asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether a man who was employed on various ships in the Navy from August, 1914, to June, 1917, wearing uniform and ranking as a chief petty officer, who was in action at Heligoland Bight and Scapa Flow, who has received the 1914–15 star, the general service medal, and the victory medal, and his share of the prize money, is entitled to be classed as an ex-service man?

It is difficult to reply to a hypothetical question of this nature. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend would give me particulars of any individual case he may have in mind.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) whether, having regard to the importance of finding fresh methods of raising revenue, he will impose a tax on advertisements, thus following the example of France; whether, having regard to the importance of economy in the use of electric light and coal, he will impose a larger tax on advertisements involving the use of electric light or gas;(2) whether, having regard to the large increase of pleasure traffic on Sundays, he will extend the entertainment tax to include all tickets issued for travel by road or by pleasure steamers on Sundays, seeing that such tax would bring in a substantial revenue and be easy in collection?

My hon. and learned Friend will realise that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is unable to answer these questions in anticipation of the Budget statement, but he may rest assured that these and all similar suggestions will receive his careful consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury by how much the cost of our Army in the Rhine Provinces has exceeded the total sums yet received by us from German reparations?

No final figures have yet been received from the Reparation Commission, but it is estimated that the excess is about £25,000,000.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will explain exactly what the position of the Judges, the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and other officials, will be under Article 10 of the Articles of Agreement?

Clause 10 of the Articles of Agreement defines the obligations of the Irish Free State in regard to the compensation of existing police and civil officials who may retire or be discharged in consequence of the change of Government. The police and officials concerned are assured of treatment not less favourable than that provided in the Government of Ireland Act, and His Majesty's Government will be the guarantor of their pensions. The detailed arrangements to be made in reference to the various classes of officials have necessarily been deferred for consideration until after the acceptance of the Articles of Agreement in Ireland. The case of Judges in particular presents special features which it is recognised require careful examination.

asked the Prime Minister what are the latest reliable reports from the Russian famine area; and whether the British Government intends to take any further measures of relief?

According to the latest information received from Moscow, the shortage of grain in the famine areas as estimated by the Soviet authorities amounts to 53,000,000 poods, but it is not possible to say as yet with any degree of accuracy what proportion of the shortage can be met from other parts of Russia. Sir Benjamin Robertson has kindly consented to visit Russia on behalf of the British Famine Relief Committee and is leaving shortly for Moscow. Sir Benjamin will devote himself particularly to reporting on the use which is being made of stores emanating from British sources. On his return it is hoped that his information may be made available. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given on the 16th instant by the Lord Privy Seal in reply to the hon. Member for Consett (Mr. A. Williams).

asked the Prime Minister whether the decision of the recent Premiers' Conference as to the equality of status of British subjects, whether European or Asiatic, and accepted by all the Dominions except South Africa, has yet been adopted by; or as an instruction to, the Colonial Office or to the Governors of the various Crown Colonies; and, if not, what action has been taken in respect of the resolution in question?

I cannot add anything to the reply given by the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies to the hon. and gallant Member on the 25th July.

asked the Minister of Health the conditions on which the various local authorities distribute milk free or at a reduced price for mothers and children?

The conditions now in operation are set out in Circular 185. As regards the next financial year, certain modifications indicated in Circular 267 are under consideration I will send the hon. Member copies of both Circulars.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the county council for the Soke of Peterborough have sent a communication to a female member of the National Union of Distributive Workers, Approved Society No. 296, informing her that she can secure sanatorium treatment only on the understanding that she is prepared to pay to that council a weekly sum equivalent to the amount of her State sickness benefit; and whether he will take steps to prevent this policy being pursued?

I have no information as to the particular case. I may, however, say that I have recently informed local authorities that they should require a contribution towards the cost of the residential treatment of persons suffering from tuberculosis in cases where the financial circumstances of the patient are such as to justify a charge; but that nothing should be done which would be likely to deter persons who are in need of treatment from accepting such treatment.

asked the Minister of Health, respecting Circular 251 issued by his Department, if he has found a form of words that will give a man the 100 per cent. wages without waiting to fulfil a probationary period providing a man knows a job and gives a full day's work on it; if he has issued a statement to this effect to the local authorities as promised on 8th November last; and, if so, will he furnish Members with a copy of this statement?

I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a circular letter addressed to local authorities by the Unemployment Grants Committee on the 23rd November, which contains the decisions of the Government on the question of the rates of wages to be paid to men engaged on unemployment schemes.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the chairman and two-thirds of the members of the General Nursing Council for England and Wales have resigned office and, in consequence, that the work of the Council has been wholly suspended; what are the circumstances which have brought about this deplorable state of things; and, in view of the importance of the State registration of nurses proceeding, what steps have or will be taken to put an end to the deadlock which has arisen?

The Chairman of the Council has resigned, and two-thirds of the members have resigned with him, or intimated their intention of doing so unless he can be persuaded to withdraw his resignation. I have asked the resigning members to see me, and am hopeful that the difficulties may be adjusted. But I cannot at this stage make any statement as to what further steps it may be necessary to take.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received demands for the removal of the Governor of Jerusalem as a result of the November pogrom in Jerusalem and the sentence of four years' penal servitude passed upon a member of the Jewish Defence Corps for attempting to defend his fellow countrymen; and whether he has seen the evidence that Arab chiefs are conducting pogrom propaganda?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part, I have seen certain anonymous reports containing statements of the nature indicated, but there is nothing in the official reports which have reached me from the High Commissioner to corroborate those statements.