asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that an order has recently been issued to the effect that seamen and Royal Marines over six months' seniority are to be allowed to turn over to stokers, first class, with seniority to count; whether he is also aware that the practice has hitherto been that a man has to enter the service as a stoker, second class, and to complete twelve months' training before he can be advanced to stoker, first class, and further that a stoker is not considered efficient before he has completed at least three years of service as stoker; is he also aware that the new order is creating dissatisfaction in the stokers' branch, seeing that, unless modified, serious accidents are likely to happen for which the chief petty officers in charge will be held responsible, badges will be lost, and financial deductions made; and whether, in view of the facts stated, he will consider the advisability of reconsidering the order?

Transfers of seamen and Royal Marines to stoker ratings have been authorised to meet a shortage of the latter ratings, and in order not to discourage such transfers men are not required to pass through the grade of stoker, second class, but are to be rated acting stoker, first class. Such men will not, however, be confirmed as stoker, first class, until they have obtained the professional qualifications for that rating. Until they are qualified their drafting and employment will be under the same conditions as have hitherto applied to stokers, second class, and there is no ground for the fears of serious accidents referred to in the third part of my hon. Friend's ques- tion. I may add that orders which are being issued provide for the advancement of all stokers, second class, now serving to the rating acting stoker, first class.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a stoker is not qualified for a first-class stoker until he has had three or four years experience?

I say that until they are qualified their drafting and employment will be under the same conditions as stokers, second class.

What is the good of the rule?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if overtime is now worked at any Admiralty establishments; and, if so, upon what kind of work?

Partial, as distinct from general, overtime is being worked in a number of establishments on work of an urgent character, and in cases where such overtime could not be avoided by employing more men.

I may say that on 22nd February we issued an Instruction as follows:

"While recognising the fact that it is not practicable to abandon entirely the system of working overtime on special work, it is particularly desired that every effort should be made to substitute ordinary time-work for overtime, where naval requirements permit. By this means it may be found possible to reduce discharges."

Is there any possibility of working the men in two shifts, which would obviate overtime?

There is no overtime which if stopped would mean the employment of more men. What I have just read shows that we have already given instructions to avoid overtime.

asked whether, just before the War, a Committee under Vice-Admiral Thursby was appointed to consider the future of the accountant rank; whether one of the recommendations of that Committee was that the promotion of junior accountant officers should be brought more into line with that of the executive officers; and will he say what steps have been taken to carry this recommendation into effect, and with what result?

As the answer to my hon. Friend's question is somewhat lengthy, I will, if I may, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Is it a favourable answer?

I think even my hon. and gallant Friend will agree that it is a favourable answer.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if war gratuities to temporary naval medical officers will be on the same scale as those to temporary officers of the R.N.R. and R.N.V.R.; and, if not, would he state the reasons for differential treatment?

Following the practice of the Army, the war gratuities of temporary naval medical officers holding the rank of surgeon-lieutenant are at the rates of £60 and £50 for each year or part of a year's service for officers of the medical and dental branches respectively. The war gratuities of temporary medical officers above the rank of surgeon-lieutenant are based on their pay, and are on the same scale as those of other temporary officers, R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. The reason for the differentiation is that temporary surgeon-lieutenants are on special rates of pay, whilst those above that rank are on Service rates.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to reply to the letter sent to him on 13th January last by the hon. Member for the Plaistow Division of West Ham, asking for inquiry to be made with a view to increasing the wages of munition transport workers in the Admiralty Department, Inverness; if the delay in dealing with the application is causing dissatisfaction among the workers concerned; and if he will state the reason no reply has been given?

Some correspondence between the Admiralty and the Senior Naval Officer, Inverness, has been necessary in connection with this matter. A decision will be arrived at and a reply will be sent to my hon. Friend within a few days.

asked the Minister of Labour how many officers of the Royal Navy have applied to the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour for employment; and how many have secured employment thereby?

The number of regular officers of the Royal Navy (excluding R.N.R. and R.N.V.R.) who have applied for employment on discharge from the Navy is thirty-seven, of whom nine have been placed. In addition, civil employment forms have been received from ninety-five officers of the Royal Navy who are still serving.

asked the Minister of Labour what is the number of the applications of officers and men with which the Appointments Board has dealt?

Since its establishment in April of last year the Appointments Department has received 178,531 applications, including 157,537 civil employment forms from officers and men of similar education in His Majesty's Forces. These applications by officers and men include—

(1) Claims for priority of release to resume interrupted civil employment or training.

(2) Applications to have appointments or training found for them.

The total number of inquiries answered and advisory interviews given by officers of the Department is approximately 195,000.

Can the hon. Member say how many of those officers and men have been found appointments by the Ministry of Labour?

That is not in the question, but if the hon. Member will put it down I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the out-of-work donation payable to women ceases on their marriage; and, if so, is the procedure in regard to its cessation the same in all districts?

Out-of-work donation payable to women does not cease on their marriage, provided that they continue to fulfil the prescribed conditions. The right to donation in any particular case would be determined by a Court of Referees, and I am not aware that there is any difference in the procedure in the various districts.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the referees are ever consulted in this matter?

If the hon. Member means collectively, I would not like to say that they are, but they certainly are individually.

Are all the cases brought before the referees, or only the cases in regard to which there is some dispute?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in some districts they are very lax and that in others they are very strict?

If the hon. Member will give me particulars, I will inquire into it.

asked the Minister of Labour why £1,200,000 a week is paid in out-of-work donations while there are industries seriously crippled for want of labour, and in view of the number of situations in domestic service waiting to be filled?

The vacancies notified to the Employment Exchanges do not indicate that there are industries which are seriously crippled for want of labour; in fact, in practically every occupation the number of workpeople unemployed exceeds the demand. With regard to domestic service vacancies, the demand exceeds the numbers of applicants who register for domestic work, but no opportunity is lost of offering domestic work to any applicant who from her previous record appears suitable for that kind of employment.

Does my hon. Friend really mean to suggest that there are not a very large number of employers in the country who are absolutely crying out for labour?

I mean to suggest that we have not had applications for them.

Has not the hon. Gentleman heard of the very great shortage of agricultural labourers?

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there were 30,000 applications for women in last week's statistics, and that only 7,000 were found places?

It depends upon the kind of work. I said in regard to domestic service that the demands exceed the number of applicants.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that in thousands of cases men and women have refused employment which has been definitely offered to them?

Is the hon. Gentleman also aware that in most of these cases existing trade union rates are not offered?

I have no evidence of the thousands of cases to which the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers. If that evidence is forthcoming, I will certainly look into it.

Has there been any application for employment by the unemployed rich?

asked the Minister of Labour the number of new branches opened in Ireland for the payment of out-of-work donations; whether his attention has been drawn to the misapplication of the out-of-work donation throughout the country; whether people are leaving their employment and successfully claiming this out-of-work donation in Ireland; and will he consider the advisability of holding an inquiry into the abuse and waste of public money?

In reply to the first part of the question, the number of new branch offices opened in Ireland to deal with the payment of out-of-work donation is two, but it has been necessary to take additional premises in sixteen places where Employment Exchanges already existed With regard to the remaining parts of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. and learned Member for York on the 17th February last, and to the announcements in the public Press with regard to the modification of the scheme in its application to Ireland.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that at one of these branches in the South of Ireland over 2,000 persons are participating in this out-of-work donation and that only 220 of these are genuine cases, and does he not think an inquiry is necessary into this abuse of public money?

The hon. Member makes an assertion which I have no means of checking. If he will send me particulars, I will have the matter looked into at once.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Salford Board of Guardians have refused an application made by their officers for a war bonus on the scale laid down by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Government Employés; and whether he will take steps in accordance with the request of the employés to have the matter referred to arbitration as was done in connection with a similar application of the staff employed by the Brighton Board of Guardians?

The Department is in communication with the Salford Board of Guardians, and has been informed by the clerk to the board that the matter has been referred to a committee consisting of all the members of the board for consideration. Before the Department can refer the matter to arbitration it is necessary to obtain the consent of both parties to such a course of action.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a dressmaking board is being set up; what will be the functions of this body; and what will be the estimated annual cost?

In agreement with the principal associations of employers and workpeople concerned, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour proposes to apply the Trade Boards Acts to the women's clothing trades, including dressmaking. The functions of the contemplated boards will be to fix minimum rates of wages, to regulate conditions of employment in the manner provided by the Acts, and to advise the Government on industrial matters affecting their trades. Expenses and subsistence allowances will be allowed to members of the boards on a scale authorised by the Treasury, but the annual cost will, of course, depend on the number of meetings which the boards find it necessary to hold.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the dressmakers in the West of London are ready to employ any number of women and cannot obtain them?

I do not think that question arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the date in 1918 on which the draft agreement of the Gezira concession was approved; the general reasons for approving this draft agreement while the serious charges and allegations, made in 1917 and 1918 by the responsible official concerned, were pending; if he will lay upon the Table of the House the draft of the Gezira agreement approved in 1918; and if it is proposed to ratify the agreement?

A draft agreement was prepared in October, 1917, but was never approved, owing to the inability of the Sudan Government to arrange terms under the conditions then prevailing. The remainder of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of men serving with the Colours whose Colour service was not completed at the signing of the Armistice?

The total number of men with Colour service incomplete at the signing of the Armistice was 99,500. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 of these were non-effective so far as further useful military service is concerned. The number also included about 30,000 warrant officers and N.C.O's. At the present time the number has fallen to 89,000 approximately, including 20,000 non-effective and 21,000 due for discharge within twelve months, leaving 48,000 with one or more year's Colour service to complete, of whom 17,000 are warrant officers and N.C.O's. and 31,000 are privates.

May I ask if the Colour service is reckoned as seven, eight or twelve years?

It depends upon their service. Those serving on the basis of seven years would require a prolongation of one year. Others have already finished their twelve years and are continuing in the Service for a pension of twenty-one years. The periods are various.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what number of motor vehicles the existing plant for the Slough factory provides; whether large numbers of machine tools and plant are being installed in the factory; if so, what the expenditure on machine tools and plant is estimated at; for what purpose they will be used; having regard to the manufacturing facilities already existing in this country; if they are included in the Estimate of £1,665,000 for the factory; if not, from what credits such expenditure will be drawn; what number of motor lorries, private vehicles, and motor bicycles the War Department expects to keep on its permanent establishment; and whether the plant of the Slough factory will be modified to correspond to the numbers of vehicles and bicycles so kept, having regard to the fact that many of these vehicles will necessarily be housed and maintained in different parts of the country and not at a central depot?

I will announce the decision of the Government on this matter to-morrow.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give consideration to the claims of non-commissioned officers who responded to Lord Kitchener's appeal for instructors for the New Armies, though medically unfit for service in the field, for some recognition of their services?

I fear it is not possible to give special recognition in this case.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there are any means available for the payment of a small remuneration to the secretaries of sub-pensions committees over the country; and if he is aware that this office has been worked as an honorary one, but that the work has increased so much that there is a growing feeling in these committees that some small remuneration should be made to the secretaries of subcommittees who are acting under the county committee in each county?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The payment of salary to the secretary of a sub-committee is within the discretion of the county committee, and at the present time a considerable number of these secretaries are in receipt of salaries.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any further progress has been made as regards allowing relatives to visit the graves of our heroes in France and Belgium; has any Committee yet been set up in order to make suitable arrangements and, if so, who are its members; and can he give any approximate date as to when the first visits for this object can be made from this country?

As I stated yesterday the Report of the Committee set up to consider this matter has now been received, and is being considered, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement shortly. The Committee was constituted as follows:—

Major-General Fabian Ware, C.B., C.M.G., Director-General of Graves Registration and Inquiries (Chairman).

Mr. F. Warren, Young Men's Christian Association (Secretary).

The following organisations were represented on the Committee:—

The British Red Cross Society.

Young Men's Christian Association.

Young Women's Christian Association.

Salvation Army.

Church Army.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state when the temporary buildings erected for his Department on the Victoria Embankment Gardens will be given up, so that the gardens may be returned to their original use; and will it be possible to give them up so that the public can use these gardens during the coming summer months?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that no material reduction in the number of the staff occupying these buildings is possible in the near future. I am, consequently, unable to comply with the request in the last part of the hon. Member's question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman point out any Government Department in which any substantial reduction of the staff has taken place recently?

Oh, yes; there are some in that category.

asked the Secretary of State for War if arrangements have been made to give Members of Parliament and their wives facilities for witnessing the Guards' procession on Saturday next?

By the courtesy of the Trustees of the National Gallery, seating accommodation for a limited number will be reserved for Members of both Houses of Parliament in front of the National Gallery. It is anticipated that the accommodation available for the House of Commons will be about 300 seats. Admission will be by ticket, and Members of the House of Commons may obtain tickets up to six o'clock on Friday evening from the Speaker's Secretary.

Will there be any covering to the stand?

I hope we shall have fair weather.

asked the Prime Minister when the Dope Inquiry is likely to be completed, and whether, if the complete. Report is likely to be delayed beyond three months, he will ask that an interim Report be issued?

This Report is of necessity postponed by the absence in Paris of Lord Sumner, but I hope that it will not be long delayed.

Does that mean it will be issued within the next three months?

I hope so. I have discussed the matter with Lord Sumner himself, and he tells me they have made good progress.

asked the Prime Minister whether the German ships in Chilean waters have been allocated to the United States; whether German ships in Uruguayan and Peruvian waters have also passed to the control of the United States; if he is aware that British ships have been withdrawn by the British Government from the South American trade, and that the United States is thus supplanting Great Britain in that important trade.; and whether a more equitable arrangement can be made?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The arrangements for securing that enemy vessels in neutral ports shall be delivered to the Associated Governments and for their management have been made by the Associated Governments in concert, with a view to the vessels being brought into use most speedily and conveniently for the prescribed purpose. Under these arrangements the United States will be responsible for taking the necessary action in regard to enemy vessels in neutral South American ports. It is clearly understood that this use of the ships is without prejudice to their ultimate disposition, and that in the discussion of their ultimate disposition no argument will be founded on their allocation for management or service in the meantime.

What is the reason for allocating these big ships entirely to America?

It has been found that the United States is the most convenient country to have the handling of these vessels.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps are contemplated with a view to compelling insurance companies to reinstate on equitable terms all insurance policies which had been in existence for five years previous to the outbreak of war and which have since lapsed owing to the inability of soldiers, sailors, and their dependants to meet the premiums?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I am not aware of any application having been made to the Court to lapse a policy to which the provisions of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, apply. As regards insurance policies, which do not fall within the provisions of that Act, but have been in existence for a period of five years, and upon which the premiums have been paid, it is the general practice of insurance companies to allow a surrender value in respect of the premiums paid or grant a fully paid up policy on receiving an application from the policy holder.

Is there any power to compel companies to give that facility in the event of their refusing it?

I am not quite sure, but I will make inquiry and let my hon. Friend know.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the extensive German propaganda now being carried out in the United States of America; and what steps, if any, are being taken to see that the result of this propaganda does not become detrimental to British interests?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Acton on the 6th instant.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the extensive film propaganda now being carried on in the Argentine Republic by the United States Government; and what steps, if any, are being taken to see that the resources of the British Empire are placed before the people of this friendly Republic by the same methods as those now adopted by the United States Government?

I would refer the hon. Member to the replies to him on the 20th and 27th of February, and on 3rd and 6th of March, and to the hon. Member for Nottingham (East) on 10th March, which will be found completely to cover the ground of his present question.

Is it not possible to inform this House what the Government is doing with regard to propaganda in these countries? It is a very serious question.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to compensate British firms and individuals for the losses they have sustained by the destruction of property in Roumania ordered by the British Government for national purposes?

The destruction of property in Roumania was carried out by the order and with the authority of the Roumanian Government for the purposes of national defence, and all claims for compensation by the owners of such property should be made against that Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the advantage of publishing Professor Oman's valuable book on the commencement of the War in a more convenient form than that of an official Blue Book, which is inconvenient to read and unsuitable for binding?

The first edition of Professor Oman's "Narrative of the Outbreak of the War, "though it has had a very wide and gratifying sale is still far from exhausted. Should the demand be such as to render the issue of a second edition desirable the Foreign Office will gladly consider the question of reprinting the narrative and issuing it in octavo form.

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any objection to stating what were the terms of the reference to the Commission appointed at the Peace Conference to report on the subject of indemnities and reparations; what were the terms of the Report of the Commission; and whether there is any special reason for departing from the precedent established by another Commission which has already reported on the subject of a League of Nations?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on the 13th February, which was as follows:—

"The British delegates on the Commission are definitely instructed to claim an indemnity which will include the costs of the war as well as damage actually inflicted, and the Commission are now considering the amount to be claimed, the method in which payment can be made, and the means of enforcing payment."

As the Commission has not yet reported, the last part of the question does not arise.

Have the Commission ever asked for fresh instructions?

No, never.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that he has now definitely refused to remove the restrictions on clubs, he can name a date when these restrictions will be removed, in accordance with his promise of 16th December last?

No, Sir, I am sorry that I cannot name any date.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many resident local inspectors of fisheries or assistant inspectors the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have appointed for Wales; what are the scientific, technical, or other qualifications of the gentlemen appointed; whether the appointments are temporary or permanent; what is the salary attached to the posts; whether either of these inspectors has any knowledge of the Welsh language; and what duties they perform that could not equally well be carried out by the local statutory authorities?

Two assistant inspectors have been appointed for Wales. These appointments, which carry a salary of £250 a year, are temporary. One of them speaks Welsh, and both are intimately connected with local fishery interests. It would be difficult to give a detailed account of their qualifications and duties in an oral answer. The latter neither conflict with nor can be carried out by the local statutory authorities. I will send the hon. Member a statement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have declined to approve of the mussel-cleansing tanks erected by the the Lancashire and Western Local Sea Fisheries Committee at Barmouth and Aberdovey; if so, will the Board publish the bacteriological reports or evidence on which their adverse decision was arrived at; whether the Board are taking steps to prevent the sale of mussels which have been treated in these tanks; and, if not, what is the precise effect of the Board's action in this matter?

The Board have declined to give their approval to any period of deposit for cleansing in these tanks, but they do not propose to publish the evidence upon which their decision was based. They do not consider that mussels from these tanks should be put on the market with a certificate of purity to which they are not entitled, nor do they consider that these mussels should be sold for human consumption.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Salford Guardians have refused to grant to their officers a war bonus on the scale laid down in the awards of the Conciliation and Arbitration Board of the 9th July and 8th November, 1918; and whether he will approach the board of guardians on the matter?

My right hon. Friend is aware of the difference which arose between the Salford guardians and their officers on the subject of war bonus. He has asked the guardians to reconsider their refusal to submit the difference to arbitration, and he understands that they have referred the matter to a committee, but he has not yet learnt the results of the further consideration given to the subject.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in the case of the assistant sanitary and water inspector appointed the week before last by the Oswestry Town Council, the Council took steps to circulate particulars of the post which was vacant through the Labour Exchange Bureaux throughout the country so that ex-Service men might have the opportunity of applying?

My right hon. Friend has not the information asked for, but he has communicated with the town council, and will acquaint the hon. and gallant Member with the result.

I will put down this and the next question for this day week.

asked the President of the Local Government Board what is the death rate for miners between the ages of twenty-five and fifty-five; and what is the average male death rate throughout England and Wales for the same age period?

The hon. Member's question refers to "miners." I take it that "coal-miners" are intended. The death rate "varies for different age groups. The age group asked for is one of thirty years. Calculated on the three years 1910–12, the death rate per 1,000 for "all males" for the thirty years of age group 25–55 is 24·9; that for the age group 25–35 is only 14·4; for 35–45 it is 24·0; it rises in the 45–55 age group to 44·0. The corresponding rate for "all miners" for the 25–55 age group is 21·0 and for the three subdivisions of this age group 13·3, 20·4, 38·4. For "coal-miners" for the age group 25–55 the death rate is 20·7, and for the three sub-divisions 13·2, 20·1, and 38·0. These figures show that in the age group 25–55 years and for each sub-division of it the death rate for "coal miners" is lower than the corresponding rate for "all miners" and for "all miners" the death rates are lower than for "all males." The actual figures have been obtained from the Registrar-General's office and the calculations are based on his figures.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether, as stated by Mr. Smillie at the Coal Commission, the infantile mortality of the United Kingdom generally is 5 per cent.—that is 50 per 1,000—while the infantile mortality in mining districts is 160 per 1,000, and what are the latest official figures under each head; and, if figures for the mining districts as a whole are not obtainable, what are the figures for some of the principal mining areas?

It is customary to state the infantile mortality rate not as a percentage, but as deaths per 1,000 births. The Registrar-General reports that the infantile mortality rates, per 1,000 births for the United Kingdom and for England and Wales for the years 1915, 1916, and 1917 were as follows:

May I ask the Leader of the House whether, in view of the substantial difference between these figures and those put before the Coal Commission, he would not think it desirable to let the official figures be submitted to Mr. Justice Sankey.

I must confess I was not listening very attentively to the answer. I shall consider the question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether industrial insurance policies are excluded from protectection under the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act of 1914, in those cases where any arrears of premiums existed on 4th August, 1914?

The Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1914, applies to life or endowment policies for an amount not exceeding £25, or payments equivalent thereto, the premiums in respect of which are payable at not longer than monthly intervals and have been paid for at least two years preceding the 4th August, 1914. The question raised by my hon. Friend appears to involve an interpretation of the Act which can only be decided by the Courts.

asked the Home Secretary, with reference to the Government inquiry into industrial insurance, whether he will widen the terms of reference to include the terms and conditions of service of all grades of the outdoor staffs of life offices and to secure a direct representative of the agents and collectors on the Committee of Inquiry?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The terms of reference to the Committee to be appointed to inquire into the question of industrial assurance have not yet been finally settled. The suggestion of the hon. Member that the inquiry should include the terms and conditions of service of all grades of the outdoor staffs of industrial life offices shall receive consideration. As regards the concluding part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 12th March to a question asked by the hon. Member for Wednesbury.