asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has arrived at a decision which he can communicate to the House regarding filling the vacancies in the Indian Civil Service which have accrued owing to the reduction in the number of places offered for competition during the War; and whether the contemplated Committee to report on the qualifications of candidates has been appointed?

Rules have been made by the Secretary of State in Council with the advice and assistance of the Civil Service Commissioners under the Indian Civil Service (Temporary Provisions) Act of 1915, and have been laid before Parliament, for the appointment to the Indian Civil Service of British subjects who have during the War served with His Majesty's Naval, Military, or Air Forces. I shall be glad to send the hon. Member a copy of the Rules. The Rules provide that candidates who pass the qualifying examination as therein prescribed will appear before a Selection Board, who will make recommendations to the Secretary of State in Council. The Selection Board will be appointed by the Civil Service Commissioners. It has not yet been constituted.

asked the Secretary for India whether he can make any further communication to the House regarding the position at Cabul?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made yesterday in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Elland Division.

asked whether the Governor-General in Council possesses powers to restrain newspapers conducted by Christian missionaries from publishing matter offensive to Mahomedans; and, if so, why such powers are not exercised, so as to avoid the incidence upon private persons of the expense and trouble of legal proceedings?

Under the Indian Press Act the local Government has the same powers over the whole Press. It is, of course, for the local Government to decide in any particular case whether the powers should be exercised, and I am sure that the House will agree that newspaper articles which tend to offend racial or religious susceptibilities cannot be too highly deprecated.

asked whether the Government of India, in view of the unreality of the opposition offered to the Rowlatt Commission Bills becoming law, have considered the advice tendered by the Hon. Mr. Mitter, in the Bengal Legislative Council, that the merchants and traders in the rural areas who have suffered should be consulted on the question?

The advice was not tendered to the Bengal Government, but to a member of the Legislative Council. The Government of India may be assumed to have informed themselves of the opinion of this section of the rural community.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there is any truth in the description of the opposition offered to these Bills as being unreal in view of the fact that the Indian members of the Legislative Council are unanimous in their opposition?

I think the Indian members of the Council may be sincere in their opposition.

asked the Secretary of State for India, considering that three out of the five mail steamers sailing from India in March and the beginning of April are cargo boats without any accommodation for passengers, and that the greater part of the accommodation on those two remaining steamers has already been commandeered by the Admiralty, what steps are being taken to provide accommodation for the very large number of people, especially women and children, who have been stranded in India during the War, before the commencement of the monsoon in June next?

the provision of sufficient accommodation for the very large number of persons now in India, especially the women, the children, and the sick, whose repatriation before the commencement of the monsoon is urgently necessary, has been for some months the subject of anxious consultation between the Secretary of State and the Ministry of Shipping. It is believed that the arrangements now made will provide for all urgent cases. Additional steamers have been allotted to the Bombay run by the Ministry of Shipping, and the largest of these, the steamship "Ormonde," will leave Bombay next month with about 1,000 passengers. The regular steamship lines are actively co-operating, and the smaller boats of the British India and P. and O. Companies have arranged to carry about an extra 250 passengers each. The R.I.M. Steamship "Dufferin" is being fitted up to carry some 500 passengers, and certain prize ships will be similarly employed. All available accommodation in ambulance transports running between India and Marseilles is also being used for the conveyance of ordinary passengers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many of these ships have been placed on this service, and whether any of the Royal Indian Marine ships have been used for this purpose?

As I said in the reply, one of the Royal Indian Marine ships is being fitted up to carry 500 passengers. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give notice of the other part of the question I will inquire.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the recent Army Order 326, of 1918, with reference to the time for qualifying for the Territorial Force efficiency medal, it is the intention of the Admiralty to extend the same condition of qualification for the grant of the Royal Naval Reserve and Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve long-service medal and decoration?

Yes, Sir. The Admiralty have decided in principle to extend paragraph 1 of Army Order 326, of 1918, to the Naval Service, An announcement on the subject will be made shortly.

asked whether it has as yet been found possible to sweep up any portion of the Northern mine barrage; and by what date it is expected to complete this work?

This work will be commenced shortly. The nature of the work is such that fine weather is essential, and consequently no estimated date can be given as to its completion.

Is this work being carried out by His Majesty's Navy or by contractors?

I should say off-hand that it is part of the duty of our own mine-sweeping service. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman will put a question on the Paper.

asked if the Regulations governing the placing of officers of the Royal Navy on half-pay were suspended during the War; and, if so, whether this system can be continued permanently?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, so far as officers below the rank or relative rank of Flag officer are concerned. Officers of Flag rank and officers reverting to unemployment at their own request are still, however, placed on half-pay. The whole question of half-pay after the War is now under the consideration of a Committee.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can indicate the names and rank of the officers who are inquiring into and compiling the official Report of the Battle of Jutland; will the evidence of witnesses be taken; and will the official Report follow the lines of the Trafalgar Inquiry, Report in respect to the publication of extracts from logs, signal logs, and diagrams?

Captain John E. T. Harper, M.V.O., R.N., has been attached to the War Staff for the purpose of collecting from official records the narrative of the Battle of Jutland. He has a number of officers under him, rendering assistance in the compilation.

I am advised that no point has arisen yet on which oral evidence is required, and, as stated by the First Lord last Wednesday, the question of publication of the narrative will be considered when it is completed. If it is published, any extracts from logs and signal logs, and diagrams forming a necessary part of the narrative, will be published also.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that disabled men who have under gone the first period of their training in electrical engineering under Scheme 2, Report M5/xvii. of the Ministry of Labour or a technical institute, are entered as unskilled labourers in His Majesty's Dockyard, Portsmouth, and at unskilled rates, whereas disabled men similarly trained and entered in private yards to complete their training at the scheduled rate of payment as set out in Report M 5/xvii., namely, 2s. 6d. a week above labourers' rate in the trade, and if the Admiralty will give immediate facilities in His Majesty's Dockyards for the training of disabled men under Schemes I. and II., M 5/xv. and M 5/xvii., according to the arrangements made by the Shipbuilding and Engineering Trade Advisory Committee which have been approved by His Majesty's Government?

I have looked into this matter and find that the endeavour to train these men has been carried on independently of the Report of the Ministry of Labour to which my hon. Friend referred. The provision in that Report which provides for the payment of 2s. 6d. a week above the labourers' rate will be at once applied and will be applied retrospectively. As these men progress they will, of course, be put upon the skilled labourers' scale.

As regards the second part of my hon. Friend's question, it has been approved to adopt the schemes of training referred to in the question, but the instructions in the matter have not yet been issued.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, seeing that acting sick-berth stewards do the same work and have the same responsibilities as active sick-berth stewards, he will say why they are not paid at the same rate?

The acting sick-berth steward belongs to the Sick-berth Reserve, and has, I am advised, neither the training nor knowledge possessed by the Active Service sick-berth steward. He is not therefore expected to perform the same work as the latter.

If the right hon. Gentleman is furnished with evidence that he is doing exactly the same work and has the same responsibility will he look into the matter?

Certainly. I am advised that he is not expected to perform the same sort of work. If the hon. Member will give evidence to the contrary I will go into it.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that men who were members of the St. John's Ambulance Society or the Red Cross Society at the time they joined the Navy as sick-berth attendants were told that the uniforms of either of their societies would be all they required, but that after joining they were ordered to get naval uniform and badges; that they had to pay for these themselves; and whether it is proposed to reimburse these men for this expenditure?

The kit requirements of the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick-berth Reserve attendants are fully set out in the Regulations for their service, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy, and I am advised that no orders have been issued in any way contravening those Regulations. If my hon. Friend has any specific cage in mind, I shall be happy to have it inquired into and will communicate with him. In so far as the men referred to are required to purchase articles not already in their possession, they receive a gratuity of £6 on being called up, and also an annual upkeep allowance of £6.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if the temporary naval officers who signed the agreement known as T. 124 will get the same war service gratuity as other temporary naval officers?

Yes, Sir! War service gratuity will be paid to temporary R.N.R. and R.N.V.R. officers serving under T. 124 agreement at the same rates as those obtaining for temporary naval officers of similar rank.

asked why the letters written by engineer officers, Royal Navy, paymaster-captains, and other officers, through the proper channels, to the Admiralty remain unanswered?

Without knowing to what these letters refer, it is hardly possible to give an answer. If they relate, however, as probably some of them do, to the question of the rates of pay of officers retained beyond the age of compulsory retirement, who ask that they should be regarded as retired officers called up and given the bonus of 25 per cent. of their full pay which is given to retired officers, I have to say that this question is still under consideration. As soon as it is settled one way or the other replies will be forwarded. If the communications refer to other matters, I can only assume that the absence of reply is attributable to the same reason.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the first ferro-concrete ship, built at a cost of £20,000 at Barnstaple under Admiralty orders, failed to be successfully launched, ultimately breaking her back and becoming a total wreck; whether the second of such boats, a 100-ton barge, has not yet been launched owing to the fact that no insurance company will cover the risk of the operation; and whether he will take steps to cancel the remaining contracts for vessels of this description?

I have been asked to reply. The first of the ferro-concrete barges building at Barnstaple broke her back in the process of being floated down the Channel after launching, and became a total loss.

The second 1000-ton barge under construction there will be launched immediately the work of removing the wreck is completed, and this is practically accomplished.

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for South Battersea yesterday, it is not the present intention of the Government to build any more concrete vessels, as they are not required for Government use.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that some fifty Russian sailors are, and have been for some time past, living in a hotel at Wallsend at the expense of the Government, and receiving in addition weekly wages; and, if so, will he state the nature of the work upon which they are engaged?

I have been asked to reply. These men, who are part of the crew of a Russian ice-breaking steamer which was recently requisitioned for British naval service, are awaiting an opportunity of repatriation to Russia, as to which the Ministry of Shipping is necessarily guided by the advice of the local naval and military authorities. In the meantime, His Majesty's Government are under an obligation to maintain them.

In the meantime is any supervision being exercised over their correspondence and movements?

I understand that there is, but I will inquire.

Is the Government paying their wages in addition to maintaining them?

I understand that only maintenance is being paid, but I will inquire.

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that they are receiving £2 a week wages in addition to maintenance?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is the fact that in demobilising women workers at the Admiralty widows and dependants of fallen sailors and soldiers have already been discharged; whether married women and single girls not thus bereaved are still retained; and whether steps will be taken to see that these widows and dependants are retained at their work until every married woman and single girl not thus dependent has been discharged?

So far as I have able to ascertain, no women coming within the category mentioned in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question have been discharged. If my hon. and gallant Friend will give me the evidence on which he bases it, I will have it investigated.

As regards the latter part of the question, the Admiralty will certainly give, and have always given, priority to the claims of women workers who are widows or dependants of fallen sailors and soldiers.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that the maximum gratuity granted to a Royal Navy officer whose whole service has been at sea or abroad is £148 in the case of a captain and £93 in the case of a lieutenant, while the gratuity awarded to the same ranks, Royal Naval Reserve, for all service, irrespective of sea or abroad, is £488; if Royal Naval Reserve officers have during the War been in receipt of messing allowance which Royal Navy officers do not receive; and if he will see that a more equitable arrangement can be come to by raising the gratuity to the Royal Navy?

The figures are not correct, but I admit that there is a considerable disparity between the war service gratuity to the permanent naval officer on the one hand, and the temporary naval officer on the other. That, I think, is justified on the ground that the temporary naval officer left his ordinary employment in a time of national emergency, and should now be assisted in the task of re-establishing himself. On the other hand, though the permanent naval officer is certainly worthy of every consideration for his war services, he will continue his life's calling with the prospect of a life pension at its close. I should add that the messing allowance to Royal Naval Reserve officers is payable on the ground that while serving in the Mercantile Marine they obtain free messing.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will consider the question of a war gratuity to V.A.D.'s who have given over two years' service abroad?

The question of granting a war gratuity to Voluntary Aid Detachments who are in Army employment is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office the reason for not dealing with the rule under which the wife of a soldier serving in India, and who was sent back to her home in London, is deprived of the London area allowance?

The qualification for the London separation allowance is actual residence in London at the time of separation. If it were granted in the cases referred to in the question, it would be impracticable to refuse it in any case where the soldier's wife wished to move into London. That was not the intention of the extra allowance, and I am afraid I cannot alter the rule so as to include such cases.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will set up two joint Committees for spreading the orders of the great spending Departments and the local authorities, with the view of steadying the labour market and tiding over periods of bad employment?

The proposals contained in the question falls within the terms of reference to the Provisional Joint Industrial Committee appointed at the recent Industrial Conference to advise the Government with regard to measures for preventing unemployment. I anticipate that the Report of the Committee will be in my hands before long, and I feel that I should await their Report before expressing an opinion upon the proposal of my right hon. Friend. The Ministry of Labour itself already takes action for the purpose stated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has now organized any welfare clubs or associations for unemployed women on the lines recommended by the hon. Member for Chelsea?

Clubs for unemployed women have occupied the attention of the welfare officers of the Ministry of Labour throughout the period of demobilisation, and in every one of the chief towns arrangements have been made for such clubs to be open all day and every evening for the use of women and girls receiving out-of-work donation. Information respecting openings for employment and for training have been given at these clubs, and arrangements are being made to increase the use of clubs for this purpose. Many of these clubs are close to the Employment Exchanges and have been the means of preventing queues and keeping the applicants for out-of-work donation occupied. In addition to this, schemes of recreation for adults, inaugurated by the Ministry of Munitions, Welfare Section, in conjunction with the Home Office Juvenile Organisation Committees, are being carried on for unemployed women.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state what are the latest figures for unemployed men, women, girls and boys, and the amount of the donation that is being paid them?

The latest figures for unemployed men, women, girls and boys having out-of-work donation policies lodged are for the week ending 14th March, namely:— Men … … … 444,277 Women … … … 486,945 Boys … … … 26,327 Girls … … … 31,070 988,619

During the week the amount of donation paid was approximately £1,200,000.

Do those figures show an increase over the figures for the previous week?

They do, but I should point out for the information of the House that there has been a decrease in the number of those who have asked for a continuance of the unemployment benefit, which they have already got for thirteen weeks.

Is this out-of-work donation given to men, women, boys and girls other than those who were employed upon munitions work?

Yes. The reason is, as the hon. Gentleman will readily understand, that practically the whole effort of the country was engaged on war work of some kind. All, therefore, whether munitions workers or not, if thrown out of employment as a result of the Armistice, should have the same treatment. One is just as much entitled as the other.

Then all those who are out of employment from whatever cause are entitled to this donation?

That is so.

Have any steps been taken by the Ministry of Labour to prevent this unemployment, and is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to state to the House the nature of these steps?

I think that that would require a somewhat lengthy statement. I have no doubt that the hon. Gentleman will find other occasions for raising this question.

On what date does this benefit come to an end?

The date on which the original unemployment benefit would have come to an end would be the 21st of May, being six months after the 21st of November, but as the House already knows there has been an extension of the original period for another period of six months.

Will this unemployed benefit be revived at the next General Election?

We must wait for that occasion.

Is special attention being paid to the case of domestic servants?

We must endeavour to go through the other questions.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will rearrange the payment of the out-of-work donation so that only men and women who cannot get work may receive it?

It is already a condition for the receipt of out-of-work donation that an applicant must be unemployed, capable of work and unable to obtain suitable employment. It is the practice of the Department to suspend donation and refer claims to Courts of Referees when it is brought to their notice that suitable employment has been refused.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of employers in the country are asking for labour to-day?

I am aware that there are cases in which the unemployment donation is abused. I should be grateful to every Member of the House who would bring before my notice cases in which that is being done.

Is it not also true that employment is being offered to men and women at less than the current rate in the district, and often at less than the unemployment benefit, and that in these cases the unemployment donation is being refused?

If employment is offered at less than the prescribed rate for employment in that district I do not think that it would be incumbent upon the Employment Exchange to refuse the unemployment donation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any instances of employés who are receiving this donation for whom employment is not waiting at this moment?

It is an almost impossible task for me to produce instances of persons who are receiving unemployment donation who are unworthy of it, but if the hon. Member would furnish me with cases in which the donation is given in which it ought not to be given, I shall be glad to have these instances looked into.

Are not London dressmakers imploring young women to come to them, employers who are willing to pay them high wages, far above the ordinary ones?

I should be grateful if my hon. Friend would give me instances of such cases.

Is there anything to prevent employers who cannot get workers appealing to Unemployment Exchanges?

They do appeal, and we keep a constant record. So far as we can judge the figures from week to week, there is no large amount of employment available in this country for those who are out of work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour whether, in view of the statement by his Department that the number of workpeople in every occupation exceeds the demand, his attention has been called to the fact that in numerous cases firms have applied for girls, who refuse employment whilst receiving unemployed benefit; whether he is aware that a large number of men are similarly refusing offers of employment; and whether he will give an undertaking that unemployed benefit will be discontinued to persons who refuse employment at wages at a greater amount than the unemployed benefit now being paid?

Reports have reached the Department that applicants for out-of-work donation have refused offers of employment. It is already a condition for the receipt of out-of-work donation that applicants shall not refuse offers of suitable employment, and in all cases in which it is reported to the Department that such employment has been refused, payment of donation is suspended and the claims are referred to Courts of Referees for decisions whether or not donation shall me paid. It is very desirable that employers should in all cases furnish the Department with particulars of such cases.

May we take it as the fact that no unemployment benefit will be paid when wages are offered at a higher rate to the person unemployed?

I should not like to commit myself to an answer in the form in which the question is put for this reason, that if a man is skilled in any particular industry his wages are higher than unemployment benefit, and I do not think it could be said that suitable employment was offered to him if it were employment at a wage which was not comparable to that which he ought to earn in suitable employment. Therefore I cannot commit myself to an answer to the full extent the hon. and gallant Gentleman's question involves.

How long is the State going to find money in these kind of cases where employment is generally offered?

Is the State prepared to put everybody in work?

asked the Minister pf Labour if he is aware that the Fertiliser Manufacturers' Association have refused to negotiate with the National Federation of General Workers on a programme of reduced hours and other conditions of labour, and if he will use his good offices to bring about a conference between the parties concerned, and so obviate a stoppage of work in this industry?

The Ministry of Labour has been in communication with the Association and Federation in question with a view to securing a settlement between them. The hon. Member for South-East Leeds has recently discussed this matter with my Department. I am expecting a communication from him in due course, on receipt of which further action in the direction indicated by the hon. Member will be taken if necessary. I may state that the employés' representatives are at the moment considering whether it is possible for this purpose to settle the questions at issue through the machinery of the Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee for this industry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the organisations involved are now taking a vote of the men as to whether they will or will not withhold their labour, and will he use his good offices to try to bring them together?

What the hon. Gentleman says is a matter of which I am unaware. I understood that the matter was in the process of negotiation through the hon. Member for South-East Leeds (Mr. O'Grady), who was using his good offices, and was to give a report to me as soon as he was in a position to do so

In the event of the employers refusing to negotiate with the workmen, what steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take?

That is a problematical question, and depends on the circumstances which arise.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the result of the correspondence with the Education Committee of the Lancashire County Council respecting the difference with their school caretakers regarding the conditions of labour; whether he is aware that the position in this case remains as it was over a month ago; and whether he can take any action to secure a settlement?

An officer from this Department has interviewed the parties concerned, and the Director of Education of the Lancashire County Council has informed the National Federation of Caretakers that certain information with regard to caretakers was being collected for the information of the Education Committee, who would consider the application for increased wages. I will communicate with the hon. Member on this matter as soon as I have further information.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements have been made with the Belgian and French Governments for the preservation and upkeep of British soldiers' graves in both countries?

The Imperial War Graves Commission is charged with this duty. All British war cemeteries in France, Belgium, and other countries will be maintained by this Commission, and for this purpose satisfactory agreements have been concluded with the Governments of the countries concerned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will request the Director of Graves Department to take immediate steps to supply photographs of the graves of our gallant dead to their anxious waiting relatives; will he state what is now being done in this matter; and will he make inquiries into this treatment of people who gave their sons to save this country?

asked if the Graves Registration Committee can supply photographs, when obtainable, of the graves of soldiers who are buried in France or Belgium; if such photographs are supplied free; and, if not, what is the charge for the same, and to whom should the relatives apply if they desire them?

The Directorate of Graves Registration and Inquiries is supplying photographs of graves free of charge to relatives on request as quickly as circumstances permit. Photographs of registered identified graves have been supplied since June, 1915, funds for the purpose being generously supplied by the Joint War Committee of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Since that date 98,300 photographs have been sent out. All applications for photographs should be addressed to the Directorate of Graves Registration and Inquiries, Winchester House, St. James's Square, London, S.W.1. Relatives are informed when notification of death is sent that photographs will be supplied if such application is made.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware of the fact that I have for eighteen months endeavoured to get a photograph of my son's grave, and have not been able to get it yet? I have written repeatedly to the Director of Graves.

Perhaps the hon. Member will send me a note.

I am getting a bit impatient about it.

Can relatives obtain more than one photograph, and will they be given free or a charge made?

I will ascertain.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can say to what extent shortness of food exists in Armenia; and what steps the Government are taking, or are about to' take, for the revictualling of the country?

There is undoubtedly a serious shortage of food in Armenia, largely due to the inability of the people to sow their grain and to the wanton destruction by the Turks of such crops as were grown.

The whole question of revictualling the country is now in the hands of the Food Section of the Supreme Economic Council at Paris.

Meanwhile, in such parts of Armenia as are in British occupation, widespread relief is being administered by the British military authorities on the spot, chiefly by the use of surplus army stocks.

For such parts of Armenia as are not in British occupation provision is to be made by the American Relief Mission, under Dr. Barton, to which every possible facility is being given by the British naval and military authorities. Dr. Barton's Mission arrived at Constantinople some weeks ago, and has already begun its operations.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the members of the British Mission to the Caucasus, under Major Goldsmith, were put under arrest by the Bolshevist Government of Russia in October last at Vladikavkas, where they were kept in custody until November last, when they were removed in custody to Astrakhan, a distance of 150 miles, in springless carts and motor lorries, and kept there in custody until January last, when they were removed in custody to Moscow, since which date they have been kept in solitary confinement is the Butiska Prison in small, damp, and insanitary cells, and with insufficient food; whether he is aware that the reason for the said arrest and retention in custody is alleged by the Bolshevist Government of Russia to be that they require the members of the British. Mission as hostages; whether he is taking any steps to obtain the release of the men concerned; and whether he can state when he expects such release may be obtained?

The answer to the first portion of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, with the exception that it is understood that the prisoners to whom reference is made are not kept in solitary confinement, and are being allowed a certain amount of exercise. They are now reported to be in receipt of extra food and comforts, which have been sent out by His Majesty's Government through representatives of the British, International, and Danish Red Cross Societies.

I understand that the Russian Bolshevik Government have stated in a wireless communiqué that the treatment of the Caucasus Military Mission will depend on the treatment given to those Russian Bolshevik officials who are prisoners in our hands, but I am not aware of the statement to which reference is made in the second portion of the hon. Member's question.

Negotiations are at present in progress for the exchange of all British civilian, naval, and military prisoners in the hands of the Russian Bolshevist Government, but I regret that it is not possible to state when this exchange will be effected.

The leaders of the Bolshevist movement in Russia have been informed in a wireless telegram that they will be held personally responsible for the maltreatment of any British prisoners in their hands.

Is the report true in the papers to-day that the British Government is sending a Mission to Bolshevist Russia?

That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Peace Conference have recently appointed a special sub-commission of five representatives to visit Syria and other countries in the Near and Middle East, with a view to reporting on the political situation in those countries to the Peace Conference; who are the five men selected; which Powers do they represent; and which countries are they to visit?

I understand that it has been decided at Paris that a special Sub-commission should be sent to the East for the purpose mentioned, but I have not heard whether any decision has been reached with regard to its composition, the number of its members, the Powers to be represented, or the countries to be visited.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether the dispatch of this mission indicates any alteration in Government policy in reference to a Jewish State in Palestine?

I think the hon. and gallant Member had better give notice of that question.

Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries as to the answer to this question from our representatives in Paris?

I shall be very happy to convey any representation my hon. and gallant Friend wishes.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the mission being sent to Syria from Paris will include in it number a representative of Arab opinion such as Colonel Lawrence?

I have no information yet as to whether any decision has been reached in Paris with regard to the composition of the proposed mission.

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in view of the great financial hardships suffered by the Civil servants in British East Africa, he will authorise immediate temporary measures to alleviate their position, pending the Report of the Commission he has directed to inquire into all the grievances laid before him in the petition of January, 1918?

Temporary measures have already been taken by the grant of a war bonus, and it is expected that the Report of the Special Commissioner appointed to inquire into the subject will be received at an early date. If he advises that the war bonus granted is inadequate, the matter will at once be further considered.

asked whether the average salary of six married first-class highly-trained railway officials of long experience in British East Africa is considerably less than the pay of high-grade engine drivers in England; whether such remuneration is commensurate with the training and experience requisite for railway administration; and whether he is aware that responsible married European officials in the Customs House at Mombasa receive salaries of from £150 to £180, and that the average salary paid to European Customs officials at Mombasa is lower than the average salary paid to Indians holding positions of less responsibility in the same department?

The examples mentioned in the hon. and gallant Member's question are, I believe, taken from the petition of the members of the public service in British East Africa. The scale of salary for the railway appointments mentioned is £300, rising by £20 annually to £550, and the average of £270 quoted in the petition was obtained by assuming that the local value of the rupee is equivalent to the value of the shilling in this country. As regards the second example, the scale of salary for junior European Customs officials is £150, rising by £10 annually to £250. A comparison with the senior Indian officials of the Customs Department is misleading, as they are at the top of their scale. In addition, it must be remembered that the European Customs officials at Mombasa get free quarters or an allowance in lieu, and that non-European Customs officials are not entitled to this privilege. The hon. and gallant Member is aware that the whole question of Civil Service salaries in East Africa and the representations made by the members of the service are under the consideration of a local Commission of Inquiry.

Do these officials pay Income Tax on these salaries in East Africa?

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the general scale of remuneration of Civil servants in British East Africa was, before the War, quite inadequate, and that since the War and its attendant increase in the cost of living the majority of these officials, especially if married, are, even with the exercise of rigid economy, unable to live on their pay; whether he is aware that many of these officials, having been married for some years, cannot afford to bring their wives out to East Africa; and whether any, and, if so, how many, East African officials have received the war bonus promised to them?

I have already mentioned that the general question of the remuneration of the East African Civil Service is being considered by the local Civil Service Commission: Meanwhile the special war bonus approved in July last has, I believe, substantially mitigated the undoubted hardships created by war conditions. I am not aware that there has been any delay in issuing the war bonus approved in July last, and if the hon. and gallant Member's information shows that there are cases in which the bonus has not been issued I shall be glad if he will furnish me with particulars.

Are these bonuses withheld from men spending their leave in England?

I would like notice of that question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Roads Department under the Director of Lands has recently been re-organised with an increased staff under a brigadier-general as director; what are the functions of this Department; and what are the qualifications of the director for this post?

When the office of Controller of Roads and Bridges was abolished its staff, together with the executive organisation of the Road Board, was merged in that of the Joint Roads Committee and the work co-ordinated with, that of the Road Stone Control Committee, but there has been no increase of staff.

The functions of the branch comprise all questions affecting construction, maintenance, and repair of roads for war purposes, also investigation for settlement on behalf of all Government Departments of claims by highway authorities for damage by extraordinary traffic. The administrative officer, who was previously deputy to the Controller of Roads and Bridges, is considered to be fully qualified for the duties of his post.

Will the hon. Member explain, if there has been no re-organisation, how it is that this officer has only been gazetted six months as brigadier-general, whereas his predecessor was lieutenant-colonel?

I gather that this officer is considered to be a suitable one for the post and the duties which he has to perform.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the fact that many remount officers who were civilians prior to the War are incurring great business losses by not being demobilised; and whether remount work can be handed over to competent Regular officers from Cavalry regiments pending complete demobilisation?

I am informed that all remount officers serving at home who have expressed a wish to return to their prewar civilian occupation have already been demobilised, and that the release of remount officers serving abroad is being carried out as quickly as possible, under the instructions of the Commanders-in-Chief in the respective theatres where they are employed. Cavalry, Artillery, and Yeomanry officers, as they become available, are being used to replace them.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a soldier on twenty-eight days' leave pending demobilisation is considered for all purposes still to be on active service?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the general discontent on the question of demobilisation; whether men who enlisted in 1916 are being retained in Mesopotamia and Salonika for a fourth summer; whether men over forty-one are not being released; and whether he will give an assurance that the demobilisation of all troops outside Europe shall be expedited and be given priority over all other movements of troops?

Men who enlisted in 1916 are not eligible for demobilisation unless they fall within certain categories set out in Army Order 55 of 1919. Those who are eligible are being demobilised as rapidly as circumstances permit, and there is no reason to believe that this is not the case with men over forty-one.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a number, approximating to seventy, of non-commissioned officers and men of the 1/5th Territorial Battalion of the Devon Regiment, quartered now in Germany, who originally volunteered for active service on any war front, who sailed with the battalion to India in October, 1914, and who have since fought in Palestine and France, thus being entitled to demobilisation forthwith under the latest Army Order in this connection, have been informed that they cannot be released under present circumstances; and whether he will have any such decision reconsidered in view of the fact that it is at variance with the policy of the most recent Army Order directing the release of men who joined His Majesty's Service before 1916, and that it inflicts hardship on those Territorials who have been serving abroad continuously since October, 1914, and who, in the majority of cases, have businesses at home which are suffering severely on account of their protracted absence?

Men who are eligible for demobilisation are being demobilised as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service and transport facilities permit. Every effort is being made to replace as soon as possible any men who are eligible for demobilisation and whose services are temporarily required. I am not aware, nor have I any reason to believe, that the men referred to in the question are being treated any differently from other men who are eligible for demobilisation.

May I furnish the hon. and gallant Gentleman with names?

If you please.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether certain troops in Ireland are being employed in building huts and block-houses; whether these buildings are shortly afterwards demolished by other troops; and, if this is the case, will he stop such waste of labour and material?

I am not aware that there is any foundation for this suggestion, but a report on the matter has been called for.

If I send the hon. Gentleman particulars of a case, will he have it inquired into?

Most certainly!

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what recognition is to be given to the survivors of the garrison of Kut-el-Amara and to the relatives of those who died during the siege or the subsequent captivity?

Such recommendations for these services as have already been brought forward by the Government of India have received the most sympathetic consideration of the Army Council, and military rewards conferred have been duly published in the "London Gazette." If any further recommendations are submitted by the Government of India they will be sympathetically considered. The survivors of the garrison of Kut will receive whatever war medals are awarded in recognition for services during the present War, and relatives of those who have died will also be entitled to the medals. They are also entitled to the "1914–15 Star," and the relatives of those who have died will also receive the Star. Further, the next-of-kin of those who have died in the War will receive the memorial plaque and scroll.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the dispatches regarding the Siege of Kut will be published?

I think that is a different question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the war medals will be issued at an early date or will the issue of them be deferred until after the signing of peace?

As I informed my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for New-castle-under-Lyme last week, it is not yet possible to state the date on which war medals will begin to be issued, but arrangements are being expedited as much as possible.

Has the 1914–1915 Star been issued yet?

I believe not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give an undertaking that no steps will be taken to impair the fiscal autonomy of the United Kingdom or to commit the United Kingdom to any fiscal agreements at the Paris Conference?

No agreement will be entered into which will interfere with the full control of the United Kingdom or His Majesty's Dominions over their own Customs duties.

asked the Prime Minister if he will say whether the Government propose to allow city, borough, and county local authorities to spend any of their income derived from rates on peace celebrations; and, if so, to what extent such permission will be granted, so that the authorities may know to what amount they may organise local celebrations for the forthcoming peace holidays?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Local Government Board are proposing to issue a general Order sanctioning reasonable expenditure in connection with the celebration of Peace in the case of local authorities whose accounts are subject to Government audit.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the nature of the recommendations or representations or amendments made by the three associations which represent all the local authorities on the subject of the incorporation of the control of the roads in the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill?

I am making inquiries of my right hon. Friend the Member for Cambridge and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now announce the names of the persons who will form the Committee to inquire into court-martial procedure; whether the Committee includes any soldier who has had actual personal experience of front-line fighting; and, if not, whether he will consider the advisability of the addition of a member to the Committee who has had that experience?

I will announce the composition of the Committee on Monday next, and will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

Does that mean that a man of this kind will be a member of this Committee?

I think I may say so.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Council investigating the causes of industrial unrest has agreed on a maximum number of hours per working week and the principle of a minimum wage; whether he can give any details in either case; when the Council expects to make an interim Report; and whether the Cabinet proposes to consider its recommendations with a view to prompt legislation?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Committee to which the hon. Member refers is a Committee set up by the Industrial Conference, held on 27th February, with directions to report back to that conference at a further meeting to be arranged not later than 5th April. I understand that the Committee met yesterday in order to settle the terms of their Report, which they propose to present to a further meeting of the full conference on 4th April. It would be premature for me to make any statement as to the attitude of the Government towards the recommendations contained in this Report until it has been considered by the full conference.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered, and whether, if so, he proposes to adopt, the following suggestions of the Select Committee on National Expenditure (Ninth Report, Session 1918), in respect of Money Resolutions for Bills: that the terms of the Money Resolutions should be placed on the Notice Paper of the House, and that in the case of Bills not originating in Committee this should be done before the Second Reading of the Bill; that, wherever possible, the Resolution should comprise a statement of the probable expenditure, whether capital or annual, or be accompanied by a White Paper furnishing such a statement or, in cases where the conditions do not allow such a forecast by a White Paper, containing a full explanation of the reasons why a forecast is not possible?

The Government propose to adopt these suggestions whenever possible; but I do not think that any fixed rule can conveniently be laid down, and there will be many cases where the existing practice must remain.

Will the right hon. Gentleman be able to follow this new rule in the case of the Housing Bill which is shortly coming before us?

I am not sure. I have not looked into it, but we are asking Departments responsible for Bills, wherever possible, to adopt this course.

asked the Prime Minister if he will introduce a Bill granting the freeholds of all workmen's houses and others up to a rental of £50 per annum in order to encourage workmen to build their own houses and to be a greater incentive to thrift and responsible citizen-ship?

The Government are not prepared to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that Act 1592, c. 31 (temp. James VI. of Scotland), established the right of the Crown to ownership of mines of gold, copper, lead, tin, and other metals and minerals; that the Act is unrepealed; and when he proposes, in view of mining unrest, to put the Act into operation?

I have been asked to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The effect of the Act, 1592, c. 31, which is still in part unrepealed, was to dissolve from the Crown of Scotland such mines as had anciently been annexed to it, by providing for the feuing of them to the owners of the lands in which they were contained for a royalty of 10 per cent. The remaining part of the question does not arise.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that in the year 1568, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, the question of ownership was debated, and it was then decided that all minerals, with the exception of gold and silver, belonged to the proprietor of the soil under which those minerals were situated?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Elizabeth never reigned over Scotland?

I do not think it was ever said that she did.

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice of those questions.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been drawn to the employment of Royal Engineers in building operations at Chepstow; and if these men receive allowances to bring their wages up to those earned by boys of fourteen and fifteen years of age who are reported to earn over £3 a week?

My attention has not previously been called to the matter. I am having inquiries made, and will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the owners of premises which have been in military occupation during the War, and which are now being surrendered, are being compelled to accept a lump sum payment in lieu of re-conditioning, and, if so, whether the War Office will itself carry out the work for those owners who have no facilities for getting it done themselves?

Where the occupation is under an agreement, the Department follows the normal practice of offering a sum of money in satisfaction of its liabilities under the agreement. Where the occupation is under Defence of the Realm powers there is, of course, no legal liability to reinstate the premises, but, subject to the determination of the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission, the Department deals with the question of reinstatement in the same way as with agreement cases. The Department is not prepared to give a general undertaking to carry out the actual work of reinstatement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether in districts which have been occupied by troops during the War, and which are now being evacuated, there are still a large number of trenches and temporary works which have not been removed or filled in and are obstructing the cultivation of the land; and, if so, will he have the necessary work carried out as soon as possible, so that the land may be cultivated during the present year?

The work of reinstating land used for trenches and temporary works, of which a certain number still remain, is proceeding as rapidly as possible with the means available. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 17th March to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Epping, where the conditions under which the reinstatement may be put in hand by the owners themselves and the methods of determining compensation are set out fully. Since that reply was given, the arrangements for settlement under the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission have been completed and will be put into operation at a very early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in demobilising women workers at the War Office, widows and dependants of fallen sailors and soldiers have already been discharged; whether married women and single girls not thus bereaved are still being retained; and whether steps will be taken to see that these widows and dependants are retained at their work until every married woman and single girl not thus dependent has been discharged?

I am informed that no widows or dependants of fallen soldiers or sailors have been discharged from service at the War Office, unless for inefficiency, or on account of the cessation of the work on which they were employed. Married women and single girls have been dealt with on similar lines. The course suggested in the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is impracticable, if only on account of the regard which must be paid to the efficient performance of the work of the Office, and I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if there is any probability of parishes being able to obtain disused Army huts for reading and recreation rooms, as a war memorial, at a moderate price?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Disposal Board cannot dispose of Army huts until they have been declared surplus by the War Office. So far very few huts have been handed to the Board for disposal. When huts are available, they will be advertised, and local authorities who might be interested will be informed. No preferential treatment with regard to price can, however, be given to anyone.

asked the Secretary of State for War what steps he is proposing to take, or has taken, to inquire into the circumstances attending the return of the armoured car brigade to Belton Park camp from Mesopotamia on 28th February last; and whether he will see that evidence is taken from the men themselves of the armoured car brigade as to their treatment?

As I stated on Thursday last, I have given directions for a special inquiry to be made into this matter, but, as this is not yet complete, I am unable to make any further statement at present. Any evidence necessary to arrive at the facts of the case will be taken.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to recent public statements that part of their catches of fish are being thrown overboard by deep-sea fishermen in order to maintain prices and avoid taxation; whether he has any information which enables him to confirm these statements; and, if not, whether he can now officially contradict them, as the fishing industry as a whole deeply resents such charges and believes them to be quite unfounded?

Yes, Sir; my attention has been called to these statements, but I have no reason to believe that there is any foundation whatever for them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if the British Government is supplying 50,000 tons of beans to Germany; if these beans are of foreign origin or home grown; and if, at the request of the Government, British farmers grew a considerable quantity of peas, costing from £17 to £20 a quarter, which are unsaleable except as cattle food?