asked First Lord of the Admiralty what steps his Department takes to train men, about to become time-expired, at the vocational centres in such a way as to enable them to be re-settled in civil life as chefs and skilled workers in the catering trades and private houses with well-paid permanent employment in situations usually filled by foreigners?

Naval vocational training centres provide instructional courses in food and cookery, elementary cookery, butlering and valeting, and canteen work. I shall be glad to consider whether these courses can be extended to cover a wider field of employment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the recent visit of His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies" to Lerwick was curtailed suddenly?

The recent visit of His Majesty's Ship "Ramillies" to Lerwick had to be curtailed owing to bad weather. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the necessity for the premature departure of the ship was regretted both by her officers and company and by the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the complaint from the North Kavirondo Central Association against the fact that, whereas in 1924 the imposition of the hut and poll tax on old men, women, and the lame, blind, or otherwise disabled was revoked at a meeting attended by the senior officials, in 1936–37 the district officer renewed the collection of taxes from such persons; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

I have not received any such complaint from the association or any other source. The hon. Member may be assured however, that sympathetic use is made by all district officers of the power conferred upon them to allow the remission of the whole or a portion of hut and poll tax in cases where the persons liable to pay are in their opinion without sufficient means.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the complaint if I send him a copy of it, and will he take it from myself that the complaint is most pathetic and that old people are being forced into terrible circumstances, apparently without either justification or even authority?

I do not like to accept what may be called ex parte statements. The proper course is for any complainant to address a petition to me, or a letter to me, through the Governor, and then he can investigate it and report to me what are the facts. If the hon. Member will inform the petitioner that he should approach me through the Governor, it will be much more satisfactory and save time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire from the Governor whether it is not a fact that he has received this petition?

Yes, gladly.

Is the action of this district officer in accordance with the recommendations of Sir Alan Pim, which were accepted by the right hon. Gentleman?

Yes, certainly. Not only did the district officer have my orders, but the responsibility and the right to vary the tax in special circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information on the special reasons for the setting up of a commission of inquiry into the financial position of Northern Rhodesia?

The decision to set up a Commission of Inquiry was taken about nine months ago at a time when the adequacy of the Northern Rhodesian revenue to meet the growing demands for expenditure on desirable development was in doubt. The financial situation has since undergone a change for the better owing to the prosperity of the copper mining industry, but the inquiry is still necessary, particularly to advise on the economic development of the Territory and the distribution of its expenditure. It is for that reason that an agricultural expert has been appointed a member of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can report any improvement in the social and industrial conditions of Africans employed in the copper belt of Northern Rhodesia since the Commission on Disturbances (Cmd. 35); and whether the Government has adopted any measures to secure a statutory minimum in health, housing, sanitary, industrial and educational conditions for mine workers?

I can assure the hon. Member that the best means of improving the social and industrial conditions of Africans employed in the copper belt are under the constant care of the Government of Northern Rhodesia. Many of the matters to which he refers have been investigated by the Native Industrial Labour Advisory Board which was set up by the Government in 1935, and in many instances the Government has been able to accept, or ensure acceptance by the mines of, the board's recommendations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what is actually being done? In view of the reports of disturbances and the growing industrialisation of these natives, is it not desirable that at least there should be some statutory minimum in regard to social and industrial conditions below which the natives should not be allowed to fall?

All those things are the very things that are covered by my answer. It is quite impossible, within the limits of a Parliamentary reply, to give details of the very many measures, with regard to housing, food, sanitation, health, and other services, that have been taken.

But was not one of the special recommendations in regard to housing particularly, and has anything been done in that respect, seeing that it is so bad?

Yes, a great deal has been done.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied with the conditions there?

Of course, there is always room for improvement. When you get a sudden industrial expansion, which means an enormous volume of labour employed and a vast increase of effort, especially in the heart of the Province, it is not so much a case of individual action as of continuous action to improve the conditions in the mining areas.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the agricultural and mineralogical surveys recommended by him in his despatch of last September to the Governor of Nyasaland have yet taken place; and when a report may be expected?

The mineralogical survey has been proceeding since 1934, and it is expected that it will be completed by the end of 1938. Periodical reports on the survey have already been published. The agricultural survey of the Northern Province has started, and it will probably be finished by the end of this year.

Is that the survey referred to by the right hon. Gentleman in September last?

Yes. The search for possible minerals has been going on for some time, and I referred to that. It is being speeded up. Arising out of the Lacey Report on labour, we had a special agricultural survey instituted in the Northern Province, where the distress was the most severe, and I expect that by the end of this year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the provisions under which the British Phosphates Commissioners carry out the working of the phosphate deposits on Ocean Island; the annual profits of the Commissioners over the past three years; and the amount of any contributions made by the Commissioners to the revenues of the colony or for purposes of native welfare?

As the answer is a long one, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to the amnesty given by the French Government in Syria to Fawzi Kawakji; and whether the Palestine Government have been consulted on the matter and have approved?

It has been ascertained that there is no truth in the report that this man has been granted an amnesty.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the report to Geneva by the Palestine Administration dealing with the disturbances was communicated to the Colonial Office first; and will he place a copy in the Library?

No separate report on the disturbances by the Palestine Administration has been made to the League of Nations. The usual annual report on the administration of Palestine and Transjordan for the year 1936, which includes some factual account of die disturbances which took place in that year, has been communicated to the Council of the League through the usual channel and was published on 21st June. The annual report does not attempt to deal with either ca uses or policy, which are dealt with in the report of the Royal Commission. A copy of the annual report will be placed in the Library, and the report of the Royal Commission will be available to hon. Members in the Vote Office at 8 p.m. to-day.

The right hon. Gentleman has not answered my question as to whether this report was passed by the Colonial Office here before it was published. Will he tell me that?

Yes. The Palestine Government always send it to the Colonial Office for transmission to the League, and we always pass it and send it on.

Are we to understand that this report, which has given so much offence to the Jews in Palestine, is in the nature of an apologia or a defence of his conduct by the High Commissioner?

Certainly not. There is no question of any defence. The whole of the questions about the disturbances and their causes and everything connected with them are dealt with in the Peel Report. This is a purely objective statement of facts which has been submitted by the Palestine Government purely as a record. I do not think it has any significance as compared with the report of the Royal Commission.

Has the right hon. Gentleman read it?

No, I have not read it personally.

Can my right hon. Friend say how much the report of the Royal Commission will cost, and will he see that an edition at a reasonable rate will be issued?

That is another question

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the facts as stated in this report to the League of Nations were passed and certified as correct by the Colonial Office, or as believed to be correct?

Believed to be correct.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is reason to apprehend further disorder in Palestine; whether there is evidence of increased anti-British propaganda among the Arab population; and why it was thought necessary that the battle-cruiser "Repulse" should proceed to Haifa?

So far as my information goes, there is no immediate cause for apprehension and no special evidence of any recent increase of anti-British propaganda. The movement of a ship to Haifa was a purely precautionary measure.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, following upon the recent representations to the Italian Government, there has been a diminution of Italian anti-British propaganda in Palestine?

I do not think that that arises out of the question. It certainly has no connection. When the hon. and gallant Gentleman reads the report of the Royal Commission, he will see this matter in its right proportion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an opportunity to the House of Commons to discuss the report of the Royal Commission on Palestine and the views of the Government thereon, before their proposals are placed before the League of Nations for confirmation?

The Permanent Mandates Commission of the League of Nations meets for discussion of Palestine affairs on 30th July. In the course of the Debate on the Colonial Office Vote on 2nd June, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies indicated that there would be a further opportunity of debating that Vote, which is still open, and that Palestine questions could be raised on that occasion.

Are we to have the opinion of the Government on this report before the matter is brought up at the League of Nations?

Yes, Sir.

On what date will it be published?

It will be published in the form of a White Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, at the time of the recent disturbances in Trinidad, there was in the Colony any governmental machinery established by law for official conciliation in settling industrial disputes; whether any minimum wage legislation or other industrial statutory regulation of wages exists; what restrictions are imposed on the organising of trade unions and their functioning in accordance with recognised and legitimate practice as exists in Great Britain; and why the Government in the Colony failed to act in time to prevent the disputes?

Legislation exists relating to industrial disputes, minimum wages, and trade unions, and I will have copies of the relevant Ordinances placed in the Library of the House. The question whether the Government might have taken steps to prevent the sudden outbreak of the present disputes will be a matter for inquiry in due course.

Is this operative legislation or just on the Statute Book? Further, can the right hon. Gentleman say when this inquiry is likely to be set up, and can he give the terms of reference?

I am considering the form and nature of the Commission, which, I think I may say, will be partly composed of persons appointed by me from here and partly of people from Trinidad. With regard to the operation of the legislation to which the hon. Gentleman referred, whereas trade unions were formed and registered under the Trade Unions Act, they ceased to exist, not because of any action of the Government of Trinidad or of any of the employers, but the trade unions dissolved themselves and became a political party so that the Ordinances under the Act for the registration of trade unions could be complied with.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any information as to labour conditions in Trinidad; and whether, as the result of Government intervention, a settlement of the labour dispute in the oilfields there has been effected?

According to the latest information in my possession the return to work is now general, and the strike situation appears to be ended. The Governor has fixed a minimum wage and established an eight-hour day for unskilled Government workers and has promised to investigate the claims and grievances of the better-paid grades. He also proposes to ask the local Legislature to resolve that a Commission under a chairman from this country should be appointed to investigate the whole position.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the number of regular troops normally stationed at Trinidad and what volunteer troops are available to assist the civil authorities to maintain law and order?

There are no regular troops ever stationed in Trinidad. There is a volunteer force in case of need, but I think it is largely a case of special constables, and the police in the main bear the burden. As is usual in the West Indies, the Royal Navy can go to the aid of the civil authorities.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the minimum wage is?

No, I have no idea.

Does there have to be a disturbance before the Government will act?

No, Sir. The surprising thing is the sudden and unexpected outbreak of these disturbances, which spread so rapidly from a single industrial dispute in the oilfield.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the alleged violation of the Fair Wages Clause by Messrs. F. W. Rigby and Company was first reported to his Department on 13th March last; that for some time since the union concerned has been paying strike pay to those members who have ceased work; that the long delay in coming to a decision regarding the complaint is having the effect of aiding and abetting this firm in their anti-trade union policy; and whether he can give any assurance that a decision will be reached without further delay?

I regret that the complicated issues involved in the investigation of the complaint have not made it possible to bring this matter to a conclusion. I can assure the hon. Member that every endeavour is being made to reach a decision as early as possible.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of men who have offered themselves for enlistment with the Royal Air Force during the three months ended to the last convenient date?

The number in the three months ended 30th June, 1937, who completed Form 429, was 5,501.

How many of these were accepted and how many are awaiting final medical examination?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put that down.

Can the Minister say how many are awaiting political examination?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether negotiations for the purchase of land have recently been completed, or whether the purchase of land is contemplated, by the Air Ministry in the neighbourhood of Ripple, Worcestershire?

The purchase of a small area of land near Ripple is in contemplation as a site for a small storage unit.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has decided to provide at the new Elmdon airport the radio-electric services which have been requested of him by the Corporation of Birmingham?

No decision has yet been reached.

When will a decision be reached, because the development of this airport, which was initiated at the behest of the Secretary of State, is completely held up?

I could not give the hon. Member a date. We cannot have an unlimited number of these wireless stations, and I think I am right in saying that 14 other stations have to be considered along with Birmingham.

Is it not a fact that there is not a single station of this nature in the Midlands?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air on what date he gave to British Airways, Limited, permission to use German and American aircraft on air services subsidised by the Exchequer; and by what date he will require these foreign aircraft to be replaced by air liners of British manufacture.

The dates asked for in the first part of the question are 8th December and 24th December, 1936, respectively. As regards the second part, I regret that I cannot add to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 9th of last month.

In view of the very serious matter raised in this question, and the effect it is having on British engineering prestige, I beg to give notice that I shall raise it on the Adjournment at an early date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will appoint a committee representative of the British operators of air liners to formulate the specifications of the principal types of air liners which will be required during the next five years; and whether he will consider assisting financially the construction of prototype aircraft to these specifications.

It has always been, and will continue to be, the practice of the Air Ministry to consult the principal civil aircraft operating companies in regard to experimental types of civil air liners, and it is not considered that the formation of such a committee is necessary. Provision has been regularly made in Air Estimates for experimental development of civil aircraft types and appropriate provision will continue to be made in the future.

Is not the reason we are using German and American aircraft on the subsidised air lines that the procedure adopted is unsatisfactory, and will not my hon. and gallant Friend reveiw his question and get the co-operation of all concerned?

We have always this matter before us. I do not think the procedure is unsatisfactory.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, with regard to the proposed establishment of an African-Australian air service, he can state the proposed stopping places of such a service?

Stopping places that have been mentioned in this connection are, I understand, the Keeling Islands, Diego Garcia and Seychelles, but no reconnaissance has been made with a view to establishing the practicability of using those islands for such a purpose, nor has any Government approval been given for the project.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequate indications of the fact that the speed limit is in operation on those roads to which it has been applied and which are not built-up areas; and whether he will issue instructions that the restriction sign should be exhibited at frequent intervals along such roads in order to prevent unintentional breaches of the law and consequent prosecution?

I do not regard these indications as inadequate. Prominent signs 18 inches in diameter are placed on both sides of roads to indicate the beginning and end of a 30 miles per hour speed limit; and I should be reluctant to add unnecessarily to the already large number of signs on roads.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that you can travel for a considerable distance along some roads which give no indication that they are restricted, and that a number of persons have been prosecuted after they have acted in complete ignorance?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons have been prosecuted for exceeding the speed limit on restricted roads not in built-up areas?

The general statistics of offences relating to motor vehicles do not distinguish separately those occurring on particular stretches of road, and I regret, therefore, that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, arising out of the Swanley and Battersea accidents, he will institute a thorough inquiry into the merits of wood and steel coaches?

Coaches of modern design embody steel to the extent of 75 to 80 per cent. of their weight. I do not think any useful purpose would be served by instituting a special inquiry. The question is constantly under review, and the position was explained at some length in another place on 20th April last.

asked the Minister of Transport the result of his communications with the London Passenger Transport Board on the question of providing more frequent trains of greater capacity upon the routes where congestion is most acute during the peak hours; and whether any arrangements are being made to increase the travelling accommodation on the lines serving the Elephant and Castle and South London districts?

With regard to the first part of the question, I stated the result of my communications in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd June. As regards the second part, I am informed by the Board that, on the Bakerloo line, work is about to commence on the lengthening of the station platforms to enable longer trains to be run; and, in the case of the Morden line, new rolling stock is now under construction which will increase the accommodation of the trains on that line.

Has the Minister received from the London Passenger Transport Board any definite date when these extensions will take place?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the South London Railway, particularly the Morden line, the scenes at the rush hour are unprecedented, and that the crushing amounts to a perfect scandal? Cannot he make representations to the Transport Board to have men on the platform in order to organise the traffic?

I think that a far better method than having people on the platform to organise the traffic is to have longer carriages and longer trains. If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer he will see that that is the solution preferred.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the trains are long enough already and sometimes extend beyond the platform? Will he not go into the question of organising the traffic and make representations?

I understand that the Ministry of Transport Vote is put down for Friday. Perhaps the opportunity will then be given for dealing with this matter in debate. It is hardly possible to deal with it by way of question and answer. There are differing views as to the best method of dealing with the traffic. I am as alive as the hon. Gentleman to the difficulty to be contended with. I think that the right method is to lengthen the platform and the trains, but we can perhaps give the reasons for that better in debate.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the London Traffic Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police have expressed the view that omnibus stations should be established on the periphery of the central area, so that omnibuses now running right across London may be turned round at those points and a reduction made in the number of omnibuses, at present only partially filled, inside that area; and what action is proposed?

The routeing of vehicles other than contract carriages operated by the London Passenger Transport Board, in the Metropolitan area is a matter for the Traffic Commissioner who acts in consultation with the Commissioners of Police. I have no jurisdiction in the matter save where an appeal is made to me against the Commissioner's decision in any particular case.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider using his observers to find out how many omnibuses are running half empty, and whether so many omnibuses are needed in the streets at the present time?

I think I have information on both those points, but I will bear the matter in mind.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider extending the practice of putting up notices showing the number of people killed and injured on the main roads of the country, as is now done on Eastern Avenue to Southend; and whether the effect of these notices has been to reduce the number of accidents?

So far the information available does not permit of definite conclusions as to the general usefulness of notices of this nature, but I am watching this and other similar experiments with interest.

asked the Minister of Transport what progress has been made in each of the Highland counties with the five-year plan for Highland roads; what amount of money has been paid in 100 per cent. grants under the scheme up to the present; what amount has been allocated to the Isle of Lewis so far and what amount to the rest of the Outer Hebrides; and whether progress under the scheme has been satisfactory?

Up to the present II contracts have been let for works to be carried out in the area referred to under the direct control of the Ministry of Transport, representing an estimated total cost of £743,000. In addition five schemes have recently been put in hand by the county council at an estimated cost of £280,000. The amount paid out to date is £326,000. The allocation is to the crofter counties as a whole and each proposal is considered and dealt with as it arises. The contracts already let include over £140,000 in respect of road A.859 in Lewis and Harris.

Is the Minister satisfied that the scheme, which was described as a five-year plan to spend £4,250,000, is progressing satisfactorily?

I am quite content with the progress of the scheme.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any policy and programme for the extension of the grid system to the North of Scotland; and whether he can say when this work will be undertaken and when the supply will be available for industrial purposes.

It falls to the Electricity Commissioners to prepare any scheme for extending the Grid system to North Scotland; and the question of adopting and carrying into effect the scheme is one for the Central Electricity Board. I understand that the Commissioners, after consultation with the Board from time to time, have been satisfied hitherto that no advantage would result from the preparation of a Grid scheme for this area, but they keep the position under constant review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that one-fifth of the whole area of Great Britain is awaiting development along these lines, and have the Government no policy to deal with it?

That has nothing in the wide world to do with the question.

I think it has a lot to do with it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the President of the United States has declared his readiness to assist a general economic settlement with European countries; whether, therefore, he is now able to state that, as a first step in this direction, the commercial treaty now being negotiated between the United States and Great Britain will shortly be concluded.

I presume the hon. Member refers to the joint statement recently issued by the President of the United States and the Belgian Prime Minister, of the terms of which I am aware. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Bassetlaw (Mr. Bellenger).

Can the hon. Member say what reason is hindering the conclusion of an Anglo-American agreement?

None as far as I know. My right hon. Friend said that explorations are taking place at the present time to find whether there is a basis for such an agreement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make following his interview with the Belgian Prime Minister in relation to the work of rebuilding international trade, cooperation in monetary matters, and the reduction of armaments?

At my interview with the Belgian Prime Minister, at which the Foreign Secretary was also present, M. Van. Zeeland reported the results of his conversations with the President and others in the United States of America. It was agreed between us that M. Van Zeeland should proceed with his inquiries with a view to ascertaining in the first instance how far it was possible to obtain agreement on certain general principles of economic policy among a number of States, including the signatories of and adherents to the Tripartite Currency Agreement.

In view of the fact that President Roosevelt and M. Van Zeeland issued a joint statement expressing the respective points of view of their particular Governments, would it not be desirable for His Majesty's Government, in conjunction with the Belgian Government, to do the same thing?

A communiqué has been issued as to the results of the interview, and I do not think anything further is necessary.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman—[Interruption.]

What is the matter, Mr. Speaker? Can you not keep them in order?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in this very important matter M. Van Zeeland is regarded as the only intermediary between the United States Government and ourselves, and the only vehicle of United Kingdom expression?

No, Sir. M. Van Zeeland was invited by the French Government and His Majesty's Government jointly to undertake a mission of preliminary exploration and examination, and it is in that capacity that he has been conducting these investigations.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state the terms of reference and the personnel of the Royal Commission to inquire into the question of the geographical distribution of the industrial population?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make any announcement as to the Royal Com- mission which is to be set up to inquire into the question of the geographical distribution of the industrial population?

Yes, Sir. The King has been pleased to approve the setting up of a Royal Commission to inquire into the question of the geographical distribution of the industrial population. The Terms of Reference are:

"To inquire into the causes which have influenced the present geographical distribution of the industrial population of Great Britain and the probable direction of any change in that distribution in the future; to consider what social, economic or strategical disadvantages arise from the concentration of industries or of the industrial population in large towns or in particular areas of the country; and to report what remedial measures if any should be taken in the national interest."

In view of the very wide terms of reference, may I ask whether the primary duty of the Commission is to inquire into the location of industry?

Yes, Sir, I think that is directly covered by the terms of reference.

Would it not be desirable to put on the Commission one or two representatives of those who have been moved from derelict areas into the areas where there is employment? They will be able to give some valuable information.

There is no reason why they should not appear and give evidence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT some of the qualifications of these gentle- men who have been appointed on the Commission?

I shall be very happy to do that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that these persons, any or all of them, have a deep, intimate knowledge of the depressed areas? In view of the importance of this matter to the depressed areas, and the necessity for confidence being felt in the Commission has he given consideration to whether any of the members have any vital intimate knowledge of the depressed areas?

Is is not a fact that Mr. Bevin was defeated at Gateshead in 1931?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that men such as I suggest would not only be able to give evidence but would understand better than some of the others the particular questions to ask in order to get evidence, and that, therefore, they ought to be on the Commission?

May I ask for a reply to my question?

I have forgotten what the hon. Member's question was.

I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he is satisfied that any of the members have a deep, intimate, personal knowledge and experience of the problems of the depressed areas; and as this Commission was announced as part of the programme to deal with the depressed areas, is not the absence of any such members a serious omission?

I cannot accept that view of the objects of the Commission as announced by the Government. This is a much wider question than that of the depressed areas, although it no doubt has a bearing on the depressed areas. It is taking altogether too small a view of the importance of this matter to associate it merely with the depressed areas.

Why are you afraid to put some workers on it?