asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether questions of wages and conditions of employment affecting employés in Gibraltar, other than those engaged from this country, come within the scope of existing Whitley Council machinery; and, if not, whether he will favourably consider an application that all such matters which cannot be satisfactorily settled by negotiations between the representatives of his Department and the accredited representatives of employés shall be referred to the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council for Government employés?

The Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government employés deals with the wages and certain working conditions of Admiralty workpeople employed in this country or sent from this country to naval establishments abroad under a contract of service. The wages and working conditions of locally entered workpeople at naval establishments abroad, such as Gibraltar, Malta, Bermuda, Singapore, Hong Kong and Simonstown, must be based largely on local conditions of employment, and not on those prevailing in the shipbuilding industry in Great Britain, with which all members of the Council are familiar. The matters referred to in the question do not, therefore, come within the scope of the Whitley Council machinery, and I regret that it would not be practicable to make the change proposed.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman be good enough to reply to the last part of the question, as to whether such matters as cannot be satisfactorily settled between the representative of his Department and the accredited representatives of employés will be referred to the Shipbuilding Trades Joint Council for Government employés?

I have said that I regret that that would not be practicable.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain why it would not be practicable that these matters should be discussed by the Committee suggested in the question?

The Committee is a Committee of the trades unions, which does not necessarily know anything about the local conditions.

Is it not the case that these men are members of British trade unions, and therefore would have repre- sentatives with all the facts in their possession which they could lay before the Committee?

I would not like to answer that question offhand, but I think not.

rose—

This is becoming a debate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when Engineer Rear-Admiral R. Beeman was made deputy engineer-in-chief to the Admiralty, and for what period this appointment was made; what were the circumstances of his resignation; and upon what representations did the Admiralty consent to accept his resignation?

Engineer Rear-Admiral R. Beeman was appointed deputy engineer-in-chief on 1st December, 1932. There is no fixed period for this appointment, which is at their Lordships' pleasure; its duration is usually about two years. This period having now expired, Engineer Rear-Admiral Beeman was due for relief during the course of the year, and would have retired in order to facilitate the promotion of junior officers. In view of his being offered the post of engineer manager at Messrs. Vickers-Armstrongs' Barrow works, arrangements were made for this relief to be carried out forth with.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Messrs. James Keith and Blackman, Limited, an engineering firm in Arbroath, Scotland, are contractors to the Admiralty; that they are not observing the fair wages clause in such contracts; and that the district rate agreed between the Dundee Engineering Association for boilermakers and light-platers is 1s. 4d. per hour, whereas the above firm are paying rates as low as 8d. per hour and in no case higher than 1s. 3d. for one man only; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to bringing them into line with other con tractors in the district, so as to comply with the terms of Government contracts?

The firm named are contractors to the Admiralty. This is the first intimation of any complaint that they are not observing the fair wages clause in Admiralty contracts, and steps are already being taken to investigate the matter.

Is the Noble Lord not aware that all these contractors who are contracting for Government work contract according to the fair wages clause, and is he not aware that every time they get out of paying these rates of pay it is more profit to the Government? Should not the Department see that proper rates are paid?

I understand that in all oases the fair wages clause is scrupulously observed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air in what counties the three additional auxiliary air squadrons will be formed?

This matter is at present under consideration. A public announcement will be made as soon as a decision has been reached.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any new arrangements are being made to enable selected short-service officers of the Foyal Air Force to have their temporary commissions made permanent?

The present procedure already provides for a limited number of officers holding short-service commissions to be selected for permanent commissions, and this procedure is considered to be adequate to meet the needs of the case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to establish any service aerodromes in Lancashire under the new scheme; and, if so, how many

I do not at present see any prospect of establishing an aerodrome for a regular squadron in Lancashire. As regards Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to my hon. Friend the Member for Melton (Mr. Everard)

Is not Devonshire the best situation for an aerodrome, seeing that in Devonshire there is more room for expansion?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will now specify the means whereby, during the prospective period of abnormal construction of war aeroplanes, it is hoped to obviate profiteering by armament interests?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Bristol (Mr. Bernays) on Monday.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that shares are being hawked round, with promise's of enormous profits in a few months' time; and ought not some action to be taken in this regard?

I do not see what action the Air Ministry can take with the Stock Exchange.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether His Majesty's Government approve the in auguration of new European air routes by Imperial Airways, Limited, while, on the plea of shortage of aircraft, they omit to complete the air link on the Empire routes between Paris and Brindisi?

The loads to be carried on the main Empire air routes are, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, considerably greater than those on the new London-Budapest service, which he presumably has in mind. The latter ser vice can thus be operated by aircraft of a much smaller type than are required for the complete elimination of the Paris-Brindisi train journey

It is not a, fact that more passengers and mails could be carried between Paris and Brindisi if those aircraft which are now being 'used for the service to Budapest were utilised on that route?

If the smaller air craft were transferred from the Budapest service, it would not be an economic proposition, as the weight of mails to be carried is so very much heavier.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for what period of years the Government has committed itself to Imperial Airways, Limited, in connection with the new Empire developments?

The details of the scheme are still under consideration, and no agreement with Imperial Airways has yet been executed.

Can the Under-Secretary assure the House that, in connection with this agreement, the Government will not continue to undertake to Imperial Airways that they will not assist any other company if it should be desirable to do so during the currency of the agreement

I do not think I can say any more.

Will the agreement be submitted to the House?

I should require notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that tenants or proprietors of shooting rights can take legal action against gliding aircraft for disturbance, and that grouse, in particular, must not be so disturbed; and, as machines which are noiseless are less detrimental than those with engines, whether he will take steps to amend the law to give gliding aircraft immunity from prosecution for disturbance of game?

I am aware that in a recent law case the tenant of the shooting rights over certain land obtained an injunction against the letting of the land for gliding on the ground of the disturbance of game. As further or other legal action is possible, I would prefer not to answer the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, but I can assure him that the position is being care fully watched at the Air Ministry.

Will my hon. Friend take cognisance of the fact that both the implications contained in the question are wrong?

Is it worth while for the Government to spend £5,000 a year on gliding if a man can stop gliding merely in order to preserve grouse?

That is a matter of opinion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the necessity that railway companies should move with the times, and also in order to assist the future of civil aviation, he will re consider the decision of his predecessor and intervene with the railway companies, with a view to ensuring that equal booking facilities are made available to the public for air travel by all British air lines at all recognised agencies?

This would appear to be a domestic matter concerning the railway companies and their agents.

If the Minister really has no power to intervene, will he not represent to the railway companies that this dog-in-the-manger policy is quite out of keeping with the spirit of the times and urge them to think a little more of the interests of civil aviation and of the public in general.

I cannot quite appreciate what my hon. Friend has in mind. Of course, it is desirable to en courage civil aviation, but these are the agents of the railway companies, appointed by the railway companies to sell railway tickets, and it would be out of the question to bring pressure to bear upon the railway companies to sell aero plane tickets or motor omnibus tickets which are in competition with their own services, just as it would be out of the question to require aviation companies to sell railway tickets in competition with their services.

Is it not a fact that many of these agents are general agents and that this embargo is placed upon them also?

There is no embargo. It is a matter of commercial agreement. If an agent wishes to enter into an agreement with a railway company to serve the interests of the railway company, it is a matter over which neither this House nor I could have any control nor one in which we could properly interfere.

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are taken to en sure that all Scottish local authorities will systematically compare their direct labour unit costs with those prices submitted by contractors in open competition, and redress the situation when a comparison reveals any waste?

I have no powers which would enable me to require local authorities to make the comparison referred to by my hon. Friend, but, where-ever it appears that, in connection with works carried out under grants from the Road Fund, direct labour costs are unduly high, investigations are made by officers of my Department, and, where necessary, the matter is taken up with the authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether in view of the com plaints as to waste and extravagance in road and bridge administration made against certain local authorities, he will issue a reminder of his recommendations contained in Section 21 of Circular No. 3(Roads), issued on 26th May, 1933, to Scottish local authorities

No such complaints have reached me, but, if my hon. Friend will send me particulars, I will cause immediate inquiries to be instituted.

Were not complaints sent to the Ministry of Transport not very long ago on certain points?

I think recall that my hon. Friend submitted a complaint from a contractor as to the competition to which he was subjected, but that the letter was not signed. I think my hon. Friend was informed that, if the contractor would append his name to the letter, I would take the matter up.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the policy of the London Transport Board respecting the display of political advertisements on their railways has been recently changed and, if so, why?

I am informed that the answer is in the negative.

Is the Minister aware that the objection taken is not to misleading advertisements, but to the fact that on previous occasions advertisements have been refused by the Transport Board on account of their political nature?

I am not aware of that fact. If the hon. Member will let me have particulars, I will take the matter up and see if I can assist him. I am informed, however, that advertisements are accepted on a purely commercial basis, and are only rejected if they offend against the public taste?

If that really be the principle governing the acceptance of advertisements by the London Passenger Trans port Board, how does the Minister account for the acceptance of the advertisements on "What the National Government has done"?

Will the Government carry out that policy as regards all interests?

asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have been killed in collision with the London Trans port Board's trolley omnibuses during the last two years, and how many were killed by the tramcars displaced by them in the two years preceding conversion

I will send the hon. Gentleman a copy of a letter I have received from the London Passenger Transport Board giving full information. The number of accidents involving personal injury per 100,000 car miles run is 6.09 in the case of trolley vehicles and 9.3 in the case of tramcars. These figures, which show that tramcars are involved in 50 per cent. more accidents involving personal injury than trolley vehicles, represent, in the opinion of the board, the best method of arriving at the relative accident liability of the two forms of transport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information tending to indicate whether pedestrian crossing-places have contributed towards a reduction of street accidents in London?

During the months of March and April of this year the number of pedestrians killed and injured in the Metropolitan Police District was 17.6 per cent. less than the number in the corresponding months of last year before pedestrian crossings were established. A special observation has been made on four, main roads leading from Central London to the boundary of the County of London. These roads were the scene of particularly heavy pedestrian casualties but they have now been adequately equipped with pedestrian crossings and the observation disclosed that there has been a reduction in the number of pedestrian skilled and injured on theme amounting to no less than 44 percent. in the above-mentioned periods. While of course there are many factors involved, the information in my Department indicates that pedestrian crossings have contributed substantially towards the reduction of accidents in London.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether there have been any accidents, and, if so, how many at the actual crossing-places themselves?

I think that they are an infinitesimal proportion of the whole of the accidents, and naturally I have not the figures here.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the unsightly girder structure erected beside the Wade bridge spanning the Tummel; whether the plans were submitted to the amenity committee appointed in connection with the power scheme; and whether he will insist upon the demolition of the girder bridge and the carrying out of the original plan for a new road-bridge further down stream?

The bridge referred to by my hon. Friend is a temporary structure erected by the power company solely for the purpose of conveying heavy plant and machinery to the Tummel Bridge Power Station during construction. I am unable to say whether the local amenity committee were consulted prior to the erection of the bridge. I have no powers to require the demolition of the bridge,- but I assume that it will be dismantled as soon as the power station is completed. The construction of a new bridge is primarily a matter for the highway authority concerned.

Can the Minister give an assurance that as early as possible he will try to insist that this disfigurement shall be taken away from what is one of the beauty spots of Scotland?

I think that my answer covers that point. The structure is only a temporary structure for a particular purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport what investigation has taken place regarding the effect on road safety by the substitution of trolley vehicles for tramcars; and if any report has been issued?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to a similar question on the 15th May by the hon. Member for Wimbledon(Sir J. Power), of which I am sending him a copy

Can the Minister say if the report of the inquiry will be published?

I would prefer that my hon. Friend should await the answer a copy of which I am sending to him.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the regulations regarding speed limit are being applied to roads having street lighting which is not in use?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I have no authority to interpret the law, but it appears to me that a road may be furnished with a system of street lighting even if the lamps are temporarily out of use.

May I ask my hon. Friend if he can advise drivers how they can recognise these lamp-posts in the darkness?

It is the duty of the highway authority adequately to signpost these areas.

Why do you not light them up?

They are not doing it that is the trouble.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what areas the authorities have declined to adopt his suggestion that police officers in motor-cars when trapping motorists who may exceed 30miles per hour in built-up areas shall wear plain clothes

I have made no such suggestion. It is of course open to the police to patrol in plain clothes whether on foot or in vehicles, and it is for individual chief officers of police to determine in their discretion whether or not police in plain clothes should be employed for the purpose of detecting breaches of the speed limit provisions. At a conference of chief constables held on the 20thFebruary last, the question of the method of enforcing the speed limit was discussed, and the general feeling of the conference was in favour of the use of plain clothes for this purpose, but I regret that I am not in a position to give details of the methods adopted in the different areas.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in view of the poisonous atmosphere which these methods are creating—

The hon. Member can not use such epithets in the House.

asked the Minister of Transport what action he in tends to take on the proposals submitted to him by the Oxfordshire County Council for the improvement of dangerous roads in the county?

In view of the large number of road accidents in Oxfordshire, the County Council recently investigated the matter, with the result that it was found that nearly half the fatal accidents occurred on certain main roads, representing less than 6 per cent. of the total mileage of the roads in the County. The County Council there upon submitted proposals for improving the lay-out of 62road junctions on these main roads, which I have approved. I have also agreed to make a grant from the Road Fund towards the cost of all these improvements, on condition that they are completed within the next twelve months, in order to test whether such improvements carried out on a large scale will be effective in preventing road accidents.

Can my hon. Friend in form the House the percentage of the grant?

I prefer to have notice of that question.

Will the Minister be good enough to speed up these matters within the next twelve months; other wise, he will have the Chancellor of the Exchequer pinching some more of his fund?

These matters are being speeded up.

asked the Secretary for Mines what was the approximate quantity of British coal submitted to oil extraction processes during the first quarter of 1935, and how this amount compared with the similar figure for 1934?

Statistics relating to the extraction of oil from coal are only collected by my Department annually. The figures for 1934 are expected to be avail able in a few weeks.

asked the Secretary for Mines the number of boys under 16 years of age killed and seriously injured underground during each of the last five years

In 1930, 24 boys under 16 years of age were killed and 171 seriously injured belowground at mines under the Coal Mines Act. The corresponding figures for 1931 were 25 and 142; for 1932, 17 and 112; for1933, 15 and 101; and for 1934, 15 and 122.

Does not the Minister think that it is deplorable that children of 14 should be so employed when so many adults are unemployed to-day?

Will the National Government try to see whether there is a way of stopping the employment of children under 16 in mines; will they try to find a way out?

asked the Minister of Agriculture what considerations have led to the arrangements between ice cream manufacturers and the Milk Marketing Board enabling the former to obtain milk at specially reduced rates; and whether any progress has yet been made with the schemes for further increasing the consumption of milk by providing equally favourable rates for the hospitals?

Under the terms of the contract prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board, after negotiation with representatives of the milk manufacturing and

asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of small holdings of over one acre extent existing at present in the six North Wales counties; and how many of these have been created since 1931?

I am circulating in the OFFICIALREPORT a statement showing the number of agricultural holdings over one acre and not exceeding 50 acres in 1931 and 1934 in the six North Wales counties, and also the number of statutory smallholdings provided since 1931. I regret that I am unable to give particulars of the number of small holdings of all kinds created since 1931.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that hospitals are more deserving of special treatment than ice cream vendors?

It is not aquestion of the deserving or otherwise of the particular persons involved. It is simply a question of business, and, as I have said, I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave on the 2ndMay.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has any information to give to the House in connection with the death of a Post Office employé from anthrax; whether the cause of death was attributable to his employment; what compensation will be paid to his dependants; and whether he has any record of similar cases in his Department?

I much regret to say that a sorter was taken ill and died while on holiday. At the inquest the Coroner found that death was due to anthrax but that there was no evidence as to how the deceased had become infected. The deceased's duties did not bring him into contact with any likely source of anthrax, and there would seem no good reason to attribute his death to his employment. A claim for compensation on behalf of his dependants has been received, but on present in formation there does not appear to be ground for payment of compensation. A gratuity will be payable under the Superannuation Acts. There is no record of a similar ease in the Post Office.

I take it for granted that the man in question was on duty at the time, and, that being so, surely there is a moral obligation on the Post Office?

He was on holiday.

He was in your employ at the time.

In view of the fact that a similar case of death from anthrax occurred at Hull—the man was not in the employment of the Post Office—And they could not find the source of the infection, will the hon. Gentleman he good enough to get into touch with the Home Office with a view to tightening up the restrictions upon foreign goat hair?

That is a rather big order for me; but I can assure both the hon. Members who have taken an interest in this sad case that it is by no means closed.

asked the Post master-General whether he is aware that since the closing of the Bulgill to Cocker-mouth railway the morning mail in Cocker mouth is delivered about 10 o'clock, causing considerable inconvenience to business people and tradesmen; and what steps he proposes to take to arrange for an earlier delivery?

The London Mid land and Scottish Railway Company found it necessary to suspend this passenger train service because the line was unsafe. The question of providing a more satisfactory alternative service is under discussion with the company.

Am I to understand that it is under consideration, and, if so, can the hon. Member assure me, because of the considerable inconvenience that is; being caused, that there will be no un necessary delay?

I am sorry if I was inaudible. I have stated that the matter is under discussion with the company.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will inquire into the circumstances attending the despatch of a money order for £13 7s. 4d. from the King's Royal Rifle Corps, Winchester, to C. Lincoln, of 13, Jefferson Street, Bow, under such conditions that the order went astray and was cashed by some other person; whether it is the practice for depots to despatch such money settlements to ex-service men by money order, only citing the man's initial and not his full name; and whether, as in this case the practice has led to the loss of the money, he will reimburse the man to the full amount and make such arrangements for future payment that no such order misdirected in the post can be cashed by the mere signing of a part name?

I have ascertained that a money order for the amount quoted was correctly despatched on 12th April to the address given by Corporal Lincoln. The suggestion appears to be that some other person cashed the order by giving the name of this reservist and of the remitter at the local Post Office. When I have the full facts before me I will have the claim considered.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether it is his intention to restore the grant for the breeding of heavy horses in Scot land which was discontinued in1932, and, if so, when it will be restored?

I do not consider it is necessary at the pre sent time, in the interests of Scottish Agriculture, to revive the scheme of grants for heavy horse breeding.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can explain why the summer price of 2s. charged to consumers for milk in Scotland, where there is a much larger surplus of milk than in England, should be higher than the summer price. in many parts of England; and what steps have been taken this summer by the consumers' committee to secure a reduction of the price?

The summer price of. 2s. per gallon for milk in Scotland was found by the Committee of Investigation for Scotland to be a reasonable charge pending official inquiry into costs of production and distribution. As regards the last part of the question I have received a report from the Consumers' Committee expressing their views on the desirability of differentiating between winter and summer retail prices. The report is being published and copies of it will be supplied to the Milk Reorganisation Commission for Great Britain for their consideration.

asked the. Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can state the price which the cheese factories in Scotland pay at present for milk for manufacturing purposes; and. what price per gallon of milk was received by farmer cheese makers in the. Southwest of Scotland and the level producers in the East of Scotland, respectively, in the years1934 and 1935?

The price charged by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board for milk for the manufacture of cheese in factories was 3.025d. per gallon during the month of April. The average of the monthly prices paid to registered producers (including cheese makers) over the calendar year 1934 and over the four months January to April, 1935, was10.96d. and 11.62d. per gallon respectively. I am sending to the hon. Member a statement giving further detailed information on the points raised in his question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say exactly what steps are being taken in Scotland to increase the sale of liquid milk?

The Board have a very extensive publicity scheme.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will expedite a decision on the part of the committee investigating the milk charges demanded from public institutions?

I have considered the report, and am grateful to the committee for the care with which they have sifted the evidence and arguments placed before them. It appears to me, however, that any proposal requiring a marketing board to give special terms to selected classes of consumers raises wide issues of policy, and cannot well be considered merely as a matter of amendment of an existing marketing scheme. The committee's views will be carefully examined in connection with the formulation of a policy for the milk industry following upon the temporary measures brought into operation under the Milk Act, 1934. In the meantime it is not practicable to require the Scottish Milk Marketing Board to give effect to the committee's suggestions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hospitals in Scot land during last year did not know what charges were being made for milk and that they are now entering into the second year's contracts in total ignorance of what they have to pay, and is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that this may possibly react on the use of grade A, tuberculin tested, milk, which may be eliminated as a precautionary measure by some hospitals?

I hope that the latter suggestion will not develop. The matter raises large issues of policy, and it has been referred to the Milk Reorganisation Committee, who are presently investigating this and other matters.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the report to which he has referred, and which I presume is in his possession, stated that in so far as these institutions are not receiving special treatment it maybe said that the action of the Board is not in the public interest? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to countenance something that is not in the public interest? If.a reduction in charges is made, can he ensure that the reduction will be retrospective?

Preference cannot be given to one institution alone. The Consumers' Committee undoubtedly re commended that that step should betaken, but, unfortunately or fortunately, the Milk Marketing Board have no power to single out certain classes of institutions for preferential treatment at the moment.

Is it not just as necessary to supply cheap milk to public institutions as to ice cream vendors?

The hon. Member must know that the Government have found large sums of money for supplying cheap milk for children in schools.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Glencoe is in danger of being used for the purpose of the worst form of development; and whether, in view of the historic interest and grandeur of this glen, the Government will take steps to preserve it for the nation?

I do not know what my right hon. Friend has in mind to secure, as we should all wish, the preservation of these historic amenities. I do not think that the Government could acquire the estate for the nation, and apart from such a step the only official machinery, so far as I am aware, would be a scheme under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, 1932. This would be a matter in the first in stance for the county council, whose attention is being called to it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman find some means of preventing another massacre in Glencoe?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Scottish Milk Marketing Board receives a payment from the English Marketing Board as compensation for refraining from sending Scottish milk into England; what is the amount of such annual payment; and how is the payment disposed of by the Scottish Milk Marketing Board?

I have drawn the board's attention to the terms of the question and shall be glad to send the Hon. Member such information as the board may supply.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an answer stating the amount of the annual payments made by the English Marketing Board to the Scottish Marketing Board?

I have not the in formation by me, but I understand that it will be published shortly by the Milk Marketing Board.

:Would itbe correct to say that it would be in the neighbourhood of £150,000 7

I have not the figures before me.

Would it be comparable to the amount paid for whisky?

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered representations submitted by both the Dagenham Urban District Council and the Barking Borough Council as to the scales of rents charged by the London County Council for houses on the Becontree estates located in their areas; and whether he is satisfied that the special conditions under which Exchequer grants are payable under the Housing (Financial Provisions) Act, 1924, are being observed on this estate?