asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether having regard to the increasing international tension in the Far East, occasioned by the augmentation of Japanese forces in North China, he will take an early opportunity to make a statement on British foreign policy in the Far East?

I have already given, and shall naturally continue to give, the House all the information at the disposal of His Majesty's Government regarding the various developments of the situation in the Far East. I do not consider that any more general statement is called for at present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he will represent to the Japanese Government that the encouragement to smuggling in North China is incompatible with the ancient doctrine of Wang Tao which is being fostered by them in Manchuria;

(2) Whether, in the interests of British loans secured on the Chinese Customs, he will consult the Chinese Government and the various foreign Governments interested in Chinese loans, with a view to organising an international preventive fleet to stop smuggling in North China?

I can assure my hon. Friend that no relevant consideration that might conduce to a satisfactory solution of the problem will be lost sight of. I think, however, as regards the suggestion made in his question No. 9, that the best means of checking the smuggling would be the restoration to the Chinese preventive agencies of the normal means of exercising their authority.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that since the Japanese have been in practical control of Manchukuo they have been preaching the doctrine of Wang Tao, which, briefly, is, "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you," and is it not better that they should apply it to North China as well as to Manchukuo?

I should be kept busy if I had to ask all Governments exactly what they think.

Can my right hon. Friend say what Wang Tao is? Has it anything to do with "Wang Ling"?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Government other than the British and Chinese Governments has protested to Japan against the smuggling of goods in North China by Japanese subjects?

As I informed the House on Monday last, the United States Government have made representations on the subject at Tokyo. No other Government apart from His Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government have, so far as I am aware, yet taken any similar action, though, as I have already said, His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo has kept in close touch with the representatives of the other Governments interested.

Has the Foreign Office had any conversations with the Treasury about the effect of this smuggling upon our financial commitments?

We are acutely conscious of the effect without having any conversations with the Treasury.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Japanese loans are secured on the Chinese Maritime Customs; and, if so, whether he will represent to the Japanese Government that in their own interests they should do everything in their power to encourage the effective working of the Chinese Customs service?

So far as I am aware, no Japanese loans are directly secured on the Chinese Maritime Customs. There are, however, the 6 per cent. "Treasury Notes in Japanese yen for the Compensation of Public Properties and Salt Interests at, Tsingtao" of 1923, for which the primary security is the surplus of the Customs revenue and Salt Gabelle. The service of these notes has been in default since 1925. As regards the second part of the question, the attention of the Japanese Government has been called to the detriment which is being caused to legitimate Japanese interests in general by the incidence of wholesale smuggling in North China.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the fact that in response to the communications addressed by His Majesty's Government to foreign Governments in 1931 for the purpose of fixing a regular date for Easter favorable replies were received from several foreign Powers, he will now consider again approaching those Governments who did not give a definite reply on that occasion, but referred the subject to a committee for further consideration, in order to see whether they will now agree to fix a regular date?

This matter is now in the hands of the Communications and Transit Organisation of the League of Nations, and I do not consider it opportune for His Majesty's Government to take independent action such as is suggested.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these Powers agreed on the last occasion?

I am afraid I cannot carry that in my head.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind many important trading organisations in this country have recently passed reol utions expressing the hope that this w ill be done?

Can I take it that Scotland will be excluded from this Bill, because she does not, want it?

Will the Soviet Government be asked to adopt a modern calendar?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in view of the reluctance of the German Government to reply to the recently submitted questionnaire until the future of the League of Nations is more clearly known, he will take immediate steps to indicate that, so far as this country is concerned, we shall place behind collective security the whole of our strength and resources without reservation or qualification?

The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the support of the principle of collective security is already well known, and I do not feel that it is necessary to add to the recent statements which have been made on this subject.

In view of the unfortunate uncertainties which still exist on this matter in the country, will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that whatever other countries may do, we shall have a clear and courageous policy of collective security?

Whatever other countries do, it will not be very collective unless we take part.

Surely our strength should be put before and not behind collective security?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the further charges made by the Italian Government to the League of Nations that dum-dum bullets have been supplied by persons in this country to the Ethiopian forces?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement upon the renewed official Italian allegations of the use of expanding bullets of British manufacture by Ethiopian troops?

So far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, the position was made quite clear in the very full statement which I made on 18th May last, and I feel sure that the House will agree that no notice need be taken of any further allegations on this subject.

Does the right hon. Gentleman intend to treat these slanderous statements with the contempt they deserve?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to receive the Emperor of Abyssinia in this country with the ceremony befitting the head of an independent State, member of the League of Nations?

The Emperor is coming to this country at his own request and incognito, and no question of a ceremonial reception therefore arises.

Will the Emperor be quite free in this country to take any action he may think fit to serve his people, provided it does not conflict with his undertaking in regard to furthering hostilities?

In view of the fact that he has put up a good fight for British policy, will the Government consider asking him to join the Cabinet?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a report on the recent detention and examination by Italian staff officers of Mr. Bonner at Diredawa; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any action in the matter?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I returned on Monday last to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks) as well as to the detailed account of this case circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT on that date. The reply to the second part of the question is that, as at present advised, no further action seems to His Majesty's Government to be required.

Is it not time that some steps were taken by His Majesty's Government to prevent these continued insults to this country on the part of the Italian authorities in various parts of the world?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the details of this case, I think he will see that very vigorous action was taken by His Majesty's Government, with, I think, not unsatisfactory results up to the present.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what was His Majesty's Government's reply to the communication from the Italian Government on the subject of Ethiopia on 1st May, 1935; and what was the nature of this communication?

So far as I am aware, no communication of any kind was received from the Italian Government on 1st May, 1935.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a statement has been made by Signor Mussolini that he instructed his Ambassador in London to open conversation with the British Government upon that date on the Ethiopian question?

I was not aware of that, and I do not think the hon. Member was, since he asked me if I had had a communication on that date.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action was taken by the League in response to the appeal by the Abyssinian Government, on 13th May, 1935, to the League of Nations on the grounds that the independence of Abyssinia was in danger?

The Abyssinian appeal to which the hon. Member refers was considered at the eighty-sixth session of the Council at which two resolutions were adopted on the subject. The first of these resolutions took stock of the position and recorded the measures accepted by both sides to deal with the dispute, among which was the appointment of four arbitrators. The second resolution recorded the decision of the Council to meet, if necessary, on 25th July to consider the appointment of a fifth arbitrator, and to meet on 25th August to examine the situation if no settlement lad been reached by then.

Does it not appear from the right hon. Gentleman's answer that large delays in this matter have occurred to that it was not until months after the appeal of Abyssinia that her independence was in danger that her general case was heard?

That may be so, but the only reason that any date at all was fixed was due to the activities of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Carmelo Psaila and Robert Ghirlando, British subjects, recently sentenced by a special tribunal in Tripoli, have exercised their right to appeal; when such appeal will be heard; and whether the British vice-consul is being afforded facilities by the Italian authorities to enable him to help them in presenting their case?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 4th May. Since that date the cases of Messrs. Ghirlando and Psaila have, on my instructions, been very fully discussed by His Majesty's Ambassador at Rome with Signor Mussolini, who has undertaken to give them favourable consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement in respect of the situation in Tangier; and what steps he is taking in respect to the appointment of a new administrator?

On 8th May the Legislative Assembly in the Tangier Zone voted: firstly, that the present administrators should continue in office until their successors shall have been appointed and taken over their functions secondly, that fresh elections should take place at the beginning of October; thirdly, that the administrator should be Spanish and the assistant administrators for finance, hygiene and judicial affairs be British, French and Italian respectively; fourthly, these appointments should be for three years. The Committee of Control met on 13th May and reached the following decisions on the above motions The first was approved; the second was approved, with the hope that the delay might be shortened; the third was rejected by a majority; the fourth was approved, with the hope that the three years period might be extended. I understand that the next step is for the matter to conic again before the Legislative Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is now the policy of His Majesty's Government towards the maintenance of the independence of the states of Austria and Czechoslovakia?

In regard to Austria I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I returned to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 20th May, to which I have nothing to add. As regards Czechoslovakia, the policy of His Majesty's Government is that which results from loyal adherence to the Covenant of the League of Nations.

Can these two countries rely on receiving the same magnificent protection that Abyssinia obtained?

Will my right hon. Friend tell me whether His Majesty's Government would regard any violent interference with these two States as an unfriendly act? If my right hon. Friend cannot answer that, may I ask him whether he is aware of the tranquillising effect that a clear affirmative answer from Great Britain would have in Central Europe?

I am aware that these are very delicate questions and I should like to see them on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which of the naval Powers has up to date formally ratified the London Treaty (1936) for the limitation of naval armaments; and on what date it is proposed the treaty should be ratified by the British Government?

The London Naval Treaty (1936) has not yet been ratified by any of the signatories, though the treaty is reported to have received the approval of the United States Senate on 18th May. As regards the second part of the question, no date has yet been fixed for the ratification of the treaty by His Majesty's Government in respect of the United Kingdom.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the practice when an officer or man retires from the Royal Navy for his gas mask to be retained by the authorities; and whether, in view of the fact that these masks are specially fitted, he will consider the desirability of allowing them to be kept by the retired officers and men so that there will be no need for them to be provided with masks from other sources and that they may help in showing civilians how gas masks should be used?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Gas masks are, however, made in standard sizes requiring minor adjustment only for individual fitting and, on return, are promptly put back into service. It would not, therefore, be worth the expense to allow wearers to retain their masks on retirement or discharge, especially as the naval pattern necessarily differs considerably from that required for civilian use.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has completed his investigations into the alleged acts of sabotage committed in His Majesty's cruisers, submarines, and battleships; and whether he has discovered any evidence of political motives or that these acts are associated with any political organisation in this country?

The formal investigations into the alleged acts of sabotage have been held; they have not revealed whether or not any political motives or organisations were involved.

Do I understand, therefore, that there is, in fact, no evidence as to the association of these alleged acts with political parties or societies; and is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Anti-Socialist Union, to which some hon. Members opposite belong, have asserted that a certain political party is associated with these acts of sabotage?

I have nothing to add to the very clear statement that I have made.

Does the hon. Gentleman agree, then, that the Anti-Socialist Union is lying in that respect?

I am not responsible for that body.

Why is the Admiralty dismissing fellows, against whom they have no evidence at all, for this business?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some unprincipled blackguards have associated—

The hon. Member cannot use that kind of language inside the House.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of chaplains employed in His Majesty's Navy and their cost to the State in 1935; and the estimated numerical and financial increase in 1936?

The number of chaplains employed in the Royal Navy and their cost to the State in 1935 were 95 and £47,400, respectively. The estimated numerical and financial increases in 1936 are four and —1,600, respectively.

Can the hon. Gentleman explain why these specific figures were not in the Navy Estimates recently produced?

I should like notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he can now make a statement regarding the active use of Rosyth Dockyard and Port Edgar?

It has been decided to provide for the increased requirements of naval training by building at Rosyth a combined boys' training establishment and training establishment for artificer apprentices. There is no intention at present of re-opening Port Edgar or the dockyard at Rosyth.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that previous answers on this point have raised the hope that more extensive use was to be made of Rosyth dockyard and of the destroyer base at Port Edgar? Is there no foundation for that idea, and when will it be possible for the Government make a statement on the more extensive use of these places?

I do not think that any previous answer would justify raising the hopes of the hon. Gentleman.

Does my hon. Friend realise from the questions that Scotland is wholly in favour of the extension of the Naval programme?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of agreement men from home dockyards now employed at Singapore and Hong Kong?

The number of agreement workmen serving at Singapore is 47 and at Hong Kong 141.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware of the fact that the Navy List contains no vessel named "Blake"; and whether he will consider repairing this omission by giving to one of the recently sanctioned battleships the name of this great admiral?

I am pleased to assure the hon. and gallant Member that this illustrious name will receive careful consideration when names for future ships are being selected.

Is it not a fact-that Blake was never an admiral, but that, like the hon. and gallant Member for Bournemouth (Sir H. Croft), he was a general at sea?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this great general and admiral was also a Member of this House, representing one of the rotten boroughs?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received any evidence as to the source of the propaganda among Arabs in Palestine and Transjordania designed to affect the stability of our administration there?

No, Sir.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider calling for a report on the subject from the High Commissioner, as it is inconceivable that the Intelligence Service of Palestine has not some information on that point?

I am quite prepared to do that, but I think that it is inconceivable that, if the High Commissioner had 'any evidence, we should not have heard of it here.

Are we to understand from the answer that the Government have made no inquiries as to the source of this strife in Palestine?

Naturally, we have made inquiries, and we are keeping a close watch on the whole position. All I said was that we have not evidence as to the source.

Are we to understand that, as the right hon. Gentleman did not preface his answer with, "I have been asked to reply," he is now acting for both Departments?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that an ultimatum has been presented by Arab lightermen at Jaffa to the district Commissioner that unless the unloading of ships at the temporary port of Tel-Aviv is stopped there will be further violence; and whether he will ensure that there is no yielding to intimidation in this way?

I have seen a report of the ultimatum referred to. The High Commissioner for Palestine has already taken measures for dealing with any such attempts at intimidation. When three days ago a ship was approaching for the purpose of unloading cargo she was attacked with bombs thrown from four Arab launches, but eventually proceeded to Tel-Aviv, where she discharged her cargo. The Arab launches were seized by the police and the head boatman arrested.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the official report by Dr. E. C. Teale and Mr. C. Gillman on their investigations in the Northern Province of Tanganyika and, in particular, to their conclusion that tribal lands urgently need expansion and that certain lands should, as far as possible, be reopened for native occupation; and whether any steps will be taken to carry out this recommendation, together with the other recommendations of the report?

The recommendations of the Governor in regard to this valuable report have just been received in the Colonial Office and are under consideration, but no decisions have yet been made in regard to them.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether regulations affecting moneylenders are in force in Cyprus; and whether the amount of interest is controlled and the rate of interest?

Yes, Sir. In so far as loans made to farmers are concerned, the interest is restricted by law to a maximum of 12 per cent per annum.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider such an interest charge too high as applying to persons of such poverty, and will he not take steps to modify this charge?

The hon. Member asked for information, and I have given him the facts in answer to his question, but, as he may possibly know, the whole question of agriculture indebtedness in Cyprus is now receiving very careful consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now in a position to announce the result of the inter-departmental consultations on the use of margarine by the Forces; and, if not, when does he expect to be in such a position?

As stated in the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of State for War, this matter is still under consideration. I hope that a decision will be reached shortly.

Does the right hon. Baronet realise how I hate to bother him on this subject, and will he save me the necessity of doing so any more by hurrying up these deliberations, so that we may have a very early decision?

As far as I can I will do so, because I should hate the hon. Member to do violence to his feelings.

Do these consultations concern other foods, such as imported meat?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air which of the new civil air-liners for trans-ocean service are to be fitted with oil engines?

None of the aircraft at present projected for this purpose will be so fitted. I am advised that the development of the oil engine has not reached a stage which would justify its incorporation in aircraft for use in trans-ocean services.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps with a view to having engines of this type used in some of these flying boats?

As the hon. Member knows, we are still experimenting with this type of engine.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet received the report of the inquiry on the disaster of the "City of Khartoum"; and when he proposes to publish the full text thereof?

The report has not yet been submitted to my Noble Friend owing to illness of the Inspector of Accidents. It is, however, expected to be ready very shortly and there will be no avoidable delay in publishing it.

Will my right hon. Friend take steps to see that when the report is received it is published forthwith?

There will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of employés from his Department who have taken service with Imperial Airways, Limited, in the last 10 years?

I regret that the precise information for which the hon. Member asks is not readily available. It is understood, however, from Imperial Airways that, including pilots, they have at present in their employ 308 persons who previously served in the Royal Air Force. Of this number, two had service in military branches of the Air Ministry before their retirement from the Royal Air Force. The above figures are, of course, exclusive of the two Government directors.

Can the right hon. Baronet say whether this larger number of employés who have transferred their services to Imperial Airways includes a number of technical men?

It is quite natural that people who have served in the Royal Air Force as fitters should afterwards go into civil aviation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, when he expects to receive the report of the Maybury Committee?

I understand that it will be some weeks before this committee will be in a position to submit its report to my Noble Friend.

In view of the necessity for the development of air ports in this country will my right hon. Friend call for this report as early as possible?

Yes, Sir.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the report will be published?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, what steps the Government have taken to make themselves responsible for the proper identification by night of points dangerous to night-flying air pilots; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into all such points of danger, with a view to their proper identification both in light and in darkness at the Government's expense?

The question to which my hon. Friend refers is under active consideration. He will, no doubt, have observed that notice has been given of an Amendment of the Air Navigation Bill, now in Committee, to provide for the lighting of certain obstructions, and I should prefer to await the result of discussion of this Amendment before making any further statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the number of deaths of pilots of the Flying Flea type of aircraft, he will arrange to test one of these aircraft in the large wind channel at Farnborough, in order that its flying qualities may be more fully investigated?

An application to test an aircraft of the Flying Flea type has been under consideration, but so far it has been impossible to make the wind tunnel available owing to other and more urgent demands upon it. While it may be possible to arrange for a test in future, I am advised that as all aircraft of the Flying Flea type are not identical in design, a test of a single aircraft would not be conclusive as to the type in general.

In view of the fact that in addition to a number of civilians a number of senior serving officers in the Royal Air Force have recently been killed on this kind of aircraft, cannot the right hon. Gentleman take steps to make a practical test even if this wind channel should not be available?

The question dealt only with the wind channel.

Has the right hon. Gentleman received any report on the latest unfortunate casualty caused by one of these so-called aircraft last week?

Not yet.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, on the grounds of public safety and to ensure that passengers using public service vehicles making long journeys will know at what speed they are travelling through built-up and restricted areas, he will consider making an order under the Road Traffic Act for all such vehicles to carry efficient speedometers with their dials placed in such a position that they are visible to all passengers?

I am sending the hon. Gentleman a copy of the answer I gave to this question on 22nd May.

asked the Minister of Transport the total amount of fees collected by the lost property office of the London Passenger Transport Board since its inception, the amount expended, and how allocated?

I am informed by the board that during the period from.1st January, 1934, to 30th April, 1936, a total sum of £26,104 was received as lost property fees. Of this sum £12,171 has been allocated for the benefit of the staff of the board and the balance has been applied towards meeting the expenses of the Lost Property Office.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the question of issuing an order prohibiting the parking of vehicles on the side of the road facing the traffic at all times of the day and night or, alternatively, of prohibiting under penalty the parking of vehicles at nighttime with their lights facing the oncoming traffic?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to Section 50 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, to paragraph 43 of the Highway Code, and to the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulation, 1936.

asked the minister of Transport whether all the highway authorities who were invited by Circular No.419, Roads, dated 5th February, 1935, to submit for consideration a list of the schemes with which they were in a position to proceed immediately with the assistance of grants from the Road Fund, have submitted such a list of schemes; and what number or proportion of the highway authorites have submitted a complete programme of work of the years 1935–40 and have received approval thereof?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) the amount o the payments, if any, which have been made out of the Road Fund during the year 1935–36 to highway authorities under grants for the purposes of the £100,000,000 five-year programme of road construction and improvement, and the amount estimated to be required for such payments out of the Road Fund during the financial year 1935–36;

(2) the estimated gross value to the nearest convenient date of the schemes submitted by highway authorities under the five-year programme, the estimated gross value of schemes approved for the purposes of grants from the Road Fund, and the highest and lowest percentages which will fall upon the Road Fund of the actual expenditure on those approved schemes?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) with reference to the recent Circular Letter, No. 466 (Roads), from his Department to highway authorities, whether he will specify the county areas which have been included in each of the groups A, B, and C, referred to in the circular, for the purposes of grants from the Road Fund at the respective percentages of 80, 75, and 66⅔ of the net cost of the works to be met by grant;

(2) whether the commencement of schemes of road construction and improvement which have been approved under the five-year programme of road works is being delayed in any cases owing to the unwillingness of the highway authorities concerned to provide out of their own resources the percentage of expenditure required from them as a condition of a grant from the Road Fund; and whether lie is willing, in certain circumstances, to increase the percentage of the Road Fund grant or to make a grant of the whole expense in order to secure the carrying out of works urgently required to accommodate increasing road traffic?

The total estimated cost of schemes included in the five-year programme submitted by highway authorities up to 30th April was £139,729,000. The total estimated cost of schemes approved for grant in the first year (i.e., 1935–36) was £26,650,000, in respect of which payments amounting to £1,654,323 were made out of the Road Fund for accounts actually presented. It is estimated that the corresponding figure for this year will be £4,820,000. The lowest and highest rates of grant are 33 per cent. and 85 per cent. respectively. In addition the Road Fund is to bear the entire cost of road works in the Crofter Counties of Scotland estimated at £4,250,000. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT particulars of the counties falling in the various grant groups. and I will have prepared for circulation tables showing the progress made in the submission and approval of schemes under the five-year programme. The programme submitted exceeds in magnitude any previously submitted, and at this stage to vary the grants on which it was based, far from accelerating, would by creating indecision retard progress.

Can the Minister give an assurance that the proposal to divert the Road Fund to the Exchequer will not have any adverse effect on all these schemes?

Yes, Sir, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already given that undertaking. There will be no adverse effect.

But of what value is that undertaking, seeing that an undertaking was given when the Road Fund was instituted that it would be reserved for the roads?

asked the Minister of Transport whether any reply has been made to the appeal on behalf of young people for lower fares on the railways in the London area when. going to and from work?

Yes, Sir, and the reply was to the effect that jurisdiction in this matter rests not with me but with the Railway Rates Tribunal.

Will the Minister use his good offices with the Railway Rates Tribunal in regard to these young people, who come to London at very early hours in the morning and wait about until their work starts?

I would willingly use my good offices if I had any, but the tribunal are independent of me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet investigated the overway system of elevated roads over railroad tracks as a method of increasing urban road facilities; and whether he is now in a position to recommend its adoption by highway authorities?

I would certainly approve the adoption of this system in any suitable case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that traffic congestion takes place at many traffic-control lights owing to the stopping-places for tramway cars being too closely adjacent to these lights; and whether he will take steps to reduce this congestion?

If my hon. Friend has in mind any particular places, I shall be pleased to have them reexamined by the special committee which thoroughly investigates, with all the interests concerned, the appropriate sites.

I will certainly do that, but is my right hon. Friend not aware that it very frequently happens that the whole advantage of the green light is wasted because of tram-cars loading or unloading, and is it not a very general problem, and not a particular one?

I have no doubt that what my hon. Friend states is true in general, but I am unable to apply it to particular cases. If he can do so, I should be glad if he would let me have particulars.

Does not the main trouble arise when the stopping-places for vehicles are on the near side of the lights?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the York Corporation, the statutory undertakers under the Electricity Acts, will not agree to supply Myton Hall, Myton-on-Swale, with electricity unless they are given a lump sum of £1,000 and a guarantee of a minimum rental of £50 for five years; that such a cost would be far more than the cost of a private installation; and whether he will take steps to prevent the declared purpose of the Electricity Acts to provide cheap electricity to country villages from being defeated by such excessive demands being made by the statutory undertakers upon those who wish to take advantage of the provisions of the Acts?

I am asking the Commissioners to communicate further with the Corporation on the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to ensure that no person representing any political party in the State shall be eligible for Cabinet or other Ministerial office unless such party represents at least 1 per cent. of the total electorate in the country?

No, Sir.

Does not the Prime Minister realise that if legislation of this character were in operation just now he would have to call upon two of his Cabinet Ministers to resign at once, and that four others would be in serious jeopardy?

I think the hon. Member has made a miscalculation. He would have to double the figure—nearly—in his question before the effect he desires would be achieved.

Will the Prime Minister facilitate legislation of this desirable character?

Is my right hon. Friend aware that to do this might deprive the Government in the distant future of the very valuable services of the Clyde and the Communist groups?

We will look after that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider combining the offices of Secretary of State for the Colonies and Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs in this House by one Minister?

No, Sir. I am satisfied that the responsibilities attaching to these two offices and the diverse nature of their problems make it essential that each should continue to be entrusted to a separate Secretary of State.

Although in the past that has been done, would it not be of advantage to make the experiment again, and so economise not only in money but in energy?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider introducing legislation to alter the present basis of endowment of the English Church and place the whole responsibility of its maintenance upon the members of that Church, in order to free agriculture from the burdens now put upon it and so enable increased food production in the country?

No, Sir. I would remind the hon. Member that legislation is now before the House designed to relieve agriculturists who are also tithe-payers.

Is the Prime Minister aware that if the responsibility for maintaining the English Church were placed on its members, there would be more churches closed in this country than is the case in Russia?

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that agriculture was the greatest problem of the Soviet system?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will give the names of the members of the supply committee; and whether their responsibility for the granting of priority of some supply for the requirements of one service over another extends to the allocation of orders to districts?

It is not the practice to give the names of members of committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence. The answer to the second part of the question is that the question of the allocation of orders to districts might in some cases arise, in the exercise of the function of awarding priority.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether firms undertaking Government contracts under the rearmament programme are required to observe the condition of the King's Roll, by which 5 per cent. of the employés have to be disabled ex-service men; and whether it applies to additional labour required to carry out such contracts?

I am advised that in undertaking Government contracts for the Service Departments under the rearmament programme, contractors are required to observe the conditions of the King's National Roll, both in respect of their existing staff and of any additional staff engaged.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in placing contracts for the supply of material and equipment necessary for the defence scheme, he will consider the advisability of stipulating that employers with whom these contracts are placed shall give an undertaking that where additional labour is needed to carry out those contracts a fair percentage of ex-service men shall be employed?

The fact that Government contracts are confined, save in exceptional circumstances, to employers enrolled on the King's National Roll, involves an obligation upon contractors to employ a minimum percentage of disabled ex-service men, normally not less than 5 per cent. of their total staff. In addition, where the additional labour needed is engaged through the Employment Exchanges, the exchanges, in accordance with their established practice in selecting men for consideration by employers, will give preference to ex-service men among those equally well qualified for employment. I do not think it is practicable to impose any further stipulations in the direction desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether it is now the policy of the Service Departments to divert Government work to Special Areas from firms that have carried out such work in previous years and who have laid down the necessary plant and have skilled labour; and whether he will consider reversing this policy in view of the urgency of production and the harnessing of industry for Government work?

No, Sir. The general practice of the Departments in dealing with firms who are regular suppliers is to proceed by competitive tendering. But the Government's plans necessitate an extension of output, and it is in this connection particularly, subject to the condition of other things being equal, that preference is given to a firm in the Special Areas and other areas suffering from severe and prolonged unemployment. The point was explained at some length by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour in the Debate on 3rd March last.

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Sheffield metal trades are still short of work and that they have 50,000 people unemployed?

Yes, Sir. If Sheffield is to be treated as a Special or distressed area, the considerations which I have mentioned will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence how the problem of food supply in time of war is to be divided between the sub-committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence and Sir William Beveridge's sub-committee?

The sub-committee which has been appointed, under my chairmanship, is examining all aspects of our food supply in time of emergency. They include, for example, home production, the protection of shipping, security in ports, distribution and transport questions, and reserve stocks. The reference to Sir William Beveridge's sub-committee is limited, at the present stage, to the consideration of arrangements for rationing the supply to the individual consumer in case of necessity, and of the preparatory steps which might be taken to enable such arrangements to be brought into force as quickly as possible.

If the right hon. Genleman is in any difficulty with regard to this matter, will he consult his right hon. Friend the Member for Epping (Mr. Churchill), in view of his wide experience?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can give the House any information respecting, or any estimate of, the present strength of the German Air Force?

No published information relating to the strength of the German Air Force is available.

Apart from the published information, have the Government any information which the right hon. Gentleman could usefully give to the House?

I have a great deal of information the nature of which would require a very long statement to be made.

Is the right hon. Gentleman trying to make the House believe that he does not know the strength of the German fighting forces when it has been published in various magazines from A to Z?

asked the First Commissioner of Works what replies he has given to the British film companies who have made application to his Department for the purpose of filming typical British incidents in the Royal parks at times when they are not generally open to the public; and in what circumstances these applications can be granted?

I have received no applications for permission to take films in the Royal parks when not open to the public, and I am not clear what the hon. Member means by "typical British incidents."

Are permits of this kind not granted in parks abroad for the local film companies, and cannot the right hon. Gentleman see his way to do the same?

I do not understand what "typical British incidents"are.

Does not the Minister realise that a typical British incident is a happening that would happen in the park in ordinary circumstances, and are there not British studios and British actors who would benefit?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that the filming ought to be done by day rather than by night?

Is it not something connected with birds?

asked the Attorney-General whether he will consider asking the Law Revision Committee to examine and consider the whole question of actions for breach of promise of marriage and their treatment and results at the hands of courts and juries?

I do not consider that the type of case to which the hon. Member refers is one which is suitable for the consideration of the Law Revision Committee, which deals with matters of a more technical and less controversial nature.

Would it not be much better for a young couple to discover their incompatibility before marriage rather than to go through with the ceremony, and then be forced to go to the Divorce Court?

I would like notice of that question.