BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS. , REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at 11 a.m., RUGBY, July 16. 1 Asked whether any instructions had been sent to the British Army headquarters in the Rhine occupation zone, as to the proposed arrangements for the evacuation of occupied territories, the Under-Secretary for War (Air T. Shinwell) replied that definite instructions could not be issued until a decision had been reached regarding the evacuation, but arrangements which would then be necessary bad naturally been considered by the War Office in conjunction with the General Officer, General commander in chief of the British Army t on the Rhine.

Replying to a question in the Commons, the Postmaster-General (Processor H. 8., Lees-Smith) said it had been decided, to establish a public service between London and , Berlin for transmission by telegraphy of pictures, photographs and other similar matter. The service will, at the outset, be of an experimental character and the question of its permanent adoption and its extension to other routes will be considered when sufficient. experience Inis'been obtained.

,The Lord Privy Seal (Air J. IT. Thomas),, replying to a question on the possibility of building a road bridge over the Severn to serve South Wales, said jit could not he dissociated from the other question of a Severn barrage, which was now- being studied. It was also stated that he regarded the proposal for the construction of a midScotland canal,, capable of carrying the heaviest shipping, as one for inquiry, and he was looking into it. It is estimated the total value of the schemes now before the Unemployment Grants Committee is about £5,500,000. Asked whether lie was prepared to ,introduce .legislation to give effect to the recommendations of a Royal Commission of Trade, he said he hoped to introduce a bill on the subject before the summer recess.

In reply to a question in Parliament, the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Wm. Graham) said statutory rules for finding the position of the loadline on ships, which'has been in force since 1890, have been modified from time to time in the light of increased experience and improved construction of slips. A further revision of the rules had been undertaken by an expert committee who are expected to report very soon. It was proposed to send their report to the Dominion and foreign government ifor consideration, and efforts will be made to secure an international agreement on the subject of the loadline.