asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that in the memorandum submitted to the committee for the study of the problem of raw materials at Geneva, document V., embodying proposals and suggestions, contains numerous suggestions which interfere with the sovereignty and administration of the Colonial possessions of the British Empire and include the transfer of territories at present under the British flag; whether these suggestions were circulated by permission of the representatives of Great Britain at Geneva; and whether he will give instructions that British representatives should make it clear that such proposals and suggestions are not open to discussion;

(2) whether his attention has been called to the fact that proposals and suggestions having no relation to the subject of raw materials, circulated amongst the members of the committee for the study of the problem of raw materials, include proposals from political bodies in Great Britain which have no official sanction or connection with His Majesty's Government and which even contain a proposal that Colonies should be transferred into Mandated Territories; and whether he will take steps to see that such proposals, in no way representing the Governments of Member States of the League, should be ruled out of future discussions;

(3) to what foreign policy reports, in document V., presented to the Committee on Raw Materials at Geneva, refer; whether such reports emanate from the Foreign Office; and whether he will make a categorical statement to the effect that Clauses 3 and 5 of proposals and suggestions are at complete variance with the policy of His Majesty's Government?

The "Foreign Policy Reports" referred to in the Secretariat Memorandum are reports issued twice a month by the Foreign Policy Association of New York, which is an entirely unofficial institution. All the other points raised by my hon. and gallant Friend were dealt with in the full reply which I gave on this subject on 10th March.

Is it competent for a foreign country to make suggestions which affect the Sovereignty of this country and to put such suggestions forward for debate before this committee?

No, Sir. I am not aware that a foreign country put forward these questions for debate, nor am I aware that the matter is on the agenda. This is, I understand, an entirely unofficial institution, and its words, whatever they may have been, have no authority internationally at all.

Is it not also a fact that the suggestions have come from one of the Opposition parties in this country; and is that privilege to be extended to other important organisations in this country which have no connection with the Government?

I do not know what the hon. Gentleman means by "suggestions from the Opposition parties." I can speak only for the Government.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a report will be printed of the Raw Materials Committee that met at Geneva; and whether he can say when the sub-committees will report to the full Council?

The committee has issued an interim report, copies of which I am arranging to place in the Library of the House. It will be seen from this interim report that the sub-committees will meet in June and that their meeting will be followed by a plenary meeting of the committee. The reports of the subcommittees will be considered at that meeting.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement on the note sent by the Emperor of Ethiopia to the League of Nations asking for League investigators to be sent to Addis Ababa to report on the recent massacres; and whether His Majesty's Government will support such a request?

The note mentioned by the hon. Member has been circulated by the Secretary-General of the League of Nations to all members of the League. In view of the fact that it may possibly form the subject of consideration in due course by the Council or the Assembly, I am not in a position to make any statement on the matter at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that there is a precedent, namely, the dispatch of the Lytton Commission to Manchuria in 1933?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the terms of the Treaty of Locarno set out certain specific general disarmament principles of the signatories to same, the Government will consider the advisability of discontinuing this treaty in its present form on its expiration?

It is not possible at this stage to make any statement on this subject.

Have the Government considered this point?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the policy of His Majesty's Government to support national self-determination and of the fact that the strengthening of Austria's independence is of paramount importance to the peace of Europe, he is in a position to state the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the proposed restoration of the Hapsburg dynasty?

I do not think it would be desirable for His Majesty's Government to state their attitude to this hypothetical contingency in present circumstances.

Have the Austrian Government ever asked the British Foreign Office its attitude on the subject?

My impression is that they have not.

If we have a right of intervention in that country, would it not be well to put forward a British candidate for the Throne?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the better relations created by the treaty of January, 1937, between Yugoslavia and Bulgaria, His Majesty's Minister in Belgrade will make representations in favour of an amnesty for political prisoners in the Macedonian regions of Yugoslavia?

I do not think that this is a matter in which His Majesty's Government could intervene in the sense suggested.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to whether the Yugoslav Government have such a mandate under consideration?

I have no information as to the need or the possibility of such a mandate.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement with regard to the progress of the negotiations for the increase of established posts in His Majesty's dockyards; and by what date it is anticipated that a decision will be announced?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers to those departments of the dockyards and other Admiralty industrial establishments not covered by the recent agreement. The question of fixing an established complement of industrial posts in these departments is now before the Admiralty Industrial Council, and I hope that a settlement will be reached before long.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action His Majesty's Government, or the Government of Cyprus, proposes to take to deal with the problem of rural indebtedness?

It is hoped shortly to institute new measures to deal with the problem of long-term rural indebtedness. Negotiations for the reorganisation of the Agricultural Bank in Cyprus are now in an advanced stage, but pending their completion it is not possible for me to make a more detailed statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to restore the constitutional position of Cyprus; and, if so, whether the opportunity will be taken to grant a more liberal constitution than that against which the people of Cyprus rose in revolt in 1931?

No alteration in the constitution of the Central Government is under consideration. It seems clear that, having regard to local conditions, the sound line of advance lies in first and foremost encouraging the Islanders in the management of their local affairs in the districts. It is, therefore, the definite policy of the Government to enlarge the sphere of the local authorities: and the powers of the municipalities and village authorities are accordingly being extended.

From the point of view of the Central Government of the Island, does not that advance amount to standing still?

I have come to the conclusion that it would be undesirable to alter the present constitution of the Central Government of Cyprus.

Is there any hope of matters getting any better in the absence of a Legislative Assembly?

Oh, yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will make a statement concerning the position in Palestine?

On the general position I would invite the hon. and gallant Member's attention to the last part of the reply which I gave to questions in the House on 17th March. The security situation in the Southern district is reported to be not abnormal. A large number of arrests have been made in the Northern district, and a number of preventive arrests are being made in Jerusalem. The High Commissioner, who arrived back in Palestine last Friday, was touring the disturbed district of Galilee on Monday, and I expect to receive a further report from him very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, apart from the Government communiqué issued in Palestine by the Officer Administering the Government, on 10th February, which records a conversation between the High Commissioner and the Mufti of Jerusalem and two other members of the Arab supreme committee, the Mufti or any other member of the Arab supreme committee has publicly condemned the recent murders and crimes of violence which are taking place in Palestine?

I have been informed that the Arab Higher Committee have recently issued a statement containing an appeal to avoid acts of violence.

Have there been any further crimes of violence or murders since the publication of this appeal?

I am afraid so.

Has my right hon. Friend any reason to suppose that the Arab Higher Committee do not wholly disapprove of the murders that are now being committed?

As I said in the House last week, I understand that the Higher Committee have expressed disapproval of the outrages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, seeing that the Government of Palestine recently requested both the Arab Supreme Council and the Jewish General Council to publish an appeal for the restoration of order in Palestine, he will say what was the response from these two bodies, respectively?

I have no information as to any recent request by the Government of Palestine to the Arab Supreme Council and the Jewish General Council to publish an appeal for the restoration of order. I understand, however, that the Arab Higher Committee have, during the last few days, issued a statement which includes an appeal to avoid acts of violence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Jewish Council issued such an appeal several weeks ago?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Bedouins in Palestine have the right to carry arms and what Jews have similar rights?

I will ask the High Commissioner for Palestine if he can supply the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend.

What does the right hon. Gentleman think of the idea of establishing a citizen army?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps have been taken as to the result of the recommendation of the Conference on the Co-ordination of General Medical Research in East Africa that research into the social and economic development of the African should be undertaken by the Medical Research Council?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to the report of the Conference held in January, 1936. The recommendation of that Conference was not that research be undertaken by the Medical Research Council, but that, in order to help if it was decided to make an application for funds, a body of experts should visit East Africa. The report was examined by the Tropical Medical Research Committee of the Medical Research Council and by the Colonial Advisory Medical Committee, who advise me that they doubt whether any useful purpose would be served by such a visit, and that further assistance could best be rendered by the visit of individual experts to study special problems as they arise. I regret that at the present time there are no funds available from which such a scheme of further research could be financed, and I observe from the report of the Conference that the minimum sum required for their scheme was stated to be at least £30,000 or £40,000 a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is still the policy of the Government of Uganda to prohibit the exhibition to Europeans of sound films, that the authorities consider are not suitable for non-Europeans; and whether this policy has been adopted by any other Colonial authorities?

The Government of Uganda does not discriminate between films for exhibition to Europeans and to non-Europeans. There is power to discriminate in Kenya, Fiji, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the memorandum of the Jamaica Legislative Council drawing attention to the unemployment which would be created in that colony if colonial sugar production is to be curtailed under any agreement reached at the International Sugar Conference; whether, in view of this, he will reconsider his decision that such curtailment is desirable; and whether he will take steps to obtain information from the sugar producing colonies as to the amount of unemployment which will be caused in each if sugar production is stabilised at its present level and the output per acre continues to increase?

I have not yet received the memorandum referred to, and without knowing its precise terms it is difficult for me to reply to the second part of the question. I would, however, inform the hon. Member that no decision has been taken to curtail Colonial output but only to consider regulation of its expansion if that is necessary to secure an otherwise satisfactory International Agreement which, as indicated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Accrington (Major Procter) on 17th March, I and my advisers believe would be on balance more beneficial to Colonial producers than unregulated production. As to the last part of the question, I have not received any representations to the effect that the stabilisation of present output would lead to a diminution of employment, but I will make inquiries from Colonial Governments.

Has the right hon. Gentleman yet had any consultation with the authorities at Jamaica in connection with the matter?

I think I have received some views from the Jamaica Government and a representative of the Jamaica sugar trade interest attended my Advisory Committee. All the Governors of the sugar-producing Colonies have been informed up to date of the preparatory discussions before the Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered any scheme whereby the British Empire could become self-supporting as regards sugar through increased output in the tropical Colonies; and whether he will arrange for its discussion at the forthcoming Sugar Conference?

No such scheme has been put before me, and it would hardly be appropriate to discuss it at an International Conference.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that at a recent meeting of the Jamaica Imperial Association attention was called to the fact that the present deficit of the colony amounted to over £30,000, and a resolution passed urging the Government and the Legislative Council to have regard to the need for further expansion of sugar production in Jamaica owing to the reduction of the banana crops through Panama disease; and whether, in these circumstances, he can give an assurance that no decision will be agreed to by the British delegation to the forthcoming Sugar Conference which would prevent the reasonable further expansion of British colonial sugar production?

The resolution referred to has not been brought to my notice. As to the latter part of the question, I would refer to the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member for Accrington (Major Procter) on 17th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the resolution passed by the Legislative Council of Jamaica indicating that the restriction of Jamaican sugar production under any agreement reached at the International Sugar Conference would cause increased unemployment in that island; and to what extent the Legislative Council of Jamaica has been taken into consultation in the preparation of the British policy to be put forward at this conference?

As to the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Clayton (Mr. Jagger). As to the second part, the Government of Jamaica have been kept informed of the progress of preliminary discussions, but the Legislative Council has not been specifically consulted by His Majesty's Government.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of the fact that the British Empire as a whole is still an importer of sugar, whereas many other countries participating in the forthcoming International Sugar Conference are exporters of sugar, he can give an assurance that nothing will be agreed to by the British delegation to this conference which will prevent the British Empire from becoming self-supporting in sugar at the earliest possible opportunity?

His Majesty's Government have not adopted a policy aiming at complete self-sufficiency as regards sugar on the part of the British Empire as a whole, and are therefore unable to give any such assurance as is suggested.

asked the Lord President of the Council whether, in view of the fact that only countries representing 90 per cent. of world sugar production have been invited to the International Sugar Conference and that not all these have accepted, he will give an assurance that the British delegation will agree to no limitation on output or exports that will give to those countries not participating an unfair advantage over our own sugar-producing Colonies?

His Majesty's Government would not enter into an agreement which in their opinion gave either to countries participating in it or to countries outside it an unfair advantage over any British territory. Those countries not invited to the conference are those whose production of sugar is comparatively small. Actually their combined exports amount to less than 1 per cent. of total world exports.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, whether the arrangements made by the Government for the storage of adequate reserves of mineral oil for a national emergency mean that the additional tankage necessary will be provided by the State, or is it intended to guarantee or subsidise the provision of additional tankage by private enterprise?

In the answer which I gave to the hon. Member on 17th March, I said that arrangements are being made for the storage of adequate reserves of oil. It is not possible for me to give details of the arrangements.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether members of the St. John's Ambulance Brigade and tire brigades who are included in schemes of air-raid precautions will be exempt from active service in the event of mobilisation?

It is not possible to give an assurance to my hon. Friend that all members of St. John's Ambulance Brigade and fire brigades included in schemes of air raid precautions will be exempt from active service in the event of mobilisation. The requirements of the Air Raid Precautions organisation are, however, receiving the closest consideration with a view to guidance being given to local authorities and others as to the classes of persons considered suitable for enrolment in the different forms of public service.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to the proportion of food supplies to be obtained from home and overseas sources, respectively, in time of war?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stone (Sir J. Lamb) on 18th February, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether, in view of the importance in the interests of defence of encouraging the widest possible use of home-produced fuels for motor transport, it is proposed to take any action to encourage developments designed to secure the use of fuels such as compressed gas or producer gas as alternatives to imported oil?

It is the policy of the Government to encourage the use in this country of home-produced fuels and several steps have been taken to this end. In the case of vehicles using compressed gas and producer gas, there is no duty payable on the fuel, and for the heavier types of vehicles there is a further advantage that the rate of vehicle duty is lower than for vehicles using petrol or diesel oil. The question whether any further action might be taken which would enable a wider use to be made of such vehicles during an emergency is at present under examination.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the representations which have been submitted regarding the division of Ijebu province, Nigeria, into two; whether he is aware of the objection to this proposal on the part of the majority of the people; and whether he intends to withhold his consent to the proposed change?

I have not received any information on this matter, but I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the grievances of the Nigerian Motor Transport Union, whose members have had double licence fees imposed upon them; whether he is prepared to reduce the fees to single rate on account of the undertaking regarding conveyance charges given by the union; and whether he will accede to the request of the union for representation on the transport advisory board?

I have not, as yet, received any statement of the grievances of the Nigerian Motor Transport Union. Such a statement would fall to be investigated in the first instance by the Governor of Nigeria, from whom I am expecting a report, and any recommendations which he may see fit to make I shall, of course, carefully consider.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the cessation of certain air lines at established airports, he can indicate whether any steps are proposed to promote internal services and to encourage commercial air traffic in this country?

As my hon. and learned Friend is aware, the task of considering and reporting upon steps which might be adopted for assisting in the promotion of civil aviation in this country was entrusted to the Maybury Committee. As recently announced to the House, the recommendations made by the Committee with that object in view have been accepted in principle by His Majesty's Government, and so far as the Air Ministry is concerned the approved measures will be given effect to as speedily as possible.

Will a decision soon be reached?

The recommendations of the Maybury Committee have been accepted in principle.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what arrangements have been made by Imperial Airways for an airport at Lullingstone, Kent?

I understand that while nothing in the nature of a definite arrangement has been made, Imperial Airways contemplate the possibility of operating their European services from Lullingstone, Kent, if an airport is established there by the Southern Railway.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to carry out the recommendation of the Maybury Committee that a civil aerodrome shall be established on the north of the London area?

The Maybury Committee made no recommendation for the establishment of a State aerodrome in the north of London, nor has any such decision been taken. I hope that this is a matter in which the local authorities will concern themselves in accordance with paragraph 146 of the Maybury Report, and I need hardly say that the Air Ministry will be glad to furnish all possible advice.

Does not the right hon. Baronet think it very necessary that we should have a public airport in North London in view of the experimental service suggested by the Maybury Committee for the North of England?

Yes, I think it is very important, and I hope that the local authorities concerned will think so, too.

Has any decision yet been arrived at with reference to a central airport?

The question deals with North London.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether negotiations have been completed for the acquisition by the Slough Council for 190 acres of the Parlaunt Farm, Langley, for the purposes of an aerodrome; and what has been the price agreed upon or paid for this land?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave last week to the hon. Member for Spring-burn (Mr. Hardie), and to which there is at present nothing to add. As regards the second part, if the compulsory purchase order is confirmed, the price, if not then agreed, will fall to be fixed by arbitration after that event.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps the Blackpool Corporation has taken to acquire land in or near the Clifton estate at Lytham for the purposes of its airport; what is the area of such land; and what price has been agreed upon or has been paid for it?

The only information I am able to give on this matter is that, at the request of the Blackpool Corporation, the Air Ministry have inspected an area of about 350 acres at Lytham and have made a technical report to the corporation regarding its possible development as an aerodrome.

Is there anything stated in that report with regard to the price?

No, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what has been the result of the hearing begun at York on 9th February in connection with the claim for £43,626 by University College, Oxford, owners of the Linton-on-Ouse estate, portions of which the Air Ministry have compulsorily acquired for the new aerodrome being constructed as part of the scheme of air defence for the North; what is the area of land being acquired from University College; and what price is being paid for the 409 acres already taken by the Ministry from four different holdings?

As regards the first part of the question, the award of the arbitrator has not yet been received, and as regards the second part the area being acquired is approximately 417 acres. As regards the last part, there must, I think, be some misunderstanding; one of the notices to treat was in respect of 409 acres, but that area is included in the 417 acres for which the price is being settled by arbitration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air at which civil aerodromes wireless will be installed in accordance with the Maybury Committee's Report?

A scheme to give effect to the recommendation of the Maybury Committee respecting the provision of radio facilities is being worked out, but the technical and other factors involved call for very careful examination, and I am sorry that it is not yet possible to give such definite information as that for which my hon. Friend asks.

Can the right hon. Baronet say when he will be able to give it?

I do not think I could.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps are being taken to come to an international agreement on a uniform system of flying maps?

My hon. Friend will be aware, I think, that Annex F of the Air Navigation Convention of 1919 provided for a uniform system of aeronautical maps. The Annex has been revised from time to time and there has been in consequence, I am afraid, some delay on the part of the contracting States in general in issuing the necessary maps. Arrangements have been made with the Ordnance Survey, Southampton, for the publication of those for which this country is responsible.

Will the right hon. Baronet take it up as the next meeting?

I hope it will not be necessary to do so and that our own maps may be published before then.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that junior officers who lost all their kit and belongings in the fire at Tern Hill Air Force Station, on 7th October, 1936, are still awaiting information as to their claims for loss and have received no compensation beyond the temporary advances made immediately after the fire; and will he therefore take steps to expedite the payment of compensation?

My hon. and gallant Friend will be aware from the correspondence which he has had with the Air Ministry that the claims for compensation to which he refers have been under active consideration, and I can assure him that everything is being done to expedite a decision. He will appreciate that detailed examination of the claims is necessary, and the advances to which he refers were specially made in order to prevent hardship. The case as a whole is not without its complications, but I hope that a decision will be reached very shortly.

In view of the hardships that these young officers have suffered, will the right hon. Baronet consider instituting a standardised system of insurance to cover all service risks?

Yes, I will consider that.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many persons are employed on the work of building the new aircraft factory at Lostock, Bolton; and whether the workers are being recruited from Employment Exchanges outside the Bolton area where unemployment is heavy?

The number of persons at present employed on the site is 96, and these consist almost entirely of employés of the Bolton Corporation and of two Bolton contractors. As regards any future recruitment, I understand that, so far as vacancies are notified to the local Employment Exchange by contractors and suitably qualified men are not available locally, consideration will be given to men possessing the necessary qualifications who are registered at Exchanges in other districts.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to suggest to these contractors that they should take note of the exchanges where unemployment is heaviest?

That is a matter for the exchanges concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has yet circulated a draft order, as promised, making effective regulations which were proposed in 1931 for the provision of guard-rails between the front and rear wheels of motor-lorries; has his attention been called to a fatal accident to a child at Watergate Street, Deptford, caused by falling between the front and rear wheels of a motor-lorry due to the absence of such guards; and what action does he propose to take to make effective the regulation referred to?

Yes, Sir, and I have recently sought advice from the Transport Advisory Council on this matter.

Can the Minister say whether the order has actually been made; and does he think that nine months is a sufficient time in which to make the order effective, particularly in view of the increasing number of lives that are being lost as the result of it being ineffective?

I am not aware of an increasing number of lives being lost. It was my desire to consult the interests who are most affected which was responsible for my referring the matter to the Transport Advisory Council.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that he made this promise as long ago as last June as a result of a fatal accident in this borough?

I have carried out my promise. I made draft regulations and I circulated them to the interests affected for their comments. I have now transferred the matter to the Transport Advisory Council in order that they may examine these comments and give advice.

Is it not a fact that this order has not been made effective because the motor interests have objected on the ground of expense?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the inconvenience to travelling public caused by the wages dispute between the S. M. T. and their employés, the Government will consider the nationalisation of road services in Scotland and ensure adequate facilities for the public and fair wages for the employés?

No, Sir.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the wages paid by the Glasgow Corporation is the cause of the trouble, and that it would be in the interests of Scotland to nationalise the road services as well as the roads in order to give justice to these employés?

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of road accidents, fatal or otherwise, in the Maryhill Division of Glasgow for the years 1935 and 1936, respectively?

As a result of road accidents in the Maryhill Police Division of Glasgow in 1936, 10 persons were killed and 377 injured. The comparative figures for 1935 were seven killed and 369 injured.

In view of the increased motor transport in this congested constituency, will the right hon. Gentleman enter into consultation with the local authority with a view at least of avoiding some of the accidents?

I am in constant touch with the local authority, and I can only hope that the hon. Gentleman will assist me to persuade them to do everything that is necesary at all times.

Are the Glasgow authorities as backward in this as they are in housing?

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Traffic Advisory Council has considered the question of sending to local authorities a questionnaire concerning the various practices of motorists which may involve road accidents similar to that already despatched concerning cyclists?

The Transport Advisory Council have had no such reference.

asked the Minister of Transport the total number of occasions on which police officers have had to take over traffic control duties at the George IV Bridge, Glasgow, in place of the traffic lights, since 1935?

Seventy-three.

asked the Attorney-General how many of the Retford Borough magistrates are over 70 and 80 years of age, respectively?

One is over 70 and three are over 80.

Does not the hon. and learned Gentleman think that in view of the nature of this reply, some steps ought to be taken to get a revision of this bench of magistrates?

The matter is one upon which the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Committee could communicate with my Noble Friend, if they thought the bench needed strengthening, and that is the proper course.

Is there any truth in the statement that all these magistrates are members of the Junior Imperial League?

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the recent revelations at the Central Criminal Court in a share pushing case, he will draw the attention of Sir Archibald Bodkin's committee of inquiry into share pushing to the free services and advices now being offered to potential investors by a firm called H. Edward Williams and Company through the medium of a publication described as the "Financial and Commercial Record"?

The methods to which the hon. Member calls attention have already been brought to the notice of the committee of inquiry into share pushing.

In this particular case?

I would rather not give an answer as to any particular case. The methods have been brought to the notice of the Committee, and I can assure the right hon. Gentleman that the particular case has not escaped attention.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during recent months the foreign - owned vessels "Reiger," "Cornelia," "Grada," "Senang," and "Setas" have been loaded at Bo'ness with scrap-iron and other munitions materials for another British coastal destination; whether the profits on these voyages will be subjected to British Income Tax; and whether he will give the names of the iron and steel founders who chartered the vessels?

The official records of shipping at Bo'ness show that since 1st January, 1936, none of the vessels mentioned in the question loaded cargo in the coastwise trade at Bo'ness. Two of them carried no cargo coastwise to or from Bo'ness and the remaining three made, in all, four coastwise voyages to that port with cargo, on each occasion departing in ballast. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to the answer given to his question of the 2nd March. I fear I cannot give information regarding the charterers of the vessels for these voyages.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any reason why we cannot have the names of the charterers who get special financial facilities in their own businesses from this House and then deliberately choose foreign vessels?

Is it not the case that Colville and Company, Limited, are associated with this matter?

May I have an answer to my question? Why cannot we have the names given in this House of the patriotic charterers who deliberately choose foreign vessels to carry munitions?

It is contrary to the practice to divulge particulars of the individual trader's certificate, which is supplied to the Customs for official purposes?