asked the Food Controller whether the charge of 11s. 4d. per cwt., made by him upon the gross weight of all cattle marketed, is an administrative charge or a middleman's profit; upon what statutory authority such charge is levied; and whether the Law Officers have been consulted as to its legality?

The charge referred to by the hon. and gallant Member represents the difference betwen the price paid to the farmer by the Governmnt buyer in the case of beasts sold for slaughter and the price charged to the butcher. It covers the cost of railage, droving, sea transport (in the case of Irish and Scottish cattle), lairage, slaughtering, insurance, and the general costs of distribution of live stock and meat supplies. The charge is for administrative reasons a flat rate on all beasts irrespective of grade, and is necessary in order to secure for the whole Kingdom equitable distribution of meat supplies at level prices to the consumer. The nature of the charge being as stated, no question as to its legality has arisen, and accordingly the Law Officers of the Crown have not been consulted in the matter. As I have said, however, I hope it may be possible for some reduction in this charge to be made in the near future.

asked the Food Controller whether he will consider the possibility of giving at least one month's notice when fixing the date on which the control will be released from tea, so that stocks may be more easily disposed of; and will he say, seeing that the Government have urged grocers and allied traders to carry large stocks, if it is proposed to make any arrangements as to givinga rebate on unsold stock?

asked the Food Controller whether, when suspending the Order governing the price and distribution of tea, he will make the Order at least four weeks before the date at which it is to take effect, so as to prevent serious loss to the traders?

asked the Food Controller whether, on the suspension of the tea control, which will mean reintroduction of varying grades and considerable reduction in prices, it is proposed, in order to avoid serious hardship to the grocer, that a date be fixed at least one month in advance, on which date all stocks held and properly certified should be subject to rebate equivalent to the new price?

It was announced in the Press on 21st February that the suspension of the Orders governing the distribution and price of tea would come into operation on 24th March next, and the trades have, therefore, received more than the month's notice suggested. In view of this notice it is not proposed to make any arrangementsfor giving a rebate to grocers or allied traders in respect of stocks of tea which they may be holding on 24th March; and in any event it does not follow that any loss would be incurred by them on the sale of such stocks after that date.

asked the Food Controller whether he is able to give an assurance that, in order to prevent a recrudescence of queues, he will maintain the system of food control until an ample supply of commodities is available throughout the country?

I can assure the hon. Member that the present system of control will be maintained so long as there is any prospect that its abolition would result in the revival of queues.

asked the Food Controller whether during November and December last 13,000 cases or tins of condensed milk were condemned in the port of Manchester; it he will state the names of the importers of these and the 925 cases detained last month by the medical officer of that port; and, if imported by his Department, if he will state the country of purchase and the name of the firm from whom the purchases were made?

No condensed milk was condemned in Manchester during November or December, 1918. The 925 eases to which the hon. and gallant Member refers were manufactured by the Continental Condensed Milk Company, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., and were imported by the Ministry in August, 1918.

asked the Food Controller whether his attention had been drawn to a prosecution at Wexford for selling suet or tallow as dripping, and in which it was contended by the defence that tallow and dripping were identical; that Sir Charles Cameron, analyst of Dublin, had certified the goods to be suet or tallow, and not dripping as popularly understood, i.e., fat derived from roasted meat; that a certificate was obtained from Somerset House defining the goods as dripping manufactured according to the Food Controller's Regulations, and upon which certificate the defendant was dismissed; whether he will indicate the particular Clause in the Defence of the Realm Act which entitles him to impose melted tallow on the public as dripping; whether, under his Regulations, any trader may melt, tallow candles and sell them as dripping; and whether, subject to certain specified limits of free fatty acids and water, any trader many now sell tallow as dripping at top controlled price?

The attention of the Food Controller had not previously been drawn to the prosecution to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. I am, however, informed that the point at issue arose from the fact that Sir Charles Cameron has always held that the term "dripping" should be applied only to the fat actually obtained from roasted meat, whereas it has been the custom for many years in England and Scotland to render and sell as dripping sweet fats from slaughterhouses and butchers'shops. The term "tallow" is the correct legal description of all rendered beef and mutton fats, including the true dripping, but is in common speech used only to refer to "technical"tallow unfit for human consumption. The Ministry of Food by the Home Melt Tallow and Grease (Maximum Prices) Order, 1918, fixed a standard of quality for edible bone-fat or dripping, and enacted that any bone-fat or dripping not complying with the requirements of the Order should be deemed to be technical tallow and sold only as such. The answer to the fifth and sixth parts of the question is, therefore, in the negative.

asked the Food Controller if he will state the names of the members of the Consumers'Council and the trade unions, co-operative societies, or other bodies that they individualy represent?

The information requested by the hon. Member is as follows:The Right Hon. G. H. Roberts, M.P. (Chairman).T. W. Allen, Esq. (Deputy-Chairman).Mr. J. Sexton, M.P., Mr. E. B. Walker, and Mr. G. H. Stuart Bunning, representing the Parliamentary Committee of the Trades Union Congress.Mr. H. M. Hyndman, Mr. D. Carmichael, and Mr. C. T. Cramp, representing the National War Emergency Committee.Mr. P. Coley, Mr. W. E. Dudley, Mr. W. H. Watkins, Mr. G. Wilson, Mr. A. B. Weir, and Mr. J. Young, representing the Parliamentary Committee of the Co-operative Congress.Mrs. M. E. Cottrell, Mrs. A. E. Reeves, and Dr. Marion Phillips (Miss), representing the Women's Industrial Organisation.Mr. Jesse Argyle, Countess Selborne, Lord Rathcreedan, Mr. A. Andrewes Uthwatt, representing "Unorganised Consumers."I may add that the members of the Council were selected by the various bodies which they represent, while those members representing "unorganised consumers" were appointed by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Food Controller what are the approximate stocks of whisky held by distillers and merchants, respectively; and whether steps are being taken to increase the quantity available for consumption?

No statistics of the stocks held by distillers and merchants, respectively, are available. As the hon. and gallant Member will be aware, the Cabinet has decided to allow an increase of 50 per cent. in the amount to be released from Bond as from 24th February, 1919.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that many Irish publicans, who during the datum year and for some time subsequently were supplied by Scottish brewers, have recently been refused supplies by these brewers; that the Irish brewers are prevented by the Regulations from supplying publicans who during the datum year were being supplied by Scottish brewers; and will he authorise the Irish brewers to supply new Irish customers who can produce a certificate of a Scottish average and prove that their supply has been refused them by the Scottish brewer?

I have no information to the effect indicated in the first part of the question. The Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order prevents the transference of barrelage under certificate from a brewer in Scotland to a brewer in Ireland and vice versa, but an Irish publican under the same Order has the right to claim a certificate from the Scottish brewer who supplied him in the datum year, and he may procure the amount of beer he is entitled to fromany other brewer in either Scotland, England or Wales who is willing to supply.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it has been decided to pay gratuities to men who served under naval discipline in auxiliary yacht patrols?

The answer is in the negative. The naval war gratuity is issuable only to men who received naval rates of pay. Should any of the men referred to in the question have served for any period during the War at naval rates of pay, they would be eligible for a gratuity calculated on such period under the usual conditions.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that quantities of old chains are being sent into the South Staffordshire district; whether the Admiralty Order, issued on the 19th March, 1894, to the home yards and Malta, directing how old chains returned from ships are to be dealt with, is still being enforced; and, if not, why this is not being done?

The Admiralty Order of 19th March, 1894, which refers to chain cable returned from ships, is still being enforced, and no case is known of departure therefrom. Perhaps my hon. Friend will furnish further details, so that further inquiry may be made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if application was made to the Admiralty some time ago for the release of two fishing vessels, the "Friendly Girls" and the "Felicia"; and, in view of the approaching fishing season and the private loss to the fishermen, and the public loss to the community, he will order the vessels to be released without further delay?

I am glad to be able to tell my hon. Friend that orders were given on 3rd February for the drifter "Felicia"to be discharged as soon as this could be carried out. I regret, however, that the services of the other vessel referred to are still required, but she will be released as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to make his promised statement with regard to the withdrawal from India of the Devon Territorials who have been there for over four years, and who volunteered for foreign service on the promise given them in September, 1914, by Major-General Donald, on behalf of the then Secretary of State for War, that they would be brought back to this country before demobilisation commenced?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement made to-day in reply to questions on this subject put by my right hon Friend the Member for South Molton and my hon. Friend the Member for Brecon and Radnor.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that certain whole companies of the Royal Army Service Corps have been demobilised with the exception of one or two individuals, who have been transferred to other companies on account of being specially efficient and reliable; whethersuch action takes an unfair advantage of any specially diligent soldier who has been devoted to his work; and whether he will see that such cases as are put before him are demobilised without further delay, provided that the soldiers concerned are over thirty-seven years of age or joined up before 1st January, 1916, and have civilian work waiting for them at home?

Men of the Royal Army Service Corps who are eligible for demobilisation under existing Regulations are being demobilised as the exigencies of the Services permit, or, if temporarily required for the military machinery of demobilisation, as and when they can be individually substituted or dispensed with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the opportunities opened to certain classes for men for release from the Army are suspended so far as the Army in Russia is concerned?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answers given to my Noble and gallant Friends the Members for Aidershot and Horsham and Worthing yesterday, to the effect that the demobilisation of the troops in North Russia and Siberia cannot take place at present, as active operations are still in progress in those theatres.

asked the Secretary for War if all ranks in the North Russian Expeditionary Force who come under the classes due for demobilisation will receive the same advantages as those on other fronts?

The demobilisation of the force referred to cannot take place at present as active operations are still proceeding in the theatre in question; if my Noble and gallant Friend is referring to pecuniary advantages, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the delay which is occurring in the payment to officers of gratuities to which they are entitled on demobilisation, and to the hardships which in many cases result therefrom; and whether he will take steps to ensure that these payments are expedited?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am not aware of any delay, but if my hon. Friend will furnish me with particulars of any specific cases I will have them investigated.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Volunteer adjutants are eligible for the War gratuity on demobilisation?

A Volunteer adjutant is not eligible as such for the gratuity under Article 497 of the Pay Warrant; but if before being posted to this duty he was drawing Army pay on the Active List, he is not disqualified by being so posted.

asked the Secretary for War whether, under the existing demobilisation Regulations, men who offered their services for the Army or Navy prior to 1st January, 1916, but were rejected on medical grounds and were called up later, are entitled to early demobilisation; and, if not, whether he will consider an alteration in the Regulations to meet these cases?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and learned Friend's question is in the negative. I regret it is not possible to entertain the suggestion contained in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether it is the intention of the Government to relax the Orders issued in 1915 by the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury with regard to Civil servants on military service; and whether it is the intention of the Government to reinstate all such men who joined the Army without permission in the positions they occupied when they enlisted?

I am not quite clear to what Orders the first part of the question refers. Instructions were issued last summer under which heads ofDepartments are authorised, subject to certain conditions, to reinstate at their discretion Civil servants who had joined His Majesty's Forces without permission before the 21st March, 1918. Since then it has been found possible to extend this concession,and favourable consideration is now being given to applications for reinstatement of any men who absented themselves from civil duty with a view to joining the Colours after that date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that the troops guarding German prisoners at Jersey are deprived of the extra 5s. a month gratuity for overseas service; and whether he can see his way to alter this decision?

I am having inquiries made, and will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the men in the Southern Command were paraded and wereasked whether they were prepared to support and assist the Government to break strikes, whether they were willing to be paraded for service overseas, and whether they considered Army Order No. 14 to be fair and just; is he aware of the resentment felt bythe men at this action of the military authorities; and what action does the Government propose to take in the matter?

I have no knowledge of the alleged incident, and without knowing the unit or units concerned I regret it is impossible to make any investigation. If the hon. Member will furnish further particulars, I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in considering the granting of awards for service during the War, he will take into account the work of firemen who have been called out to fires caused by enemy aircraft, and have frequently had to perform their duty under conditions of great danger?

The Statutes and Warrants of the various military orders and decorations do not permit of award, except to military personnel or services recognised as military personnel. The question of awards to members of fire brigades is one for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Home Affairs.

asked the Secretary for War what steps are being taken to deal with the large number of applications from officer cadets, who have passed their final test and were demobilised after the Armistice, whowish to obtain commissions in the Regular Army?

At present the only channel for entry to the commissioned ranks of the Regular Army is through the military colleges, and to meet the claims of those who have served or are still serving in His Majesty's Farces the age for admission to the examination has, in their cases, been raised to twenty-one years.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been called to the question of the pay of quartermasters who have been promoted to the rank of captain as compared with the pay of other commissioned ranks; and whether he is prepared to make such changes as will meet the justice of the case?

The pay of a quartermaster depends on the length of his commissioned service, and not on his rank, thus differing from that of combatant officers. The case of quartermasters will be considered with that of the rest of the Army in connection with the after-war Army.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army Council will now consider the question of amending the Army Order of 26th January, 1918, so as to permit of quartermasters being given a rise of pay on promotion to captain after three years'service, instead of having to wait for that rise until they have completed five years' service?

The whole question of the future pay of officers is under consideration by the Army Council; and this with other points will receive due attention.

asked the Secretary for War whether the adoption of the Northern Command Order 305 of 1917 by other commands throughout the country has led to a saving of money; and whether he can state the approximate amount of the saving so effected?

The institution in units of quarterly stock-taking boards on the lines of the Northern Command Order mentioned is reported to have had satisfactory results. I regret that it is not possible to estimate the savings effected.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that soldiers returning from the front, and only provided with foreign money, often find on arrival at Victoria and Waterloo Stations that the money exchange offices are closed, while no other facilities exist; and if he will arrange for these offices to keep open, no matter how late it may be, so long as returning men are known to be nearing London by train?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Thursday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Elland as regards the facilities at Victoria. The same facilities exist at Waterloo.

asked the Financial Secretary tothe War Office if he can say what steps the War Office propose to take to enable officers to procure uniform and equipment as nearly as possible at cost price, now that prices to be charged by tailors for officers'uniforms are no longer controlled?

This is rather an intricate question, depending to a large extent upon the character of the uniform and equipment to be worn in future. Various schemes have been under consideration, but I am not at present in a position to make any announcement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many machines have since the Armistice been burnt in France; whether, in order to accomplish this, they were soaked with the best aviation spirit; and whether there was no possibility of selling any of them?

Twelve machines of obsolete type were burnt in France after removal of the engines and instruments. They had been damaged in landing at places where there were no facilities for reducing them to produce, nor means for transporting them elsewhere, nor was there any possibility of selling them. I have no information as to the use of petrol to assist in burning them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many machines have been dismantled and reduced to the condition of scrap in England since the Armistice; and whether he has received any and, if so, what offers for purchase of such machines; and (2) how many aeroplanes were on charge on the 11th November 1918; and how many have since been destroyed?

The number of aeroplanes on charge at 11th November was 20,850. The number of seaplanes 1,248. Since then, and up to the date of the last Return, 2,142 obsolete machines have been reduced to produce, and in addition 1,823 machines of standard types which have been damaged and were not repaired have also been reduced. These figures include 2,460 which were reduced to produce in England. The disposal of aircraft surplus to requirements is undertaken by the Ministry of Munitions, and my hon. Friend will perhaps address to that Department any questions relating to offers of purchase.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that in the case of officers who have served both in the Royal Naval Air Service and in the Royal Air Force Messrs. Cox and Company are crediting officers now demobilised with a gratuitybased upon the length of service in the last force alone; and whether it is a fact that gratuities to demobilised officers should extend over the whole period that they have served in a commissioned rank whatever the arm in which they have served, so long as they come within the designations of the Army Order covering gratuities?

The recent Admiralty Order granting gratuities on demobilisation to temporary naval officers is being applied to Royal Naval Air Service officers transferred to the Air Force. An Air Ministry Order on the subject will shortly be issued, and officers already demobilised will have any balance of gratuity credited to them.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Air Force cadets in Egypt who are surplus to needs have been told that they are to revert to their original Army rank; and if he is aware that great hardship in particular is caused to those former cadets who are returning to the United Kingdom and are not allowed to take with them the additional kit which they were compelled to buy as cadets?

Instructions have been issued that flight cadets are not to be reduced in rank on the grounds stated in the question, and that any who have been so reduced are to be reappointed as from the date of reduction. I am making inquiries in regard to the second part of the question, and will communicate the result to my Noble Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether it is proposed to move the Air Ministry to buildings in Kingsway; and whether, in view of the increasing importance of the Air Ministry and its relative status to other Government Departments, it would be preferable to select some site nearer Whitehall, such as the National Liberal Club, the Admiralty Controller, or other convenient building?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part of the question, it would undoubtedly be preferable for the Air Ministry to be accommodated nearer Whitehall, and every effort has been made to do so but without success, owing to the largeness of the staff to be accommodated and the impossibility of obtaining adequate and satisfactory accommodation. The buildings suggested are in full occupation by Government staffs.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will furnish a list of hotels in London now used by Government Departments, and the names of the various Departments occupying same?

The following is the list of hotels taken by His Majesty's Office of Works, and occupying Departments:

Hotel.	Occupied by
Carter's Hotel	War Office.
De Keyser's Hotel	War Office.
Grand Hotel	Ministry of Munitions.
Hotel Metropole	Ministry of Munitions.
Hotel Cecil	Air Ministry.
Covent Garden Hotel	Air Ministry.
Horrex's Hotel	Ministry of Labour.
Howard Hotel	Ministry of Labour.
St. Ermin's Hotel	Ministry of Labour.
Holborn Viaduct Hotel	Board of Trade—Coal Controller.
Hotel York	Board of Trade—Timber Controller and Canadian Red Cross.
Windsor Hotel	Ministry of National Service and Reconstruction.
Salisbury Hotel	War Savings Committee.
Belgrave Mansions Hotel	American Army Headquarters.
Goring Hotel	American Army Headquarters.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, having regard to the difficulty of obtaining typewriting machines and the large quantity surplus to requirements which his Department must have for disposal, he will state when and how these machines will be offered for sale?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my Noble Friend the Member for South Nottingham on the 17th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he can state the nature of the work now being carried on at the national factory, Rotherwas, Hereford; if it is the intention of the Government to retain this factory for national purposes or to dispose of it; and, if the latter, will it be advertised so that particulars may become known to persons requiring such premises for commercial purposes?

A portion of the factory is being used for storage purposes and another portion for breaking down surplus gun ammunition. The Government have no intention of disposing of this factory for the present. Should it be decided eventually to dispose of it, the fact will be advertised and tenders invited in accordance with the usual practice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the national projectile factory at Tinsley, Sheffield, could be very suitably adapted for the manufacture of doors, window-frames, sink frames, banisters, etc., the ground of the factory being covered with concrete beds where machines such as saws, bandsaws, moulding machines, etc., could be quickly fixed and utilised; that, as an alternative, the factory could very easily be transformed into a wagon building and repair shop; and whether he will consider the advisability of retaining this factory and using it for the manufacture of articles necessary in connection with the housing scheme and for the building and repairing of wagons necessary for the railways?

The only national factory at Tinsley connected with the manufacture of projectiles, is a forge, which would be quite unsuitable for any of the purposes indicated in my hon. Friend's question. If my hon. Friend refers, however, to the Templeborough National Projectile Factory, Sheffield, this factory will be required for some time as a store for machinery and other property belonging to the Government.

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will state the number of employés in His Majesty's munition factories killed, and the number injured since August, 1914, by any kind of casualty; what number of each section were men and what number women; whether in all cases compensation has been paid in accordance with the Workmen's Compensation Act; whether the basis of such compensation has been the actual earnings including all bonuses and advances; and what is approximately the total amount of such compensation?

I cannot give the figures asked for with regard to all casualties; but I should be glad to obtain for my hon. Friend, if he wishes, particulars of all fatal accidents in national munition factories, and the amount of compensation in reference thereto paid under the Workmens'Compensation Act since the Ministry of Munitions assumed responsibility. War bonuses and war advances are included in the calculations of average weekly earnings forthe purpose of assessing compensation in cases of all claims by employés in national munition factories under the Workmen's Compensation Act and schemes framed thereunder.

asked the Under-Secretaryof State to the Air Ministry whether instructions have been issued to the effect that discharged men shall receive preference for retention in their employment if it becomes necesary to reduce establishment; and, if so, why many such men are receiving notice of discharge from inspection departments throughout the country, whereas men who have not served are being retained and women are being trained for this particular work?

I assume that my hon. and gallant Friend refers in his question to the Aeronautical Inspection Department, at present attached to the Ministry of Munitions. The instructions under which the demobilisation of this inspection staff have been conducted are that men who have served overseas, or who have been incapacitated or injured through service with the Colours, should be given preference, if of suitable qualifications, over civilians. The aeronautical inspection staff has to be reduced by no less than 90 per cent. of what was its strength before the signing of the Armistice. In view of this large reduction, I am afraid it is inevitable that a number of men who have served with the Colours must be discharged. A few women are being retained for work for which they are specially suitable, but not as substitutes for men.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that many monetary advantages to which members of the Army are entitled are only payable after special application and that many of the members are unware of the advantages under alternative pension schemes so obtainable; and if he will take early steps to ensure that payments to which members of the Army are entitled become in the future, as far as possible, automatically payable; that monetary advantages only obtainable on application are more widely advertised; and that machinery is established to deal more efficiently and speedily with such applications?

Payment of pension is automatic, as far as it can be made so, but special benefits, like the alternative pension and special grants, which depend upon past circumstances not known to this Department, can clearly only be given on application. These benefits, and the conditions under which they can be obtained, are explained in the Disabled Officers' and Soldiers' Handbooks. Every effort is made to deal speedily and efficiently with applications when received.

asked the Pensions Minister if, in view of the increased cost of living, he is prepared to recommend a temporary bonus on all pensions issued from his Department during the period of unsettlement and reconstruction?

A temporary bonus is already in payment in respect of men's disablement pensions and widows' pensions generally, and the question of extending the bonus to alternative pensions and officers'retired pay is under consideration.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that soldiers who have been undergoing treatment in a sanatorium suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis are, upon leaving the sanatorium, usually ordered by the medical referee attached to the local war pensions committee to undergo domiciliary treatment; that whilst a man was in a sanatorium he received his full disability pension, less 1s. per day, and his wife received separation allowance; that during the period of domiciliary treatment the separation allowance is stopped and the man has to be maintained at home on a reduced family income, which results in his being unable to obtain the nourishment necessary for a person suffering from this disease; whether there is any regulation for a soldier undergoing domiciliary treatment in these circumstances being entitled to a special diet allowance; if so, will he draw the attention of local war pension committees to it; and, if no such Regulation is in force, will he consider the advisability of making a Regulation to meet this class of case?

In the circumstances stated, the man who is ordered home-treatment on leaving a sanatorium continues to receive disability pension at the highest rate if he is unable to Work, but his wife cannot be granted separation allowance. On the recommendation of the medical referee, he may also be supplied with extra nourishment, under conditions which have been notified to local committees in the Treatment Instructions issued by the Ministry.

asked the Pensions Minister whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider the possibility of increasing the pensions of the orphans and widows of warrant officers, according to rank?

Under the Warrants in force, effect is given to rank in widows' pensions, while children have the same rates in the case of warrant officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates. I am unable to see any sufficient ground for alteration of the present system.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will consider an Amendment to the Royal Warrant of 1917 whereby an officer commissioned from the ranks shall be awarded retired pay for disablement according to the degree of his disablement and without deduction of the amount of Service pension to which he may be entitled by virtue of his service in the ranks?

This question will be considered in connection with the review of the Officers' Warrant now in progress.

asked the Pensions Minister whether the commutation of pensions temporarily suspended during the War can now be revived, with due safeguards for both the man and the State, so as to admit of the realisation by pensioners who are not disabled and by others who are not eligible for a grant from the King's Voluntary Fund of a sum sufficient to start them in business or to rebuild their homes?

Commutation is not now absolutely barred in an exceptional case; but disablement pensions, with which alone the Ministry of Pensions is concerned, are granted to protect the men against destitution present and future, and are subject to review and possible increase if the disablement increases. I do not think that any general power to commute would be of advantage to pensioners.

asked the Pensions Ministry whether, in view of the fact that 21s. is now the weekly wage, irrespective of food, clothing, and accommodation, of soldiers in the Army of Occupation, whereas only 27s. 6d. a week, plus a temporary bonus of 20 per cent., has to suffice for all the possible requirements of a totally incapacitated man, he will consider an immediate increase of the pension in the case of total incapacity?

The statement in the question that 27s. 6d. with 20 per cent. bonus (i.e., 33s.) has to suffice for all possible requirements of a totally incapacitated man is not correct. In addition to the 33s. the totally incapacitated man receives children's allowances, and if his disablement is such that he needs the constant attendance of another person he maybe given a special allowance up to 20s. a week. He may also be given, as part of his treatment, extra nourishment up to a cost of 10s. a week, where it is certified that his condition requires it. I am, however, reviewing the pension scale.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is in a position to make any modification of the rule whereby a disabled warrant officer or non-commissioned officer who is in receipt of a life pension earned by long service may not draw the full disablement pension for his rank unless he foregoes his service pension, and only permits him, as an alternative, to draw disablement pension at the private's rate?

The rule under which a warrant officer or non-commissioned officer in receipt of a life pension for long service is not allowed to receive for disablement more than the private's rate of disablement pension is based on the principle that he should not twice receive an extra grant for his higher rank.

asked the Secretary for War whether officer prisoners of war who have been returned from Germany, many of them with very little outfit, were not allowed any free kit, but had to purchase, in many cases, entirely new outfits; whether all men who were returned were allowed a free kit; and whether, in these circumstances, he will consider as to granting any officers who apply a special grant in order to meet this expense?

Officers who have lost their kit owing to their being taken prisoner are entitled to claim compensation under the Regulations. The case of men is quite different, as they are always equipped and clothed by the public.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will consider an amendment to the Regulations to admit of the issue of separation allowance to the wife of a soldier who had obtained a maintenance order against her husband before his enlistment and who, because of his non-compliance with the order, would find great difficulty in obtaining a pension or special allowance in the event of the soldier's decease during his service?

I regret I am unable to adopt this suggestion. The Regulation in question was adopted after very full consideration and has been in force throughout the War. It does not, so far as I am aware, create any difficulty in regard to a claim for the pension which, under the Royal Warrant of the 17th April, 1918, is granted in cases where the soldier before enlistment did not contribute to the support of his wife.

asked the Pensions Minister whether men who have been discharged from the Navy and Army suffering from shell-shock and nervous disorders are still being sent to lunatic asylums; and what alternative accommodation is being provided for such cases?

No discharged men suffering from shell-shock or other nervous disorders, unless medically certified as lunatics are sent to asylums. Shell-shock cases are being treated inhomes of recovery of the Ministry of Pensions and Army neurological hospitals. Special accommodation is being provided for shell-shock cases, and it is considered probable that some of the special military neurological centres may be taken over by the Ministry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the demand in Ceylon for the same measures of constitutional reform as the Government is proposing in grant to India; and whether he will take the necessary preliminary steps for introducing responsible government in Ceylon at the same time as it is introduced in India?

Representations have been made to the Secretary of State in favour of some measure of constitutional reform in Ceylon; but until the report of the Governor on the various proposals has been received and considered, I am unable to make any statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that natives of the country, however wealthy, clothed, or educated, are not allowed to travel first or second class on the Uganda Government Railway; whether this applies also to natives of India; whether any Order or Regulation to this effect has been approved by the Colonial Office or has made known to it and not disapproved; and, if so, what action he proposes to take in the matter?

I understand that directions were given in 1914 for second-class accommodation to be reserved for Indian travellers on at least one train a week each way. On other points I have no information, but inquiry will be made of the Governor.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in order to meet the needs of the teachers who will be required for the new continuation schools for whom training in social studies is regarded as essential, he will take into consideration the means of further promoting the study of industrial history, in particular by assisting the foundation of additional chairs and readerships in this subject in the various universities?

I realise that additional assistance is required by the universities for the proper discharge of their work, and I am considering what steps can be taken for this purpose. I do not, however, think that it would in general be advisable that the funds which are put by the State at the disposal of universities should be ear-marked to be applied to the study of industrial history or of any other specific subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education what number of training centres have been opened for young persons who have registered as unemployed at the Employment Exchanges and the names of the local authorities which have opened them, and what number of young persons are now in attendance at such centres?

According to the latest information at my disposal, the number of such centres in England and Wales at present is ninety, and the number of young persons in attendance at them about 17,200. I will send the hon. Member a list giving the names of the local education authorities in whose areas these centres have been opened.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the extensive improvements in the educational system which have taken place since the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge were last the subject of inquiry by a Royal Commission, of the consequent great increase in the number of personsqualified to profit by study in those universities, and of the urgent importance of securing that no young person qualified to profit by study in a university shall be prevented from doing so by financial obstacles, the Government will consider the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the constitution, government, finance, and endowments of the Universities and Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge?

I sympathise with the particular object which the hon. Member has in view, and I shall do everything I can to forward it. The question, however, of appointing a Royal Commission on the two universities raises wide issues, and would require very careful consideration, at the hands of His Majesty's Government. I believe that there is a considerable body of opinion in both universities in favour of somewhat extensive changes in the general direction which I, in common with the hon. Member, regard as conducive to the interests both of the universities and the nation.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that less than 5 per cent. of chil- dren leaving the elementary schools every year enter the secondary schools, that of those who do enter the secondary schools a large number are withdrawn, owing to the poverty of their parents, before the age of sixteen, and of the urgent importance of providing full opportunities of access to the highest education for all children and young persons likely to profit by them, he will consider the desirability of the Government further supplementing, with grants of money from the national Exchequer or by an overriding system of national scholarships, the inadequate provision at present made by local education authorities of scholarships and maintenance allowances tenable at secondary schools, universities, and other places of higher education?

The point raised by the hon. Member is at present under my consideration, and I fully recognise its importance.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the supreme national importance of rearing a generation of healthy children, he will take steps to make instructions in the medical conditions of childhood a regular part of medical training in universities and medical schools?

Instruction in the medical and surgical diseases of children forms an integral part of the medical curriculum in all medical schools receiving the Board's Grants.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the anticipated recurrence of influenza in the spring and of the rapid spread of the disease among children in class rooms, he will issue instructions for proper precautions to betaken in schools for the prevention of contagion?

Instructions have already been issued to local education authorities and medical officers of schools in respect of measure of prevention or precaution on the occurrence of infectious diseases. Last week also a special emergency memorandum was issued by my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board which sufficiently dealt with the subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he will call for a report on the health of Philip Milward, conscientious objector, Canterbury Prison, who has been in prison two and a-half years and is reported failing?

I have had a report on this prisoner and find he is in good health. He has gained weight every month since July last.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state how many letters, telegrams, or resolutions of protest against the continued imprisonment of conscientious objectors have been received by the Government since the signing of the Armistice?

I am afraid I cannot give this figure. The number of such communications received at the Home Office is very large, and, as most of them come from the friends of individual prisoners, to find them would involve searching through many hundreds of files. I do not think they represent the views of more than a small minority of the population.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that N. Sogon, a conscientious objector who has been in prison for the last seventeen months, is in Wandsworth Prison in a very serious physical and mental condition; and will he call for a Report?

I find that the allegations on which the hon. Member's question is found have no basis in fact. Repeated medical examination has failed to discover any sign of illness, mental or physical. The prisoner has increased in weight since reception in prison and appears to be in excellent health. He assures the medical officer that he sleeps and eats well, and that he has not made any complaint of ill-health to his friends.

asked the Home Secretary what steps are being taken to deal with the British wives and children of Germans who are sent to Germany against their will?

The rule is that British-born wives and children of Germans are not sent out of this country against their will.

asked the Home Secretary whether German women are yet being sent back to Germany against their will; and, if so, whether any exceptions are made in favour of aged, or invalids, or children, or those of high social position?

German women are being repatriated to Germany in cases when the Advisory Committee has advised in favour of repatriation. Exceptions are made by the Committee in favour of aged, invalids and children, but there is no discrimination in favour of persons of high social position.

asked the Home Secretary if he will state by whom the Bill for the repatriation and restricting the immigration of aliens, and particularly enemy aliens, is being considered; whether such Bill is the measure referred to by his predecessor, Viscount Cave, in another place on the 19th and 20th November last as being then ready for introduction; and, if so, what is the reason for any further consideration and delay, in view of the demand for this legislation?

The Bill is being considered by myself It is the same Bill as that referred to by my predecessor last November, but I am anxious to satisfy myself, in the light of the latest developments of the subject, that it meets all the needs of the case. In the meantime, the war powers in this matter remain in full force.

asked theHome Secretary whether, in view of the fact that the hours for which young persons may be employed under the Factory and Workshops Acts are excessive and have not been altered for many years, that large numbers of young persons employed in industries notunder these Acts are without any legal limitation of hours whatever, and of the injury to their physical development and education which is caused by the resulting over-work, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation to ensure that no young person shall be employed in any industry for more than 40 hours in any week, and that the employment of young persons between the hours of 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. shall be prohibited?

It would not, I think, be practicable to impose either of the restrictions suggested by the hon. Member without discrimination, but I fully agree that the hours of employment of young persons ought to be more strictly regulated. Legislation is specially needed for the protection of young persons engaged in occupations outside the provisions of the Factory and Mines Acts, and a Bill for this purpose has been drafted which I hope to introduce at an early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether the Committee. which is inquiring into police grievances has instructions to consider the case of the old pensioners whose pension is 14s. a week less than that of the men who now retire; and, if such instruction has not been given, will he take the case of these old men into his consideration, with a view of giving them relief under the existing cost of living?

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction that exists amongst all police pensioners who were pensioned before the amending Act of last Session; and whether in view of the present purchasing value of money and the other pension advantages given in the recent Act to the police force, he proposes to consider the revision of all police pensions at an early date?

I regret that it is impossible to distinguish police pensions from Civil Service and other pensions, and, therefore, the question cannot come within the scope of the proposed Committee of Inquiry.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in view of the depreciation in the value of money since the War, he is prepared to consider a revision of the pensions to all police officers who retired just before the War and who are now suffering in comparison with officers who retire on pensions based on higher wages with war increases and war bonuses; and whether he will suggest sympathetic consideration of the grievances to all the police authorities in the country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to-day to questions on this subject by the hon. Members for Dartford and Southwark.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that the Nottingham special constables are to continue in being without regard to the signing of peace; whether he has issued any instructions or advice on this matter to local authorities; if so, will he state their nature; and, if local authorities have been advised to increase the numbers of special constables and continue their service for a further period of years, will he state the reason?

I have issued a circular to police authorities recommending that the existing special constables should, as far as possible, be kept in being as a police reserve for service in emergencies. The establishment of such a reserve was recommended by the Home Office in 1911, but it only became an effective force on the outbreak of the War through the public spirit and patriotism of the men who offered themselves in large numbers for appointment as special constables. It is very desirable to retain a call on theservices of the special constables till demobilisation is complete, and afterwards to form an organised reserve of those willing to render public service, though I hope occasion will rarely arise for asking them to do active duty.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has decided to appoint a Committee to consider the pay, duties, and grievances of the Metropolitan Police; if so, will he state who are the members of the Committee and what are its references; and if it has instructions to report as soon as possible?

The Government has decided to appoint a Committee to report on the pay, pensions, and method of recruiting of police forces in Great Britain. I hope to be able in a few days to state the terms of reference and the constitution of the Committee. I will ask the Committee to report as soon as possible.

asked the Home Secretary if he can now make any statement as to the dates when the Summer Time Order will operate this year?

As announced in the Press this morning, Summer Time will be brought into force this year on the morning of Sunday, 30th March, and will continue until the night of Sunday-Monday, 28th–29th September.

asked the Home Secretary whether, out of the number of miners who have been medically examined since the outbreak of war, he can give the percentage of those who have normal vision, the percentage of those suffering from nystagmus, and also state the effect of long hours upon the eyesight of underground workmen; and, if the figures and information are not available, will he take steps to secure the same?

I will consult the Ministry of National Service as to the figures the hon. Member asks for, but I fear they will be difficult to obtain. I may, however, say that the number of miners who have been certified under the Workmen's Compensation Act as suffering from nystagmus has varied during the War from twenty-six to eighteen for every 10,000 employed. There is no precise evidence as to the relation of nystagmus to hours of work. Its chief, if not its sole cause is insufficient light, and I am glad to say that the lighting of mines has been considerably improved in recent years.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether in the Housing Bill every possible facility and inducement will be given to people to purchase the house they occupy or intend occupying?

I am giving careful consideration to this question in connection with the proposed Housing Bill.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the recent strike which has taken place by the Stoke Heath tenants as a protest against the local corporation's housing committee and whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into this matter?

I have arranged for one of the inspectors of the Local Government Board to visit Coventry on Thursday next.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the house shortage in London; whether he is aware of the existence of a number of large basement houses which are peculiarly suitable to conversion into maisonettes; whether he is aware that ground landlords are preventing their conversion; and whether, having regard to the increasing shortage of houses in London and the suburbs, he will take such steps as are necessary to assist the public in this matter?

The question of assisting the conversion of large houses into flats is under consideration in connection with the Housing Bill which is being prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take the earliest opportunity possible of releasing for the use of civilian tenants private houses at present still in the occupation of the military; and whether this will be done within the next month or two, in view of the position now obtaining in connection with the housing problem?

All demands for the return of houses in military occupation are attended to without delay and, as demobilisation proceeds, houses are being evacuated as rapidly as possible. Wherever it is found possible to accommodate troops otherwise, they are withdrawn from houses required for rental or sale.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been directed to the extension among Scottish house proprietors of the policy of compelling tenants either to buy their houses or to quit them at the ensuing term; whether he is aware that this policy is inflicting hardship upon soldiers and their dependants as well as upon all classes, except those who have financially gained by War conditions; and whether, in view of the urgency and gravity of this problem, he will allay unrest and. uncertainty by announcing what steps the Government intends to take?

My attention has been called to the action of certain house-ownersin the direction mentioned. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House in reply to questions upon the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the dirty conditions of the milk now being supplied to the people of Nottingham is causing concern; whether he has received any complaints on the matter; and whether any action can be taken to remedy this evil?

The answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. Under existing Regulations, it is provided that a purveyor "shall not cause or suffer any cow belonging to him or under his care or control to be milked for the purpose of obtaining milk for sale:

(a) Unless, at the time of milking, the udder and teats of such cow are thoroughly clean; and

(b) Unless the hands of the person milking such cow also are thoroughly clean and free from all infection and contamination.

I have drawn the attention of the Nottingham Corporation to these provisions, and suggested that they should communicate with the sanitary authority of the district or districts from which the dirty milk comes.I may add that further Regulations will be issued under the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915,with a view to more effectively preventing the sale of unclean milk.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether Treasury sanction has been obtained to meet the necessary cost in connection with the schemes formulated by the advisory committee for the assistance of the blind; and whether these schemes are to be carried into effect without delay?

No, Sir; the matter is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can state the number of qualified dentists in this country in proportion to the population; whether he can give similar figures for the United States of America or for a single State such as New York; whether the comparison points to a shortage of qualified dentists in this country; and whether the Government will consider remedying the situation by facilitating the practice of qualified American dentists in this country until such time as the new Ministry of Health can deal with the matter on a comprehensive scale?

There is no doubt that a serious shortage of qualified dentistsprevails in this country. The Report of the Departmental Committee charged with the subject was laid before Parliament last week with a view to its circulation at an early date, when the Government will be in a position to approach the whole problem withthe best information available.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any excursion trains will be run this year; and, if so, whether arrangements can be made in time for the Easter holidays?

The question whether any cheap travelling facilities can be given this year is under consideration, but I am afraid that in any case it would not be practicable to make any arrangements in the matter so early as Easter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the present action of the Department of Import Restrictions, in refusing to grant licences for the import of stiffeners from America, is seriously impeding the production of bootsin this country; and whether, in view of the fact that importers from America are now able to obtain shipping space, it is necessary any longer to continue to restrict the import into this country of materials, other than leather, required for the manufacture of boots and shoes in Great Britain?

As a temporary measure stiffeners are being licensed to the extent of 250 tons. The question of admitting such goods freely is one of general policy which is now under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what imports, other than food, are still being excluded from this country or only permitted to be imported under restrictions; whether such exclusion or restriction applies to absolute raw materials, such as wood pulp and phosphate rock, as well as to articles partly manufactured, such as paper, and to finished products, such as hosiery; and whether he can state the reasons for such exclusion or restriction?

The list of articles the importation of which is prohibited except under licence is a long one, but it may be stated generally that such raw materials as are at present on the list are being generously dealt with in the matter of licences. The whole question of import restrictions as regards both raw materials and manufactured goods is at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state what restrictions have been imposed on the imports of hosiery from America and Japan in accordance with the arrangements agreed to at the recent deputation?

My right hon. Friend told the hon. and gallant Member at the deputation that no increase in the then existing rate of import of cotton hosiery would be sanctioned without consultation with the industry concerned in this country, and this undertaking has been adhered to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will receive a deputation from the Shoreham and Southwick Urban District Councils on the subject ofthe development of harbour facilities at Shoreham Harbour, in view of the fact that Shoreham Harbour is likely to be of great importance to the trade of West Sussex in the future?

I think these local authorities should lay their views before the Shoreham Harbour Trustees, if they have not already done so. I would be happy to arrange for a deputation from the district councils to be received, but I would suggest that they should in the first instance put forward in writing any proposals which they have in mind.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of developing the fisheries at the little fishery harbours all round the coast, he will take into consideration the desirability of including the administration of these small fishery harbours and the maintenance of quick and cheap communications between them and the railway systems a part of the functions of the national authority to which will be entrusted the united railway and canal systems?

The question of the future control and administration of fishing harbours is receiving consideration, but I am not able at present to make any statement on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether alone, or in conjunction with the Treasury, arrangements can be made to reprint in simple form, so as to be easily understood, a short epitome or digest of the Census of Production both for America and the United Kingdom?

A summary of the results of the first Census of Production (1907) was published in the Sixteenth Abstract of Labour Statistics of the United Kingdom, pp. 52–58. The tabulation of the returns for the Second Census (1912) was interrupted on account of the War. An abstract of the Census of Manufacturers (1914) was published by the Department of Commerce of the United States in 1917 in one volume of 722 pages. A close comparison of the details of the censuses for the United Kingdom and the United States is not in every case possible on account of differences of classification, but my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider how far it may be possible to make a useful summary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the output of coal per man employed in mines in Great Britain for anthracite and bituminous coal, separately; and how this compares with the output by American mines?

Practically the whole of the anthracite coal is produced in South Wales. The output of anthracite coal per man employed, based on the first six months of 1918, is 207 tons per annum, and of other coal in South Wales 222 tons per annum.The corresponding figures for the United States for the year 1916 (the latest figures available) are:Anthracite, 548 tons per person employed, per annum.Bituminous, 896 tons per person employed, per annum.The American ton is a net ton of 2,000 lbs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of Ford motor cars which have been imported from the United States of America since the signature of the Armistice; and whether he is aware that these imports will seriously interfere with the British motor trade and make it difficult for manufacturers to give employment to their workpeople?

Any licences which have been or are being given by the Board of Trade have been granted entirely on the recommendation of the Ministry of Munitions on the understanding that the cars, or parts thereof, were required to be imported solely for Government purposes. I am now informed that there was an arrangement between the Ministry and the Ford Company that the latter should hold a stock of chassis in this country against the sudden and urgent requirements reported by the War Office from time to time. It was part of the arrangement that if any part of the stock of chassis were not required by Government, the company were to be at liberty to dispose of the balance as they pleased after the cessation of hostilities. There remain nearly 1,000 chassis sets to be imported and so disposed of, but I am informed the importations constitute only one-third of the value of the chassis, the remaining two-thirds being the product of British material and labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the present shortage of tobacco is due to any holding p or other action by the Government?

There is now no restrictive control by the Board of Trade over the importation or distribution of tobacco.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he has received a resolution from the Horncastle Rural District Council calling attention to the unsatisfactory arrangement for delivery of letters arriving at Lincoln at 4.55 a.m. not being delivered until mid-day; and whether pre-war arrangements for delivery and dispatch can be restored or a motor service from Lincoln to Horncastle be instituted?

I have received a copy of the resolution. The question of the future postal arrangements in the Horncastle and other districts where postal services have been curtailed as a result of war conditions is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Government are in a position to make an early announcement with regard to the application of the recommendations of the Whitley Report to the Post Office?

The form in which a scheme on the lines recommended by the Whitley Report might be applied to the Post Office and other Civil Departments is under consideration by a Committee appointed by the War Cabinet. I understand that this Committee expect to be in a position to report very shortly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if the ton-for-ton basis of destroyed shipping by enemy action is being, considered by the Paris Conference?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether he will state the full amount of the expenditure on the national shipyards atChepstow up to the 31st January last, the number of berths that have been completed, the number of keels laid down, and the number that have been launched?

The expenditure on the national shipyards to the end of January, including the cost of housing and of acquiring the property of the Standard Shipbuilding Company, but excluding cost of shipbuilding and of stores and plant contracted for but not yet charged to works, amounted to approximately £4,000,000. The charge for militarylabour included in this sum is at present under consideration by the War Office, and may be considerably reduced. Twelve berths have been completed at the national shipyards, six keels have been laid down, but no vessels have yet been launched from those berths.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether, in view of the fact that the national shipyards afford the Government a practical opportunity of furthering national reconstruction on a large scale, he will withdraw the advertisements offering them for sale and carry them on as a national institution, associating the trade unions in its management, and thus setting an example to industry at large?

I am glad of this, opportunity of explaining thepolicy of the Government in this matter. The shipyards were built as a war measure. If the Government were now to retain and operate them indefinitely, they would be in competition either with shipowners (if the Government kept the ships) or with shipbuilders (if the Government sold them). The fear of such competition, with all the resources of the public Exchequer behind it, would be bound to create a want of confidence in the ship-owning and shipbuilding industries, which are vital to the prosperity of this country, at the very moment when it is essential that the normal trade and industry of the kingdom should get going again as quickly and on as large a scale as possible. Therefore, it has been decided, after full and careful consideration by theGovernment, not to retain these yards as a Government undertaking, provided, of course, that they can be disposed of on fair and proper terms. It is the intention before disposing of them to complete the three shipyards on a reduced scale, and also to proceed with the housing scheme. I need hardly add that, as already announced, I should welcome any proposal or suggestion which would provide for the participation of labour in the management and profits of the shipyards or for their direct operation by Labour organisations.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he is aware that a number of protest meetings have been held at Chepstow and have passed resolutions against the sale of the shipyards in that district; if the same people have protested against the Government giving out contracts for the erection of cottages to contractors on a percentage basis rather than under the direct control and management of local governing bodies; and if he intends taking any action on the question?

I have ascertained that a resolution in the terms suggested by my hon. Friend was passed by some of the employés of No. 1 Yard at Chepstow, and that the terms of this resolution were published in the local Press. As regards the question of the disposal of the national shipyards, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I have just made in reply to the hon. Member for Preston. As regards the second part of the inquiry, the question of the housing arrangements in connection with the national shipyards is at the moment under consideration by the Shipping Controller.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether there is sufficient accom- modation now available on steamships sailing West for British subjects desirous of travelling to America?

There is not at the present moment sufficient accommodation for all British subjects desirous of travelling to America, but, in view of the very pressing demand, more space for the accommodation of civilian passengers is now being reserved on the ships carrying troops than has been the case since the Armistice. It is hoped that this will enable the more urgent demands to be met, but it is still most important that no one should travel except for really urgent reasons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if any concessions and preference have been granted to the Norwegians, or any undertaking given, that we will build for them and deliver a certain guaranteed new tonnage during the next two or three years; and, if so, what is the reason?

The Government have entered into an agreement with Norwegian owners to grant facilities for (1) the building of thirty-five ships of about 50,000 gross tons to replace vessels lost while under requisition by the British Government; and (2) for the laying down of about 260,000 gross tons in each of the three years after the cessation of hostilities. This agreement is in return for extremely valuable financial and tonnage assistance rendered to this country during the War.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller (1) if he will immediately take steps to stop the shipbuilding for, and sale of tonnage to, foreign countries until this country's pre-war supremacy of mercantile tonnage has been restored, following the enormous destruction and loss through enemy action; and (2) if he is aware that large sums of money have been handed over to North-East Coast shipbuilders by foreign countries to have the first call on new tonnage?

The question raised by my hon. and gallant Friend has received the constant attention of the Shipping Controller for a long time past. The value to the nation of the extensive foreign connection possessed by British shipbuilders before the War is very great. Subject to this and to the obligations of Great Britain towards her Allies and certain neutral countries, of which Norway is the chief, whose tonnage has been made available for Allied service during the War, the policy of the Controller is to encourage and hasten in every possible way the restoration of the British Mercantile Marine. The powers at present vested in the Department enable the fullest control to be exercised over both sale to and construction of tonnage for foreign account, and the Controller is satisfied that no action has been taken in this regard to the prejudice of the paramount object referred to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether his attention has been called to the indignation felt in India at the excessive rates fixed by him for passages to and from England; and what steps have been taken to meet the grave situation created by his failure to reduce the present exorbitant charges?

Representations have been made to the Shipping Controller on the subject of the civilian passenger rates at present in operation between the United Kingdom and India, and, in view of the misapprehension that appears to exist on the subject, I am glad to have this opportunity of explaining that the increase made in those rates during the War, heavy though it was, was not commensurate with the increase in insurance, wages, coal, provisions, and other operating expenses. The matter was reviewed shortly after the Armistice, but it was considered that the conditions did not then warrant any reduction. It has recently been again taken into consideration with the liner companies in connection with the arrangements for the release of tonnage from requisition, and I hope that an announcement on the subject will very shortly be made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller what proportion, approximately, of the total imports of the nation in 1918 were made on Government account; if it is the fact that these Stats imports were carried by his Department at cost price; and, if so, how it is proposed to protect the public from the high private shipowners' freights, which will increasingly apply to our imports as the State carries out the Government's policy of ceasing to control supplies and shipping?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller (1) by how much the newly-announced North Atlantic conference freight rate of one dollar per 100 lbs. exceeds the Government rate charged by the Ministry of Shipping;(2) whether, seeing that his Department is now carrying North Atlantic supplies for the nation at cost, namely, 42s. 6d. per weight ton, and that the North Atlantic shipping conference rate is now more than twice the Government rate, in the event of the Food Ministry ceasing to buy and import food, the nation would cease to enjoy the benefit of the low Government freight on food and would be subjected to the much higher rate now charged by the shipowners; and what steps the Government proposes to take to prevent such an unnecessary increase of price?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether the rates charged by the Ministry of Shipping since they took control in 1917 has been greatly less than that charged by other shippers; and will he take some steps of an effective character that will stop this exploitation of the workers?

During 1918, approximately, 85 per cent. of the imports into this country were for Government account and were carried at rates based upon cost, the balance of private cargo being carried at market rates. The elimination of munitions and other war traffic upon the cessation of hostilities led to an immediate increase in the amount of space available for private cargo, with the result that the commercial rates of freight were considerably reduced. The reduction in the case of the north Atlantic trade was from 616s. to about 94s. The corresponding decrease due to the absence of war risk in the Government rate, which still applies to all shipments for Government account, was from 82s. 6d. to 42s. 6d. There is good reason for hoping that as the process of liberation is carried further the effect upon the freight market will be downward in tendency as a free tonnage market is restored.To limit freights by direct action in favour of private imports would merely enhance importers' profits without protecting consumers, and any unnecessary interference with the return to a free freight market might defeat its own object.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether certain standard ships have been put into commission without the accommodation for officers and men being completed; whether the quarters provided on these steel-built vessels have been unlined with wood, with the result that sweating has taken place, and when the ships have been sent into cold-weather ports icicles have been formed by distillation, to the discomfiture and risk to health of those called upon to occupy the quarters; whether, owing to this, officers have declined to sail in vessels so equipped; and whether any improvement is likely, in view of the repeated assurance that proper quarters were to be a special attraction of the standard ships?

Owing to the scarcity of wood workers and of timber it was necessary to give instructions that the timber fittings in standard steamers building should be reduced to a minimum, and several standard ships were delivered in which the officers'quarters were unlined. After the signing of the Armistice greater quantities of timber became available for shipbuilding purposes and a letter was issued by the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding on the 12th November, 1918, instructing the builders of all standard steamers to revert to the pre-war practice as regards all timber fittings on standard steamers, including wood linings in the officers'accommodation. As regards the ships already delivered with incomplete fittings, managers have been instructed to have the work completed at the first opportunity.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Con- troller how much British tonnage was available, respectively, in the three years 1916, 1917 and 1918; and what quantity of British imports was carried by British, tonnage in each of these three years, respectively?

British tonnage of 500 tons (gross) and over, including tonnage on Colonial registers, over the period 1st January, 1916, to 31st December, 1918, was as follows:

	Tons (Gross).
1st January, 1916	18,300,000
1st January, 1917	17,500,000
1st January, 1918	15,300,000
1st January, 1919	15,350,000

British imports carried in British tonnage are estimated to have been as follows:

	Tons.
1916	31,000,000
1917	31,000,000
1918	30,000,000