asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government are aware of the acute position of minorities in many parts of Europe and whether he will give an assurance that, in any proposals for the revision of the Covenant of the League of Nations, His Majesty's Government will urge that provision is made for the adequate protection of the rights of minorities?

As regards the first part of the question, His Majesty's Government are aware that the position of minorities in certain parts of Europe gives rise to some disquiet. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that the functions of the League in respect of minorities are derived not from the Covenant but from the minorities treaties.

Will the right hon. Gentleman try to take advantage of the next meeting of the Assembly to secure some improvement in the machinery dealing with minorities, which is very far from being effective?

This matter also concerns foreign Governments.

Has anything been done by the League to carry out the provisions of the Peace Treaty with regard to minorities?

Oh, yes, Sir, by the minorities' provisions and machinery.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the memorandum of the delegation of the Congress of National European Minorities which visited London; and what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards these minority questions?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regard's the second part of the question, the attitude of His Majesty's Government is that the provisions of the minorities treaties should be observed.

Is the Minorities Department of the League of Nations actually functioning, and what are the Government doing, as a signatory, to see that they are being enforced?

That is rather a different question. If the hon. Member wants information perhaps he will put another question down.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in order to make the League of Nations an effective instrument for peace by attracting non-member nations to join the League, he will propose at the League meeting in September the abandonment of all coercive sections of the Covenant?

I can at present add nothing to the observations which I made in the Debate on Monday last on the subject of the future working of the League.

Has not the experience of the last few months proved conclusively that a League of Nations which does not contain all the great Powers is helpless as an instrument of peace, and is not the only way to get these Powers to come back to the League to abolish all coercive sanctions?

Would it not be just as easy to ensure perfect administration of the law in this country if we abolished the Army and the police force?

What would be the use of attracting new members to an entirely impotent institution?

Would it not be like asking burglars to join a police force?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give an assurance that no fundamental changes in the Covenant of the League will be made or finally assented to by His Majesty's Government until Parliament has had an opportunity of discussing the changes in question?

Yes, Sir.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Board of Admiralty shares the view of the Army Council, as expressed in the Field Service Regulations, that high command in war requires the broadest possible outlook and knowledge of social as well as of military questions; and, if so, what steps are taken to give naval officers the training necessary to obtain such an outlook?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the naval officer's whole career, and in particular his early life and duties as a divisional officer, afford valuable training and experience in the direction suggested. It is not possible, however, to include in the naval officer's curriculum of training, which is already very full, any special training in social questions.

May I ask whether this broad outlook would not be facilitated by the entry of officers into the Navy from the public schools or from the universities?

That, obviously, is a question which does not arise out of the question on the Order Paper. If the hon. and gallant Member will put the question down, I will give him an answer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will amend the leave regulations for Royal Dockyard workmen to permit workmen with under 12 months' continuous service to count previous service in His Majesty's Dockyard either in a casual or hired capacity for leave purposes?

Under the present regulations broken periods of service may count towards the 12 months required to qualify for pay during the closed week, provided that they are reckonable for superannuation. I would also remind my hon. and gallant Friend that employés who have not served for 12 months at the commencement of the closed week and therefore do not receive pay for that week, are subsequently given a week's pay if they serve the full qualifying period by the end of the leave year, that is, 31st January. In these circumstances I do not think that there is any reason to amend the present regulations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider allowing ratings who leave the Royal Navy on completing time for pension to retain their gas masks; and whether he will consider taking steps to secure the services of these men in the anti-gas voluntary organisations in the districts where they reside?

As respirators deteriorate with age, it is preferred to continue the present practice of putting back into service the anti-gas respirators of men who leave the Royal Navy on pension. If retained by pensioners they could not long be regarded as serviceable for use in war. With regard to the second part of the question, recruitment of these organisations is primarily a matter for the local authority concerned, but in any case recruitment is on a voluntary basis.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement that gas masks deteriorate is flatly contradicted by the Home Office?

No, Sir, I cannot believe that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is the intention to apply to any of the industrial staffs in the Royal dockyards the 3s. per week increases in wages recently given to all adult male workers in federated engineering establishments under the terms of an arrangement between the Engineering and Allied Employers National Federation and the engineering joint trades movement; and whether he will give details as to the sections of employés who will benefit?

The Shipbuilding Trade Joint Council for Government Departments agreed at a meeting held last Friday that the standard rate of bonus payable to adult male industrial employés of the Admiralty in home establishments outside the London area should be increased by 3s. a week in three instalments of 1s. from 28th June, 27th September and 27th December, 1936, respectively, and that a similar increase should be made in the bonus of (a) semiskilled and unskilled adult male employés in Admiralty establishments in the London area, and (b) skilled men in the Admiralty Research Laboratory at Teddington to take effect from 29th June, 28th September and 28th December respectively. These increases will affect over 50,000 workpeople and will cost about £400,000 in a full year. As the details are somewhat lengthy and contain a number of figures, I will, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can my hon. Friend state whether as a result of this increase the wages paid in Admiralty dockyards will no longer compare unfavourably with the rates paid in private yards?

They always have compared favourably. If the hon. and gallant Member will look at the details of the figures he will find a full answer to his question.

Does not the hon. Member think it is a scandalous state of affairs that highly-skilled engineers earning under £3 a week should be offered 1s. a week increase?

I think it is impossible to go into details. If the hon. Member will look at the details he will see that it is clear that at the moment there is a considerble increase.

Less than one-farthing an hour. And it is considered a considerable increase. How would the hon. Member like it for an increase?

Are we to understand that we now have a statement of new Government policy by the Civil Lord, that wages in Government service do not have to compare favourably with wages paid outside? I always understood that it was a strong point of the Government that they do.

It is no new policy. All I have said is that they have always compared favourably, but you have a number of special conditions affecting pensions and such matters in Government dockyards which have to be taken into consideration. It is not always a good point to compare the actual wages with those paid outside.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the present approximate number of naval officers borne on the retired and emergency lists who are under the age of 35 and who were obliged to retire owing to the post-war reduction in the size of His Majesty's Navy; and whether, in view of the expansion now proceeding, he will consider replacing on the active list a certain number of these officers who are anxious to return?

The number of executive officers now under the age of 35 who left the Royal Navy under the various special retirement schemes is 88, of whom 69 retired voluntarily. As regards the second part of the question, it is anticipated that any shortage that may arise in the near future will be of junior lieutenants and, therefore, that the question of re-entry will not arise for consideration, except in a small proportion of the number quoted above.

Will consideration be given to those who make application?

I shall be happy to take into account any cases that my hon. and gallant Friend brings to my attention.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty where the contracts for the two new battleships are being placed; and whether he will make a statement giving further information on these items of new construction?

It has been decided to give the orders for the two battleships of the 1936 programme to Vickers-Armstrong at Walker-on-Tyne and Cammell Laird at Birkenhead. The arrangements for laying down these ships are being made in full accordance with the declared policy of His Majesty's Government to press on with the naval replacement and new construction programme with all possible speed. It is the intention that the keels shall be laid at the earliest moment permitted by the Washington Naval Treaty, namely, in January, 1937. In order to achieve this object it is essential to order the vessels now and, although complete specifications will not be ready until October, there is sufficient information available to enable the contractors to prepare for laying the keels in January next.

This procedure involves some deviation from the normal process of calling for tenders after specifications have been prepared, but the public interest will be fully safeguarded by the conditions laid down. The contracts are to be accepted now subject to the settlement of price at a later date. That this price will be a fair one is ensured by the fact that tenders will by then have been received for the capital ships of the 1937 programme. There are two further financial safeguards of importance. First, the firms are to allow the Admiralty complete facilities for the examination of their estimates of cost when full specifications have been supplied. Second, in case of disagreement on prices, they undertake to accept the decision of the First Lord of the Admiralty.

It must be remembered that owing to the lack of capital ship construction in the last 10 years, the number of firms to whom this work can be entrusted at the present time is small, and to the capacity of these firms must be applied such factors as the time involved in adapting shipyards, the greatest available experience in battleship construction and, finally, the allocation of major shipbuilding, other than warship building, orders. With regard to the inquiry made by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, into the vulnerability of capital ships, I have received an advance copy of the draft report, from which it appears that the designs of the battleships will not be affected by the recommendations.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his reply, may I ask, arising out of his statement, whether the engines for these ships are to be built on these rivers respectively?

The contracts for these two vessels have been allocated as a whole to the firms in question, and, in accordance with normal practice, it will be for the firms to indicate at which of their establishments they propose to construct the engines. My hon. Friend may take comfort from the probability that two new sets of engines for the modernisation of two of the existing capital ships will be placed with firms on the Tyne.

Are we to understand that orders are being issued for these capital ships without tenders having first been submitted and considered, and that the actual specifications of these ships have not been considered by the firms invited to send in tenders? Is not that a new policy?

There is no new policy. We take into account the claims of the various firms, and we by no means ignore the claims of various districts. When the hon. Member reads the answer I have given, he will see that I have dealt fully with the question of the tenders and the safeguards we are adopting to ensure a fair price.

Do I understand that the prices to be paid for these ships will depend on the tenders which are put in for the other ships to be built later?

Yes; the prices will not be fixed until we have received tenders for subsequent ships.

In view of the limited number of firms that are able to build these ships, is not this an open invitation to raise the level of tenders all round?

No. The hon. Member will see, from the answer I have given, that I mentioned other safeguards in addition to this waiting for prices for the next programme, and particularly the safeguard that, in the event of a dispute, the final decision is with the First Lord of the Admiralty.

Surely that is a new policy—

We have a large number of questions on the Order Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the recent cruise of the "Victoria and Albert" revealed any defects; and why the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress" and not the "Victoria and Albert" was used for conveying His Majesty to France on 26th July?

No defects were revealed during the recent cruise of His Majesty's Yacht "Victoria and Albert." With regard to the second part of the question the Admiralty yacht "Enchantress" was used on the occasion referred to, as the "Victoria and Albert" is too large for Calais Harbour.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why no steps have yet been taken in Palestine to suppress and deport the committee in Jerusalem who are directing the terrorist activity?

It is for the High Commissioner for Palestine to decide, in the light of his knowledge of local circumstances, what individuals it is best to place under restraint for activities connected with the present state of disorder, and I am satisfied that he will not hesitate to make full use of the powers which he possesses in whatever way he considers necessary.

Would it not be desirable for the High Commissioner to be recommended to meet the responsible committee and come to an understanding for the settlement of the question?

Is there any truth at all in the assumption in the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's question that the insubordination has been directed by the committee in Jerusalem?

As I stated in the House, I think it rather does beg the question, and I would not like to express an opinion.

Is this not again a case where the workers were out on strike and were ordered to go back to their work before they could discuss terms? Why not send out a Commission to discuss the matter?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why martial law has not yet been enforced in Palestine, as it was during similar troubles in Ceylon and Cyprus?

Martial law has not been proclaimed in Palestine because, having regard to the extensive powers conferred on the High Commissioner by the Palestine Defence Order in Council, it has not up to now been thought necessary or desirable to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, when the Royal Commission to inquire into affairs in Palestine is appointed, it is his intention to retain the present regulations for the entry of Jewish immigrants into that country?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the proposed Royal Commission to be appointed to investigate the situation in Palestine will be instructed to ascertain to what extent, if any, the riots were supported by financial assistance from outside the mandated territory?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that, until the proposed Royal Commission on Palestine has reported, no changes will take place with regard to Jewish immigration into Palestine?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he intends to suspend Jewish immigration into Palestine pending the report of the Royal Commission which is to be set up; and whether he will now announce the composition of the Commission and its terms of reference?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is to be the composition of the Royal Commission dealing with the situation in Palestine; on what approximate date it is proposed that it should leave for Palestine to carry out any necessary inquiries; and whether any approximate indication can be given of the time which will elapse before the report of this Commission can be made available?

With the permission of the House, I will take the opportunity to make a comprehensive statement. His Majesty has been pleased to approve the appointment of the following to serve on the Palestine Royal Commission:

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman what are the grounds for this humiliating and almost insulting exclusion of Members of this House from the Royal Commission; whether there is any precedent for the exclusion of Members of this honourable House from a Royal Commission; and, further, why is the House of Lords contributing as chairman one whose record and convictions are so strikingly pro-Moslem?

I resent very strongly the suggestion that any member of this commission is either pro-Jewish or pro-Arab, or anti-Jewish or anti-Arab. Lord Peel has served the State in many offices, and because he happens in the course of a long public career of undoubted impartiality to have served once in the India Office, it is a most unfair suggestion to be made by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman. With regard to the representation of Members of Parliament, I did think it most desirable that it should not be suspected either by Arabs or Jews that there was any political aspect in the matter of a commission of this kind. There are many precedents in the case of commissions of this kind in this delicate work for not including Members of Parliament, because if one includes Members of Parliament one has to include representatives of all parties, and that would make the commission unduly large.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that some of the reasons for disaffection in Palestine may be connected with the conditions of women, and does he not think it would be desirable to appoint a woman member of the commission? If he is not going to appoint a woman member of the commission, will he not at least undertake to appoint a woman as technical expert connected with the commission, so that half of the Palestinian population may not be left wholly out of account?

I am satisfied that the Women's Arab Committee will be willing to give evidence before the commission. Some weeks ago in the House I gave the reasons why, on inquiry of the High Commissioner, it was considered undesirable to appoint a woman on the commission. There were reasons of religious sentiment which I do not share, but those being the feelings of, not, I will say, a majority but of some persons in Palestine, I did not want to prejudice the work of the commission by causing offence to anybody.

Have any members of the commission any acquaintance with questions of labour and wages, seeing that one of the particular difficulties in Palestine is the question of wages and conditions of employment between Arabs and Jews?

Sir Harold Morris is chairman of the Industrial Court, and his recent work has been almost entirely concerned with industrial questions affecting employers and employés in relation to wages. Similarly, Sir Morris Carter's record is very largely that of an expert in land questions.

May I ask whether, if the commission issues an interim report recommending, for example, a temporary cessation of immigration, it may be possible for the Govern- ment to take action on that interim report?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the possibility that he may offend more people by not appointing a woman on this commission than he would have offended had one been appointed? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"] Yes, there is a very strong feeling about this. [HON. MEMBERS: "Where?"] In Palestine. I would like to ask the right hon. Gentleman further, if he has finally decided that women cannot serve, or are not to be allowed to serve, on this commission, whether he will consider appointing some women or some representatives of labour to advise the commission as to evidence and other matters?

I recognise that it is true that for a number of reasons a large number of people would have welcomed a woman member on the commission, especially the Zionists and some of the modern Arabs, but there are religious-minded Jews, more particularly in Jerusalem, who would resent it very much, and a considerable number of the Mohammedan population would also resent it. It is one thing to give a certain sense of grievance to one side, but it is quite another thing to offend deeply-held religious susceptibilities, and to do so is merely asking for trouble in a country like Palestine.

May I ask whether either the Government or the Royal Commission—

We have already had a large number of supplementary questions on this subject.

May we ask when this Motion is coming forward?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before finally deciding not to include a woman on the proposed Royal Commission on the affairs of Palestine, he will make further inquiries from persons of experience in that country as to the reality of the alleged prejudice against such an appointment among Arab leaders?

I have just informed the House of the composition of the Royal Commission as approved by the King. As regards the inclusion of a woman member, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Lichfield (Mr. Lovat-Fraser) on 30th June.

Has the right hon. Gentleman made any further inquiries, and if not, will he consider acceding to the request made by my right hon. Friend the Member for Bow and Bromley (Mr. Lansbury) as to attaching women to the Commission as technical advisers?

I really do not think that technical advisers from this country are needed. In Palestine there are women and there are labour leaders who could serve in that capacity.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that women were attached to the Franchise Committee which went out to India and that the result was very successful and satisfactory; and will he not bear that precedent in mind?

Arising out of the last part of the right hon. Gentleman's answer, who are the persons of experience and knowledge in Palestine who were consulted on this matter, because a great deal of information on the other side of the question has come to me?

I asked the High Commissioner for Palestine for advice as to views among the various communities in Palestine and to give me information on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the present position with regard to the purchase of aircraft other than British by Australian air lines; and whether he proposes to take any steps, in conjunction with the Department of Overseas Trade, to revive the export trade in British aeroplanes to this part of the world?

This question has been under active consideration. The matter is primarily one for the aircraft manufacturers and exporters themselves, but my Noble Friend is fully alive to the importance of doing everything possible to assist them in maintaining their position in the Australian market. My hon. Friend can rest assured that, so far as official action is involved, all possible support will be forthcoming.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet received the report of the Maybury Committee; and, if so, when will it be published?

No, Sir; but I understand the report is now almost ready for submission; it will be published in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of its importance to the position of our air power in the Eastern Mediterranean, he can yet give the House any information in regard to either the precise or the general terms of the recently con- cluded air agreement between Italy and Germany, with special reference to the Dodecanese islands?

The agreement deals with the establishment of air transport services between Italy and Germany and provides for the grant to Germany of the use of an airport in one of the Aegean Islands. Its precise terms are not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Central Electricity Board is encouraging local authorities to engage in the commercial business of sea transport; and whether he will make appropriate representations to the Board regarding the un-desirability of this practice?

So far as the Electricity Commissioners are concerned no new principle appears to be involved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has been in consultation with the county council of Dumbarton relative to the suggested road improvement scheme for highways bordering Loch Lomond; and, if so, what is the result of these negotiations?

I understand that the present proposal of the county council is to carry out, subject to grant from the Road Fund, a comprehensive survey of the whole length of this road from Balloch to the Perthshire boundary as a preliminary to the preparation of an improvement scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to give the scheme preferential treatment and consideration in view of the fact that the development of Loch Lomond would be a national asset?

When I receive the scheme, I shall be prepared to answer that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet made any communication to the Durham and Northumberland authorities regarding the freeing of the ferry at Jarrow; and whether he has yet taken any steps towards the lifting of this heavy rate burden for the ferry on the Jarrow rate?

After I have had an opportunity of giving full consideration to the report of my divisional road engineer upon the general question of cross-river facilities of the Tyne, I propose to communicate with the local authorities concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make his promised statement as to whether he is prepared to pay compensation in net cash, instead of site value, for the proposed Felling-Gateshead by-pass road?

The statement which I promised on 27th April was made on 6th May, 1936. Further I informed the Gateshead Corporation on 20th May that I was prepared to consider an application for a grant towards the net cost of constructing a by-pass but the corporation has made no application to me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the slowing effect of horse-drawn traffic in busy thoroughfares, especially in the London area, he will consider introducing legislation or regulations whereby such horse-drawn traffic shall be prohibited from using certain thoroughfares at busy times of the day?

Yes, Sir. I propose to give notice of regulations restricting the use of selected streets in Central London by horse-drawn and other slow-moving traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in order to assist the motoring public in the observance of speed limits, he will arrange to place at their disposal means for synchronising their speedometers similar to those which are available to the mobile police?

If a driver is in any doubt as to the accuracy of his speedometer, I am confident that the makers would be only too ready to test it for him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable public dissatisfaction in regard to this matter; and would it not be possible to have some means whereby the public could keep their speedometers synchronised?

I have indicated a means.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that for many months annoyance has been caused to residents at Hedgerley Corner, near Farnham Common, by the constant turning in a narrow country lane outside their houses of omnibuses and coaches from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; and, as both the county council and the London Passenger Trans port Board refuse to undertake the expense required to provide a proper turning place, will he send down an official from the Ministry to make inquiries on the spot and recommend a solution of the difficulty?

The matter is not within my jurisdiction.

What relief is there for these unfortunate people?

There is the Metropolitan Traffic Commissioner.

We have applied to everyone and cannot get any satisfaction.

I should say that the Traffic Commissioner does not agree with my hon. and gallant Friend. I am sorry, but the matter is not one for me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that heavy motor cars constructed or adapted for the conveyance of horses and their attendants, and used solely for that purpose, are permitted to travel on a road at 30 miles per hour, in order to facilitate the conveyance of other live animals by road to market, he is prepared to exercise his power under Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, of varying the speed limit by increasing to 30 miles per hour the maximum speed of a heavy motor car constructed or adapted for the conveyance of sheep, cattle or pigs?

The provision in question refers specifically and solely to horses, cattle being implicitly excluded, doubtless upon humane grounds.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that butchers give extra money for sheep which are delivered in this way; and would he consider enabling farmers to make use of this means of transport for cattle?

I understand that race horses are delivered in specially padded boxes, whereas it would be cruelty to the cattle—although perhaps a convenience to the farmer—to send them travelling at a great speed in wagons not specially constructed for the purpose.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the increasing traffic on the Kingston by-pass; whether he is aware that there is space on either side of this road to permit of widening; and whether, in the interests of safety, he will consider putting this work in operation?

I am now conferring with the highway authority regarding the provision of dual carriageways on sections of this road.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make with reference to the plan disclosed by Mr. Pirow, and placed by him before the British Government when in London, for European Powers with African possessions to each give a portion in order to make room for Germany; and whether any of the Powers in question have been approached or have signified their willingness to enter into such an arrangement in any circumstances?

No such plan as that described by the hon. Member has been communicated to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom nor, so far as I am aware, to any other Government. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Has not the Prime Minister seen the statement made by Mr. Pirow in the Press, and do I understand that there is no foundation whatever for the statement?

I have had my attention drawn to the statement, but, so far as I know, the answer which I have given is absolutely correct, from inquiries that I have made myself.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence what further progress has been made in the allocation of defence contracts to firms in Lancashire?

I gave certain particulars as regards Lancashire in reply to a question which my hon. Friend the Member for Moss Side (Mr. Rostron Duckworth) addressed to me on the 16th instant, and I have no later information. As I have explained previously, particularly in regard to special and depressed areas, to extract particulars of contracts and subcontracts by reference to geographical areas would involve an immense amount of time and labour.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, whether the sub-committee which are recommending the steps to be taken to increase the output of agriculture in an emergency have consulted any agriculture interests outside the Ministry of Agriculture; and, if not, will they consult with the Agricultural Advisory Committee and the Council of Agriculture for England and Wales as well as with some of those who had experience in dealing with the whole question of food supplies in the late War?

The sub-committee include representatives of the agricultural Departments which are in close touch with outside agricultural interests. While I have no doubt that my right hon. Friends will bear in mind my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion as to formal consultations should the necessity arise, there is naturally considerable information in the possession of the Departments as to the arrangements made for food supplies in the late War.

While the Ministries may give statistics supplied by the Treasury, should not the right hon. Gentleman consult the practical men who speed the plough, breed the beef, milk the cows and produce the eggs?

Will the Government consider the advisability of bringing in a compulsory land cultivation Bill?

That is another question, but if the hon. Member will put it down, I will try to answer it.

Will my right hon. Friend consult with the Scottish agricultural experts as well?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the committee on the construction of battleships and aircraft-carriers is to report, without practical experiments on the bombing of such craft having been carried out?

No, Sir. The report of the committee will take into account practical experiments which have in fact taken place.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will consider setting up a board of invention to encourage and examine devices for protection against aerial attack and other problems of defence?

Facilities already exist for the examination by experts of any proposals of the nature indicated which are received. Inventions of all kinds are frequently received and are given the fullest consideration.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in placing contracts for the supply of munitions and for the supply of raw materials in connection therewith, he will consider the desirability of requesting contractors to make use of coastal shipping for the necessary transport wherever possible?

I will bring the point made by my hon. and gallant Friend to the notice of the Service Departments for consideration in relation to the contracts which they make.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of De-fence what orders for munitions have either been given to, or sub-let to, Krupps or other German firms by any of the Service Departments or any of the contractors to these Departments in connection with the present re-armament programme; and what is the amount involved?

I am advised by the Service Departments that no orders for munitions have been placed with Messrs. Krupps or other German firms, but that a few requirements in the form of individual machines or other appliances for experimental purposes have been obtained from Germany. Precise figures in respect of the latter are not available, but the amount is negligible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that at the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce this week it was stated that large orders for machine tools had been placed with Messrs. Krupps because they were not available in time in this country?

I was not aware of this statement.