asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has any official diplomatic means of communication with the Council of People's Commissioners which is the Government of Russia; whether any diplomatic official has been sent to the British Embassy at Petrograd; whether he is exercising the usual privileges of an Ambassador as regards couriers and other means of communication; and whether he is yet in a position to make any statement regarding the recognition of the Government at Petrograd?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether Constantine Nabokoff is still in communication with the Foreign Office as in October, 1917; whether he will state the exact diplomatic relations existing with Russia; (2) whether M. Litvinoff, Russian Plenipotentiary in London, is recognised in any official capacity by the Government; if not, whether the Government has any channel of official communication with the Russian Government; what is that channel; (3) whether it is due to any decision of the War Cabinet that M. Litvinoff, Russian Plenipotentiary in London, is not allowed to receive telegrams from Russia; that his cables to Russia are held up; and that he is not allowed the usual courtesies given to other international representatives; and whether M. Litvinoff will now be allowed the facilities needed by his accredited mission to the British nation?

The question of the hon. Member for Leicester is the first of a series of four questions on the subject of our diplomatic relations with the Administration at Petrograd, and a single answer will perhaps suffice.

We have not recognised that Administration as being de facto or de jure the Government of the Russian people, but we carry on necessary business in an unofficial manner through an agent acting under the direction. of our Embassy at Petrograd.

The Bolshevik Administration have appointed M. Litvinoff as their representative in London, and we are about to establish similar unofficial relations with him.

M. Nabokoff, who was the Chargé d'Affaires under the late Republican Russian Government, will presumably remain in London until he is either confirmed or superseded in his post by a Government recognised as representing the Russian people.

The present arrangement is obviously both irregular and transitory. Though it cannot be fitted into any customary diplomatic framework, it is, in our opinion, the best that can be devised to meet the necessities of the moment.

Can the right lion. Gentleman tell us exactly the position of M. Nabokoff; whether he will be able to tender communications, or even advice, to His Majesty's Government, although he has been officially superseded by the authorities now in power?

I cannot say that he has been officially superseded, but I do not think I can really add anything to the statement in the answer, which I attempted to make clear, and which I think was clear.

In view of the attempt being made by the party to which M. Nabokoff belongs to foster revolt against the present authorities in Petrograd, can the right hon. Gentleman not make it clear that we have no part with persons who are plotting against the existing power in Russia?

I cannot add anything.

Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to follow the lead given by President Wilson, and the Government cultivate good relations with this Government, which, whether we wish it or not, is, de facto, ruling Russia? May I ask —

The right hon. Gentleman has said that he can add nothing to, his answer.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the statement that Mr. George Tchitcherine was sent back to Russia at the personal request of Mr. Trotsky was made on the authority of the Foreign Office; if so, by what channel was this personal request of Mr. Trotsky communicated; whether any subsequent communications have been received from him; and whether such communications have been returned to him simply acknowledged or diplomatically considered?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The release of Mr. Tchitcherine was decided on the recommendation of His Majesty's Ambassador at Petrograd, who had been informed by an official attached to the Embassy of the attitude adopted by Mr. Trotsky in the matter. As far as I am aware, Mr. Trotsky has not, since the early days of his assumption of office, endeavoured to open diplomatic intercourse with His Majesty's Embassy in Petrograd.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the first part of the answer, denying that Mr. Tchitcherine was sent back at the personal request. of Mr. Trotsky, is in direct opposition to the information given to Mr. Tchitcherine himself by the Home Office?

I have said that the statement was not made on the authority of the Foreign Office.

asked the Prime Minister on what date and on what grounds the decision was taken to return to Russia Mr. George Tchitcherine, Mr. Peter Petroff, and Mrs. Petroff?

I have no further statement to make on the subject.

asked the Secretary for Scotland what arrangements have now been made to reimburse parishes in Scotland for the cost of maintaining the dependants of Russian subjects who have returned to Russia under the recent convention?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for West Fife on the 20th December. The whole cost of maintaining the dependants of Russian subjects is reimbursed to parish councils from public funds.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War (1) whether there are, in the Salonika Army, several cases of Staff officers and officers employed at the base and Army headquarters who have had more than one period of leave, while there are a number of regimental officers in that force who have had no leave at all for over two years; (2) if the leave parties from the Salonika Force are in two categories: the fortnightly parties, which are for officers and other ranks serving in front of divisional headquarters, and special parties, reserved for all ranks behind brigades; whether, for some months past, there has been no fortnightly party, while the special parties have been sent off constantly; and whether he will draw the attention of the Commander-in-Chief to this matter in view of the desirability of having a fair distribution of leave?

I have no information bearing out my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestions, but the usual leave arrangements have been necessarily dislocated owing to recent movements of troops in other theatres. With regard to the other points in the questions, I am communicating with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman will impress on the authorities concerned the necessity of allowing the officers and men who have served in the front line at least as good an opportunity for leave as those on the Staff and behind the lines?

I will bring the matter to the notice of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are men out there nearly three years who have had no leave?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

I am coming to a question on that point.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether it is. possible to consider the granting of leave to soldiers who have been for over two. years in the Balkans?

At the end of last November there were, unfortunately, seine 900 men who had had no leave, owing to the lack of transport facilities, and the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief informed me then that he was in full sympathy, and would take advantage of any facilities offered to remedy matters. I am communicating again with the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, and shall hope to hear that the position is improving.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to hear from him on this matter, as it is one which excites a good deal of public interest?

I may say, on behalf of General Milne, that he has all along done everything possible to give the men leave, and I know for a fact that it is merely because of the difficulty of transport, recently in particular, that more leave has not been given. I am communicating with him to-day.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether similar inquiries have been made with regard to the troops Palestine and Mesopotamia, and whether there is any possibility of those troops getting leave?

The same difficulties arise so far as all distant theatres of war are concerned.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the statement made by the Chief Commissioner of Medical Service before the Select Committee on Medical Examinations that all members of the medical boards are civilians now is in accord with the facts; whether the president of the Derby recruiting medical board is a retired major, Royal Army Medical Corps, with no experience whatever of general practice; whether he still remains president of this board; is he aware that the conduct of this chairman has been notorious through the whole district for the way he has treated the men who came before him as recruits; whether he is aware that during the first seven weeks that this man acted as president of the medical board no less than six civilian doctors resigned; whether this president is now assisted, or was up to quite recently, by an elderly captain of the Royal Army Medical Corps; and whether steps will be taken at once to change the personnel of this board?

All members of the National Service medical boards are civilian medical practitioners. Certain of the presidents of the recruiting medical boards continued to act as chairmen of the National Service medical boards during the period of transference of the medical department from the control of the Army Council to that of the Ministry of National Service, but these have now been relieved with the exception of two, who will be relieved within a few days. The president of the recruiting medical board at Derby relinquished his position on 1st December, 1917, and has been succeeded by a well-known highly qualified civilian medical practitioner. Inquiries are being made regarding the alleged action of the late president of this board.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War if the Field-Marshal Commanding the Forces in France personally reads and examines the records of all field general courts-martial upon privates in which the sentence of death has been passed, and that before confirmation the Field-Marshal Commanding the Forces consults the Judge Advocate-General in France; and, if this be an incorrect statement of the position, whether he will explain who is the superior authority, if any, who examines judicially the record of the courts-martial in these cases before confirmation by the Field-Marshal Commanding?

The Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief the Forces in France personally reads and examines the records of all courts-martial in which the sentence of death has been passed before he confirms the sentence, and in every such case receives the advice of the Deputy Judge Advocate-General in France before confirmation. He also receives reports from the Commanding Officer of the soldier under sentence and intermediate commanders. The second part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the UnderSecretary of State for War what is the average time that elapses between the passing of sentence of death on a private soldier of the Expeditionary Forces by field general court-martial and the carrying into execution of that sentence; whether many cases have occurred in which thirty-six hours only have elapsed between the passing of sentence and its execution; and if he will say what steps are taken under those circumstances to secure a proper consideration of the case by higher authority?

It is impossible to give the average time that elapses between the passing of sentence of death on a soldier and the carrying out of that sentence with exactness, because, in the first place, the proceedings do not always show the date when the sentence was carried out; and, secondly, it has not been found possible in the short time available to extract and examine every case since the commencement of the War received from every Expeditionary Force in order to make the necessary calculation. So far as I can judge, I should estimate that the average time would be somewhere about fourteen days. I am not aware of a single case in which the period has been so short as thirty-six hours. I think the hon. Member must be confusing the passing of sentence with promulgation of sentence, which takes place after confirmation and a comparatively short time before execution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any medical examination of a soldier takes place after trial when the death sentence has been imposed and confirmed except where the soldier is wounded; and whether the records at the War Office reveal one solitary case in which such examination has taken place of a soldier executed for alleged cowardice whose defence was that he was suffering from shock?

I have written to France for full information as to the medical examination, particularly in shellshock cases. Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to await the reply.

asked the UnderSecretary of State for War if it is the practice to accept without opportunity of cross-examination the certificate of a military doctor that. a private soldier, hitherto suffering from shell-shock, has been passed as fit to take part in operations on the field of battle, as a complete answer to a defence in a charge of alleged cowardice or desertion, that the conduct complained of was due to the return of the symptoms which the military doctor considered had disappeared?

The answer is in the negative. The certificate of a military doctor cannot be received in evidence before a court-martial without calling the doctor as a witness to give evidence on oath upon which he can be cross-examined.

Can the. hon. Gentleman say whether the medical evidence in these cases is that of specialists in nervous diseases or of ordinary R.A.M.C. officers?

That is the point of a reply I gave before the Recess.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether any decision has been conic to regarding the inclusion among the recipients of the 1914 Star of those French and Belgian liaison officers and interpreters attached to British units who rendered most valuable assistance during the period for which the medal has been awarded?

This question is still under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that in the early days of the War the price paid for billeting soldiers at Carmarthen was £1 3s. 7½d. per week; that it is now 19s. 3d. for the first soldier and 17s. 6d. for each additional soldier; and whether, having regard to the increase in the price of food, he will consider the advisability of reviewing these prices?

The rate first mentioned by the hon. Member was admittedly too high, and was reduced in August, 1915. The reduced rate was increased in December, 1916, to the figures mentioned, which allowed for a further rise in prices. The question whether any further increase is now necessary is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the recent increases of pay to soldiers have been granted to the men of the Non-Combatant Corps; if not, on what grounds have these men been refused the increase; and, in view of the fact that the men of this corps are a part of the Regular Army and are doing work which would in any circumstances have to be done by soldiers, why they are treated differently from other men in the matter of pay; and will the matter be immediately reconsidered?

Men of the Non-Combatant Corps share with others the relief from the compulsory allotment towards separation allowance and the abolition of hospital stoppages. The question of extending to them the recent increase in pay was considered by the Cabinet and decided in the negative. They belong to a special corps exempted by the tribunals from combatant service, and they are not employed in the danger zone. Their liabilities are, therefore, strictly limited, and their pay conforms to their liability.

Is the lion. Gentleman aware of the intense dissatisfaction of the men in the Infantry fighting forces at the great disparity of pay between them and the A.S.C. non-fighting force, and will he give some consideration to the men of making pay in both Services more equal?

I think that the main object of bringing about the recent increase in pay was to bring the rate of pay of the men who are actually fighting more nearly to the level of those who are not.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, having regard to the uncertainty which appears to be prevalent in some of the county sub-committees formed in connection with the Cultivation of Lands Order for the purpose of selecting grass land for ploughing, he will state whether it is their duty in making such selection to bear in mind the needs of the milch cows and other horned stock at present on the farms, or whether the committees are to proceed without any consideration of the cattle?

The agricultural executive committees have been constantly urged to consider the maintenance of milk production. The real dearth of cakes and other concentrated feeding-stuffs must in any ease reduce the numbers of fattening cattle in the country, but it should be remembered that a larger production of both meat and milk is practicable from arable land than from a corresponding acreage of grass. Moreover, as the Board have only asked for the ploughing of one-ninth of the total area of grass, there is no reason to fear that the practical men composing the agricultural executive committees will take such action as would unnecessarily injure the live-stock interest.

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will sanction the request of the Brixham Fisheries Development Committee to have two lights fixed at Tor Cross to safeguard the Brixham fishermen from trawling in the restricted area of Start Bay?

The Board have no authority to sanction the exhibition of lights. The decision in this matter rests with the naval authorities, to whom the Board have made several representations as to the difficulties under which the fishermen are working.

Will my right hon. Friend. assist matters in this respect, because it is a very serious thing to fishermen, who do not want to transgress the law, and who wish to add to the food of the people?

I quite agree that it is a serious thing for the fishermen, but there are certain considerations with the Admiralty as to the fixing of lights.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if there are 900 rooms in the Hotel Cecil building; whether the inspectors acting for his Department have made any Report on the use of this building by the Air Board; and, if so, will he state the nature of this Report?

The number of rooms in the Hotel Cecil is 665. The inspectors of the War Cabinet Committee on Accommodation have made a Report to the effect that the accommodation occupied by the Air Board is being satisfactorily utilised.

Is it not a fact that this hotel was commandeered before it was inspected by the Department concerned?

No; it is not a fact.

asked how many new sets of buildings have been taken over by the Government since the House adjourned in December?

The number of premises taken over by the Government since the House adjourned in December is thirteen.

asked whether any additional building accommodation is now being demanded by Government Departments; and, if so, which Departments are making these applications?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. The list of demands for accommodation is so extensive that, for the convenience of the House, I purpose circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the list referred to:

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he assented to the proposal to use the British Museum for the purpose of the Air Ministry; and, if so, under what authority he acted?

The proposal to use the British Museum for accommodating the Air Ministry was submitted by the President of the Air Board to the War Cabinet Committee on Accommodation. A large amount of space was required, and this space was not available in any other single building except the British Museum. As Chairman of the Committee on Accommodation I submitted the proposal in principle to the War Cabinet for decision. The War Cabinet assented to the proposal. Later, as Lord Rothermere was able to considerably reduce his demands for space, the matter was again before the War Cabinet, and I was able to advise that there was no longer the same necessity for accommodating the Air Ministry in the British Museum.

In view of the fact that the control of the British Museum is vested by Act of Parliament in certain trustees, why was the decision of the trustees overruled by the right hon. Gentleman's Department and the Government?

The building of the British Museum is a Government building. It is under my Department, and is not vested in the trustees; and, obviously, the War Cabinet has the power of overruling the trustees of any museum.

As the British Museum is not available, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the taking over of Carmelite House for this purpose?

May I ask whether, before the right hon. Gentleman fakes over the British Museum, he will commandeer Buckingham Palace?

asked the First. Commissioner of Works whether he has entered into agreements with the Government Departments who have erected buildings in St. James's Park and other parks under his control providing for the removal of the whole of these buildings at the end of the War?

The Office of Works is the only Department which has erected buildings in the Royal Parks, and, as I stated in this House on the 19th December last, in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Harborough Division of Leicester, it is not intended that these buildings shall be permanent. They will be removed as soon after the declaration of peace as the interests of the State will allow.

Will the Office of Works have any regard at all for the open spaces of London?

I have very great regard for the open spaces of London, and no one would be more pleased than myself to see these buildings disappear.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement, why are the latest buildings in St. James's Park being erected in a very substantial manner in brick and stone?

The reason of that is that I am unable to obtain any timber from the Timber Controller to erect them in timber.

asked the Prime Minister (1) what steps the Government have taken to carry out the recommendations made by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their First Report to the House of Commons, dated the 24th October last, and specially that the Treasury should determine from time to time the rates of profit and should satisfy themselves that the principles adopted in settling the conditions of contracts were sound; that the Treasury should lend greater support to the financial branches of the Ministry, generally, in their efforts to promote economy; that the Treasury should insist upon a more complete co-ordination between Government Departments in the purchase of munitions of war and the materials required for their manufacture; (2) what steps the Government have taken to carry out the recommendations made by the Select Committee on National Expenditure in their Second Report to the House of Commons, dated the 13th December last, and specially that a more active financial supervision should be exercised by the Treasury over the Departments so as to ensure the adoption of sound financial methods in every province of administration, to prevent undue profits being made by contractors, and to prevent competition between Departments in purchasing supplies?

I would refer my hon. And learned Friend to the reply which I gave on the 14th instant to the right hon. Member for the Cleveland Division.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the suggestion that Bethlehem should be the scene of a Peace Conference; and if His Majesty's Government will let it be known to the Russian and Turkish authorities that every facility would be granted for delegates to attend if the Governments desire to use the Church of the Holy Nativity for this purpose?

The suggestion of the hon. Gentleman does not seem very practicable.

asked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government, when early in 1917 it instructed Sir Douglas Haig to readjust the plans for the 1917 campaign which had been unanimously agreed on in November, 1916, by the military representatives of the Allied Powers, first consulted and ascertained whether Sir Douglas Haig approved of such readjustment?

The readjustment of military plans referred to was made after full consultation, and in agreement with the Commander-in-Chief, at a Conference between the British and French Governments and their military advisers.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a protest from the Association of Poor Law Unions in England and Wales against the action of the Government in constituting the Sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to ensure the better coordination of public assistance in England and Wales without appointing a representative of the Association upon it; and if he will consider the advisability of appointing a representative of the Association upon the Sub-committee?

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Association of Poor Law Unions in England and Wales, representing by direct election 556 unions and a population of over 34,000,000, have protested against the action of the Government in constituting a Sub-committee of the Reconstruction Committee to consider and report upon the steps to be taken to ensure the better co-ordination of public assistance in England and Wales, and upon such other matters affecting the system of local government as may from time to time be referred to it, without appointing representatives of the Association on such Sub-committee; that the Association asks the Government to remedy this defect in the constitution of the Sub-committee; and whether the Government proposes to comply with this request?

asked the Minister of Reconstruction how many of the fifteen members, of the Sub-committee appointed to consider and report on the transfer of the functions of the Poor Law authorities in England and Wales have acted in the capacity of guardians of the poor, and thereby acquired practical acquaintance in the administration of the Poor Law?

I have explained, in reply to similar questions, that the Com- mittee referred to was not constituted on the principle of according representation to particular interests, and I have now received from the Committee a Report on the transfer of the functions of Poor Law authorities in England and Wales. I have sent copies of the Report, as promised, to the hon. Gentleman the Member for Tavistock, and asked him to furnish me with the views of the Committee of the Association of Poor Law Unions upon it. I am hoping to arrange for the publication of this Report without delay, in order to enable all those interested to consider the proposals of the Committee.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary that a body like this, to deal with so considerable a situation, should have upon it representatives from a body that represents 556 unions and 34,000,000 people?

I have answered a great number of questions on the subject within the last few months, and I do not think I have anything to add.

asked the Prime Minister whether the War Cabinet has decided to publish the final Report of the Dardanelles Commission; and, if so, when it will be issued?

The War Cabinet, after most careful consideration, and acting on the advice of the General Staffs, military and naval, have decided that it is not in the public interest that this Report should be published for the present.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this Report must be published in accordance with the express terms of the Act of Parliament? Is it proposed to amend the Act of Parliament?

No; we do not propose to amend the Act of Parliament. The Act of Parliament says that the Government must have the responsibility of deciding whether or not such publication would give information to the enemy. We have decided that it would.

The motto of a late Government was "Wait and see." Is it the case that the motto of the present Government is "Wait and not see"?

Has the decision been arrived at solely from strategical considerations, and in the public interest, or in deference to the possible effect that the publication of this Report might have upon the fortunes of certain members of the War Cabinet, and certain members of the Naval Staff?

That is a perfectly legitimate question if my hon. Friend thinks it possible to conceive a case of that kind—

It is!

But that has not influenced us in the least. We have taken our decision in consequence of the statement of the Naval and Military Staffs that, in their opinion, the publication of this Report now will give invaluable information to the enemy.

asked the Prime Minister whether he endorses President Wilson's message to Congress of 8th January last, and particularly whether the Government will co-operate in entire good will in the President's efforts to win Russia to active participation in the cause of the Allies, and will refrain from all acts that indicate unwillingness to accept to the full the establishment in Russia of the Republican régime?

No human being, so far as I know, has ever indicated any "unwillingness to accept "the Republican régime in Russia, which has been consistently welcomed in this country. It is quite obvious that all Russia's Allies must earnestly desire her "active participation in their cause."

Mr. Speaker, I shall refer to this matter to-night on the Adjournment.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Commissioners of the Inland Revenue have ruled for the purpose of assessing Income Tax that a secretary of a Territorial Force Association is not performing service of a military character; whether he is aware that Section 30 (1) of the Finance Act, 1916, states that where any person who during the current Income Tax year has served or is in service of a naval or military character in connection with the present War for which payment is made out of money provided by Parliament is entitled to claim relief; and will he state what is the character of the services performed by a secretary of a Territorial Force Association if it be not of a military character as defined in the above Section of the Finance Act?

As at present advised, I am unable to accept my hon. and gallant Friend's interpretation of the Section referred to. I understand, however, that the matter is likely to come before the Courts for decision.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the South Wales newspapers were repeatedly forbidden by the Censor to publish any account of the sinking of the hospital ship in the Bristol Channel near Swansea by a submarine; what public interest was served by such suppression; whether the "Daily Mail" newspaper, which exclusively published the news on 8th January, had previously received permission to do so; if so, on what grounds was such preferentia1 treatment meted out to this journal; and, if not, what steps the Government intend to take to punish the only newspaper which refused to obey the Censor's orders.?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. In accordance with the instructions of the Admiralty, publication of news regarding this matter was suspended until the facts had been verified, and an official communication could be made to all the Press simultaneously. This communication was issued at mid-day on the 9th. January. The "Daily Mail" on the morning of the 9th published a statement that a hospital ship had been sunk, although the Press Bureau had refused permission for the publication of this statement. I fear that it is not possible to take proceedings against the "Daily Mail," but the action of that newspaper in publishing news which other newspapers had loyally held up, at the request of the Admiralty, has been brought to the notice of the conference of representatives of the newspaper proprietors.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the advisability, without taking proceedings, of confiscating the type and plant and suppressing this paper?

Rather too late to do that.

No!

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether among the forms of wealth that are to be subject to conscription goods manufactured to the order of the Government are included; and, if not, why manufacturers whose businesses are controlled find it impossible to get payment for their deliveries?

If my hon. Friend will be good enough to furnish me with particulars of any case in which it is alleged that undue delay by Government Departments in making payments has occurred, I shall have inquiry made.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can make any statement as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the conscription of wealth after the War; whether he can say if it is intended to include wealth represented by Government Loans; and, if not, whether any other forms of wealth will have immunity from confiscation?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he recently stated to a trade union congress Parliamentary Committee that capital after the War might be subject to taxation; and whether, in any event, such taxation would be applicable to loans solicited and obtained by the Government through the issue of bonds, shares, or certificates, in order to enable them to carry the War to a successful end?

The Government have not considered the question of a possible tax on capital and have no intention of proposing such a tax. I shall take an early opportunity of referring to the remarks made by me to a private deputation which have been published in the Press, and the most suitable opportunity will probably be in connection with the discussion of the Report of the Select Committee on Expenditure.

Would not this be a better opportunity, seeing that the question is now directly addressed to the right hon. Gentleman?

No, Sir; I really do not think it is the kind of question that can be dealt with by question and answer.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any estimate exists of the cost to the country and to all parties concerned of the holding of annual Courts for the fixing of fiars prices in Scotland; whether representations have been made to him that the legal and other expenses involved in Court of Session proceedings regarding the stipends of parish ministers in Scotland are out of all proportion to the sums of money usually involved; and whether he has power to suspend or curtail during the War expenditure of this kind in Scotland?

I am not in a position to give an estimate of the cost referred to in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. As regards the second and third parts, I am aware that the proceedings in processes of augmentation before the Court of Teinds are cumbrous and expensive. I have, however, no power to suspend or curtail either the proceedings themselves or the expenses which they involve.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has now considered the Report of the Royal Commission on Housing in Scotland; and if he proposes to introduce emergency legislation to deal with the more urgent of the evils disclosed?

I have considered this Report, and am hopeful that the more pressing needs of the situation can be met by administrative action, without waiting for legislation. My hon. Friend, how- ever, may rest assured that the recommendations of the Commission as to legislation will not be lost sight of.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly state whether by administrative action he will be able to deal with the points put to him in the Memorandum of the Scottish Members?

I should like notice for that.

Are we to understand that in the event of it not being possible for the right hon. Gentleman to carry out the recommendations of the Royal Commission as he would wish, he will then introduce legislation in the coming Session?

That is a matter for the Leader of the House, but I should hope to be able to introduce legislation if it should be found necessary.