Written Answers
Brazil (British Bondholders)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as an alternative to a Brazilian exchange clearing, he will ask the Brazilian Government to collaborate with the British Government and the Governments of the United States of America, France, the Netherlands, and Portugal in a plan for international control of Brazilian maritime customs, in order to assist Brazil to terminate the repudiation of her obligations on foreign loans obtained for developing Brazilian resources, railways, and public utility services?
No, Sir.
Chile (Foreign Debt)
asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action His Majesty's Government is taking to protect British savings invested in Chile; whether the default by that Government is being left to the Council of Foreign Bondholders to deal with; and, if so, whether the council has yet succeeded in inducing Chile to honour the contractual obligations to private investors in the United Kingdom?
As regards the first and second parts of the question, I can add nothing to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for North Newcastle (Sir N. Grattan-Doyle) on 3rd November. As regards the last part of the question, as my Noble Friend stated on 3rd November, the situation is receiving the constant attention of the accredited representatives of the bondholders, with the support of His Majesty's Government.
Palestine
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will place in the Library a copy of the protest against the actions of the Palestine Government in enforcing law and order which was signed and sent in by 137 judges and leading members of the Palestine Civil Service on 30th June, 1936, to which exception was taken both by the Royal Commission and the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations?
The memorial to which the right hon. and gallant Member refers was printed and published as an Appendix to the Report of the Palestine Royal Commission (Cmd. 5479) and is, therefore, already available to all hon. Members.
British Guiana
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Governors have been appointed to British Guiana since 1928; whether he is aware that widespread dissatisfaction exists in the Colony because of the lack of continuity in legislative policy resulting from short-term governorships; and whether, in view of the urgent need for administrative and economic reform, he will take immediate steps to have these matters inquired into by a competent and representative body, preferably by a Royal Commission?
Four Governors have been appointed since November, 1928. Of these, one was compelled in 1930 by ill-health to resign prematurely after holding his office for only two years, and more recently the exigencies of the Service made it necessary to transfer the late Governor, whose services were, I know, very much appreciated in the Colony, before he had completed his full term. The importance of continuity of policy is one which I have in mind in connection with all such appointments, but contingencies such as those to which I have just referred cannot be foreseen. In these circumstances no grounds exist for a special inquiry in the case of British Guiana such as the hon. Member suggests.
Unemployment
Site Companies
asked the Minister of Labour how many site companies have been formed in England and Wales, respectively; and the number of persons who have obtained employment therefrom?
I understand that one site company under Section 5 of the Special Areas (Amendment) Act, 1937, is on the point of formation and that one or two others are under consideration.
Leicester
asked the Minister of Labour whether he will indicate the course of employment by percentages and numbers, respectively, for the city of Leicester, for the month of November, 1937?
The following table shows, for the area served by the Leicester Employment Exchange and Juvenile Employment Bureau (a) the numbers of insured persons, aged 16–64 years, recorded as unemployed in the principal industries at 15th November, 1937, and (b) these numbers expressed as percentages of the estimated numbers insured at July, 1937.
| — | 15th November, 1937. | |
| Number. | Per cent. | |
| Building | 840 | 10·1 |
| General engineering, etc. | 266 | 2·1 |
| Printing, Publishing and Bookbinding. | 130 | 3·5 |
| Hosiery | 2,530 | 7·5 |
| Boots, Shoes, etc. | 1,952 | 9·7 |
| Distributive Trades | 815 | 5·2 |
| All other industries and services. | 2,932 | 7·4 |
| Total, all industries and services. | 9,465 | 7·1 |
Note.—The figures given in the table above are exclusive of insured persons within the agricultural scheme; the number of such persons, aged 16–64, recorded as unemployed at the Leicester Employment Exchange at 15th November, 1937, was 83.
Imperial Airways, Limited (Motor Boats)
asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total initial cost of the 80 motor boats supplied by the Air Ministry for use by Imperial Airways, Limited, and the total annual cost of their maintenance?
The total initial cost of the motor boats in question amounts to approximately £124,000, of which about £34,000 will be contributed by local governments.I am not sure what items the hon. Member intends to cover by the term "maintenance," and in view of the hypothetical factors involved it is not practicable to give any firm figure. The total annual cost, inclusive of maintenance of the boats and operating costs, is expected to be in the neighbourhood of £60,000, of which about £36,000 will be borne by the Air Ministry and the remainder by local governments.
Defence (Falmouth Committee, Report)
asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is now in a position to give any information regarding the report of the Falmouth Committee?
I regret I am not yet in a position to make any announcement.
Royal Navy (Torpedo Factory, Greenock)
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when, and under what circumstances, the question of the collection of contributions for hospital funds from non-established workers in the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, was first put before the National Whitley Council; and when its decision is to be expected?
I am informed that following representations from various sources the question of the collection of contributions for hospital funds by means of deductions from the salaries and wages of civil servants was raised some three years ago. Discussions regarding the possibility of instituting appropriate centralised machinery were resumed with the Staff Side representatives of the National Whitley Council for the Administrative and Legal Departments of the Civil Service at the end of last year, and are still continuing.
Transport
Road Accidents
asked the Minister of Transport how many persons have been killed and how many injured in road accidents in Oxfordshire County for the first 10 months of 1937; and how many were killed and how many injured during the corresponding period of last year?
The numbers of persons killed and injured in road accidents in the county of Oxford police district during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1937, were 37 and 773, respectively, compared with 26 and 768 in the corresponding period of 1936.
asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to the hardship inflicted on seven injured persons, and the relatives of two killed, in Gray's Inn Road, London, by a driver who was uninsured; and when does he propose to introduce legislation on the lines recommended by the Committee on Compulsory Insurance?
I have noted with regret the sad consequences of this breach of the law. The recommendations of the Committee on Compulsory Insurance are at present under active consideration by the Departments concerned.
Selby Bridge
asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the Selby Urban District Council has recently expressed alarm at the delay in providing a toll-free bridge; and whether he can now say when work will be commenced on the arterial road and when the present bridge will be freed?
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am not yet in a position to give the information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks.