asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what voyages have been made by His Majesty's Ship "Enchantress" since she was commissioned, for the purpose of conveying the First Lord of the Admiralty and private guests; and whether these voyages have been a charge on public funds?

Since she was commissioned in April, 1935, His Majesty's Ship "Enchantress" has been used to convey the First Lord of the Admiralty on two occasions in each of the years 1936, 1937, and 1938. It has always been customary for the First Lord to entertain private guests on board, and this involves no charges on public funds.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what was the occasion of the recent voyage of His Majesty's Ship "Enchantress" to the Scilly Islands, and from there to Dover; what, if any, naval duties were involved; what private guests made the voyage; and whether the general expenses were a charge on public funds?

I held an official inspection of the Portland Base on Friday, 29th April, and of the Royal Marine Depot at Deal on Monday, 2nd May. Between the two inspections a visit was paid to the Scilly Isles, such visits being part of the normal duties of an escort vessel such as His Majesty's Ship "Enchantress." I may add that I consider it highly desirable that the First Lord should avail himself of suitable opportunities of going to sea and of becoming acquainted with the Fleet.

Did the right hon. Gentleman go to the Scilly Islands for any naval purpose?

I said in my reply that it is part of the normal duties of the ship, an escort vessel, to visit ports in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. It is a perfectly ordinary voyage for her to make.

To what port in the Scilly Islands did the Minister go directly on business?

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the base inspected by him is quite safe?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the population of those enchanting islands have been greatly encouraged by the presence of the "Enchantress" in their midst?

May I ask the Prime Minister whether, in view of the generally heavy expenditure on armaments, it is desirable, with the heavy taxation at present, to keep this ship so much in commission for the type of service to which the First Lord referred?

I do not think any change in that respect would make much difference to the existing expenditure.

I give notice that I desire to raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment on account of the unsatisfactory answer that the Minister gave.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, under the married allowance scheme, an officer who relinquishes an appointment in a ship whose home port is Portsmouth and takes up an appointment in a ship whose home port is Plymouth will receive a removal allowance?

The answer is in the negative; the removal allowance is only applicable in respect of appointments for officers in shore appointments at home.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the expenses incurred by married officers in these cases are identical with the expenses incurred by married officers taking up an appointment from the sea at a home port, and as a matter of equity will he not go into that matter?

I will certainly look into that matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the notional value at present placed upon the ship accommodation of a lieutenant-commander?

If, as I presume, the hon. and gallant Member has the recent marriage allowance scheme in mind, the answer is that no value has been placed upon the cabin accommodation provided for a married officer afloat. Indeed, the basis of the recent scheme has been to compensate such an officer for the disability that his sea quarters cannot be used for the accommodation of his family.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that the notional allowance, that is, the monetary advance for officers, married or unmarried, on hoard who are given cabin accommodation is taken into account in assessing officers' pay, and, that being so, as a matter of equity and justice should not all officers, either married or unmarried, receive that allowance when they take up an appointment on shore where quarters are not provided for them?

Is it not a fact that sometimes, owing to the exigencies of the Service, junior officers who are normally entitled to a cabin have to give up their cabin and sling a hammock, and then, surprisingly, receive no increase of pay?

That may happen on certain occasions. With regard to the point put by the hon. and gallant Member for South Paddington (Vice-Admiral Taylor), the position is that this marriage allowance has been given in order that officers when they are at sea should be able to maintain their families at home, an advantage they have not had before. In the past, when they came ashore, they were given a lodging allowance to make up for their cabin accommodation at sea. The lodging allowance has now been swallowed up in the marriage allowance, both when they are at sea and when they are on shore.

But is not the whole point, as stated by my right hon. Friend, that when they took up an appointment on shore where quarters were not provided for them they received lodging allowance, but now they will not receive it?

Does not the whole question want a deal more thought?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any suggestions or complaints as regards the married officers' allowances from any of the Commanders-ni-Chief at sea or at home?

It is not customary or desirable to disclose details of communications between the Admiralty and Commanders-in-Chief, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the new scheme of marriage allowance has generally been welcomed by the Fleet.

Is my right hon. Friend not aware that for very obvious reasons no junior officers will ever send in any written complaints about these marriage allowances, and will he remember that that is no criterion as to the feeling among naval officers with regard to them?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now give a favourable reply to the request submitted to him, on the occasion of his recent visit to the Isles of Scilly, by the West Cornwall Fishermen's Council that the association of inshore fishermen with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve be facilitated by the payment to them of a small retaining fee; and whether, in general, he will consider the serious position arising from the decline in recent years of the inshore fishing industry, seeing that the fishermen concerned are, in the event of war, essential for manning minesweepers, Q-ships and similar craft?

While I fully appreciate the considerations advanced by the hon. Member in the latter part of his question. I would point out that inshore fishermen are already eligible to join the Royal Naval Reserve, service in which carries a retainer of £6— £10 per annum according to the rating held. A reply to this effect is being sent to the West Cornwall Fishermen's Council.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give consideration to the case of officers and men of the merchant service who served in the European War in cargo steamers and were in most cases exposed to the dangers of submarine attack, some of whom have several years' experience as navigators and hold master's certificates, who are now seeking appointments for which ex-service men only are eligible and being barred because they were not officially serving in the Royal Navy and the Reserves; and will he give consideration to some relaxation of the conditions which cause these men to be passed over and afford to them the same privileges as applicants who served in the Royal Navy or the Reserves?

If my hon. Friend will let me have details of the applicants he has in mind and the particular appointments for which they have applied, I will see that the matter is investigated.

Cannot my right hon. Friend adopt the suggestion as a general principle?

The suggestion has often been acted on in the past, but the question whether we should adopt the general principle is one on which I should not be prepared to make a statement at present.

Could not my right hon. Friend really give it serious thought?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the position, acreage, and cost of the site on which it is proposed to build a new signal school at Portsmouth; from whom this site is being acquired; and for what it has been used in the past?

The site proposed for the new signal school at Portsmouth is situated between the Northern Parade and Portsmouth Harbour and adjoins the North End Recreation Ground. This area is about 40 acres; it belongs to the Corporation of Portsmouth, and, pending development for building purposes, has been used as allotments. The purchase price has not yet been agreed.

Is it the policy of the Admiralty to build these new establishments close to other bomb targets, and would it not be better if, when they are rebuilding such places as signal schools, they should be built somewhere on the west coast where they are more remote from possible attack?

That is, of course, taken into consideration in deciding upon where to locate these buildings, but we have also to consider the people who live in them and work in them.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what steps are being taken in British Colonial territories to improve defences and air depots; what proportion of the cost of this work is being borne by the respective colonies; and whether he can give an assurance that, considering the economies in native welfare work, education, and social services until recent years, grants for such work will continue to expand?

Colonial Dependencies are responsible for local defence measures, and at the present time they are fully alive to the necessity of improving their defences, as far as their financial means allow. In certain Dependencies where there are Imperial garrisons or defended ports, the local governments assist by contributions towards the cost of the garrisons, by providing land and by raising local units. In all cases, when determining the sums which a colonial Dependency can afford to expend on defence, the needs of the local social services are taken into account.

In view of the very limited resources of many of these territories, and the severe economies which native welfare has suffered in recent years, should not grants be made increasingly available for native welfare work so that it is not stultified by these defence works which are going on everywhere?

I think that the answer indicates that social servcies are interfered with as little as possible. They are one of the primary concerns in considering the whole question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware of the heavy punishment imposed on those convicted of various offence arising out of the disturbances in Barbados; and whether these sentences have been under recent review?

My Noble Friend is aware of the sentences to which the hon. Member refers. As the prerogative of mercy has been delegated to the Governor of the Colony, the question of reviewing those sentences is a matter for him.

Is it not possible for some representation to be made in view of the very savage sentences imposed for trade union organisation?

I think there is provision in the local law for periodic review of, at any rate, lengthy sentences, and I have no doubt that in due course that review will take place.

Have any sentences been reduced?

I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has received the report of the Commission on the disturbances in Mauritius last year; whether he proposes to remove some of the causes of political discontent by a more liberal franchise; and what steps are being taken to establish trade union rights and remove the causes of labour unrest?

Yes, Sir, copies of the report of the Commission have now been received from Mauritius. Some time will necessarily be required for consideration of the detailed recommendations which the report contains, but preliminary action has already been taken in various directions. An experienced labour officer has been appointed who will give his whole time to the study of industrial conditions and problems. The Government of Mauritius proposes to enact legislation to set up industrial associations and conciliation boards. The underlying principle of this legislation will be the establishment in Mauritius of provisions for collective bargaining between employers and employés and for the discussion of common problems. As regards developments in the political sphere, the report made no specific recommendations, and I am not in a position to make any announcement. It raises complex issues which will require careful consideration. But the Governor has already taken steps to secure the representation of the small planters and labourers during the current session of the Legislative Council by nominating two representatives of these classes as temporary members of the Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs the estimated loss within the British tropical Empire each year from malaria and other related diseases, giving figures, where possible, of estimated financial loss, of loss of life, and of loss of working time?

I am afraid that the statistical data on which any estimate regarding these matters would be framed are not obtainable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is freely alleged that the very high prices of remedial drugs in the British tropical Empire is a direct cause of much of the loss indicated in my question?

I am sure that my Noble Friend is aware of all relevant considerations.

What steps do the Government propose to take in this important matter?

That is another question. If the hon. Member will put it down, no doubt it will be answered.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1) whether he is aware that at present there is no fully-qualified road-engineer for all the area of Kenya and Tanganyika; and how soon will this serious deficiency be corrected;

Much attention is devoted by East African Governments to questions of road policy and large sums are spent annually on the roads under the supervision of qualified road engineers. The Colonial Governments are working on what are in effect long-term programmes, but the rate of progress must be determined by the funds available. It would be contrary to the usual practice for His Majesty's Treasury to make direct grants for purposes of this kind to Colonial Governments; considerable assistance has, however, been given to specific road schemes from the Colonial Development Fund. As regards inter-territorial road communications, the Governors of the East African Dependencies constitute an East African Transport Policy Board, and it is considered that regular co-operation between them and their appropriate officers is to be preferred to the creation of a joint staff.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there are some British surveyors doing some very good work in Kenya at an inadequate remuneration?

Are we to understand from the answer that the fact alleged in Question 33 is entirely without foundation?

I think it is a misapprehension. There are qualified road engineers, but they are employed in various works, and this is only one of the employments on which they are engaged. There is no special full-time officer.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can give any information in connection with arms seized by British troops in Arab villages near Nablus; the number of rifles and hand grenades taken; whether any proclamation has been ordered, and, if so, for what purpose, in the town of Jenin; and whether any strike has taken place against the Partition Commission?

Since 1st January the quantities of arms and ammunition seized in Arab villages near Nablus have been: rifles, 24; revolvers and pistols, 5; rifle ammunition, 1,431 rounds; revolver ammunition, 68 rounds; grenades and land mines, 24. These figures include considerable seizures made in a surprise search on 28th April. My Noble Friend is not aware of the issue of any proclamation at Jenin, other than a recent curfew order in connection with a strike of shopkeepers. Short-lived partial strikes on the occasion of the arrival of the Partition Commission took place at Jerusalem, Haifa and six other towns.

Who supplies these things to the Arabs or to the Jews?

I cannot add to what has been said in previous answers on that point.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has information as to the circumstances under which internees at Acre, including Abdul Hamid Schuman, general manager of the Arab bank, were beaten by troops and police last week; and whether medical treatment was afforded to those injured in the affair or, if not, for what reason it was refused?

My Noble Friend has received no report from the High Commissioner for Palestine on the alleged incidents.

Is the Minister aware that I have a telegram from the chairman of the Palestine Defence Committee dealing with this question, and there is no reason to doubt his word; and is he also aware that I have a further telegram from a well known authority on colonial affairs in this country who advises me that the Government answers on this question are evasive and unreliable?

A great deal of the information which has come to this country has been found to be completely mistaken. If the hon. Member has any information which he thinks the Colonial Office ought to have, the Colonial Office will be very glad to receive it.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs (1.) what steps he has taken, or proposes to take, to carry out the view expressed by the commission on the financial and economic position in Northern Rhodesia that it is essential that the social services should be expanded, even if it should prove necessary for the Government to receive grants from His Majesty's Government;

My Noble Friend is naturally anxious that the social services in Northern Rhodesia should be expanded where necessary; but he will not be in a position to make any statement as to the action to be taken on the report of the Financial and Economic Commission until he has received the observations and recommendations of the Northern Rhodesia Government.

In view of the fact that so many disturbances have taken place lately in various Colonies, arising in the main from the fact that the social services have not been extended, or to the fact in some cases that they do not exist, would it not be better if the Government took the initiative and put these social services into operation rather than wait for another disturbance before they do anything?

It is not proposed to wait until there is another disturbance. We propose to wait until we have received the observations on the recommendation of the local government responsible for the administration.

Is it not stated in the commission's report that these social services are lacking? What more is wanted before the Government do anything?

It is reasonable that we should wait until we get the observations on the report of the local administration.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make any statement on the disagreement in the Trinidad oil industry and on the submission of the question of an increase in wages to arbitration; and, in particular, how the board of arbitration will be composed?

The employers and employed in the Trinidad oil industry nave agreed in principle to refer the present wages dispute to arbitration, and legislation has now been enacted by the Government of Trinidad whereby any such dispute may be referred to an arbitration tribunal to be set up by the Governor at the request and with the consent of the parties concerned. My Noble Friend has not yet seen the Bill, but it is understood that the tribunal may consist either of a single arbitrator, or of an arbitrator assisted by such assessors or other arbitrators as may be nominated by the parties to the dispute. It is contemplated that in this case the arbitrator (or chairman, if there is a panel) should be selected from the United Kingdom. My Noble Friend still awaits information from the Acting-Governor as to the proposed terms of reference to the arbitrator.

As there are such horrible conditions existing in Trinidad, will the Colonial Office speed up the appointment of the arbitrator or arbitrators, in order to settle this matter? Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Government to do something?

We shall get the appointment made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution unanimously passed by the chamber of commerce in the Port of Spain, Trinidad, and sent to him respecting the need of a conference of producers to consider the plight of the Colony's cocoa industry; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

My Noble Friend has not yet received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, but I understand that the proposal is that an international conference of cocoa producers or the Governments of cocoa-producing countries should be summoned. An attempt was made to summon such a conference in 1933, but was unsuccessful. It is not known whether a further attempt would now be more successful, but clearly a great deal of preparatory work would be required.

Do I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is prepared to recommend action along those lines with a view to securing a more equitable production and distribution of cocoa?

I think that in the first place we had better wait for the actual petition, which I understand contains this proposal, so that we can see what is in it.

But I understand that the right hon. Gentleman is aware of it.

We have seen reports of what is in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether in view of the cycle of riots and strikes which the British West Indies have experienced since 1935, largely as the result of the present state of the sugar industry, he will consider the appointment of a Royal Commission to investigate the whole question of the future of this industry and the conditions of the people employed therein?

My Noble Friend is only too well aware of the series of distressing incidents, of the kind to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, during the last year or two; but he does not share his view that a Royal Commission into the sugar industry is warranted. The economic difficulties of the sugar industry arise from circumstances of a world-wide character and there already exists an International Sugar Council which is charged with the duty of trying to find means of overcoming them.

Is it not a fact that the expenditure of £40,000,000 upon subsidising beet sugar in this country has something to do with the position out there?

Will not the Government try to tackle in some comprehensive fashion the underlying social and economic causes of all this unrest?

That is a wider question. The question on the Paper concerns simply sugar, and that is dealt with by the International Sugar Council.

But does not the last part of the question ask that a Royal Commission should be sent out to inquire into the whole question of the West Indies?

It asks for a Royal Commission to investigate the whole question of the future of the sugar industry.

And the conditions of the people.

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Cabinet whether they cannot do something for the West Indian sugar industry comparable with what is being done for the production of sugar at home, and also assist other West Indian products, because unless something is done to provide a remunerative market it is impossible to pay higher wages?

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs what percentage of cocoa exports from the West Coast of Africa for the ensuing six months has been allocated to the firms who are adherents of the buyers agreement and parties to the agreement referred to in the recent ordinance; whether this allocation includes supplies for re-sale by the firms who are parties to the agreement; and what steps have been taken to secure equitable treatment for other independent buyers by ensuring to them supplies at f.o.b. prices not higher than those paid for the supplies allocated to the pool?

My Noble Friend is unable to give the exact figures requested; but licences for the export of 94 per cent. of the permitted quantity will be allocated on the basis of average exports during the last two years to individual shippers, including both those who were parties to the recent agreement and those who remained outside it. There are no restrictions on the purchase or sale of cocoa.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that means, in effect, that the pool firms get about 90 per cent. of the cocoa exported in the next six months, and that other firms who cannot get supplies will have to pay specially dear for them?

The allocation is not confined to the pool firms, it includes on an equal basis firms who were parties to the recent agreement and firms who were not.

On a point of Order. May I make a request to you, Mr. Speaker, that supplementary questions may be asked in a voice that can be heard here? For the first time in my experience of this House we are absolutely a united front down here and we wish to hear both the questions and the answers.

I think I am usually heard when hon. Members are reasonably quiet.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he can make any statement as to the proposed aerodrome at Samlesbury between Blackburn and Preston?

My Department is not establishing an aerodrome at Samlesbury. I understand, however, that land was purchased by the Corporations of Preston and Blackburn a few years ago with a view to the establishment of a civil aerodrome and that the preparation of a portion of this land for aerodrome purposes is under consideration by the local authorities, but that no decision has yet been reached in regard to its full development.

In view of the distress in the cotton industry in Blackburn, will not the Government consider giving assistance to this project now, in order to relieve unemployment in that area?

The policy of the Government in regard to civil aerodromes has been stated on a number of occasions. They grant assistance in various directions to aerodromes which are in existence, but it is the policy not to make any grants towards their actual construction.

In any case, have not the Government brought prosperity to the country?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is now able to state the result of the interview on 6th April between the two Government directors of Imperial Airways, Limited, and certain of the dismissed pilots; and what action it is proposed to take with regard to their re-engagement in any cases?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the Government directors of Imperial Airways, Limited, have interviewed any of the pilots dismissed by that company nearly seven months ago; and, if so, with what result?

The Government directors, as a result of their interview with the pilots in question, have expressed their opinion that the termination of the employment of the pilots was justified, that it was not concerned with membership of the British Air Line Pilots' Association, and that suitable notice was given them. In certain cases, however, they considered that the pilots merited consideration for re-employment. These views have been communicated to the company by the Government directors.

Have any of these pilots actually been re-engaged yet, or when are they likely to receive information on the subject?

I have not been informed about re-engagement. Of course, re-engagement is a matter for the company, and as I have said, the report of the Government directors has been received.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend press for their re-engagement as early as possible?

We have agreed with the report of the Government directors who, of course, apart from their association with the Government, are directors of the company, and have a position on the company's board.

Does the Minister know the reasons for the dismissal of such navigation pilots as Captain Wilson, and, if so, is there any reason why the House of Commons should not know the reason?

I do not think, as a matter of policy, that one can expect all the reasons for dismissal of personnel of a company to be made public. The relation of the Government with the company is that there are Government directors, and therefore the Government, obviously, have an obligation to ensure that matters are properly dealt with. It does not seem to me to be a matter of policy necessarily involving making public the particular reason.

Have the dismissed pilots at last been told the reason for their dismissal?

I never understood that there was any question of their not having been told the reason.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number and percentage of British-made aircraft employed on the regular European services of British Airways, Limited?

No British—made aircraft are employed by British Airways, "Limited, on their regular European services. The circumstances in which aircraft of foreign construction are employed on the company's subsidised services have already been explained to the House.

asked the -Under-Secretary of State for Air when the joint operating company for European air services recommended by the Cadman Report will be formed by British Airways, Limited, and Imperial Airways, Limited?

I am not yet in a position to give the date when the joint operating company recommended by the Cadman Committee will be formed.

Are active steps being taken in the matter, or is it merely awaiting the appointment of a new chairman of Imperial Airways?

The construction of the joint company is certainly dependent for its success on the reorganisation of the two companies involved.

In that case, will my hon. and gallant Friend press for the speedy appointment of a new chairman?

As I said yesterday, both the company and the Government are extremely anxious that the chairman should be appointed as soon as possible.

Why is it not done, then?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why it was necessary for him to permit the purchase of more American aircraft for use on British subsidised air services when over 100 military aircraft of British manufacture have been exported this year?

The answer to my hon. Friend's question is that none of the military types of aircraft that were exported would have been suitable for use on the subsidised air services.

Has it not been stated that the British aircraft industry is too busy building aircraft for the Royal Air Force to provide civil aircraft for subsidised British services; and is it not clear, therefore, that what has been lacking is not production, but co-ordination of supply?

I think my hon. Friend will agree that the building for certain foreign countries of certain types of machines which are in very large production for military purposes is quite different from building quite separate types of aircraft for civil purposes.

But there are types of civil aircraft in production, and only four were required, while we have exported 100.

Is it not the case that the lack of co-ordination of supply is almost a public scandal?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of resignations and the number of dismissals from the service of the Air Ministry as a result of the findings of the Cadman Committee?

The answer to both parts of the question is none.

Is it the fact that, although the Cadman Committee made most serious criticisms against the Air Ministry, there have been no resignations, and that the people who stated that there was a case for inquiry, namely, the pilots, are the only people who have been dismissed?

The Cadman Committee made a variety of recommendations for improvements in many directions in civil aviation, and attention is being given to those recommendatons, but that does not necessarily involve the resignation of Air Ministry personnel.

Why not dismiss the people who made the inquiries?

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now find time to consider the Motion standing in the name of the hon. Member for Evesham relating to the supply of electricity in the Evesham Parliamentary Division of Worcestershire?

In view of the state of Parliamentary business, I can hold out no hope of time being found for the discussion of the Motion standing in the name of my hon. Friend.

Is my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister aware of the unwieldy and complicated chain of holding companies directly controlled by Edmund son's Electricity Supply Corporation, and will he have an inquiry made in view of the fact that it is impossible, owing to the interlocking of the finances, to determine what the true position is in the Vale of Evesham?

I am aware of the unwieldy and complicated nature of Parliamentary business.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any indication when the Royal Commission on Geographical Distribution of Industry is likely to conclude its task and present its report?

I understand that the Royal Commission have made good progress with the taking of evidence, but that there are a number of witnesses still to be heard. When the evidence is completed a considerable time will be required for the preparation of the report and it is not yet possible to say when the report will be presented.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think the task of the Commission will be completed this year, and will he undertake to secure that no time is lost in expediting the publication of what is expected to be a very valuable report?

I think the Commission are pursuing their task assiduously, and I have good hopes that they will be able to produce their report without undue delay.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is nearly a year since this Commission was appointed, and in view of the urgency of the matters with which they are dealing, could he not ask for the work to be expedited?

I do not think it is necessary for me to ask them to do anything more than they are doing. I have known Commissions to take six years.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the recent development of aircraft, the present rearmament of the European nations, and the danger that would be caused to shipping, he will consider the immediate appointment of a committee to further examine and investigate the technical, engineering, and economic problems involved in building a Channel Tunnel to connect the Continent with England at the present time?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave to him on 12th July last.

Does not the Prime Minister think that a tunnel of this kind would prove an excellent protection as regards the food supply of the country?

I am afraid I could not hear the hon. Member's question.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he does not agree that a Channel Tunnel of this kind would prove an extra protection to the food supply of this country in case of a future air raid?

No, Sir; I do not think so.

Is not the idea of a Channel Tunnel considered to be something of a day dream?

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether any arrangements are being made for the defence of railway bridges against attack from the air?

Arrangements for the defence of vulnerable points including railway bridges are included in the plans for air defence.

What Department is entrusted with these plans? Is it the War Office or the Home Office, or it is the stationmaster in the station?

This is a matter for the War Office and Air Ministry in co-operation.

Why can the Government not take proper precautions with these things?