asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the House any information regarding the inquiry into Indian railway management to which Sir Arthur Anderson recently referred in the Legislative Council of India?

The Secretary of State proposes that as soon as is convenient after the end of the War there shall be an inquiry in India as to the desirability or otherwise on administrative and financial grounds of modifying the present management of the railways in that country, which are owned by the State but are worked by companies domiciled in England, either by incorporating the lines in one or other of the existing State-worked systems, or by converting them into separate State-worked lines, or by making them over to companies domiciled in India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Lord South-borough's Reports have been received; and, if so, whether copies thereof will be made available for Members of Parliament?

The Reports of the two Committees over which Lord Southborough presided have been presented to the Government of India in accordance with the terms of reference, but have not yet been received from that Government. The Secretary of State hopes to receive both Reports in the course of the month and will present them to Parliament without delay.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the provision of passages for public servants and their families from India to the United Kingdom is entirely controlled by the Minister of Shipping; and, if so, whether that officer is making arrangements to relieve the present congestion to provide passages and to reduce fares?

I have been asked to answer this question. The provision of passages in such cases as those referred to is controlled by the Minister of Shipping acting in conjunction with the other Departments concerned. Everything possible is being done consistent with other urgent requirements to relieve the existing congestion. No further reduction of fares can, I fear, be looked for.

Is it the fact that some of these people will not be able to get passages before the hot weather?

As I stated in the reply, there is considerable congestion at the present time, but it is hoped that that congestion will be relieved considerably in the near future with regard to passages.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the prices charged by tailors for naval officers' uniforms are in any way controlled; and, if not, what steps have been taken to enable naval officers to obtain uniforms as nearly as possible at cost price, especially considering the recent orders requiring all young officers to provide themselves with mess dress?

Government control of these prices has been in force up to the 31st March, as a necessary part of a scheme for ensuring that makers of naval officers' uniform should obtain adequate supplies of Government controlled material.

The Government control having been removed from wool as from the above date, the arrangements for controlling the prices of materials for naval officers' uniforms also come to an end. No orders have been issued requiring officers to provide themselves with mess dress, which is a more expensive uniform than mess undress.

During the War officers were only required to wear undress uniform, but it is now desirable that they should also wear mess undress. It should be noted that this order only applies to officers of the permanent Navy, and that all those in the Navy prior to the commencement of hostilities were already in possession of mess undress.

May I ask whether the midshipman who has been appointed during the War has to wear this uniform, and what arrangement has been made for him to get it at a reasonable price?

I assume that the midshipman appointed during the War has not got mess undress. As regards arrangements for getting it, I have tried to answer in my reply, and I cannot go beyond that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what reduction in the numbers of the staff and employés, male and female, in the Admiralty has taken place since 11th November, 1918?

The total number of civilian staff (excluding messengers and charwomen) employed by the Admiralty has decreased from 8,062 to 7,467, a net reduction of 595.

The gross reduction was 1,039, but against this must be set an addition of 444 in the Departments and branches of the Admiralty which have to deal with demobilisation and reconstruction problems, with payment of war gratuities, preparation of records of service for the purpose of prize money distribution, increases in children's allowances, and other matters.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give some indication when those reconstruction improvements will be completed, and when there may be a further material reduction in this respect?

I cannot answer as to the first part of the question, and as regards the second part we are doing all we can to see that the staff is not more than is required, but we have many urgent problems before the Board, and I think the staff are over-worked.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if all those who are there are fully employed?

Whenever I have seen them they are more than fully employed.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to announce the decision of the Government with regard to setting apart a day for a march through London of a representative number of officers and men of the Royal Navy, including representatives of the Mercantile Marine, mine sweepers, patrol boats, the late Royal Naval Air Service, and of all other sections of naval officers and men who have served their country in the War, either ashore or afloat?

This matter is still under consideration.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that that is the same reply as that given to me a fortnight ago, and having regard to the immediate interest taken throughout the country in this matter will the right hon. Gentleman mention some day when he will be able to give a more definite reply?

I appreciate the interest which is taken in this matter. It is true that the First Lord gave an answer that the matter was still under consideration and that remains true. I will give my hon. Friend the earliest notification of the occasion upon which either the First Lord or myself can carry the matter further and when there is some further development.

Why not provide work and not processions for workmen?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any decision has been arrived at as regards the composition of the following commands: the Atlantic, Home, China, Cape, South America, East Indies, and West Atlantic stations; and can he state under whose command these squadrons will be placed in cases where the command has been decided?

I am afraid I can only refer my Noble and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on the 12th March relative to the provisional composition of the Mediterranean Squadron, in which I explained that the disposition, composition, and names of other fleets and squadrons has been settled provisionally, but as the eventual disposition and strength of units both in home waters and abroad must be dependent in many respects on the Peace settlement, the present provisional arrangement is liable to revision, and it would be misleading to make it public at present.

Admiral Sir Charles Madden will be in Chief Command of the Home and Atlantic Fleets. The command of squadrons abroad can only be finally determined upon when the strength at which those squadrons are to be maintained is fixed.

asked whether any estimate of the total amount of prize money available for distribution to the officers and men of the Royal Navy can now be given, and if these figures will represent the total amount realised during the War; if any legal costs will be, or have been, deducted from the total sum; if so, how much; and also what proportion it is estimated will be divided between officers and men?

It is impossible to frame any estimate of the amount likely to be available for distribution. There are still cases to be heard in the Prize Courts, apart from appeals. The Admiralty recently stated in Weekly Orders to the Fleet that, so far as can be seen at present, it is doubtful whether the value of one share will be much more than £1 or £1 10s. And I am afraid we cannot go further than that.

As regards legal charges against the fund, the Noble Lord is no doubt aware that paragraph 1 of Part 2 of the Schedule to the Naval Prize Act of 1918, which deals with charges on the Naval Prize Fund, is designed to relieve the fund of legal expenses which in the past have been a heavy charge against the captors. As regards the last part of the question, it is estimated that 23½ per cent. of the fund distributed will go to commissioned and warrant officer ranks and 76½ per cent. to the ratings.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea of the sum which is actually available for distribution at present?

That is the very question I have tried to answer in the early part of the reply.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if any decision has been reached with regard to the future of the Women's Royal Naval Service?

The decision is that the Women's Royal Naval Service is to be demobilised as the requirements of the Naval Service permit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether instructions have been issued to' private shipbuilding yards not to proceed further with Government work now in course of construction; and whether, if this is so, instructions will be given to have the building slips now occupied by such uncompleted work cleared at the earliest moment in order that they may be utilised for the construction of new merchant ships, which are urgently needed?

Yes, Sir; such instructions have been issued in regard to certain vessels, and the contractors have been told to press on with work on merchant ship new construction.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will consider if an exhibition of naval ships of all kinds can be arranged on the Thames during the forthcoming summer months, so that the capital of the Empire may see some of the men and the ships which have done so much to protect this country during the War?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will allocate a large portion of the Fleet to the Thames in connection with the prospective review?

No arrangements have yet been made for a naval review. Many of the ships of the Grand Fleet and of the other naval forces which have been employed in home waters during the War have been placed in Reserve. Many others have had their complements completed with crews drawn from the Permanent Service, and have been sent abroad to relieve other ships in order that the crews of these ships may be demobilised. The programme of such ships of the Grand Fleet as remain in commission at home has not yet been arranged, and must depend largely on the course of events at the Peace Conference. When the programme of these ships is arranged, my hon. Friends may feel assured that the claims of the Thames, which have already been advanced by the Lord Mayor of London to a visit from men-of-war, will receive full consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that men who volunteered for the Mercantile Marine Reserve worked under naval discipline and were engaged in such work as mine-laying, he will consider the possibility of these men being awarded the gratuity as in the case of Service men?

In view of the special nature of their emoluments, it is not proposed to issue to men of the Mercantile Marine Reserve the naval war gratuity awarded to men who received naval rates of pay.

Is he aware that numbers of these men have been torpedoed four and five times, and have made as much sacrifice as any other section of the community?

We are all very grateful to them, and fully aware of the sacrifices made by these men, but I would like to send my hon. Friend a reasoned statement of the decision which I have announced.

They were under naval discipline.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the crews of drifters in attendance on the Grand Fleet as tenders in 1914, and which may have been transferred at a later date to another section of the Admiralty service, are considered as having served since 1914 and entitled to gratuity from that date?

If the men referred to belonged to the active service or Reserves and were paid naval rates of pay during the service in question, they would be entitled to count such service for war gratuity under the regulated conditions, irrespective of the duty on which they were engaged.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any allowance can be made in cases of necessity to the dependants of demobilised soldiers who are residing at training schools or universities and being trained with a view to ordination?

The Government scheme of assistance for ex-Service students already includes allowances in respect of children.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to a letter to him from the hon. Member for the Consett Division, dated 20th February, 1919; whether five weeks later, namely, on the 27th March, a communication was sent from his Minis try saying, that that letter had been for warded to the Superintendent of the Pensions Issue Office; and will he say for what reason it takes five weeks to for ward a letter from one branch of his Ministry to another?

The facts stated in the question have not enabled me to trace this matter. Perhaps the hon. Member will give me the name and regimental particulars of the man on whose behalf he wrote.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Joseph Ward. No. 250069. 6th Durham Light Infantry, about which the hon. Member for Consett wrote to the then Pensions Minister on the 6th December last; whether he is aware that the hon. Member for Consett reminded him on the 22nd January, in a letter which was acknowledged on the 24th February, saying that the appeal was in the hands of the local committee; and what are the reasons why it takes nearly four months to deal with a matter of this sort?

I regret the exceptional delay in dealing with this case, for which, however, the Department was not wholly responsible. A letter has now been written to the hon. Member announcing the satisfactory settlement of the case.

asked the Pensions Minister the number of demobilised men in Belfast who have claimed impairment of their health due to or aggravated by War service and the number whose claims have been admitted; whether he is aware that no arrangements have been made by the Ministry for general practitioner's treatment of these men, who, unlike the similar class in Great Britain, are compelled to pay for treatment themselves or to seek treatment from the Poor Law dispensary medical officer or in the Belfast Workhouse hospital; whether he will state the number of impaired men at present receiving treatment in the Belfast Workhouse hospital; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst this class of demobilised men in Ireland because of the absence of facilities for home treatment, and whether he is now in a position to state when adequate arrangements for such treatment will be made for the whole country?

I am endeavouring to obtain the information asked for in the first and third parts of the question. As the hon. Member is aware, the question of granting general practitioner treatment to demobilised men in Ireland who have suffered impairment in the War has engaged my attention, and the matter is now before the Treasury. I hope a decision will soon be reached.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain how it is that arrangements have been made for treat- ing English soldiers, and that you are only now considering how Irish soldiers should be treated; and what is the reason of the Treasury putting obstacles in the way in Ireland when they have allowed this matter to be settled in England?

As my hon. Friend is fully aware, facilities for treatment in Ireland and in England have been different for some time, and I am now trying to extend to Ireland the facilities that exist in England.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give guarantees that the same treatment, whether facilities be different or not, will be meted out to Irish soldiers as to soldiers in other parts of the United Kingdom?

I hope my answer will convince the hon. and gallant Gentleman that that is precisely what I am trying to arrange.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have brought this matter several times before the House during the last six weeks, and what is the meaning of the delay? Is it another Treasury trick?

I think the hon. Member had better wait another few days, and then he will find there is no Treasury trick.

How many more days? We cannot go on waiting while the Treasury is making up its mind.

Will the hon. Member put a question down again next week?

Certainly—the very first day I can get a chance.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Returns of unemployed persons in receipt of out-of-work donation are analysed with a view to detecting any marked excess in the supply of those skilled in any particular industry, having regard to the probable eventual demand for skilled labour in that industry; and, if so, what, if any, steps are being taken to divert such labour into other channels of employment instead of continuing to pay out-of-work donation?

I am afraid it would be impossible to make such an analysis as is suggested, in view of the fact that the probable eventual demand for labour in any given industry could not be even approximately estimated. I may add, however, that the Returns of persons in receipt of out-of-work donation are regularly scrutinised with a view to ensuring that all possible steps are taken to utilise unemployed labour for filling vacancies which are at the time known to exist.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received any representations from trade unions in favour of the substitution of Clause 8 of the out-of-work donation scheme by a provision that any worker offered employment in another district where wages are lower shall be guaranteed the district rate of his place of residence; and whether he will consider this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The rule is based upon the corresponding rule in Section 86 ( c ) of the National Health Insurance Act, 1911; and I do not see my way to altering it.

asked the Minister of Labour whether married women with children are being offered domestic service by the Labour Exchanges without the opportunity of returning to their homes in the evenings; and whether unemployment benefit is being refused to those who decline to take such work?

It is the duty of Employment Exchanges to offer suitable employment wherever possible to all women who claim out-of-work donation. The domestic circumstances of applicants are in all cases taken fully into account before unemployment donation is refused; and, further, all suspensions of donation are referred to a Court of Referees, before whom the applicant is entitled to attend and state his or her case. I am not aware of any particular instances raising the point contained in the hon. Member's question.

Is he prepared to allow these appeals to be made to the local advisory committees before they are finally sent to the Central Committee?

No; I do not think I am prepared to give that assurance. The present system has been devised as being the best possible under the circumstances.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the circumstances set out in my question?

In every case it is the duty of the Employment Exchanges to consider such circumstances as the hon. Member mentions, and if they are unsatisfactory to the applicants it is then the duty of the Court of Referees to deal with it.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state what Act and what Vote authorises the payment of money to unemployed persons until November next?

Moneys required for out-of-work donation are provided in the Vote for the Civil Demobilisation and Resettlement Department. Parliament will be asked in due course to confirm this Vote in the Appropriation Act. No other statutory authority is being sought.

Am I to understand from that answer that the money has been spent before either a Vote or an Act has been obtained?

I am afraid I am not sufficiently familiar with the forms of this. House to be able to answer that question, but if the hon. Member will put it before me in a subsequent question I shall be glad to answer it.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the habit of the Government not to know when they spend money whether they are authorised to do so or not?

I do not think it is the habit of the Government; it is only my own personal ignorance on this question.

May I ask whether the Law Officers of the Crown have been consulted as to the legality of these payments?

Have the unemployed been consulted?

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of men in England classified as agricultural labourers who received out-of-work donations for the second week in March?

The number of men in England classified as agricultural labourers who received out-of-work donation for the second week in March was 2,352.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of agricultural labourers in England in receipt of out-of-work donations who obtained employment through the Employment Exchange during the second week in March?

The number of agricultural labourers (men) in England who obtained employment through the Employment Exchanges during the second week in March was 119.

I should like to add to the three answers which I have just given that the men submitted for employment are very frequently refused, and the fact that a man represents himself as an agricultural labourer is no guarantee that he has sufficient skill to induce the employer to take him on.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will give the number of painters and the number of bricklayers of all grades who were in receipt of out-of-work donations during the second week in March?

The number of painters and painters' labourers who were in receipt of out-of-work donation during the second week in March was 9,804. The number of bricklayers and bricklayers' labourers who were in receipt of out-of-work donation during the second week in March was 7,884.

Is my right hon. Friend aware of the extreme difficulty in the country of obtaining this kind of labour?

Is he aware also of the difficulty of these men in finding employment?

Is he aware that in Ireland they are coming for their out-of-work donation in motor-cars?

Can he say if they are not entitled to a ride sometimes?

asked the Minister of Labour whether steps are being taken by his Department to facilitate the scheme for forming a colony of ex-Service men desirous of developing the flax-growing industry in British East Africa put forward on behalf of the Empire Flax-growing Committee by Lieutenant-Colonel Hughes-Ridge; and whether he is aware that land for the purpose of this colony has already been ear-marked by the governor of East Africa, and that a number of ex-Service men are anxious to take part in the formation of this colony and are anxiously awaiting the decision of the outstanding points in connection with it by the Ministry of Labour?

As regards the first half of this question, this scheme is under consideration. It involves the grant of a considerable sum of money by the State, and expert advice is being obtained on the possibilities of success: The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the guardians of the Salford Union have again refused to pay their officers the Civil Service scale of war bonus and have decided not to submit the disputed matter to arbitration; and whether he will state what course the officers should take to enable them to obtain the award of war bonus sanctioned by the Local Government Board in their circular letter to boards of guardians?

I am informed that the guardians of the Salford Union have not yet come to a decision on the question of submitting this matter to arbitration, but are meeting on the 4th instant to consider the Report of the Committee to which the question was referred. In these circumstances the second part of the question does not arise.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the guardians of the Salford Union have again refused to pay to their workpeople the Civil Service scale of war bonuses; whether he is also aware that the persistent refusal of the guardians to grant their officers' claims is causing widespread disaffection in the Union, and may result in drastic action being resorted to unless immediate steps are taken to remedy the grievances; and whether the Board will now exercise the power conferred upon them by Section 46, c . 76, of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, which gives the Board power to regulate the amount of salaries payable to officers employed by boards of guardians?

My right hon. Friend has not yet been informed by the Salford guardians of the result of the further consideration given by them to the subject. The powers of the Local Government Board under Section 46 of the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, even if they could properly be exercised in the manner which the hon. Member presumably has in view, would not meet the case, as they do not extend to the salaries of more than a limited portion of the guardians' staff.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give the total number of applications in England for agricultural labourers by employers during the second week in March?

The total number of applications made to Employment Exchanges in England for agricultural labourers (men) by employers during the second week in March was 401.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been called to the threat of Mr. C. B. Cochran, theatrical manager, to lock out all actors and actresses who belong to the Actors' Union; whether he is aware that the Actors' Union was formed for the purpose of improving the terms and conditions of employment for actors and actresses; and whether he can see his way to take action, in the interests of all connected with dramatic art, and offer the services of his Department to remove any cause of friction which may lead to a dispute involving the trade unions representing the actors, musicians, and employ½s?

No complaint of the nature referred to has been received by the Ministry of Labour. Inquiry is being made into the matter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received copies of resolutions adopted at the Ceylon National Conference, held in December, 1918, reaffirming the demands for constitutional reform submitted to the Imperial Government in June, 1917, and on several subsequent occasions; and, if so, when His Majesty's Government proposes to consider this question and grant the people of Ceylon some measure of self-government?

The Secretary of State has received copies of the resolutions in question. He proposes to await the considered views of the Governor of Ceylon before forming any conclusions in the matter.

Will my hon. Friend endeavour to see that delay here does not cause the Colonial Office the same trouble that the Foreign Office had in an exactly parallel case in Egypt?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the chairman of the British South Africa Company, addressing the shareholders of the company in August last, stated that in the company's opinion the Imperial Government was their very solvent debtor, that the claim they would make already exceeded £10,000,000 sterling, and that the company would at the earliest possible moment attempt to agree to the amount of the claim with the Government; whether such claim has yet been lodged; and whether, before any such agreement is reached, he will be willing to lay papers covering the claim upon the Table of the House?

I have seen the statement referred to. The British South Africa Company have approached the Secretary of State with regard to obtaining a settlement of the amount of the company's administrative deficits in Southern Rhodesia, and the whole question is now under consideration.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, in granting to the South Africa Company a Royal Charter, His Majesty's Government expressly retained a power to revoke that Charter upon evidence being produced that the company has substantially failed to observe and conform to the provisions of the Charter?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state at what period, if at all, His Majesty's Government became aware of the fact that Sir Starr Jameson, without the knowledge of the High Commissioner of South Africa, had secretly agreed to give the men who followed him into Matabeleland in 1893 a total of 4,000,000 acres of native land and other rewards of a total potential value exceeding £6,000,000; and whether he can say what, if any, action was taken by the Government of the day when this fact came to their knowledge?

The question was raised in Parliament at the time, and I would refer my hon. Friend to Mr. Buxton's statement in the House of Commons on the 27th November, 1893.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the British taxpayer is not involved in indefinite liabilities in connection with Rhodesia without this House having been consulted?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it can be arranged to have a march through the streets of Newcastle of as many as possible of the various battalions of Northumberland Fusiliers on St. George's Day, 23rd April, that day being a holiday on Tyne-side and St. George being the patron saint of the Northumberland Fusiliers?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the splendid record of the Northumberland Fusiliers, including the locally raised and trained Tyneside Irish, Tyneside Scottish, and Chamber of Commerce Brigades, which were specially inspected and complimented by His Majesty the King and Lord Kitchener before being taken over by the War Office, he will see his way to sanction a public march through the streets of Newcastle-upon-Tyne on St. George's Day, St. George being the patron saint of the regiment, of such of the battalions as are available?

(Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury): The question of local receptions of troops is being discussed with the county and other authorities concerned, and I hope to make a statement shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men of the Royal Air Force are being offered early demobilisation provided they accept a scheme of deferred payment; if he will state when this scheme was introduced; and whether he is aware that this system lays itself open, to the argument that a man must accept the scheme, whether he likes it or not, unless he wishes his demobilisation to be delayed?

I am aware of this scheme referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. It was introduced about the end of January last solely with the object of suiting the convenience of men who were in a hurry to take up jobs in civil life. It has the effect of enabling men who voluntarily adopt it to be demobilised more speedily than would otherwise be possible. No man who refuses to accept the scheme loses his turn for ordinary demobilisation, which goes on continuously at a fixed rate. I may add that the adoption of the scheme reduces the expenditure incurred. From every point of view the scheme is much to be commended.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will explain why Private B. C. Hall, No. 306901, 68th Field Bakery, Lucknow Barracks, Tidworth, is not demobilised; whether he is aware that he joined the Army in January, 1915, was discharged as unfit, and was called up in 1916 and posted B 2; whether, under these circumstances, he is entitled to be treated as having joined before 1st January, 1916; and, as his place in a bakery is being kept for him at great inconvenience by his employer, he will see that this man is now discharged?

If Private Hall actually performed continuous service with the Colours prior to the 1st January, 1916, and was discharged on account of wounds or sickness, he will be eligible for demobilisation. If he is eligible, he will no doubt be demobilised in due course, but must take his turn in the same way as other soldiers who are eligible.

If the man was discharged unfit before 1916 and then rejoined after 1916, does the right hon. Gentleman regard that as continuous service and entitling the man to his discharge?

He said so!

Not necessarily; the question is whether the man performed continuous service with the Colours prior to 1916.

My question was: If the man rejoined after 1916 will he be regarded as a person who joined before 1916 and therefore entitled to demobilisation?

It depends on the facts whether he would be liable to service or not.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the duties and responsibilities of commanding officers on the active list of the Territorial Force who have been disembodied, in view of the fact that the great majority of the units have now been demobilised or disembodied?

I will answer at the same time Question No. 77. I summoned a meeting of presidents and chairmen of the Territorial Force Associations at Westminster City Hall yesterday to consider the future of the Territorial Force, and I hope a full report of the proceedings of the meeting will be available for publication to-morrow morning.

asked the Lord Privy Seal what progress has been made with the release of civilian clerks, male and female, temporarily engaged during the War; whether he will issue a weekly, statement of the number of temporary civilian clerks, male and female, released every week; and what is the ratio between the rate of discharge of civilians as compared with the naval and military?

My right hon Friend the Minister of Reconstruction is, at the request of the War Cabinet, looking into this question, and I will consider with him the suggestion made by the hon. Member for a periodic return of the numbers released. No comparison can be made between the rate of discharges of civil staff and of the Forces, as the demobilisation of the Forces itself has thrown an immense burden of work on Departments at home, for which the necessary staff must be retained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, with a view to prevent undue delay in the demobilisation of men who joined the Colours in 1914–15 or those over age, including those serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps, Royal Army Service Corps, and other Departmental units, an inspecting officer of field rank, or over, may be appointed in each theatre of operations to investigate all cases of men who, though eligible by age or service, have not yet been demobilised?

I regret that the proposal put forward by my hon. and gallant Friend cannot be entertained. Officers commanding units are in possession of full instructions regulating the demobilisation of personnel under their command, and I am of opinion that they are the most fitted to judge whether it is necessary temporarily to retain men who are otherwise eligible for demobilisation. I would also refer to the answer given yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Northern Midlothian and Peebles, from which it will be seen that the decisions of officers commanding units must be referred to higher authority in the case of men in certain categories.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the War Officers Commanding hospitals, in particular, were notorious for employing a far larger number of orderlies and fatigue men than was necessary, and if he does not consider therefore that such officers may now retain an unnecessarily large number of men?

I have been putting on the greatest possible pressure to accelerate the demobilisation of medical personnel of all ranks.

asked whether, in view of the early return of men of the 1/4th Somerset Regiment from the East, and in view, of their long service in distant theatres under severe climatic conditions and without home leave, he can make such arrangements in respect of their demobilisation as will permit of a public welcome being given in Somerset to the returning troops?

The cadres of the 1/4th Somersetshire Light Infantry are under orders to return to the United Kingdom, though it is not yet known definitely when they will arrive. Their destination will be Bath, and the earliest intimation of date and probable time of their arrival will be conveyed to the civic authorities of that city when the time comes.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether they have started yet?

I do not carry that point in my head, but I can easily ascertain, if the hon. Gentleman wishes it.

asked the Secretary of State for War the numbers of other ranks demobilised to date on compassionate grounds from the British Expeditionary Force and from units serving at home?

The number of men demobilised by order of the War Office from all fronts on compassionate grounds up to the 31st of March, 1919, is 1,935. It is not possible to say how these are distributed amongst the various forces.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the demobilisation of the various women's corps auxiliary to the Army; whether their demobilisation is being carried on pari passu with that of the Army; and can a weekly table be issued, similar to that issued as to the Army, to show the rate of their demobilization?

Figures are not readily available, but they are being obtained, and I will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Post Office employés who have joined the Colours are entitled to the usual gratuity on demobilisation; and, if not, why such soldiers are being adversely discriminated against?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to the Member for Pontypool by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 20th March.

Can the hon. Gentleman give any undertaking that this matter will be reconsidered?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the enemy guns allotted to Lords Lieutenant to distribute in their respective counties fall far short of the number of requests for such guns; and if he is now able, and, if not now, when will he be able, to comply with requests for further guns?

I understand that the only captured guns that have been distributed by Lords Lieutenants up to the present are those to which units have substantiated their claims, and which at the wish of the units have been placed at the disposal of the Lords Lieutenant for allocation. A distribution of unclaimed guns will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of Stats for War whether he will consider the advisability of giving some decoration to those soldiers of the Old Army who were kept at home, often against their wishes, to train and instruct the New Armies, and who have rendered such valuable service to their country in the formation of our forces?

Soldiers of the Old Army who were kept at home in the conditions enumerated are eligible for certain rewards, as in the case of all troops on home service. The particular attention of general officers commanding in commands was called to these services, and they were asked to bear them in mind when submitting recommendations for the New Year "Gazette," 1919 (in respect of which all recommendations have now been dealt with), and in lists for the 3rd June "Gazette," 1919, now under consideration.

Were any of these soldiers specially brought to the notice of the commanding officers and given a decoration, or do they get one merely as a matter of course?

No; that has already been considered in the "Gazette" and ought to have been published on 1st January. Further cases will be reconsidered before the next list, on 3rd June, is settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a letter, countersigned by the police superintendent of Bristol, was sent to the War Office stating that the father and sister of Sapper A. W. Hendy, No. W.R. 554331, Royal Engineers, Port Directorate, Marghil, or Tanoomah, Mesopotamia, had died, leaving his mother and two young children, and asking for leave for Sapper Hendy; whether no reply of any kind has been given to this letter; whether a cable to the commanding officer has also been unresponded to; and whether, in the circumstances stated, he will see that leave is granted if discharge of the man cannot be given at once?

I am informed that there is no trace of any application regarding this soldier having been received in the War Office. I hope that it may be possible to arrange for Sapper Hendy to be transferred to the home establishment and his discharge on compassionate grounds will then be considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether American troops in Siberia refused to co-operate in the fighting near Blagovestchenck against insurrectionary Russians; if so, why they refused; and whether British troops were used for this sort of warfare?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

The reason given by the General Officer Commanding the American troops was that the force which attacked the Japanese troops might prove to be insurrectionary Russian peasants, mistaken for Bolsheviks.

British troops have not been called upon to quell disturbances, but they will cooperate with other forces of the Allies, including American troops, in maintaining order in the areas in which, for the time being, they are stationed.

Yes, but if there is a difference of opinion as to whether these people are insurrectionary Russians or Bolsheviks between American troops and Japanese troops, can we have an assurance that British troops will cooperate with the Americans and not with the Japanese?

Why?

Because they are white men!

I think these matters must be left to the discretion of the officers on the spot. In this particular case there is no doubt that this was a powerful and well-armed band of Bolsheviks.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Allied Mission has recently returned from Bolshevist Russia with offers of peace from Lenin's Government?

I am not aware of any Allied Mission having been recently in Bolshevist Russia other than a email British Red Cross Mission which has been looking after the interests of our prisoners.

Is the hon. Gentleman sure that a member of the Allied Delegation in Paris has not recently returned from Bolshevist Russia?

I have no information to that effect.

I beg to give notice, in view of the hon. Gentleman's answer, that I shall raise this question on the first available opportunity.

asked the Secretary of State for War why male civilian subordinates require to perform forty-five hours' work per week before they are qualified for overtime, whilst female civilian subordinates are so qualified after performing forty-two hours' work per week?

I understand the question to refer to clerical staffs. I think the hon. and gallant Member will agree that it is not asking too much to require a slightly longer normal working week from men. The rates paid take account of the hours worked.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decision has been reached as to the granting of Army of Occupation pay to nurses, members of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, and other women employed with the Armies of Occupation; and, if not, when a decision can be expected?

It is hoped that a decision will be reached shortly.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to paragraph 35 of the Fourth Interim Report of the Committee appointed to inquire into the organisation and staffing of Government offices, dealing with the limitations, as regards staff, of the Department of Overseas Trade; whether, in view of the great importance of giving every opportunity for the increase of our overseas trade, he will give facilities for the strengthening of the staff in question; and whether he is yet in a position to say when the Department in question will be properly housed, as suggested in the above-mentioned Report?

My attention has been called to the paragraph in question and also to the subsequent paragraph dealing with the duplication of work between the Department of Overseas Trade and the Board of Trade. Until the latter question is settled satisfactorily I am unable to give a final decision as to the whole staff of the Department of Overseas Trade, but a considerable addition of staff is being allowed in the meantime. I think, speaking from memory, the staff is about 400 at the present time. In the present difficult position with regard to the housing of Government Departments generally, I cannot state definitely when it will be possible to move this Department to more suitable quarters, but the matter is under consideration by the First Commissioner of Works.

May I ask my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House whether, in view of this admitted overlapping, the War Cabinet cannot pay some attention to this matter, and so prevent further waste of the taxpayers' money?

We are paying attention to it; we had a long discussion about it yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is able to publish the Report of the Sub-committee of the Committee appointed to inquire into the organisation and staffing of Government offices, which has recently reported on the Department of Overseas Trade?

The Reports of the inspecting panels appointed by the Committee on Staffs were made to that Committee and formed the subject-matter in respect of which evidence was taken both from the inspectors themselves and representatives of the Departments concerned. The contents of these Reports are very fully summarised in the Committee's own reports, and I do not think that there would be any advantage in publishing the separate reports of the inspecting panels.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of large attendances of the public at football matches on Saturday afternoons who desire refreshment before going to the fields where such matches are played, and who have not accommodation in their homes to store supplies, and therefore cannot get any refreshment till four o'clock on these days, he will take steps to afford the same opportunities on Saturdays for the people's refreshment as on other weekdays?

The Central Control Board have no evidence from the districts concerned of any general desire for the change proposed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these restrictions, which only affect the working classes, cause great irritation and a good deal of labour unrest, and that they believe that they were passed by the first Government to cover their failure to supply munitions?

asked the Prime Minister whether part of the £20,000,000 which it is announced is to be allocated by the Government for the purchase, adaptation, and building of cottages on land to be developed for land settlements for ex-Service men will be apportioned to Scotland, and, if so, how much; and whether he will consider the propriety of departing from the usual proportion in this case and provide a separate and adequate sum for Scottish needs in view of the difference in agricultural conditions in Scotland and the great wish for small holdings?

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland on this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Govern- ment intend to invite Parliament to amend the Married Women's Property Act this Session?

The answer is in the negative.

Will it not be necessary to amend the Act if the Inland Revenue authorities are to be allowed to continue to treat a wife's income as part of her husband's income?

If it is necessary it will be done, but I am not aware that it is necessary.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the burden now placed on boards of guardians through the cost of relieving the wives and children of men who have deserted from the Army; and whether he will consider the advisability of such costs being borne in whole or in part by the Government?

I have been asked to reply to this question. It is not proposed to place this charge upon the taxpayer.

asked whether, in view of the large number of women workers who are drawing unemployment benefit, and taking into consideration the urgent need for wood and light iron work and other materials necessary for their housing policy, the Government will give in the national factories temporary employment of this character to women workers, thus substituting for a wasteful policy one which meets the national necessity of the time?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The policy of the Government as to the use of these factories has already been announced, and I have nothing to add in that respect. I am, however, taking all possible steps to stimulate the employment of women in suitable occupations.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, in view of his statement that a Departmental inquiry is the most suitable method for investigating the relations between the Sinn Fein movement and the German enemy and men inciting to disturbances and breaches of contract in dockyards, mines, etc., contrary to the Regulations of the Defence of the Realm Act, he will direct that such Departmental inquiry shall forthwith be made and that the evidence taken and the conclusions arrived at shall be published; if such Departmental inquiry has already taken place, will he without delay publish the conclusions and evidence, only withholding the names of witnesses in cases where the publication of such names might place the said witnesses in danger; and, if not, will he state what means he proposes to take in order to allow the people of the United Kingdom, of the British Empire, and of our Allies in America and Europe to judge as to the character of the Sinn Fein movement and whether it should or should not be regarded by them as having afforded help to the enemy and as being injurious to the interests of the United Kingdom and the British Empire and the cause of the Allies?

I would refer my hon Friend to the answer which I gave on this subject on the 27th February.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether, if it is the intention of the Government to institute such an inquiry, he will institute a similar inquiry in regard to the relations existing between the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Duncairn (Sir E. Carson) and the Kaiser before the War, especially in relation to the luncheon party?

I think I must answer that. I have not said that there is any inquiry, but from my own knowledge all the talk about the relations of my right hon. Friend with the Kaiser is purely without foundation.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it has as much foundation as the German plot?

No, I am sorry to say, nothing like the same foundation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in the one case, we have a distinct statement publicly made that the right hon. Gentleman lunched with the German Emperor before the War, whereas we have no evidence about the German plot?

I did not say anything about the luncheon. I said it was absolutely untrue that there were any relations of any kind of a political nature between my right hon. Friend and the Kaiser.

Order, order! This has absolutely nothing whatever to do with the question.

asked whether Corporal R. W. Atkinson, No. 65415, 1st Northumberland Fusiliers, died in No. 3 Field Ambulance, France, on 23rd August, 1918; whether his death was not reported to the War Office until February, 1919; and, if so, what was the cause of the delay?

I understand that Corporal Atkinson was reported from the base on 2nd September, 1918, as wounded on 23rd August, but his death was not reported. Subsequently a report was received from the Director of Graves Registration and Inquiries that Corporal Atkinson's grave had been located, particulars of the locality being given. This evidence was referred to the base, and an official report then received that Corporal Atkinson had died of his wounds on 23rd August in No. 3 Field Ambulance. I have no doubt that the failure to notify his death at the time was due to the conditions brought about by the very heavy fighting of that period.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether it was February before the case was reported?

Yes, Sir.

asked the Secretary for War if he will publish the rules under which evidence will be admitted to the Committee inquiring into courts-martial?

It will be for the Committee to determine their own procedure in such a matter, and they are by their composition very well qualified to do so.

Will the right hon. Gentleman see that the rules are published when the Committee has framed them?