asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether handbooks to the number of 160 or thereabouts have been prepared at the public expense for the use of the Foreign Office, dealing with the commerce, industries, and economic resources of the various countries or parts of countries to which they relate; and whether, in view of the great value to British traders of the information therein contained, he will give directions for the publication of these handbooks forthwith?

:Handbooks to about the number specified in the hon. Member's question have been prepared by the Historical Section of the Foreign Office for the use of the British Delegation at the Peace Conference. Much of the information contained in them is of a confidential nature, and is not confined to the commerce, industries, and economic resources of the various countries, etc., to which they relate. This fact makes it impossible to publish them without considerable revision, but the question of the best form in which the non-confidential information contained in some of them might with advantage be made public will receive consideration.

In view of the fact that economic information of this character, however accurate, very soon becomes out of date, will my hon. Friend deal with the matter with the least possible delay?

Yes, I am giving the matter my immediate personal attention.

asked the Pensions Minister whether officers whose wounds necessitate the wearing of a surgical boot are only given the first issue free, whereas in the case of non-commissioned officers and men a second boot is issued, and all subsequent repairs are undertaken by the Ministry; and, if this is the ease, what remedy he proposes?

:I regret that I cannot add to the reply I gave to the question put to me on the 1st instant, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. Curtis, of 46, Camp Street, Wednesbury, the wife of the late Private John Curtis, No. 8619, South Staffordshire Regiment, made application for a pension for herself and children; whether the application was negatived on technical or legal grounds; and, if so, whether he will give instructions for the case to be again reviewed?

There are some peculiar and exceptional aspects in this case. I will give it personal attention.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Mrs. R. Cound, of 28, New Road, Great bridge, Wednesbury, has lost her husband and two sons in the War; whether she receives no pension or allowance for the loss of her sons; and, if so, whether he will institute inquiry with a view to this injustice being rectified?

Mrs. Cound is receiving pension and child's allowance in respect of her late husband, amounting with bonus to 24s. 6d. a week. Her former dependence, as a widow, on her sons is considered to have ceased on her second marriage in April, 1917, but if she can show that she is in pecuniary need and incapable of self-support by reason of infirmity she can be granted a parent's pension under Article 21 (1) ( b ) of the Royal Warrant.

asked the Pensions Minister whether there is any fund which could be drawn on for the relief of the widow of a demobilised soldier whose death has been caused by wounds or disease contracted on active service, but where the marriage has taken place after the man's demobilisation?

In the circumstances stated, the man was a civilian and disabled at the time of the marriage. The widow is, therefore, not within the Pensions Warrant.

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the granting of some compensation in this case, on the ground of encouraging the marriage of these wounded men?

No, I cannot deal with it. This case is, as I say, a civilian case, and it does not come within the Warrant. I have no power to deal with it.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that many voluntary workers on local war pensions committees in Scotland, though greatly inconvenienced, are remaining at their duties from patriotic motives; and whether he can make any announcement regarding the date on which their services will no longer be required?

I gratefully acknowledge the fact stated, and, as I am convinced that the success of the work of the Department largely depends upon the efforts of members of committees, earnestly hope they will continue to carry on their work.

How long does the right hon. Gentleman intend these committees to carry on their work?

I do not want to prophesy; I want the committees to continue to carry on.

asked the Pensions Minister if his attention has been called to the men's discontent with the general conditions prevailing at the King's Lancashire Convalescent Home, Blackpool; and, if so, what steps he intends to take to remedy the same?

I am aware that discontent has been expressed by some of the men sent to this military hospital. I expect to take over the hospital shortly and meanwhile have informed the local committee concerned that they should arrange for the removal of those who are discontented and should, for the future, obtain the consent of a man whom they propose to send there.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if it would not be much better to improve the conditions locally than to send away the discontented men?

I have no jurisdiction over a military hospital until I take it over, and in the meanwhile I can only do what I have said. I must not be taken to admit that the conditions there are not quite satisfactory.

Is he not aware that it is admitted by the officer in charge that the facilities and comforts are far from being satisfactory?

No. I am not aware of that. On the contrary, my medical officers report that this hospital is an extremely good hospital. The difficulty has arisen owing to sending discharged men to the hospital that is under military discipline, and it is that difficulty that I am trying to remove.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that the West Riding War Pensions Committee have more than 100 men waiting for convalescent treatment and of the inability of the committee to find vacancies for these men in existing convalescent homes; and what practical suggestions have the Ministry to offer, so that these men may have an opportunity of being restored to health?

The information I have suggests that the fullest use has not yet been made of the accommodation available. The West Riding Committee have been informed that there is accommodation to be had at the Royal Northern Sea Bathing Infirmary, Scarborough, and arrangements are also being made for the reception of fifty cases at the Red Cross Hospital at Saltburn, and this additional accommodation will, I hope, be found sufficient.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the In Memoriam notice in the Adrossan and Saltcoats "Herald" news paper of 14th March, 1919, and the Troon and Prestwick "Times" newspaper of 14th March, 1919, inserted in memory of Gunner Robert Walker by his widow, and stating that he had been sacrificed for a callous and unjust country, and calling upon Heaven to avenge his children; is he aware that this In Memoriam notice has been reproduced in the "Forward" newspaper, of Glasgow, in a manner calculated to stir up indignation against the Army and pensions administration; and whether he has inquired into the facts of this case?

My attention has been called to this matter. I regret that the newspapers accepted these advertisements, and that the "Forward" should have given them further publicity for propaganda purposes. I have personally investigated the case, and I have satisfied myself that the State could not possibly accept liability for the death of Mrs. Walker's husband. Gunner Walker joined for service on the 7th March, 1917, and after six days' service was removed to hospital, where, four days later, he died. The cause of his death was delirium tremens, resulting' from alcoholism. I regret that it should be necessary for me to publish those facts, but the scandalous attempt to make mischief owing to the refusal of pension leaves me with no alternative.

asked the Pensions Minister if his attention has been called to the action of the Peterborough War Pensions Committee, who recently appointed an ex-political agent to the post of assistant secretary at £250 a year, an assistant lady clerk at £120 a year, and finally advertised for a junior shorthand clerk and typist, preferably a discharged soldier, at 25s. a week; if he is aware that in many instances well-remunerated posts under war pensions committees have been given to male civilians whose war service gave them no special claim to consideration; and if he will consider the advisability of issuing instructions that the more highly remunerative posts under war pensions committees shall, where possible, be reserved for ex-soldiers?

All new appointments of principal officers are now subject to my approval, as provided by the Regulations issued under the Act of 1918, but the post of assistant secretary to the Peterborough committee was filled before the Act was passed, and cannot therefore be brought within the Regulations. With regard to the other appoint- ments mentioned, I would remind the hon. and gallant Member that the control which I exercise over the selection of local staff must of necessity be confined to the appointment of principal officers. It would be impracticable to regulate minor appointments from headquarters, and I must rely upon the committees themselves to be guided by the same principles of selection as are observed by the Ministry in the approval of the appointments submitted under the Regulations.

Will my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of definitely limiting these appointments within a reasonable period of time to ex-soldiers?

Throughout, in the appointment of all principal officers, that is done. In regard to minor officers, it is quite impossible for headquarters to attempt to dictate to some 2,000 local committees and sub-committees throughout the country. I must rely on the local committees themselves to observe the quite proper rule that ex-Service officers and men ought to have priority, and I believe I can rely on the local committees in general to carry out that rule.

Would it not be possible to issue a Regulation operative after a certain date?

So long as I have to rely, and I do have to rely, upon the voluntary work of local committees the degree of interference by headquarters must be limited.

May I ask if any qualifying test is put to candidates for these appointments, or whether they are simply appointed without any inquiry as to their fitness or antecedents?

So far as local committees are concerned, they have to rely, naturally, on the work of their permanent officials, and I rely upon the local committees to choose suitable people. Their work would break down if they did not. As regards those that I approve, the principal officers, I require to be satisfied that they have qualifications which enable them to fulfil the offices to which they are appointed.

There is no form of examination?

Not applicable to everyone, but if the local committee say they cannot find a suitable officer, then I have already made arrangements for the training of a suitable officer, and in the course of that training he is examined before being put forward as a suitable person for appointment by the local committee.

Is it a fact that they have to have five certificates before they get an appointment? I have a list of cases here.

I really do not know to what my hon. Friend refers.

I have a list of cases. There is one—

The hon. Member should give notice of the question.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will have investigation made into the case of Private Joseph Burgin, No. 240271, York and Lancaster Regiment; whether this man, who is suffering from shell-shock, applied for treatment in August, 1918; whether treatment was ordered by a medical board and subsequently by a private practitioner who is a medical referee to the local war pensions committee; and whether he has asked to be sent to the Pilkington Special Hospital, St. Helens, where he was previously treated, but in spite of repeated applications during the past seven months, in addition to letters to the treatment branch of the Ministry direct, nothing so far has been done?

This case was referred to the Special Medical Board in February last, and, after investigating it, the board made an appointment for the 9th April for an examination. Private Burgin did not attend, and another appointment is being made for a day next week. In the meantime, Private Burgin is under home treatment, and is drawing full allowances.

What is the object in not sending him to this local hospital, if he wants to go there?

I must have notice of these details.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the members of the Casement Brigade who resided in Dublin were furnished with money and given prominent positions at seditious gatherings by the Sinn Fein organisation; if these thirty-three men are now in Ireland, and if they now have complete liberty?

My right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary has not information with regard to the first part of the question. Six of these men are believed to have returned to their homes in various parts of Ireland. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the Noble Lord to the reply given to his previous question, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War on the 15th ultimo.

Does the six include the Unionist soldier from Belfast, who was a member of the brigade?

I have no information.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland (1) whether, in view of the allegation by the police authorities that the boy Timothy Connors was removed by the police to the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot, Dublin, with a view to his personal safety, he can explain how the danger to Timothy Connors' personal safety disappeared on that day on which notice of motion for a writ of habeas corpus to produce the boy was served on the Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary;(2) whether the opinion of the Law Officers was obtained before the boys, John Connors, Timothy Connors, and Matthew Hogan, were removed by the police from their homes with a view, as alleged, of securing their personal safety; under what Statute or Regulation of legal sanction does the Crown claim to remove from the custody of parents, without the consent, knowledge, or approval of the parents, children of tender years; and has the Crown previously taken such action under similar circumstances?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his atten- tion has been called to the circumstances of the abduction by the police of a child of eleven years, Timothy Connors, from Greenane, county Tipperary, to Dublin; whether he is aware that on notice of issue by the High Court of a writ of habeas corpus, the child was surreptitiously returned to his parents, and that an affidavit was then sworn by the assistant Inspector-General of the Royal Irish Constabulary that the child was not in his custody or charge; whether he is aware that the Lord Chief Justice severely censured the affidavit as lacking in candour and disrespectful to the Court; whether he can say how such conduct can be reconciled with the statement that the child was arrested in the interests of justice; what action has been taken by the Government in respect of the affidavit sworn by the Assistant Inspector-General; whether the Assistant Inspector-General is still in office; and whether the costs of the legal proceedings will be defrayed by the Assistant Inspector-General or by the taxpayer?

In the course of inquiry as to the brutal murder of two policemen at Tipperary in January last, the local constabulary brought the boy Timothy Connors to the police barrack for interrogation. In face of organised intimidation exercised against persons suspected of having, or giving information as to the crime, the boy was removed to Dublin by the police in his own interests, as well as in the interests of justice. The advisability of that course was made clear by the issue of posters warning policemen that they would be shot at sight and threatening civilians giving information that they would suffer a similar fate.

The boy's parents were not refused information as to his whereabouts, and he received all possible care and attention in Dublin. Apart from the issue, of the writ of habeas corpus, it had been decided to return the boy to his parents on their request, and to place full responsibility for his safety on them.

Two other boys similarly detained had already been returned on these conditions The sending back of the boy Connors took place after the issue of notice of motion for the writ, and was not done surreptitiously. The Lord Chief Justice made his order and gave costs against the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, not because of circumstances attending the taking possession of the boy, but because His Lordship considered the action of the authorities in depriving themselves of the custody of the boy was not an answer to the application for the writ. The Assistant Inspector-General is still in office, and it is intended to retain him. He is a thoroughly efficient and trustworthy officer. There was no misconduct or bad faith on the part of the police, and it is proposed to pay the costs out of State funds. The law officers were consulted in the matter throughout. The boys were not detained under any statutory power, but in exercise of primary duty of the executive to protect them from assassination as a result of their interrogation by the police.

I would refer to the reply given to the previous question on this subject by the hon. Member for East Donegal on the 29th ultimo.

Can the Attorney-General tell me the date on which the children were kidnapped, and the date on which this placard was issued?

The children were not kidnapped.

We call it kidnapped.

The date on which the children went to Tipperary Barracks—

Went, or were brought?

Or were brought, was 11th February, in the case of Timothy Connors. In the case of the other boy, it was 19th February. As to this notice, I which I will shew to my hon. Friend if he wishes, I cannot tell the exact date, but it was most extensively circulated, and I am I sure if he saw it he would thoroughly concur with our authorities in their action.

Is it not a fact that this placard was not issued until after the children were abducted?

The placard, which I have in my hand, states—

I want the date of it.

It is not dated.

Was it after the abduction?

I gather not, for it evidently refers to the boys—

"Whereas it has come to our knowledge that some men and boys have been arrested—"

That is the point.

( continuing ):

"and whereas there are a few Irishmen who have sunk to such depths of degradation that they are prepared to give information about their neighbours and fellow-countrymen to the police."

and so on.

"Any policeman found in such areas on and after—day of February, 1919, will be deemed to have forfeited his life.…Civilians who give information to the police or soldiery, especially such information as is of a serious character, if convicted will be executed, namely, shot or hanged"

Does not the opening sentence prove that the children had already been arrested at the time that the placard was issued? Is it the Attorney-General's defence now that these children were taken away by the police in anticipation of a placard about which the police knew nothing? I want to ask another very important question arising out of that. Does he not know perfectly well that that placard was put up by two policemen?

I resent that most strongly.

Well, it is true—an absolute concoction.

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department how many Russians have been deported from this country between 1st January, 1919, and 1st May, 1919; where they were landed; and how many were arrested on disembarking?

Between the dates named, five Russians were deported from this country. They were landed in Norway, and their journey to Russia through Sweden and Finland had been arranged. I have no reason to think that any were arrested.

I Were those Russians provided with safe conducts?

We cannot give safe conducts to Bolsheviks.

When will their families be permitted to rejoin them?

As soon as shipping allows.

Will their families be sent out at the Government's expense?

Undoubtedly.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what museums and galleries, or part of museums and galleries, are still occupied by the staffs of Government offices; what are the numbers of such staffs and the Department of which they

The temporary retention of the staff at the London Museum will not interfere with the opening of the museum.

It is impossible for me to give any definite date of the removal of these staffs, I but steps are being taken which will assist me in this object, which, I can assure the hon. and gallant Member, I very much desire.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether his attention has been called to the eastern end of Grosvenor Road, and whether he will make representations to the Borough of Westminster that the state of the paving are members; and when it is proposed to remove them from the museums and galleries?

:As the question is long and the answer is longer, with a large number of figures, perhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will permit me to circulate it in the Official Report, so as not to take up the time of the House.

I beg to give notice that if the answer be unsatisfactory—

It will be!

I will raise the question on the Adjournment on Monday.

The following is the Answer referred to :

The following museums and galleries are wholly or partly occupied by staffs of Government offices:—

of that road renders the approach to the Palace of Westminster both arduous and dangerous?

The Westminster City Council have for some time realised the necessity for repaving this road, but the great shortage of both labour and suitable materials have hitherto made it impossible for them to undertake the work. The council, however, have included in their first list of paving works to be done the portion of Grosvenor Road referred to, and I understand a recommendation for the acceptance of tenders for the work will be considered by the council at their meeting this afternoon.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that yesterday and today heavy conveyances have broken down in that road, owing to lack of repair, solely due to the remissness of the Westminster City Council; is he also aware that every morning and evening I have to wheel nay bicycle over that piece of road?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must be aware that there is no jurisdiction.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make representations as to the dangers to Members of Parliament coming to Westminster?

asked the Home Secretary what precisely is the nationality that should be ascribed to a Polish Jew who before was an Austrian subject; if he is aware that the National Polish Committee, which is supposed to be the voice of Poland, say that Jews are not Poles; if he is aware that the Government, by keeping those people interned and subject to police restriction, assume that they are alien enemies; if he is aware that the Austrian Government notified the Swedish Ambassador that the allowances paid to dependants of interned Galician Poles should be stopped, because Galicia is now part of Poland; if he can now say what nationality can the Home Office give to an Austrian Polish Jew; and if he will receive a deputation from the National Polish Committee about the matter?

I am already in communication with the Polish National Commit tee on this subject, and I have every hope that an arrangement may shortly be made by which Polish Jews who are at present technically of enemy nationality, may in proper cases be recognised as Polish citizens and rank as alien friends. At the present moment, I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by a deputation.

asked the Homo Secretary the number of persons who, though nominally of German or Austrian nationality, were exempted from internment by the Home Office on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee as being friendly aliens, such as Poles and others?

I understand that, as stated by my predecessor on more than one occasion, the number is about 3,000.

asked the Home Secretary how many women were sentenced to death in the United Kingdom during the year 1918; and how many of such sentences were commuted?

Nine women were sentenced to death in the United Kingdom during the year 1918. The sentence was commuted in each case.

asked the Home Secretary how many persons were sentenced to death during the years 1914–18, inclusive, for treason, espionage, and similar offences against the safety of the State; how many of such persons were of enemy, neutral, and British nationality; and how many sentences were carried out?

The answer to the first part of the question is nineteen persons. Of these eight were of enemy nationality or origin, eight were of neutral, two of Allied, and one of British nationality. The sentence was carried out in thirteen cases. These figures do not include cases which arose in connection with the Irish Rebellion of 1916.

asked the Home Secretary whether religious services are prohibited in Trafalgar Square; and, if so, what are the reasons for this prohibition?

Trafalgar Square is not, generally speaking, a suitable place for religious services, but, as I said in reply to a question by the hon. Member for the North-East Division of Leeds last Tuesday, if an application is made for a combined religious service in connection with the Peace celebrations, it will be considered.

Is it a suitable place for Socialist gatherings?

Yes.

Why should not Trafalgar Square have its religious ceremonies quite as much as the House of Commons every day?

asked the Home Secretary the present position regarding conscientious objectors who are engaged on work of national importance; and whether there is any prospect of these men being allowed to return to their homes and usual occupations?

Men formerly employed under the Home Office Committee are now, under the recent decision of the Government, allowed to reside or seek work where they please. As regards men exempted by the tribunals on condition of doing work of national importance, who do not come within the jurisdiction of the Home Office, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state exactly what are the arrangements made by the Appointments Branch for getting employment for demobilised officers; how many officials are employed in the Appointments Branch; how many of these are demobilised officers; how many demobilised officers have been provided with employment; and who is responsible for the proper carrying out of the work?

The arrangements made by the Appointments Branch for securing employment for demobilised officers do not admit of detailed description within the limits of an answer. I should be glad to inform the hon. and gallant Member privately of the system. However, the number of administrative officials in the Appointments Department is at present 499; they are almost all demobilised officers. The number of officials is in process of reduction, with the gradual diminution of the Department's work in relation to demobilisation as distinct from appointment and training. Employment is known to have been obtained by the Department for 4,415 officers and men of similar educational qualifications, excluding those on the staff of the Department itself. It is impossible to say how many others have neglected to notify to the Department the fact of having obtained the appointments to which they were recommended. The officer responsible to me for the work of the Department is the Controller-General of Civil Demobilisation and Resettlement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Department is costing over £400,000 a year in salaries alone?

No; the statement of the hon. and gallant Gentleman is entirely inaccurate; as I said to the House not long ago, the cost is very much less.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has considered the representation from the Holwell Iron Company enclosing a list of eighty-one men enaged by them through the Labour Exchange between 21st February and 30th April of this year, and stating that only two of those men have so far reported; whether many men prefer to draw the out-of-work pay rather than accept the situations offered; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The communication referred to has been received within the last few days, and inquiry is being made into the circumstances. It frequently happens that men find other employment before the engagement of them by the firm originally applying can be effected, and the circumstances stated do not necessarily give rise to the inference that the men preferred to draw unemployment pay to working. In any such case unemployment pay would be stopped.

Will the right hon. Gentleman undertake in the course of his inquiries to inquire as to the class of employment these men were offered, and whether the wages offered were those current for similar classes of work at these particular works?

All matters that are relevant will be inquired into.

Will the right hon. Gentleman report the result of his inquiries by circulating it with the Official Report?

If a question is put down again I shall be very glad to give an answer.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of applications for permits to admit of foreign subjects coming to this country awaiting the attention of the Committee constituted at 28, Broadway, Westminster, and the average number of cases per day taken by the Committee at its meetings, held twice a week; whether, considering the importance of more speedy action than that hitherto exhibited, he will arrange for daily sittings throughout the week and extending to five hours per day, and that the Committee should sit in sections to overcome arrears and to keep abreast of its work; whether he will invite the co-operation of chambers of commerce and other commercial associations to nominate representatives to sit on the Committee; and whether, as the collection and examination of information are the primary objects of the Committee, he will direct that British Consuls abroad should, on the receipt of applications for the viséof passports, communicate the same to the Committee accompanied with their observations as to the granting or withholding thereof?

There is no foundation for the suggestion in my hon. Friend's question that the work of the Committee to which he refers is now in arrear. The number of applications at present waiting for consideration by the Committee is sixty-one. The Committee has dealt with a very large number of cases and is abreast of its work. As the principal object of the Committee is to consider the effect of the grant of such applications upon British labour in the country, it is not thought that the suggestions contained in the third and fourth part of the question would expedite the Committee's work.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of men registered for and awaiting employment as farm labourers, farm horsemen, farm dairymen, and shepherds on 5th May, 1919, at the following Employment Bureaux: Darlington, Richmond (Yorks), Bedale, Stokesley, Northallerton, and Barnard Castle?

The information in my possession indicates that on the 25th April (the latest date for which particulars are available) there were no applicants for employment in farming occupations registered at Darlington, Bedale, Northallerton, or Barnard Castle. Four were registered at Richmond, one being described as a shepherd and three as cattlemen. Three were registered at Stokesley, two being described as horsemen and one as an agricultural labourer. All seven men were demobilised members of His Majesty's Forces.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it is proposed to set up a trade board in the wholesale and retail distributive trades; whether this would include over 2,000,000 workers, employed by different industries, whose particular industrial needs would be indistinguishable; whether the conference called to discuss the matter included all interests concerned; whether the recommendation to form a trade board was only carried by a bare majority; and whether he will explain the reason for the imposition of a trade board in this instance, in view of the recommendations of the Whitley Report?

It is proposed to apply the Trade Boards Acts to the wholesale and retail distributive trade. Two conferences have been held, to which all the organisations known to the Department in the trade were invited to send representatives. A resolution recommending that one trade board for the whole trade should be established was passed by 20 votes to 10 by a joint committee of employers' and workers' representatives elected by the delegates at the first general conference, but at the later conference it was unanimously agreed that the question of the number and scope of the trade boards required should be the subject of consideration by the nominees of the various organisations appointed to represent them on the trade board or boards. No definite decision has yet been reached as to whether there shall be one or more Orders covering the whole trade, both wholesale and retail, and I am at present awaiting the observations of these organisations on a proposed definition of the trade which has been circulated. As my hon. and gallant Friend is aware, the Reports of the Whitley Committee recommended the establishment of trade boards in those industries which were not suffi- ciently organised for the establishment of joint industrial councils. I am satisfied that the degree of organisation of the employers and workers in the distributive trades is not sufficient to permit the formaiton of a joint industrial council, but is appropriate to the system of trade boards.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in connection with the proposal to establish a trade board for the distributive trades, he has received any representations from Scotland to the effect that the different conditions prevailing in Scotland render it essential that there should be a separate trade board for that country; and whether he will give this matter his sympathetic consideration?

I have received representations from certain sections of the distributive trade in Scotland requesting the establishment of a separate board for Scotland and I shall certainly give this my most careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the grave dissatisfaction existing among the insurance agents of the Prudential Assurance Company, Limited, owing to the fact that no war bonus has been paid them, although repeatedly asked for; and if he will communicate with the company and endeavour to have the matter satisfactorily settled so as to avoid trouble?

I am aware that insurance agents have asked for a war bonus, but I would remind my hon. Friend that a Committee inquired into this matter last year, and found that the financial position of the companies did not allow of the payment of any war bonus. I do not think that the circumstances are such as to justify any interference on my part.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the conditions of the employment of these industrial agents comes within the reference of the Committee recently set up?

I am not aware to which Committee my hon. Friend refers, but I understand that the Board of Trade propose to deal with the same question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee I refer to was announced as a Committee on Industrial Assurance?

That is a matter for the Board of Trade.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shares in these companies have advanced considerably since the Committee reported?

It is not my business to keep in touch with the share prices of these companies.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst the agents and collectors of industrial assurance companies throughout the country on account of the terms and conditions of their employment; and if, under these circumstances, he will reconsider the desirability of including a specific reference to their case when appointing the Committee to inquire into industrial life assurance and of including a direct representative of the agents and collectors on the Committee?

The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 5th May by my right hon. Friend to the question addressed to the Prime Minister by the Noble and gallant Lord the Member for Horsham and Worthing (Major Earl Winterton) in which the composition of the Committee and the terms of reference were stated. From this answer it will be seen that it has been decided not to include representatives of the insurance agents, but consideration of their case is undoubtedly not excluded by the terms of reference Applications have been received from some of the associations which represent insurance agents to be allowed to give evidence, and such applications will be submitted to the Committee.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of girls of the Belfast Rope Works are at present, out of employment owing to the slackness of trade; whether the out-of-work donation has been refused to these girls, who are out of employment through no fault of their own; and whether he will take action to remedy this grievance?

The Out-of-Work Donation Scheme as amended for Ireland on the 6th March last provides that donation shall only be payable to workpeople who were insured under the National Insurance (Unemployment) Acts of 1911–1918, and to workpeople employed in trades certified by the Lord Lieutenant as being trades in which there is a substantial amount of unemployment directly caused by the cessation of hostilities. The rope-making trade is not so certified; and the workpeople are consequently not entitled to donation. Their case is, however, under consideration

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a number of men who were employed during the period of the War as temporary postmen in Belfast have been discharged since the cessation of hostilities to make room for returned soldiers; whether these men have been signing at the Labour Exchange for a number of weeks, but have not yet received any out-of-work donations; and whether he will now take steps to have them paid the unemployment grant?

For the reasons explained in the reply to the hon. Member's previous question, temporary postmen do not come within the scope of the Out-of-Work Donation Scheme in Ireland. The question whether it should be extended so as to include them is under consideration.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it is desirable to drive these men out of employment and then refuse them the rights given to other workers by the State?

As the hon. Member puts his question, I do not think so, but this is a matter for the Lord Lieutenant to deal with.

If that is the case, then I must appeal to the right hon. Gentleman. We have no confidence whatever in the Lord Lieutenant. I want to ask the right hon. Gentleman, who has always displayed great sympathy in this matter, to take it in hand and deal with it himself, as it is within his Department.

The matter as one which must be dealt with by the Lord Lieutenant, and I have no doubt he will act under guidance.

Does that mean that we have no control over it in this House?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that if the Lord Lieutenant does not give satisfaction we cannot discuss the matter in this House, and, as the right hon. Gentleman has always dealt with these matters, and as he rightly leaves himself open to criticism by Members of this House, will he promise to deal with this matter himself?

I shall deal with all matters that are relevant to ray Department.

Has this question not always been within the Department of the right hon. Gentleman. This is the first time we have ever heard that the Lord Lieutenant has anything to do with it.

My hon. Friend very well understands, in connection with these matters, that the Lord Lieutenant acts under advice, and the question is for the Irish Government guided by proper advisers.

Where is the Irish Government?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Lord Lieutenant never heard of this matter and never will hear of it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that hardship is inflicted on the thrifty poor by reason of the law not allowing more than £6 to be paid on the death of a child of five years of age although the parents are willing to pay the extra contribution necessary to provide an amount in the event of death to secure decent burial, bearing in mind that the cost of burial to-day is double what it was when the Act was passed; and whether he will consider the desirability of legislation on the subject?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to take this question as it appears to relate to the Friendly Societies Acts, but a similar difficulty arises in regard to industrial assurance companies and collecting societies. As he announced on Monday last a Committee has just been appointed to inquire into the business carried on by these organisations, and this is one of the matters which it will be the duty of the Committee to consider. I think that it would be best to await the Committee's Report before considering the desirability of amending the Friendly Societies Acts in this respect.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the approximate quantity of ready-made baskets imported into the United Kingdom from Austria since the date of the Armistice?

No licences have been granted for Austrian baskets, and there is no evidence that any have been imported.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the supplies of coal allocated to individual rural districts by the Coal Controller are frequently unobtainable, and that many eases of distress are still arising in consequence, and what steps are being taken to meet this situation?

The shortages in certain rural districts are engaging the Controller's attention, and the whole method of supply in these cases is under review.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the suffering and loss experienced during the recent strikes in the colliery trade, he will consider the advisability of providing and storing in different parts of the country a reserve of coal for use in case of urgent necessity?

In so far as the output of coal will enable, the Coal Controller is considering the making of arrangements for providing stocks of coal for the purpose of ensuring equal distribution throughout the country.

asked the Prime Minister when the Bill to establish a central forest authority for the United Kingdom will be introduced?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any explanation of the delay?

No, I am not able to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the answer he gave yesterday was most unsatisfactory, and there is no chance of any operations for at least a couple of years?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the non-publication of the Report by Lord Justice Bankes' Committee on the employment of aliens and persons of alien descent in the Civil Service is causing much doubt as to the attitude to be adopted towards the large number of Government employés who are dealt with in the Report; whether, seeing that the Report was presented to him in February last, he will now give orders for its publication; and what steps he is taking to carry into effect the recommendations of the Committee?

asked (1) what number of persons within the terms of reference to the Committee set up by him on 1st August last have been found by the Report of the Committee to be employed in Government offices during the War who are not children of natural-born subjects of this country or of an Allied country and in respect of whom no definite national reason for such employment has been found by the Committee; whether any and what number of these persons have been discharged from the Government service; and for what reason have any been retained in face of the conclusions of the Committee; and (2) whether the Committee appointed to examine into the cases of aliens or descendants of aliens employed in Government offices, popularly known as Lord Justice Bankes' Committee, has presented its Report; when did such presentation take place; and why has the Report not been printed and presented to Parliament?

The Report referred to was presented to the Prime Minister on the 14th February by Lord Justice Bankes, with a letter, a portion of which I have the permission of the Lord Justice to read to the House:

"There is a very general fear among I hose whose names appear in the Schedules to our Report that any publication of the Schedules would seriously affect their prospects of obtaining employment. We have done our best, in the body of our Report to remove any such prejudice, but we trust that you will consider the question of whether it is possible to publish the Report without the Schedules,"

The Report will be published at an early date in the form recommended by the Committee. Any ground for immediate action having disappeared, action on the Report is being delayed, as the whole question of the employment of persons of alien origin in Government Departments is being considered by the Government.

What is the good of appointing a Committee if you neither publish their Report nor act upon it?

We happen to be doing both.

Why does the right hon. Gentleman not act upon this Report which I think contains 2,000 names?

Is it really the intention of the Government to burke the whole business and let these people remain in Government offices?

Certainly not.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information as to the suppression, by Allied troops of the revolutionary government in Hungary; and whether Count Apponyi is the Allied nominee for the head of the new counter-revolutionary government?

So far as my information goes, the revolutionary government in Buda Pesth is still in power. I am not aware of any ground for the suggestion in regard to Count Apponyi.

asked the Prime Minister whether there have been any developments in the organisation and constitution of the Imperial Cabinet since the announcement of its inception last summer?

Prime Ministers of the Dominions, as members of the Imperial War Cabinet, now have the right to communicate on matters of Cabinet importance direct with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A further development is that each Dominion has the right to nominate a visiting or a resident Minister in London to be a member of the Imperial War Cabinet at meetings other than those attended by the Prime Ministers.

Is the right hon. Gentleman able to tell us to what extent this new privilege has been availed of?

I must ask for notice.

asked the Prime Minister what Government Department has control over the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic); and what Department or Minister is responsible to the House of Commons for the acts and defaults of this Board?

In practice the Minister of Munitions answers for the Board in this House. As to the extent of his responsibility I would remind my hon. and learned Friend that on 26th October, 1916, a Motion was moved in this House:

"That, in the opinion of this House, the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) should no longer be independent, of the control of Parliament, and that its proceedings and expenditure should be made subject to the control of a Minister responsible to Parliament."

The Motion was negatived.

Is it not essential for the authority of Parliament that there should be a Minister responsible for the action of the Board which has been appointed by the Government?

Will the hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Government with the view of issuing a weekly or a biweekly bulletin under the general title of "Who is Minister of Which"?

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to the authority of Parliament being preserved?

I agree that the position of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) might be described as extra constitutional, and was accepted by Parliament as a result of the abnormal conditions prevailing during the War. The present position is now being considered by the Government.

In view of that answer, and the fact that this Board was constituted for the purpose of expediting the production of munitions and other special war necessities which have now gone, will the hon. Gentleman represent to the Ministry the desirableness of abolishing the Board altogether, and thus removing one of those active causes of industrial unrest?

It is not necessary for me to represent to the Government that this should be considered. As announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the course of his speech recently, the Government have the subject now under consideration.

Will the hon. Member say what he means by the phrase "extra-constitutional"?

Order, order! We are not halfway through the questions yet.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he is aware of the injury being done to the interests of temperance and also of the undercurrent of resentment and consequent unrest prevalent in all parts of England, Wales, and Scotland caused by the feeling among all classes that the restrictions on the sale of beer and spirits are being retained for obscure political purposes; and whether he will take steps to revert at once to pre-war conditions?

I am not aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. The whole question of the restrictions on the sale of beer and spirits is at present under consideration and no statement can be made.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when the Government will give a decision about the matter?

As soon as possible; I cannot say when.

asked (1) the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of De Keyser's Hotel, the Government will now accept the principle that persons whose property has been occupied or damaged under the Defence of the Realm Act should be paid fair and reasonable compensation as a matter of right; (2) the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the decision of the Court of Appeal in the case of De Keyser's Hotel, he can now instruct the Defence of the Realm Royal Losses Commission to award compensation for the use of and damage to private property taken by the Department at Felixstowe; or what, steps he intends to take in the matter?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The decision referred to in the question is the subject of an appeal to the House of Lords, and in these circumstances I cannot make any further statement upon the matter.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me, in view of the very great interest which is taken in this matter, when the case is at all likely to come before the House of Lords?

No, Sir, I cannot, but there will be no avoidable delay.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to carry out the recommendations of the Machinery of Government Committee with regard to the establishment of a Ministry of Scientific and Industrial Research?

Certain decisions have been reached which provide for the extension of the functions of the Committee of the Privy Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, but no decision has yet been made with regard to the establishment of a separate Ministry of Research. This question is still under consideration.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that Civil servants under a stated salary have had increases granted and that Civil servants who have been or may be retired on pension while in receipt of war bonus will have an increase to their pension owing to the high cost of living, he will grant a corresponding increase to the pensions of Civil servants retired before war bonuses were granted, seeing that they have to purchase the necessaries of life in the same markets?

I do not see my way to adopt this suggestion, which could not be carried into effect without legislation.

asked the Prime Minister whether, before Miss Douglas Pennant's dismissal, a strict inquiry was made into alleged complaints against her; if so, whether Miss Douglas Pennant and her chief, Major-General Sir Godfrey Baine, were aware of such inquiry; and if he will inform the House whether Miss Douglas Pennant was given an opportunity of hearing and answering charges against her?

I have been asked to answer this question. I can add nothing to the full statement which I made on 13th March in the Debate on the Air Force Estimates as to the circumstances in which Miss Douglas Pennant's appointment was terminated.

I should like to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that a Member of this House was officially informed by the Secretary to the Air Ministry that such an inquiry was held?