asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are the legal advisers to the British delegation now taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations?

The discussions now taking place in Cairo are not formal negotiations but preliminary conversations, and the stage has not been reached when legal formulas need to be drafted. It is proposed, however, to send a legal expert to Cairo to advise the British delegation as soon as his presence appears necessary.

Is it not a fact that there are several legal advisers of the Egyptian Government there?

I am afraid I do not know.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Ahmed Maher and Nekrashi Bey are members of the Egyptian delegation now taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian negotiations in Cairo?

Yes, Sir.

Is it considered altogether desirable that one person at least, still held by the British Government officially to be guilty of complicity in murder, should be a member of the Egyptian Delegation?

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the High Commissioner, Lord Lloyd, issued a proclamation, with the consent of His Majesty's Government, that the British Government would never again negotiate with any of these persons?

I understand that both these persons were associated with the Delegation in 1930. I think these very grave questions should be put on the Paper.

Nay we have an assurance that the right hon. Gentleman will not negotiate with Hitler and Goering?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement regarding the progress of the Anglo-Egyptian treaty negotiations?

The preliminary conversations with a view to negotiations for an Anglo-Egyptian settlement are still in progress, and it is too early as yet to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs who are the military advisers to the British Delegation taking part in the Anglo-Egyptian treaty negotiations?

The military advisers to the British Delegation taking part in the present Anglo-Egyptian conversations are the Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Station, or his deputy, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British troops in Egypt, and the Air Officer Commanding Royal Air Force, Middle East.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the names of the members of the Wafd party tried by the Court of Assize in Cairo in 1926 for complicity in the murder of Sir Lee Stack, the Governor-General of the Sudan and Sirdar of the Egyptian Army?

The trial of the persons charged with complicity in the murder of Sir Lee Stack took place in May, 1925. Of the nine persons brought before the Court of Assize on this charge, one Shafik Mansur, was a member of the Wafd party.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will use his good offices to secure a modification of the long lists of useless and vexatious questions which intending visitors between England and the United States of America have to answer?

The questionnaire which intending visitors to the United States are required to answer is, I understand, a part of the machinery of the United States Immigration authorities for the control of aliens entering the United States. This is a matter solely within the competence of the United States authorities and is not one in regard to which His Majesty's Government would feel able to approach the United States Government.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not know that a long string of useless questions are also put on this side and that the chance is there, if we care to take it, of opening negotiations for their abolition?

I am not sure by whom these useless questions are asked. Is it by the United States authorities?

By us.

That is a matter for the Home Office.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received from His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa a report of the bombardment of Harar by Italian aircraft; and whether Harar is an open town?

Yes, Sir. His Majesty's Minister at Addis Ababa reported on 29th March that he had been informed by the Abyssinian Government that Harar had been heavily bombed that morning by a number of Italian aircraft. On the following day, His Majesty's Minister, who had by that time received a report from His Majesty's Consul at Harar, telegraphed that the raid had been carried out by 18 Italian aircraft, flying about 6,000 feet over the town between 8.45 and 9.30 a.m. According to this report, the machines circled wide three times, and in all approximately 300 bombs fell in the town and a few on buildings outside the town limits. Three bombs fell in the Swedish Mission compound, 50 in that of the Egyptian Red Cross, 14 on the Catholic Mission, four on the French hospital arid Agency, and four on the Harar Red Cross, destroying a ground sign five yards square. The apparatus of the wireless station was destroyed and the telephone lines to the British Consulate damaged; the Catholic church and the Abyssinian church of St. Xavier were also badly damaged. Some 10 fires were started, chiefly in the native quarter, and burnt fiercely, but it is believed that the number of casualties was fortunately small, as the town was evacuated at 6 a.m. and the approach of the hostile aircraft notified by minute guns.

As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Minister at Addis. Ababa has also reported that on 28th March the Abyssinian Government issued a communiqué denying reports from Italian sources that military preparations had been made in the town of Harar. In this communiqué reference was made to the official Abyssinian notification to the League of 2nd December last, in which it was stated that in order to spare the civilian population and resident foreigners from the effects of possible air bombardments, the Emperor had decided that all Abyssinian combatants should leave the town, which would in future be used solely as a depot for wounded from the southern front, and not for any military purpose whatever.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that British public opinion is increasingly stirred by these horrible atrocities which are being perpetrated, and when are His Majesty's Government going to take any further step to end it, at least by refusing to supply British oil to these murderous airmen?

I would ask the hon. Member to realise that His Majesty's Government are just as anxious as he can be to bring this war, and the miserable suffering consequent upon it, to an end, and I think the record of His Majesty's Government will show that quite plainly. As I have already indicated, we desire that the task on which the chairman of the Committee of Thirteen is engaged should be pursued as speedily as possible, and I can assure the House that we are watching that ourselves.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me whether any warning had been issued by the Government of Italy to the Government of Ethiopia that this bombing would take place?

I have no information of that.

Would not the speediest conclusion to these horrible atrocities be secured by a return on the part of the British and French Governments to the proposals of the right hon. Member for Chelsea (Sir S. Hoare)?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable pleasure at the result of the raid has been registered by many supporters of the Government, who are also readers of the "Daily Mail"?

The hon. Member does not suppose that I like these raids any more than he does.

Are these the people who are now going to police the Rhineland?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has given to the representatives of any European States outside the Locarno group ally assurance that, in the event of an aggressive attack upon such States, His Majesty's Government would interpret their obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations more strictly than they have interpreted them in relation to the Italian-Abyssinian war?

I would remind the hon. Member that I stated in the course of the Debate last Thursday that, beyond the area covered by the Locarno Treaty, the obligations of His Majesty's Government are the obligations of the Covenant, which are shared by all Members of the League. His Majesty's Government remain fully determined to fulfil these obligations in company with their fellow members of the League, and have given no assurances to any State which limit, qualify, or extend them.

Are we then to assume that States outside the Locarno group may expect similar treatment to that which the Ethiopians are receiving at present, and that the British Government will sell oil to the aggressor in this case also?

May we have an assurance that this country will not be driven into war by the Labour party?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when the Council of the League of Nations will next meet; and whether it will be in London or Geneva.

A further meeting of the ninety-first Extraordinary Session of the Council which was adjourned on 24th March has not yet been fixed, but the Council has decided to hold any such meeting at Geneva.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the contracts for supplying potatoes and other vegetables, which are supplied to the Admiralty for the victualling of the Royal Navy, stipulate that the supplies are to be home-grown produce; and has there been any recent difficulty in the delivery of these supplies?

Admiralty contracts for potatoes and other vegetables do not stipulate that supplies are to be home-grown produce, and it would not be practicable to ensure that such a condition, if inserted, would be in fact fulfilled. In all such contracts placed by the Admiralty a paragraph is included informing contractors that they are relied upon to supply home-grown produce so far as it is reasonably obtainable without sacrifice of quality. No recent difficulty in obtaining supplies of homegrown vegetables has been reported to the Admiralty.

Has the noble Lord any information of potatoes delivered from abroad for the Admiralty?

No, Sir.

Will he make inquiries?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to several cases of sabotage which have occurred in His Majesty's ships; and whether, in view of the general uneasiness caused by this new and disturbing state of affairs, he will make a statement on the subject, and especially as to the steps taken to detect the malefactors and to guard against such incidents in the future?

The Admiralty is, of course, aware of the cases of damage or suspected sabotage which have recently occurred in His Majesty's ships when in hand in the dockyards. Beyond saying that suitable preventive measures are being employed, it is not desirable to discuss them, as publicity would obviously tend to defeat the objects in view.

Have any of these cases of sabotage occurred in other than cases when the ship was in dockyard hands?

As I have informed the House, there was one suspected case of sabotage in a private dockyard.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the intention of the Admiralty to recruit young men of the ages of 19½ to 21 years to serve as fifth class engine-room artificers; what is the reason for this recruitment; and whether this arises from the scarcity of skilled men seeking to join the Navy as engine-room artificers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reason for this recruitment is to meet increasing future requirements due to Fleet expansion and the abnormal wastage to pension now occurring.

Are these to be semiskilled men or those withdrawn from their apprenticeship?

I should like to have notice of that question.

Will the Noble Lord give the House, and through the House the engineers, an assurance that there will be no attempt to introduce dilution of labour?

The question of dilution of labour does not arise.

I beg to give notice that, owing to the unsatisfactory reply, I will raise the question on the first available opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the property, including workshops and other buildings, at Port Edgar, South Queensferry, is still available for sale for commercial purposes; and, if so, what conditions are imposed by the Admiralty upon any purchaser?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, as the Admiralty propose to retain the property for Naval purposes. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the date of the last welfare conference when naval ratings were able to put forward requests for improved conditions; and, as the first review of service conditions under the new scheme is now more than six months overdue and unlikely to be held for a long time, whether the Admiralty will arrange for welfare conferences to be held to deal with lower-deck requests on the same lines as the conferences held from 1919?

The last welfare conference was held in 1932. Orders were given on 4th July, 1935, for the first review of service conditions to be held lit September or October of that year. Owing to the altered disposition of the Fleet, it has not yet been possible, except in the Royal Australian Navy, for the review to be carried out, but this will be done so soon as naval dispositions permit.

May we be assured that these conferences will be on the old lines?

There is a considerable difference between the old welfare conferences and the proposed new service conditions. I will send the right, hon. Gentleman a copy of the proposals.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what preference is shown by the Government of Malta towards British goods, particularly the importation into that country of coal; and whether his attention has been called to the unfair competition of subsidised Polish coal against exports from South Wales?

A system of preference is in operation in respect of most imports into Malta, but coal is on the free list. As most of the coal imported is destined for re-export or for the coaling trade, I am satisfied that it would be of little benefit to British coal exporters if foreign coal was subjected to a duty. The Government of Malta itself purchases British coal for its own use whenever possible.

Does that apply to the military authorities as well?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put that question to the Secretary of State for War?

Is it not quite easy to discriminate between coal for re-exportation and coal retained for internal use?

I am told by those who know most about it that it would be fatal to the coal trade to impose a duty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the Government of the Seychelles has granted a monopoly to the London firm of Treatt and Company for the purchase and marketing of all Eugenol producing essences; that this monopoly includes not merely these essences but all essences; why the Government Gazette has been utilised to push the interest of this private firm; and what protection will be given to the producers of the island, in view of the fact that they will practically be compelled to deal with the firm in question, owing to the abolition of competition?

The firm in question have, with the consent of the producers, been appointed sole selling agents for those oils; they are not concerned as principals. The object is to benefit the Colony.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the growers and distillers view the creation of this monopoly with alarm, and are very much afraid that their interests will suffer as a consequence?

I have looked carefully into the matter and I find it very analogous to the cod trade. That is to say, when those who produce coal find that it is being produced at an uneconomic rate they do not get any benefit. I find that these oils are produced in the same way, and this is a selling agency to benefit the producer, and not injure him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that his analogy with coal is quite wrong, and that this scheme is not an effort for co-operative selling so much as the creation of a monopoly for the benefit of a British firm?

It is not a monopoly in the sense that this firm is a principal. This system was introduced because oil was being sold at ridiculous prices, with a loss to the producers and with no benefit to the Colony at all.

If representations are made, will the right hon. Gentleman consider them?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make in regard to trade negotiations with Denmark?

The proposals which were submitted to the Danish delegation at the beginning of March have been discussed in detail in Copenhagen. I understand they are now being considered by the Danish Government, but I am not yet in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the contradictory character of the recent liquor legislation in Kenya, which provides for the employment of natives in the sale and supply of intoxicants and even in the sole charge of liquor bars, while inflicting penalties of as much as four years' imprisonment on those who supply intoxicating liquor to a native; and whether he will take steps to put an end to liquor ordinances which permit white men in this Colony to supply intoxicants to African natives or employ them in the supply?

The Kenya Ordinance imposes heavy penalties on the supply of intoxicating liquor to any native. It does not prohibit the employment of a native as a bar attendant, and when it was fully reviewed by a local committee in 1934, they saw no reason for any such prohibition. I am not prepared to disturb so recent a conclusion without clear evidence of abuse.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is fair to place these natives, to whom intoxicating liquor is prohibited, in this position, where obviously they are involved in the sale of drink and are tempted to consume it? Further, would the right hon. Gentleman himself care to receive intoxicating liquor in Kenya from a native to whom liquor is prohibited?

As to the last supplementary question, I would not like to say at this moment. As to the first part of the question, this matter was fully investigated by a committee which came to a decision, but if the hon. Member has any evidence of abuses, I shall be glad to receive it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider this matter in view of the inconsistency of the position, and also in view of the fact that numbers of people in Kenya have been making representations on this matter in recent years?

If the hon. Member will send me any of these representations I will consider them.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us at what stage he would take a drink from a native in Kenya?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the report on the finances of Kenya Colony is expected; and whether it is to deal with the hardships of the poll tax and the taking of native women as hostages for its payment?

I am unable to to say when the report is likely to be available. The allegations to which the hon. Member refers are being investigated by a commission appointed by the Governor.

May we have an assurance that the statement in the latter part of the question will be thoroughly discountenanced in regard to its operation by the right hon. Gentleman?

If the report proves that abuses of this kind take place I will certainly deal with them, but I do not want to anticipate the report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that I. Z. Koltun, a Jewish writer, is being held in prison in Jerusalem; that no charge has been made against him; that he is suffering from ill-health and that his illness is being aggravated by the prison conditions; and will he take steps to secure his liberation?

I am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine for a report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to two aeroplanes which flew over the West-end of London at about 1 p.m. on Friday, 13th December, 1935, carrying long streamers attached to ropes; and whether, in view of the danger to the civilian population he will consider introducing regulations that will prohibit aeroplanes from flying over populated areas in this manner?

I am aware of the incident referred to, but am advised that no danger to the civilian population was involved. Provided the existing regulations are complied with, such flying is not considered dangerous and no need is, therefore, seen at present for further regulations.

Will the right hon. Baronet see that flying over London for these purposes is prohibited altogether by the regulations?

Can my right hon. Friend say whether there is any limit to the height at which aeroplanes can fly over populations?

Yes, there is; at sufficient height to enable them to land on an aerodrome outside the town.

Although the regulation of 2,000 feet may be complied with, does not my right hon. Friend think that, in view of the increasing number of aeroplanes and the proximity of aerodromes to populated districts, these regulations should now be reviewed?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, whether he is aware that the provision of aerodromes for civil aviation is being hindered and that there is a danger of certain municipalities and private persons being forced to abandon existing aerodromes for want of financial assistance; and whether he will consider the advisability of obtaining powers to grant financial assistance in suitable cases?

This question falls within the purview of Sir Henry Maybury's Committee, which is expected to report at an early date.

In view of the fact that most municipal aerodromes are working at a loss, does my right hon. Friend not consider that, in the case of those serving the main trunk routes, the loss should be borne by the Government rather than by the local authorities?

All these considerations are under review by the Maybury Committee.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many commercial air lines in Great Britain ceased operations during the last 12 months; over what routes they were operating; and what steps he proposes to take to see that an adequate system of air communications is maintained in Great Britain?

Three companies ceased operations during the last 12 months, but the interests of two of them have, I understand, been acquired by other concerns. With my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate a list of the routes in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the last part of the question, the matter will be one for consideration in the light of the report of Sir Henry Maybury's Committee.

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that it would be wise to extend the principles of Part I of the Air Navigation Bill to internal air lines?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the time allowance which Imperial Airways makes for the journey to Singapore from London, also from Singapore to London, and also the official time allowance for the same route by the Dutch line?

Making adjustments for changes in standard times, the time allowances shown in Imperial Airways time-tables for the journeys London-Singapore and Singapore-London are 188 hours and 204 hours respectively. The corresponding times by K.L.M. services throughout for the journey to and from London are 144 hours and 148 hours respectively. I should add that under the new Empire scheme announced some time since, the fleet for which is already under construction, it is contemplated progressively to reduce the time taken between London and Singapore to under five days.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman a little unhappy about the general position of Imperial Airways, and does he not realise that it is almost a national disgrace that we are so behind other countries?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the cause of Imperial Airways failing to adhere to published schedules in its flights between London and Singapore; and the average number of days per flight they have been late during the last 12 flights?

The loss of the "Sylvanus" in Brindisi harbour by fire last November necessitated the use of "Calcuttas," which are of lower cruising speed. This fact, coupled with exceptionally bad weather in the Mediterranean and the resultant destruction of the slipway at Alexandria, dislocated the company's repair overhaul programme, rendering occasional variations from the published time-tables unavoidable. The average delay on the last 12 flights is less than one day.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that during the same month of February the Dutch line flew seven outward voyages, and that they arrived to time? In view of the fact that the Dutch line does the journey in five days, while Imperial Airways take eight days, does he not regard this as very serious?

Is my right hon. Friend satisfied with the speed of Imperial Airways?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that at least 14 county councils and 24 large municipalities have lately abandoned margarine for butter in their homes, hospitals, and public assistance institutions; that many of them already note an improvement in the health and happiness of the inmates since tinned milk and margarine were given up; that the dietary practices of the defence forces' authorities are now falling seriously behind those of the local authorities; and will he, in the interests of the Air Force, make this reform in diet?

The present arrangements in regard to the supply of margarine are under review. No decision has yet been reached.

Shall we get it in the spring?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the Air Commission of the Disarmament Conference last met; whether it is likely to meet again; and, if not, are any steps being taken by the responsible authority to table a plan for the supervision of civil aviation?

The Air Commission last met on 17th March, 1933. As to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) on 4th February. My Noble Friend does not consider that any progress could be made at the present time in regard to the supervision of civil aviation, proposals for which were included in the Draft Convention submitted by His Majesty's Government to the Disarmament Conference.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the Government propose to ask for a meeting of the Air Committee of the Disarmament Conference?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for the Newton Division of Lancaster (Sir R. Young), and to that given by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) on 4th February.

Are we to understand from that reply that the policy of the Government is still as announced by the late Secretary of State for Air in another place, namely, the preservation of the use of bombing planes?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has approved the schemes for road improvements involving the making of dual carriageways separated by a central reserve on the Harrow to Kingston Road, on the Kingston by-pass, on the London to Portsmouth Road, and on the proposed Crawley by-pass of the London to Brighton Road; and whether, as a result of the experience of this form of road construction on the Great West Road and other roads in Middlesex, he will in all cases take care that each of the dual carriageways has a width of at least 28 feet?

I have approved the construction of dual carriageways, each 20 feet in width, on the Harrow-Kingston Road between Western Avenue and Ruislip Road, and the construction of dual carriageways of similar width, with cycle tracks, on the Crawley by-pass. The width of carriageways is, of course, properly determined by the density and nature of the traffic. For the appropriate layout I would refer my hon. Friend to the recent circular issued to highway authorities on standard widths. I will send my hon. Friend a copy.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the dual carriageway on the Great Western Road is far too narrow at the present time, and is it not a waste of money?

Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that they intend to put down cycle tracks there so as to relieve the congestion.

Does my right hon. Friend appreciate that where there is no service road for standard vehicles, these 20-feet tracks are much too narrow? Would he see that the 20-feet width is only allowed as a service road for standard vehicles?

We are doing our best to get wider and wider tracks, and I will send my hon. Friend a copy of the circular from which he will see that we intend to implement that pledge.

In the meantime, is it not a fact that this 20-feet scheme is making them narrower and narrower?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether and, if so, when it is proposed to remove the tramway shelter on the Embankment adjacent to Temple Gardens which completely obstructs the view of on-coming traffic for passengers descending from tramway cars, and to which the attention of his Department has been called on several previous occasions;

(2) whether the final decision as to whether the existing tramway shelter on the Embankment, adjacent to Temple Gardens, constitutes a danger to the public is to be taken by him or by the local authority; and, if by the latter, will he make representations to such authority for its removal forthwith?

The tramway shelter in question was erected under statutory powers. It has now been altered at my request, plain glass being substituted for wood to enable passengers leaving the cars to see approaching traffic. My engineers are discussing with the City Corporation the provision of guard rails and traffic light signals in order further to improve the situation.

In view of the fact that the shelter is a little more dangerous than it was before, will the Minister, in the interests of the unfortunate inhabitants of the Temple, arrange for an accident black spot notice at this point?

I agree that some of the inhabitants of the Temple are unfortunate, but this is a matter for the City Corporation. As my hon. and learned Friend knows, I have been doing my best to arrange with them some improvement in the situation of which he so rightly complains.

I am obliged. Will the Minister do his best to have an accident black spot notice arranged for at this point?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the recent inquest at Sandwich on Mr. George Bates, who was killed by a train while riding his motor-cycle over a level crossing, and to the urgent need that such level crossings should be done away with; and how many level crossings remain in the country where the side wicket-gate is left open when the main gate is closed?

Yes, Sir, and I have repeatedly intimated to highway authorities my readiness to give Road Fund grants up to 75 per cent. in the case of approved schemes for replacing level crossings by bridges. I do not know how many wicket gates are left open in the country as a whole.

Arising out of that reply, is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this level crossing is at a point where a very deserted road runs over a railway, and where it would be quite unecenomic to build a bridge? Is he also aware that there are much more heavy casualties in Cambridge than there are in the Isle of Thanet?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, with a view to providing a broader indication of the relative incidence of road casualties in certain police districts than that, based on fatalities only, now given in his weekly statistics of road accidents, he will substitute a statement showing the number of persons killed or injured per 100,000 of the population;

(2) whether, in future, he will include in his weekly statistics of road casualties a comparison of the aggregate numbers of persons killed or injured in each police district from the beginning of the year and for the corresponding weeks of the previous year?

I have adopted my hon. Friend's suggestions and propose to show, as from next Thursday, 9th April, the number of persons killed and injured per 100,000 of the population where hitherto the number of persons killed only has been shown. It is also proposed to include in the weekly statistics a comparison of the aggregate numbers of persons killed and injured in each police district from the beginning of the year and for the corresponding weeks of last year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider distinguishing in the weekly return between casualties in areas where there is a speed limit, and casualties in areas where there is no speed limit?

There is already a rough indication of the distinction between the built-up and the non-built-up areas.

Would it be possible to indicate in the return the number who were actually killed in the week concerned, as distinct from those who died as a result of accidents which occurred in the previous week?

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the danger to Members of Parliament and pedestrians generally existing at the uncontrolled crossing in St. Margaret's Street between the Houses of Parliament and St. Margaret's Church; and whether, in accordance with the Standing Orders of this House, he will arrange for police control similar to that provided at the other crossing in Parliament Square, so that safe access may be afforded to those proceeding to the Houses of Parliament?

My right hon. Friend has been in communication with the Commissioner of Police who informs him that at present eight policemen are employed on points in the vicinity of the Palace of Westminster when the Houses of Parliament are in Session. Only one slight accident involving personal injury has occurred on the crossing in question since 1st January, 1935, and while further control at this crossing is not considered necessary from the point of view of traffic danger, the Commissioner has decided that, in order to facilitate the passage of hon. Members, this crossing shall in future be controlled by a policeman while Parliament is in Session.

May I thank my hon. Friend for his reply?

Will the Home Secretary also have attention paid to the crossing at the junction of Abingdon Street and Old Palace Yard?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has during the current year examined representations of road transport interests in this country as to the burden imposed on British industry by the present level of the tax on petrol; and whether, in view of the fact that part of the present tax was imposed during the financial emergency of 1931, he will give an assurance to those concerned that this part of the tax at least will be removed as soon as practicable?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; with regard to the second part, I cannot anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether plans for new accommodation for the office of His Majesty's inspector of taxes and staff at Lewisham have now been approved; and whether, in view of the unsatisfactory accommodation at the present office at 263, High Road, Lee, S.E.12, the building of the new premises will be commenced without delay?

Plans have not yet been finally approved, but a scheme is under active consideration and will be pressed forward as quickly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will undertake to see that no boys are taken into the Army under 18 years of age, and that copies of birth certificates are either produced or copies purchased in every case?

A recruit presenting himself for enlistment has to declare his age, and the greatest care is taken to impress on him that a wilfully false statement is an offence punishable by imprisonment. No boys who declare their age as being under 18 are taken into the Army without the production of a birth certificate and the consent of their parents to enlistment. Where boys under 18 are of mature physique, however, it is impossible to detect mis-statement of age without insisting on the production of a birth certificate in every case. This proposal has been raised in this House on more than one occasion, and I. see no reason to depart from the view expressed by my predecessors, that it is impracticable and undesirable to do so.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when I was 17 I enlisted in the Navy, and that the recruiting officer went a distance of five miles to get my birth certificate before he. allowed me to go to Chatham; and will he see that that practice is also followed in the Army as a large number of youths go away some distance from home to enlist?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that a considerable proportion of foreign motor coasters engaging in the inter-port trade of the United Kingdom are carrying stone, granite, cement and other materials for road-making, public works and housing schemes of local authorities; and whether he can state the number of local authorities that now stipulate in their forms of tender that where materials intended for their use are carried coastwise they shall be carried only in ships of British nationality?

The reply to both parts of the question is in the negative. My right hon. Friend will, however, he glad to consider any information which my hon. Friend may wish to submit to him in this connection.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give a guarantee that a conscription Measure will not be introduced so long as peace prevails?

Yes, Sir, so far as the present Government are concerned.

I am delighted to have that assurance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how long the present Government will last?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the official announcement by the German Government that the knowledge that the general staffs of Belgium, France, and Great Britain are drawing up plans for mutual protection has destroyed the confidence necessary for Herr Hitler to put forward further peace proposals; and whether he has any statement to make?

I have seen Press reports to the effect that a semiofficial statement in the sense indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend was issued in Berlin some days ago. The views of His Majesty's Government regarding the proposed staff conversations were made clear by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the course of last Thursday's Debate, and I have nothing to add to what he then said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that England does not take her marching orders from Germany under Herr Hitler? [HON. MEMBERS: "Or France."]

asked the Prime Minister whether he would consider approaching the British Broadcasting Corporation with a view to a broadcast being made on different dates in French, German, and Italian, giving the British Government's point of view on the present European situation, so that the people of France, Belgium, Germany, and Italy, the other signatories to the Locarno Treaty, may hear at first hand the reasons for the attitude agreed to by His Majesty's Government on this matter?

I have given careful consideration to my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, but I do not believe that in present circumstances it would be either desirable or possible.

Could my right hon. Friend not make representations to the Ministers of other nations to the effect that facilities should be given for broadcasts in the various languages to the peoples of other countries, because I am sure the peoples do not wish to fight each other?

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the dissatisfaction which exists with regard to the present system of local rating, he will consider the appointment of a Royal Commission to consider the whole question?

I do not consider that such criticism of the rating system as there may be in certain quarters would justify the appointment of a Royal Commission at the present time.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, whether he will consider taking special steps to safeguard the herring industry in view of the importance of its personnel and products to national defence?

As my hon. Friend is aware, the Herring Industry Board set up under the Herring Industry Act, 1935, is taking certain measures for the benefit of the herring industry. Should the necessity for further measures arise, I will bear in mind the suggestion made by my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend in agreement with the latest report of the Herring Industry Board; and does he not consider that further steps should be taken?

I said in my answer that consideration would be given to the necessity for further steps when the results of the 1935 Act had been observed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that this is only one aspect of the question of food supplies and defence; and will he be prepared to make a statement at an early date, not only with regard to herring but with regard to all food supplies.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, whether any talks have taken place, or invitations have yet been issued, to Trade Union Congress leaders to co-operate in the furthering of the defence programme?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Short) on 25th March.

Is there any truth in the statement that the members of the Independent Labour party have also agreed to co-operate?

May I ask whether any developments have taken place since the date mentioned?

I would not like to say that no developments have taken place.

I mean in connection with invitations being issued, or the consideration of invitations to the trade union leaders to co-operate on the promised basis?

No invitation has been issued, and if the hon. Gentleman reads my answer I think he will see that the position is open at all times to anybody who wishes to see me or the industries concerned.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether any civilians will be appointed to the sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, which is to consider the result of experiments concerning the vulnerability from the air of capital ships; and whether the names of the sub-committee will be announced?

The membership of this sub-committee is confined to Ministers, with the Chiefs of Staffs concerned acting as technical advisers. In accordance with the usual practice it is not proposed to announce the names of the members.

Is it the case that this House may be asked to vote money for the construction of two battleships next year while in ignorance of the names of the gentlemen who have recommended that battleships should still be regarded as a necessary part of our defences?

The committee was not appointed to consider any recommendations of that description. It was appointed to consider the questions which I mentioned to the Rouse two days ago.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the Air Ministry have received from the Admiralty all the facilities they have at any time asked for in order to carry out experiments regarding the vulnerability of warships from the air; whether the Air Ministry have been enabled to carry out such experiments under the precise conditions and circumstances which they requested; and whether any agreed joint report of the Air Ministry and Admiralty upon this subject exists?

As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware from the reply which I gave to the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) on 25th March, a sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence has been appointed to consider the experiments that have taken place or are proposed in connection with the defence against aircraft and the vulnerability from the air of capital ships. This sub-Committee will, of course, review all past experiments, the circumstances in which they were carried out and the nature of tape reports rendered upon them. I cannot prejudge the findings of this sub-Committee.

Is it within their terms of reference, either to conduct experiments themselves or to order that experiments shall be conducted?

I have read out the terms of reference.

But can the right hon. Gentleman say whether that is within their terms of reference? I was unable to appreciate that from the answer which he gave.

If the hon. Gentleman looks at the terms of reference, I think he will be able to satisfy himself.

asked the Minister of Agriculture on what date it is proposed to publish the report of the committee of investigation in connection with the complaints made by the central milk distributive committee and the parliamentary committee of the co-operative congress regarding the contract terms for the supply of milk prescribed by the Milk Marketing Board for the milk year from 1st October, 1935?

My right hon. Friend has not yet received the report referred to, but he understands that it will be presented very shortly. I am sending to the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the reply given by my right hon. Friend to a similar question by the hon. Member for North Tottenham (Mr. R. C. Morrison) on 24th February.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the public proceedings of the committee of investigation ceased seven weeks ago, and that this is a very urgent matter?

Yes, but the right hon. Gentleman will also know that the committee sat for 36 days and that the transcript of the shorthand notes of the evidence covers more than 3,600 pages.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the committee of investigation which recently dealt with the complaint of the milk distributors in Scotland against the decision of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board had placed at its disposal for guidance evidence on the costs of distribution and evidence as to the costs of production?

Evidence on the cost of distribution was submitted to the committee, but no evidence was given as to the cost of production.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his decision refusing to give countenance to the results of the committee of investigation gives protection to that side of the investigation which refused to give competent evidence, and, if so, will he reconsider his decision?

We have no evidence at the moment as to the costs of distribution, but active steps are being taken in different quarters in Scotland to get the facts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state what factors he considered in making up his mind to flout the decision of the committee of investigation?

I took all the relevant facts into consideration before coming to a decision on this very difficult case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what the facts were?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the grave dissatisfaction amongst Scottish milk distributors at the prices being forced upon them by the Scottish Milk Board and the possibility of such resentment taking the form of contracts being resiled as from 30th April; and whether he proposes to take steps to obviate the disorganisation in the milk supply such a step would entail?

My attention has been drawn to a printed letter circulated by the Scottish Milk Trade Federation to the effect suggested in the first part of the question and to a Press report of a meeting of distributors. The information before me does not confirm the necessity for considering action on the lines indicated in the last part.