asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay a White Paper dealing with the Anglo-Russian talks before the war for a united front against aggression, so that the world may know what sort of bargain involving certain small States the Soviet sought to make; or alternatively will he consider making a statement to the House, since the House has never been officially informed, of the character and scope of the Moscow negotiations?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will now, in the light of recent events, reconsider the decision of the Government not to publish in the form of a White Paper particulars of the Anglo-Russian negotiations prior to the outbreak of war?

asked the Prime Minister whether, during the final stage of the negotiations the Soviet Government put forward demands for the political domination of the Baltic States, including Finland, as a condition of signing a pact of mutual assistance; and whether our refusal to accept these demands was the cause of the breakdown of the negotiations?

My Noble Friend is having a White Paper prepared, showing the course of the negotiations which took place with the Soviet Government earlier in the year. This will be laid before the House as soon as possible, but its preparation will necessarily take some little time.

May I ask the Prime Minister whether he will take steps to see that the contents of this White Paper are widely distributed among the neutral countries?

Yes, Sir.

If the White Paper is ready during the Recess, will the Government have it sent round to the Members of the House?

Yes, Sir, it will be sent round if it is ready during the Recess.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken any further action to press for satisfaction of the claim of Mr. Joseph Martin, of Brighton, for suffering and damage caused by fever, blindness and other injuries resulting from the brutal treatment he received during his imprisonment, without trial, in Moscow by the Soviet Government in 1919 to 1920, or, in lieu of obtaining compensation from the Soviet Government, will he now consider granting compensation to Mr. Martin, in view of the fact that His Majesty's Government, on 2nd May, 1923, omitted to include Mr. Martin's claim with those of Mrs. Davison and Mrs. Stan Harding to the Soviet Government, both of whom received compensation, although these three were the only claims which had been taken up with the Soviet Government, investigated, and compensation found to be due prior to May, 1923?

No, Sir. This very hard case was the subject of representations to the Soviet Government in the year 1922, but it has been found impossible, except in the two cases mentioned, to obtain satisfaction in respect either of Mr. Martin's claim or of any of the other numerous claims for compensation which are still outstanding. As regards the suggestion that His Majesty's Government should grant compensation to Mr. Martin in respect of his claim, it is not felt possible to make a special exception in his case, which differs in no essential respect from any of the other 260 claims for personal injury outstanding against the Soviet Government.

Is the Prime Minister aware that these three cases of Mr. Martin, Mrs. Stan Harding, and Mrs. Davison, were the only three cases which were thoroughly gone into, and that they stand in a class entirely by themselves and distinct from the other 260 cases?

No, Sir. I am informed that that is not the case and that Mr. Martin's case cannot be distinguished from many other cases outstanding.

Have I any opportunity of bringing the case before the Prime Minister, or before someone, in the presence of Mr. Martin himself, who has been blind all these years?

This has been before us for 17 years.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether retired officers who, before the outbreak of war, were being employed at the Air Ministry in the place of officers on the Active List, will now be placed on the Active List with effect from the outbreak of war?

All such officers have been placed on the Active List or are being offered commissions in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve with effect from 1st November.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can give any information about the Petroleum (Production) Ordinance, 1939, now being considered by the British Guiana Legislature; and whether the ordinance is meeting with any considerable opposition either in the Legislative Council or in the Colony?

I will send ťhe hon. Member a copy of the Bill which has been introduced in the Legislative Council of British Guiana to provide for the vesting in the Crown of the property in Petroleum and natural gas wiťhin the Colony, on the lines of the United Kingdom Petroleum (Production) Act, 1934.I understand that the Bill has met with some opposition.

Has legislation somewhat similar to this been passed in any other British Colony, and, if so, does this Bill follow ťhat legislation in all particulars?

Similar legislation has been passed in one or two other British territories at any rate, and in principle the legislation is the same.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the rising cost of living in British Guiana, any increase in wages has been made to the workers in the Colony, and to workers on the sugar estates in particular?

I understand that wages have been increased in certain industries, and that in other industries, including the sugar industry, as well as in the case of certain Government employés, the question is under consideration.

Is there not considerable disquiet in the sugar industry in particular in this Colony at the present time, and will the right hon. Gentleman see that these wages are increased?

There is a good deal of discussion about the matter, and the representatives of the employers and the employés are now in touch on the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Empire Marketing Board is still functioning, or whether consideration of colonial economic and commercial organisation has been deferred for the war period?

The operations of the Colonial Empire Marketing Board have been suspended for the time being, because it is clear that under war conditions it would be impossible for the board to perform its normal functions. A great deal of attention is, however, being devoted to the economic organisation of the Colonial Empire, and for this reason I have recently enlarged the Economic Department of the Colonial Office.

Will a report of the work of the Colonial Empire Marketing Board be presented to the House in the next few months?

I will consider that suggestion. The board only completed about one year's work before the war broke out, but I will consider whether any report of its year's work might be published.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will impose a 15 miles per hour speed limit during the black-out hours in order to reduce road casualties?

I am riot convinced that the object which the hon. Member has in view, and with which I am, of course, in cordial agreement, would necessarily be achieved by the imposition of a reduced speed limit, but my right hon. Friend the Minister of Home Security and I are taking steps to review this and any other measure which may be considered as likely to lead to a reduction of road casualties during the black-out period.

In view of the general chorus from the motorists behind the right hon. and gallant Gentleman when he gave the first part of his answer, what proposition is he prepared to make in order o reduce the road casualties, which are heavily on the increase?

I am prepared to take any practical step which I am assured will achieve the object desired, and on the day when I become convinced that a proposal of this kind will achieve the object that we have in view, I shall be prepared to recommend it.

Having rejected mine, what is yours?

Would not the Minster make it compulsory for pedestrians not to use the crossings against the traffic lights?

That is a different question. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put it down.

asked the Minister of Transport the number of road accidents in Glasgow in which intemperance has been a primary or contributory factor?

The information asked for by the hon. Member is not available, and I regret that I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave him on 15th November.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Glasgow local authorities are making an applica- tion for restrictions based on alleged intemperance and have submitted figures, and does he not think he ought to submit figures to the Members of this House in order that they may understand the position clearly?

I know from the Press that there is considerable controversy going on in the city of Glasgow over this question, but, as I explained to the hon. Member on 15th November, it has not been possible to ask the police to make a detailed investigation into causes of accidents which alone would enable me to give the House the figures asked for.

Is it not on record in the police courts whether or not intemperance has been a factor in regard to accidents, and will not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman get the information, in view of the controversy that affects Glasgow Members of this House?

I can certainly ask my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary to give me the information from the police courts as to the cases where it is on record, but I do not believe that that would be anything like a complete answer to the hon. Member's question.

Is it not perfectly clear from all the medical surroundings that this is a very serious cause of accidents?

asked the Minister of Transport why no air-raid shelters are provided by the London Midland and Scottish Railway Company for the men in one of the most important signal-boxes in Scotland, in East Stirlingshire, when this protection is afforded the men in the neighbouring London and North Eastern Railway Company's signal-box?

I am looking into this matter and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can give the reasons why the lighting inside railway carriages on the trains running down to Upminster do not have the same lights during the black-out hours as are on the Inner Circle, trains?

It has recently been arranged for trains in the tunnel sections of the Inner Circle, and as far as Bow Road, to run with full lighting. When trains are running on open sections such as the line to Upminster, this lighting has to be switched off; but permission has been given for the installation of special fittings which will give a subdued light to permit of reading in all coaches. The manufacture of these fittings and the extra electric wiring necessary will take time, and it may be some three months before all coaches on this line are fitted up.

I take it for granted that these remedies will be effective before we have the black-out next year?

The three months to which I referred in my answer seems well within that time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the hardship caused to parents desiring to visit their children in the reception areas under the recent scheme for cheap fares by reason of the fact that these cheap tickets are available only to certain large stations; that on 3rd December certain parents visiting their children in Dulverton were given tickets to Taunton only and as, on arrival, they found there were no other means of transport to Dulverton available they had to make the rest of the journey by hiring a motor car at a cost of £1 10s.; that the times of the trains were such that they saw their children for one hour only; and will he give further consideration to the scheme, with a view to the removal of these hardships?

Every effort was made by the railway companies and my Department to ensure that parents using the special trains to reception areas were made aware of the places which could be reached from the stations served, and, as I have already explained in detail to the hon. Member, where, as in the case to which he refers, vouchers had been issued in error to places which could not conveniently be reached, steps were taken as soon as the errors were discovered to warn intending passengers of the difficulties before them. Profiting by the experience which has been gained from the special trips which have been run during the last two Sundays, I hope to be able after Christmas to extend the scheme of cheap rail facilities to include additional places in the reception areas. The hon. Member will, however, appreciate the difficulty of providing for small numbers of visitors who wish to reach remote villages.

While thanking the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that reply, does he not realise that in this particular case mentioned in the question the arrangements did break down, and the people were put to considerable expense, which they could not afford, and will he consider making a refund to those people of the amount that they have spent?

The hon. Member has chosen a particularly unfortunate case in which to blame my Department, since the reason the arrangements broke down in this instance was because a teacher issued a voucher in error and contrary to instructions.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has any information to give the House respecting the railway accident that occurred on the morning of 7th December, near Wood Street Station, Walthamstow; whether he is satisfied that the existing signalling system on the railways is adequate for fog and air-raid precautions diminished lighting conditions; when improved lighting for passenger coaches on the Leyton and Walthamstow lines is likely to be in complete operation; and what increase in accidents to passengers and staff has taken place during the past three months on the Leyton and Walthamstow lines?

This accident occurred when the 9.35 a.m. passenger train from Liverpool Street to Chingford, which was standing at the down home signal at Wood Street, was run into by the 9.45 a.m. train travelling over the same route. One coach of the standing train was derailed and the guard and six passengers were injured. There was thick fog at the time. The circumstances attending the accident are now being investigated. Colour-light signalling is in use on the section of line in question, and I am satisfied that this type of signalling is generally adequate for operation during foggy weather. The signals are shielded from aerial observation by hoods and their brilliance has not been diminished as a result of the lighting restrictions. Some trains equipped with improved lighting will be in service on the Walthamstow line this week, and it is expected that all the rolling stock working these services will be equipped early in the New Year. I am informed that 34 accidents to passengers and staff occurred on the Leyton and Walthamstow lines during the months of September, October and November, 1938; the corresponding figure for 1939 was 45. These figures relate to all types of accidents, and the whole of the increase in 1939 is not necessarily attributable to black-out conditions.

Is the Minister satisfied that every precaution is being taken to prevent a recurrence of this type of accident, and will he also indicate when the Leyton and Walthamstow lines are likely to have the improved lighting?

. I think I said "early in the New Year" in my reply. With regard to the question of accidents, it is the duty of my railway inspecting staff to go into every one of these accidents and see that the lessons, if there are any to be derived from them, are learned and applied.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider, with the Railway Executive Committee, the possibility of a further restoration of cheap fare facilities on the railways?

I am glad to inform the hon. Baronet that arrangements were made to restore, as from Monday last, 11th December, cheap day return bookings which were in regular operation before the war on a particular day or days in the week. This is an extension of the cheap day facilities which I was able to announce to the House on 4th October, and should be of benefit to the longer' distance traveller who was not covered by those arrangements. It is also proposed to reintroduce at an early date a number of cheap fare facilities applicable on certain occasions or in particular circumstances. These include occasional day tickets for special events; day tickets for anglers; tickets for patients, escorts and visitors to convalescent homes, for relations and friends visiting or accompanying inmates of institutions for blind persons or mental deficients, and for day outings for juveniles.

Are we to gather that these facilities will be available for the Christmas week-end?

They were restored as from Monday last, lrth December, so that they are in operation now.

Is the Minister considering cheap travel facilities for allotment holders going to their allotments?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the considerable dissatisfaction caused by the decrease since the outbreak of war in the number of omnibuses in use in the London Passenger Transport area, he will now increase the allocation of petrol to the London Passenger Transport Board?

As I explained in a reply which I gave to the hon. Member on 6th December, approximately 600 omnibuses have been restored to service by the board since fuel rationing was first introduced. The total amount of fuel available for goods and public passenger transport generally is limited, and some reduction in services must inevitably result. The fuel now available to the board represents a percentage 1 their normal consumption approximately equivalent to the percentage allotment for goods and public passenger vehicles generally, and I should not feel justified in authorising an increase which could only be at the expense of other services.

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that, in spite of the restoration of some services, there are still very serious inconveniences to the travelling public of London; further, does he not agree that in the comparative claims of private and public passenger transport the latter is more important and should receive first consideration?

I have said in my answer that the London Passenger Transport Board are getting their fair share of the amount of fuel that is available for public passenger service vehicles gener- ally, and I can only give them more by cutting other public passenger services down.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Information whether he take immediate steps to deny arid disprove the falsehoods contained in the German broadcast, in which it was stated that the services of a young Indian, educated in this country, were hired by the British Intelligence Service, that he was offered £150,000 to assassinate Mustapha Kemal, and that he was caught as a spy, tried, and sentenced to death?

My attention has been called to this story, which was broadcast from Germany last week. I do not think it would be desirable to give to mendacious inventions of this kind the dignity of a formal denial.

Is there any truth in the suggestion that the German broadcaster known as Lord Hee-Haw—[HoN. MEMBERS: "Haw-Haw."]—of Zeesen is being paid by the British Government to broadcast fantastic and demonstrably untrue assertions, so as to bring the Nazi Government and propaganda machine into ridicule and disrepute?

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Transatlantic telephone to the United States of America and Canada will be available for the public at Christmas?

The considerations which necessitated the suspension of the public use of the Transatlantic telephone service still hold good, and I am sorry that it will not be possible to make the service available for the public at Christmas.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the Birmingham area there has been no reduction in the postage rate for parcels to soldiers serving in Palestine, that a parcel posted on 4th November was charged for at 2s. 9d. per 3 lbs. and one posted on 25th November, weighing 3 lbs. ½ oz., 3s. 6d.; whether he will take steps to have his announcement conveyed to the Birmingham post offices; and whether the Customs declarations, which have to be filled up and are complicated and vexatious, can be simplified, and particularly, the requirement as to stating the contents of a parcel in the language of the country in which the soldier is serving dispensed with as being one which mostly cannot be met?

If the hon. Member will furnish me with further details of the parcels to which he refers, particularly the name and address of the sender and the name of the post office at which in- correct rates were charged, I will gladly have inquiry made and any excess postage will be refunded. As the hon. Member may be aware, a very simple form of Customs declaration has been introduced for parcels for the British Expeditionary Force which is served by the Army Post Office. For parcels addressed to British troops elsewhere abroad, the use of the usual customs declaration is required by the country of destination; the forms may however be completed in English and it is not necessary for the senders to make the declaration relating to export licences at the foot of the form.

asked the First Commissioner of Works how many standards of timber and sheets of corrugated iron were used for the air-raid protection of the statue of King Charles in Whitehall; and the total cost of the work involved?

The historic equestrian statue of King Charles I, which has well been described as the most famous of its kind in this country, is, with its pedestal, of considerable size. Two-and-three quarter standards of timber and 140 sheets of corrugated iron were used for its protection, and the total cost of the work was £320, of which nearly one-half was for labour.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the type of timber used for this purpose is urgently needed in Scotland to strengthen the tenement buildings there, where there is great danger; and if the First Commissioner has any further timber of this character available will he direct it to the Home Secretary so that it can be used for the protection of human life?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any instances have occurred of bombardment of any places in the British Isles by enemy submarines or surface vessels?

No, Sir.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the growing dissatisfaction of the country with the activities of conťrollers in general, he will consider reducing the number drastically with the object of allowing private traders to conducť their businesses on relatively normal lines in the interest of the community as a whole?

I cannot accept ťhe implications underlying this question. Plans were carefully prepared in advance to meet the exigencies of war and to promote the inťerests of the community. These plans are constantly reviewed in ťhe light of existing circumstances. In my judgment, it would not be in the interests of the country ťo adopt the proposal contained in the quesťion.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the criticisms of our foreign propaganda as inadequate; is he saťisfied that everything possible is being done in this direction; and will he consider appointing a small committee of experts in this propaganda to review our machinery for this work, and make recommendations for iťs greater efficiency?

My attention has been called to criticism of our propaganda in foreign countries, but I may observe that public opinion in mosť of these countries appears to be favourable to the Allies. The machinery of our publicity abroad is constantly under review and is, I hope I may say, constantly being improved. I am not saťisfied that the appointment of a special committee is either necessary or desirable at the present stage.

Would it noť be possible to make greater use of the knowledge and experience of foreign refugees who know the mentality of Germany?

Considerable use is being made of them now.

asked the Minister of Supply (1) by what sums the iron and steel industry has decreased its indebtedness to the banks, by way of debenture or otherwise, between 1st January, 1936, and 1st April, 1939, or alternatively, between 1st April, 1936, and 1st April, 1939, no account being taken of debentures created in that period to finance newly created assets;

(2) the present capital value of the steel industry as covered by the 1939 Import Duties Advisory Committee's Report, and the total expenditure, other than that covered by special issues of capital or debentures, on new fixed assets between 1st January, 1936, and 1st January, 1939, or between 1st April, 1936, and 1st April, 1939?

I regret that the information asked for is not available either to me or to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

Is the Minister aware that the policy at present being followed is to make the steel industry an effective monopoly under the control of the Bank of England, and is he satisfied that that is in the public interest?

No, Sir, I do not think that that is the policy or that it would be satisfactory.

asked the Minister of Supply whether, in the public interest, he will require that all those serving as controllers of material and equipment in his Department should resign from all commercial positions, and forgo the emoluments attaching thereto until the war is ended?

No, Sir. I have already stated, in reply to earlier questions, that all the Controllers whom I have appointed are required during the tenure of their posts to cease from active participation in business enterprises in any way connected with the industry whose materials they are controlling. Subject to that, I do not regard it as either necessary or proper to introduce the stipulations which the hon. Member suggests.

Does the Minister really think that it is satisfactory from the public point of view that these people should be asked to serve two masters?

I do not think they are asked to serve two masters at all. Every controller who comes into a Government Department gives the same undertaking, that he will during the period of his service refrain from active participation in any business connected with the commodity which he is controlling, and I feel that to be a sensible and businesslike arrangement which will commend itself to the good sense of the House.

Seeing that participation in other businesses is allowed, what is the use of forbidding them to participate in their businesses, if their whole financial interest remains in those businesses?

I do not think it would be a particularly desirable thing to take a man from business and induce him to give his time to the State free of charge and then deprive him of any other income at all?

asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster why it had been ruled that a co-operative insurance agent, who is a local councillor, is ineligible to sit on a local food committee?