asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Corporation of Birmingham propose to make an order giving a direction, under Section 1 (4) of the Road Traffic Act, 1934, that more than 80 unlighted roads within the city boundary shall be deemed to be built-up areas for the purposes of the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit; and what steps he is taking to satisfy himself whether or not such a direction ought to be given?

I have asked the council to furnish me with specific evidence in support of their desire to continue the speed limit on each unlighted length of road which will be restricted by the Order. In addition, I have asked the council to consider at once whether it would not be desirable to de-restrict the Bristol Road between Rubery and North-field and the Kingsbury Road between Gravelly Hill and the Chester Road and to acquaint me with their views.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to ensure that in the case of wide new arterial roads in the provinces the same principles will be applied of de-restrict such roads from the 30-miles-per-liour speed limit as he has applied to arterial roads in the; London traffic area after consultation with the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee?

Subject to local circumstances and to the views of local authorities, who are primarily responsible, I have endeavoured to ensure that the same principle as applies in the London traffic area should apply throughout the country.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes that borough or county councils shall compile and publish lists of streets in which the 30-mile limit is to be enforced; and whether, in any case, he will make arrangements that, in view of the number of motorists who visit Wales, there shall be some complete statement compiled for their information as to the districts in Wales which come under this regulation?

The primary indication to the motorist that a road is subject to the speed limit will be the existence on the road of a system of street lighting. In every case the commencement of the limit will be indicated by distinctive signs; and on a road which is lit and is not subject to the speed limit, a sign will be displayed on the lamp-posts along the road. I do not anticipate that drivers will have any difficulty in satisfying themselves as to whether the particular road on which they happen to be is subject to the limit or not.

asked the Minister of Transport whether all the appointments for examiners have been made; and, if so, whether the unsuccessful applicants have been advised accordingly?

All appointments required to meet present needs have been made or are in hand and the persons selected have been informed. Unsuccessful applicants have been advised, either by means of public notice in the Press in the case of persons who were not invited to attend before a selection board, or individually in the case of persons who attended before a board.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his inspector holding the inquiry into the railway accident at King's Langley will be empowered to investigate whether the mishap might have been avoided if the locomotives of the trains involved had been fitted with powerful searchlights?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the petition from the tradesmen of Hexham regarding one-way traffic in Fore Street; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir. Before I made the Order dealing with this matter in October last, I informed the Northumberland County Council that I regarded it to a certain extent as experimental, and that I should require a report on its working at the expiration of six months from the date of its coming into operation. I shall then review the whole matter and, if necessary, hold a further inquiry.

asked the Minister of Transport what approximate proportion of the total output of electricity in this country is now supplied in the form of alternating current; and by what date he anticipates that all consumers in the Greater London area will have a supply of alternating current available?

The proportion of the total public supply to consumers given as alternating current is of the order of 80 per cent. There is no statutory obligation on those giving direct current supplies to change over.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider arranging to hold a special inquiry into the accident to a hired aeroplane at Heston air-port on 16th March when three persons lost their lives?

This accident is already in course of investigation by the Inspector of Accidents, who will report fully upon it to my Noble Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will examine the regulations governing the construction of ships, which recent casualties at sea suggest might be improved, with a view to ensuring that the regulations are adequate?

Yes, Sir. If investigations into casualties at sea suggest that any feature in the construction of cargo ships is unsatisfactory from the point of view of the sea-worthiness of these vessels all possible steps are taken to secure improvement. In this connection I would refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Plaistow (Mr. Thorne) on 8th March last, in which I stated that special inquiry was being conducted into the question of steering gears on merchant vessels as a result of two recent failures in the case of ships which were subsequently lost.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what alterations were made in the position of the load-line as a result of revised load-line rules authorised in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1932, in the case of the British ships which have been lost this winter?

Of the ships foundered and missing during the present winter the "Usworth," "La Crescenta" and "Blairgowrie" had not had the position of their load lines changed by reason of the Load Line Rules, 1032. The same was true of the "Millpool" which, however, sailed on her last voyage in September before the commencement of the winter season. The "Dunscore," a steamer of 176 tons gross, which foundered on 5th December, had her winter freeboard reduced on re-assignment under the 1932 Rules by ¾ inch, representing an increased dead-weight carrying capacity of three tons. In general, the re-assignment of load lines under the Load Line Rules, 1932, resulted in a reduction of the freeboard in the case of limited classes of vessels only. Moreover, it should be borne in mind that very stringent rules were then laid down regarding such matters as weather tightness of openings (hatches, etc.) and adequate provision of freeing ports, on all load line ships. Annual surveys for the purpose of ensuring the effectiveness of these requirements were made compulsory at the same time. These additional requirements deal with matters of the first importance to the safety of ships.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what were the costs to the Crown in the recent case brought by Mr. A. P. Herbert against the Kitchen Committee of the House of Commons with regard to the sale of alcoholic liquor; whether these costs will be borne on the Vote of the House of Commons; and, if not, in what way they will be accounted for?

The expenditure incurred by the Crown for costs amounted to £201, which will be borne by the Law Charges Vote, Class III. 10.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether allegations of the persecution of religion in Mexico have been laid before the Council of the League of Nations by any Power or by any association or society?

No such communications to the Council have been brought to my notice.