asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the establishment of the principle of Imperial Preference embodied in the Budget, he will present to the House a detailed statement setting forth the commodities to which Imperial Preference is to apply and showing the principal Empire and foreign sources of supply of each commodity or group of commodities affected by the new Preference proposals, as well as an estimate of the anticipated revenue from Customs Duties in respect of these commodities from Empire and foreign sources, respectively?

I dealt with this subject pretty fully in my Budget Statement, but if my hon. Friend, on further consideration, thinks that the information already given is insufficient, I shall be glad to consult with him as to the presentation of such a Paper as he suggests.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the present position of the Post Office Savings Bank, it is proposed to make any provision to meet the depreciation in the securities held by the Postmaster-General against the liabilities of the Post Office to depositors; and, if so, what is the nature and extent of such provision?

This is a question which has been often discussed in this House when for any reason the value of securities has fallen. The security for the deposits in the Post Office Savings Bank is the Consolidated Fund. I do not think any special measures are required at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a firm who makes up its accounts for the year at the 31st March, 1919, would have to pay excess profit tax at the rate of 80 per cent. for three-quarters of the period, and 40 per cent. for the last quarter?

If the proposal relating to Excess Profits Duty, which are contained in the Budget Resolutions, receive statutory sanction in the forthcoming Finance Bill, excess profits arising in the accounting period of twelve months ended on 31st March, 1919, will be chargeable to that duty at the rate of 80 per cent. as respects three quarters, and at the rate of 40 per cent. as respects one quarter of such excess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give for the past financial year the total loss of revenue to the country caused by the concession with regard to Excess Profits Duty granted to co-operative wholesale societies trading under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts?

The information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend is not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the statements set forth on page 48 of White Paper (14—VIII.—Unclassified Services), that the cost of transportation and other services rendered to the Navy, Army, Air Force, Civil and Revenue Departments, is provided in the Estimates of the Departments concerned, tables showing in detail the amounts respectively to be expended by these Departments upon transportation and other railway services, may be circulated for the information of Members of the House?

The total cost of the services to be rendered to Government Departments by the railways during the current financial year is provisionally estimated at £10,000,000. Until detailed Estimates have been presented for the Navy, Army, and Air Force, it is impossible to supply the particulars desired by my hon. Friend.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether ha can ascertain the gross amount of Income Tax under Schedules C and D which in the past financial year would have been payable by co-operative societies who, under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act are exempt, on the supposition that a co-operative wholesale society and a retail dealer were placed on the same footing as regards liability to tax?

In order to frame any answer to my hon and gallant Friend's question I should have to assume that rebates given by co-operative societies to members ought to be profits within the meaning of the Income Tax Acts, and that if this assumption were good in law and enforced in practice, the societies would still continue to trade at the same prices and to give their benefits to members in the same way as at present. Both these assumptions are highly disputable and an estimate framed upon them would, I think, be useless as well as very difficult to frame.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he intends to continue, under Section 24 of the Industrial and Provident Societies' Act, the exemption from Income Tax of co-operative wholesale societies which, under the rules of their constitution, can carry on the trades and businesses of wholesale dealers, of general retail dealers, of bankers, shippers, carriers, manufacturers, merchants, cultivators of land, workers of mines, and insurers of persons and property?

The position of the co-operative societies in relation to Income Tax is a subject that falls within the scope of the inquiry by the Royal Commission on Income Tax, and I do not propose to make any change in existing law or practice in regard to it until we have that Report.

asked the Chancellor of the

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that rates upon the tithe rent-charge are rapidly increasing all over the country, whilst the increase of income of the tithe-paid clergy has been stopped by a recent Act of Parliament, he can see his way to relieve these clergy of the serious burden of rates upon their tithe income, for which they have to perform certain

Exchequer what was the taxable income assessed to Income Tax in the years 1915–16, 1916–17, and 1917–18; and how much of this was assessed in each year in respect of incomes from £130–£400 a year, £400–£600, £600–£700, £3,000–£5,000, £5,000–£10,000, and over £10,000, respectively?

The total taxable income ( i.e. , the net income before the allowance of any personal reliefs such as abatement and children's allowance) dealt with for Income Tax purposes in each of the years mentioned was as follows:

Information as to the distribution of the taxable income between the limits of income below £700 mentioned in the question is not available, but the particular graduation in force for the year 1916–17 and onwards render it possible to give the following figures:

In the higher classes named the income assessed to Super-tax was as follows:

statutory services; and whether such relief would equally relieve the Treasury which at present pays half of the said rates upon the clerical tithe, in recognition of the special hardship of having to pay rates upon their professional income, from which the tithe-paid clergy suffer?

I cannot hold out any expectation that the Government will propose legislation upon this matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the many burglaries and thefts of jewellery, plate, etc., and other small articles of value, in order to make the commission of these offences and the disposal of the goods less easy, and the offenders more readily traced, he will consider the advisability of introducing legislation requiring a form of certificate of origin subject to a revenue stamp of so many shillings in the pound to be filled in, verified by the signature of some responsible person, and presented upon the sale of all such articles sold second-hand?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. A somewhat similar suggestion was considered some years ago, but was found to be quite impracticable.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what is the average cost per issue of the magazine entitled "The Month's Work," published on behalf of the Ministry of Labour; what is the total cost to date of this magazine; and whether he will supply a list of all similar periodicals published by or on behalf of Government Departments, and of any other weekly, fortnightly, or monthly publications which are produced wholly or in part with the assistance of public funds?

The average cost, for printing and paper, per issue of 10,000 copies of "The Month's Work" is, roughly, £65, the total cost to date of nine issues being £590. Against this there is a small set-off on account of returns from sale, amounting to about £25 for the nine issues, but the bulk of the copies are distributed free. The following similar periodicals are published by the Government for sale:

Daily—

Parliamentary Debates (Commons and Lords).

Votes and Proceedings (Commons).

Minutes (Lords).

Twice weekly—

The "London Gazette."

Weekly—

"Board of Trade Journal."

Return of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (England, Ireland, and Scotland).

Weather Reports.

Fortnightly—

Supplement to Daily Review of the Foreign Press.

Monthly—

Admiralty Orders.

Air Force List.

Army Orders.

Army List.

National Food Journal

Births, Deaths, and Marriages Returns, Scotland.

Defence of Realm Regulations.

Emigration Statistics, Ireland.

Foreign Trade and Commerce Accounts.

"Labour Gazette."

Meteorological Charts—Indian Ocean, North Atlantic, and Mediterranean.

Metropolitan Water Supply, Report on Conditions of.

Navy List.

Trade and Navigation Accounts.

"War Pensions Gazette."

Weather Reports.

The following are printed by the Stationery Office for the Ministry of Labour, but are not placed on sale:

Daily—

"National Clearing House Gazette."

(Also issued weekly as an amalgamated edition of the daily parts.)

Weekly—

"The Billet."

Civilians immediately available, list of.

Ex-Officers immediately available, List of.

Overseas, Immediate vacancies list.

The Labour Situation.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will state up to the 1st January, 1918, the number of paupers (men and women separately) over seventy years of age in the United Kingdom, indoor and outdoor, with the average cost of the indoor and the average cost of the outdoor pauper; the number of claims for old age pensions received; the number rejected by pensions committees or on appeal by the Local Government Board on account of age; poor relief; means; other causes; the number of pensions in force on the 1st January, 1918, with the varying rates; the number of pensioners whose deaths have been notified to the pension officers since 31st March, 1918; how many pensioners have since the War given up their pensions and gone into the workhouse; and how many pensions have been revoked on account of means since 1912, giving each year separately?

The number of paupers over seventy years of age in England, Wales, and Scotland were as follows:

I have not been able to obtain similar statistics in regard to Ireland. No figures are available as to the cost of maintenance of these persons.

As regards the second, third, fourth, and fifth parts of the question the position is that old age pension statistics are made up to the 31st March in each year. On the 19th June last I furnished the hon. Member with the figures for the year ended the 31st March, 1918, and the figures for the year ending the 31st March, 1919, have not yet been prepared.

As regards the sixth part of the question there are no particulars available as to the number of old age pensioners who have since the War given up their pensions and gone into the workhouse.

As regards the last portion of the question, I explained to the hon. Member in June last that the only figures available are the combined figures of claims rejected and pensions revoked. These figures are given year by year in the annual reports of the Commissioners of His Majesty's Customs and Excise to which I may refer the hon. Member.

The number rejected and revoked on the ground of means since 1912 are as follows:

asked the Food Controller whether linseed cake is now purchaseable in India at a very low cost; and, if so, whether he can arrange for greater shipping facilities to be given for the shipment of the same from India to this country free on board?

The price of Indian linseed cake is at present £12 to £13 per ton, f.o.b., Calcutta. Dealing in linseed and other cattle cakes is no longer controlled, and traders desiring to import this cake from India can obtain adequate facilities for doing so.

asked the Food Controller whether he can state the price of cotton-cake purchased in Egypt free on board, the cost of freight to England, and the price at which it is sold plus ship London to merchants?

The price of cotton-cake in Egypt, which is controlled by the Egyptian Government, averages 105s. a ton free on board Alexandria. The freight charged to the Ministry of Food is 62s. 6d. per ton; other charges amount to 25s. per ton. The cake is not sold" ex ship" but "ex quay," and the price charged to merchants is £15 per ton. The case of Egyptain cotton-cake cannot, however, be considered by itself, since it has been necessary for the Ministry of Food to purchase the remainder of its supplies in far more expensive markets, and the profit obtained on the sale of Egyptian cake has been used in reduction of the price of other cake to the consumer. I may add that the amount of Egyptian cotton-cake imported since September, 1918, is 23,000 tons, and the amount of the more expensive cake imported since the same date is 70,000 tons. It was only by the importation of the latter amount that the Food Controller was enabled to relax the severe rationing system of feeding-stuffs to animals.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can now state the result of his consideration of the means by which men who attested under the Derby scheme, but for one reason or another were not called up till after 1st January, 1916, would be included in the scheme of demobilisation?

I regret that at the present time men who attested under the Derby scheme, but were not called up till 1st January, 1916, cannot be demobilised unless—

(i) They are eligible under current instructions; or

(ii) On extreme compassionate grounds as defined in the Instructions recently issued on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received an application for the discharge of Private Robert Olive, No. 027754, Army Ordnance Corps, the Citadel, Bagdad, Mesopotamia, on compassionate grounds; whether this was supported by a statement by the rector of the parish that the statement of facts was true and by a doctor's certificate as to the health of the man's father; and can he say if the application has been considered and will be granted?

There is no trace of any application on behalf of Private Olive having been received by the War Office. Fresh instructions have recently been issued defining "extreme compassionate grounds," and governing releases on such grounds. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy. If the case falls within any of the categories prescribed therein, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving the full facts and particulars, duly certified as set out in the Instructions, the case will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Sergeant G. Davey, No. 53981, Machine Gun Corps, 58th Battalion, C Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, has not been discharged, seeing that, though he joined up after 1st January, 1916, he has gained three wound-stripes?

Sergeant Davey is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If he is entitled to wear three wound-stripes he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is any soldier labour which it is possible to replace by the employment of civil labour, so as to release the men whose demobilisation is requested either on urgent compassionate grounds or urgent business grounds?

Instructions have been issued for the withdrawal of soldier labour and its replacement by civil labour wherever possible. Special consideration is given to cases of a compassionate nature.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private V. Johnson, No. 325450, 9th Durham Light Infantry, has applied for demobilisation while on leave; that he has now been ordered by the Officer Commanding Records, York, to rejoin his unit overseas and make application to his own commanding officer for demobilisation; whether, having joined in 1915 and being eligible for demobilisation, it is necessary for him to repair overseas in order to be re-embarked for home; and whether, in view of the shortage of transport, his berth on the outward and homeward journey can be saved by his demobilisation while in this country, and the order to rejoin his unit revoked?

Private Johnson is not registered either as pivotal or for special release, nor is there trace of any application on his behalf having been received by the War Office. Under current instructions, men on leave from France cannot be demobilised whilst on leave, except on extreme compassionate grounds. If this man's service is as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, he would appear to be eligible for demobilisation, and, if so, he will be released as soon as circumstances permit.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Corporal B. Harrison, No. 50057, Royal Army Medical Corps, No. 8 P. O. W. Hospital, Belbeis, joined the Service in January, 1915; whether Corporal Harrison has been abroad for four years without leave; and whether he will institute inquiry so that his demobilisation might be expedited?

Corporal Harrison is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated, he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. If he is eligible, he will be released as soon as circumstances permit. I would remind my hon. Friend that personnel of the R.A.M.C., though eligible for demobilisation, are liable to be temporarily retained as part of the military machinery of demobilisation. Men thus retained are being released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Joseph Reader, No. 85018, Royal Field Artillery, C Battery, 55th Brigade, 13th Division, Mesopotamia, joined the forces in January, 1915; whether he has been four years in the Service and received no leave; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to the demobilisation of this man?

Private Reader is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. If his length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend he is eligible for demobilisation, unless he is serving under pre-war conditions of service and his term of Colour service is not completed. I would refer to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Moss Side on the 1st instant, regarding the appointment of senior officers to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officers or soldiers who are eligible for demobilisation are retained without good and sufficient cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a Post Office telegraphist serving in the signal section of the Royal Engineers, in whose behalf a pivotal slip was issued in January last, may now be released and permitted to return to his civil occupation?

All men who were registered by the War Office as "pivotal" prior to 1st February, 1919, are eligible for demobilisation, irrespective of age or length of service. Such men are being released as soon as circumstances permit, unless temporarily retained for exceptional reasons by order of a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, when they are released as soon as their services can be spared or they can be replaced.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the case of Bandsman E. M'Intosh, No. 11902, 3rd East Surrey Regiment, aged seventeen years, who was at the age of fourteen years sent from the Grafton Street, Liverpool, Industrial School, where he was there detained with the Army without the consent of either of his parents; whether he will state under what authority this action was taken, and if it has the approval of the Army Council; and whether, in view of the fact that the period of detention in the industrial school to which he was sentenced has now expired and of the wish of the father and of the boy that he should be demobilised, the authorities will be instructed to release him from the Army forthwith?

Inquiries are being made into this case, and I will communicate the result to my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a number of soldiers on the strength of the Signal Service Training Centre at Bedford were eligible for demobilisation under Industrial Group No. 35 as General Post Office employés; whether he is aware that the officer in charge for the Bedford area is retaining the men although they are employed on fatigues and administrative duties; and whether, in view of the shortage of commercial telegraphists, he will order these men to be demobilised?

All men who are eligible for demobilisation under current instructions are being released as rapidly as the exigencies of the Service permit, unless temporarily retained as part of the military machinery for demobilisation. Such men as are being retained are being released as soon as their services can be dispensed with, or they can be replaced. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Moss Side on the 1st instant, to the effect that senior officers have been appointed to inspect unit registers with a view to ensuring that no officer or man if eligible for demobilisation is retained without good and sufficent cause.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether every signaller serving with W Corps Signal Company in Egypt has been retained for the Army of Occupation; whether the telegraph work does not average one message per man per twenty-four hours; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

Inquiries will be made in this case, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the Derbyshire War Agricultural Committee asked last December and January for the release of 369 men as pivotal men; that not 50 per cent. of these men have been released; and will he expedite these releases, seeing there is such a serious shortage of labour and congestion of farm work in the county?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform my hon. Friend of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received from soldiers serving in the Rhine Army representations similar to those of which Members of Parliament are frequently in receipt, to the effect that it costs a man all his bonus to buy extra food; and what steps he will devise to bring about a more satisfactory state of affairs?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the written reply given to a similar question put by the hon. and gallant Member for South-West Hull on the 3rd April. The troops in the Army of the Rhine are supplied with rations on the same scale as that which was in force during the War, and which has the concurrence of the medical authorities as regards the sufficiency of feeding value. Any extras which the individual soldier desires to obtain can be procured at reasonable prices from the Expeditionary Force Canteen.

If my hon. Friend will let me have specific details of the complaints to which he refers, I will have further inquiry made, but at present I am not aware of any shortage of supplies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the wives of officers holding Staff appointments in Egypt are allowed to join their husbands in Egypt at the present time?

Yes, Sir, provided the husband bears all expenses and provided his General Officer Commanding has no objection.

asked the Secretary of State for War what provision has been made in military hospitals for class-room and workshop accommodation to enable wounded and disabled men to take advantage of educational facilities promised under the Army education scheme?

Circular letters were issued on the 20th November last and again on the 7th April, drawing the attention of medical officers to the great importance attached to this training, and in the latter case instructions were given to commands that every effort was to be made to meet the requirements of the education officers with regard to accommodation. Further instructions as to the provision of accommodation and the utilisation of recreation rooms, huts, dining halls, etc., were issued to commands on the 14th April.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a list of the members of General Sir Archibald Murray's Committee, formed to consider the question of the types of uniform to be worn by the After-War Army, may be published; and whether special consideration may be given to the claims of Scottish regiments, both Lowland and Highland, and that opportunity may be given for these regiments to have their claims to distinctive uniforms thoroughly considered?

The personnel of the Committee on the Dress and Uniform of the After-War Army is as follows:

Lieutenant-General Sir A. J. Murray, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., C.V.O., D.S.O. (Chairman).

Colonel H. C. Stanley Clarke, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.A.

Brigadier-General I. L. B. Vesey, D.S.O., the Queens.

Brigadier-General J. Kennedy, C.M.G., D.S.O., Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Brigadier-General the Earl of Radnor, C.I.E., T.D., Territorial Force.

Colonel C. E. Cockran, C.M.G., Grenadier Guards.

Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. P. Anderson, C.M.G., D.S.O., 11th Hussars.

Leutenant-Colonel R. J. I. Hesketh, 7th (S.R.) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.

Lieutenant-Colonel W. J. Whitehead, D.S.O., 6th (Res.) Battalion, the London Regiment.

Major-General Sir J. Steevens, K.C.B., K.C.M.G.

Major J. J. Grubb, M.B.E. (Secretary).

The Committee is empowered to take evidence, and representative officers of both Highland and Lowland regiments, in common with others, will be given an opportunity of expressing their views, so that the claims of all regiments will be thoroughly considered

asked the Secretary of State for War whether arrangements can now be made to relinquish the house, No. 29, Beaconsfield Road, St. Albans, which is still in the occupation of troops, seeing that the tenant of this house is under notice to leave the one he at present occupies, and will shortly be without a house unless the above can be released?

Inquiries are being made. I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War what salary is now being paid to Captain Fricker, employed as a whole-time officer of the Sussex County Territorial Force Association; and for what reason the repealed recommendations of the association as to this officer's salary have been ignored?

Captain Fricker's salary is £150 a year, and in addition the Sussex Territorial Force Association may pay him a war bonus at the rate of £60 a year. The salaries of officers of Territorial Associations are subject, under Regulation, to the control of the Army Council; and the action of the War Office in this case has been guided by the salaries paid under similar circumstances by other associations. The correspondence on the question is, however, not yet completed.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that moneys due from Army funds to the infant children of deceased soldiers are being invested on their behalf by command paymasters in the Orphans' Savings Bank of the War Office at 2½ per cent. compound interest; and whether he will give orders that in the future such funds shall be invested in Government securities or other trustees' securities yielding a higher rate of interest?

These investments are made by the War Office in pursuance of Section 9 of the Regimental Debts Act of 1893. I will consider whether some more productive form of investment can be arranged.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can arrange that the Army war gratuity shall be paid to established telegraphists in the Central Telegraph Branch of the Post Office who joined the Signal Section of the Royal Engineers upon their return to civil life?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply given on the 10th of April to the hon. Member for Burnley.

asked the Minister for Labour whether his attention has been directed to the fact that an Orkney gentleman joined up on the 11th August, 1914, and received his commission in the Royal Garrison Artillery on the 1st October, 1914; that on the 27th January last, acting on the advice of the Military Advisory Board in France, he applied for a grant to enable him to complete his studies, and at the same time was assured by the commanding officer that he need not fear being demobilised before the grant was assured; and that in the middle of February he was demobilised, and has since been unable to get any information with regard to his position; and if he will make inquiry into the matter?

I am making inquiries into this case, and will communicate with my hon. Friend in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Royal Air Force officers and men who have not yet been demobilised and who are not volunteers for the Army of Occupation are receiving the increased rate of pay from 1st February; whether he is aware that temporary naval officers of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who are in an analogous position are receiving all the benefits referred to, and whether he will take steps to put the pay of such officers of the Royal Air Force on an equal footing?

Full bonus is being given in all cases from 1st May. The cases in which it may be given in arrear to officers and men who are in course of demobilisation, but have not been demobilised on 1st May, are under consideration. An early decision will be given.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what is the policy to be adopted as to the continuation or otherwise of the Women's Royal Air Force; whether he is aware that many drivers, after two years of successful driving, are being dismissed as incompetent and men with no experience at all taken in lieu, and will he take steps to put a stop to this practice?

The question of the continuance or otherwise of the Women's Royal Air Force as a part of the permanent Royal Air Force has not been decided. No women drivers have recently been dismissed for incompetence, but a certain number have been replaced by men as men have become available for work for which they are thought to be more suitable than women.

asked the Pensions Minister how many applications he has received for assistance from the King's Fund; in how many cases assistance has been given; and what are the general principles governing all the decisions on applications for aid?

Applications are not received by the Minister, but, up to the 29th ultimo, 45,629 applications had been received by the trustees, and 15,394 grants have been made. Of this balance the large majority are cases awaiting further investigation by the local committees. The general principles governing the decisions are that the officer or man must have suffered disability through war service, and that his application must be supported by the local committee (or, in the case of an officer, by a member of the Ministry's inspectorate). In other respects, each case is considered by the trustees and decided by them entirely on its merits.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether lepers sent to a leper asylum by magisterial order are only detained so long as they suffer from an open sore; whether such detention is a vain expenditure of public money, in view of the fact, believed to be established, that leprosy is contagious in all its stages; and whether the Governor-General in Council contemplates any amendment of the Leper Act in order to check the spread of this disease in India?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am advised that medical opinion is divided on the question whether leprosy is contagious in all its stages. So far as I am aware, no amendment of the Indian Leper Act is in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Report of the Indian Cotton Committee has been received; and, if so, whether it will be made available for hon. Members as a Command Paper, or otherwise?

I have not yet received the Report, but advance copies are on their way. I propose to place copies in the Library, and when a further supply is received I shall be happy to furnish any hon. Member who is interested with the Report.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has now received the Report on the British West Indian Customs Conference, held recently in Trinidad; and whether he will publish this in the form of a White Paper?

The Report, etc., has not yet been received. I will see, when it is received, that a copy is forwarded to the Library, and shall be very pleased to send copies to Members who are interested in the subject.

asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the overcrowding of the omnibuses and tramcars operating in London; what efforts, if any, he is making to remedy this evil; and, in view of the likelihood of injury resulting to members of the public as a result of this overcrowding, whether he will take immediate steps to see if the companies concerned are doing everything in their power to give the greatest possible service to the public?

I am well aware of the overcrowding. It has been necessary to allow a limited number of excess passengers to meet the shortage caused by the withdrawal of omnibuses for military use, and by the impossibility of replacing worn out vehicles during the War. The police have temporarily reduced their requirements with regard to the vehicles to the lowest point consistent with safety in order to allow as many vehicles as possible to continue to run. Neither I nor the Commissioner is responsible for the supply of vehicles, but the Commissioner has reason to believe that the operating concerns are doing their utmost to cope with the situation.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the Committee has met to inquire into the schemes formulated for the assistance of the blind; whether Treasury sanction has been obtained for the purpose in question; and, if so, are the schemes to be carried into effect without delay?

Yes, Sir, the Committee met the day before yesterday. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which was given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Member for Newcastle-on-Tyne.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many, if any, of the proposals submitted by the Water Power Resources Committee in their Report, dated 28th February, 1919, have been approved by the Government; and whether it is yet possible to give a date by which approved schemes will be proceeded with as a means of developing trade facilities and for giving immediate employment?

No decision has yet been taken by the Government on the proposals of the Water Power Resources Committee, and I am not yet in a position to say what action will be taken.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the amount and value of British-made morphia exported in each of the years 1911 to 1918, and, if he can, which are the chief countries receiving such morphia?

The quantities and values of British-made morphia and morphia salts registered as exported from the United Kingdom in each year from 1911 to 1918, inclusive, were as follows:

The principal countries to which these exports were consigned included: Germany (prior to the outbreak of war), Russia, France, Japan, and (in 1917 and 1918) Canada.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the 50 per cent. increase on ordinary railway fares and the 20 per cent. increase on season tickets were imposed by the Government as purely war measures, the latter especially pressing with great severity on a large number of the inhabitants of East Leyton who can very ill afford to pay it, he can see his way to abolish or reduce this increase as soon as possible?

I regret the hardship referred to, but I am afraid that the present position of the railways does not justify a reduction of the existing charges for ordinary or season tickets. I may point out, however, that in the case of season tickets covering railway distances under 12 miles the increase is only 10 per cent.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any statement as to the use of enemy steamers to make up the deficiency in passenger and cargo tonnage to Australia, and in particular steamers specially built by the Germans for the Australian service; and whether he has made arrangements with British shipping companies to run the steamers?

I have been asked to reply. All the passenger steamers handed over by Germany to the United Kingdom, amounting to twenty-three in number have been allocated to the service of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa, twenty-one of these having been allocated to Australasia. They are being used for repatriation of troops, munition workers, and families. Arrangements have been made with the liner companies serving the respective countries to run the steamers and take any cargo available which they are capable of taking in addition to the passengers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will publish the accounts of the Wool Controller, showing the prices of the various grades of English wool at which they were purchased from farmers during the three seasons 1916, 1917, and 1918, the price each grade made in its sold condition to the manufacturer, and the profits made on each grade, if any?

The official purchase price lists for the various types of wool grown in the United Kingdom have each season been published locally in the areas into which the United Kingdom was divided for the purpose of wool purchase. The description of the different types of wool given in the purchase price lists do not correspond with the grades of wool sold to manufacturers, as each type bought from the farmer would be classed into several grades, with prices varying in accordance with their quality, length, style, and yield. It is accordingly impossible to give any reliable comparison between the buying price for any type and the selling prices of the various grades made from it. With regard to the question of profits I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Abingdon (Brigadier-General Wigan) on the 29tli April last.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that a special surcharge of £3 10s. is being made in respect of the reinstallation of telephones in the houses of former subscribers on their return from service in the Army to civil life, though in such cases little is required except to refix wires and fittings; and whether he can see his way to remitting this charge in cases of the class indicated?

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will give me particulars of the cases which he has in mind. It is not the general practice to collect a surcharge for the reinstallation of the telephone of a subscriber who relinquished it because of the requirements of his service with the forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a large number of agricultural laboureres are allowed to loaf about villages on unemployment pay owing to the loose methods of the Labour Exchanges; and whether he will, having regard to the great scarcity of labour for planting and sowing, consider some means of remedying this evil?

I am aware that a number of men who have registered as agricultural labourers are out of employment and drawing donation. Agricultural labourers are particularly difficult to place in employment at a distance from their homes, owing, inter alia, to the dearth of housing accommodation in many of the districts where labour is most wanted, anl the unwillingness of some employers to engage other than local men. As regards the scarcity of labour for planting and sowing, I can assure the hon. Member that constant attention is being given to this matter by the local representatives of this Department in consultation with those of the Board of Agriculture.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can indicate the whereabouts of the 130 acres given as the total area of land acquired by the London County Council for allotments under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act; and under what terms these allotments are held by the respective allotment holders?

I am informed that the London County Council have acquired under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, some fifty-three acres of land for allotments at Perry Rise, Catford; Church Manor Way, Plumstead; Shooters Hill, Charlton; and West Norwood. A further area of, approximately, eighty acres of land acquired under the Housing and other Acts is used for allotments. The terms on which the allotments are held by the respective allotment-holders are presumably governed by the rules made by the Council with the approval of the Board for the letting of allotments, and I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps, if any, have been taken under the Acquisition of Land Act, 1916, to purchase compulsorily or by agreement any land now held for the purpose of allotments under the Cultivation of Lands Order?

In accordance with instructions contained in a Circular Letter issued to local authorities by the Board on the 21st February last, local authorities are negotiating for the continuance in the Board's occupation of land entered on for allotments under Regulation 2l of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, but the Board have not yet been asked to approve the purchase of any such land under the Defence of the Realm (Acquisition of Land) Act, 1916. In view of the fact that the greater part of the land entered upon possesses a present or prospective building value it could not be purchased, except at prohibitive prices, and the only practicable course is to hire it at an agricultural rent till it is required for building.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will take steps to cause county councils to make periodical returns of the number of allotments acquired by them under the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908; and if he will have such Returns published from time to time by the Board?

Under Section 59 of the Small Holdings and Allotments Act, 1908, county councils are required to send to the Board annually a report of their proceedings under the Act during the preceding year. These returns were, with the authority of Parliament, suspended during the War, but they will in due course be called for and published.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that, owing to the excessive wages paid by the Government Department to men working in the woods in the urban district council of Wigmore, Herefordshire, that urban district council can obtain no labour for work which is most urgent, and that farmers in the vicinity are in the same situation; and whether he can see his way to take any action in the matter?

The information which I have received is that the wages paid to employés of the Timber Supplies Department in the district concerned are the current wages for such labour. If, however, my hon. and gallant Friend has information to the contrary, and will send me particulars, I should be glad to look into the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will consider offers from the agricultural labourers' unions to carry on themselves the work on the farms if the farmers go on strike over the recent Milk Order?

The Board have no reason to believe that the situation suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is likely to arise, since it is hoped that the difficulties which have arisen may be adjusted. If it did arise, it would be necessary for the Government to take whatever steps were considered necessary for the maintenance of the milk supply.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and in what respect, the system of entrance— e.g. nomination by the Secretary of State, approval by the Selection Board, and subsequent examination by the Civil Service Commissioners—has been altered since 1914; whether any change has been made in the number of marks required in the examination and the number of marks given for knowledge of French and German; whether German, in the matter of marks, is still given an advantage over all other languages except French; and, if so, whether, and in what way, it is proposed to modify this system of marking?

During the first three years after the War candidates will be chosen by a Board of Selection, after passing a preliminary qualifying examination by the Civil Service Commission, but in addition there will be a compulsory examination in French. The Regulations are shown in the annexed Paper. No special advantage is given in the examination in respect of knowledge of the German language.

The Regulations referred to apply only to the Foreign Service ( i e. , Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service). The Consular Service is quite a separate branch. All candidates who wish to enter for this should write for papers to the Consular Department.

The following is an outline of the requirements for candidates for entry into the Foreign Service for the first three years after the War (No. 8 will, however, remain permanent).

Age Limit

1. The age limit for candidates will be 22–25.

2. Candidates who were under 25 on 1st August, 1914, can— ^* spent in His Majesty's Forces, the Public Service, or whilst interned.

Foreign Languages

3. Candidates will be chosen by a Board of Selection, after passing a preliminary qualifying examination by the Civil Service Commission (for particulars see below), but in addition there will be a compulsory examination in French (chiefly oral). A slightly lower standard of French may be accepted provided the candidate has a good knowledge of other foreign languages, one or more of which (besides French) can be offered at option. No candidate will be allowed to offer himself for a colloquial test alone in a foreign language, but must also show skill in translation and composition.

Reports

4. A report by school and university, and, by naval, military, or air authorities will be required in the case of each candidate, for submission to the Board of Selection with the report of the examination.

Physical Suitability

5. The Board of Selection will take into account general physical suitability, leaving to the Civil Service Commission strict medical investigation of candidates.

6. No candidate will be passed who cannot be sent to any climate.

7. The loss of a limb will not in itself be regarded as a disqualification, but the loss of sight, deafness, or a bad stammer will be so regarded.

British-born Subjects

8. No candidate will be eligible unless he be a natural-born British subject born within the United Kingdom or one of the self-governing Dominions, of parents also born within those territories, except when the circumstances are such as to justify a departure from the general rule, in which case he can be allowed to compete by special permission of the Secretary of State.

9. Candidates should fill in the enclosed application form, and return it, together with their reports (see 4), to the Private Secretary at the Foreign Office.

Examinations

10. The examinations will be held twice a year, and will be held at the offices of the Civil Services Commission, at Burlington Gardens, London, W.

11. Information relating to all examinations after July, 1919, is to be obtained from the Secretary of the Civil Service Commission, Burlington Gardens, London, W. 1.

Salaries

12. Under the proposed new scheme of salaries, officials in the Foreign Office and Diplomatic Service will not be required to possess a private income or allowance as heretofore, and the salaries for 2nd and 3rd Secretaries will range from £300–£600; for 1st Secretaries, from £800–£1,000; for Counsellors, from £1,000–£1,500; and for Ministers, from £2,000 a year upwards, in addition to house and other allowances when abroad.

Civil Service Examination

13. Papers will be set in arithmetic, essay, precis, and other English tests, in general knowledge, historical, political, scientific, and geographical.

14. The question papers used at the examination of 4th February, 1919, will be put on sale shortly by His Majesty's Stationery Office, at Imperial House, Kingsway, London, W.C. 2, and other addresses.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, and, if so, in what respect the scale of salaries and allowances of His Majesty's Diplomatic servants abroad, the salaried officers of His Majesty's Consular Service, and the Levant and Far Eastern interpreters, issued in April, 1914, has since been altered?

The salaries of the heads of missions have been divided between salaries and frais de representation, as shown in the Diplomatic Estimates for 1919–20 (Class V., Vote 1), and it is proposed to assign "foreign allowances," for which provision is made in the Estimates, varying in accordance with the expensiveness of the post.

In regard to the salaries, of counsellors, and first, second, and third secretaries, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply to him of yesterday.

War bonuses have been granted during the War to meet the increased cost of living; but, generally speaking, these bonuses will cease on the introduction of the new rates of pay. War bonus has also been granted to Consular officers. The permanent increase of scales of pay in the Consular Service, including the Levant and the Far Eastern Services, has for some time past been in course of preparation in connection with a general scheme of improvement which is now complete and awaits final consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the offices of Ambassador at Washington and Consul-General at New York are now vacant; who is in charge of their respective duties; and when it is proposed to fill up the vacancies?

These offices are at present vacant, the Embassy in Washington being in the charge of Mr. Colville Barclay, and the Consulate-General in New York in the charge of Mr. F. Watson. I am unable to say when either of the vacancies will be filled.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what are the present numbers, respectively, of secretaries, assistant secretaries, and clerks of all grades in the Foreign Office; Ambassadors, Ministers, Counsellors, Secretaries, and Attachés, in the Diplomatic Service; salaried Consuls-General, Consuls, and Vice-consuls; Levant and Far Eastern interpreters; and King's Messengers?

The numbers, as provided in the Estimates for 1919–20, are as follows:

Foreign Office—Under-Secretaries (and Parliamentary Under-Secretary), 3; Assistant Secretaries, 8; Clerks of all grades, 110. (The above figures do not include officials of the Department of Overseas Trade, which is a joint Department of the Foreign Office and Board of Trade.)

Diplomatic Service—Ambassadors, 10; Ministers, 30; Counsellors, 13; Secretaries, 67.

General Consular Service (salaried)—Consuls-General, 38; Consuls, 53; Vice-Consuls, 69; Probationers, 5.

Levant Consular Service—Consuls-General, 9; Consuls, 28; Vice-Consuls, 43; Assistants, 9; Student Interpreters, 8.

Far Eastern Consular Service—Consuls-General, 9; Consuls, 25; Vice-Consuls, 14; Assistants, 52; Student Interpreter, 1.

King's Messengers—Foreign Service, 7; Home Service, 6.

asked the right hon. Member for Cambridge whether he can state the progress he is making with the purchase of privately-owned railway wagons; whether, to allay the anxiety of traders, he can state what will be the Government policy, in case of purchase, in respect of the allocation of these wagons to each firm so as to secure a regular daily supply; and whether he has formed the estimate of the shortage, if any, of such rolling stock?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. As the Bill to set up a Ministry of Ways and Communications, in which power is sought to purchase privately-owned wagons has not yet become law, no steps in this direction can be taken by my right hon. Friend. It is not anticipated that the purchase and common use of wagons can in any way cause a shortage of rolling stock.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it is intended to retain permanently the premises of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge in Northumberland Avenue, which were occupied by the Government in August, 1916; and whether, in view of the fact that the society is now working at a disadvantage in five distinct and distant buildings, instead of conducting its business under one roof, and has various options for leases of substituted premises, he will come to an early decision in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the last part, a decision will be made as soon as possible.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has been adequately compensated, for loss directly connected with its removal from Northumberland Avenue and on a scale as favourable as that accorded to business houses carried on for private and personal profits?

The compensation awarded to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was determined by the Defence of the Realm Losses Commission after a full and impartial inquiry into the whole of the circumstances.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, having undergone a second removal of its offices and book depot in July, 1918, owing to Government occupation of its substituted premises in the Haymarket, will receive, in the matter of opportunity for return to its own premises in Northumberland Avenue, consideration at least equally favourable to that given by His Majesty's Office of Works to the hotels and club in the same neighbourhood; and, if not, whether he can state the reasons why an equality of treatment has not been observed?

The national interest alone is the determining factor in deciding which premises shall be released, and in my opinion, and in the opinion of the War Cabinet, hotels were to be the first premises to be released. The only club which has been released is the Constitutional, and this was done in order to allow of the early evacuation of the Hotel Cecil.