asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of voyages which have been made by British warships to take off refugees from Spain during the civil war in that country; the number of such refugees who have been so rescued; the cost of these operations to this country; and from which Governments of countries to which these refugees belong expressions of appreciation of the work carried out by the British Navy have been received?

Up to 4th November, the number of voyages made by His Majesty's ships solely to evacuate refugees from Spain was 220, representing a mileage steamed of 75,724 miles. Eleven thousand one hundred and ninety-five refugees have been evacuated. The cost of fuel is at present estimated at about £40,000. In addition there has been some minor expenditure for miscellaneous purposes such as messing of refugees, hire of tenders for disembarkation, etc. Details of these charges are not yet available. Expressions of appreciation have been received from the Belgian, Chilean, Dominican, Finnish, German, Japanese, Netherlands, Norwegian, Peruvian, Polish, Swedish, Swiss, United States and Venezuelan Governments, from the Cuban Minister in Paris and from the Senate of the Free City of Danzig.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that under existing Admiralty Regulations naval officers who are accepted for the Navy after a searching medical examination as Al lives, with no adverse family history, and who after years of service subsequently develop tuberculosis, are discharged without compensation and without sanatorium treatment on the ground that it could not be definitely proved that the disease, though contracted during naval service, had been brought about through that employment; and whether such Regulations will be altered so as to enable officers who have contracted tuberculosis during their naval service to receive some sanatorium treatment before their discharge?

Although tuberculosis is a common disease in civilian life as well as in the Navy, 24 out of the 26 naval officers invalided for pulmonary tuberculosis during the last three years have had their disability accepted as attributable to their service. Officers whose disability is accepted as attributable receive retired pay with disability addition, and also as there are no Service facilities for sanatorium treatment, they receive grants for sanatorium treatment outside. It is reasonably certain that in some of these instances the disease would have developed equally in civil life, but the Naval Regulations are widely drawn in order to avoid inflicting hardship in individual cases. The few officers whose pulmonary tuberculosis cannot be accepted as attributable to the naval service receive Service retired pay or gratuity according to their rank and length of service. I regret that it would not be possible to justify differentiation between these officers and those invalided for other non-attributable causes by making grants for special treatment to the former.

Is my Noble Friend not aware of the case of Lieut. Slaney, who was invalided out of the Service, who contracted tuberculosis while serving on a destroyer, who was taken to hospital, and who was dismissed from the Navy while still in bed in hospital, and that his mother had to provide the cost of an ambulance to remove him from that hospital and has also had the charge of providing treatment ever since?

As my hon. Friend knows very well, I have had a long correspondence with him about this case, and unfortunately there was no action which we could take under the existing Regulations. As I said in my answer, the proportion of officers invalided from this disease on non-attributable grounds is very small, but I have the greatest sympathy for them, and anything which we can do to relieve them I shall only be too glad to do.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is the object of the question, and that notwithstanding his great personal interest in this case, it was found that the Regulations would not allow of anything being done?

Is retired pay in similar circumstances given to men of the lower deck?

May I ask the Noble Lord whether he is not considering doing something of this sort in precisely similar cases applying to men of the Royal Navy, in which we are told that the Admiralty is helpless to do anything for men who lose their health in the Service?

That is going far beyond the question on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, as a result of his recent visit to Cyprus, it is proposed to take any steps to improve the existing harbours for the purposes of the British Navy?

The question of harbour developments at Cyprus is receiving the attention of His Majesty's Governrnent, but no decision has been reached.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers of sailors who complete their terms of service each year and become available for other employment?

The average number of sailors annually discharged on completion of engagement during the last five financial years has been 3,201; the number of sailors actually discharged during the last financial year was 3,296.

Will my Noble Friend consider a scheme for guaranteeing these men work after they leave the Service?

I am glad to say that a great proportion of these men do get employment,

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will take the opportunity of the occasion of the visit to London of the Polish Foreign Minister, Colonel Beck, to discuss the position of the Ukrainian minority in Poland for which Great Britain has certain responsibilities under the Minorities Treaty; and whether he will especially raise the question of the colonisation of the Ukrainian territory in Poland with Polish settlers which is going on at the present time?

I would remind the hon. Member that the execution of the Minorities Treaty is the concern of the League of Nations as a whole, and, so far as I am aware, the matter referred to by the hon. Member is not at present before the League.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the newspaper reports alleging that Poles are being settled by the Polish Government in the Ukraine, and, if so, is not that a violation of the spirit and the letter of the Minorities Treaty?

I have not heard of the report to which the hon. Member alludes, and in any event there is a proper Minorities procedure at Geneva which should be used in these cases.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the approximate additional military expenditure incurred in Palestine as a result of the strike called by the Arab Higher Committee; what part of this expenditure will be borne by the British Government; and what part will fall upon the Government of Palestine?

It is not possible at the present stage to give a reliable estimate of the cost of the reinforcements sent to Palestine, or consequently of the amounts which may fall to be borne by His Majesty's Government and the Palestine Government respectively.

Is the whole of this cost to be borne by His Majesty's Government, or will it be shared by the Palestine Government?

I answered a question on that point put by my hon. and gallant Friend; it is to be shared.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that during the past few months German nationals halze been arriving in British and Portuguese colonies in East and West Africa, in large numbers; and whether there is any obligation on Great Britain to protect the integrity of Portuguese possessions in Africa to-day, in addition to those under our own administration.

I have seen a report to this effect in one newspaper but, so far as British Dependencies in East and West Africa are concerned, I believe the report to be incorrect. The second part of the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Does the right hon. Gentleman have any record of the different nationalities going into East Africa, and does he know for a fact whether the suggestion in the question is correct?

The most recent figures give the definite information as to the number of people of different nationalities entering all our territories, and this statement in one newspaper is not borne out by our information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the colonies or territories among which the loss of same £2,500,000 sterling was distributed, incurred mainly due to the fluctuations of the rupee, by the East African Currency Board.

The East African Currency Board operates in the territories of Kenya, Uganda and Tanganyika, and has this year extended to Zanzibar. It was set up at the end of 1919, and, owing to the fact that it was compelled to take over Indian rupees at 2s. which subsequently fell, it incurred a loss of £916,310 between the years 1920 and 1923. During the same period it sustained further losses amounting to £610,024, due to the redemption of the rupees which had been issued by the German Government in Tanganyika. A further depreciation in the Board's assets has been caused by the fall in the value of silver since 1920 when the Board had to purchase silver for its coinage. The loss on that account stood in June, 1935, at £619,000, though, of course, it varies in accordance with the current price of silver. In addition the Board in 1920 took over the East Africa Protectorate Note Guarantee Fund, and was faced with a liability on that account of £203,200. The loss has fallen upon the East African Currency Board and its effect has been to reduce the Board's assets (which are being replenished from its annual income). No payment has been made from the funds of any of the territories concerned.

Is the Currency Board being reimbursed for this loss?

No, the Currency Board is now making a substantial profit and it is considered sufficient to make up for this loss, which accrued for very special reasons when the board began.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a commercial agreement has yet been entered into between the Egyptian and Palestine Governments; and, if so, what is the nature and duration of the same?

Yes, Sir. The agreement provides for certain reductions in Customs duties and railway rates in each country and for future discussions aimed at the general development and improvement of trade relations by these and other methods. The agreement remains in force until August, 1937, and thereafter indefinitely subject to three months' notice on either side.

Is it the intention of the Government to extend the principle of the reduction of Customs dues with a view to increasing international trade?

It is hardly for me to deal with a general question of policy arising out a particular example. Statements regarding the Government's policy have recently been made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the President of the Board of Trade, who are more concerned than I am.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that numbers of coloured people in the ports of this country are anxious to return to their homes in the Colonies; that it is only possible for them to do so providing funds for this purpose can be obtained; that the social organisations interested in this question are unable to provide adequate funds for the purpose; and whether he will consider approaching the shipping companies with a view to securing free passage back to the dependencies for a limited number of those who may wish to return to their homes?

Certain questions relating to the welfare of coloured people in this country are now under consideration. I am not sure that the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend is practicable, but, if any substantial number of these persons desire to return to their homes, the question of what steps can be taken to facilitate this will be considered.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this important question has been considered by His Majesty's Government for no less than three years; and in view of that fact, may I ask whether my right hon. Friend will receive a deputation from the social organisation which is particularly interested in this problem and to which appeals are frequently made for financial assistance?

I understand that there is an inter-departmental committee of the Board of Trade, the Colonial Office, the Home Office and the India Office now sitting and going into this very question. I am not at all sure that I can advance matters as it does not affect only the Colonial Office.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the coloured people of this country do as well as the coloured gentleman at Wembley last Monday?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulties with which the coloured population in some of the ports of this country are confronted in obtaining passports or nationality certificates; and whether he proposes to take action with a view to mitigating these hardships?

I was not aware that coloured Colonial seamen in the ports of this country were now experiencing difficulty in obtaining nationality certificates, but if my hon. and gallant Friend will send me particulars of specific cases in which difficulties have arisen I shall be pleased to make inquiries on the subject.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of cases have already been submitted to the Home Office and that the Home Office received a deputation on the matter before the Recess? In view of that fact, will my right hon. Friend be so kind as to request the committee to which he has referred to consider this point?

I would point out that the question of nationality certificates is not a matter for me, but for the Home Office. I have no doubt that they are already familiar with it, and the question should be addressed to them. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any examples of Colonial seamen, that is, British subjects or British protected persons, who, he knows, are experiencing difficulty, that would be a matter for me, and if he will give me particulars I might be able to deal with them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give particulars of the experiments that have recently been made in Great Britain with engineless gliding planes; whether any results have been recorded from same; and has the Ministry considered the advisability of giving official encouragement and financial assistance to experimental work with gliders?

Experiments of this kind are proceeding continually by the gliding clubs and the manufacturers and the results of them are embodied in new types of gliders or the modification of existing types. No record is kept by the Air Ministry of the particulars of the experiments as this would involve elaborate organisation which would not appear to be necessary. As regards the last part of the question, financial assistance up to £5,000 a year is already being given by the Air Ministry to the gliding movement.

Is the financial assistance limited to the manufacture of British-made gliders, or does it also apply to the purchase of foreign gliders?

The allocation and administration of this fund is undertaken by the British Gliding Association.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the Report of the Maybury Committee will be published?

My Noble Friend has not yet received the report, but I hope that it will soon be in his possession.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the agreement for the operation of a Japanese air service between Japan and North China; and whether the Chinese authorities are prepared to grant a similar concession to a British undertaking for an air service between Hong Kong and North China?

I understand that the preliminary steps have been taken for the conclusion of a Sino-Japanese agreement for an air service between Japan and China but that no such agreement is yet in force. The policy of the Chinese Government has hitherto been to exclude foreign air services; if and when it is changed, all possible steps will be taken to obtain facilities for British air services in China, and meanwhile the whole position in this respect is being carefully watched.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it has been arranged that the aeroplanes of Pan-Pacific Airways and of the China National Aviation Corporation shall be permitted to fly into Hong Kong?

Permission has been given for aeroplanes of Pan-American Airways and of the China National Aviation Corporation to fly to Hong Kong.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the inquiry on the accident happening to a machine belonging to Jersey Airways, on 31st July, will be presented?

I hope that the conclusions in the case of this accident will be available for publication shortly.

May I ask my right hon. Friend what "shortly" means?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been drawn to the danger and nuisance caused by aeroplanes with advertisement streamers flying over the crowds assembled to witness the Lord Mayor of London's procession on 9th November; and whether he will take steps to restrict such flights over large cities?

I am not aware that there was any dangerous or otherwise illegal flying on the occasion mentioned, but I would remind my hon. Friend that the enforcement of the regulations governing flying over London is a matter for the police. As regards the last part of the question, the regulations already prohibit flights over towns except at such altititude as will enable the aircraft to land outside in the event of mechanical breakdown.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the success of this kind of advertisement depends on the aeroplane making sufficient noise to make people look up in the air, and does he not consider that that constitutes an unjustifiable nuisance?

An aeroplane which is not flying at a low altitude still might make a certain amount of noise.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in fact, his noble Friend has power to prevent the use of these advertisement streamers altogether if he wishes to do so?

No, Sir, we have only power to make regulations for safety.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether British or American air-liners will be used on the projected trans-Canada air line; and when this line is expected to start operations?

As regards the first part of the question, I understand that no decision has yet been made by the Canadian Government, and as regards the second part, that it is hoped to inaugurate the service by 1st July next.

Can my right hon, Friend tell the House whether British manufacturers of civil aircraft are capable -of competing with the manufacturers in the markets of the world, and if so why it is that a British subsidised company, subsidised by the taxpayers of this country, has recently bought American aircraft?

I do not think that point arises out of this question, which refers to Canada.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made in 1936 towards starting a British air service over the North and South Atlantic; and when it is hoped to start these services?

Since the agreement announced to the House on 30th July last, negotiations have continued between the Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada and the Irish Free State, and with the United States Government, in regard to the establishment of the North Atlantic service. Active preparation of air bases, fully equipped with the necessary wireless and meteorological facilities, is in hand in the Irish Free State and Newfoundland. It is hoped that experimental flights will begin in the spring of 1937, and that the commencement of the regular service will follow as soon as sufficient experience has been gained. As regards the South Atlantic service, tenders have been received and are now under consideration. The date of commencement of this service depends upon the results of this examination.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air for the latest figures showing the present ratio of aeroplane and seaplane strength of Great Britain as compared with that of France, Germany, and Italy?

The hon. Member will find all the published information available on this subject in the Armaments Year-Book of the League of Nations, 1936, which has just been issued.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Ministry still maintains an approved and an unapproved list of engine manufacturers; has any manufacturer been promoted from the unapproved to the approved list since 1920; and, whether invitations to tender for engines have been limited to the approved list, what efforts have been made to secure the cooperation of the unapproved firms?

As set out in the recent White Paper on the Government policy in relation to the production of aero-engines, the engines required by the Air Ministry are normally obtained from four firms all of a which have been supplying engines since 1920. The types of engines required are primarily determined by the selection of the aeroplane, and by the firm who design and produce it; and engines of admirable performance are available. But, as the hon. Member will see from the White Paper, the Air Ministry would not hesitate to add to these firms a good firm which had produced an engine which was suitable for adoption in connection with approved types of aircraft, and which could be produced in adequate numbers by the required dates. The Air Ministry are always ready to supervise the prescribed British type tests on any engine produced in this country. I would point out, however, that the primary need is not for a multiplication of types but for the rapid development and production of proved types of high performance which are the necessary complement of the aeroplanes on order. The most effective help that can be given in this respect by other manufacturers is by sub-contract work in the production of airframes and engines of the types required in the programme. Constant efforts are being made to secure this co-operation, and I am glad to say that they have met with a large measure of success.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many civil flying training schools are in existence; and whether it is proposed to increase the number, in view of the required increase of pilots for the Royal Air Force.

There are now 13 civil flying training schools engaged under contract with the elementary training of Royal Air Force pilots to which number they were raised to meet the needs of expansion. Additional schools for the purpose of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, to the number of about 20, are in contemplation.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me how many pupils there are in the schools already in existence?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put down a question on that point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the numbers of men serving in the Air Force who complete their term of service each year and become available for other employment.

The average annual number of airmen leaving the Royal Air Force on the expiration of their term of service during the five years ended 31st March, 1935—that is, before the initiation of the present expansion programme—was 1,704. Owing to additional re-engagements and extensions of service to meet expansion requirements, the number will be materially lower for the next few years.

Will my right hon. Friend consider a scheme for ensuring that these men get employment after they have completed their service?

Everything possible is done in the Air Ministry on that matter.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement regarding the present position as regards recruiting for the Royal Air Force?

Since the expansion programme for the Royal Air Force was announced at the end of May, 1935, some 20,000 men and boys have been enlisted, and I think that there are good grounds for satisfaction with the response to the appeal then made. A continuance of such public support will be necessary to ensure the completion of the defence programme.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many have been accepted?

Over 20,000.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what duties are performed by Lord Weir in connection with the Government's Royal Air Force expansion programme; whether Lord Weir holds any official position under the Air Ministry; and if so, what are the terms of his appointment?

As my Noble Friend the late Secretary of State for Air stated in another place on 22nd May, 1935, Lord Weir was invited to act in an advisory capacity in regard to questions of policy associated with supply, production and industry in connection with the scheme of air force expansion. Lord Weir continues to act in the same capacity. He holds no official position under the Air Ministry in the sense of an executive appointment and there are no terms of appointment which can be quoted except in so far as terms are implied in the announcement made by Lord Londonderry.

Will the Under- Secretary say whether Lord Weir works in an honorary capacity?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that young men who have, at their own expense, qualified for an A licence have been rejected upon their application to the Royal Air Force for training as airmen pilots merely on grounds of their age being 25½ years or six months beyond the age limit for applicants for actual flying; and whether, in view of the need of this branch of the service for keen and qualified pilots, he will allow more latitude in regard to the age limit when suitable candidates offer themselves for service?

I am not aware of any such cases. Applicants for short service commissions or for training as airmen pilots who have qualified for an A licence are specially considered up to the age of 26. Perhaps my hon. Friend would let me have particulars of any case or cases he has in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of new military aerodromes on which work has actually started since 1st January, 1936; and whether it is proposed to build any underground hangars on any of these aerodromes?

The answer to the first part of the question is 14. As regards the second part, it would not be in the public interest to give information upon this subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is in a position to report on the results of the experiments in the use of cotton-cloth for road making; and, in view of the importance to Lancashire of discovering new uses for cotton, will he specify cotton-cloth as one of the materials to be employed in new road construction?

Results of experiments in this country and abroad do not, according to present information, justify me in specifying cotton-cloth for use on British roads.

asked the Minister of Transport the policy of his Department with regard to the supersession of tramcars by trolleybuses; and whether he can make a statement for the guidance of municipalities?

I have frequently expressed the opinion—and I am encouraged by results to believe that the municipalities share it—that the replacing of trains by vehicles not requiring rails in the road-bed makes for the greater convenience of traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has been in consultation with the representatives or organisations of those engaged in the road transport industry with a view to the organisation of road transport in case of war or other national emergency; and, if not, whether such a step is contemplated?

asked the Minister of Transport whether any plan for the distribution of food and other supplies in this country in the event of war has yet been submitted by the Associated Road Operators or other bodies concerned with road transport; whether such scheme or schemes have been adopted wholly or in part; and, if not, whether any plans have been made for the distribution of food or other supplies in time of war or other national emergency?

These matters have not been overlooked.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the danger to human and animal life, he will take steps to ensure that all live electric rails are adequately protected upon railway systems in open country?

I am advised that live electric lines are protected where persons and animals are allowed on the line.

Is the Minister aware that there were 64 casualties last year alone?

No, Sir, I was not aware of that. If my hon. and gallant Friend has any suggestion to make where there is any omission of duty by the railway company, I shall be only too glad to hear it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the steps that are being taken to establish a monopoly control throughout the ports of this country in like manner to that which the railway companies are endeavouring to establish regarding the roads; and whether this attempt to stifle all private enterprise will be resisted by the Ministry?

I am not aware of any such attempts.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that within 10 miles of the House of Commons there is a place where negotiations have been considered for registration and licensing of various private enterprises?

I have no doubt that that would be true if my hon. Friend said it, but I do not quite see the relevance of it to this question. If I can assist him and he will communicate with me, I shall be obliged.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will arrange to have placed in the Tea Room of the House of Commons a large scale map showing the roads to be transferred under the Trunk Roads Bill?

Yes, Sir.

Will the Minister also include in the map all trunk roads not taken over?

The map contains the roads which I am taking over. If it contained all the roads of the country, that would mean delay.

Will it show the trunk roads that he is not taking over, the large and important roads?

I am taking over all the trunk roads, and they will all be shown.

Does the Minister not regard the road that leads to Scarborough as a trunk road?

asked the Minister of Transport in what way the Government consider that the national defence programme prevents the provision of a road-bridge over the estuary of the Forth near Queensferry meantime; when it is considered that the time will be opportune; and whether he is prepared to meet the local authorities' representatives to discuss the desirability of early progress being made?

I have nothing to add to the statements made on behalf of the Government on 5th November and yesterday.

May I ask what stands in the way of the Government giving authority now, or entering into an agreement now, that this bridge should proceed? Is the Minister aware that years of preliminary work will be needed before any steel, for example, will be required in the construction of the bridge?

That is the question that I have answered. I have referred to the statement which lays down that the Government will feel bound to have primary regard to the overriding importance of the national defence programme, and the demands which that programme will progressively make upon the national resources.

How long—[Interruption]—how long is the defence programme expected to make such demands upon, for example, steel output as will make it impossible to proceed with these bridges; and may I also ask this important question: Is it agreed by the Government that, when the requirements of the defence programme have been met, these bridges may proceed, and in what order, alphabetical or otherwise?

The question "How long?" should be addressed to a higher quarter. The last part of the 'question I also answered when I stated that this decision will not exclude the reconsideration of these projects at a later date.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to suggest by his previous answer that the reason why the bridge over the Forth cannot be proceeded with is lack of steel? If so, will he inquire of the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Board of Trade why we could not have a steel works in Jarrow, in order to provide sufficient steel both for the bridges and for whatever defence programme is required?

There was no suggestion in the answer that there was any lack of steel, but there was a suggestion that in the placing of orders His Majesty's Government must give priority to the defence needs of the country.

rose—

Captain Plugge.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the approaches to the new bridge at Kincardine-on-Forth are inadequately sign-posted; and whether his Department are taking steps to have this improved?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement as to the present position of the scheme for a road by-passing the Medway towns, and the attitude of his Department in relation to it?

I am prepared to consider the proposals of the highway authorities concerned as soon as these are determined and received.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration the planning of broad one-way motor roads from London to Scotland, London to Lancashire, and London to the West of England?

No, Sir.

Has the right hon. Gentleman given no consideration whatever to the planning of such roads; and, if that be the case, does he not consider that such roads would be of great national utility?

I have often given consideration to this matter, but, in a thickly populated and thickly roaded country such as ours, I am not prepared to recommend embarking on the construction of an entirely new road system. I think that our task is to improve the system which we now have.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to give facilities for the discussion of the Motion which appears on the Order Paper in the name of the hon. Member for Ebbw Vale (Mr. Bevan) and other hon. Members; and if so, when?

The object of this Motion is to enable the unemployed marchers to set forth their grievances at the Bar of the House. I do not doubt that the marchers hold their opinions strongly and sincerely, and I should not wish to challenge the right of appearance at the Bar of this House, if it should appear, by however slender an argument, that grievances or the remedies for grievances had not been properly considered in Parliament. The discussion of grievances is, however, the primary duty of this House; and it is one of its greatest attributes that on all matters of common interest it enables every shade of opinion to be freely expressed. The subjects with regard to which the marchers desire to make their representations, and particularly the family means test, have been debated on many occasions. I do not believe that to hear the marchers at the Bar would add anything to the information of the House, and such a procedure would appear to be an admission of the inadequacy of Parliamentary representation which I, for one, would sincerely deplore. In these circumstances, I regret that I cannot see my way to give facilities for the discussion of the Motion.

May I ask the Prime Minister to reconsider that reply, in view of the fact that the King's Speech contains no proposal for dealing with the ills of the depressed areas except one Measure, which is included in the Expiring Laws Continuance Bill and the provisions of which the Chief Commissioner has said are quite inadequate to deal with the situation? In fact, I put it to the right hon. Gentleman, that there is a feeling of grievance in all these areas that, whatever they may do, the condition of the areas is being neglected, and they ask to appear before this House so that they can be satisfied that this House understands their grievances.

I much regret that I cannot see that the substance of that question affects the answer which I have given. All these matters will he debated, probably at length and properly so in this House, and the principle, to which I adhere, of the answer which I have given is not, in my opinion, affected by that.

In view of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will ask leave at the end of Questions to move the Adjournment of the House in order to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely, the refusal to-day of the Prime Minister to grant any facilities whatever for the unemployed hunger marchers to voice their grievances to himself, the Cabinet, or the House.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the importance and despite the amount of labour that may be involved in separating out the figures, he will give the total value of contracts placed in different areas?

I have, as desired by my hon. Friend, considered again the point made in his question, but I am still of the opinion that the labour involved would be incommensurate with the value of the results to be obtained.

May I ask my right hon. Friend, if he is unable to give the information, where I may get it?

It is not a question of being able to get the information; the question is whether the information can be tabulated without a great deal of labour.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that he would find the value arising out of the calculations very great indeed?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is more than five months since the Government appointed a committee to advise and outline schemes for safeguarding food supplies in the event of emergency; whether he can account for the delay and state when the committee will present their report and, in view of the urgency of the matter, give an undertaking to arrange for the immediate storage of a year's wheat supply?

asked the Ministers for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the fact that investigation of the subject has continued for a long period of time, he is now in a position to lay proposals before Parliament to ensure the establishment of adequate grain reserves in the United Kingdom?

The Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, which was appointed to advise and outline schemes for safeguarding food supplies in the event of emergency, has made a full inquiry into all the different parts of this question, and from time to time definite decisions on important matters of principle have been given, in order to facilitate further progress. There has been no delay. In view of the nature of some of the proposals now under consideration, it is not likely that any public statement will be made until the final decisions have been reached. Reports on several aspects of the question have in fact been presented, but I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that reports of Sub-Committees of the Committee of Imperial Defence are confidential, and are not published. I cannot give the undertaking suggested.

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the submarine menace brought us within a fortnight of starvation in the last War, and that in the next, this menace will be greatly intensified?

The importance of that and of other considerations is fully recognised by the committee.

Does the Minister know that some people in this country are within a day of starvation, not a fortnight?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will now consider the advisability of taking steps for the State to take over the manufacture and control of all armaments?

The Government are considering the Report of the Royal Commission on the Private Manufacture of and Trading in Arms. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that the Royal Commission have reported that, in their opinion, a system of State monopoly is undesirable.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in his opinion, the Government, under State ownership and control, would not be more able to safeguard the nation's finances?

No, I am not of that opinion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's first answer mean that the Government have not made up their mind about the proposals made by the Commission?

The question addressed to me was in relation to what might be described as nationalisation of the industry. I would remind the hon. Gentleman that that part of the committee's report is unfavourable to the proposal.

Yes, but the right hon. Gentleman made a reference to the recommendations of the commission; have the Government reached any decision on the recommendations yet?

No, Sir, the Government have scarcely had time to consider the recommendations.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the reasons why the Government have placed any aero-engine orders with redundant factories within the United Kingdom?

I am not quite sure what the hon. Member has in mind, but I do not think I can usefully add to the information given in the White Paper (Cmd. 5295), in which the policy of the Government as regards aero-engines was fully explained.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any orders have been placed with any redundant factories at all in this country?

Orders for aeroengines have been placed in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether it is his intention, and if so, when, to establish a proper scheme of superannuation for employes in the service of His Majesty's Office of Works.

I assume that the hon. Member refers to industrial staff. Such staff is not confined to the Office of Works, and I understand that the possibility of including Government industrial employes generally in a contributory pensions scheme has recently been discussed on the appropriate Whitley body representing the staff concerned. As a result of that discussion, the trade union side have been informed that the introduction of such a scheme for Government industrial employés would involve substantial additional expenditure without adequate compensatory advantage. The Government, therefore, do not contemplate any such modification of existing arrangements.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether, having regard to the new proposals contained in the report of the Committee on Electricity Distribution, dated the 8th May, 1936, he is now prepared to publish the evidence given before the committee?

Evidence was taken by the committee on the understanding that it would be regarded as confidential.

While I recognise the difficulties of the Minister, may I ask him to recognise the difficulties of the districts and others in this matter?

If my hon. and gallant Friend can suggest any manner in which I can assist him or them, I shall be only too pleased.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, whether the refacing of the Palace of Westminster will be completed by the date of the Coronation, or whether it will be necessary to leave the scaffolding in place during that period?

My Noble Friend regrets that it will not be practicable entirely to remove the scaffolding by the date of the Coronation, but he will arrange to reduce as much as possible the height of that now in position in New Palace Yard.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House information regarding the stay-in strike which took place in a British-owned cotton mill in Pondicherry at the end of July last; whether he is aware that the British con- sular representative at Pondicherry notified the French authorities that if the latter would not intervene against the strike he would request the governor of Madras to do so, and a force of police and sepoys was ultimately sent to break the strike; and what number of Indian workers lost their lives during the attack in the cotton mill?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the facts. Towards the end of July strikes occurred in the textile mills in Pondicherry, which spread to the British cotton mill there, and, on the afternoon of 29th July a body of strikers in possession of the main gates of the British mill declared their intention of holding the European staff and their families as hostages until their demands were conceded. In response to a request for assistance addressed to the French authorities, a force of French sepoys and police was sent, which succeeded in effecting the rescue of the imprisoned persons. No notification of the kind suggested by the hon. Member was made to the French authorities. I understand that there were no casualties among British subjects, but that one French sepoy and two labourers lost their lives during the disturbances.

Is the Under-Secretary not aware that a statement of this character has appeared, not only in the Press in India, but in the European Press; and will he tell us how many of the strikers were casualties as a consequence of the attack?

I have given the hon. Member the information in my possession. In my original answer I informed him that one French sepoy and two labourers lost their lives during the disturbance.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many acres of the property already acquired in the North Tyne Valley have been or will be planted with trees; and how many acres are intended to be left unplanted?

Of the 59,208 acres acquired by the Forestry Commissioners in the North Tyne Valley, 28,575 acres were classified at the time of acquisition as plalitable, and the remainder, namely 30,633 acres, as too good or too poor to afforest.

Is the fact that some of this land is unplantable due to copse?

It is mostly land that is above the 1,000-feet contour line.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, to what use is the unplanted area of the Forestry Commission land to be put?

The land classified as too good for planting will be used mainly for agricultural purposes and forest workers' holdings; that classified as too poor will be used for sheep grazing.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the land at the top, with the forest below, is perfectly useless for sheep grazing?

We are able to let the land above the 1,000-feet contour line at a small rent.

asked the hon. and gallant Member for Barkston Ash, as representing the Forestry Commissioners, how many forest holdings will be established per 1,000 acres of planted land in the North Tyne Valley?

The normal number is five forest workers' holdings per 1,000 acres of plantable land. The Commissioners will be guided by circumstances in deciding the precise number to be established in the whole valley.