asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that civilian bakers employed at Cranwell aerodrome are in receipt of wages of 55s. per week of five 10-hour shifts, including night work alternate weeks; and, in view of the fact that these rates are extremely low, whether he will authorise an immediate increase on the lines of the rates paid at Halton Camp?

The rate of wages paid to civilian bakers employed at Cranwell is 55s. for a 48-hour week. This rate will be reviewed if and when the recent proposals of the Bakery Trade Board are brought into effect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman please bear in mind that the rates fixed by a trade board to be paid are the rates to be paid by the worst employers in the country, and will he therefore really do something to bring his Department into line with the best employers?

I understand that this and other cases of industrial wages are regulated on fair wage principles on the basis of the rates paid in the district for comparable labour.

May I press the right hon. Gentleman to realise that these men who receive low wages are on night work every alternate week, and surely he will know himself that these wages do not compare with trade union rates even in those parts?

Any information that the hon. Member likes to send me, I will gladly consider, or I will see him, if he wishes.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the developments that take place under his Department make a change in the locality and entitle the rates to be raised in many cases?

I do not know that, but if the hon. Member has any information that he would like me to see, I will gladly consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the value and weight of National Mark beef supplied to the Royal Air Force for the years 1936, 1937 and 1938, respectively?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War. These figures cover the Royal Air Force, the supplies for which are obtained by the Army authorities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware, first, that I have received no real answer to my question about National Mark beef and, secondly, that the Ministry of Agriculture has been decrying the demand for cheap food and that the Government are the biggest sinners, because during the past three years they have paid only 2½d. per lb. for meat?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that many men joined the Royal Air Force under the impression that they would receive the full pay with all necessaries found; that much discontent has been caused by the large number of compulsory weekly deductions made in a number of units and amounting, in one case, to as much as 5s. 9d., out of an armourer's 12s. weekly pay; and whether he will make arrangements for all necessities to be provided free by the service?

All clothing and necessaries are supplied free to men joining the Royal Air Force. To meet the cost of necessary replacements and repair of clothing and necessaries and also of laundry and other miscellaneous items of this kind each airman receives a quarterly cash allowance. Payment for these items is made by way of weekly deductions. I am unable to trace that deductions have been made to the extent indicated by the hon. Member. In a typical case over a period of just over 10 weeks these deductions amounted to 1s. 7d. a week from a gross pay entitlement of 14s.; but if the hon. Member will give me particulars of any cases, I shall be glad to have them looked into.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in this particular case 1s. 6d. was deducted towards the cost of purchasing football equipment, and that there were deductions for soap and for polish for buttons?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will let me have those facts, and I will look into them.

Will my right hon. Friend consider giving instructions to recruiting officers to explain to recruits that for a certain number of weeks when they first join there will be deductions, so as to obviate misunderstandings?

It should also be explained to them that they receive quarterly cash allowances.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether employés in the Government's aircraft factory at Speke, Liverpool, when attending camps as Territorials, or when undergoing their six months' training as militiamen, will have their service pay and allowances augmented to equal the wages received while at work in the factory?

I understand that the position in regard to the employés at the factory at Speke, managed by Messrs. Rootes, Limited, is that weekly paid staff who are Territorials and who, under the terms of their engagement with the firm, are entitled to a fortnight's holiday with pay, receive full pay while attending camp and are given an extra week's holiday. Hourly paid staff, who are not entitled to a holiday under the terms of their engagement, are credited with an allowance while at camp which is at the rate of £1 per week for married men and 15s. per week for single men. Men called up for service with the Militia will not receive any payment from the firm during the period of their military training.

Will that reply be applicable to all departments of this character run by the Ministry and the Government generally?

I will inquire into that, but this matter has to do with a particular firm, and if the hon. Member will put down a question, I will try to give him a reply.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is proposed to place any further orders in Airdrie?

Yes, Sir. A further substantial sub-contract order has just been placed in Airdrie by one of the principal aircraft constructors.

Will my right hon. Friend consider issuing a statement showing in some detail what part Scotland as a whole plays in meeting the armament requirements of the Ministry?

I recently made a full statement on the matter, and I have received various deputations. I think my hon. Friend will agree that Scotland has received very favourable consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is intended to proceed with the erection of an aerodrome on the Stourhead estate at Stourton, Wiltshire, in view of the fact that such action would not only involve the withdrawal of the offer by Sir Henry Hoare, of Stourhead House, of 2,700 acres of land to the National Trust, but discourage future offers of a similar character?

It is, I think, within the knowledge of the House that a large number of sites for aerodromes still remain to be found to meet urgent defence requirements in connection with the Royal Air Force expansion scheme, and that it is increasingly difficult to find sites which fulfil the various strategical and technical requirements. Such a site was found near Stourhead, and a very thorough survey has so far failed to reveal any other suitable site in the neighbourhood. Nevertheless, in view of the nature of the generous offer by the owner of the Stourhead estate to bequeath the property to the National Trust, I have decided not to proceed with the acquisition of this site.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this decision will be widely appreciated, especially in the West of England?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it is a scandal that the land of this country should be held by or disposed of at the will of any individual?

asked the Secretary of State for Air the average cost per acre of the land bought as sites for training aerodromes during the last five years?

The average cost has worked out at £48 per acre, including compensation for tenant right, disturbance, severance, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, when deciding upon sites for training aerodromes, consideration has been given to the many large derelict areas in the mining districts; and whether, as regards future sites, he will give special attention to such areas?

My Department is always prepared to consider such areas as are referred to by the hon. Member, but generally the mining districts do not provide the large flat areas and type of soil required for modern aerodromes.

Is the Minister satisfied that the cost involved in getting these flat areas is so small that it does not make these other areas worth consideration?

I shall be happy to look into any case which the hon. Member cares to send me.

Will the Minister look into parts of West Yorkshire?

Yes, Sir; if any hon. Member can give me particulars of any areas where I can find sites for aerodromes which would be suitable for our requirements, I shall be only too glad to receive them.

Is the Minister bearing in mind the many aerodromes constructed by local authorities which are completely uneconomic propositions, and will he direct his attention to one which has been constructed by the Walsall Corporation?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, with a view both to permitting the best use to be made of agricultural land in the production of foodstuffs and to expediting the choice of suitable sites, he will consult with county councils and their agricultural advisory staffs before acquiring agricultural land for aerodromes and camps?

It is the practice of my Department to consult the Departments of Agriculture before agricultural land is acquired for new aerodromes, but the selection of a suitable site depends upon the fulfilment of technical and strategical requirements and the final responsibility for the acquisition of land for Royal Air Force purposes must, therefore, rest with the Air Ministry. In all the circumstances, it is not considered that further consultations are necessary, but I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the representations of authoritative bodies in any particular case are always given due consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether his Department has the same kind of arrangement as the War Office for dealing with applicants who fail to satisfy the medical tests; and, if not, will he consider making such arrangements?

No, Sir, I am glad to say that no difficulty has so far been experienced in meeting the full requirements of the Royal Air Force from candidates of the appropriate medical standard. In these circumstances, no necessity has arisen for the creation of the special arrangements to which the hon. Member refers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary for War yesterday informed the House that over 2,000 recruits were brought from an unfit state to a fit state by this arrangement?

Yes, that may well be, but, so far as the Royal Air Force is concerned, what I have said shows that we have no difficulty in meeting our full requirements from candidates of the appropriate medical standard.

Are those medical standards approximately the same as those for the Army?

I cannot say, but, as the right hon. Gentleman knows, the standards for the Royal Air Force are high.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any statement showing the increase in aircraft production in the British Isles during the previous 12 months; and whether same is at present showing a marked upward trend?

It would not be in the public interest to give figures of actual deliveries. I can, however, state that there is every prospect that the forecast of production which I gave in introducing the Air Estimates on 9th March this year will be fully realised, and that production is showing a continued upward trend.

Can the Minister say whether Great Britain is now overtaking the gap between this country and the Continent in this matter?

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will arrange that in the event of a General Election taking place during a period when the whole or part of the Auxiliary and Territorial forces have been called up or embodied, Members of this House who are also members of those forces will be granted exemption from the appropriate King's Regulations and Air Council Instructions which prohibit serving officers from taking part in political campaigns?

I am considering what steps can properly be taken in the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what disabilities there are affecting officers and men of the Auxiliary Air Force in regard to speaking in connection with or standing as candidates at parliamentary or municipal elections?

The Regulations provide that when called out for service (other than training) or embodied or when serving with the regular Air Force, officers and men of the Auxiliary Air Force are prohibited from taking an active part in political affairs and from standing for Parliament. They may be candidates at municipal elections with the consent of the Air Council.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has inquired into the circumstances under which Acting-Pilot-Officer H. W. S. Stanton-Hope was killed on 21st February, at No. 9 Flying Training School, Hullavington?

Yes, Sir. This accident was investigated by a Royal Air Force Court of Inquiry, and I have personally examined the case. It has not been possible to establish a definite cause of this unfortunate accident.

Has any information been brought to the right hon. Gentleman's notice which shows that this officer was ordered up on solo night flying for only the second time in his life at a time when his diary and letters show that he was tired out for want of sleep?

No, Sir. I looked into this matter very carefully, because I had some letters from his father, who was naturally very anxious about the position, and I satisfied myself that there was no justification for that statement. If the hon. and gallant Member would like to consult with me I shall be glad to show them to him, in order that he may be able to satisfy himself in the matter; but I have looked into it very carefully myself. The instructor who gave half an hour's dual flying before the accident considered him quite competent to carry out the duty.

Why were the diary and the letters which showed the condition of this young officer withheld from the Court of Inquiry?

I could not say whether they were or not. The hon. and gallant Member had better put down that question if he thinks it important for me to answer it. I have looked into the matter very carefully and I am satisfied that there is no justification for such statements.

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the failure of Imperial Airways, Limited, to maintain an adequate service between London and Paris and return between 14th June and 22nd June; and whether the situation has yet improved?

Between the dates mentioned the regular operational schedule of seven services in each direction between London and Paris was operated by Imperial Airways, Limited, except on 20th June, when one flight was cancelled. Some irregularity in actual times compared with the published timetables occurred because on certain days during this period aircraft of the Heracles type had to be used on services in place of Frobishers, temporarily withdrawn for remedy of a minor technical defect. Since 21st June, aircraft of the Ensign and Frobisher types have been operating on this service.

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that on 20th June passengers by Imperial Airways from Le Bourget to London were kept waiting at Le Bourget for more than 2½ hours owing to the absence of any Imperia0.l Airways machine, and that during that time they watched the departure of two Air-France machines for this country? Does he not think that such incidents are having a deplorable effect on the reputation of British aviation?

I am not aware of the exact circumstances which the hon. Member has just mentioned. If he will send me particulars of the actual times I will investigate the matter, but the delay was probably attributable to the reasons which I have mentioned in my original reply.

Is it not quicker by train?

asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he will consider supplying first-aid supplies and binoculars to isolated moor and hill dwellings on the principal air routes in order to mitigate sufferings of injured aviators, and to enable early location of aircraft which has been forced down;

Whilst I appreciate the motives which have inspired the hon. Member's questions, I am afraid that the arrangements which he suggests would not prove of practical advantage, and, moreover, would be exceedingly costly to set up and maintain. Under conditions of bad visibility, when accidents are most likely to occur, a system of lights would be ineffective and it would not in any case be possible for pilots to hear sound signals. Under such conditions, a much more effective means of preventing accidents is the development and proper use of wireless apparatus and blind flying instruments.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will ask the Mandates Commission to arrange for the publication of the report and evidence of their proceedings on the subject of the Government's policy in Palestine at the earliest moment, in view of the world-wide interest in the question and the uncertainty as to the future that exists?

The arrangements for the preparation of the report of the Permanent Mandates Commission, and for its submission to the Council of the League of Nations, fall within the discretion of the Commission themselves. I have no doubt that they will arrange for publication as early as possible before the September meeting of the Council.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire whether it would not be possible to publish the report in July instead of August, when it generally comes out, so that the House may have an opportunity of considering it before we adjourn?

The Mandates Commission have not yet finished the consideration of their report, and pending that consideration I think it will be impossible for me to add anything to what I have said.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider asking the Mandates Commission to publish their report on Palestine as a separate document before they finish all the rest of their work?

I will keep that matter in mind, but while the Mandates Com- mission are still considering what their report should be, I think it would be premature to make any suggestion.

If the Commission do terminate their work, would it not be desirable that Parliament should have the report before it rises in August?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a revision of the existing Customs Agreement between Palestine and Syria is now under negotiation; and whether he will, in the interests of the poorer sections of the population of Palestine, avoid any increase in this agreement of the present duties on goods imported from Syria?

Negotiations are at present in progress for the conclusion of a new Customs Agreement between Palestine and Syria. I am unable at this stage to say whether any increases in existing duties on goods imported from Syria will be made, but the interests of all sections of the population of Palestine are being borne in mind.

Has there not always been free trade between Syria and Palestine, and what is the object of putting on duties?

I do not think I can say anything more, pending the negotiation of this Customs agreement, but we are bearing that kind of consideration very carefully in mind.

Will my right hon. Friend bear specially in mind the need for a reduction in the duty on cement in Syria, owing to the amount of rebuilding that is going on here?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has considered the statement issued by the Arab Centre in London and sent to him detailing 19 cases of brutality against Arabs by the authorities in Palestine and giving the names of those who have suffered; and whether he proposes to take any action to deal with this matter?

I have received a copy of the statement in question, and have referred it to the High Commissioner for Palestine for a report on the details. I should, however, say at once that I regard this document as a piece of propaganda which contains a mass of falsehoods.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to meet the people who are responsible for issuing this document and find out whether they have any justification for their charges?

I would like to await the report of the High Commissioner before taking any further steps in the matter. I can assure the hon. Member that I shall then take whatever steps are appropriate.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether the originator of this document is a Nazi agent in this country?

Is it not a fact that the British Army in Palestine has on the whole, throughout these troubles, behaved with great patience and fortitude?

That is so, and among other tributes that have been paid to the British soldiers in Palestine have been many very generous tributes from the Arab population themselves.

Is the Minister able to say now, in this House, that the more gross of these charges—the foul and filthy ones—are not true, without inquiring of the High Commissioner?

I have not any hesitation in saying that this document contains what I have called a mass of falsehoods.

Is it not true that it is being sent to all sorts of people, and is a very dangerous document?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the offence of Police Inspector Goddard, who was on trial in Palestine; and what was the result of the trial?

Inspector Goddard was charged on 22 counts, all of which were in connection with the traffic in illegal immigration. He was found guilty on all the counts. but was released on entering into a bond, in the sum of £200 with one surety in £200, to keep the peace and be of good behaviour for the period of two years.

Is it not a perfectly absurd sentence when a man in a responsible position has taken bribes against the Government and is let off with practically only having to find security? Is it possible for anything further to be done about the matter?

It is not a question for His Majesty's Government or the Administration of Palestine.

Is it a fact that this corrupt police officer has been dismissed?

That is another question, on which I am making inquiries. I am not in a position to give an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the terms and conditions on which he broadcast from Geneva to America on the Government's White Paper policy for Palestine?

During my recent visit to Geneva I was invited by the National Broadcasting Company of America to talk over the wireless to the United States on the subject of the Government's Palestine policy. Such invitations have on other occasions been accepted by Ministers attending meetings connected with the League of Nations in Geneva, and I gladly agreed to this proposal.

Is it not unusual, on a matter about which the House is so keenly divided, for a Minister on an official visit to Geneva to take the opportunity of broadcasting an ex-parte statement to America?

What I did was entirely according to precedent, and I cannot see any objection to it.

In view of the arrangement between all political parties in this country in regard to broadcasting, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that some similar arrangement might have been made in this case?

That is entirely a matter for the broadcasting authorities in America.

How did the right hon. Gentleman excuse his great betrayal?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many bomb explosions have taken place in the market place in Haifa since June, 1938; also the number of killed and wounded in each explosion, indicating in each case, the number of women, men and children sufferers?

Three bomb explosions have taken place in the vegetable market in Haifa since June, 1938. The casualties caused by these explosions were as follow: On 6th July, 1938, 21 persons were killed and 61 wounded; on 26th July 53 persons were killed and 45 wounded; and on 19th June of this year, 18 persons were killed and 24 wounded. I am unable to say how many. of these were men, women and children.

Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us the nationality of these victims?

I should require notice before dividing them up, but, as far as my recollection goes, the great majority were Arabs.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) what official inquiries have been made into the bomb explosions in Haifa; and whether, as a result of these inquiries, he is in a position to state who were the persons directly responsible for these criminal acts;

I have received no detailed reports covering the points raised in these questions, but am asking the High Commissioner for Palestine for full information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why, in view of the many criminal activities of the Irgun Tzvai Le-Umi, national military organisation, the leaders of this Zionist society have not been arrested and prosecuted?

The hon. Member may rest assured that the activities of organisations such as that referred to in the question are carefully watched by the Palestine Government. I have no doubt that in any case where action was found necessary it would be promptly taken. In fact, a considerable number of Jewish extremists are at present under detention in Palestine.

Have the Government discovered the whereabouts of the illegal broadcasting station belonging to these people?

Not according to my latest information.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is now in a position to make a statement regarding the prosecution of George Pratt in Sierra Leone; why this man was detained in prison for one month and eight days, and bail refused by the police magistrate; whether compensation will be paid; whether he is aware that this man had committed no offence warranting his arrest and that the evidence of the prosecution was disproved in the Supreme Court; whether he will take the necessary steps to stop prosecutions for opinion and trade union activity in West Africa; and whether he will reform the police service?

As regards the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for West Fife (Mr. Gallacher) on 15th June; as regards the third part, the answer is in the negative; as regards the fourth part, I am unable to agree to the apparent suggestion that there was no justification for this man's arrest or for his prosecution, since the local authorities held the view that a reasonable prima facie case had been made; as regards the fifth part, I am not aware that any such prosecution has taken place; as regards the sixth part, perhaps the hon. Member would communicate with me if he has details of any definite complaint against the police which he would wish to have investigated.

What justification was there for keeping this man in prison for one month and eight days without bail; and, in view of the general industrial disquietude in this territory, is not this method of prosecution likely to arouse some considerable suspicion and distrust in the administration?

The first part of the hon. Member's question was answered very fully in the long statement which was made by the Dominions Secretary in the answer to which I have referred.

Would it not be better to try to improve the wretched conditions in which these people are living and working in that country rather than to adopt these repressive measures?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has yet had an opportunity of studying the texts of the Deportation, Sedition, and Undesirable Literature Bills and of the Trade Union and Trade Disputes Bill, which have been under discussion in the legislative council of Sierra Leone; and whether, before coming to a decision, he will take steps to ascertain the views of those who oppose these Measures?

I have not yet received copies of each of the Bills as passed by the Legislative Council. Copies of the Sedition Ordinance, and of the Undesirable Publications Ordinance, have reached me and are being placed in the Library of the House. I am asking the Governor to inform me of the particular points on which the Measures have been opposed, and will consider these in the course of my examination of the ordinances when they arrive.

When is the right hon. Gentleman likely to make some decision regarding the features of these ordinances, and is he not aware that there is in West Africa considerable resistance to and resentment at the ordinances?

I shall have to await the arrival in this country of the ordinances before I can make any statement. I am not certain when they will arrive. I am aware of the situation which the hon. Member described, but I am satisfied that a great deal of the agitation is due to a misapprehension as to what is contained in the ordinances.

Does the Minister think that the adoption of repressive legislation is the best way of considering the interests of the people of this Colony?

I could not agree that it is repressive legislation. Examination of the ordinances, which will be placed in the Library of the House as soon as they arrive, will convince every Member of the House that that is so.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman say that he must await the arrival of these ordinances, when they were sent out by the Colonial Office earlier on? The right hon. Gentleman sent them out.

That is not the position. In some cases we did send them out as model ordinances, but the Bills which were introduced in the Colony differed somewhat from them. I have been in communication with the Governor since, regarding this matter, but I do not know in what form the ordinances were finally passed.

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that I have read in the most recent issue of a Sierra Leone newspaper a verbatim report of the Governor's speech in which the Governor said that these matters were sent out to him by the right hon. Gentleman?

I said that there was some misunderstanding. Some of the ordinances referred to were based on model ordinances which we sent out some time ago. The Bills, as introduced, differ in some respects. In other cases they are not based on the model ordinances sent out from the Colonial Office. I have been in communication with the Governor on certain details of the Bills as introduced, and I made certain suggestions, but because I am not certain of the final form in which they were passed I cannot make any further statement now.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue a White Paper?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the rate of wages paid to casual labourers and domestic workers on farms in Sierra Leone?

I understand that casual labour in the Colony area is paid at the rate of 1s. 3d. a day, and that in the Protectorate the rate ranges from 8d. to 10d. a day. Domestic workers on farms in the Colony are paid from 5s. to 10s. a month, with rations. There is no such paid labour in the Protectorate.

Is there any considerable amount of casual or domestic labour that is not paid any wage at all, but only rations?

I think that that must apply to the Protectorate, as my answer suggests. As regards the Colony area, the answer is as I have stated.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea of the number of people who work under these conditions; and, if they do work under these conditions, how do they manage to pay their taxes?

I could not say without notice what the number of people is. As regards the latter part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, the taxes are comparatively low, and, as they receive wages in addition to rations, I understand that it is possible for them to pay their taxes out of their wages.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the reasons for the strike of 3,000 labourers at the Marampa mine, Sierra Leone, from 2nd May to 22nd May; and the wages paid to the labourers?

I understand that the requests put forward by the strikers were, first, for an increase in wages because of an increase which had recently been granted by the company to the grade of chief headmen; and, secondly, for payments during absences from work owing to injury. At the time of the strike, the labourers were being paid at the rate of 9.d. a day, together with an issue of rice. The strikers returned to work on 22nd May, and I am informed that an increase in pay, to 10d. a day with the ration of rice, was granted with effect from 1st June. With regard to the other request, the men's representatives were informed that compensation on the basis of the provisions of the draft Workmen's Compensation Bill would be granted in all cases of accident occurring on or after 1st June, 1939.

Is it any wonder that men working at mining and paid 9d. and 10d. a day should revolt; and will the Colonial Secretary give his attention to these scandalously low wages and conditions?

That raises a very large subject, with which I could not deal in answer to a question, but I did, in the course of the Debate on the Colonial Office Estimates, indicate that it was a great mistake to compare rates of wages in the Colonies with rates of wages here, because the conditions are totally different.