asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in connection with the inspection by His Majesty the King of the Home Fleet on 21st and 22nd June, it is proposed that the vessels shall, before or after the review, visit the Thames; and, if so, whether he can state the arrangements?

I regret that it will not be possible to arrange for ships of the Home Fleet to visit the Thames this summer.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many workers in the torpedo factory at Greenock are affected by the decision of the Admiralty, under which industrial employés not covered by existing contributory schemes may arrange for contributions to local hospital funds by means of deductions from their pay; whether this decision will apply to new entrants; and whether he can give the total number of workers throughout the country affected by this decision?

According to the latest returns available, the total number of industrial employés in Admiralty establishments at home is approximately 64,000. It is not possible, without extensive and detailed inquiry, to say how many of these workpeople will be affected by the opportunity to make their contributions through the medium of the centralised machinery mentioned in my reply of 9th March. The number of industrial employés at Greenock affected is approximately 3,200, of whom 1,587 already make contributions by means of deductions from pay. The remainder will be in a position to avail themselves of the new facilities, which will apply also to new entrants.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether these new facilities will be available both to industrial and non-industrial workers?

Not at the moment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many unexploded filled mines have been trawled or washed ashore in the British Isles during the three years ended to the last convenient date; and what special measures are at present being taken to clear unexploded mines from the bottom of the ocean in localities where the risk still remains?

No special measures are being taken to clear unexploded mines from the bottom of the ocean. In this connection I may point out that a filled mine is not in itself a danger unless fitted with primer and firing mechanism in an efficient state. For the three years ending June, 1936, Admiralty records show that the number of explosive filled mines washed ashore or reported as being trawled up was 14. None of these could have been made to explode through its own mechanism. In these circumstances it was thought unnecessary that reports of mines collected should be made to the Admiralty, and I have, therefore, no figures later than June, 1936.

Were any lives lost in trawling for these mines?

No, Sir. The 14 mines drawn up in the three years before June, 1936, would not explode of their own accord, and in order to destroy them, new primers had to be fitted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give any information in connection with the stolen metal from Portsmouth dockyard and what kind of metal was stolen?

On Monday, 7th March, 1938, on the coppersmith's shop at Portsmouth Dockyard being opened for the commencement of work, it was discovered that during the weekend several gunmetal bearings and a number of brazing sticks had been removed from the shop. The matter was immediately placed in the hands of the Dockyard Police and investigations were made in close co-operation with the Portsmouth city police, and, on 10th March, the whole of the lost metal was discovered buried in the Farlington Marshes just outside Portsmouth. Since then two men have been arrested in connection with the theft, and were brought before the Justices at the Guildhall, Portsmouth, on Saturday, 12th March. They have been remanded in custody.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now give information respecting the number of serving commissioned officers who have risen from the ranks; the number of commissioned officers who have been promoted from the ranks during the past 10 years; and what percentage this represents?

The number of serving commissioned officers who have risen from the ranks is 986. This figure is 16 per cent. of the number of serving commissioned officers. The number of commissioned officers who have been promoted from the ranks in the last 10 years is 919. The term "commissioned officer" has been used throughout as including commissioned officers from warrant rank.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman satisfied with this percentage?

Yes, Sir. The scheme of promotion from the ranks has been made use of last year. I intend to make a statement on the subject during the Estimates Debate to-morrow.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman really satisfied with the fact that 84 per cent. of the officers are not drawn from the rank and file but recruited only through what are, after all, financial channels?

I think this matter had better be discussed during the Debate to-morrow.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why petty officers who qualify for rating pilot, under the recently issued regulations, are only to be paid flying pay of 5s. per day, whereas officers of or below the rank of lieutenant-commander are paid 6s. per day, observing that the ratings will be performing the same duties as officers, and that officers' substantive pay is much larger than that of ratings?

I am unable to accept the hon. Member's suggestion that officers and rating pilots will perform identical duties. Those of the rating pilots will not call for the same degree of responsibility, training and knowledge, as those of officers, and this difference is reflected both in the substantive and in the non-substantive rates of pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider the issue of free railway warrants to naval boys when proceeding on long leave, as has recently been decided for the Army, in view of the distance of many of their homes from the training establishments and ships and the comparatively large expense of railway fares from the pay of boys?

I intend to make an announcement on the subject during the discussion on the Naval Estimates to-morrow.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number of executive officers at present undergoing each of the various specialist staff courses, and the total; and the number of officers commissioned from the lower deck in each course, and the total?

As the information requested can be best given in the form of a table, I will, with the

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Effendi Khalidi, the inspector of co-operative societies in Palestine, who has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment for supplying money and arms to the Arab bands, has been dismissed from his post; and will that post now be filled by a British official?

This officer was detained on 21st January under the Defence Regulations. He has since been dismissed from the Service with effect from 22nd February. I understand that it is not proposed to fill the resulting vacancy by the appointment of a British officer.

Is he under a sentence of three months' imprisonment?

No, he is under preventive arrest.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received information from Palestine indicating that arrangements are now completed for the municipal loan required by Tel Aviv in order to enable certain urgent work in connection with hospitals and other matters to be carried out?

The most urgent works for which the municipal corporation of Tel Aviv desire to raise a loan are a new water supply and drainage system estimated to cost more than £1,000,000. With the assistance of the Palestine Government, negotiations were undertaken for a loan of this amount, but, owing to the disturbed state of the country and the uncertainty of the future, these negotiations have, I regret to say, not been successful, and it has been ascertained that there is now no possibility of Tel Aviv raising a loan in London at the present time. I understand that inquiries are proceeding with regard to the possibility of raising a loan of smaller amount in Palestine for the purpose of meeting the most immediate and pressing needs of the town.

In view of the grave possibilities of an outbreak, since there are approximately 135,000 persons there with no drainage system at all, are the Government doing their part in helping the authorities to obtain the requisite loans for health and other purposes?

Certainly, we do all we can. There is a fairly good water supply, but, as the hon. Member knows, particularly in the summer, water-borne sewerage is not essential. The great thing is to remedy as soon as possible the urgent matters and to improve the existing state of affairs.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not regard the drainage system, of which there appears to be none, in Tel Aviv as of the most vital importance, in view of the climate?

Oh yes, it is obviously desirable to have water and drainage schemes covering the whole of this municipality, but obviously it is a very big undertaking, as the town has grown so rapidly. There is a series of subordinate local schemes. But I quite agree with the idea.

Will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Government to give the money for this purpose?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet received a report from Palestine with regard to the position of those Jewish residents in the suburbs of Tel Aviv which come under the municipal administration of Jaffa; and whether any remedial action is being taken with regard to their position?

On the general question I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 23rd February, and as regards certain individual cases, I am still awaiting the report for which I have asked the High Commissioner.

Do we understand that the High Commissioner is examining these complaints that have been made by the people resident there?

Yes. I asked him to do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to the social conditions in the Karton quarter of Jaffa; and what action has been taken to improve the housing, draining, and lighting services?

I have no information about the conditions to which the hon. Member refers, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a postion to make a further statement as to the situation in Palestine and the suppression of terrorist activities?

There has been no material change in the situation since my last statement. I have received a report of a major encounter with an armed gang west of Jenin on 4th March, in which 60 or 70 Arabs are believed to have been killed and 16 prisoners were taken, with 17 rifles, 11 bombs, and a quantity of ammunition.

Can the Minister say whether the position is improving or otherwise?

Since that encounter there has been a further encounter, of which I can probably give particulars next week, near Safed. A good many outbreaks are going on in the country.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the party of mounted Arab constables who were attacked at Taffuha, near Hebron, and suffered casualties, lost any rifles or prisoners; and were any British officers or constables present with this party?

No loss of rifles or prisoners has been reported. I have not the information that would enable me to answer the last that of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present position with regard to the case of the ex-Mufti of Jerusalem, near Beyrout; whether he is aware that the ex-Mufti is receiving a substantial monthly subsidy from foreign sources and is now directing terrorist operations from French Syria; and what representations have been made to the French Government on the subject?

I understand that Haj Amin is kept under surveillance by the French authorities in Syria. The High Commissioner for Palestine has received information from time to time regarding alleged political activities on the part of the Mufti, and this matter is engaging the attention of His Majesty's Government in close consultation with the French authorities, both in Paris and Damascus.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that no money is reaching the ex-Mufti from foreign sources?

I cannot be that, as he is not living in territory under British control. He is under the surveillance of the French authorities, and all that we can do is to make representations to the Government in Paris and through our Consul in Damascus.

Is this one of the matters which is being discussed with the Italian Government at the present time?

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask Sir Ronald Storrs whether the ex-Mufti is getting supplies from foreign sources?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with reference to the appointment of an Army officer to command No. 4 Squadron, Royal Air Force, whether reports as to his suitability for such command were obtained from the officers commanding the squadron, station and group in which he served while attached to the Royal Air Force; and what was the nature of these reports?

No special reports were obtained but full consideration was given to all relevant information concerning the officer's suitability for command, including the reports made upon him during his previous service with the Royal Air Force. As regards the second part of the question, reports rendered on officers relating to their official duties are confidential and cannot be divulged.

May I ask, without casting any reflection on this officer, whether it is not a fact that there are other officers in the Air Force who are capable of doing this particular work?

I do not think that that arises out of the question. My hon. Friend asked me a question about a particular officer which I answered.

Can my Noble Friend say whether it is a fact that an assurance was given in the House about three months ago that reports of incidents of this kind could always be obtained, and whether in this case no report has been obtained?

I have said that consideration was given to all relevant information. I can, however, inform my hon. Friend that consideration is being given to a different system of obtaining reports in future. I can say that without reflecting on the suitability of this particular officer.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is now in a position to make any further statement in regard to the alleged sabotage of aircraft at Ringway aerodrome?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what steps have been taken to utilise the manufacturing resources of Canada for the supply of aircraft?

It has been considered necessary to rely upon the resources of aircraft production in this country for the purposes of quantity production of new types required to carry out the present expansion programme. Attention is, however, being given to the possibilities of utilising Canadian resources of aircraft production in emergency. The fact that the programme of construction now being carried out in Canada to meet the requirements of the Canadian Government includes several types of British service aircraft, is providing valuable experience and promotes liaison in technical matters.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether appropriate schemes of balloon barrages are in existence for the protection of industrial centres and populations on the North-East Coast?

No, Sir. It has already been stated that the provision of balloon units for the protection of areas outside London will be considered in the light of the experience gained in the development of the London barrage. Until this stage is reached it would be premature to draw up detailed schemes for the protection of other areas, but the subject is under active consideration.

Is the Minister aware that several months ago I made an offer to the Air Ministry on behalf of a number of industrialists connected with the Tyne-side Industrial Board that they were prepared to erect factories on the Tyneside at their own charge for the purpose of producing balloon barrage plants, and that this offer was turned down on the ground that it would be redundant?

However that may be, it does not alter the validity of the answer which I have given that this matter will be considered in the light of the experience gained in the development of the London barrage.

Are we to understand that there must be a war first before the barrage is considered for other areas?

I am sure that the hon. Gentleman would not wish to do me an injustice, but that would be an unfair comment on my answer. This is a novel form of defence, and it is desired to try the effect of it when it is in full operation.

In view of the importance of the industrial population on the Tyneside in the event of an emergency, when does the Noble Lord expect to be able to say what steps will be taken?

I cannot give a definite date, but perhaps it will interest the House to know that recruitment of the auxiliary personnel for the barrage is expected to start in May this year, and I hope the response will be very considerable.

That is for the barrage around London.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what progress has been made with the preparation of the proposed landing ground at Steinish, near Stornoway; and when the Stornoway air service is likely to begin?

No further progress has been made with the site in question on account of the cost involved, but I am informed that negotiations have recently been opened between Scottish Airways and the Stornoway Trust with a view to determining the possibilities of developing at less cost an alternative site a little further inland than Steinish.

Is the Minister aware that there is an efficient air service operating to almost every rock off the west of Scotland and that to this island, which is the most important island, there is no service at all?

The Air Ministry has been giving its technical advice and assistance, and development is a matter for the local authorities.

In view of the fact that the Minister says that the cost is prohibitive, will he get some financial assistance as well as technical advice?

In accordance with the recommendation of the Maybury Committee, the policy of the Government is not to give financial assistance for the establishment of aerodromes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have now been taken by his Department to secure the construction of British all-metal medium-sized air-liners?

A satisfactory design has been produced for a 12 to 17 seater machine of 16,000 to 18,000 lbs. all-up weight, and it is hoped that the first prototype of this design will be completed this year, and that the machine will be put into production next year provided sufficient orders are received. A draft specification for a 24-seater machine of 24,000 to 26,000 lbs. all-up weight has been prepared and referred for criticism to the operating companies likely to require an aircraft of this size. As soon as their views have been received, steps will be taken to settle the final form of the specification, and to secure designs to meet it.

With regard to the former of the two machines, the smaller one, can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether a contract has been placed for any of these machines by the Air Ministry?

The Air Ministry have placed no orders so far.

Do they intend to do so, or are they leaving it, against the advice of the Cadman Committee, to private enterprise?

At the moment it is being undertaken by the firm.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total amount of money that was paid to Imperial Airways, Limited, out of Air Ministry funds during the Government financial years 1935, 1936 and 1937, and the present estimated amount for 1938?

The total amounts paid during the financial years 1935 and 1936 were £431,500 and £417,300. It is estimated that £740,600 and £1,297,000 will be paid during the financial years 1937 and 1938, respectively.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to a recent decision by the Appeal Tribunal under the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933, whereby traffic which has been carried on for 10 years has been: withdrawn from two firms of road hauliers without compensation; and whether he will consider the introduction of amending legislation to deal with this and similar cases?

I have seen in the Press a report of the decision to which I presume the hon. Member refers, and I have the whole matter under consideration. No proposals for amendment of the law relating to the powers and duties of the Appeal Tribunal have been made to me by any national association as a result of this decision.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these two firms had a capital of £10,000 and employed 40 men, and that by a Nazi and arbitrary decision of this tribunal the whole thing has closed down?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the great concern of haulage contractors in the north with regard to this decision, and will he give it his personal attention?

I have already assured the House that the whole matter is under my consideration. The difficulty is that when the Road and Rail Traffic Act was passed it was the wish of Parliament that this tribunal should be completely independent. Accordingly, the tribunal is independent and has given a decision. I am aware of the consequences of that decision and am considering the matter.

Is it not a fact that the right hon. Gentleman has accepted the report of the Transport Advisory Council that each trader should have a free choice of the transport that he desires, and what becomes of that suggestion if there is simply going to be one form of transport left? What is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to do in the matter?

Was it not owing to the dissatisfaction of the road industry with the appeal to the Minister direct under the 1930 Road Traffic Act that the independent tribunal was set up?

It is sufficient for the moment to say that the tribunal by the Act is completely independent and its decisions are final. I, am aware' of the consequences of this decision, and, as I have told the House, I am giving the matter personal consideration.

May I give notice that I will raise this matter on the Adjournment at the first available opportunity?

asked the Minister of Transport whether the reports received from his technical officers indicate that experimental sections of rubber paving that have been laid down have shown satisfactory results; and will he consider recommending to the various highway authorities that further experiments be undertaken with this commodity?

Tests of rubber paving have indicated that it has a low resistance to skidding, but further trials are in progress with which my technical officers are keeping in touch.

Can the Minister say whether it compares favourably with other materials in other respects?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he proposes to take further action regulating or restricting cyclists on the high road?

I am expecting at an early date a report from the Transport Advisory Council on the possibility of further measures for securing road safety in connection with cyclists?

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that that report will lead to the exclusion of cyclists from the roads?

I do not propose to anticipate the report. I hope the report will be in my hands in about a month's time, and I should imagine that a few days after that the hon. Member would know something about it.

asked the Minister of Transport whether a decision has yet been arrived at following the representations of the local inhabitants that the 30 miles per hour speed limit should be re-imposed on the new Glasgow-Edinburgh Road passing through Carntyne?

No, Sir. I have felt it necessary to arrange for a local inquiry to be held into this matter, and arrangements have been made for it to be held on the 29th March.