asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty intend to alter the existing arrangements with the Air Council for the purpose of enabling Naval petty officers to qualify as pilots in the Fleet air-arm under the same conditions as sergeant-pilots of the Royal Air Force now employed in the Fleet air-arm?

The existing arrangements are the result of a Government decision made in 1928, and could not be altered by departmental action.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Admiralty intend to make use of the escalator clause of the London Naval Treaty for the purpose of retaining for service in His Majesty's Fleet the cruisers "Hawkins," "Effingham," "Frobisher," and "Vindictive"?

It would be premature to make any statement on this subject pending the holding of the Naval Conference, which we hope will take place this year.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are many people in this country who are very much concerned about the fate of these four ships, which have many years of useful service before them, and cannot he regard the matter quite independently of the opinions and feelings of other countries?

I hope that my hon. and gallant Friend will not press me on this subject. We are in the middle of very delicate negotiations. He can be quite sure that the Admiralty have all these things in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the increasing export of Palestine oranges to Great Britain, he will arrange for a conference between growers in Palestine and British shipping interests before the next export season to review the possibility of sending this large volume of fruit to Great Britain in British instead of in foreign holds?

I understand that discussions have already taken place between British shipping interests and Palestine exporters.

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform us whether there is any British line which at the present time runs a regular service to Haifa?

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to secure a regular service to Cyprus as well as to Haifa, and will he bear in mind that oranges from Cyprus, our own Colony, are larger, sweeter and juicier than those from Palestine?

May I ask whether the arrangements which are in prospect for carrying Palestinian oranges will provide for ships calling at Cyprus?

I could not answer that question, because the discussions have only recently been proceeding between the British shipping interests and interests in Palestine, with the British commercial agent assisting; but I have many times expressed the hope that British lines will be able to call at Cyprus as well as at Haifa.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question whether there is any British line at the present time with a regular service to Haifa?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the Import Duties Advisory Committee have been unable to make any recommendation in regard to the two applications that have been made to them for an increased duty to be placed upon foreign-milled flour, and also that the importations of this class of flour into the United Kingdom during 1934 exceeded those of 1933 by 28 per cent. and were 15 times greater than similar imports in 1928, he will take any steps to prevent such flour from being imported at prices below those ruling in the country of manufacture?

My right hon. Friend is fully aware of the facts relating to the importation of foreign flour, but, according to his information, imports in 1934 were some 13 per cent., not 15 times, greater than in 1928. If the industry think there are new facts that require to be taken into consideration in this connection, those facts can be brought to the notice of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that under the system of subsidy adopted in France for shipping flour to this country, French flour can be offered for sale here at prices far below those prevailing in France?

I understand that those facts will be laid before the Import Duties Advisory Committee if the industry decides to take the matter further.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give a list of all the countries from which soya beans are imported and what is the price per ton?

Imports of soya beans into this country are con-signed mainly from the Kwantung Peninsula. During recent years, smaller imports have also been consigned from the Soviet Union, China, Japan and the United States of America. The average declared value of the imports during the year 1934 was about £5 14s. per ton.

Can the soya bean be produced in any of our Colonies at the present time, and, if so, in what quantity?

I think the matter can hardly be discussed at Question Time. There will be an opportunity later to-day for hon. Members to express any views on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has considered the protests from the Hull seed crushers and the British oil and cake manufacturers in connection with the duty on soya beans; and whether he can state for what purpose the soya bean is used?

Representations have been received on the subject and there will be an opportunity of discussing the matter to-day. Soya beans are used mainly as a source of oil for margarine and soap manufacture, and of cake and meal for the feeding of cattle.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how the exports of British manufactures to the Colonies in 1934 compare with those for each of the four preceding years?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has discussed with representatives of the Cyclists Touring Club and the National Cyclists Union the measures he has taken, or those which he has in mind, for ensuring greater safety on the roads to all road users?

I consulted with these bodies before making the Regulations

I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend particulars of exports of all United Kingdom goods to the British Empire, excluding the Dominions and India, during the years 1930 to 1934, and of the exports to those destinations of articles classed as wholly or mainly manufactured during the years 1930 to 1933. The corresponding information regarding exports of United Kingdom manufactures during the year 1934 is not yet available.

Does the statement contain information in terms of volume as well as of value?

The information I have supplied is in terms of value.

Can we have the figures now?

"Circulate them."] If hon. Members wish it, I will circulate them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider increasing on the Transport Advisory Council the representation of recognised cyclists' associations?

The constitution of the council provides for one representative of pedal cyclists.

Seeing that cyclists are so very numerous in this country, does not the hon. Gentleman think they ought to have more representation on the committee?

Parliament determined the balance of representation on the committee, and I think the views of cyclists can be well expressed by the present representative.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of persons, male and female, that have been examined for the new driving test; and the number that have failed to satisfy the examiners?

Up to and including the 27th April, 22,539 persons have been examined, of whom 1,863 have failed to satisfy the examiners. The periodical returns furnished by the examiners do not distinguish between male and female applicants.

Do not those figures convince the Minister that there must be an enormous proportion of motorists to-day who are unfit to drive?

It is the purpose of the test to prevent, at any rate to some degree, bad drivers from getting on to the roads.

Have those who fail another opportunity to undergo a test?

Yes, they can certainly submit themselves for a test again after the lapse of the statutory period.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of accidents that have arisen by vehicles passing on the off-side of stationary tramcars during the last six months; and whether it is proposed to make it compulsory that all on-coming vehicles should pass on the near-side?

The weekly returns of accidents are not sufficiently detailed to enable me to give this information for the period in question. I am advised that I have no power to make a general regulation in the sense suggested.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has given further consideration to the question of a more satisfactory indication of the end of the 30-miles-per-hour speed limit in built-up areas; and if so, what action he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. The diameter of the de-restriction signs indicating the ends of the speed limit will be increased from 8 inches to 18 inches, that is, the same as the "30" sign. In addition, I have given instructions to the local authorities in London and the Home Counties to erect a sign on each side of the road wherever the speed limit begins or ends showing the "30" sign to motorists entering the speed limit and the "de-restriction" sign to motorists leaving the speed limit. I am issuing similar instructions to all local authorities throughout the country.

While thanking my hon. Friend very much for his answer, may I ask whether he will make sure that local authorities do what he says, and whether he will remember that he has power under the Act to do things himself if the local authorities do not?

I will do my level best, as I think I have shown by my answer to the question, to assist motorists in every possible way.

Will the cost of affixing the new sign be reimbursed to the local authorities, who will otherwise have to bear the cost?

There will be no appreciable increase in cost, because the signs will only be put at the limits of the areas, and the smaller signs can still be used on lamp posts elsewhere.

Will the Minister take steps to secure that the 30-miles-an-hour sign and the de-restriction sign are always at the same place on the road, because at some places they are at different points, perhaps 200 yards apart?

Yes, Sir, I will try.

Will the Minister take steps to ensure that the signs are within perfect vision of the driver, and not, as in many instances, round corners, in which case drivers pass them before they have seen them?

It is most desirable that they should be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of persons, male and female, that have been summoned for exceeding the 30-mile limit in built-up areas since the 18th March; the number that have been convicted; and the total amount of fines?

I regret that I do not feel justified in asking the police to undertake the work that would be involved in compiling a return of this kind. I will consider later whether it would be possible to obtain figures of a more limited kind after the general speed limit in built-up areas has been in operation for a longer period.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of the persons convicted have had their fines returned?

asked the Minister of Transport what action he is taking to accelerate the decontrol of those thoroughfares in built-up areas which do not need the application of the 30 miles per hour limit?

asked the Minister of Transport to which highway authorities he has addressed communications suggesting that areas of road under their control have been unnecessarily subjected to the 30 miles per hour speed limit; and in which of such cases de-restriction has now taken place?

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the authorities to whom I have addressed communications in this sense. Five of these authorities have already agreed to de-restrict certain roads in response to the suggestions I have made to them. In a number of other cases I have intimated that my consent to orders imposing restrictions was subject to early review. My hon. Friend will have observed that I gave notice yesterday in the London Gazette of my intention to deal with a number of roads in the London traffic area.

Will my hon. Friend make it clear to these local authorities that it is a matter of urgency, because in many of these thoroughfares where the 30 miles limit is obviously absurd, traffic each week is speeding up, and, if we are not careful, we shall be back where we were under the 20 miles an hour limit?

I am so very well aware of the urgency that in some appropriate cases where the local authority has not accepted my suggestion, I have given instructions for a local inquiry to be held. That is the only step that I can take.

Am I to understand that the consent was provisional on some of these roads?

Yes, Sir. In cases where I did not agree with the local authorities I said that they could have regard to the wishes of their local inhabitants in spite of my views, but that I would hold myself open to review the matter at an early date.

Is it not a fact that since the establishment of the 30 miles speed limit motorists are giving far more consideration to the pedestrians than they have ever done before, and that at the present time the pedestrians are feeling far more confidence in motorists than they have had in recent years?

I am very glad to have that expression of opinion, which I think is generally held.

asked the Minister of Transport when he proposes to introduce the necessary regulations under the Road Traffic Act to extend the period of validity of road service licences in respect of stage carriage services from one year to three years?

The Traffic Commissioners are of opinion that conditions are not yet sufficiently stable to warrant the extension of the period of validity of road service licences in respect of stage carriage services from one year to three.

May I ask if the Minister will appreciate that the necessity for making annual applications for renewal of their road service licences casts a real burden upon particularly the smaller type of omnibus operator, and will he therefore expedite the extension of the period of validity?

When stability has been reached, the question can be more appropriately considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the decision of Judge Beazley at Ilford County Court, on Monday, 15th April last, to the effect that the London Passenger Transport Board was entitled to the protection of the Public Authorities Act, because it was stated to be a public authority in the London Passenger Transport Act and was not trading for profit but carrying on its business for the public benefit; and whether he is satisfied that the present and future practice of the board will entail their obtaining from outside sources essential supplies of accessories which have hitherto been furnished satisfactorily by independent companies?

My attention has been drawn to the judgment to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The board are free, subject to compliance with Sections 6 and 21 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933, to purchase their supplies as they think proper in the interests of the board.

Are we to understand that, according to that decision, the London Passenger Transport Board will now be able to set up auxiliary plant for the manufacture of things other than those actually connected with the transport of passengers?

I would not like to attempt to interpret an Act of Parliament in an answer to a supplementary question, but, if my hon. and gallant Friend will write me upon the subject saying exactly what he has in mind, I will give him a considered answer.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps have been taken to improve road direction signs throughout the country and, in particular, to provide for their visibility at night?

In 1933 highway authorities were informed that the Minister accepted the Report of the Departmental Committee on Traffic Signs which included recommendations for the improvement and standardisation of traffic signs and for the illumination, either positively or by means of reflectors of certain signs of a mandatory and warning character. Highway authorities were reminded in this matter in February last.

Will my hon. Friend tell me what happens about direction signs which tell you how to get to places, and not the signs warning you not to do certain things?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that there are still large quantities of ware potatoes unsold and available for consumption in this country; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the importation of new Spanish potatoes is further restricted?

It is, of course, usual for supplies of ware potatoes to be still on hand at this time of the year, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that all relevant circumstances, including the home supply position, were taken into consideration in determining the arrangements for the regulation of imports of foreign early potatoes during the present season. I am aware of no sufficient reason for altering those arrangements at this stage.

Will the Minister use his influence to see that in any trade agreements which may be entered into the interests of British agriculturists are not prejudiced?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman let us know where these new potatoes can be got? My folk cannot buy them.

In view of the fact that in previous years it has been stated that action has been taken too late, will my right hon. Friend take that question into consideration this season?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any experiments have been made in the cultivation of the soya bean in this country; and whether the soya bean is or has been cultivated in any of the British Dominions, and with what success?

Experiments in the cultivation of the soya bean have been carried out in this country for some years past, the largest and most recent being conducted in the favourable climatic conditions of 1933 and 1934, but it is too early to judge whether the crop can be grown commercially in this country. It is understood that the soya bean has also been grown and with some success but on a limited scale in certain parts of the Dominions.

Do the Government propose to give a subsidy to stimulate this industry, with a view to the employment of more labour?

asked the Minister of Agriculture the proportion of food for home consumption produced in this country and imported from abroad, giving separate figures for Empire production?

I have no later information on this subject than that contained in the "Report on the Agricultural Output and Food Supplies of Great Britain" issued in 1929, and based on the years 1924–27. It was estimated that about 40 per cent. by value of our food supplies were home-produced, and nearly 22 per cent. were received from British countries.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Edinburgh is being compelled to pay an annual contribution to the Unemployment Assistance Board of £79,000 under Section 45 of the Unemployment Act, 1934, as compared with £40,000 for Birmingham, which has twice the population of Edinburgh; will he state what is the total amount of contributions to be paid by Scottish local authorities compared with England and Wales; and whether he will consider the advisability of amending Section 45 of the Act to dispense with the necessity of contributions from the local authorities in view of the hardship which these contributions impose on the distressed areas in Scotland, England and Wales?

Discussions with local authorities have not reached the stage at which individual contributions under Section 45 of the Unemployment Act, 1934, can be stated with precision, but I understand that Edinburgh's contribution will be approximately the amount stated in the question, while Birmingham's contribution will be somewhat less than the amount so stated. The total contributions of local authorities in Scotland will be, in round figures, £800,000 a year, and in England and Wales £2,000,000 a year. As regards the last part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the Act, coupled with the provisions in the Unemployment Assistance (Temporary Provisions) (No. 2) Bill now before Parliament, gives a net relief to local authorities at a present rate of about £1,600,000 a year for Scotland and about £4,000,000 a year for England and Wales, distributed in a way which, broadly speaking, gives the greatest benefits to areas where unemployment is high. The Government are not prepared to increase this generous measure of assistance by dispensing with local contributions.

How can the Government expect at the moment their candidate standing for election in Edinburgh to be sent to this House when Edinburgh is asked to pay double what Birmingham has to pay? That is the vexed question which is being asked, and I should like the Government to try and make themselves right with their own candidate who is standing at the by-election.

The Government's policy is not controlled by such considerations.

That answer, the House may have noticed, was rather too well prepared to be the right reply.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that, prior to the advent of the Unemployment Assistance Board, householders on transitional payment were allowed travelling expenses from the public assistance committee officers when they had to travel some distance to hospitals or infirmaries to see their wives or children in these institutions, and that since the board has taken over that travelling allowance has stopped, as the officers, and the area officers of the board also, have no power to grant such allowances; and whether he will take steps to remove this hardship?

I am informed by the Unemployment Assistance Board that where an applicant is not himself in a position to meet such expenses the case can be met as one of exceptional need and that a number of such cases have been so dealt with. The board already has under consideration the issue of a general instruction to its local officers which will remove any misapprehension that may exist.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can now state if the unemployed are to get any special Jubilee grant; and, as 6th May is a Bank Holiday, will that day's pay be made to applicants registered at the Employment Exchanges

In answer to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Sunderland (Mr. Storey) on the 15th April and the hon. Member for Faversham (Mr. Maitland) on the 18th April, and in answer to the second part of the question to the reply given to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson) on the 21st February.

In view of the reply which has been given, and which really contains no reply whatever, will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the question now before the House? I want to know if a special grant is to be given, and also, if the Bank Holiday is a Bank Holiday under the law, whether any one in receipt of unemployment benefit will get any benefit on that day?

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the answers, he will find that they give full replies to both those questions.

Is it not a fact that the part-time unemployed person who plays for three days on that week, including the Bank Holiday, will not get the benefit of the other two days, and that he will be cut out because of the Bank Holiday?

I shall be glad to answer that question if the hon. Member will put it upon the Paper.

Will the hon. Member kindly let us know whether it is "No" or "Yes," and then I will be perfectly satisfied without referring the matter to anyone else. There has never been a reply given in this House specifically to these questions, and I want to know whether the answer is "Yea" or "Nay."

I have given an answer to the hon. Gentleman's question.

Does not the hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is in the interests of the unemployed themselves that this matter should be cleared up and a definite reply given?

Repeated questions have been asked on the point and repeated answers have been given. The question of whether or not in any particular circumstances a man is entitled to benefit is a matter for the statutory authorities and not for the Minister. The Minister, in answer to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson), gave a reply as far as was possible, and there is really nothing which I can add to the answer.

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that there will be a lot of discontent if the position is not made absolutely clear to the men concerned, that is, the unemployed, and cannot he give the House a reply now so that they will know where they are?

I think that every un-employed man knows that the question of whether or not he is to receive benefit on a particular day is a matter for the statutory authorities and is not one to which either my right hon. Friend or I can give a full answer without knowing all the circumstances of the case, and that is made quite clear in the answers given by my right hon. Friend.

In view of the unsatisfactory reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Minister of Labour if a caretaker of a miners' welfare institute or miners' baths is treated as entitled to unemployment insurance benefit in case of unemployment; and whether such cases have been considered by the statutory committee and a recommendation made thereon?

Broadly speaking, persons engaged in looking after miners' welfare institutes or miners' baths are regarded, in accordance with judgments given by the High Court, as being employed in domestic service and, therefore, not insurable where they are not employed in a business carried on for the purposes of gain. Both these employments, however, are among those with regard to which inquiries are proceeding with a view to the submission of a draft regulation to the statutory committee under Section 2 of last year's Act for the inclusion within the scope of the scheme of certain workers now excepted.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he is likely to have a report from the statutory committee on this question, which the hon. Gentleman promised some time ago should be considered by them; and, further, whether a man who is paying his contributions to the Unemployment Fund is entitled to have them refunded when he is not entitled to benefit?

I think the answer to the last part of the question is "Yes." With regard to the first part of the question, I am afraid I cannot give any definite reply. As the hon. Member knows, the statutory committee have to deal with many important matters, including the question of seasonal workers, but I hope that they will get on with this matter at a fairly early date.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman to remind the statutory committee that the House was very anxious at the time of the passing of the Bill to have this question definitely settled and agreed to leave this rather small question to the statutory committee on the understanding that they would give it sympathetic consideration?

The hon. Member knows as well as I do that, although it looks simple, it is really a very complicated matter indeed when you come to try and find who does or does not come within the scope of this payment, and we shall seek a decision as early as possible.