asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has ascertained what are the definite conditions upon which Germany is prepared to consider returning to the League; and whether these conditions include any stipulation and, if so, what stipulation, regarding the question of colonies?

An inquiry was made some time ago with a view to ascertaining what precise conditions have to be fulfilled in order that Germany may be prepared to consider a return to the League. The German Government have not, however, thought it possible to supplement their views, as stated by my predecessor in his statement in the House on 9th April, and by the German Chancellor in his speech of 21st May.

Has the attention of the Secretary of State been called to the statement of Dr. Goebbels to the effect that it is a perfect delusion to expect Germany to return to the League, and does not his answer bear that out?

I have had no official communication about the statement referred to, and I therefore could not venture to make any answer to the hon. Member's question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, with regard to the statement made in April last that Germany had then reached parity with Great Britain in the air, he can give any information as to the present strength of the German air force and the number of aerodromes possessed by Germany?

I do not think I can usefully add to the statements which were made on this subject in the debate on the 22nd of May.

Has not the Secretary of State any information as to the present production of aircraft per day in Germany, from which a simple calculation would enable us to know how many more they have built in the last 60 days?

No, Sir. One thing of which I am quite certain is that any information that could be given would not form the basis of a simple calculation.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any information regarding the construction of a naval and seaplane base at Sylt; and whether he can give any details?

We have no information regarding the construction of a naval base at Sylt. There has been a commercial seaplane station on the island of Sylt for many years past, but no details are available.

Is the First Lord of the Admiralty quite certain that this base is purely a commercial one or is it in connection with the naval agreement with Germany? Will he ascertain further particulars?

No details are available.

Can the right hon. Gentleman not get them?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the maternal mortality rate in Ceylon for the latest year for which figures are available; and how many deaths were involved?

The maternal mortality rate in Ceylon for 1933 was 18.6 per 1,000. The number of maternal deaths involved was 3,852.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this constitutes the highest maternal mortality figure of any civilised country in the world, and can he say what steps the Government are taking to deal with the matter?

The figures represent a considerable decrease on what they have been, and in recent years there has been a steady improvement. The Government are taking various steps to meet the situation. Perhaps I could let the hon. Gentleman have a list of the steps which are being taken.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the 18 per 1,000 births compares very badly with the 4 per 1,000 births in this country, and that there is a very real room for improvement?

The fact that there has been a steady improvement in recent years shows that we are aware of the problem and that we are doing everything we can to solve it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many children between the ages of six and 14 years are not attending schools in Ceylon; and how many children are attending schools?

At the end of 1933, which is the last date for which figures are available, there were 631,122 children between the ages of six and 14 at school in Ceylon. I am not in a position to say how many children between these ages were not attending school.

Is it not possible to ascertain exactly how many children are not yet attending school?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there are at the present time any aircraft factories in Scotland which will be able to take advantage of the recent increased orders for Government supplies of aircraft and accessories; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of encouraging the installation of such a factory or factories by some form of guarantee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but no necessity arises for the suggested guarantees, since the existing capacity of the industry is expected to be sufficient to meet the increased requirements. Engineering firms in Scotland may, however, receive indirect advantage in the shape of subcontracts for materials and components.

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind the fact that there is land and a factory belonging to the War Department at Irvine, Ayrshire, which would be eminently suitable for the manufacture and assembling of aircraft?

If my hon. and gallant Friend is inviting us to start State manufacture, I certainly can hold out no hopes in that direction.

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether he can give any assurance that the prospects of promotion for officers and men of the Royal Air Force serving abroad will not be detrimentally affected by the sanctioned increase in home establishments, and that no suitable man serving abroad will be passed over in favour of airmen immediately available for promotion because serving at home?

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend may rest assured that the claims of officers and airmen serving abroad will be in no way prejudiced.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether those whom he has appointed to advise him on the prices to be paid for aircraft supplies will be able to inform themselves of the costs of production, as well as of the overhead and general charges of the firms providing the supplies?

Yes, Sir. Where it is considered desirable, a clause will be inserted in contracts under which particulars of costs may be called for and verified. It is already the practice for the overhead and general charges of the firms concerned to be periodically examined.

Will my right hon. Friend give us an assurance that there will be no waste of money in connection with this programme such as there was in the early days of the housing programme?

I shall do my best to profit by all experience.

Will the right hon. Gentleman, profiting by those lessons, take care to have powers which the Minister at that time did not possess?

I never was aware that the right hon. Gentleman's extravagance was in any way connected with the powers—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order. Withdraw."] Do not let us be so mealy-mouthed. I think the difference between the right hon. Gentleman and myself is that he has a passion for coercion, and I prefer to get effective action by agreement and good will.

Will the right hon. Gentleman's advisers have power to advise him on such operations as took place last week in regard to aircraft shares?

I have nothing whatever to do with aircraft shares.

Do not be so mealy-mouthed.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any arrangements have been made by his Department to secure economies in the supply of materials, machinery, or other requirements to the different firms responsible for aircraft supplies, or whether the firms are obtaining their requirements for themselves?

Contractors will continue to obtain their own supplies of material, machine tools, etc. Arrangements have been made for them to report any difficulties that they may encounter, with a view to any necessary assistance being afforded by the Air Ministry, in consultation with the Board of Trade. Moreover, it is the practice of the Air Ministry to purchase a considerable number of items of equipment and components in bulk and issue them to the manufacturers for embodiment.

If the right hon. Gentleman is allowing contractors to obtain these supplies for themselves, will he not take into account the enormous economies which would be obtained by a combined method of purchase, thus obviating the waste which he deplores in another Minister at another time?

I think that anyone who has practical experience will realise that this is entirely a matter of practical value in each particular case. Where experience has shown that bulk purchase is the most economical, it is being followed; but it is by no means certain—indeed, I think it is certainly not the case—that a Government Department buying raw material which is bought on a large scale by an individual manufacturer would necessarily, or, indeed, probably, buy much cheaper.

Is it not a fact that there is a very large body of experience available to show the advantage of this central bulk purchase system; and has the right hon. Gentleman's Department any powers to carry out that system?

It is being carried out in those cases where experience shows that it is convenient.

Why has the right hon. Gentleman taken all these unnecessary precautions when he knows that private enterprise is so competent?

Because I am endeavouring to help private enterprise.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what were the total number of officers and other ranks recruited for the Royal Air Force in the last three months?

During the three months ending on 30th June, 117 officers were gazetted to the Royal Air Force (including 13 attached or seconded from the Navy or Army), and 1,455 airmen were finally accepted for enlistment.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any reports on the success or otherwise of the experimental iron roads, particularly with regard to the safe use of them by solo motor cyclists?

The reports which I have received on the experimental lengths of iron paving laid in different localities indicate that the material is generally satisfactory, but I shall be very pleased to receive any reports from motor cyclists, who have not made any special representations to me, or, indeed, from any other road users.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any complaints with regard to the road surface of the Mersey tunnel and its effect on the driving of motor cycles?

No, Sir, no complaints.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the dangerous state of the Kilton Valley Road at Loftus-in-Cleveland; and whether he will urge the North Riding county council to put forward a suitable improvement scheme?

Yes, Sir. I understand that the North Riding county council have included a scheme for its improvement, estimated to cost £16,000, in the five-year programme which they propose to submit for my consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether arrangements could be made for the printers so to expedite their work as to be in a position to deliver the copies of the new Highway Code to the Post Office for distribution to all householders before August Bank Holiday; and how many copies will be involved?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have been made for distribution of the new Highway Code to all householders between the 22nd July and the 2nd August, which is the Friday preceding Bank Holiday. The first print will be 16½ million copies, of which 13,000,000 will be distributed through the Post Office.

While thanking my right hon. Friend for his reply, may I ask him whether the foreword, written by himself, will be given to us so that we can read it before it is published?

Certainly; I will send it to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Transport what were the casualties in 1934 per 1,000 of private motor cars, of public service vehicles, and of cycles, assuming the latter to be 10,000,000?

The approximate number of persons killed or injured during 1934 in road accidents in Great Britain attributed to private motor cars and to public service vehicles were respectively 66 and 247 per 1,000 vehicles. These figures do not, however, take into account the difference in mileage run by the two classes of vehicles. 61,890 casualties were attributed to pedal cycles, which, on the basis of the assumption in the question, gives 6.2 casualties per 1,000 pedal cycles, but I must not be taken as accepting the hon. Member's estimate of the number of cycles.

Do not the figures show that the accidents caused by cyclists are fewer than those caused by any other type of road vehicle?

I could not accept that statement as an exhaustive conclusion, but surely it is desirable to take every precaution to reduce the number of accidents to cyclists, and, as they are more vulnerable than any other sections of the population, it is preeminently desirable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give for the last convenient period of three months the total number of road accidents, fatal or otherwise, and the number of these ascribed to the fault of the pedestrian and those in which the driver is to blame?

The number of persons reported as having died or been injured during the 13 weeks ended 22nd June, 1935, as the result of road accidents in Great Britain was 55,006, of whom 1,398 lost their lives and 53,608 were injured. This represents a decrease of 18.3 per cent. in the case of those killed and 10.4 per cent. in the case of those injured as compared with the corresponding period of 1934. An analysis of the causes of fatal road accidents for the current year is being prepared.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has decided to make cycle-tracks compulsory on all newly-constructed arterial roads?

No, Sir. Where it appears that the proportion of cyclists to other traffic is likely to be appreciable, I shall use my best endeavours to secure that separate tracks are provided as circumstances permit for the use of cyclists.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered, as an alternative to cycle tracks, constructing special motor tracks?

One arises to some extent out of the other. If cyclists are segregated, motorists are more segregated than at present.

If cycle tracks are provided, is the use of the main road prohibited to cyclists?

No, not yet.

Where cycle tracks are provided, are they being used by cyclists?

By the overwhelming majority. They are most popular.

asked the Minister of Transport what will be the estimated additional cost to the London Passenger Transport Board during the 12 months following 8th August, 1935, occasioned by the withdrawal of the rebate on heavy oils?

I am informed by the London Passenger Transport Board that, on the basis of the number of oil-engined vehicles in the fleet at the present time, the net additional cost to the board during the 12 months following 8th August, 1935, occasioned by the withdrawal of the rebate on heavy oils is estimated to amount to £55,000, after allowing for the reduction in licence duty on heavy oil vehicles from 1st August.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has given any definite ruling as to the rights of a pedestrian in relation to approaching motor cars when once he has actually entered a controlled crossing?

Yes, Sir. The Regulations provide that a driver at or approaching a crossing where traffic is controlled by a police constable or light signals, shall allow free and uninterrupted passage to every pedestrian who started to go over the crossing before the driver received a signal that he might proceed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is yet in a position to make a statement as to the progress that has been made as a result of his representations to the local authorities to de-restrict from the speed limit roads which have been unnecessarily subjected thereto?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 27th June on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Clitheroe (Sir W. Brass) of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the reasons for imposing a charge of £5 upon people who desire to transfer the index mark from their old motor car to their new motor car; and whether he will consider the substitution of a purely nominal sum?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 26th June to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Forfar (Captain Shaw). The reason for the charge is to discourage a practice which, if widely adopted, would undermine the whole system of registration of motor vehicles as provided by the statute.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the urgent need for a by-pass road at Thorne, near Doncaster; that the main thoroughfare is not wide enough for two motor vehicles to pass at one time; and, in view of the enormous increase in road traffic through the town, will he use his influence with the highway authority to expedite the necessary improvement?

I will ascertain whether the West Riding County Council, who are the responsible Highway Authority, propose to include the scheme in the five-year programme of road works which they now have under consideration and communicate the result to the hon. Member.

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the West Riding authority, who already know the facts, that this is one of the worst and most urgent examples in any part of Yorkshire?

I will put myself in communication with the authority.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the grant for historical publications in Scotland amounts to £200 per annum, which sum is insufficient to publish one volume, whereas the grant for England is £2,300; and what steps does he propose to take to get at least the Goschen proportion for Scotland?

The grant referred to is provided on the Register House Vote for the remuneration of outside editors employed part-time in preparing calendars of State papers, largely from records kept in the Public Record Office in London and the British Museum. The cost of printing and publishing these records is additional and is borne on the Stationery Office Vote. The existing grant is sufficient for present purposes. The grant of £2,500 for calendars and historical documents borne on the Public Record Office Vote covers much work which is of interest to Scotland as well as England, and the matter is not, therefore, one to which the Goschen principle can properly be applied.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the sentence of six months' imprisonment passed on eight persons from the Garngad area on Wednesday, 26th June, for alleged perjury; whether he will reduce this sentence; and whether he will specially consider the release forthwith of Mrs. Kelly, who is an expectant mother.

My attention has already been drawn to the sentences imposed on the eight persons referred to who were convicted of perjury. Inquiries which are being made into the cases have not yet been completed. Arrangements will be made to remove Mrs. Kelly to a hospital outside the prison before her confinement.

While inquiries are being made, can not the right hon. Gentleman see that this woman, who is due to give birth to a child in five weeks, is released, and does he think justice has not been satisfied already and that the woman can be restored to her home?

The case of Mrs. Kelly can be treated exceptionally because of the exceptional circumstances, and arrangements will be made to remove her to outside accommodation before her confinement.

That is not an answer to the question. Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this woman collapsed in the dock and that the future child's life may be impaired by her continuance in prison?

This is a purely medical case, and I shall be guided by those who are responsible for guiding me in such matters.

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that the Glasgow corporation received certain grants of subsidies to build slum-clearance properties in the Glasgow area, and that in certain cases these properties were let as intermediate houses and much higher rents charged than was intended; and whether he will inquire into this matter with a view to seeing that grants are only used for the purpose that they were intended for?

I am not aware that any subsidised slum-clearance houses in Glasgow have been let as is stated by the hon. Member, but if he will furnish me with particulars of the cases he has in mind I shall have inquiry made.

I will furnish the hon. Gentleman with details of the cases I have in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he can state the number of young persons under 16 years of age who were before the Glasgow courts for each year 1930 to 1935, inclusive, charged with theft and housebreaking; and whether he is aware that no legal defence is available for these young persons whose parents are mostly unemployed?

As regards the first part of the question, I would propose, as the reply involves a table of figures, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the second part, Poor's Agents are available for the defence of cases in the Sheriff Court on prior notice to them being given. There are no Poor's Agents attached to the Glasgow Police Courts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that no legal aid is provided in the Sheriff Courts in Glasgow? The other week I was present When scores of boys were being asked to plead, and no legal defence was available. Will the right hon. Gentleman see that notice is given on the summons where legal advice can be given?

I am given to understand that legal advice is always forthcoming for poor persons. If the hon. Member has any specific case where he knows of such advice not being forthcoming, I will immediately look into it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House how recently such a procedure has been adopted in the sheriff court, when two months ago the conditions applying to these people were those mentioned in the question?

I can only speak from information received. I will naturally look into the matter in view of the supplementary questions which have been put to me, but I am assured that proper arrangements are available for the defence of cases in the sheriff court. However, I will make inquiries.

If these arrangements are not available in the court when poor people are summoned in respect of offences which their children have committed, they do not know how legal aid can be obtained; will the right hon. Gentleman see to it that some method is adopted when issuing the summonses so that the information may be given?

I will see what can be done under the existing facilities.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware that at Crosshill and elsewhere in Fife, where the Department of Agriculture for Scotland have provided plots for cultivation by unemployed persons, the plot-holders are suffering serious inconvenience and hardship by reason of the lack of communal huts where they could store their tools and obtain shelter in bad weather; and whether he will take steps to secure that communal huts at these places are provided by the Department?

The sums available for plotholders' schemes would not permit of the general provision of huts in addition to the other expenses of the schemes. Plotholders elsewhere have provided tool stores without assistance, or in some cases with assistance received from voluntary sources. If my hon. Friend will send me details of any particular case he has in mind I will have the matter inquired into.