asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when Sir Frederick Leith-Ross is expected to terminate his visit to China; and whether he will visit Japan on his way home?

The date of Sir Frederick Leith-Ross' return and his future movements are still undecided.

Has Sir Frederick Leith-Ross made any interim report, as to the results of his visit?

I think that is another question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Sir Alexander Cadogan, His Majesty's Ambassador in China, on taking up his new appointment at the Foreign Office as Deputy Under-Secretary, will have special charge of Far-Eastern affairs?

The duties of Sir Alexander Cadogan when he takes up his appointment as Deputy Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will not be confined to the treatment of Far Eastern questions, but advantage will naturally be taken of the experience which he has gained during the two years which he has spent as His Majesty's Representative in China.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether any supplies of beef for the British Fleet in the Mediterranean are being purchased from Yugoslavia?

No, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what restrictions, if any, are placed on the sale of cigarettes in canteens on ships of the Royal Navy?

The only restrictions on the sale of cigarettes duty free in canteens in His Majesty's ships are that such cigarettes may be sold only to a member of the crew of the ship concerned, and that the sale of large flat packings of cigarettes is not permitted. Duty paid sales are not subject to these restrictions.

Is there any restriction as to the make of cigarettes?

Not that I am aware of.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of unskilled non-tradesmen employés in the Royal Clarence yard, Gosport, Priddy's yard, Gosport, and His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, respectively, who have been retained over the age of 60 years and beyond the 90 days allowed to complete time for bonus during the last two years?

The numbers are: Royal Clarence Yard, Gosport, 2; Royal Naval Armament Depot, Priddy's Yard, Gosport, 20; His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, 52.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what quantity of oil produced from shale is used annually by the Royal Navy; and whether he will do everything possible to encourage the use of shale oil in order to ensure the development of the mines and thus assist employment in this vital industry?

The quantity of oil produced from Scottish shale purchased annually for the Royal Navy amounts to about 50,000 gallons of light products, the exact quantity bring unascertainable because one of the products purchased, namely, petroleum spirit, is refined both from shale oil and imported petroleum in unknown proportions. The existence of a duty of 8d. a gallon on imported petroleum spirit is a direct encouragement to the development of these mines. The Admiralty are giving every possible encouragement.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether one of His Majesty's ships is to convey back to China the loans of the Chinese Government to the recent exhibition of Chinese art?

It has not been possible to arrange for the conveyance of these treasures in one of His Majesty's ships, but I hope that it will be possible for the ship, carrying them to be escorted by His Majesty's ships for most of her voyage.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the low-priced and inferior quality of margarine supplied to the Air Force is of the type to which vitamins A and D have been artificially added or is it of the non-vitamin containing variety?

The margarine supplied to apprentices and boys in the Royal Air Force is vitaminised, but not that supplied to airmen.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the insertion of these vitamins in margarine can actually be performed with success; and does he know that butter contains both these vitamins?

Can my right hon. Friend persuade the Government to take a little of the money from beet sugar and put more vitamins into the fighting Services?

I believe medical authorities consider that vitaminised margarine is equal if not superior to butter—

Do you use it in your own household?

—because the vitamin content of butter varies according to the seasons of the year.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House exactly which quality the Government consume?

Are we to understand from the answer of the right hon. Gentleman that the provision of margarine is not determined by the cost?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the use of margarine instead of butter has a very serious effect upon recruiting?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the experiments conducted by Dr. Cory Mann, on behalf of the British Medical Research Council, which showed that butter promoted growth and development in the case of growing boys, whereas margarine failed in this respect; and will he discontinue to take the risk to the health and physique of the youths and men of the Air Force involved in continuing the use of margarine?

As regards the first part of the question, I am aware of the experiments referred to by the hon. Member. As regards the second part, I have just stated that fully vitaminised margarine is supplied to apprentices and boys.

Will the Under-Secretary tell the House in a single word whether he himself personally approves of the use of margarine rather than butter?

Is margarine being provided instead of butter because of the cost, or because it is superior to butter?

My information is that the use of margarine for the forces was brought in by the Labour Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the importance of maintaining and developing the Scottish shale-oil industry is recognised by his Department; and whether efforts will be made to increase the use of oil produced from shale by the Royal Air Force?

I regret that oil produced from shale is not suitable for Royal Air Force requirements.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give some examples of the operation of the costings control system in regard to Air Force contracts and of limitation of profits thereby effected?

As the House has already been informed, prices have not yet been fixed in the case of the great bulk of orders for aircraft and engines under the expansion scheme, but work is proceeding on a basis of Instructions to Proceed. It is impossible, therefore, to give detailed examples, though I may say that in one of the few cases in which a price has been fixed for a substantial order, a reduction of approximately 16 per cent. on the price previously paid for the same article has been agreed with the firm concerned.

Is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman himself has informed the House that a costing system has been in operation for the last 12 months; and can he give us any information now as to what the result has been?

I have done so in my answer.

Are we to understand that the pledge which was given 12 months ago that there should be a costing system has so far operated only in one case.

As I said in my answer, very few orders have yet been affected by fixing of prices.

Have no aeroplanes been ordered in the last 12 months?

I explained yesterday the procedure which we adopt.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that the stop-watch and time-study methods are satisfactory in the production of aircraft, and are in application consistent with the spirit and terms of the 1910 fair wages resolution of the House of Commons?

The fixing of piecework and premium bonus rates is primarily a matter for settlement between employers and employés. In so far as the application of the fair wages resolution may be in question, no complaint of infringement has been made to the Air Ministry. Should such a complaint be made, it will be investigated.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider that this method of production satisfies the high standard of inspection which the Department demands or secures that airworthiness which is also demanded?

If the hon. Member will give me any case of infringement of the fair wages clause, I will gladly look into it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the War the men at Farnborough refused to work under this system?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that 50 local labourers engaged on construction work at the Manby (Lincs.) aerodrome were discharged on Saturday, 7th March, and their places filled immediately by the engagement of 50 Irish immigrants; and whether such practice is in conformity with the terms and conditions of contracts entered into by his Department for aerodrome construction?

I am informed that the men were discharged because their particular work had come to an end, and that they have not been replaced. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the United States Government supported the Irish Transatlantic Corporation, Limited, in their plans for a North Atlantic air service; that the air experts at their London Embassy assisted this company in the preparation of reports submitted to the Air Ministry and to the Department of Commerce, Washington; and that the United Aircraft Corporation of America prepared an estimate of cost for working a trans-Atlantic service on behalf of this company; and, in view of these facts, why his Department have maintained that the Government of the United States would not recognise the American air terminal being placed on Canadian territory at the nearest practical point to Europe?

As regards the first three parts of the question, I am not in a position to confirm the facts stated. As regards the last part, my hon. Friend appears to be under a misapprehension, and I am not clear what Air Ministry statements he has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the weight of the portion of engine cowling which fell recently from an Imperial Airways machine into Brighton Road, Purley, Surrey?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to a cabin door falling from an aeroplane in Brighton Road, Purley; whether he will state the cause; and what steps he proposes to take to avoid a recurrence?

My information is that the fitting which fell was a wooden sliding-panel, the emergency exit of the pilot's cockpit, weighing about 5½ lb. The company are reviewing the fitting design, and this matter will be carefully watched by the Air Ministry.

Will the right lion. Gentleman make sure that bits of aeroplanes are not dropped all over my constituency?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to a compartment door of a train at Laindon, Essex, being opened before the train had stopped at the station in which more than 30 people standing on the platform were injured; and will he consider asking the railway companies to have doors fitted on steam trains similar to those fitted on electric trains which cannot be opened until the train has stopped at the station platform?

The London Midland and Scottish Railway Company inform me that the adoption of the suggestion contained in the hon. Member's question would involve the replacement of the whole of their stock with new vehicles, and in view of the danger which would exist from automatically locking passengers in on ordinary trains, I am not prepared to press the companies in the direction indicated.

Has the Minister had any reply from any other railway company?

We have had repeated communications with various railway companies, but it was the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company which was involved in the incident described in the question.

If the right hon. Gentleman has had any communication with other railway companies will he say what their replies have been?

I have indicated the attitude of the Ministry of Transport.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any decision has yet been reached as to the re-opening of the part of Old Quebec Street, W., between Bryanston Street and Oxford Street, now used as a storage for motor vehicles, so that both sides of the street may be used for moving traffic between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that Old Quebec Street is a one-way thoroughfare and is used to a large extent by vehicles belonging to persons who are making short calls at neighbouring buildings. The Oxford Street end has not been closed as a public thoroughfare and no question of its reopening accordingly arises. The difficulties of keeping the neighbourhood free from obstruction by standing vehicles have been explained in reply to previous questions. The police have not relaxed and will not relax their efforts to prevent undue congestion.

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the cost of his programme of work in the next five years will be spent on footpaths; whether he is aware that many of the unimproved and unwidened existing roads need footwalks but are without them; and whether he will consider special grants in aid to county councils for providing footwalks along existing roads where they are needed?

The rapidity with which the provision of footpaths is proceeding is indicated by the record of last year, which shows that 1,837 miles of footpaths were provided, equal to the distance from John o' Groats to Land's End and back. Separate estimates of the cost of footpaths included in the works comprising the five-year programme have not been taken out, but I have made it a condition of a grant from the Road Fund that footpaths shall be provided wherever necessary. Expenditure on the provision of footpaths already ranks for grant at the rates appropriate to other works of improvement on the roads concerned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also spend money on footpaths which are not along main roads—footpaths through the country which are used for communication purposes?

Certainly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in drafting regulations on the subject of headlights, he will, with a view to lessening the possibility of accidents, give consideration to the pedestrian; whether he will note that the pedestrian usually gets no relief from the continual glare of head-lights; and wit he draw the attention of motorists to the advisability of dimming and dipping lights when approaching pedestrians?

The proper course of conduct in this matter is so much to be determined by circumstances that I do not think it would be advisable in the interests of safety to go further than paragraph 2 of the Highway Code, which enjoins care and courtesy upon all users of the road.

Has the right hon. Gentleman ever met any of these vehicles with powerful headlights late at night; if so, what does he think about them?

My thoughts will be expressed in the new regulations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will ascertain whether the railway companies will permit a holder of a season ticket to deposit his ticket at the local booking office before proceeding on his annual holiday and to receive it back on returning from his holiday, with the date of expiry of the ticket extended by the number of days spent on holiday?

I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend when I receive a reply from the railway companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the post-and-rail barriers which have been erected recently on the Chelsea Embankment enclosing portions of the carriageway near to Chelsea Old Church and the Albert Bridge; whether he is aware that these barriers cause obstruction to the traffic along the embankment and especially the barrier which partially blocks the access to Cheyne Walk leading to Queen's Road; and can he state the purpose for which they are being maintained and when they will be removed?

The barriers were erected by the local authority in order to induce drivers proceeding eastwards to use the Embankment in preference to Cheyne Walk. I am in com- munication on the matter with the Commissioner of Police and the local authority concerned, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend.

Will the Minister point out to the authority that it does not assist traffic for a roadway to be effectively reduced by one-half?

asked the Minister of Transport the number of cases in which he has offered assistance to bridge works, including the substitution of bridges for level crossings; and will he give the names and amount of grants in all such cases in Lancashire?

So far as bridge works have been separately recorded, grants have been made or promised towards 71 bridge reconstruction schemes in Lancashire during the financial years 1934–35 and 1935–36, particulars of which I am sending to my hon. Friend. This total is not exhaustive because many bridge works are included in comprehensive schemes of road improvement.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the amount of grants from the Road Fund towards new construction and major improvements estimated to be paid out of the Road Fund during the next five years;

asked the Minister of Transport what proportion of the £130,000,000 now proposed to be spent under the five-year road plan on schemes already approved will fall upon the Road Fund and what proportion on the rates?

£130,000,000 represents the estimated cost of schemes submitted by highway authorities under the five-year programme. So far as can be estimated at this stage the proportion of the cost of the programme ultimately approved which will be borne by the Road Fund is about 70 per cent.

What proportion of that amount has been approved?

The first year's instalment of the plans has been approved. I think it amounts to about £30,000,000, but I would prefer to have notice before giving the exact amount.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to standardise the intervals of time in switching traffic-lights from amber to green and from amber to red and ensure that a reasonable period elapses in switching from amber to red?

It is intended to secure the maximum possible similarity, compatible with varying conditions, in the amber period, and observations are now being made at a number of selected junctions to this end.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Southern Electric Railway runs across a wooden bridge over Deptford Creek and is responsible for holding up river traffic, and thus interfering with employment through vessels not being able to reach McCalls' wharf; and whether he will take steps to put an end to this obstruction of traffic?

The bridge carrying the railway over the creek was authorised by Parliament.

Is it the case that the Minister of Transport approved of the wooden bridge which now crosses Deptford Creek?

The Act was passed in 1833 as a result of which the bridge is there.

But has the new bridge which was put there last year been put there with the approval of the Minister? That is not a question of 1833.

No, Sir. I said it had been put there in pursuance of powers given by Parliament. Therefore I have no locus standi.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the resuscitation of the Unemployment Grants Committee, with powers to make grants towards public works in depressed areas which are not scheduled under the Special Areas?

No, Sir. The Government deliberately discontinued the policy of unemployment relief works, which had been proved by experience to be extravagant and ineffective, and they have no intention of returning to it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any plans in his mind for dealing with those distressed areas which do not come within the scope of Special Areas, and where in many districts for long periods the percentage of unemployment is even greater than in the Special Areas?

The Special Areas Commissioner has power to make grants for such purposes as the hon. and gallant Member has in mind. The hon. and gallant Member asked me a question of policy—whether the Government would resuscitate the Unemployment Grants Committee, and the answer must be, no.

asked the Minister of Labour how many skilled engineers are registered as unemployed at the various Employment Exchanges throughout the country; whether he is aware that the Amalgamated Engineering Union have 9,500 skilled members of the union unemployed; and whether it is the custom and practice for engineering firms when they require skilled engineers, if they cannot get suitable employes from the Employment Exchanges, to apply to the district and central offices of the Amalgamated Engineering Union?

The number of wholly unemployed men aged 18 and over on the registers of the Employment Exchanges on the 2nd March, 1936, who were registered as applicants for employment in the main skilled engineering occupations (including fitters, turners, metal machinists and welders) was 31,719. Such registration is not a guarantee of any particular degree of skill and it is found at the present time that there is often difficulty in filling vacancies by reason of the fact that suitable men are not available. I cannot give the number of members of the Amalgamated Engineering Union unemployed but they would normally be included in the total I have quoted. As regards the last part of the question, I have no doubt that in a number of cases this is so, and I may add that the exchanges themselves make a practice of giving the union an opportunity of finding men for vacancies which the local exchanges are unable to fill.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary instruct his followers behind him not to handle the truth so lightly in future by saying—

Order.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to deal with a large number of the unemployed population of Durham County, described in a memorandum prepared by his Department upon the industrial surveys of the distressed areas for 1931 as definitely surplus, for whom provision will have to be made?

The measures that are being taken for the assistance of this and other Special Areas are set out in the report of the Commissioner for Special Areas, presented to Parliament last month, and were fully discussed in the Debate in this House on 2nd March.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in the Commissioner's report it is stated that a transference scheme on a large scale is expected to solve the unemployment problem, but that the experience of the Industrial Transference Board has shown that it is very difficult to transfer unemployed from this particular area, owing to the fact that 67,000 of them are over the age of 35, with family responsibilities, and 52,000 of them are married?

I do not think that the Commissioner ever said that transference would, to use the hon. Member's words, solve the unemployment problem. It has always been considered both by the Commissioner and the Government that transference is one method of helping to ease the problem but there are a great many other methods besides.

Is it not suggested in the Commissioner's report that the transference scheme is expected to help in the solution of the problem; and may I ask what is the hon. and gallant Gentleman's remedy to deal with this large number of persons over 35 years of age whom the transference scheme will not cover?

May I ask whether, apart from the proposals embodied in the Commissioner's report to deal with unemployment in these areas, the Government have any proposals of their own to deal with the question of surplus labour?

The Government are helping to solve the unemployment problem throughout the country, as well as in the Special Areas, by the steady improvement in trade which has taken place. Along with that, they are taking such measures as the establishment of trading estates and the encouragement of new industries in the Special Areas; also by means of transference, where practicable, they are trying to give to the people in the Special Areas the advantages of improved trade in other parts of the country.

Is the trading estate policy not part of the Commissioner's policy; and, therefore, are we to understand that, apart from the proposals of the Commissioner, the Government rely entirely for a solution of the problem on a progressive improvement in trade?

The hon. Gentleman cannot divide the Commissioner's proposals from the Government's proposals. Indeed, one of the complaints of hon. Members opposite was that the Government had taken no notice of the Commissioner's proposals. The Commissioner's proposals are placed before the Government and the Government take notice of them and act upon them.

Does the hon. Gentleman opposite take the view that there is a progressive improvement in trade?