asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much oil is used annually by the ships of the Royal Navy; what are the sources of supply; and what is the amount of tonnage required for its import?

As regards the annual consumption of oil fuel by ships of the Royal Navy, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the last First Lord, to the question asked by the hon. Member for Gateshead (Mr. Magnay) on 29th April. As regards the second part of the question, the main sources of supply are Iran and Trinidad, and there are small local purchases chiefly from Borneo and the United States of America. As regards the third part, the Admiralty's fleet of tankers engaged on the import and distribution of oil consists of 27 vessels averaging approximately 9,000 tons cargo capacity each.

Does that fleet of tankers suffice for these imports of oil?

In normal times that fleet will suffice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many engine-room artificers have recently passed the examinations for sub-lieutenant (E); whether any of these have been promoted; and, if not, will he say why no promotions have been given?

Six engine-room artificers passed the qualifying examination for promotion to acting sub-lieutenant (E) which was held in October, 1935, and II at that held in October, 1936. Of the former, four were promoted to acting sub-lieutenant (E) last July. A selection board to consider candidates for promotion next month will sit very shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what amount of pension per week is payable to the widow of a lower-deck man if he is killed on active service, as in the recent accident to His Majesty's Ship "Hunter," and if he is killed in the execution of his duty in normal corcumstances?

The amount of pension payable to the widow would be the same in either of the instances mentioned by the hon. Member, and would vary between 10s. 6d. a week and 26s. a week, according to the age and circumstances of the widow and the rating or rank of the man. In addition, 5s. a week would be payable in respect of each child under the age of 16.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in computing the long overdue marriage allowance for naval officers, he can give an assurance that the basic pay of lieutenant-commanders will not be unduly cut by reason of the so-called phantom allowances that, according to some theories, compose part of naval pay; and whether he will see that the elements composing the official computations of naval pay are as real as in the case of the emoluments of Army and Air Force officers?

My hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that the points referred to in the question and all other relevant considerations will be borne in mind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any and, if so, what difficulties are being put in the way of the Palestine Jewish Colonisation Association by the Government in their efforts to break up the large holdings on their own lands so as to secure more intensive cultivation and an opportunity for more men to work on the land?

The High Commissioner informs me that he is not aware of any difficulties placed in the way of the Palestine Jewish Colonisation Association by the Government in this respect, and that the local representative of the Association is not aware of any such difficulties.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that intense disappointment is felt by the Jewish community in Palestine at the small proportions of the labour allocation, which bears no relation to the economic absorptive capacity of the country which was to have governed the regulation of labour immigrants; and what steps are proposed to remove this discontent and prevent any check to expanding industry and the investment of capital in Palestine?

I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave, to the hon. Member for. Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 9th June, except that I cannot accept the assertion in the hon. Gentleman's question that the labour schedule bears no relation to the economic absorptive capacity of the country. It was fixed in fact in accordance with this very condition.

Is the Minister aware that there is serious discontent in Palestine owing to the shortage of labour required through the allocation of the numbers permitted?

No, Sir; certainly not. I am aware that there are both Jewish and Arab unemployed on a considerable scale, and that that is the reason; and so far from there being a shortage of labour, there is an excess of labour.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the economic capacity of Palestine for the next six months is only 220?

No, Sir. The High Commissioner and his advisers assess the economic absorptive capacity for the present four months, April to July inclusive, at 670.

Does my right hon. Friend realise that any measures that may later be taken to safeguard the interests of Arab labour will receive overwhelming support in this House and the country; And does he not deprecate questions of this kind prior to the publication of the Palestine Report?

It is not a question of safeguarding Arab and Jewish labour, but of the accurate interpretation of a basic document, namely, the MacDonald letter, which governs the rate of immigration of any kind into Palestine at six-monthly intervals.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that we are not abusing our Mandatory powers?

Yes, Sir, absolutely.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there has been any recurrence of terrorism in Palestine and, if so, of what nature; and what is the present position in this respect?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the attempt on the life of Colonel Spicer; whether any arrests have been made; and whether any of the Arabs recently released from Acre gaol are suspected?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give any information as to the recent attempt on the life of Colonel R. G. B. Spicer, Inspector-General of Police in Palestine?

I have received the following report from the High Commissioner for Palestine regarding an attempt, which was, I am happy to say, unsuccessful, to assassinate the British Inspector-General of Police on 13th June:

"Deliberate attempt to assassinate Spicer this morning failed. So far as can be ascertained at present three Arab assassins fired about eight shots at close quarters into the car in which Spicer was being driven from the Police Headquarters, Jerusalem, wounding the driver, Police Constable Milner, in the arm, but missing Spicer. Investigation is proceeding,"

Is the Minister quite satisfied that additional police protection is not now required?

Yes, Sir. Very considerable increases in the numbers of police under the command of Colonel Spicer have been authorised in Palestine in the last few months.

The right hon. Gentleman will recall that not long ago the assistant inspector of police at Haifa was murdered after several attempts had been made to murder him, and may I ask, must Colonel Spicer also be sacrificed before the right hon. Gentleman will deport the Mufti or recall the High Commissioner?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is proposed at any stage to consult with the Dominions as signatories of the Treaty of Versailles, and particularly with the Union of South Africa, on the policy to be adopted as the result of the report of the Royal Commission on Palestine?

His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, as the Government holding the Mandate, will be responsible for deciding the policy, but His Majesty's Governments in the Dominions and the Government of India will be kept informed of developments and of the policy which it is proposed to adopt.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the views expressed by General Smuts on the situation, and will he take them into consideration?

General Smuts and General Hertzog have communicated with me in the past and so has the representative of the Government of India at the Imperial Conference. I fully realise their interest in this matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (I) whether he will explain why the communal settlements in the Petah Tiqua area are excluded from the Petah Tiqua Muni- cipal Council; and will he state whether the workers on the settlements were consulted before the sub-division was made;

I will ask the High Commissioner for a report on the matters referred to and will communicate with I he hon. Member on receipt of the High Commissioner's reply.

May I ask whether in communicating with the High Commissioner, if it is found that, as stated in the question, the workers are definitely being placed at a terrible disadvantage electorally, the right hon. Gentleman will look into it?

I will certainly look into that matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to indicate what is his attitude towards the request of the Nigerian Motor Transport Union for a reduction of the double-licence fees imposed upon its members and for representation on the transport advisory board?

I have not yet received the report from the Governor of Nigeria which I am expecting, and I have recently addressed him on the subject.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that from the month of March to the month of June is a very long time even to deal with a matter affecting Nigeria; and will he see that the matter is expedited?

Only last week I said that a further request had been made to the Governor for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to indicate his attitude towards the suggested partition of the Ijebu province, Nigeria; and whether he intends to turn clown the proposal in view of the strong opposition of the large majority of people affected?

The Governor of Nigeria has reported that before submitting the matter for my consideration, he is awaiting representations from the party opposed to the proposal to make a portion of the existing Ijebu province independent of the remainder. I am not, therefore, able to indicate my attitude on this question at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider a very large amount of evidence that I can show him in opposition to this proposal?

Gladly, Sir. I gather that there is both support for and opposition to the partition in the Ijebu province.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of complaints of low flying in the neighbourhod of Hanworth Aerodrome; whether he has investigated any of such complaints; whether they are well founded; and what action, if any, he has taken or proposes to take in the matter?

Complaints have occasionally been received regarding low flying in the neighbourhood of Han-worth. Whenever a machine could be identified the complaint has been taken up with the firm or pilot concerned. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the Air Navigation Order, which prescribes the altitude at which aircraft may fly over towns, necessarily excepts the approaches to a licensed aerodrome in order to permit of machines taking off and landing.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet made representations to Imperial Airways, Limited, that they should encourage British passengers desirous of flying to Scandinavia to fly by British airways in preference to German, French, Belgian, or Dutch air-lines; and, if so, with what result?

I am in course of discussing this matter with Imperial Airways, and have no statement to make.

Is the hon. and gallant Member aware that the present arrangement results in two companies being subsidised by the Government and competing with each other?

I am aware of the position.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can now indicate the extent and location of recent developments in wireless, meteorological and control facilities, consequent upon the findings of the Maybury Committee?

I regret that I cannot at present add to the information which I gave to my hon. and learned Friend on 2nd June last.

Is the Minister aware that many proposals for the establishment of new civil aerodromes are being hung up pending a statement on this matter, and can he give the House an assurance that a statement will shortly be made as to what has taken place since the Committee reported?

All the recommendations of the Maybury Committee are being considered with due expedition, and no time is unnecessarily being lost.

Will the hon. and gallant Member tell us precisely in which airport anything has been done since the publication of the report?

I have said that all the recommendations of the May-bury Committee are being comprehensively considered.

Can the hon. and gallant Member say when they will become effective?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many deaths have occurred in the Royal Air Force from flying accidents during the previous six months; and how many of these deaths occurred in flying-machines that were not fitted with safety-slot devices?

The figures asked for are 65 and 16.

Can the Minister say whether, where fatal accidents have taken place, the pilots were supplied with parachutes?

That another question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the inquiries into the alleged violation of the fair-wages clause by Messrs. F. W. Rigby and Company have yet been completed; and, if so with what result?

The enquiries are progressing, but are not yet completed.

Seeing that the inquiry has been proceeding now for eight weeks, can we have any hope of a report on the inquiry within the lifetime of this Parliament?

I think it is probable.

asked the Minister of Transport when the arterial road to Dagenham from the Beckton Road will be widened and cycling tracks provided?

A grant has been made from the Road Fund towards the cost of providing a second carriageway and cycle tracks along a mile and a quarter of the East Ham and Barking by-pass (in Barking), and the Essex County Council hope that work will be started this year. I am in touch with the West Ham and East Ham Corporations as to the section west of this length, but no scheme has yet been submitted to me. Proposals are under discussion with the Essex County Council for widening the eastern continuation in the direction of Dagenham.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that when these cycle tracks are made some steps should be taken to make the cyclists use them?

Is it not a fact that the reason that our road is not proceeded with is that the Minister of Transport has laid down terms at West Ham that we cannot meet?

In regard to cycle tracks, I think we must wait until we have a considerable continuous length of tracks before we talk about the obligation to use the track.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that where there are cycle tracks they are very largely not used by cyclists?

That is so, but there are not yet continuous cycle tracks which will permit of the matter being dealt with comprehensively. I hope that every encouragement will be given to cyclists to use the cycle tracks, and I am anxious that long and continuous cycle tracks should be made available before we go into the matter on a large scale.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that intense resentment will be expressed at any attempt being made to use compulsion?

Has the right hon. Gentleman received representations from cyclist organisations on this matter? If he has not, is he prepared to meet them and to discuss the whole question?

Deputations have been received, and the views of the cyclists are perfectly well known. I wish to encourage cyclists to use these tracks. I am anxious to get more long and continuous tracks before we deal with the matter comprehensively.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether, from the point of view of safety, he has arrived at a decision in respect of the retention or otherwise of the tram track rails on roads where the tramways are replaced by trolley-omnibuses;

The condition of the track and its relation to the road surface must govern the question whether a disused tram track can be retained temporarily pending reconstruction of the road. The liability of the London Passenger Transport Board in this matter is governed by Section 23 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1933, as amended by Section 90 of the London Passenger Transport Act, 1936.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the latter part of question 42 as to whether there has been any consultation with the engineers, and is he aware of the arrangement in certain London areas which is throwing a heavy financial burden on the authorities?

That supplementary question raises a point which goes a good deal further than the matter to which I have been asked to give a reply.

No. Will the right hon. Gentleman read question 42 as to the burden on local authorities?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardship imposed on users of trolley-omnibuses in the Leyton area through the alteration and increase in fares and the withdrawal of transfer tickets since the tramcars ceased to run; and whether he will take steps that will lead the London Passenger Transport Board to restore the previous fares and facilities?

Jurisdiction over the fares charged by the Board resides in the Railway Rates Tribunal. I understand that, in pursuance of their policy of standardising fares, the Board have introduced certain slight modifications of the fares charged on their trolley-buses in the Leyton area, but I am not aware that hardship has been occasioned thereby, especially as, in the majority of cases, the alterations have resulted in reduced fares.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that literally thousands of travellers on the trolley buses now find that their travelling expenditure has been exactly doubled through the alteration? In view of that fact, cannot he make personal representation to the Transport Board with regard to the very great hardship which this extra expenditure imposes on those who are earning round about £2 5s. or £2 10s. a week?

I shall be glad to consider any facts if the information in my possession does not already deal with them.

Is the right hon. Gentle-roan aware that in Walthamstow and Leyton many of the fares have been more than doubled, and does he propose to allow the Transport Board to make Waltham-stow and Leyton pay for the better conditions that have been given elsewhere?

In the Leyton area two ordinary fares have been increased, but the fares are still less than 1d. per mile.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement respecting an accident on 8th June to platelayers on the London and North Eastern railway line at Joan Croft Junction, near Doncaster; and whether a lookout man was employed?

I have at once ordered an inquiry to be held into the circumstances attending this accident. Until I receive the inspecting officer's report, I am unable to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is able to report the decision of the railway companies to electrify the railways of South Lancashire?

I understand that neither of the two main line railway companies concerned has under consideration at the present time any further electrification schemes in South Lancashire.

asked the Minister of Transport how many accidents involving motor vehicles have occurred during the last three years in the village of South Kilvington, near Thirsk?

Fourteen accidents involving motor vehicles occurred in the years 1934–5–6. One person was slightly injured.

In view of the accidents which occur in this village, will the Minister urge the local authority concerned to impose a speed limit?

That is another matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to a motor accident at Bawtry, near Doncaster, on 8th June, when a motor-lorry with a trailer attached loaded with steel bars overturned and two men had remarkable escapes from serious injury; is he aware that the driver of the lorry was severely cut on the face and his mate thrown through the windscreen, carrying the frame and glass with him; and will he consider taking action to make it illegal for large lorries to travel on the roads with trailers attached?

My attention had not previously been drawn to this case, but I am making inquiries.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to give very careful attention to the issue raised in the question?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information regarding recent experiments in the use of cotton-cloth for road-making?

I have nothing to add to the answer given by my predecessor on 24th February, but if the hon. Member has any information he would like to furnish I shall be glad to receive it.

Is the Minister aware that more recent experiments have proved highly successful, and that fillings of cotton cloth are found to be a good foundation for a road, and make repairs much cheaper and more easily carried out? Will he, therefore, go into the matter again?

I have said that I shall be glad to have any information in the possession of the hon. Member.

Is the Minister going to reprint this document, because it appears to be going round to hon. Members like the Coronation Medal?

asked the Minister of Transport what is the nature of the material to be used in the construction of the national roads?

It is impracticable in answer to a Parliamentary question to indicate the many varieties of material to be used as the selection of suitable materials must largely be dependent on the position of sources of supply in relation to the roads.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has come to any decision regarding the prohibition of all horse-drawn traffic from Central London?

No, Sir; before arriving at any further decision I propose to await experience of the working of the regulations recently made with regard to certain streets.

Is the Minister aware that wherever there are horse-drawn vehicles in the streets of London there is almost always congestion?

I think that is much too sweeping a statement.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that within the last three years three fatal accidents have occurred on a 10-mile length of railway in the neighbourhood of Carlisle owing to the narrowness of the bridges on this line; and whether he will take immediate steps to ensure that the necessary steps are taken to prevent further accidents from this cause?

I am aware that three accidents have occurred on the Maryport and Carlisle section of the London Midland and Scottish Railway owing to passengers leaning out of windows. On this line and other old lines there are a number of bridges where the clearance is less than would now be required for new construction. I have no power to compel the company to reconstruct the bridges or to provide narrower rolling stock than is now in use. Warning notices are exhibited in carriages. I will keep the matter under observation.

Has the Minister no power whatever to prevent these fatal accidents occurring owing to the narrowness of these bridges?

I am keeping this matter under close examination.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the proposed expenditure of £700,000 on a scheme for by-passing Selby, on the Liverpool-Hull main road, includes the cost of providing a modern and toll-free bridge in the centre of the town itself for the convenience of visitors; and, if not, what will be the additional cost of dealing with this aspect of the cross-river traffic problem at that place?

No, Sir, my present proposal is for a new toll-free bridge, some 500 yards from the existing bridge, and a five-mile by-pass eliminating two level crossings. I am advised that the total cost of improving the present line through the town and replacing the toll bridge by a new toll-free bridge would be of the order of £500,000, but would afford traffic facilities much inferior to those to be provided under my proposal. I have, however, ordered a local inquiry at which objectors will have every opportunity of making representations.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make a grant towards freeing the existing toll-bridge at Selby or assist in providing a new bridge in the same situation?

No, Sir. I can hold out no hope of any such grant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the continuance of ribbon development on a number of arterial highways notwithstanding recent legislation; and whether he will consider the desirability of charging a proportionate part of the road cost against any buildings in future constructed on the frontage of a main highway?

Since the Restriction of Ribbon Development Act, 1935, came into operation, highway authorities generally have adopted the policy of permitting roadside development along important highways only on condition that a subsidiary road is constructed between the buildings and the highway. I have no power which would enable me to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.

Is not this matter very urgent, and does not the Minister think power should be taken to deal with it in view of the fact that some of these new by-pass roads are already being themselves by-passed?

Is it not the case that under the Road Fund, 1909, power was given to local authorities to take land alongside a new road and get the benefit of the increment value created by a new roadway?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that two fatal accidents have occurred in the last ten days from contact with the live rail on the Southern Railway, one near Brighton and one near Mitcham; and what steps he is taking to see that the Southern Railway are providing proper fences or protection against this new danger?

I am in communication with the railway company regarding the circumstances attending these accidents and am awaiting the result of my inquiries.