asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what extra number of skilled and unskilled workmen could be profitably employed in the private shipyards of the United Kingdom for building mercantile tonnage; and what steps are being taken to supply the private yards with as much labour as can be economically utilised?

The additional number of skilled arid unskilled workmen that could be profitably employed on private shipyards at the present time is approximately 17,000, but this number will increase progressively during the year.

It is being arranged that a considerable number of skilled men shall be released from the Colours for work in the private shipyards and engine works.

Unskilled workmen are being drafted into the shipyards from non-vital industries, and, as stated by the Minister of National Service in his speech on Monday, the appeal for labour for shipyards has met with the most gratifying response; large numbers of men are coining forward, and are being rapidly put to work.

I would also add that the establishment of schools for training men in the use of pneumatic tools, to which I referred in the Debate on the Vote of Credit on the 13th December, is being proceeded with as rapidly as circumstances permit.

How is it possible to provide men for the new Government shipyards when you cannot at the present time meet the demands of the private shipyards on the West Coast?

We have a large number of men at work by substitution and replacement, and, with additions, we hope to provide all that are necessary for output.

Are the men employed at Government shipyards on the West Coast being obtained at the expense of private shipyards?

I have stated frequently that we are taking no men from our own Royal dockyards or private shipyards.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the British shipbuilders are clamouring for labour, in spite of what is being done?

No doubt that is true, but we are not taking men from the private shipyards.

What labour is available for the private shipyards?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what reply has been sent to the appeal to the Prime Minister from Professor Georg von Wendt, the official messenger of the Finnish Senate, to permit food to come to Finland from America in order to prevent immediate famine in Finland?

A reply to the Finnish appeal was sent, on the 17th of November, to the effect that the state of supplies here unfortunately precluded any possibility of Finnish requirements being met from this country; and that, as regards the supplies from America, it was understood that a representative of the Finnish Senate was already discussing the matter with the authorities at Washington.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has recognised the Government of the Republic of Finland; and, if not, whether this step will be taken without delay?

His Majesty's Government have not yet felt able to recognise the Republic of Finland as an independent State, but they have instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Helsingfors to enter into relations with the de facto authorities there for the transaction of business.

Would the right hon. Gentleman answer candidly the question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—which really lies at the root of the whole matter—is the Foreign Office infected by the policy of wishing to restore the corrupt monarchy of the Czar?

The hon. Member ought to put a question of that sort on the Paper for me to see.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has considered the advisability of now issuing, in conjunction with our Allies, a Note stating specifically what the Central Powers must accept as regards the evacuation of conquered territory before peace can be considered, and what aims we shall pursue at the Peace Conference when it is held?

I do not think that anything need be added to the statements about war aims recently made here and in the United States.