asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that all Foreign Office officials have been informed that on reaching the age of 25 they must resign from their Territorial or other National Service units and remain at the full disposal of the Secretary of State, only those under 25 years of age being permitted to volunteer for such service; and how many persons under 25 years of age now in His Majesty's Foreign Office have so volunteered?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part six. There is no objection to officers above the age of 25 joining part-time air-raid precautions services, provided they make it clear to the local authorities that the Department has first claim on their services.

Is it possible for them to become special constables in the London area?

I should want notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that in the recent call up of Territorials for balloon barrage service only a few days' notice was given; and, in view of the inconvenience caused to both the Territorial and his employer, will longer notice in future be given?

In accordance with the statement made by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour on16th May, formal calling up notices for the anti-aircraft units of the Territorial Army and for the balloon barrage units of the Auxiliary Air Force were issued as soon as the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Bill became law. In view of defence needs longer formal notice than 16 days was not practicable in this instance. It is intended whenever possible to give longer notice in future. In any individual case of special difficulty in which a replacement could be arranged the calling up date was deferred.

asked the Secretary of State for Air when all the 14 Ensign airliners, ordered by Imperial Airways, Limited, in 1934, will be in regular service; and what modifications are contemplated?

Of the 14 Ensign air-liners ordered by Imperial Airways, Limited,. 12 are having their existing type engines boosted to improve take-off. One has already been delivered so modified, and others will be delivered at the rate of one a week during the next seven weeks. Thereafter, the balance will be delivered at the rate of one a fortnight. It is the intention to re-engine at least eight of these aircraft with a more powerful engine, the American Wright Cyclone. A sufficient number of these engines and spares have already been ordered and deliveries will commence within four months. The aircraft will then be withdrawn from service one by one and fitted with these engines. No decision has yet been arrived at as to the re-engining of the 13th and 14th aircraft.

Who will pay for these new engines— Imperial Airways, or the makers of the aeroplanes?

That is a different question. If the hon. Member puts it down he will get an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any further statement as to the provision of an additional land airport to serve the future air traffic of the Metropolis?

I have nothing to add to the statement of policy with regard to the provision of airports for London which I made in the House on 9th March last. The hon. Member will have seen a recent report in the Press to the effect that the Court of Common Council of the City of London has voted an additional sum of £500,000 to develop the airport at Fairlop as a super-standard aerodrome. This decision is coupled with an arrangement under which a London Airports Advisory Committee, representative of owners of London airports, will be set up and asked to devise a formula for the allocation of the pooled receipts from traffic using these airports.

Will that committee also be asked to make a decision as to a central airport for London?

The decision has been arrived at that London air transport needs will best be served, not by one central airport, but by a ring of first-class airports round London.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the position with regard to the three contracts entered into between the Air Ministry and Messrs. E.D. Winn and Company, between December, 1936, and February, 1937, amounting to £837,000; whether inquiries were made as to this firm's financial ability to carry out the contracts; and whether deliveries and execution of the work have in any way been delayed through the failure of this firm?

Work on the three contracts has been suspended since the order was made for the compulsory winding-up of the firm in question, but arrangements are in hand which I hope will enable work to be re-started almost immediately. Before the contracts were placed, the usual inquiries were made as to the firm's financial position.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what acreage of unenclosed land is to be thrown into Kenley aerodrome by the Bill now before a Select Committee of the House; and what acreage will be added to the commons to compensate for the unenclosed lands so taken?

No unenclosed land will be added to Kenley aerodrome under the Bill referred to by the hon. Member. About a quarter of an acre of unenclosed land by the road side is being acquired from the Corporation of the City of London to form part of the new road to replace Hayes Lane, but in return my Department is transferring to the City Corporation about one acre of enclosed land acquired by the Air Ministry from a private source. This land adjoins Coulsdon Common and will now be held by the corporation as an open space under the Corporation of London (Open Spaces) Act, 1878. The net effect is thus to enlarge Coulsdon Common by three-quarters of an acre

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will secure another site for his purposes instead of encroaching upon the South-Eastern Counties of Scotland Sanatorium at East Fortune, which would become useless if the steps contemplated by his Department were taken?

Great difficulty has been experienced in finding sites for relief landing grounds required to supplement the main landing area of the Flying Training School at Gullane. The site to which the hon. Member refers is one of those under consideration by my Department, but no decision has been reached pending examination of the various issues involved, including that urged by the hon. Member.

Is it not possible for the Minister to give a more favourable answer than that? Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very strong feeling in the counties served by this sanatorium about the possibility of this sanatorium being rendered useless?

I regret that I cannot give a more positive answer than that which I have given to-day, but I will add that my right hon. Friend is aware of the point of view put by the hon. Member. On the other hand, the House will realise the great difficulty that we have in obtaining sites. This flying school cannot operate with maximum efficiency without two relief landing grounds, and so far we can find only two possible sites, one of which is this one. We are examining the situation and, as I told the hon. Member, his point of view is being taken full account of.

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman know of the difficulty of local authorities in getting sites for sanatoriums? The Minister for Air will tell him, because he used to be Minister of Health.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a general statement on the existing air power of Great Britain; and, in particular, whether it is now adequate to counter any menace from Germany?

I am unable to add to what my right hon. Friend said when he dealt with this question on discussion of the Air Estimates for 1939 on 9th and 14th March last. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by the Prime Minister to a question by the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, East (Mr. Mander) on 21st February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that there are no means of fixing ropes or hawsers on to a submarine; and whether he will consider the advisability of fixing shackle plates on to these ships similar to those to which the check chains are attached when a big ship is launched upon the Clyde?

Devices for fixing ropes or hawsers to a submarine do exist, but they are not sufficiently strong to enable a sunken submarine to be lifted. This and similar questions affecting the salvage of submarines are, however, being reviewed.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that these shackle plates can be made of flush pattern and so placed on the hull of the ship as to enable you to thread a hawser through several of them and therefore not leave it to one or two, but the entire length of the vessel?

I am not a technician. I understand there are no mechanical or constructional difficulties, but the question involves a larger question of policy that I would be pleased to discuss with the hon. Gentleman.

What is the purpose of the present equipment? Is it to enable submarines to be raised by a hawser?

In view of the importance of the question, and that it is not a matter for private discussion between the Minister and the hon. Member, will he kindly tell the House what the real reason was for not carrying out the hon. Member's suggestion?

I gave it in my answer that these matters are now under review, and I think a more appropriate occasion will occur when they have been reviewed.

Does it need the loss of a hundred lives to inspire Admiralty action?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty has ever tried to raise a submarine except when an accident has occurred; and whether he will now arrange for a submarine that is in commission to be sunk and experimented upon until a way has been found to raise it, so that men who take the risks of the submarine service may have the knowledge that a disaster similar to that of the "Thetis" can never happen again?

In 1931 a submarine (L. 4) was sunk in "A" lock, Portsmouth, and raised in order to test certain apparatus and fittings proposed for salving submarines. This apparatus was used in the attempt to raise the submarine "M. 2." In 1936 the submarine "L. 19" was intentionally sunk during certain trials and salved after six weeks' work. But the operation was artificial, as the vessel was prepared for salvage before the trials in a manner which would not be practicable under ordinary service conditions. I am doubtful whether the hon. Member's suggestion would provide data that is not already available from past experience; it will, however, be borne in mind.

Will the hon. Gentleman put before the Admiralty the advisability of not only the Navy men but the civilians who are employed on these submarines being trained? Is ho aware that my own union has lost six members who were civilians working there, who had had no previous experience of how to get out of the escape chamber, and will the Admiralty see to it that all individuals who are employed on board a submarine are taught in the same way as the Navy men how to escape out of the escape chamber?

That question raises rather a different issue from that in the question on the Paper, but if the hon. Member or anyone else, be he naval or civilian, has any suggestions which he thinks will contribute to a solution of this problem, we shall be only too delighted to have them examined in the Admiralty.

Has it been suggested, with regard to the angle at which the "Thetis" went down, that experiments should take place to see what could be done with a ship down at the same depth and at the same angle?

I think these are rather matters that are more appropriate for the public inquiry.

Have electro-magnetic methods been tried in connection with the raising of this submarine?

There is a very considerable body of experience in salving submarines now available, but there is no ideal solution.

Will the hon. Gentleman not direct the Admiralty to find some means to make submarines impossible, so that we shall not need to have such means of defence and no enemy will have them either?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether pending the report of the public inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's Submarine "Thetis" steps will be taken for a naval vessel capable of communicating with a submarine under water to accompany all submarines built for the Navy on their builder's trials, as is done for naval trials, and for the submarine to indicate her position, either by towing a buoy or by showing her periscopes from time to time, in order not to be out of touch for such periods as three hours?

Arrangements are being made for a naval vessel to accompany a submarine when carrying out builder's diving trials and to ensure communication at reasonable intervals.

Is it not the case that all submarines during peace time are fitted with means for telephonic communication with the surface and that they had it before the War?

Yes, Sir. That is a question which, with many others, is now under review.

Has it not been in the mind of the Admiralty to carry out their own suggestion of allowing oil to escape from submarines when they are undergoing trials so that accompanying vessels will always be able to track them?

There are a good many suggestions of that nature, and all of them are under consideration now.

Can the hon. Gentleman state why the contact between the submarine and the buoy which, as an emergency measure, is always floated, was discontinued, and has been discontinued since 1918?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that Press representatives were forbidden to take the names of those who attended the memorial service on the "Thetis," which was held at St. Martins-in-the Fields, on Wednesday last; whether this was done on the instructions of the Admiralty, and what was the reason for such instructions being given?

On the occasion of the memorial service to which the hon. Member refers the Admiralty requested the Press not to take the names of those attending the service. This was done in order that delay in entering the church should not thereby be caused and because the Admiralty were anxious not to cause additional distress to mourners on such an occasion. The Admiralty itself had a list of those attending both in an official capacity and because they were relatives of the deceased men and the Admiralty representative who sat with the Press during the service showed this list to each of them at the time and it was subsequently available at the Admiralty for any Press representative who desired to see it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what arrangements have been made for bringing home from Malta the wives of the naval ratings who have been withdrawn?

The wives of naval ratings who wish to go to Malta have normally to make their own arrangements at their own expense for going out and returning. Arrangements were, however, made this year for certain liners to make special calls at Malta, if requested by the local naval authorities, since the Mediterranean Fleet will be absent from Malta longer than usual, and wives may in consequence return to England earlier than intended. So far as I am aware, no such request has been made. Apart from the usual reliefs, no naval ratings have been withdrawn from the Mediterranean Fleet.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what developments are to take place on the south side of the Forth, near Queens-bury, which have led to the closing of But law Holiday Camp; whether he is aware of the resultant hardship to unemployed families, and whether he is in consultation with the Scottish Commissioner for Special Areas with a view of arranging for an alternative holiday camp?

The Port Edgar Naval Base is being reopened to provide facilities for housing and training Royal Naval Special Reservists in Scotland and to allow of the transfer of certain naval activities from Portland. The Scottish Commissioner for Special Areas has been informed of the necessity of the Admiralty resuming possession of this land.

Is anything being done by the Admiralty to assist the Scottish Special Areas Commissioner to meet the needs of those people, who have been so badly disappointed?

We can only meet them in so far as we have land available, but I think the Special Commissioner will be able to do something.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what naval training facilities are available on the west coast of Scotland; and whether, in view of the desire of many young fishermen to receive naval training in place of Militia service, he can state whether any additional facilities are to be provided?

Training facilities for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve are available on the west coast of Scotland in the Clyde Division at Glasgow and His Majesty's Ship „ Carrick „ at Greenock. Young fishermen who express a preference for naval training are being accepted in the Royal Naval Special Reserve and arrangements will be made for their training in that Reserve.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that whereas a naval officer is entitled to an allowance in respect of a child until the child attains the age of 16, a naval rating is only entitled to such an allowance while his child is under the elementary school-leaving age and that allowance does not continue after that date even if the child is continuing his education; and whether he will take steps to remove this anomaly?

The question is one which affects all three Services and is under consideration. I am not yet in a position to give a definite reply.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the inquiry into the causes of the excessive punishments of the crew of the New Zealand surveying ship His Majesty's Ship "Endeavour" has been completed; what is the report of the inquiry; what steps are being taken to avoid such a large number of punishments in the future; whether the conditions of service are to be improved; and whether any remission of sentences are to be granted to ratings who have committed offences owing to the harsh conditions?

The inquiry has been completed, but so far only a brief telegraphic summary has been received, and the whole matter will be given careful consideration in all its aspects when the written report, which is expected shortly, arrives. I may, however, say at once that no serious cause for discontent has been revealed, and a great majority of the ship's company deeply resents the allegations which have appeared in a certain section of the Press. The men were given complete liberty to make any representations they wished, but not one had any complaint to make of harsh treatment or unjust punishment, and there can therefore be no question of any remission of sentences. There were certain complaints in regard to overcrowding and the condition of the ship, and these will be examined in detail when the Commodore's full report is received.

How does the right hon. Gentleman account for the very large number of punishments which took place during the period in question?

When we see the full report we shall have a better view of things and be able to form a judgment on a question like that.

Is it not most unusual to make a declaration that there will be no remission of sentences before the First Lord has seen the report?

Do I understand that the members of the crew deprecate the statements which have been made in this House and in the Press?

Yes, I understand that before the court of inquiry was held the ship's company themselves made representations to the captain of. the ship that they resented these allegations and the statement that this ship was the "hell ship of the Navy," and they asked that publicity might be given to their resentment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the educational and seamanship examinations for the 42 lower deck candidates for commissions who have taken the special course for sub-lieutenant have been completed; whether he will state the results and the certificates obtained, and the number of commissions to be awarded this year?

The results of the educational and seamanship examinations are not yet available. I hope it will be possible to publish them in the course of next week, and I will forward a copy to the hon. Member. The number of commissions to be awarded depends of course on the recommendations of the Final Selection Board.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make with reference to the speech of Sir Mark Young, Governor of Tanganyika, at Dar-es-Salaam, on 24th May, to the effect that it had been hoped that a more clear and precise statement could have been made regarding the future of the territory, but that there was now no doubt as to the will of the British people that Tanganyika territory should remain within the confines of the British Empire under the sovereignty of the King; and whether, in view of the terms of the mandate from the League of Nations, it is proposed to follow this policy?

My right hon. Friend has seen a newspaper report of the speech in question. As regards the question of the future of Tanganyika, I have nothing to add to the statement which he made in this House on 7th December last.

May I ask whether it is accurate to describe territory held under a mandate as being under the sovereignty of the King?

No doubt that was an inadvertent statement.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether there is any restriction on the immigration of Arabs into Palestine; and, if so, will he give particulars?

Yes, Sir. The Palestine Immigration Ordinance applied to all persons wishing to enter Palestine irrespective of race. In each immigration quota it is customary to reserve a small proportion of certificates for non-Jews. Strict measures are taken to prevent the illegal immigration of Arabs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, now that His Majesty's Government have declared their Palestine policy, there is to be a pardon for certain categories of political prisoners in the near future?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for Gower (Mr. Grenfell) on 17th May.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the policy of the Palestine Government that those political prisoners who have served their sentences are not to be released until they have collected so many rifles and ammunition for the authorities?

No, Sir. The release of prisoners detained under the Emergency Regulations is in no way dependent on the collection or surrender of rifles and ammunition.

If I bring cases to the notice of my right hon. Friend's Department, will he give them his attention?

I will certainly consider any facts that my hon. and gallant Friend brings to my attention.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has given his approval to an ordinance of the High Commissioner, Palestine, authorising commanding officers of Government vessels under certain circumstances to fire into ships carrying intending immigrants to Palestine; and whether any corresponding ordinance has been issued authorising the military authorities to fire upon such immigrants who succeed in landing in Palestine?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the very great indignation that will be provoked if this power is exercised; and will he, therefore, take steps to ensure that commanding officers seek and obtain the consent of the High Commissioner or the naval authorities before exercising the power?

I am sure that every possible consideration will be borne in mind in connection with this matter.

Is it consonant with the tradition of the British Navy to take action against these escaping slaves?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that residence in the Colony of Nigeria qualifies a person for naturalisation as a British subject while residence in the Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria does not; and will he take steps to remedy this and ensure that residence within the Protectorates shall constitute residence within His Majesty's Dominions for the purpose of naturalisation?

As my right hon. Friend has already informed the hon. Member, His Majesty's Government are considering the introduction of legislation which, if passed, would enable residence in certain British Protectorates (including the Nigerian Protectorate) to be counted as a qualification for naturalisation as a British subject. It is not yet possible to say when such legislation is likely to be introduced.

Will my right hon. Friend see that this legislation is passed in the very near future, in view of the fact that an Imperial Conference many years ago made a recommendation to this effect, and also because, in view of the international situation, many Europeans are anxious about their position?

I have no doubt my right hon. Friend is fully alive to the importance of passing legislation as soon as an opportunity presents itself.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to grant Parliamentary time to allow discussion on the Motion on the Order Paper in the names of six Liverpool Members on the subject of excessive unemployment in Liverpool; and, if not, what are the reasons for the adverse decision having in mind the fact that the Motion has been tabled for several months?

In view of the state of public business I can hold out no hope of time being given for the Motion referred to in the hon. Member's question.

Am I to take it from that that it is the intention of the Government not to allow Private Members' Motions to be discussed?

I do not think the hon. Member should read into my answer any thing more than it said.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to consent to the appointment of a French General as the supreme commander of the British and French armed forces in the event of war?

The question of co-ordination of Command in the various threatres in which His Majesty's Forces might be called upon to co-operate with the French in the event of war necessarily forms part of the conversations between representatives of the two countries, but it would not be in the public interest to give information as to particular aspects of these conversations.

Is the Prime Minister aware that the French Press has stated that this policy has been determined, and that General Gamelin has been designated as supreme commander, and is the House to understand that that statement is without foundation?

The House must not take every statement they see in the Press as being correct.

Can the Prime Minister give an assurance that in the event of such an appointment being made it will be made in such a manner that the French Commander-in-Chief would be responsible to some inter-allied body and not to the French Government alone?

I do not think it would be in the public interest to discuss future arrangements.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of advising the restoration to the Royal Warrant regulating awards of the Victoria Cross the provision which it contained, until amended and consolidated in May, 1920, where under it could be awarded to officers and men of the armed forces who may perform acts of conspicuous courage and bravery in circumstances of extreme danger, such as the foundering of a vessel at sea or in any other circumstances in which, through the courage or devotion displayed, life or public property might be saved?

No, Sir. I do not think that this alteration is called for. Other official awards of high standing such as the Albert Medal and the Medal of the Order of the British Empire, for gallantry, are available for services such as my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an assurance that the emergency measures under consideration by the Government do not include any steps to suspend the ordinary activities of Parliament, particularly those by the exercise of which Parliament is enabled to criticise Members of the Executive?

A suspension of the ordinary activities of Parliament does not form part of the Government's emergency plans.

May we then assume that when Lord Bayford, the President of the Conservative Clubs' Association, suggested that Parliament should be suspended, he was merely giving expression to Conservative hopes, and not to Government intentions?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has in contemplation the creation of a ministry or office of propaganda for the purpose of countering the propaganda of the agencies of the Axis Powers, and for the purpose of making effective appeal for a rational peace to the working classes in every country In Europe?

I hope to be able to make a full statement on this subject to-morrow.

Would the Prime Minister bear in mind when he makes his statement that very considerable apprehension exists in responsible quarters in the Press that a retired diplomat should be appointed to a post for which he has no previous experience or qualifications?

Perhaps the right hon. Gentleman will await the statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an Amendment to the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act specifically dealing with the question of employers dismissing youths was not called owing to the operation of the Guillotine Motion, and that a similar provision has now had to be included in the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces (Prevention of Evasion) Regulations, 1939; and whether he will secure that in future, when a Guillotine Motion is considered necessary to facilitate progress with any Bill, it will be framed to take effect on Clauses that are relatively of least importance?

I am satisfied that adequate discussion took place on the reinstatement Section of the Military Training Act which was in identical terms with the similar Section in the Reserve and Auxiliary Forces Act. It was the view of the Government that the appropriate way to deal with the question of restraining employers from terminating the employment of their employés by reason of any duties or liabilities under the Acts in question was by way of regulation.