by-pass roads are to be exempted from the speed-limit despite the fact that they are illuminated?

Four thousand signs at an estimated cost of £1,700.

Is the hon. Member aware that not a single sign has been put up so far on any of these roads?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state, with reference to the Traffic Sign (Speed Limit) Provisional Regulations now lying upon the Table of the House, what part or parts of the sign illustrated in Diagram 1 are to be fitted with reflectors or reflecting material, as prescribed by Regulation No. 6 (1)?

Either the figures and the surrounding ring may be fitted with reflectors, or the whole face of the sign, with the exception of the figure 30, may be made to reflect light.

That is not an answer to the question. I asked which part was going to be reflected. Will the hon. Member consider the advisability of putting examples of these signs in Westminster Hall with some lamps on them, at a distance, in order to enable us to judge whether they are efficient?

I do not think it is necessary to fix a speed limit of 30 miles in Westminster Hall.

In order to see whether the signs are efficient or not.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the speed of vehicles operating upon the Beckton Road and Silvertown Way, within the county borough of West Ham, is unrestricted; and whether, as the West Ham Highways Authority have carefully considered the matter and recommended that a maximum of 30 miles per hour be there imposed, he will, in the interest of public safety, have the whole matter reconsidered and accede to the desires of the local authority?

I have reviewed the proposals with regard to the application of the speed limit to the thorough fares mentioned by the hon. Member in the light of the representations made by the highway authority and I have now decided that the speed limit should apply to both Beckton Road and Silvertown Way.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that many of the small signs denoting the end of the speed limit under Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, are being placed on existing lamp-posts and are for that reason rendered more difficult to be distinguished by the average user of the road; and whether he will take the necessary steps to secure that all signs denoting the beginning or end of the speed limit under the said Section are either placed upon existing traffic signs or upon standards specially erected and conspicuously marked for that purpose?

I will certainly consider my hon. Friend's suggestions if difficulties are found to arise in practice in connection with the signs to which he refers.

asked the Minister of Transport how he proposes to indicate to drivers a de-restricted section of road under Sub-section (4) of Section 1 of the Road Traffic Act of 1934 where the system of street lighting is by overhead lamps, or by lamps attached to tramway standards, or by lamps attached to telegraph poles instead of by lamp-posts as described in paragraph 2 of his directions, dated 4th January, 1935?

The directions provide that on a de-restricted road these signs shall be erected upon the lampposts. There seems to be no reason why a pole or standard to which a lamp is attached should not be regarded as a lamp-post.

Do I understand that a telegraph pole at the side of the road and hidden from the driver, is considered to be a lamp-post, and that tram standards are to be lamps? All drivers will have to look on both sides of the road in order to find whether they are in a built-up area or not.

I should like to satisfy my hon. and gallant Friend that everything that it is open to me to do is being done to facilitate his passage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the difficulty to motorists in telling whether traffic lights are registering green, amber, or red when, in certain lights, the sun is shining straight on the glass colour faces; and whether he will consider an auxiliary arm indicator to work in conjunction with the lights, as is used in the United States of America, or some other means to overcome this difficulty?

If my hon. Friend will give me the location of any particular installation of signals where such difficulty arises, I will have the signals inspected at once.

Is the hon. Member aware that this difficulty can occur at any of the traffic lights under certain conditions in sunlight? Will he ride down the Great West Road about midday on a bright sunny day, and he will be unable to see whether the lights are registering amber, green or red, unless he stops the car?

There are, unfortunately, difficulties in the way of the complete success of any system, but I do not think that the difficulty is as widespread as my hon. and gallant Friend thinks.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange for a suitable sign to be erected at all road junctions which are controlled by a police officer and cohere a free left turn is permitted?

A special form of road marking is authorised for use where filtration is permitted, and, further, police normally indicate to drivers where a left-hand turn is permitted. If my hon. Friend has any particular junctions in mind and will let me know of them, I will at once have further inquiries made.

Will the Minister bear in mind that where there are traffic lights there is always an arrow pointing to the left, but that where police officers are standing on duty motorists do not realise that a free left is still open, and block the highway.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps so to amend the regulations with regard to the insurance of motorists against third-party risks that insurance companies in a, state of insolvency are debarred from continuing to accept premiums?

Immediately the court orders an insurance company to be wound up on grounds of insolvency, it becomes unlawful for the company to accept premiums. I have no power by regulation to alter the statutory provisions as to authorised insurers, but I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the President of the Board of Trade, on 19th February to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) of which I am sending him a copy.

Does the hon. Member not think that the remedy for this defect is for the Government themselves to set up an insurance scheme?

asked the Minister of Transport whether in any scheme for a road bridge across the Forth at Queens-ferry, steps will be taken to plan the bridge-heads in respect of their approaches pari passu with the development of designs?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, before any steps are taken to carry out the project for the building of a road bridge across the River Forth at Queensferry, steps will be taken to consult the Royal Fine Arts Commission for Scotland with regard to the design of the bridge?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport how many miles there are of waterways, canals, etc., that were formerly used for carriage of goods that are no longer used and have fallen into disuse; and whether his department have any plans in consideration of what shall be done with them?

I regret that I am unable to state what mileage of canals or inland waterways, which have at some time been used for the carriage of goods, are no longer used. In cases where waterways have ceased to be used for navigation, they are often required for drainage purposes, but otherwise their utilisation or disposal is a matter primarily for the owners of the site.

Seeing that canals now are passing out altogether, could not some department make an examination in order to see what could be done with them?

Will the Minister of Transport bear in mind before doing anything in this matter that this water is very valuable to agriculturists who live alongside the canals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the decision of the railway companies serving East London against electrification on the ground that it would not be a profitable investment is accepted as final by the London Passenger Transport Board?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that while they are in agreement with the railway companies serving East London that owing to the great cost of widening the track, and the character of the traffic to be carried, it would not be a profiable investment to electrify the railways, the whole problem is having the careful consideration of the Standing Joint Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider redrafting the regulation issued under the London Traffic Act, 1924, which prevents the use of motor vehicles for the purposes of advertisement, in order to make it clear that it applies only to such vehicles which, by reason of their special construction or conduct, cause danger or obstruction to other traffic?

The Regulations to which my hon. Friend refers provide that in the area within three miles of Charing Cross and in certain specified important thoroughfares outside that area, within the Metropolitan Police District, no person shall drive a vehicle either wholly or mainly for the purposes of advertising. I am informed by the Commissioners of Police that proceedings are taken only when the vehicles appear to be likely to be a source of danger or to cause obstruction to traffic.

Does that statement apply to vans used for electioneering purposes?

asked the Minister of Transport what representations he has received from local authorities deprecating their lack of control over the erection or installation of high-tension electrical devices?

If my hon. Friend will give me information as to what high-tension electrical devices she has in mind I shall be very pleased to make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the wide variation between 3d. and 8d. per unit charged for light by the electricity companies in the Metropolitan area; and whether, in the public interest, it is proposed to take steps to bring pressure upon the companies concerned to secure uniformity in charges to the consumer?

I am aware of the lack of uniformity between electricity supply undertakings both municipal and company as to methods and amount of charges throughout the Metropolitan area, although I am not aware of any electrical company undertaking in this area whose charges for lighting alone are either so high or so low as those refered to by my hon. Friend. I should welcome in the public interest as wide a measure of uniformity as practicable, although, of course, it must be realised that charges in any particular case must depend on the nature of the demand and financial position of the undertaking.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we lag behind other European countries in electricity consumption because cheap current is not made available to the public?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some consumers on one side of a street are charged 3d. while consumers on the other side are charged 50 per cent, more, and that the only difference in the supply is that one is municipal and the other comes from a private company?

Cannot the Electricity Commissioners use their powers to bring about uniformity?

No, not in this case.

Is it not time the Minister took steps to enlarge his powers in this matter?

asked the Minister of Pensions the number of Scottish war-pension cases which were remitted to an independent medical specialist during the year covered by the last annual report?

Two Scottish cases were so referred during the year ended 31st March last.

Will the Minister of Pensions consider extending the use of the independent medical specialists in appropriate cases?

The year to which the hon. Member refers appears to have been altogether exceptional. Over 100 Scottish cases have been referred to these independent specialists, and we are making use of them wherever desirable.

asked the Minister of Pensions the total number of appeals which were heard by the pensions appeal tribunals during the year covered by the last annual report; and in how many cases the appeals were successful?

The total number of appeals heard was 964, of which 227 were successful.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that Annie Earl, of 10, Florence Avenue, Hull, daughter of the late Gunner John William Earl, No. 118603, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action in July, 1918, has, since birth, suffered from mental deficiency and is permanently and totally incapable of contributing towards her own support; and whether, having regard to this fact, he will authorise the re-issue of war orphan's allowance, or, alternatively, will he apply to the Treasury for special sanction?

The reasons which preclude me from authorising the re-issue of the allowance which ceased under the terms of the Royal Warrant when the young person referred to reached the age of 21 years, were explained in the reply which I gave on the 5th February to the hon. Member for Rhondda, East (Mr. Mainwaring), of which I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the latter part of the question and obtain from the Treasury discretionary powers to enable him to continue allowances in these distressing cases, as he does in a similar type of case where the mother is also dead?

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on that point quite recently.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he is aware that the Italian Government has imposed a quota of 25 per cent. of the normal trade on British motor-cycles and motor-cycle parts imported into that country; and whether that 25 per cent. is to be subject to (the recent heavy increase in import duties?

(2) on what date his Department first received information of the intention of the Italian Government to increase the duties and to impose a quota on British motor-cycles and motor-cycle parts; what steps have been taken to assist the industry; and with what result?

The first intimation of the Italian Government's decree increasing the duties on motor-cycles and motor-cycle parts was received by the Board of Trade on the 29th December, 1934. A request for the admission at the previous rate of duty of motor-cycles and parts en route at the date of the increase was made to the Italian Government, but they did not see their way to agree. Under the Italian decree of 16th February last, quotas were imposed on practically all goods imported into Italy as from 19th February. In the case of motor-cycles and parts the quota up to the 31st March is 25 per cent. of the imports in the corresponding period of last year. The increased import duties will apply to all imports of the goods in question which fall within this permitted percentage. The whole question of the new import restrictions is being actively pursued with the Italian Government.

May I ask whether the hon. and gallant Member is perfectly satisfied that there has been no discriminatory tariff in this connection, and whether he also realises that a loss of 75 per cent. in trade is a very serious matter to such cities as Coventry?

The loss of trade is a serious matter. As regards discrimination, if the hon. and gallant Member will refer to the answer given by the President of the Board of Trade yesterday, he will see that this matter is under examination, and in the event of there being discrimination active steps will be taken.