asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a reply from the Russian Soviet Government to the British Government's claim with regard to the robbery of plate, furniture, and other valuables from the British Embassy in Petrograd in 1918 by officials of the Soviet Government, in respect of which repeated representations have been made by the British Government, the last of such representations being on the 25th March, 1935; and what action it is proposed to take to secure the payment, without further delay, of compensation in respect of the property stolen from the British Embassy by Soviet officials, as above stated?

As regards the first part of the question, the Soviet Government have now informed His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at Moscow that all the plate which it has been possible to discover was handed over to His Majesty's Embassy on 13th May, 1931, and that further search has unfortunately led to no positive result. As regards the second part of the question, the claim of His Majesty's Government for such compensation has been registered with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade in the same manner as other claims; and I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree with me that it would not be proper to single out for special treatment a claim which could only technically be distinguished from the claims of private British subjects.

Is it not a very different matter when British property is taken by Government officials from a British Embassy, and is the House to understand that any foreign Government's officials can raid a British Embassy and that the British Government will con tinue relations with that country as if nothing had happened?

My hon. Friend raises a very wide issue. This matter is as I have stated, and I am sure the action we have taken is the wisest in the circumstances.

In assessing compensation, will due regard be paid to the fact that this incident took place during a period of civil war in which British capital and highly-placed British nationals were involved against the Soviet Government?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the categorical statement made by Mr. A. W. Woodhouse, the British consul in charge of the British Embassy premises in Petrograd in 1918, that he had borrowed for the purposes of the British Government certain jewels belonging to Mr. C. H. Bucknall, a British citizen, which had been deposited in the Embassy for safe keeping; whether, seeing that such jewels were subsequently stolen from the Embassy premises by officials of the Soviet Government, he will inform the House of the reasons which have induced the British Government to disclaim the debt of honour incurred on their behalf by the British consul, Mr. Woodhouse; and whether steps will at once be taken to secure the payment of compensation to Mr. Bucknall by the Soviet Government or, in the alternative, that the British Government will make good his losses pending such restitution?

As regards the first and second parts of the question I have nothing to add to the very full statement which was made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for League of Nations Affairs in the course of the Debate on the Adjournment on the 7th June. As regards Mr. Bucknall's claim against the Soviet Government, that claim is registered with the Russian Claims Department of the Board of Trade and will receive the same treatment as other claims so registered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his right hon. colleague the Minister for League of Nations Affairs, in the speech to which he has referred, never dealt at all with the definite statement of His Majesty's repre- sentative that he had borrowed this money for British purposes before the raid?

I have seen all the communications upon this question, and I could not accept the assumption in my hon. Friend's supplementary question. In any case, I think he will find, if he reads again the report of the Debate, that all the relevant facts were dealt with. If there are facts which were not dealt with, perhaps my hon. Friend will communicate with me on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the scarcity of orders in the shipbuilding industry, he can accelerate the placing of the naval orders consequent on the passing of the Estimates?

The financial provision made in the current year's Estimates for the commencement of work on vessels of the new programme is, I fear, insufficient to allow of any acceleration in the dates of placing orders. Generally speaking, it is intended to place the orders on about the same dates as those for the previous year.

Is my hon. Friend aware that on the last occasion when a similar question was asked, the asking for tenders was accelerated, and would he appreciate that even though work may not be put in hand the asking for tenders allows the unemployed shipyard worker to know that at any rate there is a Chance of work coming, whereas if no tenders are asked for he does not appreciate that there is any work available?

That may be so, but the hon. Lady will clearly understand that we cannot do more than Parliament has empowered us to do.

Could the hon. Gentleman not see that this statement is put on the Government posters on the hoardings?

If there is pressure of work on the technical staffs at the Admir- alty, will my hon. Friend consider using the efficient staffs of the shipbuilders rather than have any delay?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what will be the difference between the numbers of battleships, battle-cruisers, cruisers, and destroyers taking part in the Naval Review next month and those of similar classes of ships which took part in the Naval Review of 1914; and to what extent on the earlier occasion ships were withdrawn from foreign stations for the purpose of the review?

At the Fleet Assembly of 1914, 55 battleships, 4 battle cruisers, 54 cruisers and 56 destroyers were present at Spithead. The corresponding figures for the review of 1935 will be 9, 2, 18 and 75. No ships were withdrawn from foreign stations for the Fleet Assembly of 1914.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the heavy taxation burdens on rubber plantation companies in Malaya, even to the extent of 300 per cent. increase since the inception of the rubber regulation scheme; and whether he will suggest to the local government the desirability of reducing this burden in view of the assistance such a step would give to the prosperity of the country?

Representations on this question have been received by the High Commissioner for the Malay States and at the Colonial Office. My hon. Friend will no doubt have seen an announcement in the Press this morning that the cess on rubber exported from Malaya is to be reduced from 1st July from 1 cent per pound to 0.7 cent per pound. Other matters connected with this matter are still under consideration.

Is it not the case that the rubber regulation scheme was brought into being for the purpose of enabling the rubber companies to pay reasonable wages to the natives and to their white assistants, and that, instead of that, the proceeds have all been mopped up in taxation; and will he use all the pressure he can to get that taxation down, under what has always been a very extravagant Government?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any part of the provision for the payment, or loan service, of the £1,000,000 under the Anglo-Brazilian Commercial Debt Agreement of 27th March will be taken from exchange already allotted to earlier British creditors under the unilateral default upon Brazilian loans?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that Article 15 of the Congo Basin Convention, 1919, provided for a conference of the parties in 1930 for the purpose of introducing into the convention such modifications as experience may have shown to be necessary, and that such conference has not yet been held, will he take steps to summon a conference of the nations signatory to the convention in order that the way may be made clear for the introduction of preferential duties in Nyasaland, Uganda, Kenya, Tanganyika, and Rhodesia?

All aspects of this complicated question are being carefully examined by His Majesty's Government.

Is it not a fact that this matter has been under examination for over two years, and that during this time the markets have been rapidly captured by Japan; and is it not necessary that we should take action now and call a conference; otherwise, the trade will almost entirely disappear?

My hon. Friend knows that the question of modifying this convention is very complicated, both as to its possibility and its desirability, and I cannot agree, in view of the complicated nature of the problem, that the examination has been unduly prolonged. I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay.

Has my hon. and gallant Friend investigated the possibility of denouncing the Berlin and Brussels Acts as a preliminary to the denunciation of the present Treaty?

That is a separate question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many Royal Air Force officers have attended for instruction at anti-aircraft practice camps at Watchett or elsewhere during 1934, and how many it is proposed to send during 1935?

Approximately 50 Royal Air Force officers attended the anti-aircraft practice camp at Watchett during 1934 for the purpose of obtaining experience in anti-aircraft gunnery. Fifty-four officers have been detailed to attend at practice camps for a similar purpose this year.

Is it the intention of the Minister to encourage this and to see whether it is not possible to increase the number of officers of the Royal Air Force in attendance at practice camps?

Yes, we are, as a matter of fact, increasing the number.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will consider the establishment of a Royal Air, Force defence camp in Lancashire, in view of the great industrial importance of that area?

I will bear my hon. Friend's suggestion in mind, but as at present advised I doubt whether the establishment of such a camp in Lancashire is likely to prove practicable.

In view of the very large population there and in view of the industrial interests involved there, will it not be a big handicap if there is no camp at all in Lancashire?

My hon. Friend will appreciate the fact that in fixing the sites for aerodromes one must be guided by strategic considerations.

Is it the case that there is to be a camp in Yorkshire, but not in Lancashire?

I can assure my hon. Friend that I have taken no personal decisions in these matters.

Is not the best place for an aerodrome, Campbeltown in Kintyre?

In considering this problem, will the right hon. Gentleman keep in touch with the Ministry of Labour to see whether Lancashire cannot get something better than a defence camp?

I have already explained that, in regard to all the work we are doing, we are in the closest possible touch with the Ministry of Labour, and, while strategic considerations must govern the selection of sites, we are trying in any work which is undertaken to employ as many people from distressed areas as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there are disused war-time aerodromes at Minchinhampton, Leighterton, Rencombe, and Badgeworth, in Gloucestershire; and whether it is his intention to use these potential aerodromes to accommodate any of the new squadrons for the Royal Air Force?

The sites referred to have been inspected and considered, but it is not at present proposed to reacquire any of them for new squadrons, as more suitable sites have been found.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will furnish the House with a paper showing the instructions to those whom he has appointed to safeguard public interests in regard to the prices to be paid for aircraft supplies and the nature of the powers they are to possess?

I should like to take this opportunity of informing the House of the names of those who have most public-spiritedly consented to advise me in this matter. They are Sir Hardman Lever, Mr. P. Ashley Cooper, and Mr. H. G. Judd, whose high qualifications and wide experience in questions of this nature will be within general knowledge. I do not contemplate the issue of formal instructions to these gentlemen. I am sure that such instructions are unnecessary and might indeed limit their wide sphere of usefulness. They are already working in continuous touch with myself and my advisers, having access to all relevant papers, and I am satisfied that this is the most effective procedure.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how, with the best will in the world, these gentlemen can be effective unless adequate powers are at their disposal? What are the powers that he proposes to place at their disposal?

Their powers are to give me the same wise advice which they gave to the right hon. Gentleman, and I am not in the habit of getting men of tremendous experience and ability to advise me and then disregarding their advice.

Is it not a fact that two at least of these three distinguished gentlemen were unable to give effective assistance to me until the Munitions of War (Amendment) Act had been passed by this House endowing them with adequate powers? What similar powers does the right hon. Gentleman propose to give them?

That is quite a different matter. The question was whether I was going to invest these gentlemen with certain executive powers, and I said "No." They and I are perfectly satisfied that, just as in the particular case of Lord Weir, this is an admirable arrangement. What the right hon. Gentleman really proposes is quite different, namely, whether special legislation is needed at the present time. At the present moment I am satisfied that it is not. If I did think special legislation were necessary for any purpose, I should not hesitate to go to my colleagues in the Cabinet or come to Parliament, but I have no sort of evidence that any such step is necessary at the present time.

Is it not a fact that neither the right hon. Gentleman nor any other Minister at the present time is equipped with powers which were found to be necessary when these gentlemen operated before, and, if so, why is he unwilling to take the same powers again?

The right hon. Gentleman is referring to war conditions, which are wholly different from those obtaining at the present time.

No.

I absolutely refuse to accept the suggestion of the right hon. Gentleman that the country and I are not going to be met in a reasonable way by the industry of this country, until the contrary has been proved.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the expansion of the Royal Air Force will be delayed and the cost of the necessary aircraft increased if certain official proposals to reduce the tolerances on screw threads be adopted; and whether it is his intention to maintain the present A.9 limits?

A small change from the A.9 limits is under consideration, mainly on account of the increased use of stainless steels. It is not expected that appreciable delay in production or increase in cost will result, but full weight will, of course, be given to these factors before the proposed change, which has been referred to the manufacturers for their comments, is introduced.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that, even if the Air Ministry is willing to shoulder this extra expense, it will seriously affect our export trade, and will he give the most careful consideration to the views of the industry before any final decision is reached?

I am aware that this is an extraordinarily technical matter, on which the views of a mere layman like myself would be useless, but the whole matter is being considered now in consultation with the industry, and that surely is the sensible course to take.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present position with regard to the construction of the Maidenhead by-pass; what is the percentage grant towards its cost now offered by him; and how the percentage of this grant compares with the highest percentage granted in connection with any by-pass scheme during the past five years?

The line and lay-out of the proposed by-pass is still under discussion between the Berkshire County Council and the Maidenhead Town Council. When the scheme is agreed my Department will be ready to consider it for the normal percentage grant for class 1 roads, i.e., 60 per cent. The highest percentage grant ever made in England or Wales during the past five years was 85 per cent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why he is now offering only 60 per cent. for a dual carriageway scheme, while his Department offered an 80 per cent. grant for a single carriageway scheme for this Maidenhead by-pass in 1930?

The grants were upon a different basis in 1930, and they have been discontinued. I would point out to my hon. Friend that, although 80 per cent. was offered to the council concerned on that occasion, they refused it.

asked the Minister of Transport on what date the Oxfordshire County Council submitted to him a further list of roads to be de-restricted with regard to the 30-miles-per-hour limit; whether such list included Henley Fair Mile; and whether he considers it satisfactory?

On the 19th June I received proposals from the Oxfordshire County Council for the restriction and de-restriction of certain lengths of roads in their area. These included the proposal for the de-restriction of 1,300 yards of Henley Fair Mile, to which I am consenting.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say, in connection with this revision, whether any record is kept of the casualties before and after restriction?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state the approximate mileage of the length of classified roads on which the 30-miles-per-hour limit has now been abolished after being introduced under the new restriction scheme, and in respect of which local authorities have failed to comply with the representations made by him?

I should be obliged if my hon. Friend would allow the position to become more stabilised before pressing me to give to the House the figures for which he asks. I can assure him in the meanwhile that considerable progress has been made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the number of motorists who have been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit in the Henley Urban Council district and the actual number of such motorists who have been prosecuted for this offence committed on the Henley Fair Mile?

Statistics relating to such offences are not compiled in such a way as to distinguish those which occurred in particular urban districts or on particular stretches of road, and I regret therefore that I cannot give the desired particulars.

asked the Home Secretary the percentage of convictions for exceeding the 30 miles per hour limit in built-up areas in which the speed was less than 35 miles per hour?

I regret that this information is not available.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend endeavour to review the cases of borderline offenders, and particularly to consider whether, in view of the co-operation his Department has had from the motoring public, he might not, where the speed is only slightly over 30 miles an hour, cease endorsing licences in the case of a first offence?

The question whether a licence should be endorsed is one for the courts and not for the Home Office.

But you could give guidance, could you not?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any plans for the removal of the London and North Eastern low-level line which, by the frequent closing of the level crossings, cuts off the shopping centre of Edmonton Green from the main road, the tramcar and omnibus terminus, and the new Crown Post Office?

The company inform me that in view of the importance of the loop of which the line referred to forms part they have not considered the question of its removal.

Will my right hon. Friend consider pressing for the erection of a footbridge over this line now that a new Crown Post Office has been placed away from the shopping centre, in view of the congested nature of the district at shopping time?

I am certainly willing to consider any proposal made to me by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is now intended to proceed with the doubling in width of those parts of the Cambridge arterial and North circular roads which pass through Edmonton, as originally intended?

A grant has been made to the Middlesex County Council towards the cost of constructing the second carriageway of the North Circular Road between Green Lanes and Silver Street, Edmonton, and the work is now in hand. The county council have also included a scheme for the construction of the second carriageway of the Cambridge arterial road in their five-year programme, and propose to execute the work in the year 1937–38.

In view of the very great amount of traffic proceeding along the Cambridge arterial road particularly, does my right hon. Friend think he could get this speeded up a little bit? It is very congested at the moment.

I am trying to speed everything up except within the restricted limits.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the favourable arrangements made with regard to railway electrification in the London district, he will convey to the railway companies concerned in South Lancashire his willingness to consider a combined scheme of electrification for that district to extend those already existing?

The Government have already indicated their willingness to consider any useful schemes of this kind which may be put before them, but cannot give promises as to what they will be prepared to do in regard to schemes which have not yet been formulated. The initiative must rest with the undertakings concerned. As regards the particular area to which my hon. Friend refers, I have already been in communication with the companies and understand that a joint examination of the possibilities of electrification is being made by them.

Will my right hon. Friend do his utmost to accelerate the consideration of plans for this area, in view of its importance and the employment it would give?

I cannot speed up plans before they have been devised by the railway companies and submitted to me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to consider the granting of financial assistance for the electrification of the Wirral railway system?

The Government have already intimated their willingness to consider any useful schemes of this kind which may be put before them, but the initiative must necessarily rest with the undertakings concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to the result of the boring and sounding operations in connection with the proposed Forth road bridge?

The borings on the Macintosh Rock site have been completed, and the consulting engineers inform me that they hope to submit their report to me shortly. The borings on the Rosyth site are not likely to be completed until the middle of July.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been directed to a decision given by the licensing authority for the West Midland area on Wednesday, 12th June, under which he dismissed an application made for a trailer and stated that if an application for a separate vehicle were substituted he would regard the application more favourably; whether he is aware that this same officer, at an inquiry held in Birmingham the previous week, stated that trailers were better off the road than on; and what is the policy of the Government in this matter?

In administering the licensing system the authorities function independently and are not subject to my directions. The remarks seem to have been made either during or after arguments between an applicant and objectors; they appear to be obiter dicta.

Are we to understand from that answer that a man asking for a licence for a trailer in one district may receive preferential treatment over a similar application made in another district, and will my right hon. Friend take steps to get some unification of system in the granting of licences?

These authorities were appointed by Parliament to act independently, and they are as much outside my control as magistrates are outside the control of any Minister in this House. I cannot be responsible for obiter dicta uttered by these authorities. I have no power in the matter.

They have discretionary power in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Bishop's Castle Railway has been closed; and whether any effort has been made by him to induce the Great Western Railway Company to take over this railway.

I have, since my hon. Friend's question appeared on the Order Paper yesterday, approached the Great Western Railway Company, who inform me that in view of the low economic value of the line they would not be justified in entertaining the proposal.

Has the Minister considered the hardships which will be inflicted on the people of Bishop's Castle and the surrounding agricultural district if this railway were closed permanently?

I understand that it has been closed for a considerable time, but the matter is within the discretion of the Great Western Railway Company.

asked the Minister of Transport under what regulation a motor car owner is charged a fee of £5 for the retention of an index-mark when buying a new car?

Section 6 of the Roads Act, 1920, provides that a licensing authority shall assign a separate index mark and number to every vehicle registered with them. It will be observed that the number is assigned to the vehicle and not to its owner. Licensing authorities, however, from time to time are permitted to accede to sentimental requests for the transfer of an identification number from one car to another in the same ownership on payment of a fee of £5. This accommodation to an owner's wishes is extra-statutory.

Does not my right hon. Friend think that this is an excessive charge, as it is most inconvenient to change the number, because people are apt to forget it, especially at certain hours of the day?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps his Department proposes to take, in consultation with the London County Council, respecting the dangerous traffic crossing at the Elephant and Castle?

Certain proposals are now under discussion.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in many cases in which convictions of motor cyclists for ineffective brakes have been secured the only evidence was that of an unauthorised test applied to a stationary cycle by police officers and not under running conditions; and whether he will issue orders to prevent the continuance of this inadequate method?

It is for the courts to decide whether the evidence produced by the police is sufficient to establish that an offence against Regulation 63 of the Motor Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations, 1931, governing the maintenance of brakes has or has not been committed. In view, however, of representations which my right hon. Friend has received he proposes to take an early opportunity of considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and with representative chief officers of police, whether it is possible to give advice to the police as to the testing of the brakes of motor cycles.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he will be in a position to make a statement to the House on the progress of the work of the special commissioner for the special areas in Scotland?

I understand that the commissioner contemplates submitting a general report on his work up to the end of the present month and the intention of my right hon. Friend is that the report should be published.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman under what Vote it would be possible to discuss the work of the special area commissioner for Scotland?

That question should not be addressed to me.

Will the Secretary of State for Scotland take the responsibility in this House for the work of the commissioner?

I do not think that I could answer that question without notice, further than to say that the commissioner's work could not be discussed under any Scottish Vote in the Secretary's name.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any steps have yet been taken by the commissioner for the North-East Coast to set up the promised housing company to deal with the building operations consequent on the Government's slum-clearance policy?

My right hon. Friend has nothing to add to the reply which he gave on 20th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Consett (Mr. Dickie).

May I ask whether there is any adequate reason why a housing company should not be established, and whether it is possible to accelerate any plans for dealing with the North-East Coast?

The answer given on that occasion was that the question was under active consideration, and the matter is being dealt with as quickly as possible.

May I ask for how long the "active consideration" will extend, because a promise was given to me two or three months ago?

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, as shown by the number of unemployment in- surance cards issued to juveniles aged 14 and 15 during May, at least 18,000 such juveniles per week obtained their first jobs during the month of April, while the number who were placed in their first jobs by the employment exchanges averaged 5,600 per week during May; and, under these circumstances, will he institute inquiries to determine why it is such a small proportion of the juveniles use the employment exchanges for the purpose of obtaining their initial employment?