asked the Prime Minister whether he will state, according to information supplied by His Majesty's representatives abroad, the manner in which Germany is at present financing her rearmament?

As I informed the hon. Member on 25th May for some years past no figures have been published regarding German expenditure on armaments, and I am not, therefore, in a position to give any particulars on this subject.

Has the hon. Gentleman received any reports on the statement that Germany has spent over £800,000,000?

asked the Prime Minister whether Herr Hitler's envoy, Captain Weidemann, during his forthcoming visit to London, will have conversations with Members of His Majesty's Government?

My Noble Friend has no knowledge of any such visit.

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the statement by the French Foreign Minister, that all the forces of France, land, sea and air, would be immediately and spontaneously used in the defence of Great Britain in the event of unprovoked aggression against us, he is prepared to make a similar and reciprocal statement with regard to British support of France?

The position has been made clear in recent public statements, and I would refer the hon. Member in particular to the statement which I made on Anglo-French relations in the course of the Debate on 19th December.

Cannot we give the same generous and unequivocal assurances to France, that she has given to us?

The French Government is quite satisfied.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now tell the House if the proposed military road across Czechoslovakia from Breslau to Vienna is to be regarded as German territory; whether that is consistent with the neutrality of Czechoslovakia in time of war; and how the existence of the road affects the new British guarantee of the integrity of Czechoslovakian territory?

The text of the German-Czechoslovak Agreement on this subject has now been received, and arrangements are being made to place copies in the Library of the House. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether in the statement which has been received, it is made clear whether this is German territory or not?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Debate on Monday last in which he said that the territory would remain part of Czechoslovakia.

Will this Paper be laid before the House; and does it state, as is stated in the "Times," that the Germans intend to police the road?

I have said that copies will be placed in the Library of the House.

Has the hon. Gentleman any information yet that the British guarantee to Czechoslovakia is no longer required?

I have said in my answer that I have nothing to add on the subject of guarantees.

In the meantime we are subject to military commitments in respect of this.

asked the Prime Minister whether the status of refugees coming from Germany, as defined in the Convention of the League of Nations on 10th February, 1938, and ratified by His Majesty's Government, is applicable to refugees from the former Republic of Austria, now incorporated in Germany?

The question of the applicability to refugees from Austria of the Convention signed at Geneva on 10th February, 1938, has been under consideration by the League of Nations. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, who are themselves already applying the Convention to refugees from Austria, have put forward a draft Protocol making it clear that the provisions both of the Provisional Arrangement signed at Geneva on 4th July, 1936, and of the Convention of 10th February, 1938, shall be interpreted as applicable to such refugees. At the request of the League of Nations High Commissioner for Refugees coming from Germany, the Secretary-General of the League has circulated this draft Protocol to the Governments concerned for their observations.

Has any reply been received from other countries?

I think not yet, and that is why I cannot give a final answer.

asked the Prime Minister the total number of persons in the service of the British Embassy at Rome for 1937 and 1938, respectively?

On 31st December, 1937, the figure was 38. It is the same to-day.

Will the existence of those people be recognised by the Prime Minister during his forthcoming visit?

I am sure that every one of them will be much gratified to see the Prime Minister and my Noble Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make a statement with regard to the provision of a balloon barrage for the North Staffordshire area; what are the requirements of the area in regard to personnel; and what is the position of the Auxiliary Air Force in the area?

It is not at present proposed to form a balloon barrage unit in North Staffordshire, nor is there a flying squadron of the Auxiliary Air Force in that area. There is, however, an active Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve centre at Stoke-on-Trent and a sub-recruiting depot for the regular Royal Air Force at Hanley, which is being converted to a branch depot. My Department does not lay down any definite personnel requirements for a particular part of the country, but the area in which North Staffordshire is included is rendering considerable assistance to the Royal Air Force in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for Air for what reason medical and dental officers in the Auxiliary Air Force are strictly forbidden to fly, while similar officers in the regular Royal Air Force are encouraged to learn to do so?

Medical officers in the Auxiliary Air Force are encouraged to fly as passengers in order to gain air experience, but it is not practicable to give them the same facilities for learning to fly as are given to regular medical officers, whose whole time is at the disposal of the Service. There are no dental officers in the Auxiliary Air Force.

When a medical officer has previously been a flying officer, can he have facilities for flying?

I will examine into that.

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many squadrons of Air Defence Cadet Corps have been formed, or are in the process of formation; and whether arrangements are being made for some members of these squadrons to attend camps for gliding training next summer?

Since the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Pancras, North (Mr. Grant-Ferris) on 14th December, six more squadrons of the Air Defence Cadet Corps have been formed, which makes a total to date of 37, and the Air League of the British Empire is investigating the possibility of forming new squadrons in various parts of the country. A suggestion to make gliding training available to Air Defence Cadets is now receiving consideration.

When will my right hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement on this matter, in view of the fact that it would assist recruiting if boys knew this training would be available?

I will communicate with my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the numbers of medical and dental officers in the Royal Air Force are up to full strength and at how many Royal Air Force stations there is no medical or dental officer?

The officer strengths of the medical and dental branches of the Royal Air Force are at present below establishment, but the numbers are supplemented by the employment of civilian medical practitioners and dental surgeons. At all Royal Air Force stations the services of a medical officer, either service or civil, are available and a medical officer is always in attendance when there is flying. Adequate arrangements are made for the dental care of all Royal Air Force personnel, but it would be uneconomical to post a dental officer to each station for this purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total number of Scottish building firms that have been invited to tender for Air Ministry contracts in England and Scotland, respectively, during the present year?

I find that practically all the Scottish building firms on the Air Ministry list have been invited to tender for work in Scotland or England during the current year, and Scottish firms are also regularly invited to tender for structural steelwork in both countries.

Can the Minister say how these firms are distributed throughout Scotland? Is he aware of the desire in the east as well as in the west of Scotland for this work?

We have to go where the firms happen to be situated. If the hon. Member has any case he would like me to look into, I will inquire into it.

Can the Minister indicate the number of Scottish firms compared with the number of English firms who are allowed to quote for tenders?

No, Sir, as I have said, we apply to practically all the Scottish firms, so I hope Scotland is satisfied.

Does the expression "building firms" include manufacturers of concrete erections and installations, and, if not, will he see that such firms are included among those invited to tender?

I will inquire and communicate with the hon. Member.

Does my right hon. Friend include Scottish firms domiciled in England?

I have covered that in my answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, with regard to future Air Force expansion work in Scotland, local authorities are being asked for special recruiting guarantees before factories or works are established?

No, Sir.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement with regard to the increase in aircraft production in the British Isles during 1938?

During 1938 the monthly rate of aircraft production has more than doubled and is showing a marked upward trend.

Can my right hon. Friend assure the House that this greatly improved position will be further improved during 1939?

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend will remember that I made a statement in this matter in the House a few weeks ago, and I have no doubt that we shall be able to carry out the undertaking I then gave.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether aircraft production in this country is catching up with aircraft production in Germany?

I cannot answer that.

Is it not possible to say something more definite? Is not that the same statement that we had before the last crisis?

No, Sir. I have given a very definite statement this afternoon of the facts within my own knowledge with regard to aircraft production in this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has any proposals for advanced training of the Civil Air Guard members; and whether he can now make a statement on this subject?

My right hon. Friend is considering with the Civil Air Guard Commissioners proposals for giving further training to a proportion of the members of the Civil Air Guard, and will subsequently consult with the light aero-plane clubs. It is hoped to make a statement on the matter at a later date.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the proposals known as the low-level scheme submitted by Messrs. Muirhead and Partners for the construction of a seaplane base at Langstone Harbour have been thoroughly examined?

Proposals by Messrs. Muirhead and Partners for the construction of a sea plane base at Langstone Harbour were considered at the beginning of this year. As, however, my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, it was decided after a full review of the many factors bearing on the siting of the Empire Air Base not to proceed further with the proposal to construct a base at Langstone Harbour Messrs. Muirhead and Partners had been notified of this decision.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the present position of Imperial Airways, Limited, using Southampton as a seaplane base, is considered satisfactory; and whether any further proposals have been made to construct a seaplane base at Langstone Harbour by the Portsmouth town authorities or by private enterprise?

As I explained in my reply to a question by my hon. Friend the senior Member for Southampton (Mr. Craven-Ellis) on 29th July last, it will be necessary to seek statutory powers for the reservation of an area in Southampton Water for the exclusive use of aircraft for the purpose of the Empire Flying Boat base, and this is desirable for operation under most satisfactory conditions. I understand that an application for a late Bill on behalf of the Southampton Harbour Board was made on 15th of this month to the Chairman of Ways and Means. Meantime the control arrangements referred to in my reply are now in force, and are being operated jointly by the Southampton Harbour Board and the control staff of the base. I am aware that certain private interests contemplate putting forward further proposals for the establishment of a land and marine airport at Langstone Harbour.

Is it not a fact that the Southampton Harbour Board has rendered every assistance to Imperial Airways to make the service satisfactory and that the Bill which is now in preparation provides facilities which will be much more satisfactory and make Southampton even more suitable than it is at present as an Empire air base, and, further—

Question Time is not the time for making speeches.

Is it not a fact that Imperial Airways always desired to operate from Langstone Harbour and still adhere to their preference?

Can my hon. and gallant Friend say whether in fact the Air Ministry is discouraging any construction at Langstone Harbour?

As regards the first supplementary question, I would like to confirm my hon. Friend's statement that the Southampton Harbour Board have been most helpful in every way. As regards the second question, whether Imperial Airways wish to operate at Lang-stone, I would only say that that is impossible, for reasons with which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty is dealing on a later question, and I have no doubt that when legislative powers are obtained, if they are obtained, a satisfactory flying boat base can be made at Southampton, and, furthermore, that Southampton at the present time is operating in a satisfactory manner.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty why he has recently informed the Portsmouth City Council that the project for the con- struction of an air base at Langstone Harbour is viewed with disfavour by the Admiralty, seeing that the council has not been made aware of any such objections at any time during the last two years which the negotiations for the construction of the base have been proceeding; what are the vital naval activities that would be prejudiced; and whether facilities could not be found for them without preventing the carrying through of a scheme which would be of the utmost benefit to civil aviation as well as to Portsmouth?

Until an alternative site for the Imperial Air Base had been found at Southampton the project appeared to be of primary importance to civil aviation and the Admiralty, despite misgivings, were prepared to acquiesce in the scheme, subject to it proving possible to resite elsewhere certain essential naval services. This was found to be impracticable, but as the Portsmouth City Council did not proceed with their scheme an expression of view by the Admiralty was not necessary. As soon as it was brought to the notice of the Admiralty that the new project of using Langstone Harbour was proceeding, steps were taken to inform the Portsmouth City Council of the Admiralty's objection before that council had committed itself to the new scheme. Of the naval activities which would be affected, perhaps the most essential is the A/A School at Eastney, which is the most important naval school for this type of training. This activity was materially advanced after the original air base scheme had been dropped, and has recently been completed. In addition, in view of the heavy traffic which must centre upon the proposed civil air base, gunnery and fleet practices of all kinds in the Portsmouth area would be seriously affected. In any case it is undesirable to have the main route for all aeroplanes coming to such an air base passing over our premier naval dockyard. For these reasons the Admiralty came reluctantly to the conclusion that they ought to indicate to the city council that the scheme was open to grave objection.

Is it not a fact that there is already a recognised civil air zone, which would prevent any possible clashing of the two interests; and, further, is my hon. Friend aware that Imperial Airways have always desired to operate from Langstone Harbour, and will he do his utmost to facilitate this scheme, which will provide an air base at no cost whatever to the rates or taxes?

Southampton being the premier passenger port of the British Empire, does not the hon. Gentleman think Southampton is a more appropriate place for an air base?

I am afraid that I cannot hold out any hope of the Admiralty changing its point of view; and in view of the fact that Portsmouth is our principal naval base, I do not think it is unreasonable that we should expect, or even ask, the city council, which benefits so greatly from having the dockyard there, that they should at least have regard to the primary interests of the Navy in considering their activities.

asked the Secretary of State for Air particulars of the manner in which the Brindisi-Alexandria service is now working; and of what country of origin are the flying boats operating on this service?

There are eight flying-boat services each week in each direction between Brindisi and Alexandria. The route is a section of the Empire Air route operated by Imperial Airways with "Empire" class flying-boats constructed at Rochester. Some of the boats used are owned by Qantas Empire Airways, Limited, the Australian company associated with Imperial Airways, and bear Australian registration marks.

What is the present condition of these flying-boats? Are they practically obsolete?

No, I would not admit that these flying-boats are obsolete. In fact, they are the envy of many foreign air lines.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty, how many cruisers, destroyers, and sloops were built and launched between November, 1924, and July, 1929?

Thirteen cruisers, six destroyers and two sloops were launched in this country for the Royal Navy from November, 1924, to July, 1929. In addition, two cruisers for the Royal Australian Navy were launched.

How many of these ships were in the 1923 and 1924 programmes?

In the 1924 programme there were five cruisers and two destroyers. I have not the figures for 1923.

Will any of these ships be allocated to Spanish waters?

Are all these ships still in commission?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether in view of the necessity for antisubmarine patrols in Home waters and the heavy cost involved in building the modern destroyer, he has considered the advisability of building a number of turbine-driven torpedo boats similar to the small coastal destroyers numbered 1 to 36 in commission before and during the War?

Anti-submarine patrols in Home waters would be carried out by escort vessels, patrol vessels, and anti-submarine trawlers which actually reproduce some of the qualities of the torpedo boats to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether as a result of the experience gained in the great War, any plans have been worked out for the protection of our merchant ships; and, if so, have any steps been taken to communicate them to the mercantile marine?

Yes, Sir. Complete plans have been drawn up and the collaboration of the shipping interests has been ensured by the formation two years ago of the Shipping Defence Advisory Committee. The details of such plans are, of course, secret, but the general outline has been communicated to the Mercantile Marine.

Was any communication made to the Mercantile Marine during the recent crisis?

We were in very close touch with them.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the vessels under the control of the Italian Government in the Mercantile Marine of Italy are being armed, and are we taking proper steps in our own Mercantile Marine?

I understand that the decks of the Italian ships are being stiffened for that purpose.

Is not the Admiralty aware that statements have been made on unimpeachable authority that apart from the stiffening of the ships for armament purposes, guns have been installed?

I should like notice of that question.

Have the Committee to which the hon. Gentleman alluded made any representations about the effect upon their policy of the present shrinkage of the Mercantile Marine?

That is a different question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the recent mobilisation revealed any deficiencies in provision for defence against intensive enemy attacks upon British shipping in home waters; whether the Naval Staff is considering the matter; whether the building of certain types of craft to counter such attacks is contemplated; and whether a Supplementary Estimate will be presented for this purpose?

As the rearmament programme is not yet complete, the numbers of anti-aircraft and anti-submarine escort vessels available when the recent mobilisation took place were inevitably smaller than the Admiralty would have wished. The hon. and gallant Member may rest assured that the Naval Staff have this matter constantly before them, and that our deficiencies in the vessels in ques- tion are being made good, both by the construction of new vessels and by the rearming of existing cruisers and destroyers, with the utmost speed possible. No Supplementary Estimate in the current financial year is contemplated for this purpose.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty by what date it is intended to station at Singapore a fleet adequate to obviate the necessity for Australia to acquire capital ships?

The hon. and gallant Member will appreciate that it is not in the public interest to disclose possible future dispositions of His Majesty's ships. With regard to the latter part of the question, the strength and composition of the Royal Australian Navy is a matter for decision by the Commonwealth Government, and their present intentions in this respect were announced by the Minister of Defence in the House of Representatives on 6th December, as reported in the Press of 7th December. I need hardly add that His Majesty's Government in this country welcome any steps taken to increase the strength of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian participation in the common task of Imperial defence.

Is the Naval Staff satisfied that in the event of capital ships becoming necessary for the defence of Australia in the near future, this country will be able to provide these ships?

The Minister of Defence, in the speech referred to, said that

"Australia looked to the United Kingdom in an emergency to station at Singapore a fleet strong enough to safeguard the Empire's interests in the eastern hemisphere."

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what was the total amount of beef, mutton, lamb, and pig meat provided last year for the Navy stationed in Home waters; and what proportion of each was imported?

Approximately 2,300 tons of beef, 600 tons of mutton and 45 tons of pork were provided. Practically the whole of the beef and mutton was imported from the Dominions. The pork was all home-killed.

Is my hon. Friend able to state why so large a proportion is imported?

There are administrative and financial reasons for it which my hon. Friend will appreciate.

Is it not possible for shore establishments to be supplied with home-produced beef?

We have considered this matter at frequent intervals. It is mainly a question of the extra cost, but in addition there are difficulties of administration.

Does not my hon. Friend agree that, in view of the importance of agriculture in the national economy, the cost should not be the over-riding factor? What would be the position of the stock-raising industry if every consumer viewed the question from that angle?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make as to the effect in Tanganyika of his recent statement upon the future of our Colonies and mandated territories?

I am informed by the Governor that the statement which I made in this House on 7th December has had a distinctly reassuring effect in Tanganyika.

Can my right hon. Friend reassure us that he regards Tanganyika as being as integral a part of the British Commonwealth as is the borough of Westminster?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the numbers of students from Uganda and from Tanganyika now attending the Makerere College, as resident, and as day students; and whether, in view of the growing number of native boys now qualifying for an education such as the college provides, he proposes to establish another similar college under Government control in Tanganyika?

The 1937 figures, which are the latest available, are 99 from Uganda and 17 from Tanganyika. All of these students were residents. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. The Government of Tanganyika proposes, however, to increase the facilities for secondary education in the Territory.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to paragraph 41 of the Report of Employment of Juveniles Committee, Kenya protectorate, in which it is stated that drinking among juveniles in employment does occur; and whether he will take steps to see that in Kenya there is a stricter enforcement of the Native Liquor Ordinance which prohibits the sale of liquor to persons under the apparent age of 18, and whether he will either insist that all employers of juvenile labour shall be made responsible for safeguarding their well-being during the term of such employment, or consider the advisability of abolishing child labour in the colony?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Governor, with my approval, has adopted the Committee's report which includes, inter alia, a proposal that the Native Liquor Ordinance should be more closely applied. The Committee pointed out that employers are already under various statutory obligations in regard to the welfare of their servants, but drew attention to the desirability of close control by employers of juveniles outside working hours and of adequate facilities being provided for education and healthy recreation. I have no reason to doubt that such steps as are practicable will be taken by the Government of Kenya to ensure the observance of these recommendations.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many prosecutions were instituted during last year for contraventions of this Native Liquor Ordinance?

Not without notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake a close review of the conditions of labour in that country?

I am sure that the Governor will do that.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that children in Kenya may be transported to labour lines far from their homes, in certain cases to a distance of over 500 miles, he proposes to take steps to provide that the employable age for such distant employment is raised to 14 years?

I would refer the hon. Member to answers which I gave to questions that were asked on this subject on 14th December.

Does not the Minister agree that the age of 14 is still a tender one, in view of the disabilities under which these children may live?

The whole question was gone into carefully by the committee of inquiry, and I accepted their findings on the matter for the reasons given in their report.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now able to make a statement regarding the removal of groups of Africans from the Highlands of Kenya; and what procedure will be followed in carrying through the policy of His Majesty's Government?

As the answer is rather long I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

What public good or administrative advantage results from the transfer of these native people to the reserves? What is it proposed to do? Will adequate compensation be given after the transfers are effected?

To answer that question fully would obviously require a long speech, and that speech has been made on a number of occasions by another Secretary of State in this House. The policy was approved by the House. As regards the question of compensation, I hope that the hon. Member will be satisfied with the new arrangements which have now been concluded, in which there are proper safeguards for adequate compensation to the natives concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the policy of His Majesty's Government is driving an even larger number of people out of the Highlands of Ross and Cromarty?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will recommend the Governor of Kenya to exercise his clemency in the case of a young girl recently sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment for inflicting injuries which proved fatal upon an old man, as the evidence showed that although wishing to marry a young man she had been sold for a valuable consideration to this old man who was repugnant to her, that the injuries were inflicted during a struggle after the old man had taken cords and a stick with which to bind and beat his young wife, and as the Crown prosecutor expressed great sympathy with the girl as a victim of forced marriage?

Under Article XIX of the Letters Patent of the nth September, 1920, the prerogative of pardon was delegated to the Governor, and the exercise of clemency is, therefore, a matter for his discretion with which I am not prepared to interfere. I will ask him, however, for a report on the case referred to in the question, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member in due course.

If the right hon. Gentleman is making representations to the Governor will he point out that this girl was kept in custody for four months before being brought to trial and that she has now served two months of the sentence? Further, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that six months is a sufficient punishment in a case in which the judge said that to some extent this old man only got what he deserved?

Will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Governor to reconsider this sentence by way of showing strong disapproval of these forced marriages of young girls?

I am not prepared to interfere with the Governor's discretion in this matter, but I am quite sure that he will keep in mind whatever may be the full facts of the situation.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether steps are being taken by the Governments of Tanganyika and of Uganda to prevent wasteful destruction of growing trees; and is any organised system of re-afforestation carried out by native councils under the direction of the British Governments in these territories?