asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what duties are performed by the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet during the periods at which he is not officiating at naval courts martial; whether it is a part of his duties to prepare circumstantial letters, frame charges, and prepare lists of questions for the prosecutor, for use at courts martial at which he will officiate as Deputy Judge Advocate; and whether this has ever been done?

Apart from duties in connection with particular courts-martial at the home ports, the Deputy-Judge Advocate performs instructional work of lecturing and examining officers on Naval Law and court-martial procedure. When this officer is employed at courts-martial his duties do not, as might be inferred, begin and end with his attendance at the trial. Article 673 of the King's Regulations, which deals with these duties, states, amongst other things, that the prosecutor (and for that matter the accused also) is at all times entitled to the Judge-Advocate's opinion on any question of law relating to the charge or trial; and further that it is the Judge Advocate's duty, whether consulted or not, to inform the Convening Authority of any informality or defect in the charge—and of course he can only be in a position to do so after he has carefully perused the papers.

The Admiralty have every reason to believe that the present Deputy-Judge Advocate of the Fleet—an officer of considerable experience—impartially performs these his lawful duties. It is no part of his duties to prepare circumstantial letters, frame charges or prepare lists of questions for the prosecutor at a court-martial at which he will officiate as Deputy-Judge Advocate of the Fleet.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if it is proposed to return to the rule of 55 years being the retiring age for lieutenants promoted from the lower deck when once the list of these officers is reduced to pre-War numbers; and, if not, why not?

It is not intended to revert to the age of 55 as that for compulsory retirement for Lieutenant promoted from the lower deck, for the reason that, owing to the reduction of the Fleet and naval establishments generally, there will not be suitable employment for officers between the ages of 50 and 55. I may add that no commissioned officers below Captain's rank are allowed to remain on the active list after attaining the age of 50.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can give any reason why those naval officers promoted from the lower deck are to be compulsorily retired, while all other naval officers are to be offered inducements to resign; and why all, or nearly all, officers promoted from the lower deck for War service are to be compulsorily retired?

In framing the scheme for the reduction of the lists, it has been necessary for the Admiralty to have particular regard to the state of the lists after the necessary reductions have been made in order that there may be sufficient officers of the requisite seniorities remaining, and that an adequate flow of promotion may be maintained. It is solely on account of these considerations that the Lieutenants who were selected under a special scheme for promotion from the Warrant Officer lists to complete War requirements are being compulsorily retired, and it is not to be inferred that they have been specially selected for retirement in preference to others. In promulgating the scheme the Board have expressed their regret that these officers must be retired, and their sense of the loss to the Naval Service thereby involved, but this is unfortunately inevitable in the circumstances. No officers specially promoted to Lieutenant for War services are being compulsorily retired.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether any special provision is being made for these officers, considering their age?

Yes, Sir. The terms under which they are being retired have been very generously framed in view of the circumstances.

Is this not a direct violation of the pledge given by the hon. Gentleman to me that the Geddes Report would not affect adversely officers promoted from the lower deck?

It does not adversely affect officers generally, but those particular officers who are surplus to requirements. We are compelled in certain circumstances to reduce all officers who are surplus to requirements. What we are doing is encouraging the flow of promotions from the lower deck.

Why should there be a difference between ordinary commissioned officers and officers promoted prom the lower deck? Why should one be induced to retire and the other compelled?

I answered that question fully yesterday. In all cases retirement is eventually compulsory, and when officers are surplus to requirements the element of compulsion begins to work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if he can state the position of those six officers recently promoted, after examinations under the new Government scheme, from the ranks of commissioned warrant officers and who could legitimately expect to remain in the service to the age of 55 and to rise in rank; are these officers to be compelled to retire on reaching the age of 50 on the terms of receiving the rank and the pension of lieutenant-commander, that is of £350 plus gratuity of £500, or can they retire now on those terms as if they had attained 50 years, or are they to be kept on to 50 and then thrown out on the ordinary pension with no gratuity, or are they to be compelled to retire on ordinary pension on 22nd August, 1922, and no gratuity?

The six officers recently promoted to lieutenant after passing certain examinations are in the same position under the scheme for the reduction of the lists as other lieutenants (ex-warrant officers) normally promoted who will net have attained the age of 50 on the 12th August, 1922. They are eligible to retire under the reduction scheme on the retired pay earned by service calculated to the 12th August, 1922, with two years' additional service and a gratuity of £500; if not so retired they will be compulsorily retired on attaining the age of 50 under the ordinary regulations, that is, without any gratuity or addition to ordinary pension.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have any information in regard to the decision of the Budapest municipality, recently reported, to send representatives to London for the settlement of their pre-War debts and to negotiate a new loan for Budapest; and what steps, if any, His Majesty's Government propose to take for the protection of present and, possibly, future British creditors of that municipality?

I have been asked to reply. I have no information as regards the first part of the question. Claims by British creditors in respect of coupons and drawn bonds of the Budapest Municipality which became payable before or during the War should he lodged with the Department for the Administration of Hungarian Property, for notification to the Hungarian Clearing Office under Article 231 of the Treaty of Trianon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that all that has been done, and that nothing has come of it? Is it not desirable that representations should be made by the Foreign Office that the Government would welcome any attempt en the part of Budapest to come to some sort of settlement.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the statement in the Press by a manufacturer of cane furniture that out of five disabled trainees placed in his workshop four are now drawing unemployment benefit; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware of the statement referred to, and I am obliged to my hon. and learned Friend for calling attention to it. The statement is not correct. Of the five trainees one is still employed by the firm; two are now in business in the trade on their own account, and are reported to be doing well, and one is in employment with another firm in the trade. One was found on trial to be unsuitable for the trade and has been placed in training in an alternative course.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is with his approval that men in receipt of unemployment benefit are disqualified for continuing to serve on the workers' panel for the courts of referees or on the rota committees of the local employment committees; whether he is aware that a very large percentage of the men who have experience of this work are at present out of employment and in receipt of benefit; and whether, in view of the fact that the disqualification of these men is detrimental to the smooth work of administering unemployment insurance, he will reconsider this matter?

This rule was laid down by me after careful consideration of all the circumstances. In spite of the inconvenience to which it must necessarily give rise when so many persons are unemployed, I am satisfied that for the sake of retaining public confidence in the administration of unemployment benefit it is essential that persons who are themselves in receipt of benefit should not be called upon to adjudicate on claims made by others. I may add that I have endeavoured to meet the difficulties suggested by my hon. Friend by allowing the Local Employment Committees to co-opt, for work on the Rota Committees, substitutes for the members who are temporarily debarred from acting.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not feel that, while his action may give some confidence to the public, yet it weakens the confidence of the appellants who have to appear before these Committees?

No. I have given the matter careful consideration. I felt I could not put upon a man who is drawing benefit the task of saying whether another man should or should not have it. To meet the situation I said to the organisation sending us such a man, "Can you send us another instead, for the time being?"

asked the Minister of Labour what class of unemployed men are being sent from South London to the Belmont Institution, Epsom; what travelling facilities are provided for these men whereby they may seek employment in London or elsewhere; and what provision is being made for their families while these men are in the institution?

The men in Belmont are able-bodied men who, in the opinion of the guardians by whom they are sent, are more fitted for institutional than for outdoor relief. The master of the institution has a discretion to provide suitable clothing and an omnibus or railway ticket for any man who has a reasonable chance of obtaining work. Few of these men have any dependants. Where they have, the guardians give the dependants any outdoor relief that may be necessary.

asked the Minister of Health whether it is now the Government's settled policy to refuse all further financial assistance to local authorities who desire to provide houses in excess of the 176,000 already promised under the Housing Act of 1919 and, if not, how much lower have building costs to fall before the Government will sanction further building operations under the Housing Act of 1919?

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that costs of building are now clown so low that contracts are being accepted for building houses as low as between three and four hundred pounds per house, and also the fact that the number of building trades' operatives out of work is rapidly increasing, he will now sanction further schemes for building the much needed houses, and thus ensure that no less number of houses will be built because the Government called a halt last year?

Local authorities have been guaranteed against excessive loss at a heavy cost to the taxpayer during the whole period of high prices, and I think that where they consider it desirable to undertake further building they may not unreasonably be asked to do so on their own responsibility. It is not proposed to make any departure from the policy which I announced last Session as to the limitation of the number of houses to be built under the State-assisted scheme.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities are very anxious to know what is the settled policy of the Government, and will he be good enough to reply in the first part of the question, as to whether the Government are going to sanction any further houses beyond the 176,000 under the Act of 1919?

I have repeatedly stated the Government policy is not to sanction any further new houses under the present scheme of State assistance.

Will the right hon. Gentleman state for the information of local authorities what proportion of the value of a contract they can borrow and what will be the rate of interest?

I do not quite follow the hon. Member's question. Perhaps he will put it down.

As the right hon. Gentleman will not proceed with the State scheme, can he inform local authorities what proportion of the amount of a contract for housing can be borrowed and at what rate of interest?

That question should be put down.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state how many local authorities he has received resolutions from requesting him to extend The Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restriction) Act, 1920, or to introduce legislation to obtain such power; and whether he intends moving in the matter?

I have received representations in favour of the extension of this Act from three local authorities. As the Act has still over 12 months to run, I think it would be premature to take any decision at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health if he will grant the Return, Housing of the Working Classes, standing in the name of the hon. Member for the Spen Valley Division of Yorkshire? [Return showing, for each of the urban and rural district councils in England and Wales, the estimated number of houses for the working classes within the meaning of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919,in their district; how many of these houses have, during the three years ended on the 15th day of April, 1922,been inspected by the conned with a view to ascertaining what closing orders should be issued or what notices should be served under Section 15of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1909,or Section 28of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919;the number of closing orders issued during that period by the council; the number of such notices served during that period by the council; how many of those closing orders have been determined on completion of the necessary repairs; how many of such undetermined closing orders have been enforced; in how mazy cases the requirements of the notices so served have been duly complied with; in, how many cases where those requirements have not been duly complied with the local authority have themselves executed the repairs necessary to render the premises in all respects reasonably fit for human, habitation; in how many cases the failure to enforce a notice served under Section 28of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919,has been due to the proviso to Sub-section (1)of that Section; in how many cases any representation, or report of the medical offierc of health of the district that a house is unfit or not in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation has not been acted upon, by the council either by the issue of a closing order or by the service of a notice under Section 15of The Housing, Town, Planning, etc., Act, 1909,or Section 28of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919;and the number of houses re-occupied in respect of which closing orders had been made operative.]

The information asked for could only be obtained at the cost of much labour and expense which I do not feel justified in incurring or asking local authorities to incur at the present time. A summary has, however, been prepared from the reports of medical officers of health for 1920, covering substantially the points on which the hon. Member asks for information and I shall be glad to send him a copy of this. The reports of medical officers for 1921 on these matters are being summarised as they are received, but up to the present comparatively few have been furnished. I shall be happy to supply the hon. Member with the information for this year also when it becomes available.

asked the Minister of Heatlh whether the Whitefield Urban District Council are giving preference to ex-service men in letting the houses that have been built under the housing schemes; how many have been let to ex-service men and how many have been let to non-service men, how many to people who have come from outside the urban district council area of Whitefield; how many ex-service men's names are now on the lists as applicants; and whether the lists have been closed to further applicants, including ex-service men?

The selection of tenants for houses built under the assisted housing schemes is a matter within the discretion of local authorities and is not one in which I am in a position to intervene.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the applications for new houses on the register of Bradford Corporation is approximately 6,000, including over 4,000 ex-service men, involving, roughly, with their families, 20,000 people, who are now living in furnished apartments, cellar dwellings and other properties which have been officially declared uninhabitable and in many instances have been closed; whether he is aware that the corporation have secured land for 10,000 houses, have completed streets, drains, and sewers for over 1,400 houses; that schemes for the erection of 856 have been sanctioned, of which 630 are now occupied and the remainder approaching completion; that a year ago 957 people were employed upon house building in Bradford, whereas the number employed at present is about 450 and is rapidly diminishing; and that building labour is leaving the city because there is no work to be secured; and whether, having regard to these circumstances, he will reconsider the decision of his Department of 11th May, when application by the corporation to proceed with the erection of a further 520 houses was refused, and enable the corporation to continue the work necessary for the housing of the population?

I am aware of the matters stated by the hon. Member. The effective contribution to the housing problem is made when houses are finished. In the case of Bradford 100 houses contracted for last December are still unfinished and about 50 have not got beyond the foundation stage. When due progress is made with the houses already sanctioned, I shall be prepared to consider sanction for further houses.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the work is being completed so rapidly in respect of the houses tinder construction that 49 men were actually paid off last night, and less than 30 houses are in the stage now where foundations have not been started?

That is not the information which I have received.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by the Medical Officer of Health for Grimsby to the effect that of the deaths during April 15 children were too weak to live, and that were born weaklings because the mothers, through distress caused by unemployment, were not properly nourished; and what steps he proposes to take to arrest infantile mortality, the result of such causes?

My attention has been drawn to a Press report of the statement referred to, and I am in communication with the town council with regard to it. The object of the maternity and child welfare work carried out by local authorities with my sanction and with the aid of the Government grant is to arrest infant mortality and to safeguard the health of mothers and children. This work includes the supply of milk, and in some cases meals, to expectant and nursing mothers.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London, which sufferers from fever attend from all parts of the world, a drug known as Bayer 205 is largely used; and whether he can state whether this drug when imported is considered a fine chemical and subject to a duty of 33⅓ per cent. under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?

I understand that this drug has been used in six cases in the institution in question. I have no information as to its precise chemical composition, but unless it is identical with any commodity specified in the list issued by the Board of Trade, under Section 1 (5) of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, or contains any commodity so specified which has not lost its identity, it is not at present subject to duty.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a case of miscellaneous goods, under Mark 600, which arrived on the 11th April at Leith per ss. "Coblenz," included three toy dynamos of the value of 3s. 8½d. each; that each dynamo contained a magnet valued at 4d. which, being slightly in excess of the 10 per cent. allowed in free, resulted in His Majesty's Customs levying a duty of 3¾d. on the three dynamos; that the clearing agent at the docks charged 3s. 6d. for the labour involved; and can he give any idea as to the expenses incurred in the collection of this 3¾d.?

Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will allow me to circulate the reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Health (1) what immediate steps he proposes to take to safeguard the health of the inhabitants of the city of Newcastle-on-Tyne, in view of the report of the medical officer of health and confirmed by the representative of the Ministry of Health, showing a dangerous degree of pollution in the milk supply of that city; if he would recommend the boiling of all milk offered for consumption until such time as definite measures have been taken to remove the serious menace to the health of the local community;

(2) whether he has made inquiries and, if so, has he reason to believe that the serious conditions existing in Newcastle-upon-Tyne as shown by the medical officer of health, indicating 60 per cent. of pollution in samples of milk taken and tested, are applicable to other and, if so, to what towns and cities in England and Wales; and if new legislation is proposed to ensure a purer milk supply in the country?

I am advised that the conditions found in Newcastle are probably similar to those existing in other towns in the country, and, as I have previously stated, I am hoping shortly to introduce legislation on the subject of milk. It is generally advisable to boil milk intended for children unless it is derived from a certified source or has been properly pasteurised. The local authority will no doubt be guided by the advice of their medical officer of health in this matter and in the exercise of the powers vested in them for dealing generally with the situation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman indicate if legislation on the subject will be introduced this Session?

I hope so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not of opinion that it would expedite matters if a few of the distributors of impure milk were boiled as well as the milk itself?

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the desirability of introducing this legislation in another place so as to give further time for its consideration?

I will consider all these questions.

asked the Minister of Health whether Mr. Cooper's Report en the wasteful expenditure of the Poplar guardians will be published as a White Paper; whether he has yet decided what action to take thereon; and, if so, whether he will tell the House what such action will be?

The Report in question has been published by the Stationery Office, and I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a copy of the letter which I have addressed to the guardians.

asked the Minister of Health whether any sum of money has been offered to and accepted by the Government from the Rockefeller Trustees for the purpose of establishing an institute in London; what the amount of the offer was, what are the objects of the institute, arid where it will be situated; whether it will entail any annual charge on his Department; and, if so, what is the estimated approximate cost of the same?

I am sending my hon. Friend a copy of a full answer on this subject which I gave on the 23rd of February to the hon. and gallant Member for Lanark. Since that date a site for the institution has been acquired in Blooms-bury bounded by Gower Street, Keppel Street and Malet Street.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the salaries of officials in British East Africa have been reduced; if so, upon what basis; and whether a similar reduction will take place in those of British East African dependencies?

No reduction has been made in the substantive salaries of Government officials in the British East African Dependencies. A reduction has, however, for reasons of financial stringency, been found necessary in the special temporary local allowance which has been granted since the 1st of April, 1920, to European officials in Kenya, Uganda and the Tanganyika territory. This allowance, at the rate of 50 per cent. of sterling salary, was granted for two years in the first instance to compensate officials for the fact that, owing to currency changes, their sterling salaries were to be converted locally at 10 florins instead of 15 rupees to the pound. The allowance has now been reduced to 25 per cent of sterling salary. The other East African Dependencies, whose currency is different, and where no local allowance is paid, are not affected by the decision.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Committee appointed to investigate the practicability of a Ministry of Defence and the Committee appointed to investigate the amalgamation and co-ordination of services common to the various fighting forces will have to hear the same evidence, and in view of tire fact that all amalgamations and schemes of co-ordination of common services are merely steps towards the creation of a Ministry of Defence, he will consider the advisability of appointing the same Committee for both investigations?

The Committee of Imperial Defence will investigate the practicability of a Ministry of Defence. The Government do not accept the view that the same Committee should investigate this question and that of the amalgamation and co-ordination of services common to the fighting forces. The latter proposal is on the face of it more readily practicable, and may be accomplished, even if a common Ministry of Defence should prove not to be desirable.

Are we to understand the Committee of Imperial Defence, which is composed of very hard-working Government officers, is going to do all this detailed work, or are they appointing a Sub-Committee?

The methods of the Committee of Imperial Defence are varied and are appropriate to the particular occasion and object of their work. I will not commit myself at the moment, but I should think probably a Sub-Committee would be appointed for the purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether a Lord of the Treasury has been appointed in succession to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; whether the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster has ceased to exercise the functions of a Lord of the Treasury; and, if so, on what date?

An appointment to the vacant Lordship of the Treasury has not yet been made. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ceased to act as a Lord of the Treasury from the date of his appointment to that office.

What date is that?

I cannot say without notice. A reference to the "Gazette" would inform the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the appointment was not gazetted for weeks after it was announced here, and that the date is in question?

"From the date of his appointment to that office' is the date when the appointment is gazetted.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the publication of a letter alleged to have been written by the Admiralty on 8th October, 1921, informing Lieut.-Commander Haslewood that the action of the Admiralty in requiring him to restrain his wife from making efforts to secure the abolition of the system of mui tsai was taken at the instigation of the Governor of Hong Kong; whether Lieut.-Commander Haslewood was afterwards retired from the Navy and whether, in view of the decision of the Government and of the proclamation of the Governor of Hong Kong prohibiting mui tsai on the ground that slavery is not allowed in the British Empire, the Government will take steps to repair the injury which Lieut.-Commander Haslewood has suffered and to withdraw the expression of displeasure which he received?

I have been asked to reply, but as the answer to this question is a long one, perhaps it would be for the convenience of hon. Members if I circulated it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

I do not know why the answer should be a long one. I asked a very definite question, as to whether the Government will take steps to repair the injury which Lieut. - Commander Haslewood has suffered.

I think the hon. Member representing the Admiralty might read the answer. It seems to be a matter of general interest to the house.

I am aware of the publication of the letter referred to, but my hon. and learned Friend seriously misquotes it. The Admiralty did not, and could not, take any action in requiring Lieut.-Commander Haslewood to restrain his wife, since the Admiralty had no knowledge whatever of the incidents referred to in the question until after Lieut.-Commander Haslewood had returned from Hong Kong to England at his own request. The facts, so far as we have been able to ascertain them, are that the Governor asked the Naval Authorities at Hong Kong to induce Lieut.-Commander Haslewood to restrain his wife from propaganda which, in the opinion of the Governor, was being conducted on injudicious lines. As was quite proper, in view of such a request made by the officer responsible for the government of the Colony, the Naval Commander-in-Chief interviewed Lieut.-Commander Haslewood, who, however, was not willing to use his influence as suggested. Before the Commander-in-Chief had decided to take any steps officially, Mrs. Haslewood became seriously ill, and Lieut.-Commander Haslewood applied to return to England, which application was granted in order that he might proced home with his wife. It is not the case that Lieut.-Commander Haslewood was afterwards retired from the Navy. He had retired some years previously, and was only re-employed temporarily owing to the War, and his re-employment, like that of other re-employed officers, was about to terminate owing to the return of peace conditions. So far as the Admiralty are concerned, Lieut.-Commander Haslewood has suffered no injury and has received no expression of displeasure.

I would add that the opening Clause of the last part of the question misrepresents the terms of the Proclamation in question, which read as follows:

"Slavery is not allowed to exist in the British Empire, and therefore it must be understood thatmui tsai are not the property of their employers."

Is it to be understood that the Governor of Hong Kong is at liberty to request a British lady, whether she is the wife of a British officer or not, to refrain from opposing something which is inconsistent with the constitution of the British nation; and is it right that a British officer should be liable to be visited with the displeasure, or something equivalent to the displeasure, of their Lordships at the Admiralty, because he has a wife who is public-spirited enough to advocate the abolition of something inconsistent with the British Constitution?

Is there any obligation, expressed or implied, lying on the Government of Hong Kong to respect the laws and customs of the Chinese, who are the immense majority of the inhabitants?

I am afraid I am not able to deal with the second supplementary question. As regards the first, I can only repeat what I have said, that the officer in question did not incur in any way the official displeasure of the Admiralty, and I presume the Governor of any Colony is entitled to express his views as to the judiciousness or otherwise of propaganda, which, however well intentioned, may possibly be likely to create trouble in a community of a very different character from our own.

As the hon. Gentleman has charged me with seriously misquoting a letter, may I ask my hon. Friend whether this is a correct transcription of the letter which the Admiralty wrote to Lieut.-Commander Haslewood:

"As regards the interference with your wife's actions in Hong Kong, such action was taken by the naval authorities to induce you to restrain your wife from interfering publicly in a controversial matter."

And was that controversial matter the question as to whether the system ofmui tsai was consistent with the adopted principles of the British Empire, namely, that slavery is not allowed in the Empire?

That is entirely consistent with the answer I have given. I have said that no steps were taken against the officer, who, of his own accord, asked to be transferred home.

Are we to understand that it is in order for a Governor of any Crown Colony to approach either an Army or a Navy commander in that Colony with a view to interfering with the action of the wife of a subordinate officer?

It seems to me that the initiative in this case was with the Governor. Any further questions on this point should, therefore, be addressed to the Colonial Office.

Then I will address my question to the Colonial Office.

I would like to ask my hon. Friend whether he does not think, in view of the general feeling of the country relating to this connection of our administration with what is definitely slavery, that an apology is due to this young officer from his Department?

There, again, I think, from the information now given to the House, that further questions should be addressed to the Colonial Office.

On a point of Order. May I draw attention to the fact that what is complained of is not only the initiative taken, but the action taken on that initiative by the Admiralty, so that this question is properly one for the Admiralty?

This question was quite correctly put to the Admiralty, but it is now a question of an apology asked for, and it seems to me that that is a question which should be put to the Department responsible for the initiative.

May I respectfully call attention to the fact that I took the course, rightly or wrongly, of putting the question to the, Lord Privy Seal on the ground that this is a question as to whether the Government should take action overriding the executive administration, both of the Admiralty and of the Colonial Office, and was not that a proper course to take?

Yes, I think it was, and, perhaps, if the hon. and learned Member will put a further question to the Prime Minister, both Departments would be able to take the responsibility for the answer.

I will adopt your suggestion, Sir, and put a further question, in the hope of eliciting a better answer.

If I may by permission intervene, the general practice is that in these questions addressed to the Prime Minister and myself, if we think they are of a Departmental character, we ask the Minister of the Department, who will naturally be much more cognisant of the details, to answer them, and that course we pursued here; but after what has happened, I will make it my business to endeavour to secure an answer to the next question put by my hon. and learned Friend.

Is the House to understand that the Admiralty made no official communication at all to Lieut.-Commander Haslewood or was any official communication made by the Commander-in-Chief?

As I understand the position, the Commander-in-Chief raised the question with Lieut.-Commander Haslewood as to whether his wife's conduct was judicious or not, but nothing further happened because Lieut.-Commander Haslewood, owing to the state of his wife's health, asked to be transferred.

Was this case reported by the Commander-in-Chief to the Admiralty, and did the Admiralty send any official despatch on the subject to the Commander-in-Chief which was in part or in whole communicated to Lieut.-Commander Haslewood?

I should be very glad to have notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister the terms of reference for the Hague Conference; and whether the existing treaties of peace, disarmament, and reparation payments will be debarred from the discussions as in the case of the recent conference at Genoa?

The terms of reference of the Hague Conference are printed as No. 8 of Command Paper No. 1,667, and are limited to the subjects mentioned therein.

Are we to understand that the question of reparations is to be barred at the Hague as at Genoa? If so, the thing will be a farce.

Will the Government consider the desirability of appointing a proper secretariat for this conference?

There could be no more unfounded charge than that which is implied in the hon. Member's question I do not suppose the secretarial work of any conference has ever been done better than at recent conferences, whether at Washington or Genoa.

Does the right hon Gentleman know that I did not cast any aspersion on the British secretariat? I meant a proper international secretariat.

There always is an international secretariat, and the cooperation, and may I say the friendship, between them has been of the most cordial kind.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the freight rates upon raw produce carried on the West African railways are inflated with a view to providing a surplus; whether such surplus is so provided and, if so, to what extent; whether these freight balances are being used to meet Government expenditure; and whether the freights in almost every case greatly exceed those of any other West African territory and thereby prejudice the sale of native produce?

The answer to the first question is in the negative; the second does not, therefore, arise. As regards the third question, in Nigeria and Gold Coast the excess of gross receipts over working expenses which represents a small percentage return on capital expenditure, is carried to general revenue, in Sierra Leone there was no such excess in the last year for which figures are available, but a deficit which was met from general revenue; as regards the last part of the question, sufficient data are not available for comparisons with the freight rates on the different French West African railways, but is worth remembering that in the British colonies native produce can now be bought many miles from the coast which was impossible before the Government built the railways.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether the wireless apparatus carried by aircraft, both British and foreign, and operating on the recognised air routes between England and abroad, is regularly tested upon each occasion before a flight is undertaken?

Under an arrangement made between the wireless company, who supply and maintain the apparatus, and the three approved British companies operating on the routes between England and the Continent, the reception and transmission of the installation on each machine are tested by the wireless company before every flight from this country. My right hon. Friend has no information as to the testing of the wireless apparatus on the foreign machines.

Could not friendly representations be made to the owners of foreign planes, as, obviously, wireless is useless, unless in perfect working order?

I will convey the hon. Member's suggestion to the Minister.

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the serious state of depression in the fishing industry, which is due to high railway freights, the price of coal, and also to foreign competition, whereby large quantities of fish are being dumped into this country free of duty, the foreign fishermen gaining further advantages from the rate of exchange and from the subsidies of their Governments; whether he is aware that the British Trawlers' Federation may be obliged to ask owners to lay up their fleets unless the Govern- ment can help them; and what proposals of remedy or assistance the Board of Agriculture is prepared to make?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the difficulties of the industry, which were recently discussed with representatives of all branches of it by my Noble Friend the Deputy-Minister of Fisheries. The question whether any and, if so, what practical remedies can be applied is now being considered by anad hoc Committee representative of the Industry and the Fisheries Department, and until my right hon. Friend has received their Report he can make no statements on the subject.

In view of the facts, first, that if these trawler fleets are laid up, a million men will be put out of employment; secondly, that the important associated industries will be seriously dislocated; and, thirdly, that it is estimated, as the result, £1,000,000 more will have to be paid in the weekly unemployment dole, will the Minister of Agriculture recognise the immediate necessity of some expedition and celerity in this matter?

I understand that arrangements are proceeding as rapidly as possible.

Is the Scottish Fishery Board represented on that Committee?

asked the hon. Member for the Pollok Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what is the annual cost in rent and upkeep of the Board of Education Inspector's office in Old Queen Street?

The annual cost of outgoings in respect of these premises is estimated at £423 per annum. No rent is paid, as the premises are Crown freehold.

Could not the premises be let for other purposes? Are not the premises in Whitehall sufficiently large to hold the whole staff?

I do not think at the present moment that would be advantageous.

asked the hon. Member for the Pollock Division of Glasgow, as representing the First Commissioner of Works, what are the present charges for admission to the Tower of London and if there are any free days to the public; if special terms are given to parties of school children under charge of masters or mistresses; and, if so, what they are and if it will be possible to allow school parties to view the buildings free on certain days if applications are made from an educational point of view?

The present charges are 1s. 6d. inclusive, or 6d. each for the Armouries, Vaults, Jewel House, and Bloody Tower, admission to the Armouries and Vaults being free on Saturdays and Bank Holidays. School children accompanied by teachers are admitted free on Mondays, and at half-price on other days.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what would be the extra charge, present and recurrent, to the Indian Treasury of increasing the Indian Civil Service pensions of men retiring after the War,i.e., from 1st April, 1919, by £100 for five years' active service after the present pension is earned and £200 for 10 years of such service; and whether the Secretary of State will consider the question of granting this?

I would invite the attention of the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to the similar question by the hon. Member for Seven Oaks (Sir T. Bennett) on the 10th May. As regards the concluding words of the present question, I am afraid that the answer must be in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India what are the offences for which men when convicted are treated as special class prisoners in gaol with all the consequent concessions?

I would refer my hon. Friend to his own questions of the 27th March, the 11th April and the 15th May and the question of the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) of the 21st March and the answers to them. The Government of India in making suggestions to Local Governments referred to offenders convicted under the Acts of 1908 and 1911. But certainly in the Punjab and Bombay, and, perhaps, in other provinces also, the order for special treatment is made by the convicting court upon a consideration of various matters of which the nature of the offence is only one. The orders vary considerably, it is understood, from province to province. Bihar is the only province, so far as information goes, where the special treatment is made applicable exactly upon the lines suggested by the Government of India.

Is there any reason for this special treatment in this case?

I have already explained, in my previous answers to questions, at considerable length, the reasons which led the Government of India to make these suggestions. I think those reasons are based on the practice which has been followed in various countries in recent years.

Will the Noble Lord ask the Government of India to reconsider that?

I cannot undertake to do that. It seems to me a matter most essentially which rests within the purview of the Government of India.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether regulations have been made segregating Indians in Uganda; and, if so, when these regulations were made and how are such regulations reconciled with the declaration of equal rights for European and Indian citizens within the British Crown Colonies made by the Con- ference of Prime Ministers; and will he state the intentions of the Government in this matter?

With one exception, all town planning schemes in Uganda have been suspended pending a general decision of policy in regard to segregation. The exception is the town planning scheme for Kampala, which was prepared in the middle of 1919. A large part of the area reserved for Indians under the scheme has already been taken up by them, and I have not felt prepared in suspending other schemes, to attempt any reversion to thestatus quo in Kampala, as the arrangement there had the full approval of the local Indian community.

Are we to understand that in Kampala alone steps have been taken to segregate the Indians, but in other cases these schemes are held up, until the Colonial Office come to a decision on the matter?

The hon. and gallant Member is quite accurate in saying that all other schemes except that at Kampala have been held up. That in Kampala is proceeding in accordance with arrangements come to in 1919, which, as I have said, had the full assent of the local Indian community.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many acres have been granted to Japanese and American subjects, respectively, in the Federated Malay States and also in the Straits Settlements; and whether he is in possession of information to confirm or refute the current statements that the slump in the British rubber trade has been caused to a large extent by the action of His Majesty's Government in granting such large rubber plantations to Japan and America that these countries no longer require to import British-grown rubber?

I am not in possession of the statistics asked for in the first part of the question, but I have no reason to believe that the present rubber situation has been affected by the ownership of rubber plantations in Malaya or elsewhere by Japanese or Americans.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the recent raising of the price of each volume of the Calendar of State Papers from the former 15s. to £3 will force many public and university libraries to discontinue the purchase of this most valuable series of historical records, their limited finances not permitting them to pay a fourfold price for this long range of volumes; and whether he will endeavour to reduce the price of the forthcoming volumes to a more moderate figure?

The suggestion made in the first part of the question that the price of the Calendar of State Papers has been raised from 15s. to £3 for each volume is incorrect. The flat rate of 15s. was abandoned in 1914, and volumes published since have been priced on a basis of cost of production for each volume separately. Volume XXIII of the Venetian Series is presumably the volume which is in the mind of the hon. Member, and the price of £3 was necessary in order to cover the heavy cost involved in its production. While I agree with the hon. Member as to the value of these records, I am not able to recommend a reduction in price for subsequent issues other than the reduction which will automatically follow the fall in printing costs, etc.

Is it not a fact that for many, many years down to 1915 the sum of 15s. was exacted, that only once has any sum differing between 15s. and £3, as an intermediate sum, been charged, and does the hon. Gentleman not see by raising the price to £3 a volume, nobody can possibly afford to buy these volumes, with the result that the whole numbers will be thrown on the Government, instead of getting many hundreds of pounds out of libraries?

Perhaps the hon. Member will regard what I said in my answer when he has an opportunity of considering it. It is not the case that the price has been raised to £3 a volume. It is only in the instance mentioned that the volume is priced at £3. The price has been raised, as we so often have to do nowadays, to such a price as will be adequate to pay the increased cost of production.

Does the hon. Gentleman not see that by raising the price to the cost of production in this way, the volume will not sell, and therefore the object of raising the price to the cost of production is defeated?

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is now in a position to state what was the total amount of the National Debt on 31st December, 1918, so that a comparison may be made with the figure for 31st December, 1919?

The approximate deadweight Debt on 31st December, 1918, was £7,290,000,000. The corresponding figure in December, 1919, was £7,998,000,000, the increase of £708,000,000 being due partly to fresh borrowing in 1919 for outstanding War charges and demobilisation, and partly to the increase in the nominal total of the debt by £140,000,000 as the result of conversions at a lower rate of interest into 4 per cent. Funding Loan and 4 per cent. Victory Bonds.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when the Allotments Bill for Scotland will be introduced?

The Bill was introduced and read a First time in another place yesterday.

When will the Second Reading be taken?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his Department make any arrangements for the relatives of soldiers killed in France and Belgium to visit the graves and cemeteries now established in those countries; and, if not, do they make any grants or render any other assistance to the voluntary organisations who under- take this kind of work, or do these societies have to bear the whole cost of conducting all such parties?

Grants are made to several philanthropic societies undertaking this work. In the current year a sum of £32,500 has been provided for this purpose, as shown on page 178 of the Army Estimates.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War 'Office whether pre-War pensioners employed in Government offices on or before 1st April, 1919, who were medically examined and graded, but were retained in their civilian employment as indispensable, are eligible for increase of pension in the same manner as applies to pensioners who rejoined the Colours?

The answer is in the negative. Reassessment of pension is limited by the Royal Warrant to men who actually gave satisfactory re-enlisted service.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information that the lascar crew of the Peninsular and Oriental mailboat "Egypt" were seized with panic and, with revolvers in their hands, prevented women taking to the lifeboats; and whether he will take steps to prevent lascars on passenger steamers carrying firearms?

I have no information at present upon this matter, beyond what has appeared in the Press. I am ordering a formal investigation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the reports of ships' captains who received the wireless message S.O.S. from the s.s. "Egypt," and of their statement that they could not get details of latitude and longitude in order to proceed to the rescue; whether he can state the personnel of the wireless staff; how many were fully qualified wireless operators; and whether or no watchers are employed on passenger-carrying vessels as allowed by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1919?

No reports have yet been received by the Board of Trade from ships' captains who received the wireless message S.O.S. from the "Egypt" to the effect that they were unable to obtain details of latitude and longitude from the vessel, but reports on the subject are being obtained. The "Egypt" carried three fully qualified wireless operators. Ocean-going passenger vessels which carry more than 200 persons in all are required to have three fully qualified operators. Ocean-going vessels, whether passenger or cargo, which have less than 200 persons on board, carry one or two fully qualified operators, as the case may be, and, in addition, one or two certificated watchers. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the Statutory Rules.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make close inquiry into the statement made regarding the steamer "Titan," the only qualified wireless operator of which stated that he was receiving strong signals from the "Egypt" before he went off watch, and when he returned to duty two hours after the accident, there came for the first time knowledge of something which would have been available during the whole period to the watcher if he had had scientific knowledge; under these circumstances does the right hon. Gentleman not think that some fresh investigation should be made into these men being allowed to take duties for which they are not competent?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to that, may I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the wireless operator on the "Egypt," a London boy, went down under circumstances of the greatest heroism, and died at his post?

It is perfectly obvious that every relevant question of the kind referred to must be fully investigated.

In view of the supplementary question of the hon. and gallant Member, I wish to make it perfectly clear that my question imputed no cowardice to any person.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the statement issued by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in London to the effect that, officially, Canadians are classed as foreigners in the United Kingdom, and that if a Canadian company wishes to establish its own branch in this country it must register under Section 274 of the Companies (Consolidation) Act, 1908, thereby accepting classification as a foreign country, and effectually barring itself from competing for Government contracts; and what measures it is proposed to take to remove this barrier to inter-Imperial commercial relations?

The answer to the first part of this question is in the negative. A company incorporated in Canada which establishes a place of business in this country is required to file with the Registrar of Companies the documents mentioned in the Section referred to by the hon. Member, but it does not thereby accept classification as a foreign company. So far as I am aware, a Canadian company which has complied with the Section is not debarred from competing for Government contracts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now state when the claim for £1,000 made on the 12th October, 1918, by Mr. Austin Kendall, I.C.S., of 47, Wynnstay Gardens, Kensington, in respect of the loss occasioned to him by being torpedoed by the Germans on his way home from India in the "Multan," on 27th July, 1917, is likely to be paid; what is the cause of the prolonged delay in dealing with this claim, whereby serious inconvenience and loss are being caused to the applicant; and what is the total number of war claims still to be dealt with?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The delay in disposing of Mr. Austin Kendall's claim is due to the very large number of claims which have to be dealt with by the Royal Commission on Compensation for Suffering and Damage by Enemy Action. The number of claims remaining to be disposed of by the Commission is 52,473.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this is really becoming rather a scandal? It is four years since this claim was lodged, and no compensation has been paid. Serious loss and inconvenience has been caused to this gentleman—as I know personally —and what, therefore, about the other 52,000 applicants?

My hon. Friend is aware that the amount of money to be distributed is limited, but that to secure fair treatment we have aimed at investigating cases of hardship first; so that I hope in the course of the present year considerable progress will be made with the distribution.

Could not a grant-in-aid on account be given whereprima facie the claim was a just one?

Already special investigation has been made in cases of exceptional hardship.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication as to when the Committee will reach the cases of compensation to property—I understand they are now only dealing with personal claims?

I should like notice of that.

When will they reach the case of compensation to fishermen?

I cannot reply to that without notice.

Does this include the members of the mercantile services?

No.

Will the right hon. Gentleman think of increasing the personnel of the Commission, so that these cases can be dealt with a little more rapidly?

asked the President of the Board of Education the number of senior mixed departments in elementary schools for the years 1910, 1916, 1921 and 1922, and the number of headships of such schools held by men and women, respectively; and the number of junior departments in elementary schools for the same period, and the number of headships of such schools held by men and women, respectively?

Perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will inquire into the case of Mr. J. W. Bee, late No. 17,247, quarter-master sergeant, North Staffordshire Regiment (number of identity certificate, S.C.K., 7,875); is he aware that on the 4th May Mr. Bee forwarded to the pension office, Broomyard Avenue, Acton, his old identity certificate on which all the stamping spaces had become obliterated, asking that a new certificate be forwarded to him; is he aware that two pension days have since passed without Mr. Bee receiving any certificate, in spite of three unanswered applications which Mr. Bee has sent; and will he explain the cause of this treatment and have the certificate forwarded at once to Mr. Bee?

A new identity certificate has been sent to the man. I regret the delay.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the reports now being received of atrocities committed by Greeks upon Turks in Pontus and Ionia, the Government will now publish the Report of the inter-Allied Commission on Greek atrocities committed on the occasion of the landing of the Hellenes at Smyrna?

The question of the publication of this Report was fully considered and discussed by the Allied Governments at the time, when it was decided, for the reasons fully explained by the Prime Minister in this House on 22nd March, 1920, that publication was inadvisable.

Is not the implication from non-publication obvious, and has the hon. Gentleman seen the recent reports by Lady Kitty Vincent and letter of Mr. Arnold Toynbee as to the atrocities recently committed to which reference is made in the question?

No, Sir; the answer is in the negative to both questions of the hon. Baronet.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America have agreed that in respect of mandated territories the United States of America and its nationals shall have the benefit of all engagements of His Majesty's Government defined in the Mandate, notwithstanding the fact that the United States of America is not a member of the League of Nations; and, if so, what benefit accrues to the mandatory power from undertaking the expenses and risks of accepting mandates and from being a member of the League of Nations?

Negotiations are proceeding with the United States Government in connection with the territories to be held under A and B mandates with the general object mentioned in the question. I do not think it is justifiable to assume that such benefit as may be derived by the mandatory and other members of the League from those territories will be lessened as a result of the negotiations.