Written Answers
Spain
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it was upon instructions from the Foreign Office that medical supplies were not allowed to be sent back on the "Habana" on its return to Bilbao, although the invoices showing that the boxes only contained medical supplies were shown to the Foreign Office?
The Foreign Office was approached by the Spanish Medical Aid shortly before the "Habana" was due to return to Spain from this country at the end of last month with a request for permission to place medical supplies on board. In view of the clear assurances given to the insurgent authorities that Spanish refugee ships receiving the protection of His Majesty's ships should return to Spain in ballast, it was decided that to agree to this request might prejudice future evacuation arrangements. At the same time His Majesty's Government offered to provide information regarding sailings to Bilbao of British merchant ships which might be willing to carry medical supplies.
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Governments of Germany and Italy imposed any conditions in connection with their return to the Non-Intervention Committee; and, if so, what those conditions were?
No, Sir.
Domestic Servants (Employ Ment Agency Advertisements)
asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been attracted to the complaints as to advertisements by inefficient and undesirable registry offices and to their result in bringing many young girls to London in circumstances in which they are exposed to danger; and what steps he will take to deal with such offices?
Representations were made recently that some employment agencies have been instrumental in placing in domestic service young girls not fitted for such employment and in positions which are unsuitable, but inquiries made of a number of local authorities failed to reveal any appreciable volume of complaint in this regard. The publication in the advertisements of domestic servants registries of false or misleading statements is a matter with which local authorities can deal by by-law in pursuance of powers available to them under the general law. Further, a number of local authorities including the London County Council have obtained, by local Act, licensing powers in respect of employment agencies under which licences can be refused in cases of unsuitable persons or businesses improperly conducted.
Air Raid Precautions
asked the Home Secretary whether any town in Wales has actively set on foot up to the present, in an organised scale, any anti-air-raid precautions?
Yes, Sir. I am glad to say that active preparation of local schemes is being undertaken, for instance by important towns in South Wales.
Factories Bill
asked the Home Secretary what steps he proposes to take, after the new Factories Bill has been placed on the Statute Book, to bring its provisions to the notice of all owners and occupiers of premises now to be brought within the scope of factory law?
It will clearly be necessary to take special steps to bring the provisions of the new Act to the notice of those concerned, but I am afraid I cannot anticipate now the precise steps which will be taken.
Royal Air Force (Aerobatics)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will instruct all commanding officers of air stations before displays are carried out to impress upon pilots the regulation that aerobatics must be carried out above 2,000 feet, and that a spin or other manoeuvre commencing above that altitude should end at 2,000 feet; and whether he will consider the advisability of making pilots sign this regulation, with the view of reducing accidents to a minimum?
The instructions to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers appear in paragraph 717 of King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions for the Royal Air Force, and are to the effect that aerobatics at altitudes under 2,000 feet are prohibited, except when permission is granted by an air or other officer commanding in specific instances and for definite purposes, in which case a minimum height is laid down, and that spins may not be continued below 2,000 feet. The importance of strict adherence to all regulations dealing with flying safety is continuously being inculcated, and as displays, in effect, form part of training I do not consider that these regulations need be specially impressed on pilots for these occasions. The regulations to which the hon. and gallant Member specifically refers are two of many which are laid down to ensure flying safety, and it is not considered that it would be advantageous to require pilots to sign these particular regulations when there are others as essential to safety in the air.
Transport
Omnibus Fares, Midlands Area
asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that, owing to the new ruling of his Department, omnibus operators in the East Midland area are compelled by conditions of licence to charge fares for children over three years of age instead of five years as formerly; that in the West Midland area the traffic commissioner has decided not to enforce any such ruling; and whether he will investigate, with a view to withdrawing the ruling, the consequent anomalous conditions thus created, especially where these services operate jointly within two areas?
Further appeals on this question are now before me and I am, in accordance with the usual practice, arranging for inquiries to be held to assist me in determining them.
By-Pass, Central Wales
asked the Minister of Transport whether, in connection with the proposed new by-pass road in Central Wales, he proposes to take special steps to ensure the preservation of the natural amenities of the country?
I cannot identify the scheme to which my hon. Friend refers, but it is at all times my policy not only to encourage the preservation of existing amenities but to add to them where practicable.
Electricity Supply (Prices)
asked the Minister of Transport what was the average price per unit of electricity sold to consumers in the case of public undertakings and company undertakings for the following years, 1925–26, 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1933–34, 1934–35, and 1935–36?
The average prices obtained per unit of electricity sold for all purposes, including power supplies, traction, streeet lighting and domestic supplies, but excluding inter-sales in bulk, were as follow:
| Year. | Public Authority-Undertakings. | Company Undertakings. | All Undertakings. | |
| d. | d. | d. | ||
| 1925–26 | … | 1·64 | 1·66 | 1·65 |
| 1930–31 | … | 1·41 | 1·33 | 1·38 |
| 1931–32 | … | 1·39 | 1·32 | 1·36 |
| 1932–33 | … | 1·34 | 1·32 | 1·33 |
| 1933–34 | … | 1·258 | 1·269 | 1·262 |
| 1934–35 | … | 1·193 | 1·199 | 1·196 |
| 1935–36 | … | 1·116 | 1·142 | 1·125 |
Justices Of The Peace (Durham)
asked the Attorney-General whether he can give the names of the Advisory Committee for the county of Durham?
The following are the names of the members of the Advisory Committee for the county of Durham:
- Chairman: The Most Hon the Marquess of Londonderry, K.G., M.V.O.
- Mrs. Gilliland.
- W. N. Smith, Esq.
- J. W. Foster, Esq.
- T. M. Sexton, Esq.
- J. S. G. Pemberton, Esq.
- Colonel Rowland Burdon.
- Colonel G. H. Stobart.
- Mrs. Shafto, O.B.E.
- Alderman J. E. Hodgkin.
- Major Andrew Common, D.S.O.
Canada (National Exhibition)
asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether, and to hat extent, his Majesty's Government are arranging to participate in the forthcoming Canadian National Exhibition at Toronto?
At the Canadian National Exhibition this year there will be the usual information bureau organised by the Department of Overseas Trade, which will be mainly directed to giving publicity to the British Industries Fair. My hon. Friend may, however, be referring to the forthcoming Diamond jubilee Celebration of the Canadian National Exhibition, which will take place in 1938. His Majesty's Government have accepted the invitation of the exhibition authorities and official participation will be on a scale adequate to the occasion.
India (North-West Frontier)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether he will make a statement respecting the present position on the North-West Frontier?
A White Paper was presented last week covering the disturbances up to 14th June, and there is little that I can add to the information given in it. I am glad, however, to be able to say that most of the Tori Khel tribe are returning to their normal activities and that the release of all kidnapped Hindus, except one, has now been secured. Operations are proceeding with the object of breaking up the scattered gangs of hostile tribesmen which remain.