asked the Secretary of State for Air what firm submitted the lowest tender for No. 1 contract at the Rolls-Royce works, Hilling-ton, Glasgow; whether the lowest tender was accepted; and whether steps will be taken by the Air Ministry to maintain the cost tendered?

The lowest tender was submitted by Messrs. Sir Lindsay Parkinson and Company, Limited, and has been accepted. In regard to the last part of the question, the firm are bound under the contract to complete the work for the sum tendered.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the firm already, under a previous contract, undercut all other firms and after a month had the contract torn up? Will he see that this is avoided with regard to this contract?

If the hon. Gentleman puts a question down with regard to the form of contract I will gladly answer it.

There is one down.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the proposal by a Sheffield firm to build a steelworks at Edale has now been abandoned; and whether he can assure the House that the Government have no intention of reserving the site for a Government factory?

The proposal has been abandoned by the firm in question, and my Department has no intention of reserving the site for Air Ministry purposes.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, as is the case with the Militia, marriage allowances are paid to men in the Royal Air Force who are 20 years of age or over?

Yes, Sir.

Has this information been conveyed to the Royal Air Force?

I believe so.

Thank you.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that it is the practice for persons desiring to join the Air Force who have not a birth certificate available to be charged 3s. 7d. a copy if they obtain it at Somerset House, or 5s. Id. if it is obtained from the local registrar of births, deaths, and marriages; and whether, in view of the hardship involved in the case of persons 'who are unemployed or of limited means, he will take steps to enable persons volunteering for the Air Force to obtain a copy of their birth certificate without charge?

Verification of the date of birth of any man desiring to enlist in the Royal Air Force, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve or Auxiliary Air Force can be obtained without charge by the recruiting officer from the General Register Office. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have in my hand a letter in which the sum of 5s. 7d.has been demanded for a certificate for this purpose? Will he look into the matter and see that it is not repeated?

Yes, Sir. Perhaps the hon. Member will let me have the letter and I will make immediate inquiries.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give a fortnight's normal menus for the food supplied to men of the Royal Air Force at Sealand aerodrome; and whether any complaint has been received with regard to the supply of food and its service at this Air Force station?

I regret that copies of the menus are not available in my Depart- ment, but I have given instructions for them to be obtained and I will send them to the hon. Member when they are received. No complaints have been received in regard to the food or its service at this station.

Is any machinery in existence for dealing with the complaints made by the men? Are inspections made without the knowledge of the officers concerned in this matter, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman make further inquiries, in particular with regard to the Sealand Camp?

Machinery exists for the ventilation of complaints by airmen, through the airmen's representative on the messing committee, which meets each week, or through the orderly officer when he visits the dining-room.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will introduce legislation to make it obligatory on the electricity supply companies to charge no higher rate per unit for electricity supplied through slot-meters than is charged through the ordinary supply meters?

I am informed that any difference in the rate per unit is usually attributable, not to a higher charge being made for the electricity supplied through pre-payment meters, but to the inclusion of an amount for meter rental, which in the case of quarterly meters is charged separately, and for any other charges which may be due for such services as assisted wiring.

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that three years have passed since the McGowan report, that there are 9,000,000 users of electricity in this country mostly dissatisfied, and that promise after promise has been made; and will he say why the Government do not fulfil their pledge to end the electricity muddle once and for all?

If my hon. Friend will refer to the answer I gave not very long ago he will find the exact position.

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that that position is most unsatisfactory?

I think my hon. Friend has said that before.

Is it not an anomaly that people who pay cash are treated more harshly than those who take credit?

asked the Minister of Transport what number of schemes dealing with narrow roads, dangerous corners and new bridges is sanctioned for the county of Glamorgan for the current year; what number for the next two years, and the estimated cost; and what is the estimated cost of new schemes to be carried out during the next two years?

Twelve schemes estimated to cost £42,163 have been approved for commencement this year on the trunk roads in the county of Glamorgan. A further five schemes estimated to cost £322,930 are in course of preparation. Twenty-four schemes on county roads estimated to cost £288,000 are at present in progress. Sixteen schemes, estimated to cost £151,000, have been formally approved but not yet commenced, and 18, estimated to cost £272,000, have been approved, in principle, for commencement before 1st April, 1940. As I have only just received the county council's proposals for the fifth year of the five-year programme, I am not at present in a position to give the total number and cost of schemes submitted by the county council that may be sanctioned this year or in the next two years.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has completed his negotiations with the various interests in the matter of the Neath River Bridge; and when he is likely to sanction the scheme in order to find local employment when the armament rush will be reduced?

I hope to complete the negotiations and to make an Order under Section 1 (3) of the Trunk Roads Act for the Neath By-pass at an early date. This will enable me to put the work in hand when circumstances permit.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there are any steps taken to proceed with the Severn Bridge scheme in preparing plans, estimates, etc., as a matter of necessity between England and Wales for transport purposes and an opening between South of England and South Wales; and whether he will take the responsibility for carrying out the scheme?

My predecessor informed the Gloucestershire County Council in February of this year that he was prepared to make a grant of 75 per cent, towards the cost of a further investigation which is now proceeding as to the best means of crossing the River Severn below Gloucester by bridge or by tunnel. The responsibility for carrying out a scheme rests with the local authorities. In view of the need for concentrating the financial resources of the country upon its most urgent requirements, and particularly upon defensive armaments, I am not in a position at present to offer a contribution towards the cost of constructing a crossing.

Is not that reply contrary to that which was given by the Minister's predecessor? I understood that, provided that the local authorities could agree upon a scheme, the Government were prepared to pay 75 per cent.

If the hon. Gentleman will read my answer and the reply of my predecessor he will see that they are perfectly consistent.

Does that answer indicate that the Government are not now prepared to give financial assistance towards a scheme for a Severn bridge, even if the scheme is agreed upon by the local authorities?

Not at the present time, and bearing in mind the present financial position. A very clear answer was given by my right hon. Friend a few months ago.

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman agree that the provision of a tunnel or a bridge—particularly a tunnel—would in itself be an important contribution to National Defence and food supply?

Yes, Sir, but where are we to get the money?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there is serious complaint of lack of travelling facilities between Glasgow and Innellan during the summer months, particularly by persons residing in Innellan whose occupations are in Glasgow and neighbourhood; and whether he will make the appropriate representations, to secure better transport facilities?

I am not aware of any such complaint. If the hon. and learned Member will give me evidence of any lack of facilities I will look into the matter.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not aware that there is no train from Glasgow with a connection to Gourock between 6 and 7 o'clock, and that that is very inconvenient to business people; and will he look into the matter?

I have said that I will look into the matter.

asked the Minister of Transport the reasons why the authorities for the ports of Llanelly and Burry Port have not been invited to submit proposals to his Department in connection with port facilities in the event of an emergency; and whether he will give consideration to these two ports and invite the authorities concerned to co-operate in this essential work?

There is no intention at present of requiring the authorities concerned to incur expenditure in connection with additional facilities at these two ports, and I do not therefore propose to put them to the trouble of submitting schemes. The hon. Member may rest assured, however, that, in the event of an emergency, both authorities will be invited to co-operate in making such use of these ports as circumstances require.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that these local authorities think that they may be excluded because they are the only ports in South Wales which are not owned by the Great Western Railway Company; and, in view of that feeling, will the Minister invite representatives of the authorities to submit proposals?

I should like to make it clear that the hon. Member is labouring under a misapprehension. There is no idea of discriminating against these ports. The real fact is that the facilities at both the ports for handling merchant shipping are inadequate, as the maximum draught they can accommodate is only 20 feet. If the ports can be used we shall be delighted to do so, but it does not seem sensible to the Government that, in view of the limited facilities to which I have referred, we should ask the authorities to submit schemes for additional facilities.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman prepared to receive representations on the matter?

I am always delighted to receive representations from the hon. Member.

Is it not a fact that the Minister has been asked to receive a deputation? Is he aware that proposals relating to these and other ports in South Wales have been submitted to the Minister and that he has been asked to receive a deputation to deal with the matter?

I was not aware of that, but any time that hon. Members opposite wish to see me I shall be delighted to see them.

Did I not make the application to the Minister himself, in person?

Very likely.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that there are frequent misunderstandings and difficulties on the part of drivers of vehicles at the traffic island at the West Station, in Greenock, caused by the insufficiency of directional indicators there; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter towards securing the safety of the public and the assistance of drivers of vehicles?

I was not aware of any difficulties experienced by drivers at the traffic island in question, which is provided with three illuminated bollards with "Keep Left" signs for the guidance of traffic. I will, however, make inquiries to see whether any improvement can be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has any statement to make concerning the progress of the salvage of His Majesty's Submarine "Thetis"?

The damage which was sustained last week during a gale by the steamship "Zelo," which is being used as a lifting craft, has now been made good, the ship has returned to the wreck, and the salvage operations have recommenced.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether any charges are falling upon public funds at the present moment in connection with these salvage operations; or are they being borne by Messrs. Cammell Laird?

I would rather that the hon. and gallant Gentleman put a question down regarding that point.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that about the year 1916 it was decided upon expert advice to place bulkheads immediately abaft the torpedo tubes in submarines; whether such bulkheads were placed in the "Thetis"; and, if not, when such a policy was discontinued, and why?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In all submarines since that date, including "Thetis," such a bulkhead has been fitted.

Is the bulkhead referred to in the hon. Gentleman's answer a bulkhead of a general type, for general protection? Is it not the case that the bulkheads introduced in 1916 were of a type specially designed to deal with accidents to torpedo tubes?

Every bulkhead is in the form of a safety device.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will provide facilities for a display and description of the models of submerged torpedo-tube arrangements and also of Davis escape apparatus for the benefit of Members of this House, either at once or after the report of the "Thetis" inquiry?

My noble Friend is trying to arrange a visit to Fort Blockhouse for a party of Members of Parliament, which he hopes will serve the purpose my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to approach the United States of America and the French Governments with a view to gaining freedom to lay down eight-inch gun cruisers before 1942, in view of the fact that German cruisers now being completed are greatly superior to any cruisers we possess or are building?

The German Government was entitled under the Anglo-German Agreement of 1935 to build up to a maximum of five eight-inch gun cruisers. I have no information that this maximum is being exceeded. There are, therefore, at present no grounds for approaching the Powers to whom we are bound by treaty, with a view to our being released from our treaty obligations.

Is it not the case that the five cruisers which are being completed by the German Government are superior to any cruisers that we have afloat or any that we have building at the present moment; and what steps is the Naval General Staff taking to meet that situation?

That, of course, must be a matter of opinion, but the circumstances as regards the number of German cruisers have not altered as compared with the time when the Anglo-German Naval Agreement was made.

Will the hon. Gentleman examine the details as to the range and guns of these ships, their underwater protection and their armour? In view of the facts, is it a matter of opinion that these ships are superior to our ships? Is it not clearly the case that they are superior?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman misunderstood my point. I said it was a matter of opinion, and clearly I could not give an answer now; but there has been no change in the circumstances by which Germany could have one-third of the total tonnage of cruisers.

Would it not be wise not only in view of the point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend, but in view of the fairly substantial information that is now coming through about Japanese building, to obtain the necessary notification from the other parties to enable us to increase our cruiser strength?

All that I said was that there was no ground at present for breaking the naval holiday in respect of these cruisers, which, on the whole, is of great benefit to the naval Powers that are observing it. We should have to have very strong grounds for seeking to use the escalator clause in order to break this cruiser holiday.

The hon. Gentleman says that there is no change in circumstances, but surely there is a change of circumstances in the denunciation of the Anglo-German Naval Treaty by the German Government? The hon. Gentleman also says that the power of these cruisers as compared with our own is a matter of opinion, but surely it is a matter on which there is only one opinion?

The right hon. Baronet will recall that the German Government have said that they intend to adhere to the policy of the Treaty, which means that the naval holiday in respect of these cruisers will continue.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the last date when a ceremonial visit was paid by the Navy to Dutch ports; and if it is proposed to arrange such a visit in the near future?

Ships of the China Station visit ports in the Netherlands East Indies from time to time each year, and will, subject to circumstances, continue to pay such visits.

Will the hon. Gentleman be good enough to reply to my question as to when ships of our Navy last paid a visit to Dutch ports?

I am sorry that the question was misunderstood. There was an unofficial visit by His Majesty's Ship "Hastings" to Holland last year.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider an official visit in the near future?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty particulars of what arrangements have now been made for the purpose of recruiting desirable recruits from Newfoundland for His Majesty's Navy; and the number of applications that have been received and accepted for the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

From time to time the Commander-in-Chief on the station arranges for one of His Majesty's ships to call at Newfoundland so that facilities for entry may be given to the men who have applied for entry into the Royal Navy. The question of extending these facilities is under consideration. During the 12 months ended 30th June, some 85 applications have been received. Exact information of the numbers entered is not immediately available, but the number is about 25. I will inform the hon. Member of the exact figure as soon as this information is obtained.

The hon. Gentleman says that these calls take place from time to time. Can he say how often?

I should think about three or four times a year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether the published notices on His Majesty's Ship "Resolution" and other naval ships warning men against Communist propaganda and instructing them to surrender leaflets and other material if received have had any recent result; and whether similar notices and instructions are or will be issued respecting Fascist propaganda?

Subversive literature is occasionally found in His Majesty's ships and establishments, but it is not possible to say whether its discovery is a direct result of the published notices. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, steps will be taken to deal with subversive literature emanating from any other source should the need arise.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is subversive propaganda? Is the Bible included?

It is very difficult to define, but very easy to know when you see it.

Does the hon. Gentleman's reply mean that propaganda of the Communist party is necessarily and always subversive? What is the meaning of "subversive"?

I never said anything of the kind.

Does the hon. Gentleman really mean, by subversive propaganda, any propaganda that the Government do not like?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men who left the Navy last year on the expiration of 12 years' service; and the number who subsequently were placed on the reserve list?

The number of men who left the Navy on the expiration of 12 years' service, during the 12 months ending 31st March, 1939, was 1,948, of which 1,752 were naval ratings and 196 marines. None of these men had any liability to serve in the Reserves, and, as ratings other than those who have served a 12-years' engagement join the Royal Fleet Reserve, it is not possible to give the information asked for in the second part of the hon. Member's question without a disproportionate amount of work.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that quite a number of these men leave after the expiry of 12 years because they see no chance of promotion? Is class bias rampant in the Navy?

Whatever they may have done in the past, I could not accept that position now. Promotion in the Royal Navy is quicker than it has ever been.

Will the hon. Gentleman take the opportunity to-day of saying how valuable the reserve service of these men is, and will he endeavour to see that their conditions when they are called up, as they have been recently, are improved? They are very bad.

Certainly I am always pleased to look into the conditions.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the nine cases of alleged unprovoked assaults on inoffensive Jews by Britishers in civilian clothes all took place in Jerusalem; and whether the rank and file of the British Army in Palestine wear civilian clothes?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I understand that it is the privilege of all ranks of the British Army to wear plain clothes when off duty, although in Palestine there is little opportunity for this.

In that case has the right hon. Gentleman still any doubt that these outrages were the work of the police and not of the Army; and would not the best cure for this, perhaps, be that these inoffensive Jews should be a little less inoffensive?

I cannot add to the answer I gave to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman's previous question.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the fact that the allocation for ordinary legal immigrants into Palestine in five months, namely, 3,645, is at the rate of 8,748 a year, or 10,000 a year less 1,252 deducted for illegal immigrants, he will state why only 1,252 was deducted seeing that some 15,000 have been landed illegally in the last six months, namely, by the official Zionist organisation 4,500, by the Re visionist organisation 7,000, and by in dependent chartered ships 3,500?

As was foreshadowed in the recent White Paper, the deduction of illegal immigrants from the current immigration quota was based on the ascertained number who had succeeded in entering Palestine between 1st April last, and the date on which the quota was issued. The figure was calculated on this basis. I would add that the information at my disposal points to considerably lower figures of illegal immigrants during the last six months than those given in the question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what the lower figures are?

Not with any accuracy, because a considerable number of the illegal immigrants have got in without being detected by the authorities; but all our information goes to show that the figure is considerably lower than the very high figure given by the right hon. and gallant Gentleman.

Will the Minister assure us that he will not take the same steps against the Jews as the right hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to take against the Irish?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations have now agreed upon their Report on the Palestine Mandate and the White Paper; and whether he has taken any steps to bring to their attention the advantage it would be to the British people if arrangements could be made for the publication of the Report before the end of July?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received copies of the Report and evidence given before the Mandates Commission of the League of Nations on the subject of the Government's White Paper proposal with regard to Palestine?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any statement to make on the consideration of the White Paper on Palestine by the Permanent Mandates Commission; and when the Commission's Report will be available?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have yet received the corrected minutes of the discussion of the Permanent Mandates Commission on the subject of Palestine and the recent White Paper?

A copy of the draft of the Commission's observations on the White Paper reached me some days ago; copies of the draft minutes of the private discussions of the members of the Commission reached me this morning; and I am still awaiting a copy of the corrected minutes of the discussions which the members held with me. The Commission have asked His Majesty's Government's comments on the two first documents, which will be sent as soon as possible, when the Commission will no doubt complete their report. I am unable to give any estimate of when the report is likely to be published; this is a matter for the Commission themselves, but I have no doubt that they will publish it as soon as is practicable after its completion.

In view of the report that there has been a considerable difference of opinion among members of the Mandates Commission does not my right hon. Friend think that it would be in the common interests of all that the report should be published as soon as possible so that we may know what these differences were?

In view of the fact that five members of the Permanent Mandates Commission declared that the White Paper was incompatible with the mandate, and that the Secretary of State was charged with turning the mandate upside down, would it not be better for all parties if the report of the proceedings was published at once?

When the report of the Permanent Mandates Commission is completed and published the hon. Member is very likely to discover that his information is incorrect. With regard to the question of early publication it is important that the publication of the report should not be delayed longer than is essential or necessary, but clearly it is impossible to contemplate the date of publication before the report is completed.

May the House be assured that the report will be published before the House adjourns early in August, so that no further steps may be taken by His Majesty's Government in regard to the League Council until this House has been able to express itself on the report?

I have made inquiries into the possibilities, and they have led me to a conclusion which makes it impossible for me to give an assurance. I should be very doubtful whether, if proper time is allowed for consideration of the report, it would be possible to get through the physical business of publication before the beginning of August. With regard to the second part of the question, this is not the report on which action is taken by His Majesty's Government in regard to this policy, except after consideration by the League Council. It is a report to the League Council and the appropriate next step would be discussed with the League Council.

In view of what is now perfectly obvious from the "public Press that there is likely to be a difference of opinion between the Permanent Mandates Commission and His Majesty's Government and in view of the delay that there is bound to be before the Council has this matter before them, will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking that he will take no action prior to discussion in this House?

His Majesty's Government have not taken any action prior to discussion in this House. There has been discussion in this House, and the policy of the White Paper was approved by this House. Therefore, action has only been taken following discussion and decisions in this House.

I must press the right hon. Gentleman on this matter. That is perfectly true. On the other hand, the House did not know then the views of the Mandates Commission, nor does it now. The question I am asking the right hon. Gentleman is this: After the matter has been before the Council of the League, will he stay his hand with regard to any definite action until this House has had an opportunity of discussing the report of the Mandates Commission and the decision of the League Council?

As the right hon. Gentleman appreciates, the point which will arise is not one between members of the Permanent Mandates Commission and His Majesty's Government, because the members of the Permanent Mandates Commission report to the Council. The discussion will be between the Council of the League and His Majesty's Government. Certainly, I will give an assurance to the House that if, as a result of a discussion by the Council, the situation regarding the policy is altered, His Majesty's Government will not proceed with any matter affected by that situation until there has been a further chance of the House expressing its views.

I am sorry still further to press the right hon. Gentleman, but that is only a 50 per cent, answer. I am asking the right hon. Gentleman whether, whatever may be the result of the discussions between the League Council and His Majesty's Government, no action will be taken with regard to Palestine before the matter is discussed by the-Members of this House.

I certainly could not give that assurance. Let us assume for a moment that the League Council approves of the policy being pursued by His Majesty's Government. As that policy has already been approved by this House, I can see no reason in those circumstances for going back on the policy. What I do say is, that if any decision reached by the Council suggests any modification in the policy which has been approved by this House, then certainly His Majesty's Government will feel it necessary to come before this House again before taking further action with regard to this particular matter.

In view of the fact that the reply of the Minister was given to my original question, may I be permitted now to put one supplementary?

The reply was not given to the hon. Member alone, but also to the questions of other hon. Members.

They were all taken together. May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is able to deny the statement which has appeared in the world's Press to the effect that five out of seven members of the Permanent Mandates Commission have condemned the British Government's policy, and that during the course of the proceedings he withdrew the Hogarth message as the result of the discussions which took place there?

Obviously, I have no authority to speak on behalf of the Permanent Mandates Commission—

Can you deny that?

—nor can I foreshadow what is in their report.

Do you not know?

All that I ventured to suggest was that when the hon. Member for the Don Valley (Mr. T. Williams) has a chance of studying the report after publication he will very likely find that his information is incorrect, and I think that I can give the same reply to the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander).

On account of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he intends in the near future to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into, and make recommendations on, the economic and agricultural development of Scotland?

I am not in a position to add to the reply which was given to the hon. Member's question on 22nd March last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this reply will create great dissatisfaction at the Convention of Scottish Nationalists to be held in the near future? Does he not think it is a bad thing for this country to have many people in Scotland dissatisfied with the way that the Government are controlling things here?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider issuing invitations through the appropriate Departments to distinguished officers of the fighting forces of Germany and Italy, and any other country considered desirable, to visit Britain in the near future and see our defence forces and establishments at work?

It has been the custom from time to time for distinguished officers of the fighting forces of foreign countries to visit this country for the purpose of seeing our Service establishments, and this practice is being continued.

Would my right hon. Friend not consider extending the practice to both senior and distinguished officers of these various countries, because of the fact that, in our opinion, it might tend to remove misunderstandings and doubts—

That is a very long supplementary.

Is the Prime Minister aware that in June, 1914, there was a big deputation to this country from Germany, both from the Admiralty and the Army and from Krupps' works, but that the War broke out in August, 1914?

asked the Prime Minister whether, since the House of Commons will shortly be separating for a period which is certain to be critical internationally, he has in contemplation any other methods than the conventional channels of re-summoning the House?

No, Sir.

Does my right hon. Friend recall that last year the most serious developments occurred when this House was up and was unable to exercise its duty of influencing the executive?

Last year the House was called together before the expiration of the actual period.

Are we likely to be in session when another congress is in progress at Nuremberg?

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to minimise the chances of war arising from inter national rivalry for colonies as purely national possessions, he will make a statement of the means by which the Government propose to carry out their policy to proceed as far upon the economic side as has already been done on the political side, in making wider application of the principles which now obtain in the mandated territories?

If the hon. Member will read the speech recently made by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs as a whole, he will see that the suggestion mentioned in the question is contingent upon the attainment of some agreement on common methods and aims of Colonial development. This being so, it is obviously premature for His Majesty's Government to make any statement of the kind which the hon. Member suggests.

While appreciating the Prime Minister's reply and the contingencies to which he has referred, might I ask whether it would not be valuable to the whole world to know what are our principles in regard to colonies, in respect of this country and other countries, too, and is he aware that, in fact, the Labour party has put forward its policy on this question?