asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department has as yet allocated to the various local authorities their proportion of the advances that will be made to supply the house shortage; and, if not, what Department is considering the needs of the various boroughs and urban district councils?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The various local authorities have already been asked by the Local Government Board to ascertain the need for additional houses in their districts, and the majority of them have taken steps to do so. It will be one of the first duties of the Housing Commissioners proposed to be appointed by the Local Government Board to co-operate with the local authorities in this matter and to satisfy themselves as to the needs of their areas.

Have all the local authorities made demands for houses in excess of their absolute needs in order to ensure getting their exact quota?

No. But the demands are being carefully scrutinised, and powers have been taken to stimulate the erection of houses.

asked the first Commissioner of Works whether the Government proposes to compete with private enterprise in building, and to what extent?

This is a question, of policy, and is not for my Department to settle. It should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

asked the Prime Minister (1) whether the attention of the Government has been called to the numerous notices which have been served on tenants to give up possession of the houses they occupy unless they are pre- pared to buy the houses on the terms fixed by the landlords; and if the Government proposes to take any action in view of the impossibility of the tenants being able to find other houses;

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the present, grave shortage of houses and the growing practice of landlords and purchasers of existing house property to evict the tenants of houses of above £35 per annum rateable value, he will consider the advisability of at once taking steps to pass legislation to either raise the annual rateable value entitled to protection under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (War Restrictions) Acts, 1915and 1918, and, at the same time, to take action to accelerate the provision of new houses, or will he consider the advisability of bringing in some protective measure in order to prevent these people being turned out of their houses?

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to take steps to cheek the prevalent and increasing practice of owners of small houses selling these houses over the heads of the tenants, and especially to obviate tenants of several years' standing being forcibly turned out of their homes?

This question is receiving immediate consideration by the Home Affairs Committee, and I hope to make a statement very shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great number of these people have received notice to quit, and that it will be impossible for them at the present time, however they try, to obtain houses to go into, and they will otherwise have to be protected by the process of the law?

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Adjournment to-night.

I am fully alive to the importance of this subject, and the Government will do everything they can to meet it sympathetically.

asked whether the housing scheme referred to in the King's Speech will apply to Ireland?

asked whether the forthcoming Housing Bill will apply to Ireland; and, if not, what steps the Government propose to take to deal with the question of housing in Ireland?

Housing proposals on similar lines as those contained in the English Bill are at the present moment under the consideration of the Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the housing scheme will apply to Ireland pari passu with the advantages which will be given to England under the housing scheme?

I would ask the hon. and gallant Member to await the proposals, which I think will be quite satisfactory.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Housing Bill will not apply to Ireland, he will state the intentions of the Government as to the participation of Ireland in the other items of social and remedial legislation adumbrated in the Speech from the Throne?

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to make a statement regarding the questions of housing, reconstruction, and public health in Ireland; whether special legislation is to be introduced dealing with these subjects; and, if so, when such legislation will be introduced?

It is the intention of the Government that legislation corresponding with the social and remedial measures for Great Britain shall be undertaken for Ireland, and the method of doing this is being considered.

As regards time, will the right hon. Gentleman say Ireland will not be placed at a disadvantage?

I am afraid I cannot add anything to what I have said. I am sure my hon. Friend would not desire that the reforms should not be taken merely because it is not possible to consider them simultaneously with those of Ireland.

Why was it not possible to consider these matters in Ireland at the time they were considered in England?

Perhaps the hon. Member is unaware of the fact that the conditions in Ireland are slightly different from those in England.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Irish people want to manage these things themselves?

Will the question of reconstruction in Ireland be decided by this House, by the Irish people, or by the Kildare Street Club?

It will be decided in the usual way by the Government with the sanction of Parliament.

From whom will the Government take advice in the adjustment of this question?

From those who are, in the opinion of the Government, most competent to advise them.

Are those whom the Government consider most competent to give advice the Kildare Street Club of landlords?

asked the Secretary of State for India what measures are being taken to reduce the high rates of passage money now charged for berths on passenger steamers between India and England, in view of the very grave hardships that will otherwise be incurred by officers coming home on leave from India?

This is a matter that has been receiving the anxious consideration of the Government of India and myself. I am now in consultation with the Ministry of Shipping—by whom the fares are fixed—as to whether under present conditions any reduction, in passenger fares is possible.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when we may expect a reply from the Ministry of Shipping?

As soon as I am in a position to give an answer, I will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

I will put another question down.

asked the Secretary for India whether the recommendations of the Rowlatt Committee have yet been carried into effect by the Government of India; and, if not, what steps are being taken to bring in the legislation required in Chapter XVII. of the Report?

Bills giving effect to the recommendations of the Committee are before the Imperial Legislative Council.

Will the proposed legislation be passed before the present. Regulations come to an end?

That was the object of the appointment of the Committee.

asked the Secretary far India what steps are being taken by the Government of India for the repatriation of all Germans interned in India and the exclusion of Germans from India in the future?

The Government of India have in contemplation the transfer out of India of all enemy persons interned and uninterned, subject to exceptions for cogent reasons. Further, they already possess adequate statutory powers enabling them to exclude or expel aliens at their discretion.

Will these powers be put in force?

Presumably the Government of India will adopt the same policy as the home Government.

Does that mean that the British-born wives of Germans will also be expelled from India?

It was precisely because of cases of that kind I said it was "subject to exceptions for cogent reasons."

If the Government of India depend on home Government action, may I ask when the home Government will take action in this matter?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I am not the person to answer that question.

I thought you might help it on.

asked the Secretary of State for India what advances in the rates of pay have been made to second-lieutenants, lieutenants, captains, majors, lieutenant-colonels, and colonels, in the Indian Army since the outbreak of war?

The pay of officers of the Indian Army has been indirectly increased during the War by the following measures:

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian Government in paying officers of the Indian Army have cancelled the rate of exchange compensation allowance which had previously always been admitted; and, if so, what is the reason for this action?

The answer to the first question is in the affirmative. As stated, in my reply to a similar question by my hon. Friend the Member for Melton on the 23rd October last, the instructions were issued by the Government of India under the standing orders relating to this allowance, which falls as the exchange value of the rupee rises.

Is not the effect of this substantially to reduce the pay of officers in the Indian Army?

I do not think so. The exchange compensation allowance has has been reduced as the rupee rose from 1s. 4d. to 1s. 6d.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no officer in the Indian Army who can afford to remit money homo—he cannot live on it as it is—and is it not therefore a reduction?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will read the answer I gave last October, that will give the actual effect upon the pay of an officer of this arrangement. It does not reduce it.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of feeling about this in the Indian Army?

Yes; I am aware of that. I think it arises from a lack of appreciation of the effect.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can give the House any information as to the notion the Government of India proposes to take upon the Report of the Holland Industrial Commission?

I have agreed to the appointment for the time being of Sir Thomas Holland, the President of the Commission, as the industrial adviser to the Government of India. But as regards the detailed recommendations of the Commission, I am awaiting the considered opinion of the Government of India and Local Governments.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the mill strike in Bombay has been brought to a satisfactory conclusion; and whether he has any information, to give the House regarding the riots by which it was accompanied?

Through the intervention of the Governor a settlement of the Bombay mill strike was come to on 22nd January, and the men returned to work. Sir G. Lloyd has since reported that some mills had again suspended work, though on the 10th February all mills were reported to be working. Subsequently there seems to have been some trouble in connection with the payment of bonus. The presence of cholera is said to be making the workers restless and anxious to return to their villages. During the strike there were sporadic riots, accompanied by shop looting and intimidation, in the first few days of the strike. These were kept within bounds by tactful management of the police and show of military force The Governor reports that though nearly 200,000 strikers were demonstrating in the streets for some days and attempting violence, law and order were preserved at the cost of only severe lives.

May the House understand that Sir George Lloyd, who succeeded to this situation on his first arriving, dealt with it with no little tact and firmness?

I am sure the House would wish to express their sympathy with the Governor in being confronted with a very difficult situation immediately on taking office and to congratulate him on the steps he took.

Is it not a fact that the military intervened before the riots took place?

No, Sir. So far as I am aware, there was no action by the military until it was absolutely necessary to preserve order. The success which attended their efforts seems to show there was no unnecessary interference.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Lord Morley's dispatch of 1909 expresses the present policy of His Majesty's Government and of the Government of India in regard to the action of the State in respect of the introduction of new industries into India?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Chapter 11 of the Report on Indian Constitutional Reforms, where the policy of the Government as regards Indian industries is dealt with. The Viceroy and I have there expressed our belief that on all grounds a forward policy in industrial development is urgently called for, and that if the resources of the country are to be developed, the Government must take action.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information as to the date on which the Bill dealing with reforms in Indian administration will be introduced?

I hope this Session. But the precise date depends largely on the time when the Government receive the Reports from the Committees which are now investigating certain questions connected with the proposed reforms. I can assure my hon. Friend that no avoidable delay will be allowed to occur in the introduction of the Bill.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the principle of self-determination will be given to India when this reform is brought about?

The policy on which the Bill will be founded is the policy of the 20th August, 1917, as announced in this House.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake to lay the Reports of the Committees on the Table of the House before he brings in the Bill?

I hope to give the House all the information they require. It is absolutely essential that they should have these Reports.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to have these Reports—during next month?

I am informed that the two Committees are making progress. I hope to receive their Reports within the next two months, but I cannot say the precise date.

That will be too late for legislation this year.

Oh, no!

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the State of Albania is represented at the Peace Conference; and if so, by whom?

Albania, not having been a belligerent, and no formally constituted Government for the whole country having been recognised, the question of official Albanian representation at the Peace Conference could not arise. Committees of the Conference on territorial questions have, however, been given discretionary powers to hear any interested parties representing disputed territories, and there is no reason to doubt that under this arrangement certain prominent and representative Albanians at present in Paris will have full opportunity to state their case.

Is it not a fact that this country recognised Albania as a friendly State when war broke out?

I would ask my Noble Friend to give me notice of any further question on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether any question has been raised at the Peace Conference of not calling upon Germany or her associates to pay the Allied countries the cost of the war, or of not imposing heavy indemnities; whether the Conference has eliminated any such intentions; and whether, in view of the pledges given by him, he is prepared to make any statement on the subject?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to similar questions on this subject and to what the Prime Minister said in debate on Wednesday last.

Is the Government prepared to consider a report of financiers outside the House who are ready to show that Germany can pay very large sums?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that the Government are leaving; no inquiry out of account.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table of this House, when received, the Report of the Inter-Allied Commission now inquiring into the financial resources of Germany?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay before Parliament the Report of the Commission now considering the indemnities to be exacted from enemy countries before, the actual demands far the indemnities have been presented to the enemy countries?

As the Commission is still sitting, I am not in a position to state whether the Report, will be made public.

In view of the fact that it is generally understood that this House will have no opportunity of doing anything but accepting or ratifying this Treaty, would the right hon. Gentleman consider the importance of giving it an opportunity of considering what may be one of its most important terms before it is too late?

I quite realise the importance of that, and that as far as possible the House should be acquainted with what is going on.

asked whether the Government will lay before Parliament the terms of reference to the Committee which has been appointed in Paris to estimate the amount of the indemnity to be claimed from Germany?

asked the terms of reference to Mr. Hughes, Lord Cunliffe, and Lord Sumner regarding the indemnity to be paid by Germany?

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer given by me on 13th February, which was, I think, clear and definite.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before the Peace Conference promulgates its conclusions as a whole, he can arrange for the publication of the Reports of the Commissions sitting to consider delegated subjects so as to test public sentiment in advance in this and other Allied countries?

I do not think it would be practicable to adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend, but the Government fully recognise the necessity of the House and the country being kept in touch with proceedings of the Conference, and to as great an extent as is possible this will be done.

Is a verbatim report of every word uttered by the various representatives at the Conference being kept, and is it proposed to publish it?

I hope not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any arrangements have been male for the payment by the German Government of contributions to the cost of the Armies of the Allies and the United States of America now in occupation of German territory, or any part of the Armies; and, if so, whether any payments have been made?

I have been asked to answer this question. The cost of maintenance of the Armies of the Allies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether about 30 acres of land near Wych Cross, Sussex, has been cultvated by men of the Royal Field Artillery stationed in the vicinity; that the land has been ploughed and manured for two years and crops have been grown; that during the past few months some hundreds of loads of manure have been carted from the camp to this land; whether this manure has now been sold and that the intention is to allow the land to return to its pre-war useless condition; and whether, in view of the fact that the land in question is administered by the Ashdown Forest Conservators, an inquiry will be made into the matter with a view to this land being put to proper use?

The Board have no information on the subject, but inquiries are being made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Government has yet been able to arrange for the importation of any kainit for agricultural purposes from the potash deposits in Alsace; and if he is pushing for delivery of this valuable manure which is now urgently required for this year's crops?

No arrangements have been made by the Government for the export of kainit from Alsace. The Government is at present conferring with the French Ministry of Agriculture on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he as aware that alarm exists among allotment holders as to their length of tenure of the land; and whether he can make any statement of the intentions of His Majesty's Government in reference thereto?

The Board recognise the anxiety of allotment holders on this subject, and they have recently issued a Memorandum to horticultural sub-committees with reference thereto. I will send a copy to my hon. Friend.

Has that Memorandum been sent to the Press?

I am not sure, but I will make inquiries.

Was it not agreed that these allotment-holders should retain possession for two years after the signing of peace, and are they put in that position or are they not?

Yes, that is the position. As regards land acquired by the Board under the Defence of the Realm Act and the Corn Production (Amendment) Act, the Board intend to retain possession of land taken for allotments for a period of two years from the end of the War, unless they are satisfied that the land is urgently required for building or other special purposes, or, secondly, where the compensation payable for the land would be in excess of the value of the produce of the land.

Is that to apply to all allotment-holders, whether they have neglected their land instead of cultivating it?

No; there are powers to prevent the neglect of land. It will not apply in such cases.

What steps will the Board take to see if the land is urgently wanted for building when it is taken from these men?

We shall be guided by the requests put forward by local authorities or otherwise where there is an obvious need.

Will the Board guarantee allotments elsewhere if they have to be surrendered for this purpose?

So far as possible, we should endeavour to get other land; but, of course, it may not be possible.

Will compensation be paid where other land is not obtainable? There are many cases where—

The hon. Member must not make statements.

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of paragraph 20 of the Fourth Report, of Session 1918, from the Select Committee on National Expenditure, it is proposed to make full use of the Land Valuation Department of the Board of Inland Revenue in the disposal of lands and buildings by the Ministry of Munitions?

The disposal of lands, buildings and factories will be carried out through the Lands Directorate which acts for the War Department, the Ministry of Munitions and the Air Ministry. The Lands Directorate will avail themselves of any assistance which the Land Valuation Department of the Board of Inland Revenue may be in a position to offer.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state the names of the armament firms with whom cash settlements have been made on account of contracts closed in consequence of the Armistice, and the amounts of such cash settlements?

The basis upon which contracts will be terminated has been agreed in most instances with the armament firms, but cash settlements have not yet been effected as the exact amount payable is dependent upon the preparation of inventories and accountancy investigations to ascertain the Ministry's liability at the time the contractors ceased munitions work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what was the total estimated cost or value of the State factories and other buildings and their equipment at or about the date of the Armistice; what at this same date was the estimated cost or value of the stocks of materials, machinery, vehicles, and other commodities in the possession of the Ministry; and how much of this property has been sold down to the present date?

The estimated cost of National Factories and Royal Ordnance Factories, including land, buildings, plant, machinery and storehouses, as at 11th November, 1918, was £65,000,000. I cannot at present give a definite answer to the second and third parts of the question, as the Disposal Board, which has been made responsible for the sale of surplus Government property, has only just completed its organisation.

These figures do not include Government shipyards?

No.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that some of the national factories are particularly well fitted for the development of the cycle, motor cycle, and motor car and van industry, and that quantities of these articles are annually required by the Government itself for the use of the various Public Departments; whether he will therefore take steps to utilise such national factories for the manufacture of these things for the supply of the Government's own needs, instead of selling out the factories to war profiteers who have already, as the Excess Profits Duty statistics prove, made profits out of the contracts placed by his Department?

The possibility of using national factories for the manufacture of commodities required in considerable quantities by the Government is being carefully investigated. As the Government possess very largo surplus stocks of motor vehicles, I should not be justified at present in devoting a national factory to their manufacture.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the release from the Army of pivotal men has been abandoned in favour of the release of those under contract with an employer, or whether both systems are now running concurrently?

No, Sir, these two schemes are running concurrently. The period for applying for pivotal men ceased on the 31st January, but all pivotal men applied for by the appropriate authorities to the Ministry of Labour, and recommended by them to the War Office before the 1st February will be demobilised unless their retention in the Army is essential for demobilisation purposes. Men under contract can only be released provided that they are eligible for demobilisation under the recent Army Order making provision for the composition of the armies of occupation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advisability of releasing all conscientious objectors in view of the fact that hostilities have come to an end?

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has yet been reached as to the liberation of the 1,500 conscientious objectors who have now been in prison two or three years serving consecutive sentences?

This subject is receiving consideration, but the Government are not prepared to give a preference to this class by releasing them before the general demobilisation of the Army has been further advanced.

Have not the men proved by being two years in prison that they are conscientious objectors, and is not the Government going to provide exemption for them?

The men who have been fighting for four years have also proved their patriotism.

Will the right hon Gentleman consider the advisability of drafting them into the army of occupation as they would not have to fight?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is prepared to reinstate all its employés who with permission volunteered for active service during the War, including workmen who were employed at Government establishments?

I am glad to be able to assure my Noble Friend that the terms of the promise stated in the answer given to his question on the 13th instant include workmen employed at Government establishments, and all other employés whose service was not intermittent, but quasi-permanent and regular.

If I give the hon. Member individual facts, will he see that it is carried out?

Certainly.

With regard to the word "intermittent," does the answer apply to workmen in the Royal dockyards?

The words "intermittent labour" apply to hired men in the Royal dockyards.

Is he supposed to be a full worker?

I cannot go into these details.

asked whether a soldier who was forty-one years of age on 18th April, 1918, who volunteered under the Derby scheme in 1915, but was then rejected on medical grounds, and was afterwards deemed to be enlisted in 1916 under the Military Service Act, can now be released in accordance with the Ministry of Labour Circular of 8th January, 1919, provided employment is awaiting him?