asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the estimated cost of Dartmouth College this year; the number of cadets under training; the number of staff; the number of cadets whose parents are paying the full fees; the amount of the full fees; the numbers entered under the various rates of reduced fees and the amounts of the reduced fees; the number of vacancies offered for Dartmouth cadets at the last entry; and the number of applicants and of those rejected for medical, educational and other reasons, respectively?

The estimated cost to Navy Votes of the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, in the current financial year, is £112,940. The number of cadets at present under training is 482, and of the staff, 326. I will send to the hon. Member separately the information for which he asks with regard to the fees paid. For the last entry into the college 45 vacancies were offered. Applicants totalled 115, of whom 70 were selected by the Interview Committee to sit for the examination, but of this number nine were found medically unfit, so that 61 took the examination. Of the 45 not selected for the examination, six were medically unfit.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say exactly how many of those who were accepted were drawn from public and secondary schools?

Not without notice.

When were commanding officers in the Navy last asked to report their views on the relative merits of the Dartmouth and public school systems of entry?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of writer and supply ratings, respectively, who have passed the higher educational test for officer rank; and the number of each branch between the ages of 24 and 30 who have qualified professionally for officer rank; and his objections to a scheme of early promotion to commissioned rank for these branches, observing that such a scheme was instituted in the Royal Australian Navy 11 years ago, and that in the British Navy last year 26 ratings in other branches were promoted to commissioned rank?

As there is no scheme for the direct promotion of ratings in the writer and supply branches to commissioned rank, the question of their being qualified either professionally or educationally for that rank does not arise. With regard to the third part of the question, the hon. Member will observe that, in the reply given to him on this subject on 17th February, 1937, it was stated that commissioned officers of the accountant branch are required to supervise the activities of several specialised branches, and that it would take a rating promoted from the lower deck at least 2½ years to learn these duties. After careful consideration, the Admiralty have reached the conclusion that a special scheme for the instruction of ratings in these duties would not be justified. I hope, however, to make an announcement in the course of the Debate on the Navy Estimates regarding improved prospects of promotion of accountant branch ratings to commissioned rank through warrant rank.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he proposes now to give instructions that the additional troops stationed in Trinidad since the departure of the Commission to England shall be withdrawn?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements are being made for the withdrawal of the troops on 29th March, unless the situation unexpectedly deteriorates before that date.

Is there any reason for further apprehension?

None that I have heard of. I think the situation is very satisfactory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the final report of the Commission of inquiry appointed in 1937 in the island of St. Lucia?

I do not think it desirable to lay this report on the Table of the House, but I am arranging for a copy to be placed in the Library.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what progress has been made in acquiring land for the land settlement in St. Kitts.

The Governor of the Leeward Islands has submitted proposals which are at present under consideration.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when it will be possible to make a further announcement?

It is very largely a question of finance. The existing land settlement scheme was only carried out with the help of the Colonial Development Fund, from which a part of the cost was paid, amounting to about £4,000.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any wage-fixing machinery exists in the island of St. Kitts; and whether wages have been increased since the date of the increase of the preference on sugar in 1932?

Legislation has recently been enacted enabling the Governor of the Leeward Islands to fix a minimum rate of wage for any occupation in St. Kitts or in any other Presidency of the Colony. As regards the second part of the question, I understand that the wages and salaries of employés of the sugar factory were increased in 1932, and that in the case of field labourers a bonus was distributed on some cane-growing estates in 1934.

Is not this a matter which the Colonial Office itself might pursue, with a view to seeing that, once an Ordinance has been passed, it is actually put into operation?

That, obviously, is in the first instance a matter for the local Governor. I can only assent to the Act, once it is passed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman receive reports from the Governors on these matters?

I receive fairly regular reports from time to time.

When the right Gentleman says that it is for the Governor to operate the Act, does he mean that he himself has no responsibility in the matter?

No, but the power rests in the Governor to put the Act into operation, and it is for the Governor to act.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is taking steps to set up the Royal Commission on emigration to and settlement in the West Indies recommended by the commission on labour disturbances in Barbados?

As I stated on 9th February, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Shipley (Mr. Creech Jones), I am awaiting the considered proposals of the Colonial Government on the recommendations of the commission. While the desirability of providing outlets for the excess population in Barbados is fully recognised, it appears very doubtful whether so large a number of persons as 20,000 could be found willing to emigrate. In any event, I am doubtful whether the appointment of a Royal Commission is the best way of endeavouring to find some solution of this problem.

Has the right hon. Gentleman abandoned the idea of setting up any form of inquiry at any time? If I put a question down later, will he give a more definite reply?

No, I think it would be wrong to adduce that. Certainly, I think a Royal Commission is out of the question. It is a question of finding out (a) whether any of the people of Barbados wish to emigrate, and (b) if they do, whether they can be accommodated in St. Lucia, British Guiana or some other part of the West Indies. That is entirely a question for technical examination, and I do not think a commission could possibly help.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will publish or otherwise make available to Members recent reports on nutrition in Barbados and Jamaica?

I am arranging for copies of the reports to be placed in the Library of the House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman have regard to the very disturbing character of such reports as have already been published, and the desire of a very large number of Members to have the terms of these reports made public?

I am most anxious, before I do anything on these matters, to have the advice of the Special Nutrition Committee here, which is receiving the report. Sir John Orr and other experts on nutrition are preparing these reports from the different parts of the Colonial Empire, and before we come to a judgment I think it is highly desirable that we should have the reports.

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the possibility of some collective publication at a not too distant date?

I will certainly consider the question of publishing the main committee's report and such extracts from the others as would be helpful.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what measures, if any, have been adopted during the past seven years to ameliorate the low wages and bad social conditions in His Majesty's West Indian possessions, as revealed in the Olivier Report to the Colonial Office in 1930?

It is clearly impossible within the limits of question and answer to review the whole question of wages and social conditions in the many islands in the West Indies over a period of seven years; but if there are particular points on which the hon. Member desires specific information, I will do my best to obtain it from the local Governments.

Has any report been received which deals with the matter?

I have been answering a large number of questions upon these various matters and, in every case have given the answers to the specific questions. If the hon. Member requires any further information than has been given in my answers, he should put down a question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is taking any steps, other than the appointment of an industrial adviser, to find a remedy for the low wages paid to the workers in the sugar and oil industries of Trinidad?

No, Sir. The whole question of wages and working conditions will be examined within the industries concerned, with the advice and assistance of the new Industrial Adviser, and no other action by myself in this matter would appear to be desirable at present.

Can any explanation be given as to why the rates of wages in Trinidad for workers on sugar estates average about 1s. 6d. a day against 3s. for workers in the oil industry?

Certainly, Sir. The oil industry provides a very different kind of work. As is almost universally the case, lower wages are paid in the agricultural industry, and it is a question, particularly in the sugar industry, whether the industry will close down or not, or whether there will be any employment of any kind. The wages in every industry, as in this country, must be a matter of collective bargaining and be fixed according to the capacity of the industry to pay. The oil industry is profitable, and the sugar industry is barely profitable.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the quota of Jewish immigrants into Palestine authorised in the years 1935, 1936, and 1937; and an estimate of the number of Jews who entered the country without permission in those years?

As the answer is a long one, and includes a number of figures, I will, with the permission of the hon. and gallant Member, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Jewish persons of German nationality have been deported from Palestine to Germany since March, 1933; how many such deportations have been preceded by judicial inquiry or trial; and will he give instructions that, in future, Jewish persons of German nationality who have committed an offence should be dealt with otherwise than by deportation if possible, and that, if deportation is unavoidable, such deportation should take place to or through some country willing to grant such deportees an asylum?

Twenty-six Jews of German nationality were deported from Palestine during the four years 1934–1937, 22 for contravention of the provisions of the Immigration Ordinance and four for other offences. A recommendation of a court is not required in all cases and I am unable to say in how many of these cases such a recommendation was made. I regret that I cannot see my way to issue instructions in the sense desired by the hon. Member. I understand that every effort is made by the Palestine Government to minimise hardship by deferring execution of the deportation order when the deportee is making efforts to find another country of asylum.

Would the right hon. Gentleman remind the authorities that an order for deportation for Germany may be a very much more severe punishment than deportation in any ordinary circumstances?

I should make it quite clear that there is no question of deportation to Germany. We are bound under the Mandate to control immigration, and there has been a great deal of illegal immigration. When an immigration order has been contravened, the immigrant must be repatriated. He cannot be sent anywhere else in the world.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the position of Jewish inhabitants resident in those suburbs of Tel Aviv which come under the municipal administration of Jaffa; and whether, in view of the fact that these inhabitants are compelled to pay municipal taxes to Jaffa without receiving normal municipal service in return, he will now take steps to incorporate the suburbs in question with Tel Aviv?

I am aware that certain of the residents in Jaffa have, ostensibly for political reasons, refused to pay rates and have obstructed the municipal council in the carrying out of its duties and responsibilities. The Palestine Royal Commission have recommended the establishment of a corridor between Jaffa and Tel Aviv, and while this and other possibilities in connection with partition are under examination, it is not considered appropriate to take up the question of any rectification of boundaries between the two municipal councils.

In view of the fact that there are 800 buildings and 2,000 persons receiving few or none of the municipal services, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the new High Commissioner should consider this great problem?

It is all a question of where you are going to draw the line between Jaffa and Tel Aviv. Until you can get that determined, it is quite obvious that the ratepayers and residents in Jaffa have the same status as all other ratepayers, and they must continue to pay their rates to the responsible authority.

In view of the allegation that these services are not provided exclusively for the Jewish population, who do normally pay their rates, will the right hon. Gentleman consider this particular point of view of municipal boundaries, pending more permanent determination by the Commission?

I must make it clear that I have never heard it suggested that the Jews in Jaffa do not get precisely the same services from the Jaffa municipality as the Christians and the Arabs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the fact that, when certain Jewish merchants resident in those suburbs of Tel Aviv which come under the administration of Jaffa recently applied for municipal licences, they were asked to pay their taxes and to sign a declaration that they were opposed to incorporation with Tel Aviv, and that when they declined, the licences were refused and they were fined; and can he take steps to protect these individuals?

I have no information about this matter, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report.

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that the report is based upon facts that they have been fined for not signing this document, will he have the matter reconsidered by the new High Commissioner when he commences his duties?

I must await the receipt of the report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the applications for the post of clerk interpreter for service in Zomba, Nyasaland, are confined to Europeans, in view of the fact that African interpreters have been employed for many years past?

The appointment is necessitated by the rapidly growing work of translating technical, scientific and legal documents and books into local vernaculars. This work requires a higher knowledge of English than is possessed at present, so far as is known, by any native of Nyasaland.

Are we to take it from the answer that the applications of natives fitted for these posts will no longer be considered?

Oh, no. This is a particular post for the translation of particular work, and we cannot find a native in Nyasaland to do this high-grade work.

Do I take it that natives will be considered for such work in Nyasaland?

Of course, they will; but not for this particular thing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the wages of labourers employed on works financed by the Colonial Development Fund in British Honduras; and whether there has been any recent increase consequent upon the increased cost of living?

Up to 30th September, 1937, the latest date for which figures are available, the rates paid for unskilled labour employed on works (mainly road improvement) financed from the Colonial Development Fund in British Honduras ranged from 75 cents (at present 3s.) to one dollar per day, and, as the hon. Member is doubtless aware, practically all the labour employed on these works falls into this category. I have received no information from the Governor as to any rise in the cost of living in British Honduras.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the terms of the settlement of the land dispute with the Belize Estate and Produce Company have yet been published in the colony of British Honduras; whether the company has asked for the monopoly of the felling of mahogany in the Crown forests; and whether the interests of the natives who fell and sell mahogany to other buyers will be considered and safeguarded?

So far as I am aware, the agreement in question has not been published. It does not, however, as the hon. Member seems to imply, relate in any way to mahogany felling, which is governed by the Forest Ordinance and Rules made thereunder. The Belize Estate and Produce Company has not asked for a monopoly for the felling of mahogany in Crown forests, nor is there any intention to grant them one. In these circumstances, the third part of the question would not appear to arise.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, arising out of his reply to a petition of over 2,000 signatories in Belize, who complained of the heavy indebtedness of the Colony of British Honduras and the need to establish new industries, any schemes of economic reconstruction have been recommended to him by the Government of British Honduras?

Both before and since the receipt of the petition in question, the Government of British Honduras has been engaged in the consideration of schemes for the economic development of that colony. During the last year financial assistance has been given from the Colonial Development Fund for improving means of communication and for the promotion of schemes for the development of fruit-growing. Exports of bananas have increased from 264,000 bunches in 1935 to about 1,000,000 bunches in 1937, and those of grapefruit from about 13,000 cwts. in 1934 to 19,000 cwts. in 1936.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to announce the membership of the commission that is to inquire into the cocoa position in West Africa?

Yes, Sir. The commission will be composed as follows:

Mr. William Nowell, C.M.G., C.B.E., formerly Director of the East African Agricultural Research Station, Amani (chairman);

Mr. Rupert Thompson of Messrs. William James and Henry Thompson, Produce Brokers, of Mincing Lane; and

Mr. C. A. Irving, one of the Marketing Officers in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries; with

Mr. Eugene Melville of the Colonial Office as secretary.

The commission has provisionally arranged to sail for West Africa on 9th March.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the tonnage and value of iron ore exported from Malaya in 1936 and 1937, and its principal destinations?

The total exports from the Malay States in 1936 were 1,610,000 tons valued at £736,000, and in the first 11 months of 1937 they were 1,450,000 tons valued at £786,000. The mines are under Japanese control and virtually all the exports go to Japan.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Air Ministry instructions directing pilots to fly during bad visibility at specified heights for specified courses, with a view to preventing collisions, fail to take account of the fact that as between say England and Germany there may be in certain weather conditions a difference of atmospheric pressure on the ground equivalent to a difference of height in the air of as much as 600 feet, so that converging aircraft within the three-mile limit off the British coast might in fact be flying at the same height although their altimeters showed a difference in height, and that the instructions are therefore dangerous; and whether he will cause them to be withdrawn and re-issued with a table of corrections to a given datum for a given district?

Adjustments to the altimeter, which is fitted in the standard instrument panel of service aircraft and used by the majority of civil aircraft, to allow for variations of barometric pressure can and should be made by pilots while in flight, and constitute an adequate safeguard in the circumstances visualised. Information as to barometric pressure can be obtained from all local meteorological stations before starting the flight or in Britain from the Borough Hill broadcast system every hour or on request from any Air Ministry Control Station while in the air.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what action he is taking in regard to the complaints as to the treatment of officers serving at the Air Ministry in the Department of Civil Aviation?

A certain number of complaints have, during the past 12 months, been made depart-mentally and have been dealt with. My Noble Friend is, however, having a further inquiry made into the conditions in the directorate.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say what is the nature of the inquiry which his Noble Friend is making? Is it a commission of inquiry, or what is the nature of the inquiry which is proceeding?

No, Sir, it is in no sense a big commission of inquiry. It is merely an inquiry connected with Departmental working.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman think that it is desirable that this inquiry should be held by people who are quite outside the Department, any Service Department or any Government Office? May I ask for a reply on that point?

I am not suggesting that the inquiry is merely being carried out with the personnel within the Department. What I meant was that there is not a big Commission sitting.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman, after consulting his Noble Friend, consider whether he cannot inform the House of the precise nature of the inquiry which is taking place, and will he say who are the people concerned in making the inquiry?

To ask the Under-Secretary of State for Air when a start is expected to be made with the new buildings for the Royal Air Force at Speke, in view of the fact that the auxiliary air force squadron stationed there is very badly housed?

On a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. May I draw your attention to the fact that the Auxiliary Air Force is a separate armed force of the Crown and as such ought to be entitled to capital letters on the Order Paper?

Alternative schemes for the provision of permanent accommodation at Speke are under consideration, and pending a final decision in the matter, interim measures are being taken to improve the conditions at this aerodrome.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many squadrons are equipped with the Hawker Hurricane aircraft; and whether the delivery is in every way satisfactory?

I regret that it would not be in the public interest to give the information asked for in the first part of the question. Deliveries are coming forward satisfactorily.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air when the new Spitfire aircraft will be delivered into regular service?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stockport (Mr. Hulbert) on Wednesday last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the use of British bombing aeroplanes in Southern Arabia during the past 12 months; and whether, during such period, British aeroplanes have been engaged in bombing operations in any territory in Southern Arabia which is not under British control?

The Royal Air Force Squadron at Aden has been used during the past 12 months for normal Service training and for co-operation with the political authorities in maintaining order in the Protectorate. Air operations have been conducted on eight occasions against tribes who have defied authority following crimes of violence. These operations were followed in all cases by a return to submission to authority. On three occasions this was secured by demonstration flights alone; on the other five occasions the villages of the tribes concerned were bombed after the usual protracted warnings which enabled evacuation to be undertaken. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that public opinion in this country is against the use of bombing aeroplanes against native populations, he will take steps to check this practice?

We should be prepared to stop bombing from the air altogether if others would agree to do the same.

In view of the fact that the use of bombing aeroplanes for this purpose does not depend upon the international situation, cannot that decision be made in respect of our own territories?

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether he will call a conference of representatives of the local authorities within an approximate 50-mile radius of Manchester, the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company, and the London and North Eastern Railway Company for the purpose of considering the need of unified control of transport and the construction of an electric railway system radiating over the whole area;

(2) whether it is his policy to encourage the organising of regional control of transport where it is essential; and what steps are being taken, or are contemplated, with a view of securing regional organisation and control?

I am always ready to give sympathetic consideration to any sound scheme for promoting co-ordination and increased efficiency in transport services. It is for the local government authorities and transport interests concerned to take the initiative in the establishment of a regional scheme.

As there is great need for organisation of the kind suggested in the question in the area referred to, will the Minister adopt a policy which will stimulate action of this kind in areas where it is so required?

I shall be glad to receive suggestions. I think that the area which the hon. Member mentions in Question No. 39 is an extremely wide one—wider than anything that has yet been suggested—but if plans come before me, they will receive careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consult with the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence, the President of the Board of Trade, and other interested people on the desirability of deepening, widening, and extending the Manchester Ship Canal to meet the River Humber?

No such scheme has been proposed to me by the responsible authorities, and having regard to the physical difficulties in the way of such an extension of the Ship Canal, I cannot see that any useful purpose would be served by my taking the course suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that had the course that he is adopting been adopted 50 years ago, the Manchester Ship Canal would never have been built? Is there not great need for initiative to be taken by Government Departments with a view to the preparation of public work in matters of this kind?

Manchester is connected with the Humber by canals and barges. What the hon. Member suggests is a ship canal in a direct line between the Manchester Ship Canal and the Humber, which would involve going through the Pennines.

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the great strategic value of a proposal of this character and also what has been done in other countries in matters of this kind?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make inquiries of the London Passenger Transport Board as to whether they propose to extend the superannuation scheme which is now in operation for some of their employés to all workers on their regular staff?

The board inform me that all members of both sexes of their clerical, technical and supervisory staffs, who are not already members of an existing superannuation, endowment or pensions fund can become members of the London Transport (Administrative and Supervisory) Staff Superannuation Fund; the only exceptions are those debarred through ill-health or age. The board state that every member of the staff of whatever category who is not a member of one or other of the superannuation, endowment or pension funds to which the board contribute is, subject to the board's pleasure, eligible upon retirement to an ex gratia grant or pension, but that the financial burden of providing a pensions fund for the wages staff would be such that the board cannot contemplate incurring such an obligation at the present time.

Is it not a fact that many of the operating staff taken over from public authorities are at present on the pension scheme, and is it not possible, in view of the very large revenue and profits that are being made by the board, to give the same benefits to all their employés as are now enjoyed by many of them?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to give an increased grant to the Durham County Council to enable urgent alterations and repairs to roads and bridges in Weardale and Teesdale areas to be undertaken?

My Department has not, as yet, received any scheme for the improvement of roads or bridges in the Weardale or Teesdale areas. The rates of grant applicable to highway improvement schemes take into account both the relative financial position of each area and the type of work. The County of Durham is included among the authorities to which the highest rates apply.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make representations to the railway companies of this country to run cheap excursions from all over the country to Glasgow when the Empire Exhibition is opened in May this year, in order that thousands of persons in Britain who have heard of the River Clyde may have an opportunity of seeing it as well as the exhibition?

The railway companies, in conjunction with the exhibition authorities, have been giving careful consideration to the question of offering special fares and facilities in connection with the Empire Exhibition. A public announcement will, I am informed, be made very shortly.

Will the Minister use his influence to see that the railway companies grant every facility possible for people who visit the exhibition?

I am most anxious that the transport facilities for this important Empire Exhibition should be of the best possible character.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has recently made inquiry as to whether the abolition of tramway-car services and replacement by trolley omnibuses, is likely to be approved by municipal authorities throughout the country; and whether the policy of his Department is to be that privately-owned road-transport services should, as far as possible, be replaced by publicly-owned services?

I am glad to note that many authorities have already made this change or are preparing to do so, but I have made no general inquiry on the point referred to in the first part of the question. The question of replacing privately-owned road transport services by publicly-owned services, which is a very different matter, is in the first instance one for the local authority concerned and must in any case depend upon the circumstances of the particular area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the latest representations from the Forth Road Bridge Promotion Committee urging that a decision on the project should now be announced by the Government in view of increasing unemployment and better supplies of steel and other materials being obtainable; and whether he will make a statement on the matter?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has now considered the renewed appeal of the local authorities and the Forth Road Bridge Promotion Committee regarding the preliminary steps to be taken in connection with the proposed Forth road bridge; and whether he is now prepared to authorise this long-delayed proposal?

I am not in a position to add to the replies already given as to the Government's attitude towards this and similar projects.

May we take it that the right hon. Gentleman recognises the Promotion Committee as a body whose opinion should be given very careful consideration, and can he not take the initial step now of authorising the preliminary expenditure being incurred to be charged to the road account?

I have already said that I cannot add to the replies I have given as to the Government's attitude towards this and similar schemes, but I am perfectly willing to admit that the Forth Road Bridge Promotion Committee are a body whose views should have consideration, together with those of any other authorised body.

Does not the Minister consider the time is fast approaching, owing to the better position in the steel trade, when the construction of such bridges as this should be put in hand?

Does the Minister accept the views of the Promotion Committee as indicated in their letter and embodied in my question?

I am not prepared to add to the reply given with regard to this and similar projects.

asked the Minister of Transport what reports he has received upon the working of the electrically-controlled traffic signals at present being operated in Piccadilly Circus; is he satisfied that these experiments have proved successful; and is he considering introducing them at any other busy traffic points in the Metropolitan area?

The signals in Piccadilly Circus are working very satisfactorily and I am hoping that similar installations will be introduced at other busy points.

Can the Minister say what has been the result of tests made at the Elephant and Castle, and whether he is considering introducing them at that junction?

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway level-crossings still exist on the trunk roads under the control of his Department; what would be the approximate cost of their removal; and by what date it may be assumed that there will be none remaining?

There are 84 railway crossings and 31 colliery and other crossings remaining on trunk roads. My desire is progressively to remove them all. Having regard however to the numerous factors which must be taken into consideration in each case, it is not possible to give undertakings as to dates and times.

Has the Minister's attention been drawn to the level crossings in Hull?

No, Sir.

Does the initiative in the removal of these crossings come from his Department or from the local authority?

In a case of trunk roads the matter rests largely with my Department, but the actual details of a scheme must be worked out in conjunction with those on the spot. Trunk roads are up to 100 per cent. the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport, except for those areas which pass through a county borough.

Are we to understand that the Government are going to do nothing about level crossings?

asked the Minister of Transport what mileage of the trunk roads under his control, other than the mileage in built-up areas, is provided both with footpaths and grass margins suitable for ridden horses and driven livestock?

I regret that the information desired by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any road construction is in progress under the five-year road plan in the Island of Barra?

Plans and estimates for the improvement of 13 miles of the Class I road in the Island of Barra have been submitted by the Inverness County Council, and I have agreed that the county council should invite tenders so that the works can be put in hand as soon as possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman regard this as a matter of extreme urgency in view of the fact that the five-year plan, now three years old, is still only a plan?

It is difficult to put into operation the construction of roads until the county council have made plans.

Can we have an assurance from the Minister that he will bring pressure to bear on the county council to expedite this matter?

asked the Minister of Transport what is the cause of nearly three years delay in starting the five-year road plan on first-class roads in the outer isles of Inverness-shire?

Schemes have been prepared by the Inverness County Council for the improvement of 61½ miles of road in the Outer Isles. Work has already begun on 13 miles in Harris and tenders are being invited for the remainder. There has been no avoidable delay.

asked the Prime Minister what steps it is proposed to take to give effect to the Resolution of this House with respect to pensions disabilities of certain unmarried women?

asked the Prime Minister what steps he proposes to take to implement the Resolution of the House of 16th February relating to spinsters' pensions?

It has been decided to appoint a committee in accordance with the Resolution adopted last week. The membership and terms of reference will be announced in due course.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will arrange to publish all the recent relevant communications between the British and Italian Governments concerning the proposed negotiations?

No, Sir. I see no useful purpose which could be served by such publication.

In view of the profound difference in the accounts given of this communication by the Prime Minister and the late Foreign Secretary—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."] In view of the profound difference disclosed, is it not only fair that the House should have an opportunity of making up its own mind on the matter? Will the Prime Minister be good enough to answer?

The hon. Member's question is whether I will arrange to publish all the recent relevant communications between the British and Italian Governments in regard to the proposed negotiations. That is a very unreasonable request, and one entirely without precedent.

Did not the Prime Minister quote from certain documents, in the course of his speeches and, therefore, in accordance with Parliamentary practice should not these documents be laid?

I think the right hon. Gentleman is mistaken in saying that I quoted. I described some conversations which had taken place. I am within the recollection of the House that I did not actually quote words.

Is it not the practice of this House that if anything like extensive reference is made to certain documents, the House should have the right to see those documents?

Is it not the case that if a document is quoted and it is not in the public interest to publish it, it is not laid?

The Rule is that if an official document is quoted, that official document must be laid.

Did not the Prime Minister say in the Debate that he saw no objection to the documents being published?

If the hon. Member will look at the record of what I said—I have taken the trouble to look, in view of his question—he will see that what I said was that there was nothing in what had taken place that I should be afraid to publish, meaning to say that there was nothing of which I had any reason to be ashamed.

In view of the wide divergence of opinion between the Prime Minister and the ex-Foreign Secretary on the interpretation of particular documents, does not the Prime Minister consider that it would be in the public interest to settle that disagreement?

No, Sir. The suggestion of the hon. Member appears to be that the decision of the Government turned upon the interpretation of certain documents, on which, as he says, there is a difference of opinion between the late Foreign Secretary and his colleagues. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture last night told the House that, as far as he was concerned, he did not at any time feel himself under threat or duress. I have since asked the rest of my colleagues whether they share that opinion, and they have unanimously told me that none of them felt under threat or duress in taking the decision they did. In these circumstances, although it is obvious that words may be interpreted differently by different people, the real point as to whether the Government were influenced in their decision by a threat, is obviously answered.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government remain bound by the pledge of the late Foreign Secretary that anti-British propaganda must cease before Anglo-Italian negotiations can be entered upon?

I am not aware of any statement made by the late Foreign Secretary which could be regarded as a pledge binding His Majesty's Government of the kind suggested by the hon. Member. I have already explained to the House the principles on which these negotiations will be undertaken.

Did not the late Foreign Secretary in his speech to the House the other day make it perfectly clear that he regarded himself as pledged on behalf of the Government to this?

My recollection of what my right hon. Friend said was that he could not himself come and present to the House negotiations which were not in accordance with the views that he had previously expressed, but if the hon. Member can quote any words of my right hon. Friend which he thinks can fairly be considered as a pledge binding on the Government, I should be very glad to have them.

Is the Prime Minister aware that on 23rd December, the Noble Lord the Member for South Dorset (Viscount Cranborne) told the House that the Foreign Secretary had informed the Italian Government that we could not consider negotiations until anti-British propaganda had been withdrawn?

I shall be glad to look into that, but, at any rate, it does not appear to be a pledge to this House.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he is aware that there are in the town of Dumfries large works lying idle, formerly owned by the Arrol-Johnston and Aster Engineering Company, Limited; why these works have been neglected when large buildings are being erected in many parts of the country in connection with the rearmament programme; and whether he will endeavour to make early use of these works and thus avoid unnecessary building and also provide employment for the people of this part of the world?

Yes, Sir. The buildings referred to by the hon. Member have been brought to my notice on several occasions, and at the request of my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Sir H. Fildes) I have personally and at great length investigated the case with the assistance of the Service Departments. I regret that it has not been found possible to make use of them in connection with the current Defence Programme.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence the number of works and/or factories to be established in Monmouthshire by the Service Departments, the sites selected, and when the works will be commenced?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works on 20th December, 1937, regarding the factory to be erected at Usk in Monmouthshire. There are also proposals under consideration for the erection of another factory at a site in Monmouthshire, but I regret that it is not possible to make any further statement at this stage.

Has a definite decision been arrived at by the Government with regard to placing the second factory?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "a definite decision," but the final formalities have not yet been completed.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence (1) whether he has any information as to the means by which the terms of the Falmouth Report were in the hands of the German Government prior to its publication in this country;

(2) whether he has any information as to the means whereby a leading banking firm was made aware of the contents of the Falmouth Report six weeks before publication and was thus able to negotiate for the purchase of an option on the Fischer process of extracting oil from coal?

My attention has been called to allegations appearing in an organ of the Press to the same effect as the allegations contained in the hon. Member's questions. Inquiry was made with a view to testing the allegation contained in the second question, and the result was to show the allegation to be unfounded. All the information I have shows that the allegation in the first question is equally without foundation. In view of the serious statements made in these questions, I invite the hon. Member to give me all the information at his disposal in order that the matter may be throughly investigated.

Is it not the case that the report to which the Minister refers gives the name of the agent who went from England to discuss with the German Government the setting up of a company in this country subsidiary to the company in Germany?

The report which has been published speaks for itself. So far as I understand the hon. Member's question, there is no statement in the report which supports in any way the allegation contained in the hon. Member's question.

Is it not the case that it gives the name of the individual who acted as the agent for the company formed on this side, and who went to Germany about six weeks ago to make a deal? Is the Minister inquiring whether that individual is under observation or not?

I am entirely at a loss to know what the hon. Member's allegations are with reference to the report. If he will be good enough to give me the grounds on which he has based the allegations contained in his question, I will, as I have said, thoroughly investigate them.