asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why, out of the total number of 239 of skippers rank in the Royal Naval Reserve, only four have been appointed from the Western Islands; and whether, in view of the large proportion of men recruited from these islands, he will take steps to remedy this discrepancy?

The principal qualification for promotion to skipper R.N.R. is the possession of the Board of Trade certificate of competency as skipper, and the Admiralty cannot modify this requirement, since skippers R.N.R. have to take command of Naval trawlers in time of war. At present all R.N.R. men registered in the Western Isles who possess the necessary qualifications have been promoted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty (r) whether he has under consideration the construction of bomb-proof shelters in the Royal Dockyards and other establishments in case of emergency;

For some time past the Admiralty have devoted their attention to the problem of protecting personnel in all naval establishments against the effects of bombing attacks, but I am sure that my hon. Friend will not wish to press for details of the measures which are contemplated.

Can the Minister assure the House that every step possible will be taken to avoid a repetition of the disastrous occurrences in the last War at Chatham?

Every step will be taken which is considered advisable and desirable.

Will the Minister consider taking the whole Board of Admiralty into the shell factory that is being tested?

If the Minister cannot give the details, will he be in a position to give at some time the expense of the scheme?

I am not in a position to do so at present, but I might be later on.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what steps he can take to extend the port of Haifa to suit the new needs of the Navy in the Mediterreanean; and whether His Majesty's Government w ill allow a loan to meet the cost?

The Admiralty are not contemplating any extension to the port of Haifa, and the second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the number of workmen who on attaining the age of 60 are discharged from the dockyards and sent to the Employment Exchange to offer their services, and who find a reluctance on the part of employers to engage them; and whether he will consider the possibility of giving to all employés a better pension than is now the case after 30 years of good service under the State?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave to him on 7th July last. I am, however, able to add that by agreement on the Admiralty Industrial Council it has now been arranged that established workmen, who at the age of 60 are not entitled to a pension of 15s. a week, will be retained in the Service to augment their pension.

Is the Minister aware that the pensions system for dockyard workers is very much inferior to that of other branches of the Civil Service, and, in fact, to that enjoyed by the personnel of the Royal Navy itself?

Will the First Lord recommend his supporters to support the Motion which is on the Order Paper to-day as a means of carrying out the hon. and gallant Gentleman's wishes?

Does the First Lord not think that to give men a pension of 15s. at the age of 60 is most unfair, having regard to the fact that they are deprived of the opportunity of obtaining other employment?

That is a matter of opinion.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman, as First Lord of the Admiralty, give his opinion?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give the House any information in connection with the death of the man Marples who was found in the sealed cabin on board the aircraft-carrier "Furious," stationed at Plymouth; and whether the wallet that was taken from his pocket has been found?

An inquest into the circumstances of this man's death is to be held to-morrow. Pending the result of it I cannot make any statement on the subject.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, how many cases have been brought to his notice of men serving in the Royal Navy whose wives and children are drawing relief from public assistance committees; and whether he will make inquiries?

The Board of Admiralty know that there are cases of the kind to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, but they are confined to men who have married under the age of 25, and every step is taken to ensure that men who join the Navy shall be made aware that they will not be entitled to marriage allowance if they marry under that age.

Having regard to the modern view about the age at which one should marry, would the right hon. Gentleman consider some reduction in the age 25, which seems unnecessarily high?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman will be aware that this is a question that affects all the Services, and that one Service Minister could not give an undertaking or express a view.

Will not the right hon. Gentleman consult the heads of the other Services in this matter?

Are not all the men in the Services medically examined and seen to be fit, and should not they be encouraged to marry so as to keep up the stock?

Could all this information be made available to the Minister of Health, in connection with his population statistics?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, whether he has yet any announcement to make with regard to the death of the late Oliver William Johnson, stoker, first-class, official number C/KX 85,597, who was lost while serving on His Majesty's Ship "Moy," and the refusal of a pension?

Inquiries have not yet been completed in this case. A decision will be reached as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the Greenock Royal Infirmary rendered services to the value of £1,350 17s. 6d. on behalf of persons employed at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, during the year to 31st October, 1937; that during that period only £550 was allocated from the hospitals fund of the torpedo factory to the Greenock Royal Infirmary; that the smallness of this contribution is a cause of misgiving to the workers and is due to the fact that arrangements have not yet been made for deductions from the wages of unestablished workers at the torpedo factory for the hospitals fund; and whether he is now in a position to say when such deductions will commence?

As the moneys received by the hospital and local charities fund of the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory are distributed locally and without reference to the Admiralty, I was unaware of the figures mentioned in the question. The Admiralty cannot apply to the Greenock Torpedo Factory a different procedure from that observed in similar establishments elsewhere. Until, therefore, the general question of a scheme of deductions from pay for hospital purposes is settled, it will not be possible to grant such facilities to the workpeople at Greenock.

Would the First Lord say when a settlement will be arrived at, as I was informed by the Minister in July that the matter was under consideration?

I hope that a decision will be reached in the near future, but the hon. and learned Gentleman will recognise that it depends mainly, if not entirely, on the evidence.

Why do you not stop the levy out of their wages, as they have agreed to it?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. Tecle Hawariate, recently Ethiopian delegate to the League of Nations, has been refused permission to reside in Kenya?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds Mr. Tecle Hawariate has been refused permission to remain in Kenya?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies on what grounds the decision has been taken to refuse permission to Mr. Tecle Hawariate, Ethiopian delegate to the League of Nations in 1935, to reside in Kenya?

In September last Mr. Tecle Hawariate applied to the Government of Kenya through the Government of Aden, where he was living, for permission to visit the Colony for a period of three months in connection with the purchase of sesame seed. As the visit was to be of a temporary nature, the necessary permission was given. Subsequently, he asked to be allowed to establish himself and his family as permanent residents in the Colony. I understand that permission to do so was, however, refused by the Government of Kenya. His Majesty's Government do not consider that the Governments of British Dependencies bordering on Ethiopia should add to their responsibilities by facilitating the entry into those territories of Ethiopian subjects other than those who may take refuge coming directly from Abyssinia, and to whom it may not be possible to refuse entry. Mr. Tecle Hawariate does not fall within this category. I have seen from a report in the Press that Mr. Hawariate has now left Kenya.

Might I ask the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether this gentleman is not of the highest respectability and whether, in view of that fact, it is desirable to refuse the right of asylum to this distinguished gentleman?

I ought to answer the question, and I reply, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, that there is no objection to Palestine or any British territory, provided it does not immediately border on Ethiopia, in the present circumstances.

Is there any suggestion that this gentleman intends to carry on activities which would be inconsistent with the right of asylum?

No, none at all, but I think it is obviously undesirable, in the general circumstances, and liable to misconstruction.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a further statement regarding the condition and future prospects of the Abyssinian refugees in Kenya?

I have nothing to add to the replies given to the hon. Member for East Birkenhead (Mr. G. White) on 3rd November and to the hon. Member for West Leyton (Mr. Sorensen) on 29th November.

Can the Minister assure the House that none of these refugees will be returned to Abyssinia against their will?

This matter was very carefully considered, in a long reply, and I can give no further assurance.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long the Governor of Palestine, Sir Arthur Wauchope, is remaining to transact his duties; and who is to succeed him?

I have nothing to add at present to the statement which I made on 28th October in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Norwood (Mr. Sandys), but I expect to be able to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that out of 270 British officers in the first division of the Civil Service in Palestine, 106 speak Arabic and only six Hebrew; and what steps he has taken and can take to improve this discrepancy?

My hon. and gallant Friend quotes the figures given in the report of the Palestine Royal Commission, but he has overlooked a further statement, made in the same paragraph of the report, that there are also 20 officers who can speak both Arabic and Hebrew. I understand that in present circumstances when the bulk of the Arab population can speak no other language but Arabic, a knowledge of Arabic is found to be more generally useful to Government officers than a knowledge of Hebrew, but I propose to look further into the matter and to consider whether any special action is called for.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to ensure a non-recurrence of balloons breaking away from the apron defences at Manston, Kent; and whether he will consider using special moorings in future to prevent any more balloons breaking away?

Modifications to equipment are being introduced as a result of the experience gained which it is hoped will prevent a repetition of these occurrences.

As the Secretary of State for Air has broken away from his moorings in this House, would it be possible to have a Secretary of State for Air moored in the House of Commons?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that men who had been passed for employment by his Department at the Regent Factory, Linlithgow, have been informed that, owing to a change of policy on the part of the Air Ministry, they are not now required; what change of policy is referred to; and what are the future prospects of employment for the men who have been medically examined and passed?

When work on the contracts placed with the factory referred to was first commenced, it was anticipated that detailed inspection by Air Ministry staff would be necessary. The development of the organisation and the methods of manufacture of the firm made it possible for adequate inspection to be provided by a smaller staff. In consequence, some men who had been passed as suitable for employment will not be required, and they have been advised to apply to the Regent Factory for employment.

Has this preparatory recruitment by the Air Ministry militated against these men being employed on the productive side?

I am not aware of that. If the hon. Member thinks there is anything that should be brought to my notice on the point, perhaps he will do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of men placed in employment by his Department in the Regent Factory, Linlithgow, since it reopened; how many of these men were previously resident in the county of Linlithgow; and how many were sent from England?

The answer to the first part of the question is 33; to the second part 16; and to the third part five.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in connection with the claim for £43,626 by University College, Oxford, for the Langton Ouse Estate, the Air Ministry has had an independent valuation made; and, if so, what is the value placed on this estate by the independent valuer?

Yes, Sir, the Air Ministry obtained an independent valuation of the land prior to arbitration, and the amount was £17,220.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he cart give an assurance that, if in the event of war the Air Ministry communications were completely disabled, the control of the Royal Air Force could be effectively maintained from alternative headquarters; and whether specific plans to meet this contingency are detailed and complete?

All possible precautions are being taken to cover contingencies of the nature indicated in the hon. Member's question. He will, I trust, appreciate that it would not be desirable to specify them in detail.

May I have from the Minister the perfectly simple assurance that the specific precaution about which my question asks has been taken? How can it be contrary to the public interest, if this elementary precaution has been taken, that a statement should be made that it has been taken?

I think that personally my Noble Friend is satisfied that the advance made in this direction is satisfactory. I merely wished to indicate to the hon. Member that this is necessarily a secret subject on which one could not enter into details.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that well informed quarters are of opinion that no such adequate precautions have been taken? As I am sure he is not going to give me an answer to my question, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House at the first convenient opportunity.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement indicative of the present front-line strength of the Royal Air Force; and, in particular, whether the rate of delivery of light and heavy bombers, and their formation into units, is proceeding at a more rapid rate than heretofore?

As regards the first part of the question, there are at present 123 squadrons in the Metropolitan Air Force and 26 squadrons overseas, in addition to the equivalent of 20 squadrons in the Fleet Air Arm. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

Are these 123 squadrons all at full strength, both as to pilots and machines?

; No, they are not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement in regard to the three light bomber-type airplanes of the Oxfordshire squadron which crashed during the flight to Penrhos on Monday, 29th November, when one pilot was killed and two injured; how many airplanes were engaged in the flight; what types of machines crashed; and whether he is satisfied that the construction of the machines concerned was not at fault?

The facts, so far as are at present known, are these: Eighteen aircraft took off from No. 2 Flying Training School, Brize Norton, on 29th November last to fly to Penrhos. Bad weather was experienced during the later stages of the flight. One of the aircraft returned to Brize Norton, To landed at Sealand, four landed at Penrhos, and three crashed. Two of the aircraft that crashed were Audax and one a Hart. The preliminary investigations so far carried out have not disclosed any failure in the construction of the machines.

In view of the very high proportion of the 18 setting out that failed to reach their destination, is any public inquiry being held with regard to the causes of the failure?

There will be a court of inquiry, naturally, on the cause of the crashes. We shall then get a great deal more detail in this connection. At the moment, I have given the hon. Member all the information in our posesssion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the disadvantages which persons resident in the West Midlands who are training, or desire to train, in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve are under at the present time; that the aerodrome at Castle Bromwich is the only one available, that no machines other than those for training can be used, and that those in other parts of the country are able to pass through the course much more rapidly and obtain commissions, and whether he will consider the advisability of making arrangements for the use of another aerodrome, such as Wolverhampton, for this purpose?

The Air Ministry are aware of the need for the provision of adequate facilities for the training of Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve pilots in the West Midlands district, and hope to conclude satisfactory arrangements in the near future for the use of the new Birmingham Municipal Aerodrome for this purpose.

Is it not a fact that that aerodrome will not be ready for a year or more, and that there are a number of persons in Wolverhampton and the West Midlands who are willing to join this Reserve now, and are only prevented by the absence of facilities?

We are well aware of the desire to get facilities as soon as possible, but these are the arrangements we are now making with the Birmingham Municipal Aerodrome.

But is it not the case that the Birmingham Municipal Aerodrome will not be ready for a long time? Will the hon. Gentleman say how soon it will be ready?

Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has considered the recommendation in the annual report by the Aviation Committee of the Scottish Development Council that the Government should encourage aircraft manufacture in Scotland; and whether he has any statement to make?

I have not received a copy of the annual report referred to, but a deputation from the Scottish Development Council was received last year, when it was explained that the firms for the manufacture of aircraft and aero engines had already been selected, but that firms in Scotland could assist by undertaking sub-contract work for the main firms employed. A list of the main firms was furnished, and it was understood that the Council would adopt the suggestion that they should forward to these firms a list of Scottish firms able and willing to undertake such contract work. I should add that a large aircraft factory is being erected by Messrs. Denny in conjunction with Messrs. Blackburn, and that this factory will undertake a large amount of work.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman put himself in possession of the report, in order that he may see the recommendations which it embodies?

Yes, Sir, I will make a point of reading it.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what the present position is regarding the preparation of a landing field at Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; and when a regular air service between the island of Lewis and the mainland will begin?

Proposals for development of a land aerodrome at Steinish, Stornoway, which were put forward in 1935, did not provide for an adequate area for the use of regular air services. As was stated on 2nd March and 8th April, 1936, the Air Ministry has advised as to the work which will require to be carried out. I understand that so far considerations of cost of preparation of a larger area have precluded further progress. A regular air service cannot be operated until a suitable aerodrome is provided at Stornoway.

Is the Under-Secretary aware that almost all the other small islands of the Outer Hebrides have these facilities, and that only this island, which is the most important, is excluded? The slowness of the progress made is very unsatisfactory. The Air Ministry have done very little to encourage aviation in this district.

As I said in my answer, the Air Ministry have advised as to the work which ought to be carried out. The negotiations are a matter for the locality.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the large number of accidents to civil airplanes leaving registered airports in this country which are due to adverse weather conditions, he will take the necessary steps to see that the taking-off of aircraft in such cases should not be left to the discretion of pilots, but that a responsible official should be on duty at such airports with power to override a pilot's decision to take off where he considered it dangerous to the passengers or crew that the pilot should do so?

No, Sir. I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Nuneaton (Lieut.-Commander Fletcher) on 27th January last.

In view of the fact that pilots have to make this decision on their own, and also in view of the fact that they are men employed, would the hon. Member not agree that they would be inclined to take unnecessary risks, for fear of losing their employment?

I would not accept that. I think it must be agreed that the person who eventually has to exercise his discretion as to the safety of the passengers must be the pilot himself. He is naturally given all information at the aerodrome, but I do not think it would be in the public interest that a person other than the pilot should be given ultimate discretion.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total number of lives lost as a result of air-liners taking off in Q.B.I. conditions from Croydon aerodrome since 1st December, 1936?

Eighteen, in two accidents.

Is any responsibility accepted at Croydon for the cockpit equipment of foreign planes?

I could not say that off-hand. Perhaps the hon. Member will put the question down.

For the information of the House, would the hon. Gentleman say what is the derivation of these initials, Q.B.I.?

No, I am afraid I cannot.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the de Haviland air-lines known as the 86A and 86B are licensed to fly with passengers by night?

The certificates of airworthiness still in force for D.H. 86A aircraft contain a condition prohibiting night flying, but all these aircraft are being converted to D.H. 86B type. No such restrictive condition is applied in respect of certificates of airworthiness granted for D.H. 86B aircraft; but all aircraft carrying out flights by night are obliged to carry certain equipment laid down in Regulations.

Do I understand from the Minister's answer, which I could not hear, that D.H. 86A machines are not allowed to carry out night flying?

Yes, that is SO.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (I) when the report of the Falmouth Committee will be completed, and when it will be available to Members;

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence when the report of the Falmouth Committee will be completed; and whether it will he issued as a Command Paper?

I am informed that the Falmouth Committee have now completed their report, and that it will be submitted to me during the next few days. Until I have seen the report, I cannot say whether it will be published. In any case there can be no question of disclosing confidential information contained in the report. I recognise, however, the great interest which the House has taken in this matter, and I shall bear that in mind in considering the question of any publication. As regards the questions concerning the evidence which has been placed before the committee, I am not in a position to answer these except in connection with the question of publication.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he will replace Professor Egerton, a member of the Falmouth Committee, who has accepted a post with an oil company, by someone who has no interest in the production or distribution of oil, in view of the importance of having an impartial investigation into the matters referred to this committee?

I am informed that Professor Egerton, who is Professor of Chemical Technology at the Imperial College of Science, has been acting as adviser, together with other scientists, to the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company on scientific questions since November, 1936. It is not the fact that he has accepted any post with an oil company which gives him an interest in the production or distribution of oil. No question, therefore, arises as to his replacement.

Is it not a fact that a promise was given to this House that the committee would be composed entirely of people without any direct or indirect interest in the production or distribution of oil?

As I 'have said, Professor Egerton has no direct or indirect interest in the production or distribution of oil.

Do we understand that Professor Egerton is a paid employe of this oil company?

No, he is not a paid employé. I have stated the position quite accurately in the answer I have given, that he has acted for a year as an adviser, together with other scientists, to advise the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company on scientific subjects.

Is he a paid adviser or an unpaid adviser?

He is remunerated, I am informed, by the Principal in Science of the Imperial College of Science by a sum, of which I have no information, which is in the nature of a retaining fee to enable him to give his services as required for scientific questions.

What is the right hon. Gentleman's interpretation of direct interest in an oil company? Surely employment on a retaining fee is direct interest in that company?

It is a matter of opinion, but I should not agree with the right hon. Gentleman that it is the case, any more than it could be said that a member of the legal profession is interested in any companies which from time to time he is called upon to advise.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider it correct procedure for a barrister who is in possession of a permanent retaining fee from a company acting an an arbitrator in an independent capacity?

I do not accept that as an accurate description of Professor Egerton's position. He was only called upon to investigate a question that his peculiar scientific knowledge concerning the production of oil from coal fitted him to investigate, and I suggest to the House that there is nothing in the position he has occupied which conflicts with his duties in that respect.

I understand he Las been paid on behalf of the company to investigate certain processes of obtaining oil from coal. Surely, that puts him in a position of being interested in those processes?

I cannot accept the statement which the right hon. Gentleman has last made. I think I accurately stated the position. The Professor is called upon from time to time to advise the company on scientific questions.

May I ask if this gentleman was engaged by the company after he was appointed to the committee?

No; I speak subject to correction, but I think he accepted the position with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company before he was appointed to the committee.

Does he receive an annual payment, or, on the analogy of the barrister, does he receive a fee for each opinion?

He has only held the position for one year, and I understand he receives a retaining fee. It is paid, so far, annually.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to build up local emergency supplies of food to be available in war time; and whether individual families are being encouraged and assisted to establish supplies of their own?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Leeds, West (Mr. V. Adams) on 3rd November by my right hon. Friend the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence. The answer to the second part is in the negative.

In view of the fact that a full year has elapsed since the creation of the Food Defence Plans Department, is it not high time that the Government should be in a position to take a decision at least on the main principle of food storage?

If the hon. Member will look at the answer given on the date referred to, he will see that a large number of questions and answers have been exchanged on the subject which, I think, goes to the root of the matter.

With great respect, does the Minister suggest that that answer indicates that the Government have taken a decision on the main question of principle?

asked the Minister of Transport (I) whether he will indicate where and to what extent illumination of main roads has already been undertaken under the provisions of Section 6 (4) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1936;

I have not yet exercised my powers under this Sub-section but will shortly notify local authorities that where they consider that portions of trunk roads should be illuminated or better illuminated to standards which conform reasonably to those recommended for traffic routes by the Departmental Committee on Street Lighting, I shall, in certain circumstances, be prepared after 1st April, 1938, to enter into agreements with them whereby I shall contribute 50 per cent. of the capital cost and 50 per cent. of the annual cost of maintenance.

In view of the great importance of this topic, will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House why he has not exercised the powers which he has under the Statute before to-day?

The Departmental Committee has just reported in regard to these powers.

Is it not the fact that the power which the Minister has is given in the Trunk Roads Act, 1936, irrespective entirely of any findings of the Departmental Committee?

Even so, the roads have only been trunk roads for a little over six months.

Is it the fact that in the report of the Departmental Committee they expressly refer to the fact that, without any recommendation of theirs, the Minister has already the authority given by this House to exercise his powers under that very important Sub-section?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the increasing danger arising on the highways through lack of lighting arrangements; and when he intends to make a statement on this question?

I know of no evidence in support of the assumption in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to the hon. and learned Member for East Leicester (Mr. Lyons).

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries about the East Lancashire Road, as he will find out that there are an increasing number of accidents taking place there because of the bad lighting?

I will certainly make inquiries. I have driven the length of that road both ways recently two or three times.

asked the Minister of Transport from what date the 100 per cent. grant five-year plan for the Highland counties is calculated to have begun; what proportion of the total money available has been spent to the latest convenient date; and whether he is satisfied with the progress being made?

The first contract from my Department was let in August, 1936. On 31st October, 1937, the total value of works completed and in progress, either by direct labour or by contract amounted approximately to £I,800,000, in respect of which payments of about £540,000 have been made. I am satisfied with the progress made.