asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the numbers, ranks, and capacities of the public relations staffs of the Admiralty, War Office, and Air Ministry, respectively?

The following are the particulars of the staff directly employed on publicity and public rela- tions in the Admiralty, War Office and Air Ministry:Admiralty:

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what changes are proposed in the Air Ministry in order to ensure supply for the increased air rearmament programme?

No major changes of organisation are contemplated but any such adjustments in and additions to the appropriate branches of the Air Ministry will be made as may be required to carry out the accelerated expansion of the Royal Air Force.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he is aware that the appointment of an Army officer to command No. 4 Squadron has caused resentment in the Service; and whether the appointment was made with the knowledge of and consent of the Secretary of State for Air?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As to the second part of the question, it is not the practice for individual appointments to the command of squadrons to be referred to the Secretary of State; but the general policy under which Army officers are eligible for appointment to command Army Cooperation Squadrons is one which has the full cognisance and approval of my Noble Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he proposes to include the balloon barrage in the air defences of the city of Manchester?

I am not in a position to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the Consett division of Durham (Mr. D. Adams) on 16th March.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether any decision has been reached to open general recruiting for the balloon-barrage section of the Auxiliary Air Force in all districts of the country?

No, Sir. It is hoped that the requisite personnel will be obtained in the localities closely concerned through the appropriate Territorial Force Associations.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (i) what steps are being taken to obtain the maximum output of machines in the aircraft industry; is the three-shift system to be put into operation; and has consideration been given to the points brought to his notice by the hon. Member for Stoke;(2) whether he will consult with the Minister of Labour, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the aircraft manufacturers, with a view to providing or renewing the payment of a subsistence allowance to workpeople who leave their homes by request of the Employment Exchange to be employed in aircraft factories at a certain distance from their homes?

These and other suggestions relating to the supply of labour for the accelerated programme fall within the scope of the joint discussion which my right hon. Friend the Minister for Co-ordination of Defence is inviting the representatives of employers and workpeople in the engineering industry to undertake.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will now remove the stipulation that applicants for a commission in the Royal Air Force must have obtained the school certificate or an equivalent certificate of education, and that entrance shall be open to all suitable applicants who can be trained to become efficient pilots or observers?

No, Sir. It would not be in the interests of the service or _of the individuals concerned to accept for training as pilots or observers candidates who had not reached a standard of educational attainment adequate to enable them to discharge those duties with efficiency.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will give particulars of any new cases of sabotage in the construction of aircraft that have been brought to his notice; and have any further protective measures been taken to guard these aircraft?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can make any statement in regard to the recent attempted sabotage of Battle aircraft at the Fairey Aviation Works, Stockport?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can give any information regarding further acts of sabotage to Royal Air Force planes at the Fairey Aviation Works, Stockport?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can give any information in connection with the sabotage in a war aeroplane factory at Stockport; what was the amount of damage done; and whether the war aeroplanes were being made for the Government?

Since the case of malicious damage which occurred at the Ringway Aerodrome last month, there have been further instances at the Stockport factory. The damage, which was discovered between 19th and 22nd March, was to the electric wires installed in four Battle aircraft. One of these aeroplanes was due for delivery to the Royal Air Force, and the other three were for Belgium. A further case of severed wires to an aircraft due for delivery to the Royal Air Force was reported by the Super-marine Aviation Company at Southampton on 17th March and a similar case by the Armstrong Whitworth Company at Baginton, near Coventry, on the 29th March. Police investigation is actively proceeding in each case.All aircraft manufacturers have been made aware of the problem and all practicable precautions are being taken. It will be appreciated, however, that it is a matter of the utmost difficulty to guarantee immunity against damage which can be inflicted in a few seconds by an ill-disposed person apparently engaged on his normal work. The main safeguard in this matter must always be the vigilance and loyalty of the workmen and staffs of the firms concerned and the present isolated cases of malicious damage, deplorable as they are, must not be allowed to conceal the fact that the spirit of the aircraft industry as a whole is excellent and that the material damage of this kind over a period of years has been remarkably small.I should add that there is no evidence to suggest that the malicious damage is to be attributed to any agent of a foreign Power.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he will consider the advisability of holding a review of the auxiliary air force during the coming summer?

I regret that owing to the pre-occupation of the staffs of Royal Air Force Commands and Units with operational training, it will not be practicable to adopt the suggestion put forward by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any decision has yet been reached on the establishment of a new base for the Empire services of Imperial Airways, Limited?

No, Sir. The various possibilities are receiving the most active consideration. They present many difficulties, but I am hopeful that it will prove possible to come to a conclusion before long.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what decision has been reached, and what development made, in connection with the proposed airport at Lullingstone, Kent?

As has already been announced in the Press the Southern Railway have decided not to establish an aerodrome at Lullingstone and the situation arising out of this decision is under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement with reference to the further development of the proposed Atlantic air service between Imperial Airways, Limited, and Pan-American Airways, Incorporated?

Yes, Sir. Representatives of the Governments concerned and of the operating companies attended a Conference in Dublin last week at which arrangements were made for setting up a complete organisation for the Wireless, Direction Finding, Meteorological and Safety requirements of the North Atlantic service.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air who pays the salary of the Chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors; if members of the society contribute towards the salary; if so, which members and how much, respectively; and if the Government contributes directly or indirectly?

The appointment of the Chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors is not an official appointment made by the Air Ministry or any other Government Department. I understand that the salary of the Chairman of the Society of British Aircraft Constructors is paid out of the funds of the Society and that these funds are provided by contributions from the members. The Society of British Aircraft Constructors is a trade association and the Government does not contribute to its funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Rae Committee has begun work; and if individuals coming before the committee will be assured of such immunity as will enable them to give their evidence fully and freely?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second that any person giving evidence before the Committee can do so fully and freely without fear of victimisation.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he has acted upon the recommendation of the Cadman Committee that the Air Ministry should form a representative advisory panel to determine the requirements for civil aircraft two years ahead?

My Noble Friend desires to give further consideration to the question whether it is necessary to set up a formal advisory panel as proposed by paragraph 55 of the Cadman Report, but it was stated in their covering observations to that report that the Government would seek in this matter the co-operation both of the aircraft operating companies and of the aircraft industry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that a British Airways machine crashed in a fog recently on Croydon airport; whether this machine was directed by the control to Heston airport; and whether the Lorenz system at Heston airport was working and available for the pilot?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the accident referred to. I am informed that the landing at Croydon was in accordance with instructions given by a representative of the operating company. As regards the last part of the question the Lorenz beacon is not at present operating at Heston but steps are being taken to extend the aerodrome with a view to facilitating its use.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the numbers of privately-owned aircraft in this country and any other countries in Europe, respectively, for which figures are available, at the last convenient date?

The number of privately-owned aircraft in the United Kingdom on the 31st December, 1937, that is to say, civil aircraft exclusive of those used for transport, training, club, joy-riding and taxi-work, was 672. It is regretted that no corresponding figures are available for any other European country.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs when he will be in a position to report to the House the result of the discussions between representatives of His Majesty's Government and the Irish Free State?

Examination of the questions raised in the discussions with the representatives of Eire is continuing, and my right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make any statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can state the amount, qualifying age for both men and women, and the conditions attached to the granting of an old age pension in Australia and in New Zealand?

In Australia non-contributory old age pensions to an amount not exceeding £52 per annum are payable, in normal cases, to men at the age of 65, and to women at the age of 60. The pension is so graduated that the total income of the pensioner shall not exceed £84 10s. per annum.In New Zealand non-contributory old age pensions, to an amount not exceeding £58 10s. per annum are payable to men at the age of 65 and to women at the age of 60; in the case of persons having two or more dependent children, to men at 60, and to women at 55. The maximum rate of pension is £58 10s. per annum in the case of a single person, and is reducible by £1 for every pound of other income over £52 per annum. In both Dominions, the pensions are payable only to residents, after continuous residence of 20 years.The above gives only a general outline of the schemes, but I shall be glad to obtain for the hon. Member any further details of the relevant legislation which he may desire.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that the broadcasting facilities in Newfoundland are inadequate for the reception of programmes from London and other Empire stations, and whether he will have the situation inquired into with a view to establishing a relaying station from which the scattered inhabitants can obtain an efficient service on inexpensive receiving sets, in view of the importance of improving education and social contact with this country?

The development of the broadcasting facilities in Newfoundland is a matter to which the Commission of Government have given close consideration in consultation with local opinion in the Island, and I am at present in correspondence with the Commission-on the details of a scheme of development which they recently submitted to me. This scheme, which is based on technical advice received from the British Broadcasting Corporation, contemplates the erection at St. John's of a central broadcasting station equipped both for the transmission of its own programmes and for the relaying of those from Daventry. The site for the station has already been secured and it is hoped that a start may be made with its erection in the near future.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps are being taken by his Department to prevent the danger of extermination of many of the big game animals of Africa; whether he is satisfied that such steps are proving adequate; and what further Steps he proposes taking to secure adequate protection?

The Convention of 1933 has been ratified (with a few reservations) by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom in respect of all Colonies, Protectorates and Mandated Territories in Africa for which they are responsible; and so far as these Dependencies are concerned, I am satisfied that the Convention is being applied.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to summon the first of the periodical international conferences in relation to the London Convention for the protection of the fauna and flora of Africa, agreed to by the signatory Powers in a protocol dated 8th November, 1933; and what has prevented the summoning of this first conference within the four years prescribed by the said protocol?

The meeting of the first of these conferences was postponed with the consent of the signatory Powers, and it is now proposed that it should open on the 24th May next.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is satisfied that the signatory Powers represented at the 1933 conference have taken steps for the preservation of the fauna of Africa in accordance with the signature of their plenipotentiaries?

The convention has been ratified by the Governments of Belgium, Egypt and the Sudan as well as by His Majesty's Governments in the United Kingdom and in the Union of South Africa; I have no reason to doubt that appropriate measures are being taken by all these Governments to carry out its provisions. The French and Italian Governments, which have not so far ratified the Convention, have taken certain legislative measures in pursuance of its aims. The whole question of the working of the Convention is to form the subject of the meeting to be held next May, to which I have just referred.

asked the Prime Minister by whom the customs revenue of the international settlement in Shanghai is being collected; into what banks it is being paid; and by whom the fund resulting from the collection of customs is now controlled?

The Customs Collecting Bank continues, so far as I am aware, to be the Central Bank of China. The duties collected are being paid into the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank and the resulting fund is controlled by the Inspector General of Customs.

asked the Prime Minister by whom foreign ships arriving at Shanghai are examined for customs purposes in the international settlement and in the French concession, respectively; and whether in either case since the Japanese occupation these functions have been allocated exclusively or mainly to Japanese examiners?

The wharves in the International Settlement are in the Japanese occupied area. No customs control operates on Japanese-owned wharves in the Settlement or on Japanese ships. The customs examination on other ships and at other wharves in the Settlement is supervised by Japanese members of the Chinese customs staff. In the French Concession Chinese Customs control operates in the normal way.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the drop in the value of the Chinese dollar; what information he has now received as to the working of the Chinese Government's exchange restrictions; and whether he will make urgent representations to the Chinese Government on the serious loss and inconvenience suffered by British traders and the necessity for some arrangement with the foreign banks in Shanghai to ensure an adequate supply of foreign exchange for commercial purposes and to maintain the value of Chinese currency?

The answer to the first part of the question is, yes, Sir._ As regards the remainder of the question, I am continuing to watch the matter closely with a view to preventing any avoidable difficulties to British trade.

asked the Minister of Health which county boroughs, urban district councils and rural district coun- cils grade the rents of their municipal houses according to the income of the tenants and/or the size of his family?

I am sending the hon. Member a list of the local authorities who have adopted schemes for giving rebates from rents in accordance with Section 85 of the Housing Act, 1936.

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many policemen will be on duty during the morning, the afternoon and the night, respectively, at the Glasgow Exhibition; and what is the maximum attendance expected at any one of these periods?

I am informed that the number of police officers normally on duty at the Glasgow Exhibition will be as follows:

From 8 a.m. till 4 p.m.	…	11
From 4 p.m. till 12 a.m.	…	22
From 12 a.m. till 8 a.m.	…	7

In addition, one lieutenant will exercise general supervision. These numbers will be augmented as occasion demands.The maximum attendance expected at any one of these periods is 80,000.

asked the Attorney-General whether, in view of the present unsatisfactory state of the law in regard both to trials and offences in connection with the sabotage of His Majesty's ships, aeroplanes, weapons of war generally, and the machinery which manufactures them, he will introduce amending legislation to deal with all these matters and especially to enable such cases to be tried under military rather than civil law, so that, where by acts of sabotage human life is deliberately imperilled, the administration of the death penalty may be facilitated?

I do not think that any such general alterations of the law as are suggested in the question are called for. There are a certain number of special Acts which supplement the general law applicable to offences of this kind. I am not aware that the present law is as suggested, in a generally unsatisfactory state. I will, however, consider, in co-operation with the Departments concerned, whether there are any particular respects in which the law requires strengthening or amendment.

asked the Minister of Transport how much were the accumulated profits from tolls on the Menai Bridge at the end of December, 1937; and how much profit was made out of tolls between 1st April, 1936, and 31st December, 1937?

The Bridge Reserve Fund accumulated out of the surplus of tolls amounted to £94,956 at the 31st March, 1934, at which date accumulation ceased. Between the 1st April, 1934, and the 31st December, 1937, the tolls yielded a surplus of £27,850.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state, together with their respective qualifications, the names of the three members of the appeal tribunal appointed under the terms of Section 16 of the Road and Rail Traffic Act, 1933?

The present members of the tribunal are:

• Mr. T. Rowand Harker, K.C.(Chairman).
• Mr. E. S. Shrapnell Smith, C.B.E., F.C.S., M. Inst. T.
• Mr. F. C. Fairholme, A.M. Inst. C.E.

Mr. Harker was chairman of the Traffic Commissioners for the South-Eastern Traffic Area, having previously practised at the Parliamentary Bar.Mr. Shrapnell Smith served on numerous Government committees relating to the regulation of road transport and was chairman and president of the Commercial Motor Users' Association.Mr. F. C. Fairholme was a vice-president of the Federation of British Industries, president of the Sheffield Employers' Association, and a member of the Railway National Wages Board.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, since he assumed office, he has considered the desirability of adding to the roads which he took over under the Trunk Roads Act; and whether he can state the names of such roads?

No, Sir; Parliament has given me no power to add to the Trunk Roads specified in the First Schedule to the Trunk Roads Act.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department, either on their own account or in conjunction with any other laboratories, have carried out any experiments with reference to anti-skidding materials used on road surfaces; and, if so, whether he will give the House any information as to the results?

Yes, Sir. The results are summarised in the following publications, copies of which may be obtained from the Vote Office:

1. "Experimental Work on Roads," issued annually by my Department.

2. "The Report of the Road Research Board," issued annually by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

3. A joint report entitled "Road Surface Resistance to Skidding."

asked the Minister of Transport what developments are contemplated in connection with trunk roads in Scotland, especially as affecting the town and county of Linlithgow?

I am not yet in a position to publish a comprehensive programme of trunk road development for all Scotland, but in the county of Linlithgow I am contemplating the following schemes of major improvement:

• Diversion and new bridge at Boat-house;
• Reconstruction of canal bridge east of Linlithgow; and
• Diversion at Winchburgh.

I am also considering the relative advantages of by-passing the town of Linlithgow or improving the existing trunk road through the town, but these matters will be fully discussed with the county council and the town council before I reach my decision.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has considered the protests sent to him by many cycling organisations against the proposals to compel cyclists to carry rear lamps and to register cycles or the users of cycles; and what answer does he propose to make?

As I informed the hon. Member on 16th March, I am awaiting a report from the Transport Advisory Council on a number of matters relating to cyclists. I am not in a position at present to state what legislation, if any, will be required to deal with the recommendations which may be made in that report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can state, in connection with the arrangements for dealing with the cross-river traffic problem at Selby, on the Leeds to Hull trunk road, who are to be the consulting engineers in respect of the new scheme that is to take the place of the original one rejected last summer?

I have consulted Sir Alexander Gibb and Partners in regard to the revised scheme.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that boys of 14 years of age employed at Scotland Yard are employed on copyholding and as readers' boys; and whether consideration is given to moving them from this work?

Yes, Sir. Two boys between the ages of 14 and 16 years are employed as copyholders. They are promoted to other posts as and when vacancies occur. In any event they are not retained on these duties after attaining the age of 16 years.