asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether Civil servants who joined the forces and whose father or mother is of enemy origin, are allowed to resume work in the Civil Service when they are demobilised?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why the demoibilisation of accountant officers, Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, has recently, except in a few cases, been suspended, entailing much inconvenience to the employers of officers who hold appointments in civil life for which their services are urgently required, as well as hardship to the officers themselves; and what steps he proposes to take to secure the immediate release of temporary officers who hold duly certified letters from their employers that their release from naval service is an urgent necessity?

Every case of an accountant officer is decided on its merits, and if the officer is urgently required to return to immediate civil employment, and himself wishes to take up such employment, he is released if it is at all possible for the Service to spare him. It should be remembered, however, that practically all accountant officers are now actually employed on duties connected with demobilisation. They are, in effect, demobilisers and pivotal men for the naval Service, and there is great difficulty therefore in releasing them in any considerable number while the demobilisation of the Navy is in progress. The position, however, is becoming clearer, and it is hoped to release these officers more freely and in increasing numbers in future.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who attested in 1915 in Territorial units have preference over men who attested at the same time but not at a Territorial depot, although both are serving in the same Territorial unit; and, if so, whether he will take steps to have this rectified?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend refers to preference in demobilisation. If such is the case, the determining factor is whether a man joined for immediate service after being, attested, and his position as regards priority for demobilisation is not affected by the place of his attestation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Territorial Force officers and men of long service have been sent to do garrison duty overseas long after the cessation of hostilities; and, if so, whether, in view of the Government's promise that all Territorials should be brought home at the earliest possible moment, he will take steps to have these officers and men demobilised at the earliest possible moment?

Only such officers and men as have volunteered or are eligible for retention under Army Order 55 of 1919 have been drafted overseas since the publication of that Army Order. A small number of personnel eligible for demobilisation may have been sent to France between the signing of the Armistice and the date on which the Army Order was issued. Such as are eligible for demobilisation are being demobilised as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service and transport facilities permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Corporal J. B. Barnes, No. 8135, 45th Division, Signal Company, Trimalgherry, Deccan, India, joined the Army as a volunteer on 19th February, 1907, for seven years with the Colours and five years with the Reserve, but agreeing to serve one year extra beyond the seas, was in India on completion of seven years; whether he would in ordinary course have returned to civil life in February, 1915; whether he went to India 20th September, 1907, and served in many places and in German East Africa; if he is aware that the sending home of men who have been in India only two years, many of whom have done no fighting, is causing discontent amongst men of the class of Corporal Barnes; and will he state whether he will give men who have served abroad so long preference in transport facilities to others who have been in India only a short time?

I am informed that men of short service are not being sent home from India except in the case of pivotal men, demobilisers, special release, or compassionate cases, or men who are non-effective owing to wounds or ill-health. The regulations at present in force provide for a proportion of men of long service overseas being included in each dispersal draft. The soldier referred to cannot be identified from the particulars given, but if my hon. Friend will verify the regimental number and unit I shall be happy to have inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the 62,000 German soldiers engaged on labour work in this country can be transferred to France, in order to effect the demobilisation of the 61,000 British soldiers serving in labour companies, many of whom have been transferred to labour units on account of wounds received in action?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written answer given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for Govan, to the effect that the policy of His Majesty's Government is that these men, except when required for agriculture, shall be transferred to France as soon as arrangements can be made. Ten thousand are shortly leaving for France, and the transfer of the remainder is under consideration. I am having a conference to-morrow on this subject with Sir Douglas Haig and other authorities concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a recruit who joined the Royal Air Force (Wireless Telegraphy) at the age of seventeen years eight months, in September, 1918, voluntarily, and was therefore not eighteen when the Armistice was declared, ought, in consideration of the fact that he was not liable to military service at the date of the Armistice, to be refused his discharge; and, if not, will he approve the discharge of the boy in question, H. F. Thatcher, No. 292830, A. C. 2/1st Wireless School, Hut D 5, Royal Air Force, Flower Down, Winchester?

Airman Thatcher enlisted for the duration of the War, his parents' consent having been obtained. I regret that it is impossible to allow preferential treatment in considering his claim for discharge.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper G. Pennack, No. 192226, 14th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Force, who attested under the Derby scheme, can be favourably considered for immediate demobilisation, in view of the fact that his late enlistment in May, 1916, was entirely due to the refusal of the Postmaster-General to release him for earlier service?

I regret the hon. Member's suggestion cannot be entertained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a special request 6th Corps Signal Company, attached 22nd Army Signal Company, Cologne, was made before the 1st ultimo for the release of Sapper W. J. Mosely, No. 222275, whether the return of this man is urgently required by the postmaster of Aldershot; whether his name appeared on the list of indispensable men supplied by the Secretary of the General Post Office; and whether he will give an assurance that this man shall be released at the earliest possible moment?

Sapper Mosely was registered by the War Office as a demobiliser before the 1st February, and instructions concerning his demobilisation were issued some time ago. Inquiries are being made into the cause of the delay, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that discontent exists among the men attached to the Third Army Signals Headquarters owing to delay in demobilisation; whether he is aware that out of, approximately, fifty operators seven are not employed on operating duties but are attached to a concert party, are doing clerical work, or are employed in the cook house; whether of these fifty men six are married men over forty-two years of age; whether the men in question have been informed that they have been listed for machinery of demobilisation, and that in consequence their return to home duties at the Post Office is not likely to be brought about for a considerable time; whether concert party and cookhouse work warrants their retention in view of the shortage of skilled telegraphists in the telegraph service; and whether, in view of the published statement that men over thirty-seven years of age are to be released, the return of these men can now be arranged?

I am not aware of this, but will make inquiries and inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that large numbers of girls are to be discharged from the Pay Office and so become eligible for unemployment benefit; and if he will consider whether it is possible to release men from this office who have important work awaiting them at home?

Soldiers serving in Pay Offices are being demobilised under the conditions laid down for the Army generally in Army Order 55 of 1919. Their places are being filled by girls, where girl labour is considered suitable, but while the Pay Offices are paying off the Army in course of demobilisation, no wholesale release is practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that J. C. M'Ewan, late lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery, a Canadian farmer, came from Macleod, Alberta, Canada, in 1915, to join up, travelling at his own cost; that he applied, on or about 10th December, 1918, for repatriation, and was demobilised on Form Z7 on 7th January, 1919, since when his pay ceased; that the Repatriation Office were unable to find him transport, and he thereafter found transport for himself and his wife on Saturday, 8th March, 1919, when he sailed; and that the Repatriation Office refused to pay the whole or any part of this transport because it was not secured by them; and whether he will instruct the Repatriation Office at least to refund to M'Ewan whatever sum his and his wife's repatriation by steamer and rail to Macleod, Alberta, would have cost had they been able to secure a transport for them?

Officers and men whose claims to repatriation are approved are allowed to elect for an immediate or a deferred passage. If they elect for a, deferred passage they are informed that passages may not be available for sometime subsequent to the date notified by them as that on which they will be prepared to embark from the United Kingdom, and that no allowances whatever will be granted whilst awaiting passage. If an officer chooses to make his own arrangements, no refund can be given. I am informed that no communication from the officer referred to by my hon. Friend can be traced at the Repatriation Office at Winchester.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Lance-Corporal F. C. Bartlett, No. 235018, is at Killon House Hospital, Worksop, Notts, having been removed there from Warwick War Hospital, Sheffield, suffering from foot injuries; if he was allowed to go home for a Christmas holiday; if letters have been written to the commanding officer asking him to permit Bartlett's removal to a war hospital at Downend, Bristol, which is within a mile of his home, and where his wife and friends could see him; if such letters have not even been acknowledged; and whether, as the commanding officer of the Downend, Bristol, Hospital, has undertaken to accept Bartlett if the transfer is approved, the transfer can now be allowed without further delay?

I regret that my inquiries in this case are not yet complete, but I will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps are being taken to make the huts erected at camps and antiaircraft gun stations available for the urgently needed housing accommodation of farm labourers, and particularly of soldier settlers on the land?

The disposal of military hutting surplus to Army requirements is being carried out by the War Office under the authority of the Disposal Board, Ministry of Munitions. General Officers Commanding-in-Chief of military commands (to whom all applications should be made) are arranging for the sale of such huts in the various localities by advertising locally and inviting tenders. I understand that the huts are as far as practicable sold singly, so that soldier settlers and smallholders may have every opportunity of purchasing them. I am informed that local authorities requiring huts for housing schemes are also given every opportunity to purchase.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the parents of deceased soldiers have been refused the pay books belonging to their sons, thus being compelled to accept any statement that the War Office may give with regard to their sons' credits; and whether he will direct that parents or next-of-kin of deceased soldiers will not only be given their pay books, but that they shall be provided with a proper statement of their accounts?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is in accordance with Army Regulations that the pay books of the soldiers are retained on discharge or demobilisation; whether he is aware that considerable dissatisfaction exists amongst the soldiers in consequence of their inability to check statements as to their credits or indebtedness when made by the regimental paymasters; and whether he will direct that soldiers being discharged or demobilised shall not only have the right to retain their pay book, but shall be supplied with an intelligible statement of their accounts?

The pay books are vouchers to the public accounts and are necessarily retained with them. In the event of a demobilised or discharged soldier or the next of kin of a deceased soldier applying for a statement of account, such statement is furnished and the pay book will be produced for inspection at the appropriate Pay Office if so desired. I am not aware that there is any general dissatisfaction on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the gratuities to which the following officers are entitled after four years' service are Staff lieutenant-colonel £765, Infantry lieutenant-colonel £429, and Royal Engineer lieutenant-colonel £336; if, in calculating the gratuity of the Staff lieutenant-colonel, it is based on the consolidated rate of pay; if such pay includes all allowances; if the gratuities drawn by Infantry and Royal Engineer lieutenant-colonels are based on regimental pay only, excluding all command and corps pay and allowances, and if he will have the order amended by which such distinctions are drawn between the gratuities of all officers of the same rank?

The amounts stated are approximately those due under paragraph 497 of the Pay Warrant to temporary officers of over four years' service. Under that Warrant the gratuities are calculated upon regimental, departmental, or staff pay only, and do not include additional pay of any kind or (except in the case of officers drawing consolidated rates) allowances. This Regulation was made after the South African War as a result of much consideration. It has not perhaps proved in all respects appropriate to the circumstances of the present War. But it would be impossible now to assimilate the gratuities of all officers except by the powers of levelling up to the maxi- mum; and in view of the amounts involved I see no sufficient reason for taking that course.

asked the Secreary of State for War if he is aware of the pledge given to the House that a free travelling pass shall be given to the relatives of our gallant dead so that they may visit the graves of their dear ones; and if he will state when this will be arranged by his Department?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Salford South last Thursday and of which I will send him a copy. The Report referred to has now been received and is being considered, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers of the Reserve of Officers, the Special Reserve, and the Territorial Force are allowed upon return to civil life and retention of their commissions to retain the highest temporary rank of their service if held for six months?

An officer of the Special Reserve or Territorial Force on return to civil life is still holding a commission on the active list, and is not, therefore, eligible to retain the higher temporary rank he may have held for six months until his commission on the active list is terminated. An officer of the Reserve of Officers on relegation to unemployment no longer holds a commission on the active list, and is therefore eligible to retain any higher rank to which he is entitled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in paying the wages of the men of the Army of Occupation in Germany, any allowance is made for the fluctuations in the exchange value of the mark, or whether a fixed rate of exchange is taken as a basis of purchasing value?

An official rate of exchange is fixed monthly under instructions from the Treasury for issues of pay to the troops in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many members of the British Forces are at present reported as missing; and whether steps are still being taken to trace them?

A figure of 64,800 has been given, in answer to recent questions, as the number of "missing" whose fate remains to be determined. It is an approximate figure only, and as evidence of death is received or death is presumed on lapse of time or in the absence of news, the number tends to diminish steadily, but no great change has taken place so far. As regards the last part of the question, it should be remembered that the "missing" have fallen on the field of battle without their fate becoming known to either side, and such information can be best ascertained from the evidence furnished by their surviving comrades and by a search of the site. During the War the wounded were examined in hospital by the Red Cross Society, and since the cessation of hostilities released prisoners are being examined. Much information has been obtained by these methods, though not all of it is conclusive. The battlefields have always been searched as far as possible, and a systematic search is being undertaken by the units of the Director-General of Graves Registration and Inquiries, now that the whole area is open.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is able to give any information as to the whereabouts of Major Samuel Rigg, 5th Border Regiment, who was reported wounded and missing on 25th March, 1918, at Biache, near Peronne, and is believed to be still interned in one of the islands in the Baltic; and whether inquiries as to missing officers and men are still being conducted in Germany?

I regret that I have no further information regarding this officer, who must have died shortly after being wounded. There is no reason to suppose that Major Rigg ever reached Germany as a prisoner of war. Should any information come to light from any source the next-of-kin would be informed at once. As far as I am aware, there is no foundation for the suggestion that prisoners of war have been sent to secret camps in Baltic islands or elsewhere.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many of the 192,440 German prisoners of war that we hold in France died in the month of February?

The number of German prisoners of war in British hands in France who died in the month of February is 547.

, asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office has purchased or intends to purchase the national balloon factory at Finchley with a portion of the land and houses adjacent; and, if the purchase has been completed, will he give the total cost and the use to which it is proposed to put the disused factory and the land and houses purchased?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that when powers were taken to transfer men from their unit to another it was stated that men who voluntarily enlisted in the Royal Army Medical Corps and other Non-Combatant corps would not be transferred to a fighting unit if they held conscientious objections to taking life; whether he is aware that Cuthbert Morson voluntarily enlisted in 1915 in the ⅔rd East Anglian Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, signing the foreign service document expressing his willingness to serve with any unit or corps with the Royal Army Medical Corps; that he was transferred to Egypt in 1917, and in October, 1918, was transferred against his wishes to the ¼th Northampton Regiment, his number being 205603; that this man is serving a sentence for refusing to discharge his duties; and whether he will make an inquiry into this case with a view to this man being given the advantage of the promise made?

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give directions that suitable accommodation may be supplied for ex-officers, ex-non-commissioned officers, and ex-soldiers of the Brigade of Guards, with their friends, to view the march of the Guards through London on the 22nd instant?

As far as possible, ex-officers and other ranks of the Brigade of Guards will be accommodated in the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the grave concern that is felt by many of the relations of officers and men who die whilst serving in the Army of Occupation in Germany and are now buried in German soil; and whether he will take such steps as will enable the relations to move the bodies to the United Kingdom or Allied soil either now or at some convenient time?

This question is receiving consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will furnish the names of all officers and ex-officers now working at Chepstow, giving the nature of their present employment and of their former employment when in civil life?

I have been asked to answer this question. The information desired is being compiled, and if the hon. Member will put down a question for written reply early next week I shall hope to be in a position to supply it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he can furnish a statement as to the number of casualties in munition factories during the War, distinguishing between fatal and non-fatal, and showing the number of persons according to sex concerned in each class of casualty?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 25th February to a question from the hon. Member for Smethwick (Mr. John Davison). I am having a Return prepared of the number of fatal accidents in national munition factories since the Ministry of Munitions assumed responsibility.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in view of the reduction in the production of munitions, it has been found possible to reduce the office staff of his Department; and, if so, to what extent?

Since the date of the Armistice the headquarters staff of the Ministry of Munitions has been reduced from 25,144 to 16,712. This represents a reduction of 8,432 persons of whom 2,541 were transferred to the Resettlement and Demobilisation Department of the Ministry of Labour, and 5,891 have been discharged.

asked the Food Controller if he will endeavour to grant a greater supply of cheese to mining districts; is he aware that bread and cheese is the staple diet of miners; and that there is a shortage in South Wales?

Special provision for the needs of miners has been made from the limited supplies of cheese now available, and, in addition, monthly allot- ments of cheese are placed at the disposal of the Divisional Food Commissioners, in order to meet special demands in mining-and other industrial areas. Arrangements for some additional supplies to the South Wales area will, it is expected, be made very shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, having regard to the importance of public libraries from an educational point of view, he is aware that a number of these useful institutions have already been closed and that others are also in danger of being closed owing to the restrictions of the penny rate and the reduction of the purchasing power of money; and whether he can see his way to treat public libraries as educational institutions and to make Grants to those in need of the same until such time as legislation has been passed to remove the restrictions imposed by the penny rate?

The relation of public libraries and library provision generally to the public educational system is under my consideration, but I am not in a position to make any statement upon the matter at present.

asked the President of the Board of Education if it is proposed to introduce shortly a national scale of salaries for teachers; if a Committee will be appointed to determine this scale; and if upon such Committee the uncertificated teachers of the country will have direct representation?

The hon. Member's question raises issues of great complexity and difficulty, and I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject. In any case the time is not, in my opinion, ripe for such action as he suggests, and I have no reason to believe that it would be welcomed by teachers.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Gunner W. Lakin, No. 147962, 74th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, was buried at Aligarth about 8th December, 1918, in a native cemetery, without military honours; and, in view of Lakin's twenty-three years' service with the Colours and Reserve, what action the Department proposes to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the widow of Gunner W. Lakin, No. 147962, 74th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery, has been officially notified of her husband's death; and whether his pay, bounty, and gratuity have been sent to her?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am informed that Mrs. Lakin was notified of the death of her husband in December last. I am having inquiry made as to whether any further details have been received from India, and also as to the last part of the hon. Member's question. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies which of the self-governing Dominion Governments have passed legislation to exclude or regulate the admission of alien enemies to their respective countries, and to repatriate those who, whether interned or uninterned, are resident therein; and will he explain shortly what are the provisions of such legislation?

The Secretary of State has no information as to such legislation having been passed in any of the self-governing Dominions. The Canadian Government are taking action under the Canadian War Measures Act to remove from Canada any interned aliens of enemy nationality considered dangerous, hostile or undesirable persons to reside in Canada. Arrangements are being made, so far as shipping facilities permit, for the repatriation from the British oversea Dominions to their own countries of alien enemies who desire to be repatriated.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the 10 per cent. increase in rent, as is proposed by the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill, will necessitate the reassessment of the property?

Reassessment will not automatically follow. The question whether any alteration is necessary in the rateable value of a house on account of as increase in rent is one for the assessment authority.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, in Northallerton, a company has bought a block of property with a view of pulling it down and erecting a cinema; that this property consists of a shop and thirteen cottages, ten of which are occupied; that three cottages have been kept empty since the last tenants left; whether building material and labour will be allowed for such a project; and whether, in view of the great shortage of housing accommodation in the town, he can approach the local authority on the matter?

My right hon. Friend has no information in regard to the matter, and the Local Government Board has no jurisdiction in regard to it, nor, as far as I am aware, has the local authority. I am, however, sending a copy of the question to the local authority.

asked the President of the Local Government Board if he has received any requests from boards of guardians for contributions towards relieving wives and children of soldier deserters; and, if so, what response does he propose to make and what steps are taken to punish the deserters?

My right hon. Friend is receiving a certain number of resolutions on this subject from boards of guardians, and proposes to communicate their effect to the Army Council. The matter is not one in which the Local Government Board could take any direct action. The punishment to be inflicted upon a deserter from the Army is primarily a military matter.

asked the President of the Local Government Board (1) if he has received a resolution that was passed at a conference of delegates interested in public libraries held on Thursday, the 13th instant; whether he is aware that fifty-one public authorities have already obtained special Acts to enable them to exceed the penny rate; that four others are applying for the same facilities; and that 138 others are supporting the Library Association movement for the removal of the present rate limit; whether he is aware that this rate limit prevents a number of small public authorities from providing public libraries; and whether he can now see his way to grant facilities which will enable public authorities to continue their useful work in connection with public libraries;(2) whether he is aware that a number of public libraries have been closed by public authorities because it has been found impossible to maintain them upon the present restricted 1d. rate for libraries; whether he is aware that this limitation prevents the payment of an adequate scale of salaries to librarians and their staffs, and the proper upkeep of the buildings and the repair and renewal of the books; whether, having regard to the serious position in which public authorities now find themselves, he will take steps to remove the present limit upon the library rate, or consider the advisability of making a Grant-in-Aid to those public library authorities which are now in financial difficulties, so as to prevent more public libraries being closed?

My right hon. Friend has received a copy of the resolution referred to in the first question, and he is aware of the fact that a number of local authorities have obtained powers by local Acts passed in the last twelve or fifteen years to increase the amount of the library rate. But as stated in reply to a question of the hon. Member for Elland on the 3rd instant, my right hon. Friend has no indication of a widespread desire among local authorities for a general alteration of the rate, which would require legislation. My right hon. Friend does not think he can propose a Grant-in-Aid from imperial funds as suggested in the question. As the hon. Member is aware, it is proposed by the Ministry of Health Bill that the powers with respect to public libraries should be transferred from the new Department.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a petition has been received by the Scottish Board of Agriculture from ninety crofters, cottars, and discharged Service men resident in Portskerra and Melvis, Sutherland-shire, requesting that immediate steps should be taken to enlarge their present holdings and pasturages; whether he is aware that there are two contiguous farms, Kirkton and Bighouse, held on yearly tenancies, and admirably suited to meet the required extension; and whether any steps have been taken to meet the request of these discharged Service men and crofters?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which appears in today's Official Report to a question on the same subject by the hon. Baronet the Member for Caithness and Sutherland.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware that a petition was sent to the Board of Agriculture last year from certain kelp workers in Orkney praying for the modification of the terms under which kelp is worked; and if he will take into consideration the desirability of paying fair compensation to the landlords for their rights in the foreshores, and enable the kelp workers to obtain more favourable terms?

The Board of Agriculture for Scotland have had occasion to consider numerous communications from Orkney complaining of the rate of remuneration paid to kelp workers, but they have no power to take action in regard to these workers' wages. The question of promoting the kelp industry is engaging the attention of the Board.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he is aware of the inequalities which exist in the terms of service for police constables in Scotland as compared with the terms of service for police constables in England, especially the inequalities as regards pensions, allowances, and gratuities; and if he will say what steps he proposes to take to remove these inequalities, in respect of which a Select Committee of the House of Commons reported in 1901 that there should not be so great a difference in the attractions provided by the English as against the Scottish police service?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The matters referred to come within the terms of reference of the Committee recently appointed by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, whose inquiry will extend to the Scottish as well as the English police.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any steps have been taken to constitute a Ministry of Health in Egypt, as urged by a recent Committee of Inquiry?

Administrative changes of considerable importance are already taking place on the lines recommended by the Committee of Inquiry, and other steps are under consideration, but the expansion of the Department of Public Health to the full extent urged by the Committee requires further examination by the authorities concerned.