asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what communications have passed during the past two years between the British Government and the French Government with reference to future policy in Palestine; whether the French Government were at any stage consulted; and whether the French Government consulted the British Government when preparing its partition plan for Syria and the ending of the French mandate?

There has been no question of consultation between His Majesty's Government and the French Government with regard to the future of either Palestine or Syria, both of which are questions for which the mandatories are responsible not to any other country but to the League of Nations. As a matter of courtesy, however, the French Government and His Majesty's Government keep in informal touch with each other on these subjects.

Is it proposed to continue this practice in the future with regard to Palestine and Syria?

Certainly we shall continue the practice.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now in a position to make a statement with regard to the reports received in connection with Italian propaganda in Palestine?

As I stated in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain Macdonald) on 3rd November, full reports on this subject have been received hy His Majesty's Government and are now under consideration. I do not consider that I can usefully add anything for the present to that statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Arab villages in Palestine have had to absorb a large number of workers previously employed in pits and quarries which have been taken over by Jewish labour; will alternative employment be found for these workers whose labour has suddenly become redundant; what are the latest unemployment totals among Arab workers and among Jewish workers in Palestine; and how many immigrants have been admitted to Palestine since 1st January, 1937?

I am aware that, as a result of the Arab strike last year, there has been a tendency for Jewish employers to replace Arab by Jewish labour, but I have no specific information about the position in pits and quarries. The Palestine Government have the unemployment situation under consideration, and funds will be allocated for relief works if the situation is found to require it. The latest figures in my possession show that there were approximately 11,500 Arabs unemployed at the end of March, and 4,500 Jews unemployed at the end of September. There were 10,270 immigrants of all ages, of whom 8,932 were Jews, admitted to Palestine in the first 10 months of the present year.

Is it not obvious that the economic situation in Palestine cannot be solved until the people of Palestine get an opportunity of controlling their own destiny; and will not the right hon. Gentleman take steps to apply the Mandate and provide them with the opportunity of having a Legislative Assembly?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will consider the advisability of sending to Palestine, at an early date, the further commission contemplated; and whether he will make it clear that the British Government will not be deterred or delayed in taking this action by violence or threat of violence?

This matter is engaging my attention, but I am not yet in a position to make a statement. The attitude of His Majesty's Government towards violence and threats of violence has already been clearly defined and I see no need for any further statement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be careful not to take any action which will place the future control of British policy in the hands of terrorists?

Certainly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication of the conditions that the Government will require to be fulfilled before they dispatch this commission to Palestine?

I would rather not answer that as a supplementary question. It must depend on the general conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many British or Jewish officers or constables were with the police in defence of the Lydda airport or of the police post between Hebron and Beersheba when the incidents took place?

So far as I am aware, none.

Will the right hon. Gentleman obtain information as to whether, in addition to Arab police, there were any Jewish police?

I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has anything to say concerning the murder of the five Jews in Palestine and the action taken in connection therewith?

On 9th November, four Jewish workmen and one supernumerary constable were shot dead when proceeding to the quarries near Kubeibeh, where they were employed. An hour later, eight armed Arabs were detected near the scene and engaged. Subsequently 17 Arabs wen; arrested in connection with this incident.

Are we to understand from that reply that some of the armed Arabs that were seen were arrested; and, if not, why not?

I rather think that they are included in the 17.

I thought the answer meant that 17 other Arabs were arrested.

I do not think that that is so, but I will make inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the terms of the latest assurance given to His Majesty's Government by the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics undertaking to refrain from carrying on revolutionary and subversive propaganda in this country and, in particular, the terms of the undertaking that the Comintern should observe the same pact?

The Soviet Government's most recent assurance to His Majesty's Government regarding subversive propaganda is contained in the notes exchanged between the two Governments on 20th and 21st December, 1929. With regard to the second part of the question, the Soviet Government, as my hon. and gallant Friend will be aware, have invariably denied that this undertaking covers the activities of the Communist International, for which they repudiate all responsibility. His Majesty's Government, for their part, have made it clear that they cannot accept this contention.

Will my Noble Friend consult with his right hon. Friend the Home Secretary with a view to ascertaining how this pact has been kept?

I can assure my hon. Friend that this matter has been under constant examination.

Will the Noble Lord also apply the same principle to the activities of certain lords in this country?

Is the Minister aware that I am a member of the Communist International, and does he consider that it is desirable that he should take any steps to suppress my subversive activities in view of the fact that the Chancellor very generously provides me with the necessary cash for carrying on those activities?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the text books for teaching English issued this year to Government schools in Russia, which suggest that women and 10-year-old children work in English coal mines, that hundreds of English miners are killed every month, that poisonous gas is used to keep order in India, and that English Colonies are struggling for independence; and whether he will ask the Soviet Government to correct these misrepresentations?

On a point of Order. Before this question is answered might I draw your attention, Mr. Speaker, to that part of it in which the hon. Member speaks of English Colonies struggling for independence. Is not this language a breach of the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England by which the terms "Britain" and "British" were to be used in regard to all matters, not merely in this House of Commons but also in diplomatic correspondence?

rose—

If the question of the hon. Member is in the same terms, I cannot answer it.

Surely when the Clerks at the Table check up errors in questions that: are submitted to them, the same principle could be applied to this matter? As a Scottish Member I enter my protest—[HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear!"]—evidently the Welsh Members protest also—against Colonies being claimed by England, and I trust that you will advise the hon. Member to pay strict attention to the last three words of his question, and that he should correct this misrepresentation.

Does not the responsibility for these three words lie with the Government of Russia?

Who are the English?

May I call attention to the fact that this is a timely diversion by the Chairman of the Anglo-Russian Parliamentary Committee to detract the attention of the House from this question?

How is it that those Members who are so anxious about Russia do not put down more questions about it, but take their opportunity on questions which do not relate to Russia at all?

If there are errors in the wording of the question as it appears on the Paper I take full responsibility for them, but if hon. Members regard this matter as one of importance I will see another time that the term "British" is used.

My right hon. Friend is aware of the statements in the text books to which my hon. Friend refers. Such fantastic allegations are clearly not calculated to promote cordial relations between this country and the Soviet Union, and my right hon. Friend has under consideration the question whether it will be desirable to make representations in the matter.

Has not this kind of misrepresentation an exact counterpart in the glorification of Russia that is carried on by our friends opposite?

In view of the assurances which the Noble Lord has just given to the questioner, may I ask whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to draw the attention of other Governments to similar misrepresentations?

Whenever His Majesty's Government consider that a statement warrants representations, they make them, to whatever Government it may be.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what further naval orders are to be placed this year?

In addition to two cruisers and one submarine, whose construction will be commenced in His Majesty's Dockyards in December, 1937, it is anticipated that the following ships will be ordered from private firms by the end of the present financial year:

• 4 Cruisers.
• 8 Destroyers.
• 3 Submarines.
• 2 Escort Vessels.
• 3 Patrol Vessels.
• 1 Destroyer Depot Ship.
• 10 Motor Torpedo Boats.
• 6 Boom Defence Vessels.

Is not private enterprise doing more than the national Dockyards, and is that quite right?

How many of these ships will be built in the Royal Dockyards?

I should want notice of that question, unless it relates to the cruisers under construction.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the figures of the number of men serving at Hong Kong and Singapore for the 12 months ended to the last convenient date?

The numbers of naval and civilian personnel stationed at Hong Kong and Singapore at the last convenient date were approximately:

How long do these men work in the dockyards before they obtain their holidays?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the petition from Njomo Sjo Kihika, for and on behalf of Mbari Ya Ngaru, respecting native evictions from land in favour of a Mrs. Druirs, at Rui-Rwaka River, on the north-east of Limuru station, Kianbu district, in Kenya; whether he can state the grounds for alienating this land from these Africans; what compensatory land has been offered; and what administrative purpose this process serves?

I have received a copy of the petition to which the hon. Member refers, and the original will, it is stated, be forwarded through the Governor, whose report I must await before considering the petition. As regards the policy generally, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on the 10th of this month. The administrative purpose served is to secure a final settlement of land in Kenya.

Are the evictions actually taking place, or are they in suspension?

I cannot say.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the reconstitution of the executive council in Kenya, what steps have been taken to secure on the council someone with knowledge of native matters and acquainted with the life and sympathetic with the majority of the inhabitants of the country; and what principles will in future govern the selection and service of persons appointed to the executive.

The reconstitution of the Executive Council of Kenya has not yet been carried into effect. Among the official members will be the Chief Native Commissioner. With regard to the unofficial members, it is the intention that the Governor shall be free to recommend such individuals as he considers best fitted to advise him on all matters affecting Kenya as a whole, and one of the un-officials will normally be an individual who, in the opinion of the Governor, is suitably qualified to represent matters from the aspect of the native population. I think that it would be inadvisable to attempt to restrict the Governor's freedom of choice by any formal limitation in the instruments constituting the Council.

May I take it that there will be no colour bar in connection with the selection?

Certainly, there will be no legal colour bar.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange that at least one out of the intended nine flights per week of Imperial Airways, Limited, to Egypt shall call at Cyprus, in order to improve both Imperial trade and communications with the colony, since both are at present not only neglected but prejudiced by its being on the non-European telegraph rate?

I regret that in present circumstances it is impracticable to arrange for any aircraft operating the main trunk services of the Empire Air Mail Scheme to call at Cyprus. So far as the flying boat services are concerned, there is no suitable base there. As regards the landplane services, the route has been organised to operate via Malta and Egypt, and the duplication of the organisation that the diversion of a service via Cyprus would entail would not be justified.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the net work of wireless control for civil air-lines in this country will be completed?

With the exception of two areas, in the extreme South-West of England and in the North-East of Scotland respectively, the whole country is already provided on an areas basis with a network of radio stations capable of giving radio navigational assistance to aircraft. A station is about to be opened at Inverness, and negotiations for one in the South-West of England are about to be started. Meanwhile, aircraft operating in these two localities are provided with radio navigational aid from stations in adjoining areas. Active steps are being taken to improve the efficiency of this network, and additional short-range radio facilities will be provided as and when the needs of the traffic require them. As regards air traffic control organisation, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 3rd November to the hon. Member for Blackpool (Mr. R. Robinson).

Is the Liverpool airport included in the existing network?

Liverpool is catered for. Every airport has navigational aid, either in itself or from adjoining stations.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total cost of erecting the aerodrome at Raynham, Norfolk; and when it is expected that the work will be completed?

The total estimated cost of constructing the station at West Raynham, which is expected to be completed early in 1939, is approximately £540,000.

Can the Under-Secretary say whether any, and, if so, what, Empire air services are likely to operate from this airport when it is finished?

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will put that question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the programme of Transatlantic air services for 1938?

In view of the successful series of experimental flights which have recently been carried out it is proposed to continue further experimental work as soon as winter conditions are over at Botwood and new aircraft are available. It is anticipated that two landplanes (Albatross type) will be ready by the spring or early summer and three new flying boats (improved Empire type) by the summer for carrying out a further series of experimental flights. In addition it is hoped that the upper component, the Mercury, of the Mayo composite aircraft will be ready to cross to Botwood as soon as that airport is sufficiently clear of ice to accommodate the Mercury, which is a floatplane.

Is there any probability of the new large flying boat which is being constructed by Messrs. Short, being run experimentally across the Atlantic next year?

We hope that the new flying boat which has been earmarked for the North Atlantic traffic route will be ready by 1938.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has yet made provision for an adequate supply of all-metal medium-sized airliners of British manufacture; and when such aircraft are expected to be available?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether his attention has been called to the recent delays in new commercial machines for British air-lines as a result of the concentration of aeroplane factories upon rearmament work; and whether in view of the necessity of maintaining the prestige of the British commercial air services, he proposes to take any steps to assist them in this respect?

The rearmament programme has necessarily absorbed a large proportion of the industry's capacity. The Air Ministry has, however, been investigating the possibility of assisting the development and production of fast all-metal air transport machines of suitable sizes and types which will maintain the prestige of British aircraft construction and operation. No decision has yet been reached on the type or types of aircraft concerned, but the question is receiving urgent consideration.

Is it not a fact that this has been under urgent consideration by the Air Ministry, over two years now, and, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government gave the most specific assurances that rearmament would not interfere with the development of civil aircraft, cannot my hon. and gallant Friend assure the House that a very early decision will be arrived at?

This matter, which is closely touching the interests of civil aviation, is one that is constantly under consideration. I can only say, however, that, in connection with recent developments, we have had very close consultation with the air-lines with the object of getting out a specification.

Are these consultations going on in perpetuity?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is prepared to place the scale of pensions for retired officers of the equipment and accountant branches of the Royal Air Force upon a scale comparable to that appertaining to the equivalent branches of the other two Services?

The question of the retired pay of these branches is at present under consideration.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend give sympathetic consideration to these retired officers?

They are being sympathetically considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what pension is awarded to the wife (with no children) of a sergeant-pilot killed on flying duty?

The childless widow of a sergeant-pilot killed on flying duty is eligible for pension at the following rates:

If it should be necessary to undertake an intensified recruiting campaign for sergeant-pilots, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman take care that the publicity makes it clear that the State will give a sergeant-pilot's wife the generous pension of 13s. 6d. a week if he happens to be killed?

The rates that widows get when their husbands are killed on flying duty are accessible to the public.

Does the hon. and gallant Gentleman think it is satisfactory that the wife of a sergeant-pilot, if she is under 40, gets 13s. 6d. a week if he is killed on flying duty?

That is not a question to put to the Minister; it is a matter of opinion.

May I, then, ask the hon. and gallant Gentleman whether he proposes to take any measures to put that pension on a more equitable basis?

No such proposals are under consideration, but I may-say that the scales in this case are on a comparable basis with those of the Army and Navy in similar circumstances.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can yet state what steps he proposes to take on the recommendations contained in the final report of the Departmental Committee on Street Lighting?

My right hon. Friend has already brought the recommendations of the report to the notice of all local authorities concerned by means of a circular letter, dated 2nd November, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

What steps are being taken by the local authorities to establish road lighting in main thoroughfares leading to the various towns?

I can only say that I hope that, after study of the circular and of the report, they will put the recommendations into effect.

Has the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend any powers in this matter, other than to bring the suggestions in the report to the notice of the local authorities?

We have certain powers with regard to trunk roads, but otherwise we have to rely on our powers of persuasion.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will indicate where and to what extent any illumination of trunk roads has been undertaken or arranged for, respectively, under the provisions of Section 6 (4) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1936?

My right hon. Friend is not yet ready to make a statement on this important subject.

In view of the important contribution of street lighting to road safety and of the report of the committee which has been considering the matter, why should there be any delay in the Minister telling the House what trunk roads have already been illuminated under the powers he now has, and what he proposes to do?

My right hon. Friend has been considering this important report, and he hopes, in a very few days, to be able to give an answer.

Cannot my hon. and gallant Friend now say what trunk roads have been illuminated? It is not a question of study?

Not without notice.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the continuing congestion of traffic at Victoria Gate, Hyde Park; will he inform the House of the reasons as to why the necessary improvements, which have been agreed to by all the bodies concerned for many months past, have not yet been commenced; who is responsible for the delay; and when is it proposed that a start will be made?

The responsibility for this improvement rests with the London County Council, who have not yet approved it. They inform me that it was not possible to put forward this scheme in advance of other more urgent schemes which have fully occupied the local authorities for the last few months. It will, however, be brought before the appropriate committee of the council at an early date.

This has been before the Ministry of Transport in this House for years now, and will not the Office of Works or somebody not make an announcement?

This is a matter for the appropriate local authority, which is the London County Council. As my hon. Friend knows, we have been endeavouring to expedite this matter, and I hope that they may make a start at an early date.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend not aware that the London County Council is a very slow and reactionary body?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will cause an in quiry to be made into the causes and extent of the losses by breakage and damage incurred by parcels and goods conveyed by railway, in order to deter mine one of the factors contributing to the high cost of distribution of retail goods?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by an inquiry.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman explain to the House why he comes to that conclusion?

This is primarily a matter between the individual trader and the individual railway company.

Well, that would have been a better reply.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to set up a committee to revise, co-ordinate, and consolidate the law relating to highways and roads; and, if so, whether he can give the terms of reference and the membership of the committee?

In conjunction with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health we propose to set up a committee to consider the consolidation of Highway Law, but the exact terms of reference and constitution of the committee are not yet settled.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say, at least, when that committee will be set up?

Very shortly, I hope.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has formulated any policy with regard to the construction of trunk roads across commons, especially in or in the neighbourhood of populous urban areas; and if he will avoid any interference with common lands in any works of trunk-road construction or improvement he may undertake?

It is always our endeavour to avoid interference with commons and open spaces, but the hon. Member will realise that in certain places a much needed improvement of a road ma)' be impossible without some encroachment. The hon. Member may like to know that it is not possible compulsorily to acquire land forming part of a common or open space except by means of an Order requiring confirmation by Parliament, unless equivalent land is given in exchange. The Ministry of Agriculture must be consulted, and, if necessary, a public inquiry held.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman, in exercising his powers, bear in mind that to construct a road across a common destroys the value of the common for all purposes of exercise?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any statement to make as to the inquiries into staggering working hours; and whether he proposes to call a conference of traffic authorities and employers to consider the matter?

My right hon. Friend has not yet fully completed the rather lengthy preliminary investigations which are necessary before he will be in a position to make any statement, but much has already been done.

May I ask the Minister whether, if his right hon. Friend contemplates appointing a committee of inquiry into this matter, he will at the same time consider the question of safeguarding holidays as well as hours?

Inquiries are being held in order to see what sort of a conference will be most helpful. As the hon. and gallant Member knows, we want to go into this matter thoroughly and see if something can be done.

Is it not the fact that to many people the very idea of work is staggering?

Is it not the fact that some of these employes do not agree to the staggering of hours and that it will make it very inconvenient for the employé as well as the employer?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can inform the House as to the working of the recently passed Ribbon Development Act; in how many cases and for what distances, and in what circumstances, has the local highway authority granted permission for buildings to be erected with frontage to a classified road; and whether he is satisfied that the power given to highway authorities to authorise exceptions to the provisions of the Act has been properly administered?

The Act itself applied restrictions to 43,000 miles of road. Highway authorities have by resolution and with the Minister's approval extended its application to a further 21,000 miles. Highway authorities are not required under the Act to furnish the data upon which to compile the statistics asked for in the question, which would in any case be an undertaking of considerable magnitude. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that, in general, highway authorities are not relaxing the restrictions to the detriment of the roads affected, but he is carefully watching the position. Before deciding to give assistance from the Road Fund towards the cost of any scheme of road improvement or new construction, we require an assurance from the highway authority concerned that they will exercise their powers to safeguard the road in accordance with the spirit and intention of the Act.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that many of these classified arterial roads in the neighbourhood of London and other towns are fast becoming built-up streets; and does he always ask for the assurance to which he has referred from the authorities before a classified road is either made or widened?

Yes, Sir. My answer is quite correct, but my hon. Friend, if he goes into the matter, will find that the building that is going on, or has been going on lately, is in respect of contracts entered into before the Bill became law, and therefore we have no power to stop it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has under consideration plans for closing Central London to certain categories of private cars or for imposing an additional tax upon car owners who use their cars in Central London?

No, Sir.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that in some of the principal streets of London you can walk along them more quickly than you can pass along them in a motor omnibus, and ought not something to be done in order to correct that state of affairs?

If there is no intention of restricting the use of Central London for private cars, can something be done to improve garage facilities in Central London, as private car owners at present find the utmost difficulty in obtaining garage accommodation at night?

My right hon. Friend is applying his mind to the question of parking accommodation, if possible, off the highway.

asked the Minister of Transport in how many villages in the North Riding of Yorkshire there is a speed limit in operation?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that the absence of a speed limit in many of the villages in the North Riding of Yorkshire is causing great danger to inhabitants, and especially to children?

The question of the imposition of a speed limit has, in the first instance, to be decided by the local authority and not by the Minister. I do not think that we have refused a large number in my hon. Friend's area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as regards the negotiations that are proceeding with the chiefs of the four main line railway companies for the purposes of the utilisation of their systems throughout the country for food storage for emergency purposes only, the Government propose to extend still further the facilities of the railway companies for borrowing through the Railway Finance Corporation, Limited, or some similar concern, money at the rate of 2½ per cent., guaranteed as to principal and interest by the Treasury?

No, Sir.

Will the Minister bear in mind the fact that, although the railways have satisfied their hunger, agriculture still requires loans at 2½ per cent.?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience and discontent caused to the public by the limited number of persons allowed to stand in motor omnibuses in wet weather, especially in sparsely populated districts and elsewhere during rush hours; and will he consider modifying the present regulations in order to allow greater elasticity under special conditions?

In general it would not make for the safety or convenience of the travelling public to increase the permissible number of standing passengers.

Cannot this be considered in regard to the rural areas?

It is a question of road safety.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is no through service of trains to the City from West Brompton station; and whether he will take steps to secure an improvement in this service and /or an improvement in the omnibus service?

I am in communication with the London Passenger Transport Board and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is now in a position to make a statement of Government policy in relation to expenditure by local authorities in making preparations for proceeding with the projected Forth road-bridge?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave him on 3rd November. I may add that it may be understood that if and when the scheme is started and a grant is made any preliminary expenditure necessarily incurred will rank for grant.

Can the Minister say what is covered by his description "preliminary work"? Does it include, for example, actual physical preparation of the site for a bridge?