asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the whereabouts of the Dowager Empress of Russia; whether any steps haves been made, or can be made, to secure her safety; and whether he has any information showing that she is in the Crimea?

The Dowager Empress of Russia is understood to be now in the Crimea, which she does not desire to leave at present. Such steps as are practicable have been taken to secure her safety.

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information that Russian officers who have been prisoners in Germany are being sent back to Russia, where they are collected in large batches and shot by the Bolsheviks?

The most recent information received by His Majesty's Government is to the effect that large numbers of Russian officers who have been prisoners of war in Germany have been repatriated to Russia, and that many of those who refused to join the Bolshevik army have been shot by the Bolshevik authorities.

Can the hon. Gentleman circulate the information which he has on the subject before the White Paper?

The subject of issuing literature relating to Bolshevik government is under the consideration of the Government.

asked whether in the invitation to Russian Governments to attend a Conference at Prinkipo any condition was imposed as to the cessation of massacres?

The invitation by the Allied Governments to the various Russian groups to attend the Conference at Prinkipo was issued on the condition that there should be a general truce of arms among the parties invited, and that aggressive military action of all kinds should cease.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that military action would cover these quite unconstitutional massacres?

I should not like to be asked to reply to that. I am inclined to agree with my hon. Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman make representations that in future no such proposals should be put forward without expressly providing for cessation of massacres?

Yes, Sir. I will respectfully convey the suggestion to the right quarters.

Are we to understand that this unfortunate proposal is now definitely at an end?

I must have notice of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Phillips Price, formerly correspondant of the "Manchester Guardian," has been editing a Bolshevist newspaper, the "Call," which is spread among British troops in the Murman territory; whether the newspaper has incited them to revolt; and whether full information has been collected in regard to this man with a view to his ultimate trial?

The answer to the first and second parts of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the affirmative. Information has been collected in regard to the activities of Mr. Phillips Price, and will be available in the event of his return to this country, and of a decision being taken to take action in the case.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the decree recently published by the Bolshevist Council of the city of Saratoff as to the treatment of women; and if he will take steps to secure wide publicity for this shocking instance of the result of the present revolutionary rule in Russia in order to assist in counteracting the Bolshevist movement in this country.

Yes, Sir. There is reason to believe that such a Proclamation was issued in several centres and that an attempt was even made to enforce it. But it has not been established whether the Proclamation was issued by the Bolshevik Council or by an anarchist body.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question, as to whether publicity is to be given to this terrible state of affairs?

I have studied the document myself, and am not quite sure whether it is suitable for general publication. I shall be happy to show it to any Members of Parliament who would like to see it.

If it has not been issued by the Bolshevists, why should it be used by the Government and the Press of the country to run down the Bolshevist government?

asked what country or countries now have an official representative or representatives at Petrograd or Moscow?

It is understood that the Danish Government is represented by a Chargé ďAffaires at Petrograd and a Consul at Moscow. No other Government has any official representative in these cities, so far as His Majesty's Government are aware.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, when we agreed to forego the Boxer indemnity from China, any conditional action on the part of China was to be taken; whether the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank is continuing its business in China; and whether any terms were asked for China as to the liquidation of this bank and German trading institutions generally?

No agreement has been made with the Chinese Government to forego the Boxer indemnity. In recognition, however, of China's spontaneous entry into the War, His Majesty's Government agreed to the postponement of the payment of their share of the indemnity for a period of five years. No conditions were attached to this postponement, but in informing the Chinese Government of this decision His Majesty's Government, in concert with the Allied Governments interested, recommended that steps should be taken to sequester German and Austrian houses of business with a view to their ultimate liquidation. The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank is at present in the hands of a European liquidator appointed by the Chinese Government.

Will the Government take any steps to expedite this process of liquidating German houses.

I will make inquiries.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the formation of a small Commission representative of all parties to visit Russia and render a Report on the political and economic situation, to be laid before the House within, say, two months' time?

The Government do not think that the suggestion of my hon. Friend could be adopted with advantage.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a widespread desire for more information than is given to the House at the present time?

I am sure there is, but as the Prime Minister pointed out, I do not think more information could possibly be given with advantage at the present time.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of giving less attention to Russia and more to Ireland?

Both countries, unfortunately, demand attention.

Is it not a fact that at the present time all the information we get from Russia is one-sided?

Would it not be of some advantage that hon. Members with Bolshevist leanings and inclinings should be given free tickets to Russia?

asked the Pensions Minister if he can state what has been the cause of the delay with regard to alternative pensions for officers; and what steps have been taken to deal with the matter?

Applications for alternative retired pay necessarily involve careful investigation of evidence as to pre-war earnings and earning capacity. It is undeniable that, in the pressure of work due to demobilisation, some delay is inevitably occurring in dealing with officers' cases. The pressure of work in the officers' branch, as in others, is being met as rapidly as possible by increase of staff and accommodation. If the hon. and gallant Member has any particular instances to bring to my notice, they will at once be investigated.

asked what steps have been taken to grant suitable educational and subsistence allowances to officers and men whose studies or periods of apprenticeship have been interrupted as a consequence of service with the Colours until such time as such officers and men have completed their indentures, or otherwise qualified themselves to practice or engage in the careers which they had chosen prior to mobilisation?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the official announcement which was issued on 14th December, a copy of which I am sending him, and to the reply given on 13th February to the hon. Member for Birkenhead (East Division).

asked the Pensions Minister if he will give the reason for his objection to the proposal recently made by the clerk of the Tottenham Urban District Council that steps should be taken to bring into being a national association of war pensions committees, particularly in view of the fact that it is claimed that such national association would secure the interchange of views between the various war pensions committees of the country and be helpful to the Government and the Ministry of Pensions in dealing with matters affecting the welfare of disabled and discharged sailors and soldiers and of their dependants?

The proposal referred to was made in April of last year. Since that date provision has been made by Section 16 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act passed in the last Parliament, enabling local committees to form an association. I may add that advantage has been taken of this provision, and draft rules for such an association have just been submitted for my right hon. Friend's approval. I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a copy.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state how long it is intended to retain the present buildings of the Ministry of Pensions in Burton Court, Chelsea; and whether he is aware of the feeling of discontent that is now caused by the disfigurement of this site and the loss of this open space in South-West London?

I am at present unable to say for what period it will be necessary to retain the temporary buildings erected in Burton Court for the occupation of the Ministry of Pensions. These premises have cost £100,000 to erect, and were urgently required. I have had a few communications complaining of the erection of these buildings on this site, and with these I have every sympathy, but I think the hon. and gallant Member will agree with me that the efficient conduct of the work of pensions and awards to our gallant fighting forces must be the primary consideration.

Could not some other equally suitable site be found?

I am at present engaged in finding additional sites for further accommodation for this Department.

Is it not a fact that in the immediate vicinity there are very many houses with bills on them "to let," and could not some of these be used for this purpose?

Perhaps the hon. Gentlean is not aware that the staff accommodated in this building is about 3,000, and that it would require a great many houses to accommodate a staff of that size.

Are we to understand that this is a purely temporary measure?

Certainly. These buildings are temporary buildings, and an undertaking has been given that they shall be removed when a permanent building is erected.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the present practice with regard to the payment of the 20 per cent. bonus recently granted on pensions is unsatisfactory, and that in many cases no payment of this bonus is made until a new draft book is issued, which book may in some cases not be issued until months after the date when the bonus first became payable; and whether he will in such cases authorise the local war pensions committees to advance the amount of the bonus, or make other arrangements to meet such cases?

For administrative reasons it has been found necessary to spread the payment of bonus over a period of three months by dealing with each case as it comesup, in the ordinary course, for renewal of the book of thirteen weekly payments. This revision of cases is now nearly complete. The local committees were instructed in December last that exceptional cases of hardship brought to their notice where payment of the arrears was urgently needed should be notified to Pensions Issue Office, so that steps could be taken to deal with them specially. In no circumstances will any person eligible for the bonus fail to obtain it with full arrears.

Do I understand that in these urgent cases the Pensions Committee will be authorised to make advances if a person is entitled to a bonus?

Certainly.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that in the minds of many discharged service men the idea still exists that the King's Fund is intended to be substituted for and not supplemental to pensions given by the State; and if he will take steps at the earliest opportunity to make the facts about the fund widely known?

Some misapprehension may exist, as the Noble Lord suggests, but I do not think it can be general, having regard to the very wide publicity which has been given to the King's Fund in the Press. Many articles have appeared in the newspapers, and much literature has been distributed, in which the objects and scope of the Fund have been explained, and prominence has consistently been given to the fact that the grants are not in any sense a substitute for State provision.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider an extension of the Pensions Warrant of September, 1918, so as to cover the cases of men who, although they did not serve in a campaign previous to this War, were totally incapacitated in the performance of their military duties?

The Committee which discussed the drafting of the former War Warrants considered this question, but were of opinion that pensions for disablement incurred in the performance of military duties in times of peace should not be put upon the same footing as those for disablement incurred through service in the present War.

Could not some concession be made?

Perhaps my hon. Friend would wait until the Minister is in his place to answer this, as it is really a matter of policy.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the promise given by the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Pensions on the 12th November last to consider the cases of men partly disabled in former wars who have been debarred from the benefits of the Royal Warrant of September, 1918, on the ground that their disablement is not among those specified in the First Schedule of the Royal Warrant of 1917, he will favourably review the case of Sidney Bedford, who was seriously injured in a railway accident near Barberton, Transvaal, during the Boer War whilst serving with the 2nd Volunteer Active Service Company of the 2nd Hants Regiment, and whose pension of 1s. 3d. per diem, granted as far back as 1902, has never been raised, although in the mean-time his injuries have grown steadily worse, necessitating three operations; and whether, if his pension cannot now be placed on the level fixed for men similarly injured in this War, the Ministry will consider the extension to him of the treatment allowances laid down in the Royal Warrant of 1918, in view of the fact that he is still under the necessity of attending hospital every day?

My hon. Friend is presumably referring to the statement made by the late Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry that the question of extending the benefits of the former War Warrants to other classes of partially disabled men was under consideration. The extension, if decided upon, would have been by further Warrant, as individual cases can only be considered on the basis of existing Warrants. I regret that I have no power to pay treatment allowances to Mr. Bedford, or to consider his case under the Royal Warrant of September, 1918. If, however, he is in fact totally incapacitated from work by reason of the disability for which he was discharged, he may be granted an increased pension of 27s. 6d. a week, under the Warrant of April, 1918, for the period during which the total incapacity lasts. My right hon. Friend has therefore issued instructions for Mr. Bedford to be examined by a medical board.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state under what Regulation arrears of pension are being limited to one year; and whether, in view of the fact that the then Under-Secretary to the Pensions Ministry in the House on 18th June last gave an assurance that pension under Article 9 of the Royal Warrant, 1917, would be issuable from the date on which disability due to military service began, and that he would inquire into any cases brought to his notice where arrears of pension from that date have not been paid, he will inquire into the case of ex-Sergeant J. Donnelly, No. 356, East Kent Regiment, whose disability dated from 18th December, 1914, but who was not awarded pension until 26th March, 1917, and has been granted the arrears for one year only, from 5th March, 1916, to 25th March, 1917?

The Regulation under which arrears of pension are being limited to one year prior to date of first application, except in special cases of hardship, is based primarily on Article 7 of the Royal Warrant of 1914, which is scheduled in current Warrants as one of the provisions of previous Warrants remaining in force. Under that Article,

"all pay or other pecuniary advantages granted by this Our Warrant which shall not have been claimed within a period of twelve months shall be deemed to be forfeited, unless under such exceptional circumstances as shall be approved by Our Army Council or by an officer duly authorised by them."

asked the Pensions Minister if he is now in a position to make any statement in regard to the maintenance charges to officers and men in hospitals?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement with regard to the disparity between the maintenance charges for officers in hospitals and those for men, but the question is being very closely considered.

When may we expect a statement?

I hope my right hon. Friend the Pensions Minister will be in his place this day week to answer the question.

I will put it down again.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the Government have any intention of paying a war bonus on officers' pensions on the same lines as on the men's pensions?

asked why the temporary 20 per cent. bonus on pensions granted to warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and men is not applicable to officers in view of the fact that their living expenses are increased in the same ratio by prevailing high prices?

The question of war bonus on officers' pensions is still under consideration.

When may we expect a decision on this?

The same reply applies.

asked the Pensions Minister when it is proposed to transfer the training of disabled men to the Ministry of Labour; whether legislation will be required in order to give effect to the transfer; and whether local war pensions committees and joint disablement committees will shortly receive some communication on the subject?

The transfer of industrial training to the Ministry of Labour will be carried out as soon as that Department have completed their arrangements for its administration. Legislation, as my right hon. Friend is advised, is not necessary to give effect to the transfer. The general terms of transfer have been arranged between the two Departments, and an announcement is now being sent to local committees.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction existing among discharged soldiers and sailors at the action of the Ministry in deducting past payment of service gratuities that were paid on discharge from the present special supplementary war service gratuity, namely, £5 for twelve months' service?

The wargratuity is, by decision of the War Cabinet, a substitute for, not an addition to, the smaller Service gratuity. It follows that where the Service gratuity has already been, drawn, it has to be deducted from the gross amount now payable, to avoid an obviously indefensible inequality of treatment.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will recommend the alteration of the Royal Warrant of August last with a view to the payment of gratuities to widows of officers who have lost their lives by disease contracted on, or aggravated by, service as well as to the widows of officers who have been killed or who have died of wounds received on service?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The question of the payment of gratuities to the widows of officers who died of disease is, as I recently informed the House, under consideration in connection with the review of the Officers' Warrant.

When shall I be able to get information on that subject?

I will let the hon. and gallant Member know as soon as we are able to come to a decision in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government will take steps to extend, as far as possible, to old sailors and soldiers, whose pensions were granted previous to the War, the same benefits that His Majesty's Government may propose to confer on those who have served in His Majesty's Forces since 1914?

asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he will now consider the raising of pensions granted in the past to non-commissioned officers and men of the Army, and corresponding ranks in the Navy, for long and good services, in cases where the present pension does not exceed 1s. 6d. per day, and the man concerned is either over sixty years of age or incapacitated by ill-health?

I will answer these two questions. This subject has been carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, who are not prepared to adopt either of the courses suggested.

asked the Lord Privy whether the Government have decided to pay a War gratuity to all soldiers on discharge with the exception of conscientious objectors; whether Post Office signallers are to be entitled to this gratuity; whether this is a new gratuity or the old gratuity remodelled; and whether there is any reason why the exception which has been made applicable to conscientious objectors should be held to apply to Post Office signallers, who have done most invaluable work during the whole period of the War?

I have been asked to answer this question. Both these classes are ineligible for the War gratuity, though there is, of course, no connection between them. The Post Office employés so excluded are a small and very special class who have throughout the War drawn full civil pay, in addition to full military pay.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what Grants of money have been made within the past two years for the extension of flax cultivation in Ireland, and to what bodies or persons such Grants were made, and under what conditions?

The Department of Agriculture have given no special Grants during the last two years for the extension of flax cultivation in Ireland. The Department's ordinary flax schemes were in operation during that time, and the amount expended on these schemes was in 1917–18 £4,205, and in the current financial year £4,293. In addition to the above, the Department have expended in carrying out the Flax Seed (Ireland) Order, 1917, a sum of £5,576 in 1917–18, and a sum of £4,066 in current year. The cost of administering these Orders is borne by the Ministry of Munitions, by which the Department's expenditure is recouped. The Ministry of Munitions have spent in Ireland considerable sums of money during the past two years in controlling and improving scutching, in training apprentive scutchers, and in buying and importing flax seed for sowing purposes, but it is not expected on the latter item there will be any loss on the resale of the seed to merchants. I may also refer the hon. Member to the replies given to questions on this subject upon 31st October, 1918.

asked the Chief Secretary what instructions have been given to the Irish police concerning the use of the Irish language; and whether he will consider the advisability of putting an end to the police prosecutions in Ireland against those who speak and use their native tongue?

No person is prosecuted in Ireland for using the Irish language.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman is aware that an hon. Member of this House was arrested and detained for giving his name in Irish to a policeman.

I think I have heard of the case to which the hon. Gentleman refers. The gentleman was not arrested and detained for speaking Irish or giving his name in Irish.

Is it not the fact that a large number of prosecutions have taken place against farmers for having their names printed in Irish on their carts?

I am not aware of any recent cases, but if the hon. Gentleman will give me instances I will have inquiry made.

Will you have the sentences for it quashed?

Will it be necessary to put their names on the carts in Scottish now?

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the medical officer and staff of the Monaghan Lunatic Asylum, with the aid of the inmates, seized at the beginning of this month the asylum buildings and established a local soviet or committee, consisting of the staff and inmates, to run the asylum; whether the local authorities were unable to effect an entry to put an end to the committee's rule; and will he say what is the present situation?

It is a fact that a strike of the subordinate staff of the asylum occurred as stated in the question, but the medical superintendent was not identified with it, as suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. For some time the committee of management were unable to effect an entry into the asylum buildings. The staff have resumed duty, and representations made by them are now under consideration.

Has anybody been punished amongst the staff for this outbreak?

It is a matter for the asylum authorities. No representation has been made to the Government that anybody was punished.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the only successfully conducted institutions in Ireland are the lunatic asylums?

My view is that not only the lunacy but all other Irish Departments are admirably conducted.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the herring fishery in Strangford Lough is being ruined by the number of seals that infest the lough; and whether steps will be taken to preserve this fishery?

The herring fishing in Strangford Lough is subject to fluctuations like all such fishings, especially in narrow waters where the entry and movements of the herring are uncertain. The Department of Agriculture have no information which, would connect any existing condition of the herring fishing in the Lough specifically with the prevalence of seals, but on general principles the Department would regard sympathetically any local projects for the destruction of seals.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the fishing industry at Kirkcubbin, county Down, is handicapped by the absence of steps or other suitable landing-place on the pier, and that there is the greatest difficulty in landing fish caught in this district; and if he will provide facilities for transferring the fish from the boats to the pier?

Kirkcubbin Pier is private property, and expenditure upon it out of public funds is accordingly precluded.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the acquisition of this pier by the Department in the interests of this important industry?

asked the Chief Secretary if he will see that any scheme to improve the breed of light horses in England, which includes financial support to the farmers and breeders, shall equally apply to Ireland?

Efforts will be made to obtain for Ireland a fair share of any financial assistance which may be allocated for the improvement of light horse breeding in the United Kingdom.

asked the Chief Secretary if he will remove the embargo on the importation of pure-bred Percheron stallions and mares into Ireland which have not been Army horses?

The Department of Agriculture cannot see their way to grant any general authority for the proposed importation, but each application to land in Ireland a Percheron stallion or mare will be duly considered upon its merits.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the one horse we do not want in Ireland is the Percheron stallion?

asked the Chief Secretary what steps are being taken to improve the breed of light horses in Ireland?

The steps taken to improve the breeding of light horses in Ireland include registration of stallions, the granting of nominations to selected mares, and the giving of loans and premiums under certain conditions for stallions. Further steps are being taken to put into operation the Licensing of Stallions Act.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a permanent increase of 10s. per week in wages has recently been granted to the prison officers of England and Scotland, but only to a section of the Irish prison officers; and if he will take steps to have the increase extended to all the Irish prison officers?

The increase of pay referred to has been granted to the various classes of officers in the Irish prisons service corresponding to the classes of the English prisons service. The increase has not been extended to certain officers of the Irish prisons service, about twenty in number, who, in 1916, elected to retain obsolete scales of pay with emoluments, fuel and light, which are no longer recognised as part of the remunerations of other prison officers in Ireland or in Great Britain. The position of these officers who have not participated in the increase is at present under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware of the seriousflooding that takes place every year in the Lough Neagh drainage district; that such flooding most injuriously affects five counties to an extent of over 25,000 statute acres, resulting in much loss and suffering to the occupiers of the flooded area; and if he will say what steps, if any, the Government proposes to take to remedy the existing state of things?

This is one of the many matters which has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary. He is not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to what steps the Government propose to take in regard to the problems of housing, public health, reconstruction, and demobilisation in Ireland?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary regrets he is not yet in a position to make any definite statement on the four problems mentioned in the question, but he hopes that he may be in the near future.

Has the Irish Government taken any steps during the last six months to consider how these matters are to be dealt with, as they have done in England?

I hope my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary will very soon be in this House and have the opportunity of answering.

Will he know anything about it when he comes?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the month in which the boroughs prepare their financial estimates for the year, and that it would greatly facilitate those responsible if particulars were now known so that provision may be made in the rates accordingly?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Cabinet have taken into consideration the question of the control by the State of the milk supply; and, if so, whether, before arriving at any decision, he proposes to hear the views of those more especially interested?

I have been asked to reply The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Food Controller is arranging that the question of future control shall be considered in the first instance by an interdepartmental Conference comprising representatives of the Ministry of Food, the Local Government Boards, and the Departments of Agriculture. Legislation will, of course, be necessary before State control of the milk supply can come into effect, and full opportunity for discussion will be given.

Will he consider the retail trade, who have a great deal of interest in this matter, and who have apparently been ignored by the Department during the whole time of the food control?