asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the annoyance and loss suffered by civilians, especially in such areas as Wiltshire, owing to the noise of aircraft over villages, he will say what progress is being made with remedial measures in the interests of the civilian population?

The Aircraft Noise Sub-Committee of the Aeronautical Research Committee is continuing its study of the problems of aircraft noise. Research on exhaust silencers is virtually complete and a report will shortly be made public. Other difficult problems remain to be solved and the question how far performance can be sacrificed for the sake of reduced engine noise also arises. Any reduction in engine noise gained by the fitting of exhaust silencers leaves unaffected, however, noise from the air-screw and body of the aircraft, and these tend to increase with increased power and speed. Research on this aspect of the problem is also proceeding, but I regret that I cannot hold out any prospect of a substantial reduction in the noise emitted from these sources.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with the Wimbish aerodrome, near Saffron Walden, he will state the amount of land purchased from Mr. C. R. Bland, Manor House, Debden; whether it has been used for agricultural purposes only; the amount of its rateable value and how much of it is de-rated; the total purchase price; what part of that price is in respect of loss of amenities; and what part in respect of ceding the right to build?

The answer to the first part of the question is 24¾ acres; to the second and third, that so far as the Air Ministry is aware the land had been in use for agricultural purposes and was derated accordingly; to the fourth and fifth that the total purchase price was £3,928 17s. 11d., of which £3,000 was on account of injurious affection to the remainder of Major Bland's estate arising from the severance of land for aerodrome use. Nothing was included in the price in respect of the ceding of the right to build.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that considerable numbers of men joining the Royal Air Force are not given opportunities of completing the necessary periods to qualify for pensions and are compelled to join the labour market many years behind their former colleagues who declined to join up; and, seeing that if they have attained the age of 28 or 30 they would be considered too old to join the police or the Civil Service, whether he will reconsider the terms of enlistment?

The number of airmen that can be re-engaged to complete 24 years' service for pension is necessarily limited by the requirements of the service in non-commissioned and warrant ranks. On leaving the Royal Air Force, whether on completion of their initial engagement or on discharge to pension, airmen are given preference for a large number of posts in the public service; in particular, there are 15,000 posts under the Air Ministry for which first preference is given to ex-airmen. In these circumstances, it would appear that there is no case for reconsidering the terms of enlistment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give information as to the total amount of contracts for work that are being carried out for his Department by public works contractors whose capital and direction are almost entirely foreign; and whether there is any special reason why the work should not be carried out by wholly British firms?

As regards the first part of the question it is not practicable to give the information asked for and as regards the second part, discrimination in favour of firms whose capital and direction are wholly British is normally impracticable and is considered only where the work is of a very exceptional character.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fatal accidents to aviators through colliding with hillsides, especially on the Continent, he can state what progress is being made with world research into inventions to show the altitude of machines in relation to the nearest high surface of land?

Notwithstanding research in various countries it is doubtful whether any reliable instrument of this nature exists which is suitable for general adoption in aeroplanes, other than the existing altimeter based on air pressure: the Air Ministry is keeping in close touch with developments in other countries and an echo-sounding device which shows some promise is at present being investigated.

asked the Minister of Transport how many applications for "B" licences have been opposed by the railway companies, both initially and on appeal; and how many have been granted and how many refused?

Such information as is available is contained in the Annual Reports of the Licensing Authorities published in March, 1936, and covering the period up to 30th September, 1935.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can see his way to advise all municipal authorities who are overhauling their transport arrangements that too much dependence on foreign sources of fuel is undesirable and that, wherever possible, home-produced coal should be utilised?

I have no reason to doubt that municipal authorities, within whose autonomy this matter falls, take all proper considerations into account when ordering their vehicles.

asked the Minister of Transport how many passengers travel annually on the railways with workmen's tickets, or cheap day, half-day, or evening tickets; whether he is aware that the railway companies in all such cases stipulate that they shall not be liable for injuries caused by their negligence; and whether, seeing that hardship has been suffered in numbers of cases of persons injured whilst travelling on such tickets, he will introduce legislation to provide that railway companies shall not contract out of their liability for negligence in such cases?

During 1935, three hundred and three million journeys were made on railways in Great Britain on workmen's tickets arid four hundred and fifty-five million on clay, half-day, or evening excursion tickets. I am awaiting the result of the further examination which the railway companies have undertaken into this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that Salford temporarily closes 170 streets to vehicular traffic for the benefit of the children; that the area is one of the most densely populated in the country, with 36,000 school children; that Salford recently completed a year without a single fatal accident to a child; and whether he will endeavour to promote the practice of periodically closing streets to vehicular traffic for the benefit of the children?

Yes, Sir, and I have informed local authorities that I am ready to consider confirmation of Orders having this effect.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the insufficient room for the planting of trees in the new arterial roads with double carriageways, bicycle tracks, and footpaths; and whether he will see that in the planning of any farther arterial roads sufficient room will be provided to enable trees to be planted which will not be interfered with by the laying of pipes or other underground services?

I propose to send to highway authorities shortly a memorandum upon the layout and construction of roads in which their special attention will be directed to the desirability of providing adequate space for trees and underground services.

asked the Minister of Transport when it is proposed to commence the alterations and improvements to Sloane Square Station; and whether in the interests of public safety such alterations will include the lengthening of the platforms so that passengers in the front and rear carriages will no longer be compelled to alight in the tunnels adjacent to the station?

The London Passenger Transport Board inform me that they expect to begin the reconstruction of this station and to lengthen the platforms early next year.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the revenue of the Peruvian Government has increased by over 50 per cent. since 1932, and that Peru had a surplus of exports of over 120 million soles in 1935, before ratifying the trade agreement, he will impress on the Peruvian Government the necessity of coming to a settlement with their bondholders in this country?

During the negotiations for the recently concluded commercial agreement with Peru, the attention of the Peruvian delegates and of the Peruvian Government was drawn both by His Majesty's Government and by representatives of the British bondholders to the desirability of renewing the service on the Peruvian debt. His Majesty's Government will continue to give all possible support in the matter to the bondholders' recognised representatives.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any local authorities have recently submitted schemes for houses, schools and other buildings made of timber; whether the Department of Health has approved any such proposals; and whether he is prepared to consider the possibilities of wood construction?

Only one definite proposal has been submitted to the Department of Health for Scotland since the beginning of this year for the erection of timber houses by local authorities. The scheme was not approved as the proposed site was unsuitable. I am, however, at present examining the possibilities of the use of timber construction in rural areas. A number of education authorities have submitted proposals for the erection of temporary or semi-permanent school buildings of wooden construction usually with brick or concrete foundations, which have been approved by the Scottish Education Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any changes in Scottish administrative arrangements will be made when the large departments under his control are concentrated in the new Government building now under construction on the Calton Hill, Edinburgh?

Before the new building is completed I think it desirable that a review of the present Scottish administrative arrangements should be undertaken. I have accordingly appointed a committee with the following terms of reference:

"To enquire into and report upon the duties of the Scottish Office, Scottish Education Department, Departments of Health and Agriculture for Scotland, and other Scottish Administrative Departments under the control of the Secretary of State for Scotland, the distribution of those duties between Departments, the position of the Departments in relation to each other and to the Secretary of State, and the arrangements under which liaison is maintained between Edinburgh and London, in the conduct of public business; and to recommend what changes, if any (whether legislative or otherwise) should be made, keeping in view the prospective concentration of Departments in one building in Edinburgh."

The members of the committee are: Lieut.-Colonel the Right Hon. Sir John Gilmour, Bart., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., M.P. (chairman), the Hon. Lord Fleming, M.C., Professor Alexander Gray, M.A., Sir Robert Hamilton, M.A., F.R.G.S., F.S.A., the Right Hon. Thomas Johnston, M.P., Sir James Rae, K.B.E., Mr. G. A. Steel, C. B.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the exact position of the movement in Northern Rhodesia in connection with the proposed amalgamation with Southern Rhodesia?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Romford (Mr. Parker) yesterday.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any progress has been made during the past year in the establishment of interworking arrangements between Colonial sugar-producing estates and sugar-refining interests in this country; and whether, in view of the importance of such development to British Colonies, he proposes to take any steps to encourage such interlocking arrangements in respect of other Colonial produce?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley (Mr. Joel).

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give the figures for South Shields comparable with those given for Durham and the Tyneside in paragraphs 428, 429 and 430 of the Third Report of the Special Commissioner for the Special Areas (England and Wales)?

The information is as follows:Number of young men, aged 18 to 24 year registering at South Shields Employment Exchange on 30th March, 1936, who have been unemployed for three months or more.

Age.	Number.
18 years	71	201
19 years	65
20 years	65
21 years	168	573
22 years	144
23 years	129
24 years	132

Percentages of claimants to insurance benefit and applicants for unemployment assistance who have been unemployed for three months or more.

Last spell of continuous unemployment.	Age Group.
	18–20 years.	21–24 years.
3 months but less than 6 months.	39·7	31·1
6 months but less than 9 months.	22·4	15·7
9 months but less than 12 months.	16·8	9·8
12 months or over	21·1	43·4
	100·0	100·0

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the names of the additional offices for Ministry of Labour business which are being established or are about to be established in rural areas in Howdenshire?

Additional offices are being established at Foggathorpe, Fridaythorpe, Gilberdyke, Market Weighton, North Duffield, South Cave, Stamford Bridge and Wheldrake.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the additional offices for Ministry of Labour business which are being established or are about to be established in rural areas in Cheshire?

Additional offices have been established for this purpose at the following places in Cheshire to meet present needs: Audlem, Kelsall and Tattenhall.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether all reasonable opportunities are taken to arrange practices involving co-operation between units of the Royal Navy, the Fleet Air Arm and Royal Air Force reconnaissance craft, and flying boats not actually comprised within the Fleet Air Arm?

Yes Sir. There are standing instructions to all naval commands to avail themselves of every opportunity by endeavouring to arrange with Air Force authorities for such exercises when naval units are passing through areas in which Royal Air Force units could co-operate. There are also occasional set piece exercises between specially organised naval and air forces.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will state the total number of persons in Post Office employment on 1st January, 1931, and on 1st January, 1936, or on the nearest convenient date in each case?

The total number of persons employed by the Post Office on the 1st January, 1931, was 230,711, and on the 1st January, 1936, 242,388.

asked the Minister of Health what is the amount, per head of the population, distributed in 1934–35 in respect of public assistance?

The amount of out-relief in money and kind distributed by public assistance authorities in England and Wales during 1934–35 was equivalent to 9s. 3d. per head of the population.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether Palestine will now take the place of Egypt in our system of defence; and is the Government doing anything to strengthen the pro-British section of the population of that country

Our system of defence has not been weakened under the Anglo-Egyptian Treaty. The second part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the Committee on Imperial Defence is taking any steps to secure help from, or co-ordination with, the Colonies, the Dominions, and India, respectively, in connection with the defence emergency, more particularly as regards air and recruiting?

The answer is in the affirmative. All practicable steps are being taken through the machinery of the Committee of Imperial Defence and otherwise to secure co-operation and co-ordination among the various parts of the British Commonwealth with regard to defence policy. Dominion Governments are kept fully informed of all developments in connection with the defence situation.In the case of India, the India Office is represented at all meetings of the Committee of Imperial Defence and on all Sub-Committees in which India is interested.So far as the Colonies are concerned there is a Standing Sub-Committee of the Committee of Imperial Defence, known as the Oversea Defence Committee, which is specifically charged with the responsibility of advising the Government on all questions of Imperial defence as affecting the Colonies. Close and continuous contact is maintained between this subcommittee and Colonial Administrations through the medium of the Colonial Office.With regard to the specific question of air and recruiting, schemes have already been prepared to secure help in the provision and training of both pilots and aircraftmen. Arrangements have also been, made to facilitate recruiting for the Royal. Air Force in the Colonies. In this connection I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the reply given to his question addressed to the Under-Secretary of State for Air on the 12th November.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is informed as to the estimated strength of the German air force and as to the estimated monthly production of planes in that country; whether we are supposed to be producing more or less than Germany; and, if less, when does he anticipate that we shall reach parity if German production remains constant?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; in reply to the second and third parts, the situation changes so constantly that I do not consider that hypothetical calcu- lations of the kind suggested would afford any reliable information.

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he can make any statement upon the result of the British Pacific Exhibition at Vancouver?

I cannot at present make any statement upon the result of this exhibition, as no information has yet been received from His Majesty's Trade Commissioner at Vancouver. I have called for a report and will communicate further with my hon. Friend in due course.