asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Murdoch Sutherland, of 51, Holmscroft Street, Greenock, was employed as a solderer at the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, until 23rd April, 1938, when he was discharged with four other solderers in consequence of work being transferred to Alexandria; that he was offered work at the Alexandria auxiliary establishment, which he was compelled to refuse as he was unable to obtain accommodation; that, after a week's unemployment, he obtained work in Greenock at his trade as a plumber but has been refused his holiday pay; and whether he has any statement to make on the matter?

I am aware that Sutherland was discharged from the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, Greenock, under the circumstances narrated by the hon. Member. At the majority of Admiralty establishments, including the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, leave is given in a closed week in August, and the privilege is confined to workpeople who are in the Admiralty service at the time. I regret that Sutherland does not fulfil this condition.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the amount of the weekly pay of Admiralty appointed laboratory assistants, employed in the mines design department of His Majesty's Ship "Vernon," and that of unskilled labourers in the same department?

The pay of the laboratory assistants ranges from 4os. a week at the age of 19 to 7os., rising exceptionally to 85s., a deduction of 2s. 6d. per week being made for each year below the age of 19 on entry. The pay of the unskilled labourers is 53s. a week, which includes the industrial bonus of 20S.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the average time taken during the War of 1914–18 to fit merchantmen with guns for defence against submarine attack?

I. The time required varied considerably according to the nature of the armament to be mounted and the structural arrangements in the particular ship. An average time would be eight to 10 days in ships which had not previously been stiffened. 2. In ships which had previously been stiffened to enable them to mount defensive armament, the time required in most cases did not exceed three days.

Fletcher asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the circumstances under which the British naval authorities at Hong Kong have announced that they will not tolerate Japanese interference with British shipping?

:No announcement in these terms has been made by the Naval authorities at Hong Kong. Japanese authorities were informed last September that, if a Japanese warship had genuine reason to suspect that a vessel flying the British flag was not entitled to do so, no objection would be taken to Japanese naval officers boarding the ship and examining the certificate of registry for the sole purpose of verifying its nationality, provided an immediate report was made to the British Naval authorities, but that no further interference could be acquiesced in. A reminder of this procedure was recently given by the British Naval authorities in China to the local British shipping firms, following a tendency on the part of the Japanese to go beyond mere verification of flag when dealing wirh British merchant ships.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reasons why with 397,361 attendances at the three naval ports for Navy Week last year, only £10,887 was allocated to men's charities, whereas in 1930, with 288,688 attendances, £12,540 was devoted for this purpose, observing that Is. entrante fee is charged to adults and 6d. to children, as well as car-park and other charges; whether he will cause a proper balance sheet, showing the gross receipts and expenditure for 1937, including details of officials' salaries, etc., to be published in Fleet Orders and issued to the Press, in-stead of the net proceeds and excess of income over expenditure account published on 25th June, 1938; and, as this money is obtained from the general public, whether he will cause copies of such complete balance sheets to be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons?

The allocation of Navy Week Profits is decided by the Managing Trustees of the Navy Weeks Trust, who are the Commanders-in-Chief at Ports-mouth, Devonport and Chatham, and the Director of Personal Services. Until I933 all profits were paid at once to Naval charities, but from 1934 onwards sums have been set aside to finance sub-sequent Navy Weeks, to form a reserve investment fund, to meet capital expenses necessary as a result of the increased attendances, and to provide for some distribution to the various charities should circumstances arise to prevent the holding of Navy Week in any particular year. Proper balance sheets are drawn up each year by chartered accountants appointed by the Trustees, and, if the hon. Member applies to the Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth, who is the senior Managing Trustee, a copy could be sent to him. As public funds are not involved, I do not think that the question of laying balance sheets upon the Table of this House arises.

Have not the overhead expenses in connection with Navy Week increased very much, especially as regards the salaries paid for doing what was at one rime done voluntarily?

I could not answer that question without notice, but I do not think they have increased out of proportion to the general increase in the expenses of the undertaking.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what Votes of the Navy Estimates the officer and four ratings are borne and paid who are now engaged on a month's tour of the Mid-lands with a three-ton lorry and model ship on a trailer, in an attempt to popularise Navy Week and air recruiting; what expenses will be incurred, and whether these expenses will be a charge on Navy Week or recruiting or other funds; whether the lorry and trailer are insured against all risks, and, if so, from what funds; whether, in the event of death or disablement during these duties, the proper pensions would be paid, and from what funds; and, as such duties are mainly recruiting work, why they are not performed by the retired recruiting staff, instead of active service personnel; and whether he will give the same in-formation, where applicable, about the officer and 10 ratings to be stationed at Charing Cross Underground Station in connection with Navy Week and recruiting?

The ordinary pay and allowances of the officer and four ratings concerned, which involve no additional cost to the public, are borne by Navy Vote I. Ali other expenses arising from the tour, including the insurance of the personnel, the lorry and the trailer against all risks, are borne by the Navy Week organisarion, and involve no charge to public funds. In the event of death or disablement of the personnel, the appropriate pensions would be paid as a charge to Navy Votes in the first in-stances, but would be recoverable under the insurance to which I have referred. Recruiting staff are not employed, as the tour is organised primarily to advertise Navy Week, and not for purposes of recruiting, and the duty would not be appropriate to the official recruiting organisation. The foregoing considerations apply generally to the officer and ratings to be stationed at the Navy Week exhibition in Charing Cross Underground Station.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what allowances, if any, are granted to naval ratings when their ship is in a home port, as travelling expenses, to and from their homes?

Naval ratings, other than boys, pay their own expenses of travelling on leave, but by arrangement with the railway companies they pay half the ordinary fare. Boys in the training establishments are allowed a free return ticket twice a year, and other boys once a year.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information as to the measures taken by the Government of the Gold Coast to regulate the export of cocoa?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to a question by the right hon. Member for Hillsborough (Mr. Alexander) on 4th May, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Labour Adviser to his Department was consulted before the minimum age for contract child labour in Kenya was fixed at 10 years?

No, Sir. The Labour Adviser had not taken up his duties at the time when the Ordinance containing this provision was enacted.

Is this matter being carefully examined by the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

An inquiry is going on.

Was the Minister himself consulted before this enactment was put into force?

I think he must have been consulted in some form. The hon. Member will appreciate that it was before I myself actually went back to the Colonial Office, but I am quite certain that he must have been consulted in some form.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether adequate time is at the disposal of medical officers in Kenya for the examination of children recruited for labour; and whether these officers are able to make full inquiries into the nutritional condition of the children?

As I informed the House, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Dewsbury (Mr. Riley) on 22nd June, I am in communication with the Governor on these matters; and as soon as his report is received I will let the hon. Member have the information for which he asks.

Do the medical officers examine these children before they are allowed to go to the plantations?

That is exactly the question I am going to inquire into.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that adult labour recruited in South Africa has to go through a period of about two weeks of careful feeding before full work is expected; and what precaution is he taking against the danger of undermining children's health in Kenya from this cause?

The Kenya Employment Ordinance requires that all employÉs shall be properly fed, and labour officers and medical officers are empowered to see that that is done.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the cattle belonging to the Wakamba people, Kenya, are still being compulsorily sold, how many have been sold, what is the estimated number to be sold, what price per head is being paid, and what is the price per head in a normal market?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Government of Kenya consider that it will be necessary to reduce the number of cattle in this Reserve by one-third in order to combat the menace of soil erosion. This will involve the sale in due course of 100,000 head. According to my latest information, some 3,000 cattle have, so far, been sold at public auctions, at average prices ranging from 21s. to 25s. a head. I understand that the beasts brought in by the Wakamba for sale were of very poor quality, and that at present the local market prices are abnormally high.

Are these to be sold to-day or in the very near future? Does not the question of soil erosion arise largely from the fact that these people have been driven off their lands and crowded into less and less reserves, whereas other land has been maintained in utter disuse for European settlers; and is that not likely to lead to the kind of trouble we have had in Jamaica?

Provision is being made for added reserves for these people. Soil erosion arises largely from the fact that the land has been overstocked, and it is necessary that the numbers of cattle should be reduced.

Does not the overstocking result from the fact that the amount of land that they have now is less than they used to have; and if they had the amount of land that they really ought to have—and, after all, they are the people belonging to the country—would the question of soil erosion be as acute as it is at the present time?

Does not the overstocking arise from the fact that now they live in peace, whereas hitherto their cattle were constantly being raided by neighbouring tribes?

How long ago is that?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, before any grant is accepted from a Colonial Government for the purposes of Imperial Defence, steps will be taken to ascertain the wishes of the inhabitants; and whether consideration will be given to the internal needs and financial position of the Colony concerned?

Any such contribution from a Colonial Government would have to be voted by the Legislative Council wherever such a Council existed, and the Council would naturally take into account the internal needs of the Colony and its financial position when considering the matter. If, in any particular case, I felt doubtful whether a Colonial Government could afford to make the contribution offered, I should consult further with the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any details regarding the personnel and the terms of reference of the economic survey planned to take place in the Windward and Leeward Islands; and whether it has commenced operations?

The survey will be conducted by Professor Shephard, of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture in Trinadad, and he will be assisted by two officers. It will cover the systems of land tenure and types of agriculture among the peasant smallholders, and will be commenced as soon as possible after 1st October.

Will the Commission, in the course of these inquiries, be able to see the system in operation in the French colonies of Martinique and Guadeloupe?

I am certain that, if the Commission require any information on these matters which they cannot get in any other way, they will look into that practice.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government is examining the plan put forward by the Emir Abdullah to reconcile Jewish and Arab interests in a united kingdom of Palestine and Transjordan; and whether he can make any statement on the matter?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Walsall (Mr. Leckie) on 21st June, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information regarding the kidnapping of three Jewish youths from a field at Givath Ada, near Nichron Jacob, by armed Arab terrorists; whether he is aware that the ages of these youths are 13, 18, and 19 years, respectively; and whether he will consider allowing the Jewish workers, especially in border areas, to arm themselves for the purpose of defending their lives and those under their charge?

I have no detailed information regarding this case, but I am asking the High Commissioner for a report. As regards the last part of the question, there are over 1,000 Jews already armed as supernumerary police for protection of Jewish settlements and crops. I am asking the High Commissioner whether he considers that the number of these supernumerary police should be increased.

Is the Minister not aware that the very best defence for the Jews would be to give justice to the Arabs?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reason for the arrest of Shlomo Ben Joseph, of Rosh Pinah, Palestine, and his two companions; whether any person was killed or injured by their action; the age of Ben Joseph; whether any distinction is made between those who are guilty of murder or attempted murder and individuals who are defending themselves by force of arms; whether these incidents are brought about by the inability of the police and Army in Palestine to defend the Jewish community against murderous attacks; the reason for the refusal to postpone the death sentence in order that the mother of Shlomo Ben Joseph might journey from Poland to Palestine in order to bid farewell to her son; the amount of rioting which took place as a result of the hanging of this boy; and how many were injured and arrested, respectively?

I apologise for the inevitable length of the reply. The charge was one of shooting at a bus and being found in possession of arms and bombs. There were no deaths; I am not aware whether there were any persons injured. The age of Shlomo Ben Joseph was 23. With regard to the fourth part of the question, the relevant regulation allows the court a certain discretion in the assessment of penalties, and without doubt a distinction would be made in the case envisaged by the hon. Member. I cannot accept the suggestion in the fifth part of the question. I have no information regarding the request to postpone the death sentence. As regards the seventh and eighth parts of the question, there were Jewish demonstrations before or after the execution in four centres, which resulted in 13 known cases of injury and 34 arrests. It is possible that some of the acts of violence of the last two days have been due in part to feelings aroused by this execution. The Jews in Palestine have shown admirable restraint throughout these difficult times, and the vast majority of them continue to show that restraint under the influence of their leaders. It is regrettable that in some cases it should have broken down, thus increasing the difficulties of the situation with which the authorities are contending.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this further, and find out whether it is the case that the mother of this boy made representations to be allowed to see him before he was executed and the High Commissioner turned down her application? Does he not think it perfectly outrageous that the boy should be murdered when no death and no injuries occurred, and that the mother should not be allowed to see him?

In connection with the answer to the fifth part of the question, "whether these incidents are brought about by the inability of the police and army in Palestine to defend the Jewish community against murderous attacks," ought not that to be taken into consideration?

I have no doubt that a great many things were taken into consideration. With regard to the other question that I was asked, I will ask for information. In the absence of information, I could not possibly make any comment on the matter; and certainly I could not be associated with the comment the hon. Member has made on it.

I do not expect you to; but it is a damnable thing.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the consultations referred to by the then Secretary of State in answer to a question by the hon. Member for Hitchin (Sir A. Wilson) on 29th April, 1936, as being in progress between the Governor of British Somaliland and the Colonial Office in regard to the amendment of the situation subsisting under the Somaliland Order in Council, 1929, and the administration thereof by the local authorities, whereby accused persons were not permitted to be defended by a lawyer in any court in the Somaliland Protectorate, resulted in any amendment in the practice in the courts in the Somaliland Protectorate; and whether he will consider allowing a fresh trial to Abdi Farah, Ali Abdi, Isman Ali and Saliban Ahmed, who were sentenced to death in February, 1936, which sentence was subsequently commuted to imprisonment for 20 years, and who were refused permission to be represented by lawyers at their trial, and allowing them to be represented by lawyers at this fresh trial?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 25th May to a question by the hon. Member for Camberwell, North (Mr. Ammon).

Is there any intention of granting a fresh trial to these men, in order to give them the opportunity of being represented in a proper way?

As I said in the answer to which I have referred the hon. Member, and of which I am sending him a copy, I have no power to order such a new trial.

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman recommend that consideration should be given to it, seeing that these people feel that great injustice has been done owing to the fact that they were not properly represented at a proper trial? Can the right hon. Gentleman make representations on the matter?

I have really covered that point in the answer I have already given.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question: Is he prepared to make representations, if he has not already done so?

I have no power to interfere in the matter.

Is any inquiry proceeding at the present moment into the legal procedure in Somaliland?

That inquiry has been completed, and certain recommendations for improving the position have been made. The answer to which I referred in my original answer sets out the new recommendations, which are being acted upon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what have been the principal activities of the reconstituted Colonial Marketing Board up to date; and whether steps will be taken by that board to encourage manufacturers in this country to investigate the possibility of using a greater proportion of raw materials obtained within the Empire or of financing and developing their own supplies of raw materials within the Colonial Empire?

The board's office was only opened on 1st March this year, since when it has been principally occupied with questions of organisation. It has completed arrangements for assuming responsibility for co-ordinating publicity on behalf of the Colonial Empire in this country and elsewhere. The board's officers have also begun investigating the possibilities of expanding the market for certain Colonial products in this country. As regards the last part of the question, the board will certainly do its utmost to promote co-operation between manufacturers in this country and producers in the Colonial Empire.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with regard to the proposed Royal Commission on the West Indies, whether he can yet state the personnel of the Commission and also the terms of reference; and whether, in particular, constitutional and franchise questions will be included?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to indicate the composition of the Royal Commission which is to investigate the economic and other conditions in the West Indian colonies?

I am not yet in a position to make a statement on this matter.

If I put down a question a fortnight to-day, will the right hon. Gentleman be able to answer it? I think he ought to answer it before we rise for the Recess. And may I ask whether, when drafting the terms of reference, he will consider the last part of my question?

I will certainly consider that matter. I agree it is important that this announcement should be made as early as possible, but I could not undertake to be able to give a definite answer in a fortnight's time.

I will put a question down.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies when the last general election to the Legislative Council of Jamaica was held, the number comprising the Legislative Council, the number of elected and nominated members, respectively, and the number who are white and coloured, respectively?

?: The last general election was held in 1935. The Legislative Council consists of the Governor as President and a maximum of 29 members, of whom five are ex-officio members, 14 are elected and so nominated. I am not in a position to answer the last part of the question.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that the time has come when there should be an extension of the franchise upon a much wider basis; and is he aware that in the neighbouring islands of the West Indies manhood suffrage is available for black and white?

I think that is the subject of another question which the hon. Member has down for answer a little later; but I cannot agree.

Has not the right hon. Gentleman in his office the particulars asked for in the last part of the question? Surely he has them?

If I had the particulars in the office I would have given them. It is because I have not got them that I gave the answer I did.

Is not this a serious reflection on the efficiency of the Colonial Office?

Speak up.

Is it right Mr. Speaker, for the hon. Member and the right hon. Gentleman to carry on a private conversation across the Table?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the present approximate population of Jamaica, giving the numbers of white and coloured, respectively; and the franchise qualification for voting for members to the legislative council and the number of registered electors, white and coloured, respectively?

The population of Jamaica was estimated in 1936 to be 1,138,558. No estimate was then made of the proportion of white to coloured population. The franchise qualifications involve considerable detail, and, with the hon. Member's permission, I will circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The number of registered electors is 62,867, but I have no information as to what proportion of this total is coloured.

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the proportion of registered electors to the population works out at one in 20, as against one in two in this country?

Could the Royal Commission which is going out to the West Indies consider at the same time how the same problems are met in Martinique, where the franchise is very much wider?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the percentage of literacy in the coloured population of Jamaica, the number of coloured children of school age, and the number of such children attending public and private schools?

In the absence of any up-to-date population statistics issued by the Jamaican Government, I regret that I am not in a position to answer these questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the Report of the Unemployment Assistance Board in which they state the difficulty of meeting their statutory obligation to provide for the needs of applicants and their families and at the same time maintain a reasonable relationship between allowances and wages; and whether he will appoint a Royal Commission or other appropriate body to investigate the relationship of unemployment benefit, unemployment allowances, wage rates, and family allowances?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 29th June to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, East (Mr. Boothby).

Does not the right hon. Gentleman recall that the reply to the hon. Member for East Aberdeen (Mr. Boothby) refers solely to the question of family allowances, which is a narrow point; and will he not, in view of the anxiety expressed by the Unemployment Assistance Board and the Statutory Committee with regard to the problem, take some further steps towards a solution of the difficulty?

I think that really the answer applies, although perhaps the scope of this question is rather wider than the one that was asked before.

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as representing the Lord President of the Council, whether he is aware that, by the adoption and strict enforcement of a number of preventive measures, the incidence of silicosis in the Rand mines in South Africa has been reduced by 90 per cent.; and whether he will consider the desirability of arranging for those now engaged in investigating the problem of silicosis in the anthracite mines of South Wales to visit the Rand mines with a view to reporting upon the practicability of adopting those methods of prevention in the coal mines of this country?

I have been asked to reply. Full information as to the measures taken in South Africa is available in this country, and it is known that these have had substantial success under the rather different conditions prevailing there. It is, therefore, not considered desirable to arrange for a visit to the Rand by the investigators at present working for the Medical Research Council in South Wales, especially in view of the importance of avoiding any interruption of their present researches.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether the proposal to amend the Port of London by-laws concerning the limits within which oil-tankers may enter the Thames has been considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence and by its appropriate sub-committee; and whether the representations on the subject, made by the Institution of Fire Engineers, have been specifically considered by the committee and its appropriate sub-committee?

As regards the first part of the question, the proposal to amend the Port of London Authority's by-laws has been considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence and by the Government; as regards the second part, the representations made to the Minister of Transport by the Institution of Fire Engineers were specifically considered by the Government.

asked the Minister for the Co-ordination of Defence whether he can now state what arrangements His Majesty's Government have been able to make for the manufacture in Canada of aircraft and other munitions, either with Canadian manufacturers direct or in cooperation with His Majesty's Government in Canada?

As regards the production of aircraft in Canada, the Government has under examination the report of the recent Special Mission which was sent to the United States of America and Canada, and made inquiries into this matter. As regards the manufacture of other munitions, orders have been placed in Canada for shell bodies and Bren machine guns, the former direct with the Canadian manufacturer and the latter in association with the Canadian Government. An order for explosives is also under consideration.

Are His Majesty's Government making it clear to all the Dominions that this country is ready to engage in the widest co-operation for collective defence against any form of aggression from the air?

The Government of the United Kingdom are in constant communication with the Dominions.

Can the Minister say whether it is not quite untrue to say that any request by His Majesty's Government here has been refused by the Canadian Government?

I do not know to what the hon. Gentleman is referring.

Are the types of munitions for which orders have been placed in Canada similar to the types which are to be supplied to the Turkish Government under the Bill now before the House?

Will any portions of the report of the Special Commission be made available to Members of this House?

That is a question which should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Air.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has now considered the disused Caird shipyard at Greenock, with the waters adjacent thereto, as a suitable base for an air service between Greenock and the Western Isles, similar to that between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly; and whether he has any statement to make on the subject?

Greenock Harbour was licensed last year as a civil sea aerodrome but no proposals have yet been received from any local authority or other responsible concern regarding the development of the disused Caird shipyard for aviation purposes. As the hon. and learned Member was recently informed, the Air Ministry would be happy to arrange for an inspection of the shipyard in the event of any such proposals being put forward.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement on the Government's policy with regard to the development of civil aviation?

The policy in regard to the development of civil aviation is to implement the recommendations of the Maybury Committee and such recommendations of the Cadman Committee as were approved by the Government, many of which have already been carried out. The Government do not, however, regard future developments as limited by those recommendations and, as announced by my right hon. Friend in the House on 18th May, some £100,000 of the increased subsidy will be made available for inland services. Further, the possibilities of making more extensive use of suitable civil aerodromes for Royal Air Force purposes are being actively examined. Consideration is being given to the question whether further assistance can be granted to light aeroplane and gliding clubs. New types of civil aircraft are being encouraged by grants to facilitate development and early production. The proposals of the Cadman Committee in regard to external services are in process of implementation.

What is the position at the present moment of the Junction Scheme in the report?

I should be glad if the hon. Gentleman would put down a specific question on that.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the directors of Imperial Airways invited Sir John Reith to conduct an investigation into what they termed charges made by the Cadman Report, and can he say how much of the time of the new managing-director is to be diverted to these matters?

That does not come within the scope of the question, which was for a statement of Government policy regarding civil aviation.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is his intention to develop the air-mail services in this country and to develop the facilities for carrying by aircraft of parcels and freightage; and is it proposed to link up the provincial services with other parts of the world?

I understand that the policy of the Post Office as regards Internal Air Mail Services is to make use of any regular and reliable established air service for the conveyance of full rate letters and postcards without surcharge, provided that delivery is thereby accelerated and the cost is reasonable. As regards the carriage by aircraft of parcels, other than postal parcels, and of freightage the proposals already announced for the grant of a subsidy to air lines in this country together with the benefits of the system of licensing that is to be set up should enable the regular air services to develop their business in this direction as well as in regard to the carriage of passengers. The last part of the question is a matter primarily for arrangement between the companies concerned but my Department is always willing to assist with information or technical advice.

Do consultations take place between the Air Ministry and the Post Office authorities in regard to this matter, and, if not, will the Under-Secretary consider the need for such consultations?

I can assure my hon. Friend that consultations are constantly taking place between the Post Office and my Department.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement on the Government policy in reference to the municipal aerodromes for the guidance of the municipalities; and whether he will issue a list of those aerodromes which are considered adequate for future requirements?

As has already been stated in the House, the decision of His Majesty's Government following the recommendations of the Maybury and Cadman Committees is that direct financial assistance for the construction, enlargement or maintenance of civil aerodromes should not be granted. Assistance is afforded by the provision, maintenance and operation of radio facilities, a meteorological organisation and a comprehensive air traffic control organisation and by a contribution towards the capital costs of night lighting equipment at selected aerodromes. It is the policy of the Government to make, in agreement with the owners, use of civil aerodromes for suitable defence purposes and the present arrangements at both municipal and other aerodromes are being actively reviewed at present in this connection. My Department is always willing to give technical advice to municipalities regarding the acquisition or reservation of aerodrome sites and has issued a memorandum on the provision of aerodromes by local authorities and a pamphlet on the principles governing the planning and zoning of aerodromes, suitable for the operation of regular day and night services, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The information asked for in the last part of the question will be circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Can the Under-Secretary say how many of these aerodromes are paying propositions at the present time?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when he expects to receive the report of the Rae Committee?

I am not yet in a position to say when the report of the Rae Committee may be expected.

Is it not the case that this committee is taking a very considerable time to inquire into the directorate of this organisation, and does that not indicate that the working of that directorate has fallen into a state of considerable confusion?

The fact that it is taking a considerable time is an indication that the committee are investigating the matter thoroughly. The committee has met frequently, but it will take some time before it is in a position to report. I can assure the hon. and gallant Member that no time is being lost.

May we expect a report before the House rises?

If the hon. and gallant Member will put down a question, I will endeavour to give him a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of airports that are at present equipped with radio-electric services; the number that are at present being considered; and when a definite decision will be arrived at?

There are at present 22 civil aerodromes and airports equipped with radio-electric services and their provision at three others is under active consideration. In addition, following the recommendations of the Maybury Committee it is proposed to make these services available at a number of additional stations in accordance with traffic and operational requirements.

Is there any reason for holding up the development of these flying areas with this equipment?

The development is limited to some extent by the ability to obtain equipment and other considerations, but we are getting on as fast as we can.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what flights will be made this year by British aircraft across the Atlantic?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for the Isle of Wight (Captain P. Macdonald) on 22nd June last it is hoped to carry out experimental trans-Atlantic flights in both directions with the Mayo composite aircraft, with flying boats and with land-planes during the course of the year. The extent and details of the programme are under active consideration with Imperial Airways.

Can the Under-Secretary say, provided these experimental flights are satisfactory, when it is intended that a permanent service shall be inaugurated?

That is a hypothetical question depending upon the degree of success of the experimental services.

Will the Under-Secretary give an assurance that he will not allow any other country to get in front of this country?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the shadow factories now being erected are being built with bomb-proof shelters and gas-proof chambers; and whether any arrangements have been made for the special protection of the inhabitants residing in the areas?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the necessity for adequate air-raid precaution arrangements is fully in mind; it would, however, be contrary to the public interest to disclose the precise arrangements which will be made. With regard to the second part, the question of the protection of the inhabitants residing in these areas is a matter for consideration in connection with district air-raid precaution schemes under the control of the local authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to establish an aero-engine factory in Lancashire further than any already arranged because of the labour available; and whether any other parts, such as airframes, will be constructed in that county for similar reasons in the present expansion of the Royal Air Force?

There is no present intention of establishing an aero-engine factory in Lancashire. With regard to the second part of the question, airframes are being produced by two factories in the county, enlargements to both of which have lately been approved, as well as by a third which is just over the Cheshire border. A considerable amount of work on the production of ancillary material is also being undertaken in Lancashire and, as I indicated in my reply to my hon. Friend on the 29th of last month, still further assistance is likely to be required from the industrial resources of that area.

In view of Lancashire having such a surplus of engineering labour, would it not be a good thing to establish aero-engine factories there instead of in the Birmingham district, where a great deal of work is being done, whereas in Lancashire our workers have nothing to do?

What about Staffordshire, too?

I would like to know whether it is not time that we had a couple of these factories in Yorkshire.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what other aerodromes than Speke, Liverpool, and the one belonging to Manchester, are located in Lancashire; and what steps are being taken to increase the number in view of the protection afforded by the Pennine Chain and the industrial means of the district?

No other aerodromes used for Service purposes are located in Lancashire. The suitability of sites for these purposes depends on a variety of factors and the considerable investigations so far carried out by my Department have not disclosed any other sites which would be likely to meet Service requirements. If my hon. Friend has any particular areas in mind, I should be glad to consider them.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of men who offered themselves for enlistment in the Royal Air Force and completed Form 429 during the six months ended at the last convenient date?

During the six months ended 2nd July, 1938, 19,140 men applied for enlistment and completed Form 429.

Can the Minister say how many of these men were accepted after final examination?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can now make a statement with regard to the extension of the balloon-barrage system of defence to areas other than London?

I am not at present able to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 22nd June last.

Is the reason that the balloon-barrage system is restricted to one particular area due to lack of materials or equipment?