asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) why the League meeting to discuss an oil embargo was postponed; when it will be held; and whether any attempt has been made to get the opinion of Russia, Holland and Turkey on the matter as well as the view of the French Government.(2) whether he will take steps to stop the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, in which His Majesty's Government hold the majority of shares, from supplying oil to the Italian Government?

, asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will define the attitude of His Majesty's Government on the subject of the proposed embargo on the export of oil and coal to Italy?

I hope to have an opportunity during the coarse of the Debate this afternoon to make a statement on the subject of the Committee of Eighteen's proposal for an embargo on supplies of oil to Italy. I hope, therefore, that the right hon. Gentleman and the hon. Lady will be so good as to await that statement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what export licences for munitions of war have been granted during the last two months to Abyssinia?

In the two months ended 30th November three licences were issued for the export of war material to Abyssinia. The goods covered by the three licences comprised 480 military swords, 30 ceremonial swords and 2,000,000 rounds of 7.92 m.m. ammunition respectively.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he can state the number of barrels of oil that have been sold to Italy by the Anglo-Iranian Company, Limited, during the months of August, September, and October, to the nearest available date?

Official figures are not available, but the quantity of oil sold by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company themselves in Italy is very small. Some oil sold by them to other companies is sent to Italy. I understand, however, that the total shipments of Iranian oil to Italy during the period mentioned in the question were very substantially less in 1935 than during the corresponding months of 1934.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps the Government propose to take to protect British commercial interests in China in face of the continuing exploitation of that country by Japan with the aid of armed forces?

Both the Japanese and Chinese Governments are fully aware of the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the protection of British interests in China. The situation there, and particularly in North China, is of course being closely watched by His Majesty's Ambassador, but at the moment it does not appear to call for any special steps for the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the present situation in Northern China?

I hope I may have an opportunity in the course of this afternoon's Debate of making a statement which will be fuller than anything I could say in answer to a question. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to wait for it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any report from Sir Frederick Leith-Ross on the situation in China, in particular on the strength or otherwise of the autonomy movement there; and, if so, whether he can make any statement?

Sir F. Leith-Ross has sent a number of reports on the events in China, including the autonomy movement, in their bearing on the financial situation. There is so much that is hypothetical in the situation that I am not in a position to make any statement upon it from this point of view.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps have been taken to protect British interests in the states of Hopei and Chahar, in North China, in view of the developments in those two provinces?

I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the answer which I returned to-day to a somewhat similar question asked by my hon. Friend the Member for Salford, South (Mr. Stourton).

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make in respect of the revision of the Tangier convention?

The period for giving notice of revision of the Tangier Statute expired on 14th November. No contracting party has given notice of revision, and the Statute will therefore be renewed automatically for a further period of 12 years from 14th May, 1936. Inquiries undertaken by His Majesty's Government earlier in the year had shown that there was no unanimity among the interested Powers regarding revision, and in view of the existing international situation it was clear that a conference to revise the Statute could not usefully be summoned. This will not prevent His Majesty's Government from pursuing the question of certain desirable reforms which it may be possible to introduce without undertaking the revision of the Statute.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement as to the present political situation in Egypt?

I hope to have an opportunity later in the course of the Debate this afternoon to deal with certain questions of foreign policy. In that event I will deal with Egyptian affairs. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to await my remarks on that occasion.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding Captain Kane's release?

I am informed by His Majesty's Ambassador at Madrid that Captain Kane will be released on 16th December, when he will have completed the sentence of six months' imprisonment decided upon by the Supreme Court at Madrid. After consultation with His Majesty's Ambassador I have been compelled to conclude that the sentence of the Supreme Court must be regarded as final and that there was no possibility of inducing the authorities to grant a pardon.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present position with regard to the case of Mr. Lenox-Simpson and his claim for compensation?

A claim for compensation in respect of this case was lodged with the Manchurian authorities in November, 1934, but was rejected by them. After consultation with Mr. Lenox-Simpson a claim was again presented in August last. The Manchurian authorities, however, persist in refusing to entertain the claim, and I have to my regret been forced to the conclusion that any attempt to take further steps in the matter would be of no avail.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can give any indication of the date upon which the report of the committee of inquiry into the milk marketing schemes may be expected; and if, pending the publication of the report, he can give an assurance that the concessions made last year to producers in the Scottish milk marketing area will be continued?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the concessions made last winter to producers of milk for liquid consumption in the area of the Scottish milk marketing scheme will be continued until the scheme is amended?

The report of the Reorganisation Commission for Milk for Great Britain is not expected to be available for some months yet. The Committee of Investigation for Scotland are at present at my direction considering the question of the continuance of the adjustments made in the Scottish Milk Marketing Scheme for the year 1935. I hope to receive the Committee's report within a few days.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any steps are being taken to encourage new industries or extensions of existing industrial concerns to open their factories in Preston and other similar suitable centres in Lancashire instead of around London?

I have no doubt that the Lancashire Industrial Development Council, which is the appropriate organisation, is taking all possible measures to encourage the establishment of new industrial undertakings in Lancashire.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what value of goods, classified as wholly or mainly manufactured, exclusive of non-ferrous metals, oils, fats, resins, and chemicals, was imported into this country from foreign sources during the first 10 months of 1935; and whether he can state what proportion of these goods could not be manufactured in this country?

During the 10 months ended October, 1935, the total declared value of United Kingdom imports of goods classified in the trade returns as wholly or mainly manufactured, excluding non-ferrous metals and manufactures thereof, oils, fats and resins and chemicals, drugs, dyes and colours, consigned from foreign countries was £78,400,000. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the scrap and rebuild programme, he can state the number of ships which hitherto have been scrapped, the number of them which are being rebuilt, and the towns at which they are being rebuilt?

Forty-five vessels, aggregating approximately 196,000 tons gross, have been nominated for demolition, four of which have so far been reported as broken up. A further 78,000 tons gross of old shipping has still to be nominated by applicants to complete approved building proposals under the scheme. These proposals cover the building of 36 vessels, totalling approximately 137,000 tons gross at an estimated cost of £2,640,000. Orders for 24 vessels have been placed with shipbuilders and most of these are now under construction. They are being built, or are to be built, at the following places:—Two at Newcastle-on-Tyne, one at Wallsend-on-Tyne, two at Haverton Hill-on-Tees, 11 at Sunderland, one at West Hartlepool and four at Goole. The remaining three vessels are to be built at Glasgow.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there have been any prosecutions for profiteering in retail food prices or for selling foodstuffs underweight, respectively?

Retail food prices are not subject to statutory control and the question of prosecutions in regard to such prices does not therefore arise. As regards the second part of the question, 609 prosecutions under the Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, were reported to the Board of Trade in the Annual Reports for 1934 of the Inspectors of the Local Authorities who administer the Act. Some of these prosecutions related to offences other than short weight.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received any request for an inquiry being held into the loss of the the motor-ship "Joseph Medill," which sailed from Newcastle-on-Tyne on 10th August; and whether he can state if this ship was provided with wireless and, if not, what reason is given for permitting her to sail without the provision of wireless equipment?

Representations have been received on this subject and the circumstances attending the loss of the "Joseph Medill" are being investigated. The ship was built for employment on the Great Lakes and was to be entered upon the Canadian Register. Accordingly, His Majesty's Government in Canada are being consulted as to the holding of a formal investigation. The vessel was not equipped with a wireless installation. Exemption was granted in accordance with the provision of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, that a cargo ship not normally engaged on international voyages but which, in exceptional circumstances, was required to undertake a single voyage of that kind, could be exempted.

asked the Minister of Health what progress is being made by rural authorities in providing the water supplies still needed in many areas?

In rural areas generally good progress is being made. State grants totalling £800,000 have been provisionally allocated for schemes for 1,660 parishes involving an estimated capital cost of nearly £5,000,000. In addition, since the 1st April, 1934, loans to the amount of £1,170,000 have been sanctioned for schemes for 400 parishes proceeding without grant from Central funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can make a, statement with regard to the progress made by local authorities in carrying out the survey of conditions of overcrowding under the Housing Act, 1935?

I have fixed the 1st April, 1936, as the date by which the survey should be completed, and I have every reason to believe that local authorities generally will complete the task in the allotted time. In most areas the survey has already started or will be commenced at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport what instructions are given to examiners for driving tests with regard to the number of candidates for licences to be passed every week; and whether any limit is put to the number who may be passed?

The instructions given are those of the statutory regulations, which provide that a candidate shall be passed if he shows himself competent to drive without danger to and with due consideration for other users of the road. Needless to say I have given no instructions as to the numbers to be passed or failed.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the proportion of failures in the driving tests set by the examiners of the Ministry of Transport?

Up to and including 30th November, 166,855 persons have been examined, of whom 24,803 failed to satisfy the examiner

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to bring holders of C licences into the same legal position as holders of A and B licences with regard to the payment of wages and observance of standard conditions, in view of the unsatisfactory conditions of employment existing at the present time among certain holders of C licences?

Parliament as recently as 1933 reached a decision in this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the delay in the building of the Carmarthen bridge; if he knows that the present temporary bridge causes serious inconvenience to road transport; what steps he proposes to take to see that the bridge is erected forthwith; and will he say what are the causes of the present delay?

I understand from the Highway Authority that the construction of the new bridge will be put in hand as soon as the necessary land and easements can be acquired.

Standing Orders provide that no railway shall be authorised to be made across any public carriage road on the level unless the Committee on the Bill, after considering a report from some officer of the Ministry of Transport, shall recommend such crossing, stating the reasons and facts upon which their opinion is founded, and my Department discourage, so far as is practicable, the creation of crossings over railways.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue for the information of the House a comprehensive list of the road works already approved by the Minister of Transport under the five-year plan for road development, showing in each case the total estimated cost, the amount of the Road Fund grant, and the amount to be provided by the highway authority?

Approximately 3,500 schemes are already approved for commencement during this year alone, and my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate the magnitude of the compilation which he requires. As plans are naturally varied from time to time, such a list would require constant revision, but as regards any schemes or area in which my hon. and gallant Friend is interested, I shall readily make available to him any information which he may desire.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to make any statement regarding the proposed road bridges over the Forth and the Tay?

Not at present. The recent proposals and the representations which have been made to me are receiving examination.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the anxiety which has been caused to horse-breeding interests and users of horse transport by his recent statement with regard to the elimination of horse transport in London, he can now state whether he is prepared to change his policy in this direction and to permit any transition in this respect to take place naturally and as determined by economic considerations?

I have never, so far as I am aware, said that I propose to eliminate the horse in London. I have, however, recently made inquiries of the largest users of horse-drawn vehicles in Central London as to the rate of progress which might be expected or would be practicable in the substitution of mechanical for horse-drawn traffic, and I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that I shall give the closest consideration to any representations I receive from those affected. I take the view that the presence during the daytime of slow-moving horse-drawn traffic on some of the more important streets in London slows down other and faster moving traffic and adds to congestion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that on 24th June last a bridge and a portion of the road on the public highway between Lennoxtown and Fintry, Stirlingshire, was washed away by a river flooding; and whether, in view of the dislocation of traffic which has since occurred, he can take any steps to expedite the necessary repair works?

I have made a grant from the Road Fund to the Stirling County Council of 50 per cent. of the cost, estimated at £1,600, of constructing a new bridge. I understand that the works are now in hand.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been drawn to the congestion in London traffic due to the single exits at many of the park gates, and whether he intends to take any action?

I am aware of the conditions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and I am conferring with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport and the local authorities concerned with a view to considering what is the best solution of the various problems which have arisen.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India if he will state the number of persons in Indian prisons who have been held without trial under special ordinances for more than three years, over one year, and more than six months, respectively?

There are at present 27 persons detained without trial in prisons in India under the State Regulations. Of these, 16 have been in prison for over three years, nine for over one year but for less than three years and two for over six months but for less than one year. In addition there are about 1,550 terrorist suspects detained in jails and detention camps under the Bengal, Assam and Burma Criminal Law Amendment Acts, 1930, but I am unable to state the period of detention in each case.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what facilities are given to the troops in India for listening to British and other broadcasting; and whether the Empire programme takes into account their requirements?

My Noble Friend is making inquiries from the Government of India regarding the first part of the question; the second part is a matter for the British Broadcasting Corporation.

asked the Secretary of State for War what were the reasons for the transfer of the Royal Artillery Brigade stationed at Brighton from St. Martin's to St. Peter's church?

The change to the Parish Church took place two years ago, and was made on grounds of convenience.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of money that has been spent on the Singapore naval base to the nearest available date and the anticipated amount yet to be expended before the work is completed?

The amount expended under Navy Votes on the construction and equipment of the naval base to 31st October, 1935, is £5,113,800, and the estimated amount remaining to be spent is £3,579,200. These figures do not include the cost of the Floating Dock (£971,000).

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can state the amount to date which the British Broadcasting Corporation has foregone out of their total revenue from wireless licence revenue; and which public funds have benefited following the recommendations of the May Committee on national expenditure?

The amount which the British Broadcasting Corporation has foregone voluntarily is £637,500. This sum has been retained by the Exchequer as part of the National Revenue.

asked the Postmaster-General when he intends to publish the report of the Commission set up to investigate broadcasting and its future?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report of the Broadcasting Committee and is therefore not in a position to say when it will be published.

asked the Postmaster-General how many telephone party-lines still exist in the rural districts of this country; whether they are being gradually replaced by the automatic system; and by what date he expects this process to be complete?

At the 31st October, 1935, there were 918 Rural Party Line circuits. The conversion of an exchange to automatic working generally involves the cessation of any Rural Party Lines connected with it, the subscribers being offered exclusive service at the appropriate charges. The programme of conversion to automatic working is expected to take five or six years.

asked the Secretary for Mines what steps he proposes to take to expedite the ratification of the Geneva convention on working hours in coal mines?

His Majesty's Government's readiness to ratify this Convention at the same time as the other six countries named in the text has already been announced. I am afraid that I cannot add anything further at present.

asked the Secretary for Mines whether he is aware that the price of coal in Glasgow and district has been raised during the past three months by 6s. 6d. per ton; whether he can give any information which justifies such an increase; and, if not, whether the Government are proposing to take action to prevent such an increase and to have prices reduced to the consumer?

I am informed that, generally speaking, retail house coal prices in Glasgow have been increased by the amount stated. I understand that these increases correspond with increases in pit-head prices.

asked the Secretary for Mines, whether he can now make a statement on the Government's intentions in the mining dispute?

This is a dispute between the two sides in the industry, and it is clearly desirable that a solution should be found by mutual agreement, if possible. In the hope of bringing this about, I have had meetings with both sides, and further meetings are imminent. In the circumstances, I feel sure that the hon. Member will not expect me to say more at the moment.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has now been taken with regard to the second appointed day under Part II of the Unemployment Act, 1934?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to publish the Report of the Unemployment Assistance Board on the working of the need test regulations?

It is not yet possible to say precisely what documents will be laid before the House but it will be my right hon. Friend's object in due course to supply hon. Members with all relevant information regarding the working of the present arrangements.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that two armed bands of Arabs have been murdering English and Jewish police in Palestine; and will he call for an inquiry as to how they got their rifles and how far other similar Arabs have been able to obtain arms?

The question no doubt refers to the gang of Arab bandits rounded up by the police at Jenin on the 20th November. I regret to say that in the encounter Constable R. C. V. Mott, a gallant member of the British section of the police, was killed. I have not yet received from the High Commissioner confirmation of a Press report that this gang was also connected with the recent murder of a Jewish sergeant of police. The Palestine authorities are fully alive to the importance of following up every evidence of the illicit traffic in arms by any section of the community, and I feel sure that there is no need for me to suggest any special inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it is the settled policy of his Department that, as has been the case in certain recent contracts for supplies, delivery may be specified to be made by one particular form of transport?

I am not clear as to the cases my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind. Perhaps he would let me have fuller information.