asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what is the estimated cost of the Fiscal Commission under the chairmanship of Sir Ibrahim Rahimtulla; and when it is expected to report?

(Earl Winterton, rising amid general cheers on Ministerial appointment): The Commission is expected to report about the end of May. The Government of India estimated that the Commission would cost 2 lakhs of rupees in the financial year ending 31st March, 1922. No estimate of the expenditure in the next financial year has been received, but it will probably not exceed half a lakh.

Is the Noble Lord aware that this Commission has been wasting time and money in examining Mrs. Besant, who is an agitator and not a fiscal reformer; and also in listening to the absurd statements that the thumbs of Indian weavers had been deliberately chopped off to prevent them competing against English weavers, and all that sort of nonsense; and what possible advantage does the Noble Lord hope to get as the result of the deliberations of such a Commission?

I am not aware that the Commission is wasting time. I am aware that it has been carrying on a most important and a most essential work.

Can the Noble Lord give us the present value of a lakh of rupees?

The hon. Member had better put that question down.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the resolutions passed by the European Association of India calling upon the Government of India to support all loyal citizens, to punish declared rebels without fear or favour, and by definite and immediate action to carry out its elementary duty of maintaining law and order, and of protecting its servants from murder and violence; and can he state what action has been taken in the matter?

I have seen a newspaper report of the resolutions. The Government of India and the Provincial Governments are adopting the measures they consider necessary, in the varying circumstances of different Provinces, for the purposes indicated.

To what is this failure on the part of the Government of India due, and why should an influential association like this have to pass such a resolution calling upon the Government to do their duty?

I can only repeat that the Government are endeavouring to do their duty by the action they have taken.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether there has yet been made in India any difference in the feeding or treatment in gaol given to political and to ordinary prisoners; if so, in what provinces has such distinction been made; and why is it not done in Lahore gaol?

On the 16th January the Home Member made a statement in the Legislative Assembly in reply to a question on this subject. He said:

"The Government of India recently suggested to Local Governments that persons recently sentenced to rigorous imprisonment under Act XIV of 1908 or under the Seditious Meetings Act should receive differential treatment in jail in the matter of diet,

The statistics required, as far as they are available, are being circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Will the Noble Lord—whom I am very glad to see on that Front Bench—himself wire to Lahore and find out definitely whether these instructions have been carried out there; my latest information is that they have not yet?

I offer my sincere congratulations to the Noble Lord on his presence on that Front Bench. May I ask why should there be any distinction made between political and other prisoners—

You will find out soon—

Should it not rather be in the direction of greater hardship?

In regard to the question of the hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite, if he will inform me of cases that he knows where that has not been done already, I shall be glad to ask the Secretary of State to telegraph for information. My information is to the effect that it is being carried out in Lahore gaol and elsewhere.

It was not being done in Lahore when the last mail left.

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will see me afterwards, and I will inquire.

Do we understand that there are now more generous and lenient Regulations for political prisoners in India than formerly obtained?

I must have notice of these questions, but there has been an alteration in policy during the, last few years.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will ascertain from the War Office representative on the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes Board, and inform the House, as to the reason why no trading accounts or balance sheets have been published by the said Board for over four years; and when it is intended that a statement of accounts and balance sheet will be published?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on the 13th February to my hon. Friends the Members for Carmarthen and the Drake Division of Plymouth.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the last accounts published in 1918 by these institutes showed a turnover of over £40,000,000, and having regard to the fact that they are rent, rates and taxes free and carry on their business in Government property, does he not think it very desirable that some account of their working should be published?

I cannot admit the statements of fact that my hon. Friend has imported into his supplementary question. I will send him a copy of the answers to which I referred.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many War Service Medals have been issued; how many are still to issue; and what men should have received them by now, so that direct application may be made to records by those entitled to medals who have not yet received them?

The numbers of medals issued to Record Offices and other distributing agents, including those issued direct to officers, but excluding issues made to India and the Dominions, are as follow:

When shall I get my medal?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decorations or medals were granted to officers, non-commissioned officers, or men who never served overseas in the War; and, if so, how many were granted for home service only?

War medals are granted only to those who served overseas during the Great War, with the exception of the British war medals granted to personnel of land batteries who were engaged with hostile vessels of war. I am not in a position to state the numbers of this personnel, but it will be quite small.

Does the right hon. Gentleman say that no military decorations whatsoever were awarded for home service?

No; I was referring to the British war medals to which my hon. Friend himself alluded in his question.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision is being made for the future of officers at present serving with the Royal Munster Fusiliers and other Irish regiments now being disbanded under the terms of the Treaty made with the Irish Free State?

As I explained on the 15th instant, in my statement on Army Estimates, it is proposed that the whole Army shall bear equally the reduction in officers consequent on the disbandment of units; that is to say, it will not follow from the disbandment of any unit that every officer in it will be retired. Officers whose retention is recommended will be allowed to transfer to other regiments. Officers will be allowed a choice of regiments, and their wishes will be met as far as is possible in the interest of the Service. Those who are called upon to retire will be offered compensation as to the terms of which I hope to make a statement at an early date.

Suppose an officer of one of these regiments take service with the Irish Republican Army, will he get pay from this Government? [An HON MEMBER: "Why not?"]

So long as he is transferred to one of the British forces, my answer applies; if he goes to some force the British Government does not recognise, of course, he will not be paid by the British Government.

asked the Secretary of State for War why the time-expired bounty is withheld in the case of ex-Lance-Corporal Armitage, 2/5th battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers; and is he aware that on 12th September, 1917, a memorandum was sent to this man stating that his service has now been established as from 15th November, 1912, therefore admitting that he had qualified for the bounty?

I am not aware of the contents of the memorandum which is stated to have been sent to this man on 12th September, 1917, but the bounty referred to is issuable in the case of men re-enlisted or recalled to the colours, only to those who had previously been discharged, on termination of engagement, since the outbreak of War. Lance-Corporal Armitage does not fulfil this necessary condition, having been discharged medically unfit on 6th August, 1914, before the termination of his engagement. He is, therefore, ineligible for a bounty in respect of his subsequent re-enlistment.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this man's receipt of his demobilisation pay of £5 was his first indication that he had left the Army; that he was ill at the time, and for two months afterwards?

It must be obvious that I cannot carry in my mind the facts of each case. If my hon. Friend will send me any further information, I shall be glad.

I will send the memorandum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in drawing up the fresh edition of Regulations for the Territorial Army, he will amend paragraph 57 of the 1912 Regulations so as to enable Territorial officers to be eligible to command divisions, in view of the fact that several Territorial officers were recommended to command divisions in the field during the War, and that the then Secretary of State for War gave a promise to this effect in 1920?

I am not able to identify the promise to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The question raised shall be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers of all ranks not now actively connected with the Army who are in receipt of pensions, pay, or allowances; the annual amount paid in respect of each category; and the total annual expenditure in this connection?

The hon. Member will find the number of Army officers on retired pay and the annual amount of such retired pay in Army Estimates, 1921–22, Head VII A., and in the Estimates of the Ministry of Pensions. Officers drawing pay and allowances chargeable to Army Votes are all actively connected with the Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many soldiers have been killed or wounded during the weeks of rioting in Belfast; what steps the War Department are taking for the protection of these troops; and whether they have called upon the Ulster Government for aid in such measures?

The casualties since the 1st January have been 2 killed and 12 wounded. The military authorities, acting in co-operation with the civil power, have re-inforced the garrison, and are employing all measures which experience shows to be desirable to secure the best possible results. There have been some arrests, but I am not in possession of the particulars.

Is it not a fact that, in spite of the precautions to which this right hon. Gentleman has alluded, the number of murders and incendiary fires have not increased almost weekly in a large degree?

Is it not a fact that Lieutenant Bruce, one of the two soldiers killed, was off duty when he was murdered, and was passing through the streets of a strictly Catholic area?

I really have not the facts to which my hon. Friend refers. The other question put to me is so general that I find a difficulty in replying specifically to it. If the hon. Member will give me any further details, I will do my best to reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the result of the discussions with the Provisional Government as to the position of rate collectors in Ireland whose collection books were seized by the Irish Republican Army some two years ago, and who were thereby deprived of their fees and earnings; and what arrangements have been made for assessing their pensions or compensation on a fair and equitable basis?

The Provisional Government have undertaken that the officers referred to will be provided for either by the payment of suitable compensation or by suitable re-employment, and they are making inquiry into such cases with a view to early settlement.

Will the right hon. Gentleman confer with the Provisional Government in order to see that compensation is paid to them direct?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies why the forces at the disposal of the Provisional Government for the preservation of law and order in Southern Ireland are still described as the Irish Republican Army; and whether he will suggest to the Provisional Government that this description of the forces employed by them for keeping order should be discontinued at the earliest possible moment?

I must refer the hon. and learned Member to my replies to previous questions on this subject, more particularly to my reply to a supplementary question addressed to me by him on the 14th February. The force known as the Irish Republican Army and the force which is being organised by the Provisional Government for the preservation of law and order are, as I have previously explained, not identical; but the Provisional Government, as I understand, from time to time use the so-called Irish Republican Army, in areas where this force acknowledges their authority, to assist them. The latter part of the question does not arise.

Does my right hon. Friend not think that it is extremely undesirable that a Government that is not a Republican Government should utilise forces which describe themselves as Republican?

No, Sir; I think that in all the difficult circumstances prevailing in Ireland the Provisional Government are doing their best.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Government of Ulster and of the Irish Free State will be consulted as to the terms of reference to, and the constitution of, the Boundary Commission to be set up in pursuance of the terms of the provisional Treaty with Southern Ireland; whether the findings of the Commission will be legally binding, even if they involve the transfer to the Free State of substantial areas of Ulster as delimited under the Irish Government Act of 1920; and when it is proposed to set up the Commission?

In reply to the first part of the question, the provisions of Article 12 of the Schedule to the Irish Free State (Agreement) Bill lay down the terms of reference and the constitution of the Commission, and as regards its constitution I would further refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Debate of the 3rd instant, on an Amendment to the Bill moved by the Noble Lord the Member for Oxford University. In reply to the second part, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the same provisions, which appear to me to be free from ambiguity on this subject. The third part does not arise, unless and until an address is presented to His Majesty as provided in Article 12.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say plainly whether a Commission is going to be set up or not? The right hon. Gentleman has only referred to something that does not give a reply to my question.

I do not understand.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can make any statement as to the position to-day on the boundaries of Northern Ireland and if he can give the House particulars of the raids by detachments of the Irish Republican Army into Northern Ireland on last Sunday night which resulted in the death of a special constable near Tobermore and Robert Mulligan near Blackwater-town, and the wounding of other persons, and what steps have been taken to prevent further outrages?

I have been in communication with the Provisional Government, the Government of Northern Ireland and with General Macready. I have not yet received details of what has actually taken place in connection with these regrettable occurrences, but the Provisional Government inform me that they have ascertained that no forces from the 26 counties took part in either of the raids referred to. General Macready's Report confirms this. These raids, so far as I am at present informed were organised locally by members of the so-called Irish Republican Army who are resident in the six counties area. I have given the House the best information I have up to the present. Both the authorities I have consulted on this matter, the Provisional Government and General Macready, concur in the news which I have just given. The Provisional Government add that firing across the border is reported to them as having occurred from the Northern side. Following the destruction of bridges by Ulster special constables, apparently, a number of roads have been cratered, and a certain number of bridges have been blown up by the Northern forces with a view, no doubt, to preventing motor-car incursions. The Provisional Government say that they are seeking further information and will report later. The general position on the boundary is undoubtedly one of serious tension. The liaison Commissions are not functioning as they should on either side. Every effort is being made by the officers of those Commissions, but General Macready considered that the newspaper accounts greatly exaggerate the situation. Very highly coloured accounts are current in the papers. The situation is a very disagreeable one, but it really does not justify the alarmist versions which occupied such a large portion of our public prints yesterday. I have not received any answer as yet to my inquiries from the Northern Government.

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to a statement, which has been made by one of the Ministers of Northern Ireland, that a state of war exists between Northern Ireland and the Irish Republican Army, and has that view been brought to the attention of the Government?

My attention was called to that statement, but I do not know whether my hon. Friend will wish me to offer any comment on it.

Is it not the view of His Majesty's Government that they should put down outrages of this kind, whether they be committed by local bodies, by republican forces, or by any armed bodies of men?

These outrages occurred within the jurisdiction of the Government of Northern Ireland. The Government of Northern Ireland have had placed at their disposal 13 battalions of infantry up to the present time. They are there for the purpose of assisting them in maintaining the law. In addition to this they have 3,000 constabulary. They have nearly 5,000 armed A specials. They have 20,000 B specials all armed with rifles and they have a further force of C specials behind them. The C specials are not in all cases armed. I have no reason to believe that they will not be able to maintain order in their territory.

Are not these perilous incidents on the frontier largely due to the pogrom against the lives and property of Catholics in Belfast—[HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]—which has now gone on for several weeks without apparently any interference on the part of the Government?

Have His Majesty's Government given instructions to General Macready to help the Ulster people?

Yes, certainly. General Cameron, who is in command of the troops in North East Ireland, is aware that any demand for troops that he can make will be complied with and we are doing everything in our power to assist. Overwhelming force is at the disposal of the Northern Government for the proper purpose of their own defence and maintaining the order in their districts. So far as the question of the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. O'Connor) is concerned I am bound to say that the conditions which have prevailed during the last few months in Belfast are lamentable in the extreme. Considerably more Catholics have been killed and wounded than Protestants, but I know that Sir James Craig and his Ministers are determined to do everything in their power to try to bring about a peaceful and orderly state of affairs in what you may call the underworld of Belfast.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he will now afford an opportunity for a discussion on this matter which would give an opportunity of showing the falseness of the suggestions made by the hon. Member for the Scotland Division?

rose—

Since responsible Government was given to Northern Ireland I have deprecated questions or arguments affecting the responsibility of that Government.

Is it not a fact that with a frontier of something like two hundred miles it is not possible to speak about overwhelming forces being at the disposal of the Northern Government? Is it not a fact that the only way of stopping this would be by bringing the Free State Government to book for not seeing that these invasions do not take place?

I have answered already that no invasion has taken place. In my opinion, the Free State Government have taken every step that they can to abolish the present state of affairs?

Abolish the frontier. Then it would be done.

Is it a fact that large forces have been massing on the Southern side?

I am informed that a certain number of men have been collected. There is a difference between collecting and massing. The numbers are not very large. I have telegraphed to the Southern Government pointing out that they are in no danger whatever of a raid into their territory from Northern Ireland. I am confident that in those circumstances a raid would not be tolerated by the Northern Government. I am endeavouring to reassure them in every way.

If the Southern Government deny that these raiders have anything to do with them, where do they get their ammunition?

asked the Secretary of State for War if the amount of £3,713,000, as stated in the Report of 31st January of the United Services Fund Committee, is the total amount paid to that fund up to the present time?

The Report of the Committee presided over by my hon. Friend the Member for the Ecclesall Division of Sheffield indicates the value of the cash and securities transferred as £3,849,000. The discrepancy between this figure and that quoted in the question appears to be due mainly to differences in the method of valuation of the securities which have been transferred. No further payment has been made up to the present date.

Is it not a fact that £4,049,000 has been given as the amount paid to that fund; and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three different figures have been given?

I do not remember any such figures.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make any statement as to when the money will be paid over?

I have answered that question in previous Debates, and I ask my hon. and gallant Friend to look at those answers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will make an investigation as to whether, under the mui tsai system of Hong Kong, the mui tsai girls of any household do, upon the death of the owner, become the property of concubines in the household, and are disposed of by them for cash, with other elements in the estate of the deceased owner?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the records of the Colonial Office show that mui tsai of Hong Kong, of quite tender years, are frequently compelled to labour over 12 hours a day, and that cases have been established in the open court where these children have been forced to work up to as long as 18 and 20 hours in one day?

The House will recollect that I asked hon. Members to postpone their questions on this subject in order that I might communicate with the Governor of Hong Kong. The recent occurrences in the Colony have unfortunately prevented either the Governor or myself from dealing with this matter as expeditiously as I had hoped, but I have now received a telegram from the Governor stating that his Government in consultation with the societies for the protection and for the abolition of mui tsai will draw up a scheme for the abolition of the system as soon as possible. Both the Government and the societies point out that this process must take some little time. I have directed the issue without delay of a proclamation making it clear to employers and employed that the status of mui tsai as understood in China will not in future be recognised in Hong Kong and in particular that no compulsion of any kind to prevent girls over the age of 12 leaving their adopted parents at any time will be allowed. It has been pointed out to me by the Government and the societies that the issue of this proclamation will involve some risk of exposing a number of girls to the wiles of unscrupulous persons, and that before the girls are encouraged to leave their employers it would be very desirable to have some scheme to provide for their future. It is indeed obvious in view of the numbers involved that it will be beyond the power either of charitable institutions or of the Government to deal adequately with the situation should any large proportion desire to leave their present homes immediately. I have, therefore, instructed the Governor that mui tsai should be warned in the proclamation that until accommodation can be provided for them elsewhere they should not leave the shelter of their present homes except in case of ill treatment and after reference to the Chinese Secretariat, and I have also said that they should be specially warned against the other danger referred to by the Governor. Although it is obvious that an old established custom cannot be altered at a moment's notice, I desire to make it clear that both the Governor and I are determined to effect the abolition of the system at the earliest practicable date, and I have indicated to the Governor that I expect the change to be carried out within a year.

Is it not a fact that in the notification to the mui tsai they are told that if they are entreated they can come out, although there be no accommodation?

What will happen if, during the next 12 months, steps are taken to shift these girls off to Canton? Will attempts be made to retain these girls in Hong Kong until accommodation is provided for them?

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any subventions have been granted by His Majesty's Government or the Government of Palestine for the purpose of settling Jews on the land in Palestine; if so, the amount of such subventions; and, if not, whether the cost of such settling of Jews has been subscribed from Jewish sources?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and to the last part in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the suggestion which recently appeared in the Press that a special Commission should be sent to Palestine to investigate the whole situation there; and whether, in view of the fact that an inquiry of this nature would be welcomed by all parties concerned in the present dispute, he will agree to appoint such a Commission?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Lincoln on the 1st March last. I am not in a position to add anything to that reply.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, failing any proposal by the Government itself, the Ministry is prepared to offer facilities for, or at least not to oppose, an agreed on Bill for the removal of the present conditions under which people are recovering the amount of betting debts paid by cheque?

I certainly should offer no opposition on behalf of the Government to such a Bill. Any question as to facilities for the Bill should be addressed to the Leader of the House.

asked the Home Secretary the number of aliens who have entered this country in the last year; whether, in view of the existing unemployment, he is still restricting their numbers; and whether he has any information showing the competition of their low rates of wages with British-born subjects, more especially in industrial centres?

The number of aliens who landed in the United Kingdom in 1921 was 294,569, and the number who embarked was 305,866. These figures do not include aliens who passed through the country as transmigrants. The vast majority of those who landed were visitors on business or on holiday, or residents returning after a sojourn abroad. I am satisfied that the provisions of the Aliens Order are being strictly enforced, and that aliens are not being allowed to land for the purpose of seeking employment. No information has reached me showing that aliens in industrial centres are competing with British-born subjects by accepting lower rates of wages.

Was not an alien allowed to land the other day whose papers had to be confiscated as seditious?

There is another question on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary if the memorial of Henry Isadora Kerner for letters of naturalisation was presented to the Home Office so far back as the 15th August, 1914; and whether he will take some steps to secure the improved administration of his Department and, in particular, the framing of regulations recording the principles upon which memorials for naturalisation at the instance of men and women, not former alien enemies or stateless, should receive adequate attention with reasonable promptitude?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts, I can add nothing to my reply to a similar inquiry by the hon. and gallant Member on the 9th instant.

asked the Home Secretary (1) whether applications for grants of naturalisation are dealt with strictly in order of application, or whether specially early consideration is given to applications for persons of superior wealth, influence, or pertinacity; whether he is prepared to refund the fees paid By persons whose applications have been more than five years awaiting consideration;

It is not possible without prolonged inquiry to say how many of the applications for naturalisation granted during 1921 were lodged since the Armistice. Naturalisation Regulation 14 provides that the fee payable on the submission of an application shall in no circumstances be returned. Applications are not dealt with strictly in order of application, for, as I informed the hon. Member for Caerphilly on the 13th February, if an applicant submits any special reasons why his application should be expedited they are always considered, but no special priority is given to the classes of persons referred to in the first question.

asked whether, either as a result of the Washington Labour Conference or otherwise, the Government has made, or is making, any representations to Foreign administrations against the prevalence of sweated labour in industries, which are directly competitive with our own; and whether his Department has any evidence to show the effect of such sweated labour, within the last two years, on any industries in the East End of London?

In view of the possible unsatisfactory or sweated conditions of less organised labour in many countries which have not the machinery for regulating conditions or wages which the trade boards provide in this country, the International Labour Office has been asked to collect information on the subject. With regard to the last part of the question, we have received no representations from the interests affected; but if my hon. Friend has any information in the matter, we should be glad to receive it.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that on 15th November, 1920, the then Leader of the House, speaking of the proposal to have only one electoral register instead of two, stated he would be glad to see it adopted; and can he say when a final decision on this question may be expected?

I am aware of the reply given on the date referred to by the then Leader of the House; but the hon. and gallant Member will bear in mind that it was made expressly subject to the proposal commending itself generally to the House, and according to my information there is no such general approval as to satisfy this condition. I hope, however, that the question will soon be disposed of.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a memorial was signed by over 300 Members of this House in favour of this alteration; is he further aware that a saving of a quarter of a million sterling would be effected thereby, and is he also aware that this House was told on 20th December that the matter was under the consideration of the Prime Minister?

I am aware of those facts, but at the same time there have been very strong representations the other way. I hope that the matter will be decided before the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill is reached.

Who is going to decide it?

The Government.

Will the Government take the matter up at once?

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the fact that a county council, district council, and parish council elector must have resided in the parish or some parish in an immediately adjacent county on 15th December, 1920, in order to receive the right to vote at the elections in March and April, 1922, he has now decided to save £250,000 by providing for a yearly instead of a half-yearly register?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I have just given to the hon. and gallant Member for East Lewisham on the subject of the annual register proposal. The statement in the first part of the question is substantially correct, but I could hardly agree that the facts mentioned afford material support to the proposal.

If the facts stated in the first part of the question are substantially correct, what is the reason for not saving the money?

asked the Home Secretary whether, after the expression of opinion by the Committee on National Expenditure that, in view of the results of State management, formerly the Liquor Control Board, so far obtained, and of the risk of loss in future years, its continuance as a State undertaking would not appear likely to afford any special financial advantage to the taxpayer, he proposes to take any and what steps for terminating the system of State management; and whether, in pursuance of the statement of the Committee that in the present financial circumstances no further expenditure for compensation and adaptation in connection with premises already acquired or for acquisition of further premises should be incurred, he has given any instructions to the Advisory Committee to suspend operations in these respects?

It is not proposed to take any steps for terminating the system of State management. I do not understand that the Committee on National Expenditure recommended no further expenditure on adaptation of premises already acquired, but in accordance with their recommendation there will be no further expenditure on the acquisition of further premises.

asked the Home Secretary whether any, and what, official was responsible for the nonexistence or non-production of licences in the cases of marriages at Oxhey recently confirmed by Provisional Order; and whether he has taken or can take any steps to guard against this kind of informality occurring in other cases?

According to the information supplied to me, the vicar of the parish was responsible. A clergyman who knowingly and wilfully solemnises a marriage without publication of banns or production of a licence is of course committing an offence against the Marriage Act and is liable to be proceeded against under that Act but I was advised that in this case there was not sufficient evidence on which proceedings could have been taken. I have been in communication with the Bishop of the Diocese who informs me that, in the absence of sufficient evidence, there is no action which he can usefully take. I am afraid there is nothing more that I can do in the matter.

If further evidence be supplied to the right hon. Gentleman's Department, will he bring it to the knowledge of the Public Prosecutor?

If my hon. Friend will give me any further evidence, I will put it before the Law Officers of the Crown, as I have done already.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the recent unfortunate explosion at Tipton, he can, in conjunction with the Disposal Board, arrange that, in all future disposals of explosives, delivery shall be withheld until the proper licence, as required by Statute, has been granted?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the explosion at Tipton, he will arrange for the disposal in future of explosives to only persons who are licensed to handle same?

As stated in my reply on the 14th instant to the hon. Member for West Bromwich, the Disposal and Liquidation Commission make careful inquiries in every case, with a view to ensuring that purchases of ammunition comply with the law as regards licensing. The responsibility of doing so must, of course, remain with the contractor, but the Commission are considering whether further restrictions of the character indicated by the hon. Members cannot be imposed. In the case in question, it is understood that the ammunition was transferred from the purchasing contractor to another firm without the knowledge of the Departments concerned.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is proposed to enforce the straphanging Regulations in omnibuses and tramcars on and from 1st April next; and, if so, whether, in view of the obvious inadequacy of the public means of transport during such hours, on special occasions, and under certain weather conditions, he can ensure that the police will, at least, be given discretionary powers in enforcing the Regulation referred to when the foregoing conditions prevail?

As I stated in my reply of the 13th instant, the whole question is under consideration, and I cannot at present make any statement on the subject Viscount CURZON: Has any decision yet been come to?

No decision has been come to.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the late Minister of Transport promised to make a personal experiment in strap-hanging?

asked the Home Secretary what is the position of the Police Mutual Assurance Association; why it refuses to receive the payments due monthly by the old members; and what is the position of old sergeants and inspectors who have paid into this fund for 40 or 50 years past, and who are now informed that the association (old scale) is dead?

The Association in question is a voluntary organisation. It is not and never has been under Government control or supervision and no Government Department had any responsibility for its management. I understand that a recent examination of its finances has shown that funds are not available to meet the payments which would become due under the existing rules, and the committee have decided that entire re-organisation is necessary. A new society has been formed and members of the old association have been invited to transfer to the new society, of which the rules will provide for modified benefits subject to some immediate payments and increased contributions being forthcoming.

Have these old sergeants who have been contributing for so long to this old society been informed there is some hope they may get some benefit?

Of course I have no personal knowledge, but I am told that they have.

In the event of these old men not being sufficiently well off to continue their contributions or to pay a higher subscription, will some provision be made for them?

I do not know what it could be made from. There is nothing official about the fund.

Is there anything in the fund?

I do not know.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a second-class passenger recently arrived at Southampton with a large quantity of Communist literature, together with literature of a still worse type; whether, after all this had been confiscated, he was allowed to continue his journey to London; and, if so, whether he can explain why this man was not instantly deported?

I presume that the question refers to the case of a first-class passenger who landed at Southampton on the 27th February from the United States of America, and was required to give up certain literature in his possession; and I would refer the Noble Lord to the answer which I gave to questions addressed to me in the case by the hon. Members for East Leyton and Govan on the 7th instant. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, the passenger is a British subject and I have therefore no power to deport him from the United Kingdom.

Can any literature be worse than Communist literature?

I have not seen any myself.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the sentence of three months' imprisonment with hard labour passed on 2nd March on four members of the Greenock unemployed committee by the Sheriff's Court at Greenock; and whether, in view of the severity of the sentence, having regard to the evidence adduced against the accused, he is prepared to consider the modification of the sentence?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, I am inquiring into this case. My decision will be announced without avoidable delay.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, owing to the widespread unemployment in Scotland during the last year, there are very heavy arrears of rates to town and parish councils which cannot meantime be met; and whether he intends to take any action to assist those authorities in bearing this very heavy burden?

I believe it is the case that, owing to the widespread unemploy- ment, the arrears of rates at the close of the current local financial year will be abnormally heavy. If parish councils are unable to meet claims upon them for relief owing to the existence of such arrears or for other reasons the Government are prepared to consider the propriety of making loans from the funds voted by Parliament last Session for relief of unemployment. Apart from this measure of assistance and from contributions towards the cost of approved relief schemes the Government cannot, I am afraid, take any special action in regard to arrears of rates.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, during the time between July and November of last year, when unemployment benefit was suspended, the parish and town councils incurred extraordinary expenditure, the rates for which fall to be collected this year; and whether he intends to give some measure of relief to those councils?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In the case of parish councils the Act passed last Session enables the councils, with the sanction of the Scottish Board of Heatlh, to borrow money for the purpose of meeting the exceptional expenditure and to spread repayment over a period of years. If parish councils are unable to borrow the money required for relief in the ordinary way, they may apply through the Scottish Board of Health for a loan from the funds voted by Parliament last Session. In the case of town councils, expenditure has been incurred mainly on works instituted for the relief of unemployment, and the Government are assisting town councils by contributing a proportion of the cost.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if voting areas under the Temperance (Scotland) Act remain as defined for the purpose of the 1920 poll, notwithstanding any change in population which might bring burghs above or below the 25,000 line which separates burghs voting in ward areas from burghs voting as one area?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the new Rule (9a) passed by the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, approved by the Minister of Health and now laid upon the Table of the House, permits the names of nurses to be placed on the State Register of Nurses without direct documentary evidence of their credentials and character, as provided for under the existing rule; whether, as is required by the Nurses Registration Act for England and Wales, Section 6 (3), the General Nursing Council for Scotland has been consulted as to this rule; whether it approves of the compilation of the State Register of Nurses upon indirect information supplied by the secretaries of organised bodies of nurses instead of upon documentary evidence supplied direct to the Council; and whether the General Nursing Council for Scotland will be prepared to admit to its register, under the reciprocity agreement, between the two countries, nurses who have obtained admission to the register for England and Wales without furnishing such evidence?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I understand that the General Nursing Council for Scotland has not been consulted in regard to the proposed rule, and does not approve of it. In answer to the fourth part of the question, my information is that, pending the adjustment of this matter, the General Nursing Council for Scotland has not passed any rule providing for the re-registration on the Council's register of nurses already on the register of the General Nursing Council for England and Wales.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the General Nursing Council for Scotland has asked for this rule to be withdrawn?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are other institutions in this country which desire it to be retained?

Representations in both senses have reached me.

Is not the whole object of this Rule (9a) to speed up registration, and is not that exactly what nurses throughout the whole country want?

I did not hear my hon. Friend. I should like notice of any further questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government are prepared to make representations to our late Allies that they should follow our example to waive their respective claims to the 1,000,000 tons gross of new merchant shipping which, under the reparation Clauses of the Versailles Treaty, Germany has to build during the next five years, and thus prevent the shipyards of our Allies and ourselves being prejudiced in supplying the world's needs for new ships by this reparation tonnage being forced on the market?

Under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany undertook to lay down 200,000 gross tons a year for five years commencing from the 10th April, 1920. No such tonnage has, however, as yet been laid down, and in view of the fact that Great Britain and Japan have waived their claims, the maximum that can be required from Germany after 10th April, 1922, is only 40,000 gross tons a year for three years. I believe certain of our Allies intend to have a few vessels laid down in Germany for their account, but I do not think it necessary to make such representations as are suggested by the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, if such tonnage is built, it will prejudicially affect the amount of labour required in shipyards in this country? Does not that interest the Government?

I have just said that it is not being built.

In the future?

asked the Prime Minister whether any further communication has been received from the United States Government on the subject of the payment for the United States Army of Occupation; whether this claim will affect the proposed allocation or distribution of the indemnity payments made and to be made by Germany; if so, in what way; and what is being done with the periodical payments made by Germany during the last two months?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. In reply to the second and third parts of the question, I am unable to add anything to the answer given to a question on the same subject by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood), and the correspondence then circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT. In reply to the fourth part of the question, these payments are at present being dealt with by the Reparations Commission in accordance with the Inter-Allied Agreements.

Do we understand, as regards the fourth part of the answer, that these payments are being distributed just as before, in spite of the altered conditions created by the United States Note?

There are no altered conditions created by the United States Note. The Reparations Commission is dealing with the whole matter.

Was not the distribution of this money arranged without any reference to the cost of the United States of America's Army of Occupation, and have not the conditions been altered?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend would do better to read the particular terms of the communication from the United States before asking a question in that form.

Do the Reparation Commission recognise the right of the United States to any part of the money in their hands?

That is a question to put to the Reparation Commission. I would only remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the Reparation Commission is dealing with the matter under the Treaty of Versailles, and that the United States are not a party to that Treaty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Note recently delivered by Mr. R. W. Boyden, asking on behalf of the United States of America for payment of £50,000,000 in respect of the costs incurred by that country in occupying Germany, is the first indication that America intended to make a claim of this kind; what is the present strength of the American forces in Germany; what has been the total expenditure up to the 31st December last in respect of the British forces on the Rhine; whether any part of this expenditure has been repaid by Germany; and whether he will make a statement as to the Government's policy in this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I understand that the present strength of the American forces in Germany is 2,700. In reply to the third and fourth parts of the question, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a question on this subject asked by the right hon. Member for the South Molton Division on the 23rd ultimo. In reply to the last part of the question, I am unable at present to add anything to the statement made on the 15th instant, in reply to a question by the right hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the size of the British Delegation to the Reparation Commission; what are the terms of appointment; what are the salaries paid in the aggregate and to each individual; are these sums charged to the accruing sums paid or to be paid by Germany; have any of these expenses on salary account been advanced by the Treasury; does any portion of the salary of Sir John Bradbury or of Mr. Salter continue to be borne by the Treasury as a recurrent annual arrangement; what proportion of the total sum collected on reparation account has gone in expenses of the Reparation Commission at Paris and elsewhere; and have any officials of the British Delegation been promised compensation for loss of office in the event of the Reparation Commission being wound up?

The answer is a long one, and I shall ask leave to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the salary of the chief British representative on the Reparation Commission is a charge on the British Exchequer, and what that salary amounts to?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to-day to the Hon. Member for the Eastern Division of Leyton.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, as a result of his recent meeting with the representatives of the Allied Powers in Paris, he is in a position to say what is the total sum which this country can expect in the way of reparation or other payment from the German republic during the next financial year?

asked the Prime Minister whether Sir Basil Zaharoff, G.C.B., G.B.E., has been financially rewarded for his help and advice on the Eastern question?

I do not understand this question. If my hon. Friend has any charge to formulate, I beg that he will state it in plain language.

May I ask your ruling, Mr. Speaker? My great difficulty is that, according to the Rules of Procedure in this House, it is quite impossible to put down the kind of question which I wish to put down. I have been driven to put down the question in this form because that is the only way in which I can draw attention to the sinister influence of this great multi-millionaire.

That is just the point. An hon. Member is not allowed to make insinuations in the form of a question. There is no Rule of the House that is more clear than that. If the hon. Member has a charge to make, he can make it in the form of a Motion, but not in the form of a question.

Is not such a question, attributing sinister motives to a man who notoriously gave most valuable and disinterested service to the Allies during the War, an abuse of the Rules of the House?

There was a question tendered to me, but I struck out from it all the insinuations.

Is it not a fact that some time ago the Government gave a definite pledge that when these high decorations were given, the reason for giving them would be stated?

I had better see the further question.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that many dairy farmers and smallholders are threatened with bankruptcy by reason of the low prices now offered for their milk by the milk companies, in many cases those prices being no more than one-third of the pre-War price, while taxes and wages, and all costs of production are greatly increased; that there is no corresponding reduction in price to the consumers; and-whether he will appoint a small Committee, representing consumers, producers, and middlemen, to sift out the causes of this state of things with a view to its amelioration?

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that, while on 1st April the price of milk to the London public will be 2s. a gallon, the farmers in certain districts will receive only 6d. of this amount, the railway companies 2d., and the distributors 1s. 4d.; and if he proposes to take any steps in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. I am aware that prices now being offered by wholesale milk dealers are much lower than those paid under contract a year ago, but I do not think that in any case a figure less than one-third of the pre-War price—which in 1913 averaged 9d. a gallon delivered in London—or anything approaching this has been offered. In any case it does not follow that the producers will accept the prices offered. The price of milk is a matter which must be settled by bargaining between the producers and buyers. The best way in which farmers can bargain on equal terms is by cooperation among themselves, and individual farmers would be well advised to consult their representative associations before entering into contracts. In any case I do not see how the Government could intervene, since such intervention would mean the re-introduction of food control.

Is it not the case that it is not a question of a desire that control should be re-established, but rather that all sections of the public should have before them the whole of the facts, instead of the confused statements now put out by various Departments?

I sympathise with the desire of my hon. Friend, but I do not see what a Committee such as he proposes could inquire into. As a matter of fact, the prices have not yet been settled in most cases. In a very few cases only they have been settled. Next Thursday, I understand, there is to be a meeting between the representatives of the principal distributing companies and the chief farmers' organisations, to discuss the whole question, and I think a satisfactory solution is far more likely to come in that way than by any form of Government intervention.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the margin between the wholesaler and the retailer very often is 6d. and 8d. per gallon, where it was only 2d. and 2½d. when it was under control, and also that, where the farmer in a good many cases to-day receives 1s. 2d. and 1s. 4d. per gallon, the milk is sold retail to the consumer at 2s. 6d. and 2s. 8d. per gallon?

Is it not the fact that at all events the London wholesalers have fixed their price? I have had a list given to me this morning in which the price for May, June and July is fixed at 7d. per gallon, from which carriage to London has to be deducted.

I understand that that is a figure which has been offered, but I have studied this matter very carefully, and I can assure my hon. Friend that in very few cases have these offers been accepted up to the present. With regard to the question put by the hon. Member for Heywood (Mr. Halls) the only answer to him would be the re-introduction of milk control. These controls, however, were abolished by general agreement, and I think that no body of men objected to the controls more than the farmers themselves.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can arrange for the other Departments presenting Estimates for 1922–23 to follow the example of the Secretary of State for War and issue a memorandum summarising the recommendations of the Geddes Committee and the proposed action to be taken by the Department concerned?

The Navy and Air Estimates are, as usual, accompanied by explanatory statements, and my hon. and gallant Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury will, as usual, issue a memorandum on the Civil Service Estimates.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to adopt the Geddes Committee's recommendation with regard to taxation of 10s. per annum and 10s. every five years for complying with the requirements of the Friendly Society Acts and Registry Office; and is he aware of the fact that the adoption of such a suggestion would mean that a centralised society would only incur a total tax of £3 over a period of five years whereas an affiliated order having, say, 4,000 small branches would be charged £12,000 in the same period?