asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and, if so, what, influence was brought by His Majesty's Government to bear on the delegate from New Zealand immediately before the delivery of his speech at the Council of the League?

My attention has been drawn to certain Press reports on this matter. I am glad to have this opportunity of stating that these reports are entirely without foundation.

Are we to understand from that reply that the New Zealand Government is in the fullest accord with the views expressed by the British Government at the recent Council meeting in Geneva?

Any one of His Majesty's Governments is entitled to state its own point of view. All I say is that Press reports to the effect that I blue-pencilled this speech are entirely inaccurate. I understand that the representative of the Council of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand has already denied those reports.

Those are reports that the right hon. Gentleman censored the speech, but is it a fact that the right hon. Gentleman made no representations to the representative of the New Zealand Government which caused him to modify the speech he had originally decided to make?

I think my answer is clear.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman welcome the whole-hearted support of His Majesty's Government in New Zealand?

We welcome the co-operation of His Majesty's Governments in all Dominions.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what decisions were arrived at at the recent meeting of the Bureau of the Disarmament Confer- ence and the Committee for the Reform of the League of Nations?

At its recent meeting the Bureau of the Disarmament Conference decided in the first place to communicate the text of the draft Convention on Publicity for National Defence Expenditure and the Working of an Organ of Supervision and Co-ordination to all the Governments which are or have been represented at the Conference, with the request that they inform the Secretariat of the Conference whether they are prepared, in principle, to accept a system of publicity based on that Convention. In the second place, the Bureau decided to meet again on a date to be fixed by the Council of the League of Nations, for the purpose of considering the replies from the Governments, discussing the draft Convention on Publicity for National Defence Expenditure, and deciding upon appropriate measures. Finally the Bureau instructed the Secretariat of the League of Nations to collect and communicate to the members of the Bureau any useful information obtainable as to the present position in regard to the national control of the manufacture of and trade in arms in the principal countries. No meeting of the Committee on the Application of the Principles of the Covenant has recently been held, but the Rapporteurs to that Committee met at Geneva on 31st May. They settled the procedure for the completion and publication of their respective reports, and proposed that a meeting of the full committee should be held before the opening of the next ordinary session of the Assembly.

Has any date been fixed by which replies are to be sent in?

I could not say without notice.

Is the right hon. Gentleman of the opinion that the Disarmament Conference is still alive?

This is a question of publicity for budgetary expenditure on armaments, and it seems to me to be a good thing to try to get—if we can.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of Royal Marines invalided out of the Service owing to tuberculosis; the number who have applied for pension; and the number of cases in which pensions were awarded during the last three years?

During the period of three years ended 3oth April, 1937, 65 Royal Marines were invalided out of the Service on account of tuberculosis, of which number 62 were pulmonary and three other forms; each invalid was automatically considered for an award of pension which was granted in 43 cases.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the period that these Marines have been in the Service?

I could not give the period of service for each Marine without notice.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider that three and a-half years' service, with a clean bill of health preceding that, should entitle a Marine to a pension?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Ever Ready Company, Carysfort Road, Stoke Newington, do contract work for his Department; if so, what are the articles supplied; and whether the firm is bound by the Fair Wages Clause in Government contracts?

This firm receives invitations to tender for various items of electrical equipment, and has a small contract at the present time. This contract, in common with all Government contracts, requires observance of the Fair Wages Clause.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the inquiry into the advisability of according naval officers the same privileges with regard to marriage allowance as Army and Air Force officers is yet complete; and whether he expects to be able to make an announcement in regard to this subject before the Summer Recess?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what progress has been made in connection with the inquiry into the advisability of giving marriage allowances to naval officers, from whom evidence has been heard; whether it is proposed to make a public report on the subject; and whether he anticipates that it will be possible to announce a decision during the current month?

Representative officers in the Fleet of all ranks have been consulted through the Commanders-in-Chief on all stations; definite proposals have been formulated and are now under active consideration, but I am afraid that I am not in a position to say when a decision will be reached.

Does my right hon. Friend hope to make known the decision on this subject before the Summer Recess?

I am afraid I cannot make a promise, but I certainly hope a decision will be reached in good time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read the speech of the Minister of Health yesterday re population?

Are not naval officers medically examined, and are they not the best possible stock to breed from?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, what duties it is proposed to assign to the "Dido3" class cruisers?

The "Dido" class are intended to serve as small fleet cruisers.

Will there not be great difficulty in assigning duties for these cruisers, in view of the fact that they will be inferior in both speed and armament to the ships of a similar type that are being built for foreign Powers?

As my noble Friend the late Parliamentary Secretary informed the hon. and gallant Member not long ago, it is considered that these cruisers are perfectly well fitted for the duties which they are designed to carry out.

Are they to be specially fitted with the new antiaircraft guns? Are they to be used specially for anti-aircraft defence of the Fleet?

They are to he used for anti-aircraft defence of the Fleet amongst other purposes. As to any other detail, I shall be glad to inform the right hon. Gentleman if he will put down a question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the former Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty gave no information at all as to what these cruisers were to be called upon to perform?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the present amount of the milk ration for boys in the Navy?

There is no fixed ration of milk for boys in the Navy as they are victualled under the general mess system and are provided with a varied dietary without fixed rations of the various items of foodstuffs. The average amount of milk issued daily to each boy is estimated to be approximately half-pint.

Will my right hon. Friend say whether the milk is fresh or tinned?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has taken any action respecting the action of the Governor of Ceylon in making an illegal order for the deportation of Mr. Mark Anthony Bracegirdle.

I am still in cornmunication with the Governor concerning this matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House as soon as he has any information about this extraordinary action on the part of the Governor?

I want to see the full proceedings that took place in the court first. It may take some time.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the alleged forger of letters purporting to have been sent by Sir Ofori Atta, in the Gold Coast, has not yet been arrested?

The latest report which has reached me on the local police investigations was placed in the Library of the House in February. Up to the time of that report, which was forwarded to me in January, the forger had not been identified. I have no later information.

Do I understand that, in fact, the statement in one of the local papers in the Gold Coast to the effect that the identity of the forger was known to the police was incorrect?

I really do not know. I have said that I have no further official information since the question was put some time ago, but I will make inquiries.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman will make inquiries of the Governor of the Gold Coast?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what arrangements will be made for the representation of the Colonies on the Empire Defence Co-ordination Committee to he set up as a result of the Imperial Conference?

There has been no proposal to set up a new Empire coordination committee as a result of the Imperial Conference. The Committee of Imperial Defence organisation is already available, and is extensively used, for coordination of Empire defence problems of every kind. A special sub-committee known as the Oversea Defence Committee is continuously and mainly engaged on problems of colonial defence.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of acres of land involved in the Chesham concession in Tanganyika; whether it was put up for auction to the highest bidder; and what is the rent per acre?

Tanganyika (Southern Highlands) Estates, Limited, were granted a right of occupancy with effect from 1st January, 1937, for a period of 10 years over an area of approximately 110,500 acres at a rent of one cent per acre. This grant was conditional on the acceptance by the company of a certificate of occupancy for 99 years with effect from the same date in respect of part of the above area amounting to approximately 19,500 acres, under which certificate a rent of 10 cents an acre (revisable every 20 years) is payable. In addition, the company is under an obligation, with effect from 1st January, 1939, to bring under intensive development each year at least 6,000 acres out of the main area, and to accept certificates of occupancy in respect of such areas involving the payment of a rent of 10 cents an acre (revisable every 20 years). The grant of these rights of occupancy was not made subject to auction, having regard to the terms of Section 3 of Ordinance No. 5 of 1935, which empowers the Governor to grant a right of occupancy without auction in any special case (outside a township) in which he considers it desirable to do so.

Does not the amount of land as now stated by the Colonial Secretary differ from the amount he gave in his speech last week? Is there any special reason why the right of selling by public auction in the ordinary way should have been departed from in this case; and how does the rent compare with the rent paid for other land?

I gave 16 square miles as the all-over area which they might eventually take up, but the immediately operative lease involves 19,500 acres according to later information I have. The reason why this was made a special case is that this land is very remote and there is practically nobody there. It is desirable in the interests of the whole country that it should be-developed, and it was considered that this was a very good way of doing it.

Are there not plenty of takers for this land if it is made known that the Government want to develop it? Could it not have been done without this double exploitation?

I deny that there is any exploitation. I call it development—proper development. There are no other claimants to this land. We have been waiting a long time trying to get some more active development of south-west Tanganyika, and I think it is purely doctrinaire to object to making use of powers to try to get something done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the land granted to the Chesham Development Company is to be let to Europeans only, or can British-Indians or natives take it up?

The choice of sublessees will be a matter for the company, but there is nothing in the title deeds granted by the Government prescribing that non-Europeans may not lease land from the company.

That depends entirely on the company?

Entirely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Jewish agency has accepted or refused the present labour schedule, allotting only 220 certificates out of the 11,250 applied for to meet the general demand of the Jewish labour market; and what action it is proposed to take?

A statement has been issued by the Jewish Agency from which it is inferred that while accepting the 400 certificates earmarked for German Jews whose settlement is to be assisted with funds provided by the Central Council for German Jewry, they have decided not to accept the balance of 220 certificates included in the schedule. I am not aware that this decision calls for any action on the part of the Government.

In view of the fact that this schedule has been rejected by the Jewish Agency as a travesty of the Mandate, cannot the Colonial Secretary say what action he proposes to take in regard to Jewish immigration into Palestine in view of the fact that the Agency is not prepared to accept them?

The hon. Member knows that the Jewish Agency can forward complaints against His Majesty's Government by petition to the Permanent Mandates Commission. On the general question it is obvious, as I have made clear on more than one occasion, that the Government cannot depart from the strict letter of the MacDonald letter to Dr. Weizmann until they have received the report of the Royal Commission.

Are these 220 emigrants going in or not?

Yes, I presume that the Government organisation in Palestine will distribute them, and that the Jewish Agency will not.

Does that mean that these 220 certificated emigrants will not go? May I also ask why the right hon. Gentleman should be menaced by the Jewish Agency?

I am not in the least menaced by the Jewish Agency. If they do not want these 220 certificates issued by the High Commissioner under the usual procedure the emigration department has a perfect right to dispose of them as it thinks best.

asked the Under-Secretary Of State for Air whether he is aware that complaints were lodged six weeks ago that Messrs. F. W. Rigby and Company, of London, are not acting in compliance With the fair-wages clause as regards wages, hours, and conditions; whether these complaints have been investigated; and, if so, with what result?

The complaints made in this case are being made the subject of careful inquiry, but the investigations are not yet completed.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that six weeks is a sufficiently long time for the inquiry, and is he not aware that there is grave dissatisfaction as the result of the delay?

I can only say that the investigation is being carried out with all expedition.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the contracts made by the Air Ministry, including those for the provision of tankage for the storage of reserve supplies of oil, can be made the subject of competitive tender by all firms on the official list of contractors who are capable of executing the work; and, if not, for what reasons?

The tankage to which the hon. Member refers will for the most part be erected on land owned or leased by the Air Ministry, and it is proposed to employ the oil companies who supply the Air Ministry with aviation fuel as agents for the erection of the installations that are required; it will be a provision of the agency agreements that competitive tendering is resorted to wherever practicable. The answer to the hon. Member's question is to that extent in the affirmative. There are, however, some cases in which use is being made of existing installations owned by the oil companies and on their land, and in these cases there is no alternative to a direct contract with the oil company which is concerned, and whose receiving and issuing facilities have to be utilised.

If these are not all subject to competitive tenders, how is the price worked out?

The procedure by which the price is ascertained has been explained on a good many occasions in this House.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman remember that in previous contracts for the supply of steel structures the steel suppliers tendered precisely the same prices? What safeguard is there in the case of tankage?

The question of steel is a different matter. There are in a good number of cases special conditions which render the demanding of competitive tenders not very applicable.

Is it the practice for all tenders to be on the same basis, or are there tenders considered on the basis of varying wage rates?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will state, having regard to the fact that more stringent rules govern the placing of noncompetitive than of competitive contracts, in which class fall those contracts for which a number of contractors have tendered precisely the same price?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to him yesterday on this matter.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was unable to give an answer?

No, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said that he was unable to lay down a general proposition, nor am I.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there is any improvement in the percentage of competitive to non-competitive contracts placed by the Air Ministry in 1935, having regard to the fact that only 15 per cent. of the contracts were in that year competitive?

The figure of 15 per cent. to which the hon. Member refers related only to airframe contracts. The figures for all contracts for the financial years 1935 and 1936 were 32 per cent. and 28 per cent. respectively of the total values of the contracts placed.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can estimate for what further period it will be necessary for the Air Ministry to disregard, in the placing of contracts, those rules which the Public Accounts Committee have approved; and whether he can assure the House that the Secretary of State will, at an early date, be able to find time to give prior approval to contracts as high as £700,000?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to him yesterday on this matter.

Has the contract which I have specified for £700,000, which did not receive the prior assent of the Minister yet received assent ex post facto?

I think the hon. Member's question related to the procedure which was going to be followed, and my answer gave him the answer he required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, whether the seven Army co-operation squadrons projected in the White Paper of March, 1936, are yet complete?

No, Sir; but the two outstanding squadrons are due to form on the 28th of the present month.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Imperial Airways, Limited, run no service to Scandinavia, but encourage their passengers to fly by Belgian, French, German, and Dutch air-lines; and what proportion of the subsidy earned by Imperial Airways, Limited, during 1936 was paid to these foreign air-lines?

As regards the first part of the question, I am not aware of justification for the suggestion which my hon. Friend makes, and, as regards the second part, I understand that no proportion of the subsidy was so paid.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Government subsidise British Airways, Limited, to run a daily service to Scandinavia; for what reason is this service not advertised in the Imperial Airways Gazette, although German, Belgian, Dutch, and French air-lines are advertised; and whether he will represent to Imperial Airways, Limited, that, as they receive Government subsidy, they should advertise other British aviation firms in preference to foreign firms?

I am taking this matter up with. Imperial Airways.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps he has taken towards the provision of airliners of British manufacture to replace German and American aircraft now being utilised by British subsidised air services; and when such change will be made?

I regret that I cannot at present usefully add to the reply given to my hon. Friend on 10th February last. The question is still under active consideration, but it cannot yet be said what measure of assistance the Air Ministry may be able to afford in this matter.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend bear in mind that this is having a serious effect on the purchase of civil aircraft by the Dominions, and that they are now buying extensively German and American aircraft, because his hon. Friend has set the example?

I will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Air what schemes his Department have under consideration for the introduction or marking of aerial signposts?

The Air Ministry has no scheme for this purpose in contemplation.

Can the Minister say whether various companies have been asked to have the names of towns placed on the tops of gasometers?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether there are any women clerical officers working in his Department; and, if not, whether there is any objection to their being employed in this Ministry?

Two hundred and sixteen women clerical officers are employed in the Air Ministry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury why, having regard to the fact that many comparable State servants are established, the overwhelming majority of Government messengers are not established although permanently employed; and whether, pending any such extension of establishment rights to Government messengers, he will consider increasing the existing proportion of established to unestablished messengers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Deptford (Mr. W. H. Green).

asked the Minister of Transport when the new bridge which is to take the place of the Bedlington Furnace bridge is to be commenced?

Land has to be acquired and contracts placed, but I hope that work will be commenced in about six months time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider expediting the work of improvements on the national trunk roads that run through South Wales, in order to provide employment for the large numbers still unemployed in that area?

I will bear in mind the representations of the hon. Member, though he will be aware that traffic requirements must be the primary consideration.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in the present state of the labour market it would be beneficial in the national interest to concentrate work in these areas?

asked the Minister of Transport the number of fatal accidents that have occurred on the new Glasgow—Edinburgh road during the last two years, respectively; and how many of these involved pedal cyclists?

There were 13 fatal accidents on this road in each of the years 1935 and 1936, of which six in 1935 and two in 1936 involved pedal cyclists.

asked the Minister of Transport when work will commence on the Cromwell Road extension to the Great West Road; and when it is proposed that this highway shall be opened for through traffic?

I hope that work will commence early next year, and that the road will be completed in 1941.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is willing to make a substantial contribution towards the construction of pedestrian subways or bridges at dangerous points on the Great West Road and other main exits from London?

Yes, Sir. Grants from the Road Fund at the appropriate rates are available towards the cost of pedestrian subways or bridges in suitable cases.

Does my right hon. Friend initiate action in these cases, or does he wait for the local authority even when he sees that the local authority is tardy?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question down.

asked the Minister of Transport particulars of any decision which the Government have now arrived at following the receipt of the committee's report on the question of Charing Cross Bridge?

The London County Council have been informed that if they decide to proceed with this scheme, it would rank for the most favourable treatment accorded to other major works of improvement in urban areas.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has finally refused to make a grant from the Road Fund to the Newcastle City Council for the purpose of illuminating the pedestrian crossing beacons within its area; and, if so, whether he will state upon what grounds such decision has been based?

I take the view that the illumination of these beacons is unnecessary. If a crossing is insufficiently conspicuous at night it is better to improve the street lighting so that not only the crossing but the pedestrians who use it may be made more visible to drivers.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are special conditions in Newcastle, and will he take the trouble to see what the conditions are? Is he aware that there is profound dis- appointment in Newcastle at his refusal to grant this request, and will he look into the matter again?

I will certainly take any amount of trouble to ascertain conditions in Newcastle, but we can trace no formal application from the corporation for a grant in this matter. Perhaps my hon. Friend will confer with me.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Transport Advisory Council has yet appointed a committee to inquire into the question of co-ordinating the various methods of goods transport; and whether it is proposed to invite evidence from the interested parties before making recommendations?

Yes, Sir. The committee in question was set up in November, 1935. The committee comprises representatives of various interests, and I understand that they do not think it necessary at this stage to take further evidence from outside bodies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will take steps to make compulsory the use by bicyclists of special cycling tracks where provided; but whether, before doing so, he will see that those tracks are in every way safe and suitable for the purpose?

With regard to the first part of the question, I have no present intention of taking the course suggested. As to the second part, so far as it arises, my Department has recently drawn the attention of all highway authorities to the importance of providing satisfactory cycle tracks.

What is the use of providing these cycle tracks if they need not be used by cyclists?

I think the House will appreciate that there must be a considerable length of cycle tracks before any question of this kind can arise. I sincerely hope that cyclists will progressively use the facilities which are provided for them.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has urged upon the highways authority of the county of Essex the desirability of completing the work of planting trees and shrubs along Eastern Avenue, leading to Southend; and what action they have taken?

I have drawn the attention of all highways authorities to the desirability of planting trees and shrubs beside roads. I understand that, so far as Eastern Avenue is concerned, the borough of Ilford has taken action in this regard.

Is the Minister aware that Czechoslovakia and other places have planted their highways with apple trees? [Interruption.] Well, as a consequence, they do not require a National Health Insurance Act.

Is it not possible for my right hon. Friend to ask the other boroughs in the same district to do what Ilford has already done?

I think the Ministry have already asked the county surveyor of Essex to look into the matter. Perhaps that request might be repeated.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of officers and other personnel employed during the year 1936–37 in inspecting the arms supplied to His Majesty's Government by private firms and of the expenditure incurred for this service by the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry, respectively?

No separate record is kept of the numbers or cost of personnel employed in inspecting arms supplied by private firms, as distinct from the output of Government factories, nor is there any separate record with regard to the inspection of arms as distinct from technical equipment and stores. I regret, therefore, the information asked for cannot be obtained.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the countries from which machine tools have been ordered for the factories engaged on munitions for this country?

Since 1st April, 1936, Government orders for machine tools for the manufacture of munitions have been placed in the following countries:

• The United Kingdom.
• The United States of America.
• Belgium.
• Czechoslovakia.
• France.
• Germany.
• Holland.
• Switzerland.

Has the right hon. Gentleman assured himself that British tool makers were so busy that they could not engage in the manufacture of the machines which were ordered from other countries?

Yes, certainly. In some cases the machines were of a very special type, and were not made in this country.

Is the Minister not aware that the edged tools made in this country are the best in the world?

I have no doubt that is so.

Then why do you not place more orders at home?