asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the date of the Order in Council which limits the number of promotions to second lieutenant, Royal Marines, from the ranks to two; What are the reasons for so limiting the number, in view of the fact that no such limit exists for direct-entry officers; and, as this ranker promotion scheme has for some years been part of the normal recruitment system, will the Admiralty now take steps to have it removed?

The relevant Orders - in - Council are dated 11th February, 1913, and 26th June, 1923. Up to the present, no reason has arisen for increasing the number of commissions

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the numbers of the last entries of special-entry cadets, executive and engineering, paymaster cadets, and Royal Marines, and the names of the schools from which they were entered; whether the system of early promotion to commissioned rank for writers, supply, and other ratings of the accountant branch is to be similar to the midshipman (E) scheme for artificer-apprentices or the sub-lieutenant (E) scheme, or both; and when he is likely to be able to announce the details of the scheme or schemes?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of candidates who appeared before the Fleet selection boards for sub-lieutenant in the years 1933 to 1936, respectively, the numbers who received commissions, the numbers who have since been promoted to warrant rank, the number who have purchased their discharge from the Service, and what has happened to the remainder?

As the information requested can be best presented in the form of a table, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The last special entries of cadets, executive and engineering, of paymaster cadets, and of Royal Marines numbered 50, 20, 20 and 22, respectively. As the list of schools from which they came is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's consent, have it printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 3rd March when I stated that I would again consider the possibility of instituting a system of early promotion to commissioned rank for ratings of the Accountant Branch.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information in connection with a skilled labourer killed on 9th March in the Portsmouth Dockyard while he was working on board the destroyer "Vortigem"; and how many men working under the control of the Admiralty have been killed or injured during the past six weeks?

I regret that on 9th March a skilled labourer (Slinger) was killed on board His Majesty's Ship "Vortigern," then lying in dock at Portsmouth, in the following circumstances. A four-inch gun with its mounting had been lifted by jacks in order to examine the roller path and pivot of the gun. On completion of the examination, the gun was being slowly lowered, when it tilted unexpectedly and the slinger in charge, who was kneeling on the deck, was unfortunately pinned by the mounting against two ammunition racks, bolted to the deck, receiving fatal injuries. An inquest was held on 12th March, the verdict being "Accidental Death caused by misjudgment." A court of inquiry will be held by the dockyard authorities. This is the only fatal accident in His Majesty's Dockyards which has occurred in the six weeks ended 13th March. I take this opportunity of expressing on Admiralty behalf sympathy with the widow and relatives of the deceased; every effort will be made to expedite the award of the compensation payable.

It is not possible to give the total number of workmen in all Admiralty establishments injured during the same period. Returns from the yards at Portsmouth, Devonport, Chatham and Sheerness, where the great majority of the men are employed, show that during this time out of a total of 42,000 men, 244 received injuries as a result of accidents which necessitated their being placed on the hurt list.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the present lack of shipping and the possible urgent needs in case of submarine attack in any future war, he will reconsider the question of the utilisation of the Palmer shipyard at Jarrow either as a naval dockyard or being put into order for use as a shadow shipyard in preparation for any national emergency?

This question has already been raised by the Jarrow Borough Council and is now under consideration by the Admiralty. I should, however, explain that no requirement exists at present for an additional naval dockyard and that there is already available a reserve of docking facilities in Rosyth dockyard, which is on a care and maintenance basis.

In view of our experiences of submarine warfare in the last War, are the Government not making suitable preparations in case of future need in this respect?

That is rather a question for the Board of Trade.

Will the Noble Lord remember that the Tyne does exist as a shipbuilding river?

The hon. Member has only to look at the orders which have been given to see that we do.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the continued rise in the price of tin and the increase which this will involve in the cost of re-armament, any steps will be taken to increase the tin production of the Colonies, and to remove all restriction now obtaining under the international restriction scheme?

I have nothing to add to the reply given on 15th March by my hon. and gallant Friend the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell).

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the steps recently taken have not been effective; and will he consider taking further steps?

I do not know what steps my hon. Friend has in mind, or whether he can make any suggestions. I thought that the increase in the quota would have had an effect.

Would it not be much easier to abolish the quota altogether and allow production from the mines unrestricted in view of the terrific scarcity which exists at present?

That is not a matter for us alone. It is a matter for international agreement. A number of countries are involved and legislation would be required in all those countries.

But has not our Government taken the initiative in this policy and should we not therefore take the initiative in sweeping away these restrictions?

The international committee has been meeting recently and I think it has, probably, been dealing with this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the policy of the Government towards the Malakite sect in Uganda; whether this sect has shown any tendency to increase during the last five years; and will he give particulars of the latest reports received by the Governor from the various provinces on this subject?

The policy of the Government towards this sect has been one of non-interference provided that its adherents do not infringe the ordinances providing for the control of public health and property such as those dealing with plague, smallpox and rinderpest. No reports on the sect have been received for seven years past, but if the hon. Member has any more recent information I will make inquiries on the subject. The somewhat obscure sect of the Malakites which appeared in Uganda in 1914 has for the main plank of its platform a strong objection to all medical, sanitary and veterinary measures on the ground that the word for medical officer in the native language used by the sect is also used for a wizard or sorcerer.

Have the Government taken any action against this sect?

I have given the hon. Member an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies which elements of the population of the Federated Malay States are affected by the Bill recently passed by the Federal Council introducing the English common law into the states; and, in particualr, what will be the effect on the Chinese law of adoption, which has hitherto been recognised by the courts, having regard to the fact that it is understood that care has been taken to avoid interference with the Mohammedan laws of marriage and descent?

I have been furnished with a copy of the Bill entitled "Civil Law Enactment Bill, 1937," dealing largely with technical matters of law such as tort feasors, as proposed for introduction into the Federal Council, but I have not yet received the enactment in its final form. I will ask the High Commissioner for a report on the points raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the area of Transjordania, of which the estimated population is 300,000, and who are the active opponents to the settlement of Jews in Transjordania; and whether the £200,000 now spent in unreproductive services there might be used for colonisation?

The area of Transjordan is some 90,000 square kilometres, some 72,000 square kilometres of which are desert area. As regards the second part of the question, I regret that I cannot add to the answer which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member on 8th March. As regards the third part, the sum given in my previous answer is required for the normal expenses of administration and public security.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies who is allowed to carry arms in Palestine; whether the use of rifles, revolvers, and guns, is permitted without licence; and how many people have licences at the present moment?

Any person may possess firearms who obtains the necessary licence, but the grant of licences is at the discretion of the licensing authority, who is the district commissioner. There is an exception in the case of Bedouin Arabs, who may, subject to certain conditions, carry arms without licence within areas defined by the High Commissioner. The information asked for in the last part of the question is not in my possession, but I will ask the officer administering the Government of Palestine for the latest figures.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the right given exclusively to the Bedouins might not be withdrawn?

No, I think it would be extremely difficult to enforce disarmament on the Bedouins in South Palestine. I understand that the position as regards the calibre of the rifles which they are allowed to carry, and the like, is clearly defined and that there have been no breaches of the regulation and no trouble.

Have the authorities who give these licences the right to withdraw them any time they think fit?

Yes, Sir, I believe so.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statement issued by the British Palestine Committee, under date 3rd March, 1937, and circulated to Members of Parliament, that the letter dated 13th February, 1931, from the Prime Minister to Dr. Weizmann constituted a treaty, having regard to the circumstances in which it was written; and whether he will lay upon the Table any correspondence or memoranda bearing upon this claim?

I have seen the statement referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald's letter to Dr. Weizmann of 13th February, 1931, constitutes a treaty, nor of any correspondence or memoranda relevant to such a claim. As is made clear in the first paragraph of that letter, it was written in order to remove certain misconceptions and misunderstandings which had arisen as to the policy of his Majesty's Government with regard to Palestine as set forth in the White Paper of October, 1930, and was to be read as the authoritative interpretation of that White Paper on the matters with which the letter dealt.

Was the letter given to or by the Government?

It was given by the Labour Government to Dr. Weizmann. It was not given to Dr. Weizmann, but was a letter written to him by the Government.

Does that still represent the policy of the Government?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make concerning the murders in Palestine, particularly that of Dr. Lehr at Beisan; and has he considered taking more active measures to suppress banditry?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make about the three Jewish labourers ambushed and murdered on 14th March near the village of Yavneel, in the Tiberius district, and the two Jewish shepherds stabbed to death and strangled in the Nazareth Hills on 13th March; and what steps the Government is taking to strengthen the police force organisation both to prevent and punish such outrages?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when he proposes to introduce martial law in Palestine, in view of the failure of all other methods of maintaining law and order?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has a statement to make as to the latest outbreak of violence in Palestine; the responsibility for the same; and whether any extension of the disorder is feared?

I deeply deplore the assassinations and acts of violence which have occurred in Palestine during the past few months, and I was glad to note that on 10th February a statement issued by the Officer Administering the Government of Palestine was published in the local Press, announcing that the Mufti of Jerusalem and two other members of the Arab Higher Committee had expressed their abhorrence of these acts. But, unfortunately, the criminal acts have continued.

As regards the murder of a Jewish settler at Beit Alpha on 22nd February, five Arabs were arrested on suspicion by 27th February, and further arrests were expected to be made. Following on the murder, on the 26th February, of Dr. Lehrs at Beisan, the owner of a house to which the police dogs followed tracks has been arrested, and search has been made for another suspect who, it is believed, escaped into Transjordan. On 27th February the Arab Mayor and Notables of Beisan expressed to the Assistant District Commissioner at Nazareth their regrets and horror at this murder. A reward of £500 has been offered by the Palestine Government for information leading to the arrest of the murderers, and a further reward of £1,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murders occurring on 13th March.

It will be appreciated that it is extremely difficult to ensure security in a country where tension is so acute following on the prolonged disturbances of last year. I have, personally, discussed with the High Commission for Palestine the question of taking further measures for dealing with the increasing number of acts of violence which have recently occurred in certain parts of the country. The High Commissioner who is due to reach Palestine on Friday, 19th instant, will take up the matter in consultation with his advisers and with the General Officer Commanding the Forces as a matter of urgency on his arrival.

How long will His Majesty's Government be content to go on tolerating the present state of affairs in Palestine, and when will martial law be proclaimed?

I do not know whether martial law is the way to deal with this matter. That is a matter for considered advice. As the right hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, we have power under an Order-in-Council which we could exercise, but, of course, that is not martial law. Martial law means the complete end of all civil government, and His Majesty's Government would be reluctant to have to resort to that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these outrages are not organised by some central influence, by some power behind the scenes?

Yes, I think I am quite satisfied that these acts—both murders of Arabs by Arabs and of Jews by Arabs—are organised by bodies which are very local in character. They are admittedly the work of a small murder gang, and I am quite sure that these small murder gangs have no connection with the Higher Committee.

Is it not essential that, whatever may be happening in the rest of the world, we should make it clear that, so far as the British Empire and British Mandated Territories are concerned, we can and will maintain order?

That is certainly our intention, and I am very much surprised that the hon. Gentleman, who opposes the use of force and votes against all Forces, should put that question.

On a point of Order. Is the right hon. Gentleman entitled to make a charge against me which is entirely without foundation?

rose—

On a point of Order. May I ask for your protection, Mr. Speaker, quite seriously, against the charge—I am sure quite unintentional—. which is entirely untrue, that the right hon. Gentleman made against me?

Withdraw.

I may have said too much, but I do not think I spoke unjustly, having regard to the hon. Gentleman's whole record in this House.

Mr. David Adams.

On a point of Order. May I ask you whether it is not in order for hon. Members to obtain from the Front Bench opposite answers to questions which deal with the questions asked, and not for Ministers to ride off on other issues?

Answers given are very often considered by hon. Members who ask the questions to have ridden off on other issues when they are not the answers which the hon. Members would like.

Does the Minister believe that the presence of the High Commissioner in Palestine is likely to allay these disorders now?

It is quite obvious that the High Commissioner is responsible, through me, to this House for any action taken, particularly action over and above the ordinary law. He must confer with the General Officer Commanding and the Chief of Police before taking any exceptional measures, and receive any approval.

Will the Government, instead of considering going back to martial law, consider the advisability of going forward with the Legislative Assembly as the real remedy for the situation in Palestine?

That question goes beyond the questions on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will state the nature and duration of the new trade agreement between Iraq and Palestine?

I would refer the hon. Member to Command Paper 5372, copies of which may be obtained at the Vote Office. The agreement is to remain in force for three years.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will work out a scheme for the settlement of the hinterland of British Guiana with a view to meeting the serious overpopulation of certain West Indian islands, especially St. Vincent?

Such a scheme could only be worked out in consultation between the Governments of British Guiana and of any of the West Indian Colonies to which the hon. Member refers. If a practicable scheme of this nature were put forward, I should be prepared to give it careful consideration. I am sorry to say, however, that past investigations of the interior of British Guiana have given little encouragement to the hope of any considerable agricultural development, as the greater part of the country is virgin forest of exceptional density.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the views of the legislative council of Jamaica that any restriction of the sugar production of that colony would render unemployment in Jamaica still more acute; and whether this matter will be given due consideration in deciding the policy to be followed by the British delegation to the International Sugar Conference?

I have seen a Press report of a resolution passed in Jamaica on this subject, but I have not yet received any official information. The considerations referred to will, however, be borne in mind.

Does not our sugar policy restrict the production of sugar in the West Indian colonies?

The present policy is not restrictive. Of course, the operation of the special preference helps indirectly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the recent contribution of £75,000 by Nigeria towards the cost of Imperial Defence, he will consider whether it is now possible to arrange for some system by which such Colonies as can afford it should make regular contributions for Imperial Defence, with a view to avoiding the present system under which occasional voluntary contributions are made by Colonies which appreciate the importance of such assistance?

The system bf requiring monetary contributions from the Colonies for Imperial Defence is not one that I could properly adopt. I would point out in this connection that many of the Colonies defray the cost of local defence forces, and in some cases make a regular contribution towards the cost of their Imperial garrisons; and that consequently the contribution to Imperial Defence already made by the Colonial Empire is considerable.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any financial subvention has been given during 1935 or 1936, respectively, to any internal air lines in this country; the particulars of any appropriation thereof; and whether any such aid is now in contemplation?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, no subsidies were paid from Air Votes to internal air lines in this country during the years mentioned. As regards the last part, the report of the Maybury Committee, while recommending Government assistance in the shape of the provision of radio facilities and air traffic control, deliberately excluded the method of Government subsidies as an aid to civil aviation in this country and such direct aid is not therefore in contemplation.

In view of the cessation of many air lines in this country during the last 12 months and the complete lack of air traffic in many air ports, including that of the city of Leicester, will my right hon. Friend take some action to see whether the internal air services in this country can be maintained and improved?

That is another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has now been made with reference to the establishment of a central airport for London; whether the negotiations for a site at Fairlop, Essex, have been abandoned; and whether he can say when a decision may be expected?

I understand that negotiations for the purchase of the site at Fairlop are still in active progress. I am, however, unable to say how soon they will be concluded.

In view of the extraordinary delay that takes place, session after session, in coming to a decision in this matter, cannot my right hon. Friend do something to expedite a settlement; and if the transport position is regarded as being unsatisfactory, will he consider taking steps immediately to secure some more suitable site for this aerodrome?

May I ask the Minister whether it is not recognised that Fairlop is the very best and most appropriate place at which to put this aerodrome, and is he not aware that the Corporation of the City of London are doing all they can at the present time to assist this project, but find that all sorts of difficulties are put in their way?

Can the Minister tell us what facilities there are for travelling between Fairlop and the City of London? Are they afforded by road or rail? How many minutes does it take and how many trains run per hour?

The Air Ministry consider that this is a suitable site for this aerodrome. The negotiations lie entirely between the City of London and the local authorities at Ilford. As far as communications are concerned, I believe that they have not yet been supplied.

Do any communications exist between Fairlop and the City of London?

The communications will come into existence when the aerodrome does.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that on Tuesday, 9th March, the Imperial Airways' 9.30 a.m. Croydon to Paris service and the 12.40 p.m. service to Brussels and Cologne and similar services on British Airways were unable to leave the ground owing to the absence of de-icers, while foreign aeroplanes covering the same services and fitted with de-icers proceeded without interruption; and whether immediate action will be taken to ensure that British aeroplanes are fitted with de-icers in order to maintain regular services in the winter months?

I understand that certain British and foreign services were cancelled on the day in question because of ice-forming conditions and that other foreign services were maintained, but in view of the present stage of development of de-icing devices it would be premature to make it compulsory that they should be fitted.

How soon will it be before British aeroplanes are made equal to Continental ones in this respect?

British Airways and Imperial Airways are investigating very actively these problems, with a view to overcoming the difficulties.

Is it not time that investigation was replaced by action?

We have been telling you that for five years.

asked the Prime Minister what steps the Government propose to take for the purpose of ensuring closer economic relationship between Great Britain and the British Commonwealth of Nations?

asked the Prime Minister whether, before the meeting of the Imperial Conference, an opportunity will be afforded hon. Members of discussing the proposals of the Government in relation to inter-Imperial trade?

As the House is aware, a new Trade Agreement has recently been concluded with Canada, and general trade discussions are now in progress with the Minister of Finance of New Zealand. It is proposed that at the Imperial Conference there should be a general review of the progress of Empire trade and questions arising therefrom, but that any questions arising out of the Ottawa Agreements should be dealt with as occasion offers in separate discussions between the individual Governments concerned and apart from the Imperial Conference. In the circumstances, the question of discussion in this House prior to the meeting of the Imperial Conference does not seem to arise.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether all the self-governing dominions and the other communities will have the opportunity of discussing this matter?

I do not quite know what the hon. Member means, but I might say, in addition to what I have said in the answer, that the British Government are not putting down on the agenda any specific proposals such as the House might desire to discuss. Whether any Dominion Government will do so we do not know, but they have not put anything down as yet.

As regards the separate conference to discuss matters arising out of the Ottawa Agreement, does the right hon. Gentleman intend to sound the opinion of the House?

With regard to the Canadian agreement, I understand that there will be some forthcoming legislation on which that could be discussed. Any of these matters dealing with trade agreements can, I understand, be raised on the pertinent Estimates. There is no particular item on the agenda which will give the opportunity that the hon. Member desires.

Would not discussion on the Canadian agreement be much too narrow?

I do not really know about that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of its importance, he will make arrangements to put the subject of emigration definitely on the agenda of the forthcoming Imperial Conference?

I fully appreciate the importance of migration within the Empire, and I expect that there will be an opportunity during the course of the Imperial Conference for exchanges of views on the subject. In many of its aspects, however, the question of migration is more suited for discussion with individual Governments than in full conference, and I do not think that there would be any advantage in proposing any more definite arrangement at this stage.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that there is a proper discussion between the United Kingdom Govern- ment and the Governments of the Commonwealth on this question?

I think there probably will be. I hope there will be.

asked the Prime Minister how many knighthoods, baronetcies, and peerages, respectively, have been created since the month of November, 1931?

The following are the figures for which the hon. Member asks. These include those granted to residents in the Dominions, India and the Colonies. They do not include appointments to, and promotions in, the various Orders of Chivalry:

Peerages	67
Baronetcies	59
Knights Bachelor	663

I see that the figures include the month of November. The hon. Member asks for them since November. I hope that that will not complicate what he wants to get at.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for appreciating my intention, may I ask him whether he would now agree that a reasonable time should elapse before any further titles are granted?

If the hon. Member were in my place he would see that he could not consider that until after the Coronation.

How many of these titles were given to members of the Labour party, and how many applications were made by members of the Labour party?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the shortage of steel is causing delays in the Government's armaments programme, and whether the demands of that programme for steel are likely to cause restrictions upon industrial and other building programmes?

The shortage of steel has caused delays in a few minor cases, but they have not so far been serious, and as at present advised I have no reason to suppose that programmes as a whole will be delayed, but I am watching the position carefully.

Is it not nearly time for the appointment of a committee on priorities in respect of this and other basic materials which gradually become a matter of competition between the armaments programme and ordinary industry?

My right hon. Friend must not understand that there is no machinery for dealing with priority questions.

Does the right hon. Gentleman's reply refer to the latter part of the question concerning industrial and other building programmes?

Yes, subject to this, that if it is possible for anybody to postpone luxury building, I think that it may be in the public interest.

Is not the problem of the shortage of steel partly due to the fact that Franco is diverting to Germany supplies of iron ore which used to come to this country?

It is impossible to answer that question with a simple "yes" or "no." Undoubtedly the diversion of iron ore supplies by anybody from this country must reduce to some extent the capacity for producing steel.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether there are any reciprocal agreements between armament manufacturers in this country and armament manufacturers in foreign countries; and whether he is aware that German technicians are at present employed by certain firms in this country to teach British workmen certain processes in armament manufacture?