asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the officers of the Royal Air Force are about to be ordered to provide themselves forthwith with light blue uniforms instead of continuing to wear the recently introduced khaki Royal Air Force uniform until the end of the War, as had been hitherto understood; and, if so, considering the expense that will be inflicted on all young officers who have provided themselves with the khaki uniform, the Air Board will consider the advisability of postponing the issue of the proposed orders?

This matter is under consideration. If the change be decided upon, officers will not be ordered to provide themselves with the new uniform until their present uniform is worn out.

Is it not the case that this new khaki uniform was only brought out in March last, and officers were then told that it would last for the time of the War; and will it not be unfair to bring in another new uniform before the end of the War?

Whatever new uniform is brought in—if one be brought in—it will not change the fact that their present uniform, whatever it is, will be worn out before they get a new one.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered the point that naval officers in large numbers have already got uniform of military khaki, Royal Air Force uniform, and naval dark blue uniform; and has he considered whether the introduction of another uniform is justified on public grounds?

The whole of this question has been gone into. It is very important from the point of view of the moral and esprit de corps of the force, and if it turns out to be necessary and desirable that a new uniform should be decided upon for the corps as a whole, these officers will not be called upon to incur expense in buying the new uniform until they have worn out the old uniform.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the point of public expenditure before any further change is brought into force?

That point is being considered. Expenditure does not arise. It does not cost more to clothe a man in blue than it does to clothe him in khaki. As regards the officers, they will not be called upon to get new uniform until their old uniform is worn out.

If the suggestion of the new uniform is brought into force, will not the charge fall upon the officers? Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that officers like, naturally, to be smart, and, in order to uphold the reputation of the force, they will have to buy the new uniform—therefore, they will be put to the extra charge?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to the answer I have given. The whole question arises out of the need in creating a new force of establishing an esprit de corps suitable to that force. That cannot be done unless they have suitable uniform.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that this is done at the expense of the State and not at the expense of the officer?

Has the hon. Gentleman considered whether a light blue uniform will fade at once? Why is it necessary to have expensive gold braid instead of cord?

Though gold braid may sound expensive, it does not turn out so in practice.

Has the Department given evidence before the Luxury Committee?

I do not think that is a fair question to put. It is not a question of luxury, but a question of the fighting efficiency of the force.

I have been asked to postpone Question 42, and a question standing in my own name. The Under-Secretary has also asked that other questions standing in the names of the hon. Members for Kensington, Essex, and Wiltshire should be postponed on the ground that they will be dealt with by the Secretary of State (Lord Weir) at a meeting upstairs this afternoon. We are quite willing.

The hon. Member must either ask the question or postpone it.

If you force me to do it, I will put the question, and leave my hon. Friend to take objection.

I have asked the hon. Member to postpone this question until he has heard what my right hon. Friend has to say upstairs. I am not in a position to answer.

On a point of Order. In regard to the procedure of this House, I should like to say that my hon. Friend appealed to me yesterday in regard to this matter. I replied that, as a matter of courtesy, and subject to your ruling, Mr. Speaker, I should be prepared to take this course of postponing the question, and I ask for your ruling and guidance. Private meetings held between Ministers and Members are not official, and though on this occasion I have postponed the question I shall reserve the whole of my rights and my colleagues' rights as Members of this House to put the questions again.

The hon. Member is making a mountain out of a molehill. He was asked to postpone a question, and he agreed. He rose and said he was willing to postpone it, but he tried to interpolate a speech. I rose to say that this was not the time for talking, and that he had either to put his question or to postpone it. That is all. The question about the meeting upstairs does not concern me. The only question that concerns me is to get through the questions.

Then I will put my question.

The hon. Member (Major Baird) has replied, and asked the hon. Member to postpone it.

asked the First Lord of the Treasury if the Government will consider whether, as a tribute to the loyal support and assistance in every respect of Moslems, irrespective of race, throughout the British Empire during the War, financial assistance will be given for the erection of a mosque to serve the interests of the Indian Moslem community in London?

The Government gratefully recognise the conspicuous services rendered by our Mahomedan fellow-subjects, but I am not aware of any reason why our appreciation should take the form suggested. I shall, however, be glad to receive any information on this proposal that my Noble Friend may care to give me.

Is it not a fact that Moslems have decided, as a memorial to those of their persuasion who have fallen in the War, to erect a mosque in London?

I was not aware of that. I shall be glad to have details from my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in imposing a Luxury Tax, it is the intention of the Government to impose an equivalent duty on similar articles imported from foreign countries?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make a statement as to whether any arrangement has been come to between the Allies with a view to excluding German ships and German goods from Allied ports and territories for progressive periods after the War the longer the Germanic Powers refuse to accept the terms of the Allies; and whether similar arrangements have been made between the Allies to place a progressive restriction on the export of raw materials to the German Empire?

I am not in a position to make any statement at present.

Is the Government in communication with the United States on this subject, as to which there is a very strong feeling?

My hon. and gallant Friend knows, I am sure, that this matter has been the source of constant communication between this Government and our Allies, including the United States.

May we take it that some sort of agreement has been arrived at, as the matter has been in progress for a very long time?

If my hon. Friend will consider the question carefully he will see that it is a very delicate one. Even if anything had been decided, it would be impossible to make any statement to the House.

asked the Prime Minister if he has now completed his inquiry into the question of the position of women with regard to election to this House?

The answer is in the negative, as the inquiry must await the return of the Home Secretary.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, owing to the requirements of the War, British ships for a long time past have been almost entirely withdrawn by the British Government from the trade between North and South America for the purpose of supplying the requirements of the Allies, and that recently neutral ships, chartered by British shipowners under the control of the British Government to replace the British ships so withdrawn, have also been withdrawn by the British Government from this trade to supply the requirements of the Allies; whether he is aware that now these latter steamers are withdrawn the United States Shipping Control Board have allocated to American firms ten steamers for this trade to sail during the present month of June; that of the eight American firms to whom these steamers have been allotted seven firms have not previously loaded steamers from New York to South American ports; and that the United States Shipping Control Board refused to allocate any steamers under their control to the British lines established in New York which built up this trade, and which, prior to the War, was mainly conducted by them; whether he is aware that the great bulk of the American troops as well as supplies for the Allies in France are being carried in British ships while ships controlled by the American Government are being employed trading in directions such as the North and South American trade; and whether he can state what immediate action he proposes to take to protect British interests in this trade, which otherwise will be lost to British shipowners?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer on this subject given to the hon. Member for the West Toxteth Division of Liverpool on the 14th May. The facts are generally as stated so far as regard the withdrawal of ships from British shipowners. The situation of these shipowners is having the continuous and sympathetic attention of the Shipping Controller, with a view to finding, if possible, means to enable them to maintain the goodwill of their trades. As the question indicates, the matter is one in which the American Government are closely concerned, and I can assure my hon. Friend that it is not being overlooked in the discussions which are constantly proceeding between the two Governments.

Are we to understand that our Government has made definite representations to the Government of the United States on the subject?

I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the answer which I have given.

While the Government have been taking British ships, have American ships been free to take this trade which hitherto has been carried on by British ships?

I must deprecate these comparisons between the comparative services which are rendered at any particular moment to the common cause by different Allies.

Has the hon. Gentleman not admitted that to be the fact in his reply to the principal question?

If my hon. Friend will read carefully the answer which I have given he will see that the Shipping Controller recognises that the shipowners engaged in this particular trade deserve sympathetic consideration in this matter, which they are receiving, and that we are in correspondence with the Government of the United States on this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to appoint a Rubber Controller, and, if so, whether the official appointed will control the production of rubber within the Empire or only the import, manufacture, and purchase and sale of rubber; and if he can state the name of the gentleman to be appointed?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. No decision has been taken to appoint a Rubber Controller, but the situation in respect of rubber is being carefully watched in case some measure of control should become necessary.

If it is decided to appoint a Controller of Rubber will he control production?

I think that that will be extremely unlikely.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many Members of the House are being paid subsistence money out of public funds in addition to their salaries as Members; and will he give a list of them, stating the amounts, and in respect of what services these subsistence moneys are paid?

I am having the necessary inquiries made, and will circulate the information asked for as soon as it is available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that forms under Schedule D are being issued to farmers by his Department asking them to give a statement of their profits or gains for the year ending 5th April, 1919; and, if so, will he say how this form can be satisfactorily filled up nine months before the end of the year for which a statement of the profits is demanded?

A form of return for assessment under Schedule D is issued to a farmer only when he elects to be assessed under that Schedule.

asked to what extent, if any, German banks are indebted to British or British-Colonial stock banks?

Nothing is admitted as being due by the London agencies of the German banks to British or Colonial joint stock banks, though a large claim has been put forward, and is under consideration, in which English banks are interested.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to introduce a new grade of temporary women clerks at a salary of £140–£180 per annum; and, if so, if he will be prepared to consider the removal of second-class clerks, at present receiving a salary of £110, from the Savings Bank Department, with little prospect of advancement, to some of the better-paid posts to be created for the temporary women clerks?

I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the temporary higher-grade women clerks, whose scale, as recently revised, falls approximately within the limits stated. With reference to the hon. Member's suggestion, I understand that, in the opinion of the Postmaster-General, the pressure of work in the Savings Bank Department renders it difficult to arrange for any further transfers of the kind suggested.

asked if any steps are being taken to obtain an adequate return in labour for the high wages paid to men engaged in the construction of aerodromes?

Everything possible is being done to make the best use of the labour available.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the lady supervisor over the women cleaners employed at the Air Board, Hotel Cecil, Strand, has threatened these women with dismissal if they become members of a trade union; and whether he will take steps to see that this practice is ended as speedily as possible?

I regret to say that the facts are substantially as stated in the question. The action referred to was due to a misapprehension on the part of a subordinate official, and the necessary instructions are being issued to put the matter right.

asked the Under Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the women employed at No. 1 Stores, Royal Air Force, Greenwich, S.E. 13, have been informed by the officer in command that unless they join either the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps or the Women's Royal Naval Service no increases in wages will be given them; whether he is aware that in most cases these women are married and that either their husbands or sons are at present serving with the Colours; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to the prevention of a repetition of this kind of thing?

Women employed as civilian subordinates by all Royal Air Force units have been invited to join the Women's Royal Air Force, the advantages of which have been fully explained to them. Enrolment in the Women's Royal Air Force is entirely voluntary, and civilian subordinates at present employed have complete freedom to join at any time, subject to passing the necessary medical examination. Women who do not wish to join are retained in their employment at existing rates of pay, which in some cases are higher than those paid to members of the Women's Royal Air Force for similar employment. Any increases of pay by way of war bonus officially authorised for civilian subordinates are payable to women who elect to remain in the employment of units of the Royal Air Force as civilian subordinates.