asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether expenditure is now being incurred on the national ship yards at Chepstow and the Bristol Channel; if so, how much; what has been the expenditure incurred to date on these yards; and whether negotiations for their sale have taken place?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. For replies to the other points I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answers which I gave yesterday on this subject, and, in particular, the replies to the hon. Member for Salop (Wrekin), in which particulars of the expenditure on the national shipyards to the end of January are given, and to the reply to the hon. Member for Preston in which the policy of the Shipping Controller as regards the disposal of the national shipyards was set out.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman kindly answer the last part—whether negotiations for their sale have taken place; and, if so, with whom?

My right hon. Friend the Shipping Controller has received inquiries from certain individuals and bodies, but those inquiries have not got to such a stage that they can be called negotiations at present.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman state when those shipyards were handed over from the Admiralty to the Ministry of Shipping, and also whether Lord Pirrie is still in control of them?

The shipyards were handed over to the Ministry of Shipping on 1st November, and Lord Pirrie is still Controller-General of Shipbuilding.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to the finding of the fatal accidents inquiry into the loss of His Majesty's yacht "Iolaire," in which a strong recommendation is made that proper provision should be made for the safe transit of naval ratings on leave to the Western Isles; whether he intends to act upon this recommendation; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take?

I take this opportunity of expressing the profound regret of the Board of Admiralty at the loss of over 200 gallant lives and of tendering their deepest sympathy to the relatives of the men who were lost in such tragic circumstances.

A copy of the findings of the jury has been received, and these findings and the recommendations accompanying them, including that referred to by my hon. Friend, will, of course, receive the very fullest consideration by the Admiralty. No statement can be made at the present moment, except that the very exceptional circumstances under which a large number of naval ratings required to travel to Stornoway on the same day are not likely to be repeated.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that four civilians attached to the Shore Wireless Service were asked in April, 1918, to volunteer for service in Italy under civilian conditions as to pay and privileges similar to those they were enjoying; whether these men were required to proceed from Ancona to the Bosphorus, and kept on board His Majesty's ship "Cæsar"under naval routine and conditions; whether he will say why payment has not been made in accordance with the agreement under which the men accepted this service; and whether he will make arrangements for them to be released by naval ratings?

The facts are as stated in the first and second parts of my hon. Friend's question. The men referred to are General Post Office operators, who are allowed to wear uniform and are borne on ship's books for protective purposes. The question of their pay is a matter for the Postmaster-General. As regards their release, orders were given in January that they should be sent home if no longer required.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made on the 17th instant by the acting Prime Minister in the House of Assembly, Cape Town, to the effect that Admiral Fitzherbert, the Commander-in-Chief on the Cape station, had informally offered to convey a deputation of the Nationalist party to Europe on His Majesty's ship "Minerva"; and whether such action had the approval of, or was suggested by, His Majesty's Government?

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

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the length, breadth, and depth of the Kiel (Kaiser Wilhelm) Canal; whether it is adaptable for the transit of merchant ships; and, if so, would it be a better entrance to and exit from the Baltic than the ordinary passage through the narrow and shallow waters separating Sweden and Denmark?

The reply to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is as follows:

Length of canal—52⅔ nautical miles.

Surface width—334 ft.

Bottom width—144 ft.

Depth—supposed to be 36 ft.

The reply to the second part of the question is in the affirmative, the canal having been used by merchant ships continually before the War, and by German merchant ships during the War. As regards the last part of the question, navigationally, I am advised, the Kiel Canal is preferable to the passage through the Sound, Great, or Little Belt, and subsequently through the Skaggerack. But whether a ship would prefer to use the Kiel Canal must depend on a variety of considerations, the most important of which are the relative distances to or from her port of arrival or departure outside the Baltic, and the relative value of the extra coal consumed in making the longer passage as compared with the Canal dues.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that retired officers of the Royal Marine Light Infantry who at the outbreak of war were called upon to rejoin the Service were given the pay of their rank and certain allowances, but were deprived of their pensions; whether a similar course was taken in the case of Army officers; and, if not, will be explain why a difference was made between the two Services?

Retired officers of the Royal Marines who, at the outbreak of the War, were called up for service, ceased to draw retired pay from the date of recall and received instead the full pay plus 25 per cent. of full pay and allowances of their rank. Army officers similarly situated received their pension in addition to their full pay. The rule under which retired officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines when called up for service ceased to draw retired pay dates back for very many years.

Is it not the fact that the position of the Army officer is very much in advance of the Naval officer?

I have said that Army officers, similarly situated, received their pension in addition to their full pay, whilst the Royal Marine retired officers, sent for, ceased to draw retired pay and, instead, received the full pay plus 25 per cent. of full pay and the allowances of their rank.

Which is the better?

asked what tangible recognition will be made to the officers and men of the British Mercantile Marine and pilot services in respect of their services in safeguarding the nation's food supply during the War?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. A medal will be awarded in recognition of the services rendered during the War by the members of the Mercantile Marine. This medal will also be given to the sea-going pilot services.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the women employed in Woolwich Dockyard are not yet in receipt of the last award of 5s. applicable to engineering trades; and whether, in view of the fact that the women employed in Woolwich Arsenal received this award a fortnight ago, he will give instructions that the same action shall be taken in regard to the women of the dockyard?

I have been asked to answer this question. The award does not apply to these women. It was agreed by the parties at the hearing that any decision reached would only cover engineering shops, boiler shops, and foundries. The Woolwich Dockyard establishments are not of this character.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will, before exercising his power under the Trade Boards Act with respect to any industry, in all cases consult the employers and employed in that industry through their organisations, and give them the opportunity, if they so desire, to organise themselves, in the form of a joint standing industrial council or an interim reconstruction committee, for the purpose of establishing in their industry an agreed minimum standard of conditions as to wages and hours?

It is the practice of the Department to discuss with representatives of both employers and employed the nature of the joint body which would be best suited to the needs of their trade, and to assist in its formation if desired. When, having regard to the provisions of the Trade Boards Acts, it appears to be necessary to establish a trade board, conferences are held, and, as far as possible, action is taken only after the agreement of both parties.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the conference which it is proposed to call between the representatives of capital and labour, he will give an undertaking that representatives of the unorganised sections of the community will also be present to state the view of the consumers?

I am unable to give any such undertaking. The questions which it is intended to discuss are questions which primarily concern only employers and workmen. It will be the duty of the Government to see that in any results which may emerge from the conference the interests of the consumer will be fully taken into account.

If this procedure is to be carried out and is to be continued will he not consider the question as to whether consumers, who are also very largely interested in all these questions, shall have some representation?

The hon. and gallant Member is asking the same question again.

Is it not a fact—

The Minister of Labour is not here, and it is no use putting further questions.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has studied the objects and work of the National Alliance of Employers and Employed; what are the reasons for inviting this body to the forthcoming Labour Conference; whether he is aware that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour is interested in this or an affiliated body; and what are the reasons for not inviting the Industrial Reconstruction Council to attend this conference?

Invitations to attend tomorrow's conference have been sent to all the principal employers' associations and trade union organisations, either through the joint industrial councils or the interim reconstruction committees, or directly. Invitations have also been sent to a number of bodies who are specially interested in the adjustment of labour differences and who have asked to attend, and if the Industrial Reconstruction Council would wish to send a representative, a ticket will be forwarded to them.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the first part of the question?

I am sorry that I cannot add anything to the answer I have already given.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a lady not a Civil servant and not previously connected with the Ministry of Labour has recently been appointed to a position carrying a salary of £600 to £800 in the Demobilisation and Resettlement Department of the Ministry; what were her special qualifications for the appointment not possessed by officers already in the employment of the Ministry and eligible for the appointment; and whether, before that appointment was made, the pledge previously given to associations of officers in the service of the Employment Department of the Ministry that, on appointments being made to fill new or existing posts, priority of consideration would be given to the permanent officers of the Service was duly observed?

The answer to the first part is in the negative. The remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked if it is the intention of the Government to continue the Shipyard Labour Department in Belfast; and, if so, what will be the duties of this Department in the future?

The functions of the Admiralty Labour Department in. Belfast, in so far as they will continue during peace conditions, have been transferred to the Ministry of Labour.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will explain why women are not represented on the recently appointed Industrial Fatigue Research Board?

asked why no woman has been appointed on the Industrial Fatigue Research Board; whether the work of that Board is largely similar to that of the Health of Munition Workers Committee; whether it is the case that women sat on that Committee and did work of great value; and, if this is so, what reason exists for excluding women from the Industrial Fatigue Research Board?

My right hon. Friends have asked me to reply to these questions. It was recognised when the Board was first established jointly by the Medical Research Committee and the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research that its original membership would need to be extended. Additional members have, in fact, been appointed on two occasions. Women investigators have been appointed and employed from the beginning, and the inclusion of women on the Board was intended from the first. Particular appointments are at present under consideration by the Medical Research Committee and the Advisory Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. It is probable that an announcement will be made shortly.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can explain why there is such a shortage of women labour in laundries; and whether the Government is continuing to pay unemployment pay to women who refuse laundry work?

The shortage of women labour in laundries is probably attributable to the relatively low wages offered in many cases, coupled with long hours and other conditions which do not make this class of work in general attractive to women applicants for employment. With a view to establishing a more satisfactory level of wages the Department is proposing to set up a trade board for the industry.

As regards out-of-work donation, women for whom laundry work is regarded as a suitable occupation have this work offered to them, and if they decline it their right to remain on donation is referred to a Court of Referees for decision.

Could he say what the rate of pay is which is considered unsuitable which is being offered to these women?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put a question on the Paper.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that over 5,000 women in Tottenham are at present drawing out-of-work donation pay at the rate of 25s. per week, and that a considerable number of local firms report a shortage of skilled women labour in departments that have again become important due to the change over of work; and whether he is prepared to recommend that, in the case of women who are desirous of learning a new trade but who are not able to earn full wages whilst in the course of tuition, a grant should be made by the Government to help them during this period, similar to the grants made to women while under instruction for the manufacture of munitions of war?

With regard to the first part of the question, it is correct that over 5,000 women are drawing donation at Tottenham. The local demand, however, for skilled women workers registered at the Exchange is small. The suggestions made in the second part of the question are under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the fact that the manufacturers and men engaged in the manufacture of bricks in Edmonton and Enfield recently met, when an offer of 75 per cent. on pre-war wages was made by the manufacturers and refused, the men demanding 150 per cent. at which cost the manufacturers alleged that they could not afford to make further bricks and sell at the present controlled price; and will he state what steps are proposed to be taken by his Department to adjust these differences in view of the scarcity of bricks for the building trades in Tottenham and the surrounding districts, which are mainly dependent on the brickyards referred to for the supply of bricks?

This matter has not previously been brought to my notice, but I will make inquiry and communicate with the hon. and gallant Member as soon as I am able.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that practically the sole cause of unemploy- ment in the building and allied trades is due to the lack of raw material, especially bricks, and that, notwithstanding the fact that clay diggers and workers in brickyards are urgently required in the national interest, a large number of this class of workmen have not yet been demobilised; and whether he is mindful of the fact that any large increase in the production of bricks cannot be expected owing to the reluctance of brick manufacturers to largely increase their production on account of the uncertainty which is prevailing as to the steps that may be taken by the Government with regard to the requisition of the present stocks of bricks and the fixing of maximum prices for future productions?

While my right hon. Friend cannot agree with my hon. Friend that practically the sole cause of unemployment in the building and allied trades is due to lack of raw materials, especially bricks, he is fully aware of the necessity for the production of bricks and other materials on a large scale, and he can assure him that this matter is receiving the closest attention of the Ministry of Munitions, which Department is responsible for placing orders for these materials. In regard to the workmen employed in brickyards, these have been included in Industrial Group 29, which is one of the groups open for demobilisation, and all men included in this group who are not liable for service in the Armies of Occupation are being demobilised as rapidly as possible. In addition a Building Materials Supply Committee was appointed to select pivotal men in this industry for early release, and the men selected by this Committee have been or are being released. With reference to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend must refer the hon. Member to the answers given in connection with this subject by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions and by the President of the Local Government Board on the 18th February.

asked the Prime Minister whether posthumous honours are only conferred in the Navy and the Army in the case of those who have earned the Victoria Cross; and will he consider and take steps to confer posthumous honours in the case of all men who have been recommended for them but have lost their lives before they were conferred?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. So far as the Army is concerned, there is no restriction as to posthumous recommendations for the award of the Victoria Cross. In the case of other orders, decorations, and medals, recommendations for award can be approved if the officer or soldier was alive when the recommendation was initiated. Where, through stress of military operations, the recommending authority was prevented from recording his recommendation prior to the death of the officer or soldier, it being fully his intention of so doing, the recommendation is still valid if the cause of delay is duly certified. This procedure was not in force during the earlier years of the War, and I regret that it is quite impossible to make it retrospective.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of appointing a Committee of the Members of this House to investigate the staffs at the different Government Departments, with the object that staffs are not retained in excess of actual requirements?

My right hon. Friend doubts whether there would be any advantage in appointing such a Committee at the present moment. The disbandment of the war emergency staffs is already in active progress, and the situation changes so much from day to day that before the Committee could report the data upon which its conclusions were based would be obsolete.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the demobilisation of these clerks is making very unsatisfactory progress?

I hope very much that the hon. Member is exaggerating.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now give particulars of the Committee promised to deal with old age pensions?

My right hon. Friend regrets he is not yet in a position to give this information.

Can my hon. Friend say when one may put down a question with any prospect of getting an answer?

Monday.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the meaning of the delay in the appointment of the Committee? It seems a very simple thing. We have been at the question since Parliament opened.

asked the Prime Minister if he will bring to the attention of the Peace Conference the desirability of requiring from the German Government the names of all persons and associations in this country who received subventions from the German Government before the War?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave to a similar question on Monday.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation extending the operation of the Temperance (Scotland) Act, 1913, to other parts of the United Kingdom?

It is not the intention of the Government to adopt the course suggested.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a considerable body of opinion in the North of Ireland in favour of local option, and is there any chance of the North of Ireland being put on the same footing as Scotland in this respect?

Yes, I believe that there is such an opinion.

I believe that there is not.

There is evidently a difference of opinion, but in any case the Government are not prepared to adopt the Scottish method.

We want nothing Scottish in Ireland.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have considered the question of providing State pensions for necessitous widows with children in order to enable such mothers to bring up their children themselves under conditions of home influence and control; and whether he is in a position to promise legislation on these lines?

The Government are not prepared to propose legislation on the lines of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

May I ask, as this is a matter of great moment to the poorer classes of the community, whether the right hon. Gentleman cannot say that the Government will, at any rate, bear it in mind in connection with their programme of social reform?

A great deal of attention has been given to this particular subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is one of the questions on which we are united?

Does the hon. Gentleman mean Ireland?

Yes.

I am not surprised, as the money comes out of the British Treasury.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Irish Treasury are paying £20,000,000 more than we ought to pay?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Mr. Asquith, in the Debate on the Second Reading of the Commissions (Dardanelles and Mesopotamia) Bill, on 26th July, 1916, agreed to the proposal that it should be left to the Commissioners to decide whether or not, after the War, the evidence should be published; and whether he will ask the Commissioners to meet and decide what evidence can be published?

I regret that I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to similar questions on the 13th February.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Prime Minister gave a definite undertaking that the Commission should decide what evidence should be published?

Would the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to the publication of the Second Report of the Dardanelles Commission relating to the military operations?

The answer which I gave on 13th February applies to both. We have only decided that it is not in the public interest to publish the evidence just now, but we shall reconsider the matter. With regard to what my hon. and gallant Friend has said as to the Asquith declaration, I have looked up the Official Report, and I find that all that is said is that the Prime Minister nodded his head. The suggestion was that the Commissioners at the time they were working should have the authority to recommend its publication. There was no suggestion that the Commission should be brought together again long afterwards.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there was a definite question, and that the Official Report, as corrected, says that the Prime Minister assented?

It was suggested that while they were engaged upon their work they should recommend that it should be published after the War, but there was no suggestion that they should be called together again.

Does the right hon. Gentleman imply that when Mr. Asquith nodded his head there was nothing in it?

asked the Prime Minister whether the reason given of the public interest for the refusal to publish any of the evidence given in the Dardanelles Inquiry also applies to the sets of documents comprising the dispatches dealing with the escape of the "Goeben," the proceedings and evidence of the Troubridge court-martial, and the naval dispatches dealing with the bombardments of the Dardanelles forts in March, 1915?

I shall ask the Departments concerned to consider whether the time has yet come when these documents can be published without detriment to the public interest.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to make any statement as to how effect is to be given to the policy for the protection of British manufacturing trade outlined by him on the 2nd November, 1918?

Before the question is answered, may I ask if a declaration was not made by my right hon. Friend on the 2nd November in favour of the protection of the British manufacturing trade interests?

I did not make that particular declaration. I suppose it was made by the Prime Minister. My answer to the question is that I am not yet in a position to make any statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this, uncertainty is very prejudicial, and is seriously affecting unemployment?

Is it not the high prices and the prevention of imports into the country which is creating the unrest?

In the Speech from the Throne it was indicated that this would be one of the measures dealt with at an early date, and that is still our intention.

Is there a possibility of its being referred to in the Budget?

I hope we may be ready before that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of the Government taking control of the present stocks of bricks in the Kingdom and obtaining an increased production of bricks by exercising over the brick trade a control similar to that exercised over munition factories during the time of war; will he consider the desirability of releasing the present stocks of bricks and other building material, and all control over the price at which existing and future stocks shall be sold; and whether he will consult the representatives of capital and labour in the trades most immediately concerned?

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." I do not propose to exercise over the brick trade a control similar to that exercised over munition factories during the War. It has been decided to suspend at once the control of bricks as at present exercised. The trade is now free, but the Government has the right to re-impose control at any time. The Department of Building Material Supply is in close touch with the trade, whose members have been consulted as to the best methods of increasing the output of bricks.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the cessation of hostilities, no further regulations will be made under the Defence of the Realm Acts?

It is not possible to give this undertaking.

May I ask whether Parliament will be given an opportunity to discuss and criticise any new Orders which may be proposed before they are made?

I cannot promise that, but certainly the Government will make very sparing use of this power, and only use it when it is absolutely necessary.

What about the paper business?

asked the Prime Minister if he will state whether the Lord Chancellor has appointed Mr. O. R. A. Simpkin to be Public Trustee; if he will state what was the previous occupation of Mr. Simpkin and what are considered his special qualifications for filling a post for which business experience and capacity are required; whether the claims and qualifications of existing members of the permanent staff were considered for the post, and, if so, on what grounds these were passed over; and whether it is advisable that the appointment to such an important post should be left in the hands of any one Minister, without reference to the Treasury or other qualified Department?

Mr. O. R. A. Simpkin is a barrister practising on the Chancery side. He has been employed throughout the War in the War Trade Intelligence Department, where he has given proof of great business capacity, and has had very large business experience. The claims and qualifications of existing members of the permanent staff were considered before the appointment was made. It would be invidious in the case of gentlemen in their position to state the grounds upon which it was considered that Mr. Simpkin would prove a more suitable holder of the post. The appointment was made after consultation with the Treasury and after an exhaustive consideration of the qualifications of all persons, whether in the public service or outside it, who could be considered as possible candidates for the appointment.

May I ask my hon. Friend whether in the office of the Public Trustee, where such excellent work has been done, we are to understand there is no man qualified to take up this position?

The answer to a question of that description has already been given.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of the Memorandum on home propaganda published by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury, he can under- take to give the House of Commons a day for the discussion of the question before a decision is made in this matter?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to a question asked by him on Monday last, to which I cannot at present add anything.

asked the Prime Minister whether a new department of public information is to be established; and, if so, what are to be the objects of this proposed department?

I am not able to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Montrose on Monday last.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether this Department is being set up for the purpose of advertising virtues of the Coalition Ministry which they have not got?