asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the destroyer flotilla of the 1935 programme will be laid down?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, orders have now been placed for the flotilla leader and eight destroyers of the 1935 programme, and they will be laid down during the course of the next few months. In addition, it is proposed to order a further flotilla of seven vessels later in the financial year, after a Supplementary Estimate has been presented. As explained in the White Paper, a Supplementary Navy Estimate will be presented to Parliament at a later date to deal with the excess on Navy Vote A, and the additional expenditure resulting from certain special measures which have been found necessary. Provision will be made in this Supplementary Estimate for the further flotilla and also for some small vessels which have recently been ordered for the Royal Navy as additions to the 1935 programme.

Do I understand that the Admiralty are going to order, in the current financial year, seven additional destroyers which have never yet been included in the Estimates?

That is our proposed course of action, and we are going to submit a Supplementary Estimate to the House.

Will the Noble Lord tell the House whether it is the intention of the authorities to make provision for dual firing in these ships?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty how many capital ships, super-battleships, of post-war design have been built up to date; and what proportion of those built belong to the British Navy?

Only two capital ships of post-war design have been completed, both of which belong to the Royal Navy. In addition, there are eight building or projected, all of which belong to foreign Powers. This does not include the three completed "Deutschlands" of the German Navy. One capital ship of the Royal Navy and eight of foreign navies were not completed until after the War, but are of war design.

In view of the misrepresentations which have been made in broadcast speeches by Members of the Government, will the Noble Lord be good enough to draw their particular attention to the reply he has given to-day?

The misrepresentations were on the other side.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what is the comparative cruiser strength of the first six naval Powers of the world, and the respective number of cruisers now being built by those Powers?

I would call the attention of the hon. Member to the Command Paper "Fleets" which is being issued to-morrow morning, and in which he will find the full information he requires.

Is not the cruiser strength of the British Navy still far ahead of that of any other naval Power in the world?

The hon. Member will be able to satisfy himself on that point when he reads the return.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can make any statement regarding the inquiries into acts of sabotage to British warships in Devonport dockyard?

Two cases of attempted sabotage have occurred this year in His Majesty's ships in dockyard hands at Devonport, namely in the submarine "Oberon" and in His Majesty's ship "Royal Oak." Inquiries into these cases are proceeding, and I am unable to make any further statement at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, the number of civilians employed at Gibraltar by the Admiralty in October, 1933, 1934, and 1935?

The numbers of civil staff employed in the naval establishments at Gibraltar on 1st October, 1933, 1934 and 1935, were 1,387, 1,495 and 1,527 respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of ships in the Royal Navy and in the navy of the United States of America which carry one or more aircraft as part of their normal complement?

28 catapult ships and five aircraft carriers of the Royal Navy are fitted to carry aircraft. The corresponding number in the United States Navy is 45.

Does that mean that the American Navy Department attaches greater importance to the use of aircraft in connection with naval warfare than we do?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a scheme has yet been evolved for raising the necessary funds for the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem; and whether he is satisfied that the delay in carrying out the necessary repairs will not endanger this historic structure.

The expert's report on the repairs which are necessary in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre will be published in the course of the next few days. His recommendations and the means of raising the necessary funds will then be considered by the Palestine Government, as soon as possible, in consultation with representatives of the religious bodies concerned. Meanwhile, certain temporary measures have been carried out by the Government, but it is doubtful whether these will be effective for more than a few months longer, and it is realised that the matter is therefore urgent.

Will there be control in some way so as to prevent religious riots, which have a bad effect on the community?

Consideration will be given to the prevention of riots, and especially to Christian people quarrelling among themselves.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea Low many religious bodies are concerned in this matter of the Holy Sepulchre?

I do not know the number, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the present approximate proportion of the school population of Palestine educated in British or British-controlled schools; and whether he proposes to take any steps in the near future to improve the situation so far as availability of English education in that mandated territory is concerned?

The High Commissioner in Council is empowered to regulate the instruction given at all "public schools" and "assisted schools" in Palestine, other than religious instruction at "assisted schools." Special attention is being paid to the teaching of English in all schools maintained by Government, where it can appropriately be taught, and additional measures for its extension are under active consideration. The education in all schools maintained by Government and in a considerable number of other schools is on English lines adapted, where necessary, to local conditions. According to the latest statistics 58 per cent. of the total school population is educated at "public schools." Separate figures for "assisted" and other schools are not available.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to how many British teachers there are in Palestine who can teach English to the natives?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the total estimated expenditure of completing the new trunk road between Jaffa and Haifa; what mileage is now complete; what is the present number of workers employed on the undertaking; and what is the approximate present monthly rate of expenditure on the work?

The estimated cost of completing the road is £250,000 excluding the cost of any land, buildings or crops that might have to be expropriated for the purpose. Eighteen miles are now complete. No work is actually in progress at the moment, but construction will be resumed shortly on a further section of the road, giving employment to 150 men for about three months, and involving a monthly expenditure of about £1,500.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any reason for the delay in the completion of this work?

I am inquiring as to the reason, but I assume that it is climatic.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the protests of the Jewish agency against the restriction of medical licences in Palestine to persons who are naturalised and the fact that a number of Jewish doctors of German nationality are anxious to set up practice in Palestine, he will state the reason for the promulgation of the ordinance restricting medical licences in this manner?

The Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Ordinance, 1935, places no restriction on the number of licences to practise medicine which may be granted to Palestinian citizens by birth or persons who became Palestinian citizens or received permission to remain permanently in Palestine on or before 1st December, 1935. The quota restriction imposed by the Ordinance affects only persons who became Palestinian citizens or received permission to remain permanently in Palestine after that date. Further, persons who will be employed solely in the practice of medicine in or on behalf of any recognised medical or scientific institution will be exempt from the quota. The reason for the enactment of this Ordinance was that, in view of the great influx of medical practitioners in recent years, the profession was becoming overcrowded, a situation which bad given rise to abuses, and had seriously affected the livelihood of established and reputable practitioners.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the established recognised medical practitioners did not ask for this Ordinance, and that it affects merely the unfortunate refugees from Germany?

I am aware of the fact that there were a certain number of medical practitioners in Palestine, that owing to the unfortunate circumstances in Germany there was a large influx of others, and that those engaged in the medical profession asked for some protection for their position—

Not a single one.

and what I have read to the House indicates that steps were taken on their request.

On a point of Order. May I ask through you, Mr. Speaker, whether the right hon. Gentleman will cultivate the art of brevity?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the second half-yearly immigration schedule for Palestine was issued; why the delay occurred in the issuing of the certificates; and whether, in order to avoid uncertainty and dislocation, such delays will in future be avoided?

The schedule for the half-year ending 31st March, 1936, has not yet been determined, but an advance of 1,000 certificates was issued at the beginning of November. The proposals of the Jewish Agency for this schedule were unavoidably delayed and were only submitted by them on 6th December; these are now receiving consideration by the High Commissioner.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, in view of the recent substantial increase in British exports to Palestine, steps are being taken to provide the same encouragement for British firms to participate in the Levant Fair of 1936 at Tel-Aviv as was given when the fair was last held in 1934; and whether he has any information to show that the number of exhibitors on this occasion is likely to be greater.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department how the assistance being given to British firms in connection with the forthcoming Levant Fair at Tel-Aviv, in the mandated territory of Palestine, compares with the assistance recently given in a similar connection with regard to the fair at Brussels?

The Department of Overseas Trade is most anxious to encourage participation by British firms in next year's fair at Tel-Aviv, and arrangements have already been made to instal an official information bureau, as in 1934, and to make suitable references to the fair in the Board of Trade Journal. I have no information at present as to whether the number of exhibitors in the fair of 1936 is likely to exceed the number in 1934. I should explain that the Brussels Exhibition held this year was a universal international exhibition of six months duration, whereas the Tel-Aviv Fair is a trade fair held biennially and for a period of one month. No comparison of the expenditure by the Department of Overseas Trade in these two cases would in these circumstances be of real value.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman be prepared to advise His Majesty's Government to make any special grant in order to encourage an increase of British exhibitors at this important fair?

No, Sir; not more than we are doing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information regarding the committee which has been set up in Kenya Colony to inquire into the possibility of establishing a livestock or meat industries control board; and whether this board will be concerned solely with European farmers' production or whether any steps will be taken to extend help to native producers also?

I have no information about this committee beyond the names of its members and its terms of reference, particulars of which I am sending to the hon. Member; but I have no reason to doubt that the committee will take into consideration the production of livestock and meat by natives as well as by European farmers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an undertaking that His Majesty's Government do not in any circumstances propose to hand over Cyprus to Greece now that the Royal house has been restored?

Certainly, Sir. His Majesty's Government have no intention of handing over Cyprus to any foreign Power.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement with regard to the situation in Cyprus; whether any works are being or have been carried out on the island with a view to equipping it as a naval or air base; whether he is aware that the recent return of the King of the Hellenes to Greece has given rise to the belief that the rendition of Cyprus to Greece is pending; and what means, if any, are proposed to ascertain the wishes of the people of Cyprus with regard to any change in their constitutional position?

The general situation in Cyprus remains satisfactory. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative: and with regard to the unfounded rumours alluded to in the third part I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I have just given to the right hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood). With regard to the last part of the question, no changes in the constitutional position are at present in contemplation.

In the answer that the right hon. Gentleman made to Question No. 25 he made a statement that the Government had no intention of handing over Cyprus to a foreign Power, but I understand that British foreign policy—

The hon. Member must ask a question, and not make a statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British foreign policy is behind the return of the King of Greece and that Greece is becoming the puppet State of Britain in the Mediterranean, and that therefore his answer to Question No. 25 is doubtful?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he accepts responsibility for the new Ordinance No. 20, 1935, Seychelles Colony, which makes it impossible for a free Press to exist and which obliges all newspapers to publish free of charge all official communications of any kind insisted upon by the Governor immediately upon issue and places all newspapers under other onerous obligations?

This ordinance was introduced by the Governor with the prior knowledge and approval of my predecessor, and its provisions are based on those of similar legislation in other colonies. It was passed unanimously by the Legislative Council. The ordinance is intended to ensure that newspapers are published by responsible and substantial persons, that they may be suppressed by process of law on conviction of serious offences, and that the Government has the power to secure effective contradiction of misrepresentations when it is considered necessary in the public interest.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that one of these newspapers has already had to close down, that others are considering the need to do the same, and what chance on earth is there for a free Press in this colony?

I do not know any of the details, but if the hon. Member will give me information I will inquire. I am sure he, like other Members of the House, would like to see a number of things that call themselves the Press, suppressed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Legislative Council which passed this ordinance has an official majority?

I am not sure, but I will certainly inquire.

Will the right hon. Gentleman recommend to his colleagues in the Cabinet a similar ordinance to be applied in this country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many inspectors are there in Tanganyika whose duty it is to supervise the wages and the provision of adequate food for native labourers and the recruitment of labourers; and whether such duties are being adequately carried out?

The constant supervision of labour conditions is among the normal duties carried out by the 160 officers engaged in the district administration of Tanganyika. Four administrative officers are seconded for whole-time employment on labour duties, while one permanent appointment of labour officer has been made and others are contemplated. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is it not the fact that there are a growing number of complaints about the inadequacy of the food and the shockingly low wages paid to a large proportion of those labourers at the present time; and in view of that does the right hon. Gentleman think that there are really enough inspectors to ensure that these somewhat helpless people shall get their rights?

I am inquiring into that aspect of the question.

Is it not true that under British administration the natives of Tanganyika are much better nourished than they were under any previous administration?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many native labourers are engaged in wage-earning occupations in Tanganyika for the last full year for which figures are available; and how many have been secured by recruitment?

It is estimated that in 1934 approximately 250,000 natives were employed as wage earners in Tanganyika of whom about 5 per cent. were recruited.

asked the Secretary of State for the Coloines whether he intends to re-establish the labour department in Tanganyika?

I propose to defer consideration of this matter until I have received the observations of the Tanganyika Government on the communication to which I referred at the end of the reply which I gave just now to the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the principle of exchanging higher-grade officials in the British Civil Service and in the Colonial Service is actually in operation; and how many such changes have been made in the last two years?

A system of interchange between the Colonial Office and the Colonial Service has been in operation for some years. Since 1st January, 1934, five administrative officers have been appointed on secondment from the Colonial Service to the Colonial Office, usually for a term of two years, and three members of the administrative staff of the Colonial Office have been similarly seconded for service under Colonial Governments, in addition to officers sent abroad on special missions.

Is there any intention to extend this principle?

I think it is a good principle to exchange people. They get the benefit of experience on both sides.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the area of the British Colonies in the continent of Africa; and what proportion is this of the whole continent?

The area of British Colonial Dependencies in Africa (including Protectorates and Territories held by His Majesty's Government under Mandate and the South African High Commission Territories) is approximately 1,876,131 square miles, or about 16 per cent of the total area of Africa.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has ascertained that his assumption on Monday night that the whole of Africa was in the British Empire is inaccurate?

No. That was not necessary, for the reason that my assumption was based on the statement that Africa was not part of the British Empire.

May I put it to the right hon. Gentleman—

This seems to be developing into a debate.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air particulars of the number of aerodromes built or reconstructed in England during 1933 and 1934, and the number and particulars of those at present in construction; and whether any protests have been raised by the residents in the immediate vicinity of the sites of proposed aerodromes?

On the assumption that the hon. Member refers to Royal Air Force aerodromes, 41 such aerodromes have been under construction or reconstruction in the current financial year, including 11 sites where the work was begun before 1st April last. As regards 1933 and 1934, the hon. Member will find particulars in Air Estimates for those years under Vote 4.B—Part I. There have been protests in some cases, but local opinion appears to vary widely.

Are protests generally made because some aerodromes are built on good arable land when there is other land in the neighbourhood?

You cannot have a large Air Force if you do not have aerodromes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to the price paid per acre?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of persons who presented themselves for recruitment into the Royal Air Force for the year 1934, and the number rejected upon medical grounds or other causes?

During the year ended 31st March, 1935, 16,389 definite applications for enlistment into the Royal Air Force were received; 7,085 of these applicants were medically examined, 2,786 were found medically fit and 2,347 were attested.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many of the squadrons of the home defence section of the Royal Air Force are bombing squadrons; and how many other squadrons there are in this section?

Thirty-three of the 61 squadrons stationed at home are bombing squadrons.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when it is hoped to introduce amending legislation to the Air Navigation Act, 1921, and to implement the accepted recommendations of the Gorell Committee on Private Flying and any other matters?

I hope to introduce this Bill either immediately before or immediately after the Christmas Recess.

If a Bill is to be introduced after Christmas, will it be in the hands of Members before we adjourn?

I will let the hon. and gallant Member know.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will incorporate in the new scheme for subsidising Imperial Airways some pro- vision to surcharge, in favour of the State, any capital appreciation of that company's shares which results from the State subsidy?

While I am not in favour of a provision in the form suggested by the hon. Member, I can assure him that agreements with the company will include adequate safeguards against the possibility of subsidies resulting in excessive profits.

Has the right hon. Gentleman kept in mind that the shares of this company have appreciated more than ten-fold in the last few years, and that the only dividend basis for the capital appreciation is represented by the State subsidy? If so, will he give honest consideration to a scheme which I am prepared to submit to him to tap this capital appreciation?

I shall be glad to consider any scheme.

Honestly, I said.

Does the right hon. Member suggest that he proposes to take steps to carry out what he said in his original answer?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has received any inquiries or applications other than from Imperial Airways, Limited, and associated companies for permission or for assistance to operate a trans-Atlantic air service; and what reply he has given?

Some preliminary inquiries have been received in regard to a suggested North Atlantic service. Facilities for visiting Croydon, which the company making the inquiries in question requested in connection with the preparation of estimates of cost, were arranged last September. No detailed proposals have been furnished.

May we understand that the proposals of this company and of any other company other than Imperial Airways will be given the most sympathetic consideration by my right hon. Friend?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the speed limit restrictions in the city of Birmingham; whether he is aware that the whole of the city has been restricted, that many miles of roads so restricted have no street lamps, have no houses on either side of the road, and that even new arterial roads with double carriage ways are included in the restriction limit; and what steps he is taking to have these restrictions removed?

I caused a local inquiry to be held into this matter, and, having received the report, shall give my decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the restrictions on the main road north from Newcastle-under-Lyme; whether he is aware that for 14 miles, starting before Trentham and a considerable distance beyond Newcastle-under-Lyme, this road is restricted under the 30-mile limit; that long stretches of this road have no street lamps and no houses on either side; and what steps he is taking to have these restrictions removed, in view of the inconvenience caused?

The exact limits of the road which my hon. Friend has in mind are not clear as Trentham is south of Newcastle.-under-Lyme, but in any event I understand that the Corporation of Newcastle-under-Lyme will make an Order derestricting a section of the road.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a decision has now been arrived at by the Government to finally abandon the proposed scheme of traffic improvements at the Elephant and Castle?

The London County Council abandoned the scheme in 1933 in agreement with my predecessor. I am prepared to review the scheme again.

asked the Minister of Transport the progress made by railway companies concerned in their investigation of the question of electrifying the railways of South Lancashire and the West Riding of Yorkshire?

The railway companies concerned have informed me that they are examining the case for electrifying certain lines in the areas referred to, but that their inquiries have not yet reached a stage where a definite decision can be taken.

When is a decision likely to be received?

That question could be more appropriately addressed to the railway companies. I shall always be ready to convey any representations.

Are these schemes of electrification in addition to the work to be done under the £26,000,000 loan scheme for the railway companies?

They would be if they were undertaken.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to speed up this electrification in view of the fact that it takes three or four times as long to get from Leeds and Bradford to the West Coast of Lancashire a it does to get to London and the South Coast?

If the hon. Member has any proposals to make, I shall be glad to lay them before the proper quarters.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now any further information to give in respect to the electrification of the Liverpool Street to Chingford suburban line service; and whether such a scheme is likely to be proceeded with at an early date?

I have been informed by the London and North Eastern Railway Company that as the programme of improvements in passenger transport facilities in the London area, announced last June, is already very extensive and involves as great a burden of expenditure as can be undertaken at present, it would be impracticable to enlarge the schemes so as to include the electrification of the line between Liverpool Street and Chingford. The company have assured me, however, that the situation will receive further consideration when the developments at present in hand have made further progress and have become self-supporting.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the line referred to the congestion is almost ten times as great as on some of the other lines where the most alterations are being made?

I was not aware of that fact, but the congestion is being relieved by the programme already announced, and I hope that it will be followed by other schemes.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the proposed alterations and new construction do not touch the congestion in any way on the line referred to in the question?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, now that the Great West Road has been narrowed by the construction of a central division, he will consider laying down cyclist tracks on either side of this road; and whether the section of the Great West Road near Colnbrook, which has been closed to traffic for a long time, will be reopened in the near future?

In answer to the first part of the question, I am discussing with the Middlesex County Council the provision of cycle tracks on the Great West Road in so far as such tracks are practicable. In answer to the second part of the question, the date depends on the result of the experiment now being conducted in a new road surfacing material.

Is the Minister aware that this experiment is to continue over a number of years and that great congestion is due to the fact that this particular section of the road so far has not been reopened?

Yes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the great increase in road accidents, he will consider the introduction of legislation that will compel pedestrians to cross roads only at appointed places or when the roads are clear?

The hon. Member is mistaken in his assumption that there has been a great increase in road accidents. During the 38 weeks ending 30th November, 1935, there was a reduction of 11,090 in the number of persons killed and injured in Great Britain as compared with the corresponding period of last year. The reduction was most marked in the Metropolitan area. While I share his desire that pedestrians should cross the roads only at appointed places where it is possible to provide such places at reasonable intervals, there are difficulties which I cannot ignore in the way of compulsion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that his regulations are being carried out satisfactorily with regard to pedestrian crossings?

I think that there is a great improvement. We have endeavoured to make a contribution towards safety on these roads, and where we could get pedestrian barriers the contribution would be even more secure.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to a fatal accident which occurred on the new East Lancashire road, Liverpool to Manchester, at the end of Peel Lane, Astley, on Thursday, 21st November, when a, motor car struck a cyclist, killing the rider of the bicycle instantly; that the evidence given was to the effect that the motor car was travelling at 55 to 60 miles per hour and the cyclist was entering the East Lancashire road from a cross road; and will the Minister give consideration to having signs or markings put up to denote crossings, so that motor cars will reduce their speed when approaching them?

The coroner in this case stated that he did not agree that danger signs should be erected at this spot and said that people seeking to emerge into such roads as the East Lancashire road should pay attention to the dangers. The highway authority inform me that Peel Lane is a private road and that there is an unrestricted view from it of traffic on the new road. I will, however, pursue the matter further with the appropriate authority in order to determine what action can usefully be taken.

Is the Minister aware that in some parts of the East Coast they are using posts simply with the words "By-road," and that it is an enormous convenience to motorists and other traffic? Can he not see his way to make this system more universal?

The provision of these authorised signs is a matter within the jurisdiction of the appropriate highway authority, but I will do all I can to encourage the erection of proper and authorised signs at suitable places.

Is it true that the right hon. Gentleman has reached the end of his resources?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to lay before the House any report on the causation of road accidents arising out of examination of this subject by the Road Safety Council established by him in the autumn of 1934?

If my hon. and gallant Friend refers to the investigation undertaken by my Department, an interim report was published on 8th August and a full report will be issued after the end of this year.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will issue a statement giving the names of the highway authorities whose schemes for works under the five-year road-development plan of the estimated cost of £27,000,000 are proposed to be begun in the year 1935–36, together with brief particulars of each scheme, and in each case the estimated cost, the amount to be contributed out of the Road Fund, the amount to be provided by the highway authority, and the amount, if any, to be provided by other parties?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 5th December last to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Coventry (Captain Strickland) of which I am sending him a copy.

Is the Minister satisfied with the rate at which these schemes are being sent in?

"Satisfied" is a psychological matter. I am never completely satisfied.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the report of the departmental committee on street lighting; and whether he proposes to put its recommendations into effect?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject on 9th December to the hon. Member for Henley (Sir G. Fox) of which I am sending him a copy.

If local authorities are prepared to carry out the recommendation will the right hon. Gentleman offer any hope of financial assistance out of the Road Fund?

That is a hypothetical question. When the facts are ascertained will be the appropriate time for the Government to give a decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a grant for the purpose of blasting and blocking the narrow sound between the island of Lewis and the smaller island of Bernera in order that Bernera may be linked up by a road with the island of Lewis and bring the amenities of Lewis in touch with the people of Bernera Island by facilitating transport of passengers and goods?

The responsible highway authority ha-, made no application to me for a grant for the suggested new road, and doubtless they recognise that it could not be of sufficient general traffic value to attract a grant from the Road Fund.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the employment figures in the railway industry taken in March and April last were not published till September; and will he state the reason for the delay of five months?

The census of railway staff taken during a week in March involves the collection, checking and compilation of much detailed information from every part of the country. As soon as the return is ready it is published.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the remission of railway passenger duty under the Cheap Trains Act, 1883, is still in operation; and, if so, whether he can state the amount of remission duty paid by the various railway companies for the past three years to the nearest available date?

Railway passenger duty ceased to be chargeable by virtue of the Finance Act, 1929. The railway companies then undertook to expend upon a special programme of works sums based upon the capitalised value of the duties remitted.