asked the Secretary of State for War when facilities are to be provided for giving Army Reserve officers refresher courses, and will he expedite these facilities in view of their urgency if the Reserve is to be ready for emergencies?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider granting facilities to officers on the Regular Army Reserve of Officers who wish to serve a short period of attachment with their units in order to keep themselves abreast of modem developments of organisation and equipment?

At the present time the available facilities for instruction in military subjects are being used to their fullest capacity in training the serving personnel of the Regular Army, the Supplementary Reserve and the Territorial Army. My right hon. Friend will not lose sight of the possibility of providing facilities for officers of the Regular Army Reserve of Officers to attend refresher courses as soon as circumstances allow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider granting facilities to officers on the Territorial Army reserve who are anxious to attend the annual Territorial camp?

Under certain conditions officers on the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers are allowed to attend annual training with units which would otherwise go to camp without their full complement of officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the marriage allowance to officers prior to the 1st May was 17s. per week less 7s. per week for quarters in the barracks, and since 1st May is 27s. per week less 17s. for barrack quarters; and why the increased allowance has been absorbed by increased rent for quarters?

I assume that the hon. Member is referring to soldiers and not to officers. A soldier who was on the marriage allowance roll and not provided with married quarters has received an increase varying from seven shillings to ten shillings a week in the allowance in respect of his wife. As my right hon. Friend stated in his speech on Army Estimates on 10th March last, if quarters are available and allotted to a married soldier, he does not receive the allowance in respect of his wife.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a married officer with a wife and three children living out of barracks, whose allowance for lodging, fuel, and light was stopped from 1st May, is now approximately 4s. per week worse off than he was before he received the increase on 1st May; and, in these circumstances, will he consider reinstating the lodging allowance?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to soldiers and not to officers. The new scheme in effect places all married soldiers of 26 years and over on one married establishment instead of dividing them into a married quarters roll and a marriage allowance roll. In certain exceptional cases transfer from the marriage allowance roll to the married quarters roll, though conferring entitlement to advantages in other ways, was liable to involve a temporary diminution of cash allowances, and the same situation may have arisen on the introduction of the new married establishment. If the hon. Member will send me particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will consider whether they call for special treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he has further information respecting the proposal to transfer Bechuanaland, Basutoland, and Swaziland to the Union of South Africa; whether he is aware of growing apprehension concerning the proposal; and whether, in any such proposals, he will secure guarantees that the economic, social, and political condition of the natives shall at least not be lower than it is to-day?

I have nothing to add at present to the general statement which I made on this subject on 29th March. I do not anticipate any further developments pending the issue by the Union Government authorities of the memoranda referred to in that statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, in view of the criticism of conditions in the Salisbury Native location in the report on Nyasaland Natives in the Union of South Africa and in Southern Rhodesia, whether he will recommend that recruitment of natives of Nyasaland should cease until their conditions improve?

My Noble Friend has read the criticisms referred to by the hon. Member, but he is not prepared to recommend the cessation of the engagement of Nyasaland natives for work in Southern Rhodesia. Steps have been taken to implement the provisions of the Salisbury Agreement of 1936 between the Governments of Southern Rhodesia, Northern Rhodesia and Nyasaland for the regulation of migrant labour between the three terrorities; and the appointment of a Labour Commissioner resident in Nyasaland and of a labour officer resident at Salisbury has recently been approved.

asked the Minister of Transport whether any county council has submitted to him for approval and Road Fund grant a scheme of road improvements based upon an investigation into the causes of road accidents on the roads of the county, similar to the investigation into road accidents and the rural road improvements based thereon recently undertaken in Oxfordshire?

No, Sir. The Oxfordshire scheme was in the nature of a special experiment but other counties are carrying out improvements at danger spots in the normal course of their highway programmes.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there are officers of his Department attached to the offices of divisional road engineers in the provincial areas for the special work of investigating the cause of any road accident occurring within the area; and whether he will consider the feasibility of publishing, in the form of reports to be issued from time to time, the conclusions of these officers on the causes of the most serious accidents and the best means of preventing similar accidents in the future?

asked the Minister of Transport how many officers of his Department have been trained to observe the attitude of the travelling public towards measures which were intended to increase their safety; and what has been the result of their observations?

There are eight accident officers whose chief functions are to study conditions in their areas, to assist and stimulate local safety committees and to co-operate with local authorities and the police in the removal of causes of accidents. The result of their observations goes to confirm the inference to be drawn from the returns of accidents that there is much room for improvement on the part of all road users in obedience to the Highway Code. I will bear in mind the question of publishing reports by these officers when they have had a longer experience of their work.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as it is evident from the reduction of road accidents during the abnormally dry Easter period that slippery road surfaces are a major factor of causation, he will call the attention of local authorities to this point?

Whilst good road surfaces are most desirable I am afraid I am unable to accept the assumption underlying my hon. and gallant Friend's question, that the condition of road surfaces is in itself a major cause of accidents. Assuming always due care on the part of drivers, I recognise that improvement of surfaces may diminish the risk of accident, and with that object, continuous attention is being directed to the subject by my Department in consultation with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and by highway authorities generally.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that during the first three months of the current year the number of persons killed in road accidents in Oxfordshire was only five as against 11 for the same period last year, whereas the comparative numbers for Buckinghamshire rose from seven to 17; and whether he has given consideration to the question whether this improvement in Oxfordshire is in any way due to the special road improvements adopted in that county?

Yes, Sir, I am aware of the figures referred to. I am not prepared to deduce any reliable conclusions from figures relating to such short periods, especially as the monthly fluctuations within those periods are considerable, nor to accept the suggestion that adjoining counties are necessarily comparable. I am satisfied, however, that the improvements carried out at road intersections in Oxfordshire, on the lines of the recommendations made in my Department's Memorandum on the Lay-out and Construction of Roads, have had the effect of reducing the risk of accident at those places.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the county councils of the West and East Ridings of Yorkshire have yet agreed to find the necessary funds, amounting to 40 per cent. of the cost, and to provide, among other proposals, a toll-free bridge at Selby?

I would point out that while the grant offered by my Ministry towards the acquisition of the toll-bridge is at the rate of 60 per cent. the grant offered towards the reconstruction of the bridge thus freed is at the rate of 75 per cent. The balance to be found by the councils is therefore 40 per cent. of the cost of freeing the toll-bridge, but 25 per cent. of the cost of reconstructing the bridge. I have not yet been informed of the views of the county councils concerned.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will state the number of A, B and C licence holders, and the number of vehicles authorised under each class of licence, at the latest convenient date?

The position at the 30th June, 1937, was:

asked the Minister of Transport on what date it was stipulated that the Mickleham by-pass road should be completed when the Surrey County Council decided that the work should be done by direct labour?

No date was stipulated. At the time the grant from the Road Fund was made the county council gave the 30th October, 1937, as the approximate date for completion, It is expected that the whole of the road will be completed by the 3oth June of this year. Part of it is already open to traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any further communication from the Jarrow Town Council with regard to the discontinuance of the ferry; and whether he is able to make any statement in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I have been informed by the Town Council of Jarrow that this is the last year in which the council can afford to run the present ferry, and I am in communication with them and with the County Councils of Durham and Northumberland on the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received any further communication with regard to the improvement and widening of Fellgate Bridge, on the main road from Jarrow to South Shields; and whether he is now in a position to make any statement thereon?

I understand that the Durham County Council hope to make provision for reconstructing the Fellgate Bridge in 1939–40.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the number of people employed in casual labour on the trunk railways at the last convenient date and for the ten years preceding; and what has been their proportion of the whole on each of these dates?

I regret that the information asked for is not available.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, before giving his final decision regarding the proposed scheme for raising the low-test petroleum limit from Mucking to Purfleet, he will give serious consideration to the danger of widespread unemployment among workers in existing oil concerns on Thames-side if the scheme is accepted?

Before giving my final decision, I should certainly take into consideration any matter which appeared to me to be relevant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been drawn to varying interpretations of the statutory regulations which prescribe the minimum width of pedestrian crossings; whether he is aware that some highway authorities have measured the minimum width from the centre of the studs; and whether he will take steps to amend the law so as to remove doubt and ensure that authorities shall not have to incur the heavy cost of moving the studs a few inches in order that the minimum width may be measured between the studs?

I am obliged to my hon. Friend. I already have under consideration the question of an amendment of the relevant regulations to deal with this matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether Sir Charles Bressey's report on London road-planning recommends a north to south thoroughfare; and whether it agrees or disagrees with the report of the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee in this respect?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the publication of Sir Charles Bressey's report, which will, I hope, take place on the 16th instant.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the amount of revenue received from the licensing of all kinds of motor vehicles in Wales and Monmouthshire for each of the last five years?

The net revenue from the duties on mechanically-propelled vehicles collected in Wales and Monmouthshire during the last five calendar years amounted to:

asked the Minister of Transport whether postal officials driving post office vans on the streets are exempted, if they are beginners, from carrying L plates; and whether they are passed out by the Ministry officials or by the General Post Office instructors?

Postal officials who hold provisional licences and have not passed the driving test are not exempted from carrying L plates. The Postmaster-General has authority to conduct tests of persons in the Service of the Crown under that Department and in practice all such postal officials who drive the Department's vehicles are examined by G.P.O. instructors.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Education whether he will give particulars of the grants made in support of adult education for the last complete year for which statistics are available, the names of the organisations receiving grants together with the amount received in each case, together with comparative figures for each of the 10 preceding years?

The total grant paid by the Board in support of adult education under the Adult Education Regulations for the year 1936–37 was £89,095. My Noble Friend is having compiled a table giving the further particulars desired, which for convenience will be sent direct to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the recent resignations of marine radio operators from certain British ships; and whether he can state the numbers of resignations of such operators in the mercantile marine, month by month, for the six months ended April, 1938?

I have seen Press reports of such resignations, but no official statistics on the subject are available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to state what is the accommodation on the Burns-Laird Company's boats on the Greenock-Londonderry service in respect of cattle and steerage passengers, respectively, and the relative condition of sufficiency and adequacy of such accommodation; and whether he has any statement to make thereon?

The ships regularly maintaining this service are the "Lairds-glen" and the "Lairdsrose." Third class passengers in these ships are normally accommodated on the main deck and in or on the poop, but during periods of heavy traffic in the holiday season they are also accommodated in the 'tween decks. Certain of these spaces are used for the carriage of cattle when passenger traffic is light, but I am informed that

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that the Government of Colombia is suspending until further notice the issue of import licences for cotton fabrics; what was the value of this trade to the United Kingdom last year; and whether he will

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many ships and of what total tonnage were laid up in the Holy Loch, the Gareloch, and elsewhere on the Clyde, respectively, on 3oth April, 1938, or other latest dates, and on the corresponding date in each of the two preceding years; what are the corresponding figures for Great Britain and the rest of the world, respectively; and if he has any statement to make on the subject?

No general statement on the question of laid-up tonnage could be made within the limits of a Parliamentary question.The following table shows the information asked for by the hon. and learned Member so far as it is available from the returns of laid-up tonnage published by the Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom.make representations to the Colombian Government on this matter in order to protect the interests of the Lancashire cotton trade?

I am aware that the Colombian authorities have suspended the issue of further import licences for cotton fabrics. Exports of cotton piece goods of all kinds from the United Kingdom to Colombia in 1937 were valued at £1,477,616. As regards the last part of the question, the Colombian Government denounced on the 1st March the Anglo-Colombian Treaty of Commerce and the whole subject of commercial relations with Colombia is receiving active consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement as to what action the Government propose to take to avoid the closing down of blast furnaces?

An Order has been made to-day, on the recommendation of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, imposing a duty on foreign pig iron.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information in connection with the thieves who

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many warships and other vessels, respectively (giving the respective total tonnage), were under construction at Greenock, and elsewhere on the Clyde, respectively, on 30th April, 1938, or other latest date, and on the corresponding date for each of the two preceding years; what are the corresponding figures for Great Britain and the rest of the world, respectively; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

I do not know of any statement I could usefully make on the position within the scope of an answer to a Parliamentary question. Following is the information desired:broke into the Post Office in Lennox Street, Weymouth, and what was the amount of banknotes, stamps, and postal orders taken?

The Lennox Street Town Sub-Office, Weymouth, was broken into during the night of 4th–5th May. The safe was cut open and the following Post Office stock was stolen:—Cash £115, Postal Orders £72, Postage Stamps £76, other stamps £100. No arrest has so far been made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give any information in connection with the robbery of a post-office van in Broad Street, Birmingham; what was the value of the jewellery and money taken; and whether the van has been found?

While the two postmen in charge of the van were collecting mails from a firm, the thieves drove the van away. The van was found within about half-an-hour in a street half-a-mile away. Seven registered packets were missing. The value of the articles stolen, consisting of jewellery and cigarettes, amounted to about £50 according to information at present available.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the recent increase of 10s. a week in the pay of married service men has been followed by a compensating rise in the rents charged by the Admiralty for those living in barracks at Portsmouth, and that 17s. a week is now being charged for two rooms and a scullery in the sports pavilion; and what steps he is prepared to take to remedy this injustice?

Naval ratings occupying official quarters provided by the Admiralty are charged no rent, but in such cases marriage allowance is not paid to them. This allowance is only paid to those for whom official quarters are not provided.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what British air lines are operating or contemplating services between the British colonies and protectorates in West Africa?

Elders Colonial Limited at present operate a service between Lagos and Accra which will be extended to Takoradi. The company propose to operate also in the near future a weekly service between Bathurst and Freetown and have under course of examination the possibility of the extension of this service to Takoradi. A service to West Africa which may operate between Bathurst and Freetown is also under consideration by British Airways Limited.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Japanese preparation for the use of poison gas in China, he proposes to make a protest to Japan?

I have received no report which would confirm the view that the Japanese Government have used or intend to make use of poison gas in China.

asked the Prime Minister which members of the League Council have given their recognition to the Italian conquest of Ethiopia, whether de facto, de jure, or partially by the use of the title His Majesty Victor Emmanuel, King of Italy, Emperor of Ethiopia; and which members of the League, who are not members of the Council, have given such recognition?

It is not possible to give complete lists in answer to the hon. Lady's question, but, according to the information at present in possession of His Majesty's Government the following members of the League Council have accredited Ambassadors or Ministers to His Majesty the King of Italy, Emperor of Ethiopia, namely: Rumania, Belgium, Ecuador. The following members of the League Council have taken action which involves the recognition of Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia: Poland and Latvia. The following members of the League Council have recognised the Italian conquest of Ethiopia de facto: the United Kingdom, France.As regards the second part of the question, the following other members of the League have accredited Ambassadors or Ministers to His Majesty the King of Italy, Emperor of Ethiopia: Albania, Czechoslovakia, Eire, Finland, Greece, Guatemala, Lithuania, Nicaragua, Panama, Turkey, Yugoslavia, Chile, Peru, Netherlands. The following members of the League have expressly recognised Italian sovereignty over Ethiopia: Hungary, Switzerland.

asked the Prime Minister whether any diplomatic or consular representative has been instructed to visit Barcelona and interview British ship masters there in regard to their complaints as to attacks by Italian aircraft on British ships?

His Majesty's consular officers, who in the ordinary course of their duties are in constant touch with British shipping, visit Barcelona daily and report regularly on such matters.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken for the recovery from the insurgent authorities in Spain of the loss due to the sinking of the "Alcira "?

His Majesty's Government have reserved their right to claim full compensation for losses due to the sinking of this vessel but no claim has yet been presented.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any statement to make concerning recent interviews between the British Minister in Prague and the Czechoslovakian Government?

No, Sir. I have no statement to make at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Russian Government was kept in touch with the recent Anglo-French conversations in London in the same manner and to the same extent as the German Government; and what other countries were kept informed?

My Noble Friend saw the Italian and German representatives after the conclusion of the recent Anglo-French conversations and gave them information on certain points which might interest their respective Governments. He has since had interviews with the Soviet, Polish and Czechoslovak representatives.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will secure powers to secure the preservation of post seventeenth century houses of historical or architectural interest?

No restrictions of date are imposed upon the operations of my Department under the Ancient Monuments Acts, but, as the hon. Member is probably aware, the Department is unable to schedule or accept guardianship of inhabited houses. Houses of special or architectural interest can be protected by local authorities under the Town and Country Planning Act.