asked the Minister of Transport (1) what developments have taken place in street lighting upon the recommendations of the final report by the Departmental Committee;(2) where, and to what extent, up to the present time, illumination of main roads has been undertaken under the provisions of Section 6 (4) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1936?

Agreements under Section 6 (4) of the Trunk Roads Act, 1936, have been made or are in course of sealing in respect of lighting on trunk roads in Earley (Berks), Prestwick (Ayr), Cullen and Macduff (Banff). Each of the four installations varies from one-half to one mile in length. In addition I have a number of other proposals under examination covering an aggregate of 50 miles of trunk roads.As regards the lighting of non-trunk roads, I have no power to make a grant from the Road Fund, and I have no information regarding the developments contemplated by the responsible lighting authorities. New or improved systems recently installed show that regard is being had to the recommendations in the report of the Departmental Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused to workpeople and transport by the closing of the Barton Bridge; and will he take action to minimise the effect of traffic along the Manchester Ship Canal by regulating the passage of ships within certain hours?

Some inconvenience is, I fear, inevitable but the Ship Canal Company assure me that they are making every effort to minimise this inconvenience. I have no power to regulate the passage of ships.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that on the 21st November a 20-ton tank locomotive was being conveyed by heavy lorry from London to North Ormesby, and that on arrival near Sadberge Village the weight of the locomotive caused the wheels to sink in to a depth of about two feet and that all efforts to move the lorry under its own power have failed, the road, meanwhile, being completely blocked; what is the maximum limit to the weight of an article that may be conveyed by road for long-distance traffic; and what steps he is taking to prevent similar accidents in future?

I am aware of this incident which, I understand, occurred on a journey from Sacriston to North Ormesby. There is no maximum limit to the weight of an abnormal, indivisible load that may be taken by road, but if the limit exceeds the maxima allowed for normal vehicles it can be carried only on a vehicle of special type, and subject to conditions laid down by the Motor Vehicles (Authorisation of Special Types) Order (No. 1), 1937. So far as I am aware, the provisions of this Order work on the whole satisfactorily, and I do not think that this isolated occurrence provides any ground for an amendment of the law.

asked the Minister of Transport how the aggregate net railway receipts of the four main line com- panies for 1937 compared with those for 1923 and 1931, respectively?

The aggregate net receipts from railway working of the four main line railway companies in 1937 and 1931 were as follow:

			£
Year 1937	…	…	34,370,000
Year 1931	…	…	29, 897,000

Owing to the change in accounting practice of the railway companies in 1928 comparable figures for 1923 are not available from published returns but are estimated at £38,700,000.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the railway companies have submitted any proposals to him for the regulation of transport charges generally in the event of a repeal of the existing statutory regulation of railway rates?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any figures to show how far the decline in the receipts of the railway companies is due to the competition of road transport and how far it is attributable to the general falling off in traffic caused by trade depression?

No returns of traffic are made by the operators of goods vehicles on roads, and I have, therefore, no figures indicative of the extent to which traffic may have been diverted from the railways.

asked the Minister of Transport what difficulties have been encountered in relation to the problem of evolving a rate structure for the various transport services; and what steps are being taken to implement the proposals of the Transport Advisory Council with respect to the establishment of a rate system for road transport?

The Transport Advisory Council recommended that an opportunity should be afforded for road hauliers to build up a rates structure for their own industry and should be given time in which to do it. A liaison committee has been set up within the industry and I understand that real progress is being made with what is admittedly a difficult problem.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his Department has prepared any plans for a national emergency which would involve the cooperation of the railway companies and the road transport operators?

Yes, Sir. The plans for securing the most effective use of transport in an emergency involve the cooperation of all branches of transport. I take this opportunity of acknowledging the help I am receiving, in formulation of plans, from responsible representatives of railways, road transport, docks and canals.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the recommendations of the Transport Advisory Council regarding rate fixing for the railway, road, inland waterway, and coastal services, he will undertake to maintain the restrictions on the fixing of railway rates?

Quite obviously I am unable to make a statement on this matter at present. This question is receiving my close attention in the light both of the reports of the Transport Advisory Council on Service and Rates and of the representations recently made to me by the railway companies.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there has been any increase in the cost of administering the Road Traffic Acts; and, if so, for what reasons?

Yes, Sir. Measures which have proved necessary to enforce the statutory and other conditions of carriers' licences have been the principal cause of the increase in the cost of administering the Road and Rail Traffic Act, and a further increase will result from the passage of the Road Haulage Wages Act.

asked the Minister of Trans port under what authority a sign on a large board, reading Speed Hill Ahead, was posted on one of the approach roads to Long Ashton, Somerset, which has a black accident record; and whether he will take steps to put an end to the placing of unauthorised road notices on public highways by motor and motor-cycle clubs engaged on reliability trials?

I will cause inquiries to be made into the circumstances in which this sign was erected and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course. I can find no record of any complaint as to the use of the notices to which the hon. Member refers in the latter part of his question but if he will give me particulars, I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is prepared to encourage the use of solid fuel for motor vehicles with a view to reducing our dependence upon supplies of imported petrol and Diesel oil, bearing in mind the fact that heavy motor vehicles could be run more economically upon solid fuel than upon petrol or Diesel oil, and that Germany has greatly reduced her dependence upon foreign supplies by this development, which would also considerably increase the demands for coal and coal products in this country?

In the case of vehicles using compressed gas or producer gas there is no duty payable on the fuel, and for the heavier types of vehicle there is a further advantage in that the rate of vehicle duty is lower than that for vehicles using petrol or Diesel oil. The question whether any further action ought to be taken which would enable wider use to be made of such vehicles during an emergency is under examination, but I am not at present in a position to make any announcement in the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport what was the weight of cargo passing through each of the canals of Scotland during each of the last three years, respectively?

The following are the figures to the nearest 1,000 tons:

—	1935.	1936.	1937.
	Tons.	Tons.	Tons.
Caledonian Canal	14,000	13,000	21,000
Crinan Canal	71,000	67,000	73,000
Forth and Clyde Canal.	131,000	133,000	129,000

asked the Minister of Transport how many of the five trespassers who met their death from the live rail on the Southern Railway this year were children and how many were adults; and how many miles of the electric rail are still unprovided with the new protective fencing?

All five, I regret to say, were children. I am informed by the Southern Railway Company that 47 miles, in the aggregate, of this fencing have been erected and that the total route mileage of their electrified track is about 663 miles, the great bulk of which is immune from trespass by children.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can indicate the major causes of road accidents during the present year and the number that can be related to such major causes?

I am afraid I am unable to comply with my hon. and learned Friend's request. The latest statistics of road accidents in Great Britain as a whole which include analyses of causes are those for the year ended 31st March, 1937.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to a recent prosecution of a lorry driver at Ipswich, when it was stated that if the lorry followed the kerb closely it overhung the pathway by 5 inches; and what action is taken by him to prevent lorries with such overhang using the roads or driving so close to the kerb as to cause danger to pedestrians?

I have been unable to identify the prosecution to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. Except in the case of public service vehicles, which draw up frequently alongside kerbs, there are no requirements as to lateral overhang, and I do not think that they are necessary. Anyone driving so close to the kerb as to endanger pedestrians would, I think, be liable to proceedings for careless or dangerous driving.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that explosives are being carried by road transport; and whether such traffic is subject to the same regulations and instructions as are imposed respecting the conveyance of such commodities by rail?

The conveyance of explosives by road is subject to by-laws made by the Secretary of State under Sections 37 and 39 of the Explosives Act, 1875. I am sending to my hon. Friend a copy of the by-laws at present in force, from which he will see that while they necessarily differ to some extent from those applicable to conveyance by rail, in view of the different nature of the means of transport, they follow the same general lines.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that certain electricity suppliers are now penalising consumers by threatening the withdrawal of favourable tariffs and the substitution of more onerous ones if, in addition to lighting, they do not instal electricity for cooking and heating purposes; and whether, in view of the fact that this policy of duress is causing great expense and dissatisfaction, particularly among many consumers in the London area, he will take immediate steps to see that such consumers shall have complete freedom of choice and shall in no way be penalised therein?

I have asked the Electricity Commissioners to make inquiries, and I will notify my hon. Friend of the outcome.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the widespread disappointment at the omission from the Government's legislative programme of a measure to remedy the present chaotic state of electricity distribution in accordance with the recommendations of the McGowan Report and the Government's outline of proposals; and if he can give industrial and private consumers who are vitally affected some assurance that this question will receive attention in the near future?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give some information regarding the proposed legislation to ensure an amply adequate supply of electricity in the rural areas and to enable farmers throughout the country to have electric power available?

I am not in a position to add to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. Member for South Shields (Mr. Ede) on 10th November.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any statistics showing to what extent electricity is being supplied to farms for agricultural purposes; and whether he is satisfied that current is available at economic rates and with servicing facilities similar to those offered in the United States of America?

I have no statistics of the amount of electricity supplied to farms for purely agricultural purposes, but in 1936–37, which is the latest year for which I have the figures, 25,000 farms and horticultural premises out of a total of 136,000 in Great Britain were supplied with 42,000,000 units for general use. Owing to the different circumstances I am not in a position to make a useful comparison between rates and services in this country and in America.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give the number of pylons in use carrying electric cables, and the length of ground they cover; and will he give the percentage of overhead and underground electric wires and cables?

I have no information as to the number of pylons carrying overhead lines in Great Britain, but the approximate length of overhead transmission and distribution lines (exclusive of service lines) at the end of the year 1937–38 was 44,000 miles out of a total of 147,000 miles of underground and overhead lines, or nearly 30 per cent.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has reached any conclusions upon the case recently presented to him by a deputation representing the Scottish Development Council, the Commissioner for the Special Areas in Scotland, and the corporation of Glasgow, with regard to the claims of Scotland for the provision of an aeroplane factory and other Air Force orders?

The representations advanced by the deputation which recently waited upon me have had my most careful consideration. As explained to the deputation it is not practicable to consider the establishment of an additional central aeroplane factory, but arrangements are being made for the establishment of a Repair Depot at Abbotsinch.This step will be supplemental to special action which has already been taken whereby the existing arrangements for aeroplane manufacture in Scotland will be expanded to provide for widespread sub-contracting. A large number of firms are already engaged on such sub-contracts and I am taking steps to ensure that the list of firms submitted by the deputation will be carefully considered in this connection. In so far as suitable capacity cannot be utilised in this way, firms will be invited to submit proposals for the manufacture of aircraft component parts. I am in communication with the Lord Provost of Glasgow with a view to arranging facilities for the local exhibition of patterns as a first step and am hopeful that the scheme will provide a valuable means of expanding aircraft manufacture in Scotland.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that of 264 contracts placed by his Department during October only seven were placed with Scottish firms; whether this proportion is typical of the distribution of Air Ministry orders during the past two years; and whether it is his intention to offer to Scotland any larger part in meeting the air defence requirements of the nation?

It is not in the public interest to publish details of many of the contracts placed by the Air Ministry, so that the figures quoted by my hon. Friend do not therefore fully represent the actual position. Records of contracts are not maintained on a geographical basis except in the case of the Special Areas, and I regret that the information asked for in the second part of the question is not available. Scotland is, however, already making a considerable contribution to the air defence programme and special arrangements are being made with a view to increasing this contribution.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, having in mind the heavy degree of unemployment in the city of Liverpool, he will consider giving special priority to the claims of that city when placing Air Ministry contracts?

It is the practice of my Department when placing contracts to give a preference, other things being equal, to areas suffering from severe and prolonged unemployment, but I am afraid that it would not be practicable to accord special priority to Liverpool in this respect, without regard to such factors as the capacity available or the results of competitive tendering.

asked the Attorney-General how many cases there are for trial at Manchester Assizes which commenced on Monday last; how long the sittings are scheduled to last; and what steps are to be taken to ensure that there are not a large number of remanets?

There are for trial at Manchester during the present assize 190 civil cases, 227 matrimonial causes, and about 40 prisoners. As Manchester is the last town on the Northern Circuit on each assize, there is no fixed date for the termination of the sittings there. It is hoped that the work may be completed in about three weeks from last Monday, and in order to secure this result, arrangements have been made for the appointment of a commissioner, who began to sit on Monday.

asked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to a pamphlet published by the United Christian Front containing propaganda for the rebels in Spain, and, as the issue of such pamphlet is an offence against the Statute 32 & 33 Vict., cap. 24, involving penalties not exceeding£5 for each copy published, whether he proposes to prosecute the persons involved?

My attention was drawn to this case and I have had inquiries made. Having regard to all the circumstances I do not propose to prosecute, but those concerned have been warned of the breach of the law involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether The 1820 Association receives any grants from the Government and, if so, of what amount; and whether any reports are received as to the progress made by those who are settled on farms under its auspices?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The total of the grants for the year ending 30th June last was approximately £4,250. The Association receives quarterly reports upon all student farming settlers during their training, which normally covers a period of three years, but is often longer.

asked the Secretary of State for War of how many groups of 10 battalions of infantry, excluding the Brigade of Guards, taken in succession in the Army List it would be accurate to say that eight or more have had complete issues of their war establishments both of Bren guns and anti-tank rifles?

I regret that I cannot add to the information which I gave in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham (Mr. Hamilton Kerr) on 22nd November. I explained then the exceptional circumstances in which that information was furnished.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, having in mind the heavy degree of unemployment in Liverpool, he will consider giving special priority to the claims of that city when placing Army contracts?

Other things being equal, preference in regard to the placing of contracts is given to areas where there is a heavy degree of unemployment, and the Liverpool district is given equal consideration with other such districts in the matter of orders.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will state the number of ex-service men in Lancashire who are in receipt of pensions, stating the number in receipt of 100 per cent. pension, also the number in receipt of pension below 25 per cent., between 25 per cent. and 50 per cent., and between 50 per cent. and 100 per cent., respectively, for the years 1935, 1936, and 1937?

I regret that the Ministry's records are not kept in a form which would enable this information to be given.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories have been started in the Special Areas without any form, direct or indirect, of financial assistance from the State?

I regret that the information is not available.

asked the Minister of Labour what part of the £5,347,000 granted to assist industry in the Special Areas has taken the form of direct capital contribution to the firms assisted; and whether he will give a detailed statement of the forms in which this sum has been rendered available to the industries concerned?

The sum of £5,347,000 represents commitments entered into by the Commissioner for Special Areas (England and Wales). I propose, if I may, to circulate with the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement to show how this total is made up, but the hon. Member will observe that none of this total is in respect of capital contributions, i.e. loans to individual industrial undertakings.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been called to a draft ordinance of the Government of Gibraltar, issued on 7th October last, to take power to prevent the nationals of certain foreign States from proceeding from Gibraltar to Spain with a view to taking part in warlike operations therein; and whether, as this draft ordinance offends against international courtesy by providing that aliens lawfully within the colony who are desirous of leaving shall not be allowed to do so and offends against justice by laying upon persons seeking to leave the colony the burden of proving that they are not intending to take part in warlike operations in Spain, and treats Eire as a foreign country, he will see to it that this draft ordinance does not come into law?

The draft Ordinance to which the hon. Member refers was prepared to enable His Majesty's Government to carry out their obligations under the Non-Intervention Agreement, and no question of offending against international courtesy can therefore arise. I am, however, in communication with the Governor regarding the other points raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the personnel of the Commission appointed to inquire into the Bracegirdle case and their terms of reference, were approved by the Board of Ministers of Ceylon; and whether the Board of Ministers were themselves parties to the inquiry;(2) whether the approval of the Inspector-General of Police in Ceylon was sought for the personnel or terms of reference of the Commission appointed to inquire into the Bracegirdle case?

The personnel and terms of reference of the Commission, which was appointed by the Governor, had the concurrence of the Board of Ministers. I have no reason to think that the Inspector-General of Police was consulted as to either the personnel or the terms of reference of the Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the statements in the report of the Chief Inspector of Mines in the Gold Coast regarding the prevalence of strikes for which no cause could be ascertained; and whether he will obtain from the Chief Inspector further explanation on this state of affairs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am in communication with the Governor.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that Africans serving on the Sierra Leone advisory committees, in accordance with the provision of the Rural Areas Ordinance, are resigning their appointments; whether he can state the reason for this; and why the District Commissioner of the headquarters district is permitted to reside some 22 miles away from his headquarters?

Four advisory committees have been appointed under the Rural Areas Ordinance, each consisting of a rural commissioner and five African elected members. I am informed that one member of the committee for Waterloo has resigned his appointment and has given as his reason his opinion that the Ordinance is unworkable and affects his village adversely.As regards the last part of the question, the District Commissioner now has two headquarters. He is responsible under the Ordinance for the Headquarters Judicial District, the headquarters of which are at Waterloo, and he is also responsible for the Freetown Police District, with headquarters at Freetown. He must therefore do duty both at Waterloo and at Freetown, but resides at Freetown.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any steps are being considered for facilitating intercommunication between the islands of the West Indies, with particular reference to the development of civil aviation between the islands?

Yes, Sir. Arrangements have been made for a senior opera- tions officer on the staff of the Air Ministry to proceed to the West Indies next month to investigate the possibility of the establishment of an inter-island air service as a means of improving the existing facilities for communication between the British islands in that area.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having in mind the heavy degree of unemployment in the city of Liverpool, he will consider giving special priority to the claims of that city when placing Admiralty contracts?

The Admiralty is fully aware of the desirability of placing orders in areas suffering from severe and prolonged unemployment. In accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government preference is given to tenders from firms in these areas, other things being equal. The same special consideration is accorded to firms in the Liverpool area.