asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number of countries that have not paid their membership contributions to the League of Nations for the present year?

Contributions from States Members of the League of Nations are paid, sometimes in one lump sum and sometimes in instalments, in the course of the League financial year which ends on 31st December. I will in due course obtain a statement of the number of countries whose contributions are wholly or partly unpaid on that date, and will communicate it to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Government were in consultation with the New Zealand Government with reference to the latter's memorandum on the reform of the League of Nations, and is in agreement therewith; and in particular, whether the British Government will support the New Zealand proposal for the creation of an international force under the control of the League, or the allocation to the League of a definite proportion of the armed forces of its members, land, sea, and ail, up to the extent desired?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were informed by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand of the latter's intention to make their contribution to the League's work of studying the application of the principles of the Covenant by communicating to the Secretary-General a memorandum setting forth their views. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom were not consulted regarding the terms of this memorandum. While they are in agreement with certain of the principles enunciated therein they note that in communicating the memorandum to the Secretary-General His Majesty's Government in New Zealand stated that in the event of their proposals being generally regarded as not immediately practicable they would not demur to the consideration of progress by stages or indeed of alternative proposals. In answer to the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom do not consider these proposals practicable at the present time.

Do I understand that there is a difference of opinion in the British Commonwealth of Nations as to League of Nations policy, and would it not be better by consultation to arrive at an agreed policy?

As I have explained, there are any number of different views about the future of the Covenant within the British Commonwealth just as there are among hon. Members.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government still adhere to the declaration made by the Committee of Twelve members of the Council of the League of Nations on 16th February, 1932, to the effect that no infringement of the territorial integrity and no change in the political independence of any member of the League brought about in disregard of Article 10 of Covenant ought to be recognised as vaand effectual by the members of League; and whether the principle texpressed will guide their action wiregard to Abyssinia?

His Majesty's Governmeadhere to the principle enunciated in the declaration referred to by the hon. Meber which was made in connection wit the particular case of the Sino-Japanesdispute. But in its application to an case His Majesty's Government must bentitled to take account of the facts othe situation and of the necessity—whethe protection of British interests is involved—of dealing with the actual authorities on the spot. Any such action on their part does not imply approval of the methods by which the situation was brought about.

If Addis Ababa were in fact deprived of its Legation, would not that mean a de facto if not a de jure change in the status of Abyssinia?

I should like to see that question on the Order Paper. The point that we want to make is that we must, in Manchuria and elsewhere, enter into such negotiations with the authorities as are necessary to protect British interests.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the British Ambassador at Madrid reported to the Foreign Office, on 12th July, the assassination in the street of Lieut. Castillo, chief of the Madrid police, and the assassination on the same day of Sotelo, the leader of the Fascist party in Spain?

On 14th July His Majesty's Chargé d'Affairs in Madrid reported that Don José Calvo Sotelo had been kidnapped from his home in Madrid at 3 a.m. on the morning of 13th July, and that some hours later his dead body was found in a cemetery with bullet wounds in the head and the heart. At the same time he also reported that a captain in the Madrid assault guards had been shot in Madrid on the night of 12th to l3th July. This captain of the assault guards is the Lieut. Castillo referred to by the hon. Gentleman.

Has the right hon. Gentleman heard of the declaration made by the Fascists at the graveside of Sotelo and was he told of the violent speech made by José Maria Gil Robles in the Spanish Parliament, and what his party intended to carry out?

I am afraid I cannot answer that without notice. As far as I recollect, the communication to which I referred was confined to the information I have given.

Is there any evidence that Sotelo was a Fascist at all?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the British Red Cross has sent no medical or nursing personnel to either side in Spain, and has not recognised the status of those medical units which have been sent by voluntary efforts; and whether, in view of His Majesty's Government's declared intention to promote humanitarian efforts for the relief of suffering in the Spanish dispute, he will do all in his power to secure for these units the status of Red Cross workers?

I am aware that the British Red Cross has sent no medical or nursing personnel to either side in Spain and has not recognised the status of those medical units which have been sent by voluntary efforts. The question of approaching the opposing forces with a view to persuading them to apply the provisions of the Convention in relation to the protection of Red Cross units is under consideration.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the British Red Cross asked the advice of His Majesty's Government on the matter, and whether they have acted in accordance with the advice given?

No, I think this is really what happened, and I am obliged to the hon. Lady for drawing attention to this matter. The position is that the Geneva Red Cross Convention, 1929, does not apply to the civil war in Spain, and that is the legal position. I hope that it will be able to deal with the matter in the manner suggested.

While thanking the Minister, he has not replied to the particular question that I asked. May I repeat it? Have the British Red Cross asked the advice of His Majesty's Government, and have they acted upon it?

I am quite sure that we have not dissuaded anybody from taking action. Naturally, we wish to take all the action and to give all the humanitarian help we can in the interests of all concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any further progress has been made with plans for the exchange of prisoners in Spain?

Yes, Sir. Negotiations are at present taking place between representatives of the Basque Government and of General Franco, under the auspices of the International Red Cross Committee, for the complete exchange of all prisoners and hostages between the Basque and neighbouring territories. His Majesty's Government have been kept informed of the progress of these negotiations by His Majesty's Ambassador who is himself actively assisting the representatives of the International Red Cross Committee, and I am hopeful that they will result in the exchange of several thousand persons in the near future. As the negotiations are not yet concluded I am not yet in a position to give the House full details. I am able, however, to say that at the request of both sides His Majesty's ships have undertaken, as soon as the agreement has been signed and approved lists drawn up, to give their fullest cooperation in carrying out the exchange.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the precise terms of the guarantee given to His Majesty's Government by the Government of Italy concerning the occupation of the Balearic Islands by Italian subjects?

The assurances to which the hon. Member refers were made verbally, and I am consequently not able to lay papers before the House. I can, however, give the following outline of the manner in which the assurances were given. His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Rome informed the Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs on 12th September, on my instructions, that

"any alteration of the status quo in the Western Mediterranean would be a matter of the closest concern to His Majesty's Government."

In taking note of this communication, Count Ciano assured Mr. Ingram that the Italian Government had not, either before or since the revolution in Spain, engaged in any negotiations with General Franco whereby the status quo in the Western Mediterranean would be altered, nor would they engage in any such negotiations in the future. This assurance was subsequently reaffirmed spontaneously to the British Naval Attaché in Rome by the Italian Ministry of Marine, and the Italian Ambassador in London has on several occasions given me similar verbal assurances.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether advantage was taken of the visit of Colonel Beck to London to discuss matters relating to Palestine and, in particular, the question of immigration of Polish Jews into Palestine?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on 2nd December to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chippenham (Captain Cazalet).

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the destruction of the Migdal quarry and plant near Petach Tikuah by a large Arab band wearing uniforms or as to the other outrages on 13th December?

I have seen a, report of the incidents referred to, but have not yet received any official confirmation. I will ask the High Commissioner for Palestine for a, report.

Seeing that this incident is not isolated, does not the right hon. Gentleman automatically get reports of this recrudescence of violence?

It is rather curious. I usually receive reports of what is going on, but I have no reference to this particular question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has authorised the expenditure of £15,000 which has been assigned from Palestine revenues to build a village for the Jaffa Arabs evicted from that town; and whether anything similar is being done for the Jaffa Jews who were forced to leave Jaffa and live elsewhere?

The Palestine Government has been authorised to expend £15,000 on the erection of houses, for which a suitable rent will be charged, to accommodate 100 Arab families rendered homeless by the special demolitions in Jaffa undertaken by Government in the circumstances explained in my reply to a question in the House on 24th June by the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallaeher). I understand that in consultation with the appropriate Jewish bodies the Palestine Government has agreed to contribute about £5,000 towards the cost of maintenance and rehabilitation of Jewish refugees in Tel-Aviv from Jaffa and elsewhere.

Seeing that the Jewish refugees from Jaffa outnumber the Arab refugees by about 20 to one, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Palestine Government that the rebuilding which they are doing for Arab refugees should be paralleled by rebuilding for the Jewish refugees?

I do not think that I can accept the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's figures, nor can I accept his description of these particular Arabs as refugees. In the military interests, and in the interests of peace and order in Jaffa, it was decided to dynamite two lines through the town. The Royal Engineers blew up the houses, and I think the Palestine Government have the duty of rehousing these people elsewhere, as they are now doing.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that the Jews who were driven out of Palestine owing to the danger of assassination have exactly the same case for rehousing, with Government assistance, as the Arabs?

Then it would be the duty of the Government to re-house almost everybody who have been removed or have removed themselves during a period of disturbance and disorder which we all regret. I cannot commit the Government to that.

I am sorry to be persistent, but is it possible now for the Jews to go back to Jaffa with safety, or is the protection still inadequate?

I hope that when we know what the policy of the future is to be, when we have the report of the Royal Commission and the whole Palestine question is cleared up, it may be possible for Jews and Arabs to live as they have up to this year in friendly accord in Jaffa.

Is it not the fact that the Minister explained at the time that the blowing up of these buildings was really due to slum clearance, and the necessity of improving the housing conditions?

I made a considerable speech on the point in June, and I have answered a good many questions on the subject. I have nothing to add to my statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is the Government's intention to resist efforts at Geneva to recognise the Italian conquest of Abyssinia or to exclude Abyssinia from the League?

The question of the position of Abyssinia in relation to the League is not likely to arise before the next meeting of the Assembly, and when it does it will be for the Assembly to deal with it in the light of the circumstances as they then exist. It is therefore impossible for me at the present moment to state the attitude which His Majesty's Government would adopt in the hypothetical circumstances contemplated by the hon. Member.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us some assurance that no change of policy towards this unfortunate country is contemplated by the Government?

That is rather a different question. There are some others on the Paper about that.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to replace the legation at Addis Ababa by a Consulate-General, and, if so, whether this implies recognition of any change of the status of Italy in Abyssinia consequent on her successful aggression; and, alternatively, will he give an assurance that no such change will be made until the House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion?

The question of British representation in occupied Abyssinia has been for some time under consideration with special reference to the problems arising from the retention of a diplomatic mission accredited to a government which no longer exercises any local authority. In any case it is not the intention of His Majesty's Government to accord de jure recognition of the annexation of Abyssinia.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information as to the protest made by the Chinese Government against the landing of a Japanese naval contingent at Tsingtao in connection with an industrial dispute?

I understand that a protest on this subject was made to the Japanese Ambassador at Nanking on 3rd December, and that similar representations were also made to the Japanese Government by the Chinese Ambassador at Tokyo. I am informed that a settlement of this incident has now been reached as a result of local discussions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the satisfactory exchange of visits between the Governor of Hong Kong on the one hand, and the chairman of the Kwangtung Provincial Government and the Mayor of Canton on the other; and whether he will take an early opportunity of conveying to the Chinese Government the gratification of His Majesty's Government on the amicable relations existing between the British colony and the Canton authorities?

Yes, Sir. Sentiments of the kind indicated by my hon. Friend have been expressed from time to time on behalf of His Majesty's Government, and I am confident that the Chinese Government fully appreciate and share their satisfaction at the excellent relations which exist between Canton and Hong Kong.

In view of the excellent relations which have been established and now exist between Canton And Hong Kong, would it not be a suitable opportunity to consider holding a trade fair or exhibition of British industries in Hong Kong because of the potential markets?

I am not the person to whom that question should be addressed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a statement issued by the Inspector-General of Customs in China to the effect that the steps taken for the prevention of smuggling in North China can only be regarded as palliatives, that the decline in illicit imports may be attributed to the fact that the Tientsin markets are overstocked, and that the unprecedented restrictions placed upon the operation of the Customs prevention service in East Hopei render the exercise of normal preventive measures impossible; and whether he will instruct His Majesty's Ambassador in Tokyo to confer with the Japanese Government with a view to restoring a normal condition of trade in North China ports?

Yes, Sir, but I understand that the Inspector-General also indicated that the southward distribution of the smuggled goods had been checked with success. The matter has been one of those recently under discussion between the Chinese and Japanese Governments, and at the moment I do not consider it necessary to issue any further instructions to His Majesty's Ambassador at Tokyo. His Majesty's Government will naturally continue to watch the situation closely, and will take such action as may be considered appropriate in the interests of British trade and the security of loan obligations which might be affected.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of awards distributed for special services during the Palestine expedition and how many of these were given to engine-room artificers, seamen and stokers, respectively, and whether any awards were given to naval men who volunteered for railway or other special services on land in Palestine?

Awards for gallantry during the emergency in Palestine have been made to one officer of the Royal Navy, one stoker petty officer and one leading seaman. These awards were for special services on shore in Palestine. Further awards for good service will be considered on receipt of recommendations from the Air Vice-Marshal or General in Command in Palestine.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether these awards were given on the recommendation of the military authorities in Palestine?

As far as I can remember, I think that formally the recommendation came from the Air Vice-Marshal, but, no doubt, he consulted the naval authorities at the time.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make on the re-engining of two of His Majesty's battleships.?

Orders are about to be placed for new machinery for His Majesty's Ship "Queen Elizabeth" and His Majesty's Ship "Valiant" with the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited, of Govan, Glasgow, and with the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company, Limited, of Wallsend-onTyne, respectively.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, with reference to the answer given by him on 29th July last to the hon. Member for Wallsend (Miss Ward), whether it is still his intention to proceed by way of tender in relation to the construction of any new capital ships which may be included in the 1937 programme?

Yes, Sir. I propose shortly to issue invitations to firms to submit tenders for the construction of capital ships to be laid down in 1937. In view of the length of time needed for the preparation of tenders and their examination by the Admiralty when received, this preliminary action is necessary in order to avoid delay at a subse- quent stage. No tender will, of course, be finally accepted before the relevant 1937 Estimates have received Parliamentary approval, so that no question arises of anticipating the decision of Parliament in relation to the 1937 Naval Construction Programme.

Will my right hon. Friend spread the contracts as widely as possible when they are given, and especially to firms which carry out their operations in depressed and Special Areas?

I have already indicated more than once in the House that we do take into account the needs of the Special Areas, and, as far as we can, we do spread our orders, but we are necessarily bound by certain limitations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of requests so far received at the Admiralty under the new reviews of service conditions; the commands and the number from each command; the commands from which the requests are outstanding; the date on which the last requests are expected; and whether he will take steps to expedite the reviews in view of the fact that they were begun nearly four months ago?

As the answer includes a table of figures, I propose, with the permission of the right hon. Gentleman, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Would the First Lord reply to the last sentence of my question?

Yes, Sir, the procedure is taking its normal course. There is no undue delay. There are, however, a large number of these requests. They have to be analysed command by command before we can deal with such of them as affect the Navy generally rather than the specific Departments.

The right hon. Gentleman will know that these reviews have been in abeyance for some time, and although we are now glad that they are being prosecuted, some of the men are anxious that the reviews should be settled very early on.

We are taking them into account as quickly as we can, but the right hon. Gentleman will be interested to know that the requests run into several hundreds.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that an Ordinance has been issued by the government of the Gold Coast (Ashanti, No. 44, of 20th November, 1936) prohibiting four members of the West African youth league, Messrs. Agyeman, Bobieh, Dampere, and Atta, whose previous convictions were quashed by the court of appeal on 13th November, from returning to their homes in Kumasi, although they have already undergone 114 days' imprisonment; what the reason for this prohibition is; whether their property has been confiscated; whether he is aware that the Gold Coast Government is unwilling to maintain these appellants and their dependants, who are suffering deplorably as a consequence; and whether he will have the position in Ashanti investigated?

I understand that the Ordinance in question, of which I have not yet received a copy, is in general terms and empowers the Governor, after inquiry on oath, to order the removal of any person from Ashanti if he deems it expedient for peace, order or good government. My approval of the enactment of this legislation was given in August last. The Governor informed me on 17th November that the return to Ashanti of the four persons mentioned, whose conviction on charges of conspiracy against the Asantehene had been quashed on appeal on technical grounds, was likely to cause grave unrest and possibly serious riots leading to bloodshed. I, therefore, authorised him to enact the Ordinance mentioned and to warn the four persons concerned that in the event of their return the powers conferred by the Ordinance would be used against them. I have no information regarding the property of these persons, or the present position regarding their maintenance and the maintenance of their dependants. I am asking the Governor for a report. I have been kept informed of recent developments in Ashanti, and I see no reason for any special investigation.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that if these men are being exorcised from their own territory, without any proof of misconduct on their part, the responsibility does rest upon the Governor of the Colony to see that they and their dependants do not suffer economically and that their property is protected?

When the right hon. Gentleman is asking for a report, will he try to discover whether it is the peculiar view of the Governor that any man who stands up for nationalism in his own Colony has something to do with Moscow?

I wish to deny that absolutely. It has nothing to do with Moscow or that the Governor has any particular view that these people are Nationalists. These people are part of the Ashanti Youth League and do not like the existing Asantehene, and they no. doubt wish to set up somebody else. I think that is all there is in it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether in his experience those who usually stand up for Britain are customarily associated with Moscow?

It is purely trouble inside native authority. The whole question is whether we are to stand by constituted native authority or see the whole principle of indirect rule on which we boast that we base our African policy, break down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give an assurance to the House that the report of the Maybury Committee will be published before 1st January, 1937?

My Noble Friend has now received the report of the Maybury Committee. He had previously given instructions that the report should be published as soon as he received it. The appendices to the report, however, contain a number of maps and diagrams, the reproduction of which will necessarily take a little time, but I should hope that publication will be possible early next month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the approximate total area of grassland available for aeroplanes landing at Croydon aerodrome and for the central airports of Berlin, Amsterdam, Brussels, and Paris?

I understand that the approximate acreages of the landing areas are: Croydon 250, Berlin 257, Amsterdam 163, Brussels 168, and Paris 282. It is, however, only at Croydon that the landing area largely consists of land under grass.

In regard to the area of Croydon aerodrome, can the Under-Secretary say whether the figure he has given includes the whole aerodrome, or only the flat portion on which planes land?

It includes the land area.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that there were 52,245 definite applications for enlistment in the Royal Air Force for the year ended 31st March, 1936, and that during this period only 18,889 were medically examined, he can say when it is proposed to examine and/or reject the balance of these entrants?

Of the 52,245 applications for enlistment in the Royal Air Force in the year ended 31st March, 1936, about 23,000 were rejected on various grounds of unsuitability or were not pursued by the applicants. The remaining applicants were medically examined and 18,889 found physically fit.

Were the balance definitely rejected?

They were rejected on one ground or another.

Is the right lion. Gentleman aware that applicants from Glasgow are brought to London and if rejected have to pay their own expenses, that this is a considerable hardship on many people with inadequate means, and will he see that some examinations take place in Scotland instead of bringing people at their own expense to London?

I will look into that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what machines or equipment in the Royal Air Force, and/or units under his control, have been used for or in the production of films for commercial purposes during the 12 months ended to the last convenient date; and what payment has been made to his Department for the use of same and to those persons so employed?

In regard to the first part of the question, the collection of the required information would involve an expenditure of time and labour which would not be justified at the present time. As regards the second part, it would be contrary to established practice to disclose particulars of payments made to the Department by film production companies for facilities afforded. With reference to the third part, the Air Ministry appropriates in aid of Air Votes one half of any charges raised against film companies for facilities given, the other half being paid by the company to the Royal Air Force Sports Board.

Do the fees paid to persons who take part in these films compare favourably with the fees received from the Navy?

I believe they are identical.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement as to why six out of the seven machines belonging to No. 102 squadron failed to reach Frimingley aerodrome on 12th December?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why it was necessary for the four occupants of the Royal Air Force machine which crashed at Oldham on Saturday, 12th December, to leave this machine by parachute?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can state the causes of the fatal accidents to Royal Air Force machines on Saturday, 12th December, and why only one of the seven machines flying from Northern Ireland to Yorkshire reached its destination safely; whether these accidents were in any way due to the formation of ice on the wings of the machines concerned; and for what reason these heavy bombing machines are not fitted with de-icing equipment?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has any statement to make regarding the accidents which occurred to machines belonging to No. 102 squadron, Royal Air Force, on 12th December?

As I explained yesterday, the circumstances of the accidents are being fully investigated by Courts of Inquiry. The points in my hon. Friends' questions are among those which will be thoroughly considered in the investigation, and each will be dealt with in the statement which I have promised to make to the House in due course. The same applies to the specific questions raised yesterday by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Thanet (Captain Balfour) and I am glad to be able to give the House this definite assurance. I am certain that the House will recognise that it would be improper and unfair for me at this stage to attempt to segregate the various matters which are the subject of the closest investigation by the Courts of Inquiry.

Can the Under-Secretary give an assurance to the House that, in spite of the Press reports of this accident and the great publicity it has received, the Royal Air Force will continue to fly in bad weather, and will be encouraged to fly in bad weather; also, whether it is not the fact that the fatal accidents which have occurred during the last 12 months are about one-tenth of the corresponding figures for the German air force during the same period?

The answer to the first question is certainly in the affirmative, and from the information I have received I should say that the answer to the second question is also in the affirmative.

Could not some of the questions which have been asked concerning this accident have been answered without interfering with the business of the court which is inquiring into it—without going behind their back?

I think the House will realise that it would be unfair to deal with certain question in regard to a case which is being examined by a court of inquiry. They will have to examine the conduct of the officers concerned.

Does that apply to questions as to whether the machines were equipped with a certain apparatus or not? That is a question which can be answered "Yes" or "No."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what types of machines are supplied to No. 102 squadron; when this type was first designed; and in what year the first machine of this type was supplied to the Royal Air Force?

No. 102 squadron is equipped with Heyfords. The first production specification for this type was issued in November, 1932, and supply to the Royal Air Force commenced in November, 1933. The aircraft of No. 102 squadron are to specifications of 1934 and 1935.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it will be his policy to allow electric cables used in connection with the lighting of trunk roads to be tapped for local street lighting in villages adjacent to trunk roads, and for household lighting and other purposes in such villages and in farms near by?

There is no reason why cables used for street lighting should not, if they are of sufficient capacity, be tapped for other purposes. This is within the discretion of the supply authorities concerned.

Has not my question been misapprehended I am asking about the lighting circuits which will be available in connection with the new powers which the Minister is taking to illuminate trunk roads. Do I understand that he will be prepared to allow cables of that kind to be tapped for other public purposes?

The lion. Member is under a misapprehension. My right hon. Friend is not seeking powers himself under the Bill to generate or distribute electricity. All that he is able to do under Clause 6 is to make arrangements with any electricity undertaker for the supply of electricity.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that four services of omnibuses, in addition to other traffic, use Belmont Hill, Lewisham; that it is the main road to Blackheath and Woolwich, etc.; that owing to there being no foot paving on part of the south side of this road there is great danger to pedestrians; and will be take steps, with the local authority concerned, to remove the danger to resident householders and the public who use the road?

I am already in communication with the local authority on this matter.

Will the Parliamentary Secretary let me know the result?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of motorists submitting themselves for driving tests during the six months to the last convenient date; what are the percentages of that number failing to pass the first, second, and third tests; and is he satisfied that there is a reasonable uniformity in the character of the tests imposed?

From 30th May to 28th November, 1936, 194,488 candidates submitted themselves for driving tests. Of these 28·46 per cent. failed. Candidates are not required to disclose how many times they may have been tested previously, and no information is available as to the number of persons who submitted themselves for a second or third time. From the outset steps have been taken to secure reasonable uniformity in the character of the tests conducted by the various driving examiners, and I think that, generally speaking, it has been achieved.

Is any information given to the drivers as to why they have failed to pass the test?

That is a different question.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of people killed and injured in road accidents since January, 1931?

Approximately 40,350 killed and 1,290,000 injured.

Has the Minister any plans under consideration for reducing these appalling figures during the next five years?

The hon. Member knows that my right hon. Friend has this matter constantly before him, and that he is considering a number of suggestions at the present moment.

asked the. Minister of Transport on what grounds he proposes to set aside the wishes of the Bradford City Council in de-restricting lengths of road within its jurisdiction, as recently announced by him; and is he prepared to reconsider such decision?

The facts of each case were carefully considered, after a local inquiry, and a conclusion reached on the individual merits. My right hon. Friend's decision is open to review, after a reasonable time, upon the submission of fresh evidence.

Does the Parliamentary Secretary know that not only the city council, the watch committee and the chief constable but other authorities in Bradford who have any responsibility for the control of the roads, are against this de-restriction order, and in view of his tragic answer to question No. 36, would it not be better for him to reconsider his decision?

There were 15 roads under consideration at this inquiry, of which eight were recommended to be de-restricted. As the House knows, it is the Minister's responsibility, not that of the local authority, and having considered the report of the inquiry the Minister came to his conclusion, which, as I hive stated, is open to review after a reasonable time, and if fresh evidence shows that the road should not be derestricted.

What kind of fresh evidence is it possible to get after an inquiry which has been so complete? The Minister knows that the roads are in built-up areas?

The Minister has to carry out the Act of Parliament, which lays down that an inquiry should take place, and he is naturally guided by the results of the inquiry.

What number of fatal accidents are necessary to justify a review?

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that some other hon. Members for Bradford are concerned about this, because some of these roads are not in built-up areas?

asked the Minister of Transport whether steps will be taken for a Provisional Order to be granted to the London. Passenger Transport Board to allow them to operate the whole of the omnibus service between Warley and Brentwood, which they have compulsorily acquired, even though a portion of the route may be outside their area; or, alternatively, whether he will consider introducing legislation to remove anomalies in cases where transport areas overlap as in this case?

Provisional Order powers are not available for the purpose, and my right hon. Friend does not think there is sufficient justification for introducing a Public Bill to amend the Board's Act. I am, however, inquiring further into this particular case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the House any information in connection with the case of a lorry driver who appeared before the Birmingham assizes on a charge of manslaughter; whether he is aware that the man was forced to use a speedometer that was defective; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I have seen a Press report of the case to which the hon. Member apparently refers. My right hon. Friend has already published draft regulations which would require motor vehicles subject to a speed limit of 20 miles per hour or more to be fitted with an efficient speedometric device.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the exact nature of the scheme which he now has under consideration to provide by-passes for the relief of traffic at Hyde Park Corner and Victoria?

No by-pass scheme is contemplated for Hyde Park Corner. The possibility of by-passing Victoria is under consideration, but the project is still at a preliminary stage.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to encourage highway authorities who have not already planted trees alongside the roads under their control to make a special effort to do so in connection with the Coronation; and whether he will advise such authorities to plant fruit trees along the roads wherever practicable?

Yes, Sir.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman see that lighting arrangements are provided before the trees are planted, since, as he is probably aware, on these Lancashire roads the trees that were planted are constantly being knocked down because there are no lighting arrangements?

My right hon. Friend is anxious to see these roads both properly lighted and properly bordered with trees.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is going to carry out that process on the new roads under his jurisdiction?

In his Second Reading speech on the Trunk Roads Bill, my right hon. Friend described what he hoped the trunk roads would be like.

asked the Minister of Transport how much of the £100,000,000 of the five-year programme for the roads was spent during the financial year 1935–36; and how much is estimated to be spent during the year 1936–37?

It is estimated that during the first year of the five-years' programme of road improvements expenditure was rather more than £2,750,000 and that during the current financial year it will approach £7,000,000. This is of course exclusive of expenditure on pre-1935–36 schemes continued during the years in question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the high charges for electrical energy for power purposes demanded by the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority, the majority of the members of which are representatives of the local authorities, and of which the largest representation is that of the Wolverhampton Corporation; is he aware that that corporation are quoting rates for electrical energy substantially below those quoted by the West Midlands authority, and that, as a consequence, industrialists are being attracted to Wolverhampton from the distressed areas in Shropshire; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with the situation?

My right hon. Friend is aware that the power charges of the West Midlands Joint Electricity Authority are somewhat higher than those of the neighbouring undertaking of the corporation of Wolverhampton. Lest my hon. and gallant Friend should draw any wrong inference from that fact, I should explain that the Joint Authority's undertaking has only been established for a few years and covers a large area which is mainly rural, whereas Wolverhampton have a large and long established undertaking operating in a densely populated area, The authority's order provides that the terms for high tension power supplies shall, failing agreement, be fixed by arbitration and the matter is one in which my right hon. Friend has no power to intervene. He is, however, informed that the Joint Authority hope to be able to reduce their charges in the near future.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the proposal will increase the consumption of electricity for power purposes from these sources by no less than 25 per cent?

Is not the real reason why industries are being attracted to Wolverhampton the many facilities which are offered there for industry?

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the granting of advantageous terms by the Central Electricity Authority to large cities and towns will have the effect of reducing the number of new industries in certain districts to the great disadvantage of people dwelling there as regards employment, and will he take steps to bring this matter to the notice of the Minister?

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will inform the House of the annual output of houses in Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh in each of the last three years; and whether any action has been taken by the respective town councils to accelerate the output?

Inquiries are being made to obtain the information desired and when these are completed I shall furnish the hon. Member with the results.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will make arrangements to obviate the inconvenience and overcrowding of families in Fauldhouse, West Lothian, through their eviction from houses owned by the United Collieries, Limited, and required for their workmen; whether he is prepared to protect tenants from eviction in such cases until new houses are available; and whether he can account for the delay in proceeding with approved housing schemes at Fauldhouse?

The responsibility for making arrangements for the accommodation of the ejected families so far as they are themselves unable to find accommodation rests on the local authority. I understand that all of the eight families ejected have secured accommodation elsewhere, three of them in houses belonging to the local authority. My right hon. Friend has no power to intervene in the case of any decree given by a Sheriff for the ejection of tenants from private houses. With regard to the last part of the question, the county council have already built 302 houses in Fauldhouse. Tenders for an additional 34 houses were approved in April, 1936. Twelve are now in an advanced stage of construction. The delay in completing the houses is due mainly to a shortage of building labour.

In view of the fact that this is not an entirely isolated case, will the right hon. Gentleman the Secretary of State for Scotland take into consideration the possibility of making some provision other than is available at the present time for people who are evicted from houses because of the stoppage of their employment with the employers who own the houses?

I think the only method of providing houses is to accelerate the building programme. I do not know whether any special arrangements can be made to provide houses for people who have been evicted from other houses beyond those which are open to the generality of applicants.

Arising out of the reply, is not this a definite illustration of the vicious nature of the system of decontrolling dwelling-houses?

No. These houses were never subject to control. I have studied the correspondence on this subject sent to me by the hon. Member, but I do not think it would be proper for me to give any opinion of my own, since it is not a matter for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is not only applicable to Scotland, but to parts of England, and South Wales—

And Yorkshire.

—and that when men have reached the age of 65 and the employers no longer require them, they are evicted from their houses, and the houses—

The Secretary of State for Scotland is not responsible for matters in England.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the Scottish Economic Committee have made any progress regarding the scheme for the establishment of a trading estate in the West of Scotland; and when it is intended to make grants available for the starting of new light industries in the area as was suggested by the late Secretary of State on behalf of the Government?

The proposal to form a Trading Estates Company in the Special Areas in Scotland is being actively investigated at the request of the Commissioner by a sub-committee of the Scottish Economic Committee. The inquiries have reached an advanced stage.

asked the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that parents have been charged along with their children in recent cases heard in the juvenile court at Bellshill; and whether he will take steps to end this practice, which inflicts indignity upon the persons concerned?

I am not aware of the particular cases referred to; but I would point out to the hon. Member that the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Acts, 1908 to 1932, expressly provide for the attendance at court of the parents or guardians of juvenile offenders and empower the court to impose on them pecuniary penalties or to require them to find security for the juvenile offender's good behaviour.

Is the Lord Advocate aware that this is not a question of summoning the parents to attend the court, but a question of placing the parents in the dock with the children and charging the parents with a separate offence, which was done in the particular case to which I am referring?

If the hon. Member will be so good as to send me particulars of the case, I shall be glad to consider them.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the value of the orders placed with firms in the Special Area of South Wales and Monmouthshire in connection with the Government's re-armament scheme?

I regret I cannot give this information. As I have already explained on a number of occasions in this House, the value of orders placed in particular areas in connection with the rearmament programme cannot be ascertained without an incommensurate amount of labour.

asked the Lord President of the Council in what manner Defence Departments are represented on the Research Boards and Committees of Scientific and Industrial Research; and in what manner co-ordination exists between Defence Services and Research Departments of the Government?

The Defence Departments are represented on the Advisory Council of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research by Assessors and on a number of Research Boards and Committees of the Department by members or Assessors. For details, I would refer the hon. Member to Appendix I of the Annual Report of the Department for the year 1934–35 (Cmd. 5013). Co-ordination is further secured by formal and informal consultation, constantly maintained between officers of the Departments concerned; in addition, representatives of the Departments meet each year to compare and co-ordinate research programmes.

How many members of the Defence Departments are on these committees?

I would like to have notice of that question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman himself in contact with the operations of these various committees?

No, not with the detailed work of the various committees, but I am generally informed of steps taken in connection with the needs of the Defence Departments.

asked the Postmaster-General when a Post Office Savings Bank depositor's account becomes a dormant account; what number of years must elapse in which no deposit or withdrawal has taken place before the account is regarded as dormant; and how many such dormant accounts now exist?

There is no date at which it can be said that a Post Office Savings Bank account is really dormant, as transactions often take place in accounts which have remained inactive for many years. Accounts in which no transactions have taken place during the previous five years and in which the balances are less than are, for the purposes of economy in bookkeeping, regarded as inactive and are transferred to a special class. At 31st December, 1935, there were some 9,900,000 such accounts with an average of balance of 1s. 11d.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that there are no dormant accounts over £1?

There are some inactive accounts over £1, but if the persons concerned desire to withdraw their money, it is there for them when they come along.

Is interest added to those inactive accounts yearly if no application is made?

I have no information on that question, but I can assure my hon. Friend that we deal fairly with all of them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to institute an inquiry into the relation of rates of unemployment benefit, unemployment allowances, and the local wages rates and anomalies resulting therefrom?

Certain suggestions on this subject were made by the Unemployment Insurance Statutory Committee and by the Unemployment Assistance Board in their reports for last year. My right hon. Friend is not satisfied that a formal inquiry at the present time would be likely to produce useful results. The matter is, however, one which will be kept under observation in the of day-to-day administration,

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is his intention to introduce legislation to amend the Unemployment Act, 1934, to enable the Unemployment Assistance Board to meet the needs of members of households whose needs are not met owing to the failure of members of a household to make the payments prescribed by an assessment?

No, Sir. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 2nd July last.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman fully seized of the fact that the Unemployment Assistance Board canot carry out their statutory duties wit out amending legislation, or an arrangement of some kind; and is he prepared to look further into the matter since suffering is actually being caused? Is it not the case that he can do nothing in this matter without removing the household means test?

I am not convinced that such legislation is needed.

Is the Minister's reply to be taken as meaning that he considers it unnecessary to have legislation to remove the means test; and is he going to remove it as an administrative act?

Is the Minister aware that the operation of this means test is producing in this country a crowd of suicides?