asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether passports to Jersey and the Channel Islands are still necessary; and, if so, for what reason?

Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations passengers to all places outside the United Kingdom must be in possession of passports. This includes the Channel Islands. I would add, however, that passports for the Islands are issued freely on application.

When will the censorship be abolished in these islands?

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice of that.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say what "freely" means? I know people who have applied for months and cannot get them.

I understood they were given almost as a matter of course, but I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give any information on the statements which have recently appeared to the effect that negotiations are being carried on in Paris for paying off Britain's indebtedness to the United States by the disposal of British securities in the South American Republics?

I have consulted the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who has no knowledge of the statements in question. They have no foundation in fact.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that married ex-Service men are holding responsible positions in the Ministry of Pensions as proposers, approvers, and correspondence clerks at 54s. a week, less insurance and receipt stamps, whereas in pre-war times clerks doing this class of work would receive 50s. to 63s. per week; and if he will state what proportion of his staff receiving salaries over £5 per week served with the Expenditionary Force?

The "approvers" referred to are Grade II. clerks who are paid at the rate of 63s. a week. The "proposers" are normally also Grade II. clerks, although they are sometimes paid as Grade III. clerks at 54s. a week during the period of probation. Correspondence clerks are usually Grade III. Clerks in receipt of 54s. a week are employed upon duties of a simple routine character, such as, before the War, would probably have been performed by assistant clerks in receipt of £55 per annum. The present rates of pay are fixed by the Treasury for all London Departments for the class of work performed. Of the present headquarter staff of about 14,500, there are 3,020 males. Of these 484 draw £250 a year or over, sixty-one of these are established Civil servants of whom two have served with the forces. Of the remaining 423, 78 per cent., or 330, have served with the forces.

asked the Home Secretary whether e has yet appointed a joint committee for Derbyshire, especially the districts of Matlock and Darley Dale, under the Workmen's Compensation (Silicosis) Act, 1918; and, if so, what are the names and addresses of the employers and workmen on the said committee?

A joint committee has been appointed under the only scheme at present in force under the Act, to deal with all cases arising under the scheme in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and the southern part of the West Riding, but so far as the Home Office is aware there are no works affected by the scheme in the Matlock and Darley Dale districts. I will forward to the hon. Member the names and addresses of the employers' and workers' representatives on the committee.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that men from works at Matlock and Darley Dale have waited on me and want to claim compensation, but have no means of doing so?

I was not aware of that. If any hardship arises with the administration of the Act and if the hon. Member will address facts to the Home Office, they will remedy it if it can be remedied by the Act.

You shall have them at once.

asked the Home Secretary what is the position of men who were working for private employers under the control of the Home Office Committee for the Employment of Conscientious Objectors; whether this Committee is still in existence; and whether it still has any power to control the employment of conscientious objectors who were working under what is known as the exceptional employment scheme?

Under the recent Government decision men employed under the Committee, whether at a work centre or under a private employer, have been discharged and are now free, so far as the Committee is concerned, to take up any employment they may be able to obtain. The Committee still exists as there are various matters to be wound up; but it does not now exercise any control over the employment of other conscientious objectors.

May we understand that these people will not be re-arrested by the Army authorities, although the Home Office frees them?

That is a question that must be addressed to the War Office, if they are still under the War Office. I speak only for the Home Office.

asked the Home Secretary how it is proposed to administer the provisions of the Aliens Restriction Bill, 1919, concerning the members of ships' crews and passengers; whether it is proposed to revert to the practice that obtained under the Aliens Act, l905; whether it is the intention to continue the present arrangements or to create a permanent staff of officials under the sole control of the Home Office; and, if so, what would be the cost to the State as compared with the cost under the Aliens Act, 1905?

The work of the staff engaged in the administration of the new provisions with regard to aliens at the ports will be much greater in amount than that which was required under the Aliens Act of 1905. It will also in many respects be very different in character, and the organisation of the staff, which must in the main be under the direct control of the Home Office, will necessarily be largely based on the experience gained during the War. I am not at the present moment in a position to make any detailed statement in the matter.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us when the Order in Council so long promised will be circulated?

I hope that particular Order in Council will be circulated before the Committee meets to consider the Aliens Restriction Bill

Will he give it to us a week or two before that Bill goes into-Committee?

I cannot say, because I do not know when the Aliens. Restriction Bill will come before a Committee.

asked the-Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to give an assurance that no steps will be taken to force upon the people of the Gold Coast Colony and Protectorate the Preferential Tax on oil seeds, against which there was a solid vote of the whole body of unofficial members of the local Legislature?

It is the fact that the Second Reading of the measure to which my hon. Friend refers was opposed by the unofficial members of the Gold Coast Legislative-Council, but there is ground for supposing that this was due to a misunderstanding as to its objects and effects, and I trust that the discussion on the later stages of the measure may show that this was the case.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this tax, and the idea underlying it, is intensely unpopular amongst the native community there?

May we understand that the Colonial Office have not overruled the local Legislature and are re-submitting the Bill to the local Legislature?

Yes; it came up for Second Reading and will come forward for discussion at a later date.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what classes of manufactured goods have been prohibited by the Commonwealth Government of Australia from entry into that country since the Armistice was signed; and whether the Commonwealth Constitution of Australia permits the prohibition of any or all manufactured goods from Britain into Australia in normal times?

As far as I am aware, the only manufactured goods the entry of which into Australia has been prohibited by the Commonwealth Government since the signature of the Armistice are dyes other than those of British origin, and sheep dips. The answer to the last part of the question is that under the Commonwealth Constitution Act the regulation of trade and commerce falls within the sphere of the Commonwealth Government's powers

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether it has been decided that the tenancies of allotments under the control of his Department are to cease at the end of this year; whether he is aware that allotment-holder shad been led to believe that they would have tenure until the expiration of two years from the end of the War; that in anticipation of this period of tenure the holders have incurred considerable expense in the interests of food production, and that the proposed termination of tenure at the end of this year will inflict hardship on these people; and whether he will take steps to secure these holders in their tenure for at least two years from the end of the War?

I have decided. after consultation with the Board of Agriculture, that the tenancies shall cease on the 29th February, 1920. The assignment of the ground has been to the local borough councils, who were informed that the Government reserved the right to resume possession of the ground at the end of any calendar year subject to two months' previous notice. I must presume that the allotment-holders knew the conditions when they accepted the allotments.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction amongst allotment-holders on account of his decision to evict them at the period mentioned, and will he be prepared to receive a deputation from the National Union of Allotment Holders on the subject?

I dare say there is some dissatisfaction felt by allotment-holders, but, as my office has never had any communication with allotment-holders, but with local authorities, I should think the deputation's grievance would be really against local authorities and not against my Department, and I see no object in receiving a deputation on the subject.

asked the First Commissioner of Works when the portion of the Embankment between St. Thomas's Hospital and the river will be reopened to the public?

The question of reopening of the Embankment between St. Thomas's Hospital and the river to the public is a matter entirely for the London County Council, and has nothing to do with my Department, but I have ascertained from the council that directly the broken material is removed the Embankment will be reopened.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will state for what purpose a tower is being added to the temporary buildings now-being erected upon Burton Court, Chelsea?

The so-called tower is the superstructure erected to carry the tanks required for the supply of water to the heating system in the buildings.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he has received any complaint from medical authorities as to the temporary buildings that have been erected upon Burton Court, Chelsea?

A complaint was received a short time ago from the Deputy-Surgeon of the Royal Military Hospital at Chelsea that the temporary hutting then being erected would affect the health of the occupants of the park-keeper's lodge. This was fully investigated, and it was found that the complaint was not justified.

asked the First Commissioner of Works(1) which hotel was vacated prior to moving an Air Force staff to 4, Thurloe Place, the floor space of the building vacated, and the floor space of the building commandeered in exchange; whether the hotel vacated has since been utilised;(2) whether his Department or that of the Office of Works was responsible for the commandeering of 4, Thurloe Place for the use of the Royal Air Force after the premises had been sold by the Office of Works to a crippled Army officer, in view of the fact that responsibility for this transaction is repudiated by both Departments; (3) on what date 4, Thurloe Place was taken over by the Royal Air Force; and on what date, and upon whom was notice of the intention to do this served on the owner of the premises by either the Air Ministry or by the Office of Works?

The Covent Garden Hotel and four other buildings were vacated by the Air Force on removal of the Headquarters of the South Eastern Area to Thurloe Place. The net floor space available at the hotel and these buildings for office accommodation was about 20,000 square feet, that at Thurloe Place 39,000 square feet, of which about one-half is temporarily occupied by the National Health Insurance Commis- sion. I understand that the Covent Garden Hotel is being prepared for reopening. The Air Force occupy these premises by virtue of an Order under the Defence of the Realm Act, which was originally issued by the War Office for the purpose of housing the Central Prisoners of War Committee. I would add that the Air Ministry have acted throughout in this matter in consultation with the Office of Works. The sale of the premises was effected not by the Office of Works but by a controller appointed under the Board of Trade in whom the premises being enemy property had been vested. The Air Force took over these premises from the Central Prisoners of War Committee on 25th March, 1919. As the case was one of continuance of Government occupation under an existing Order no notice of requisition was called for.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that the present owner of these premises was allowed to purchase them without previous notice that commandeering was going to take place, and may I also ask why it is necessary for larger premises to be taken for the Air Force, in view of the obvious curtailment of their activities?

Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will put these questions on the Paper.

They are on the Paper.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if he will grant a Return showing the cost to this country by loan or grant, including outsiders, of each of the expeditions as follows: Archangel and Murmansk, Koltchak, Denikin, Ukraine, Finland, Esthonia and Lettland, and Roumania?

I wrote to my hon. and gallant Friend about this question yesterday, explaining that it was impossible to furnish the information he wants at the present time owing to the difficulties involved in its preparation.

Are we to understand from that that it is impossible for the Financial Secretary to supply the lump sum totals of subventions, whether in cash or arms?

My hon. and gallant Friend will remember that I discussed this matter with him, and I understand that he wants the total cost which will eventually fall on the country. That, I am afraid, I cannot give him at the present time. As he knows, accounts have to be kept in accordance with directions from Parliament, but they are not kept in such a form as to enable the information to be given expeditiously.

Can he give me information of the subventions, both in cash and in materials, leaving out the question of British troops?

I do not think we could with regard to materials. I dare say we could in regard to cash, and if that will content my hon. and gallant Friend I will see if that can be done.

Is it not that the Government wish to keep the country dark as to the amount of money being spent on these expeditions?

No, that is really not the case. I have answered many questions by my hon. and gallant Friend during the last four years, and I do not think there is a single occasion on which an answer I have given contained any basis for such a suggestion.

May I ask whether this is not a question of great importance to the finances of the country, and whether it is not, therefore, the duty of the Financial Secretary to the War Office to be able to give the country an account of the expenditure on these expeditions?

It is undoubtedly of great importance, and I think I have given a perfectly straightforward answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Coal Controller has received any complaints from the Halstead Co-operative Society regarding the supplies of coal they have been able to obtain; whether he is aware that this society have been only able to receive since the 13th January last 343 tons, although they have over 500 customers to supply; and whether the Coal Controller can take any action to meet this complaint?

I will make inquiry into this matter and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the small number of promotions and allowances granted in the past to the staff of the Mercantile Marine section of the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen as compared with those granted to the Royal Naval Reserve section, he will take steps to secure that under the forthcoming re-organisation of that office an adequate proportion of promotions will be granted to the Mercantile Marine section, as requested in the petition addressed to him in December last by the staff officers, second division, and assistant-clerks in that section?

I am afraid that I cannot anticipate the recommendations of the Committee which is considering the future organisation of the office of the Registrar-General of Shipping and Seamen by pledging myself to make promotions from particular sections.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it may be assumed that the object of the Regulations recently issued prohibiting the importation of box boards beyond 75 percent. of the 1913 figure is to protect the British box-making industry; and, if so, will any other trade which can show that it is suffering from foreign importation receive similar protection?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, with the qualification, however, that the protection is temporary only, and is designed to provide an interval during which the industry may recover from the disorganisations which it suffered as a result of the War. As regards the second part, I should be glad to receive particulars of any cases which the hon. Member has in mind.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what period he has in his mind when he says that this is a temporary expedient?

If the hon. Gentleman has read the Debate he will have found that the whole question has got to be reconsidered before September.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the difficulty which has arisen already, and which will become urgent in the near future, with regard to the prosecution of claims in the Courts of law by private persons against Government Departments; if these claims have to be begun now by a Petition of Right against the Crown, which requires the actual signature of His Majesty before leave is given to proceed with the claim; if, now the Government is undertaking business of all kinds, it should submit to the ordinary right to sue and be sued in the usual way as if it were an ordinary company, firm, or person; and what steps the Government proposes to take in the matter before the new Bills before Parliament become law and action is taken with regard to them?

I am asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. The abolition of Petition of Right would be an important change in constitutional law, and I do not see anything in the considerations suggested in this question to justify such a change.

Is the hon. and learned Gentleman aware of very numerous cases that arose under the Government insurance, and the people who sent in claims were told that if they did not agree to the claim they must present a Petition of Right?

I am not aware of these particular cases, but I am aware that there are many cases of the kind.

And they must all be presented by a Petition of Right?

Yes, as the case stands.

That is impossible.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in connection with the forthcoming Peace celebrations, arrangements can be made for the release of all naval and military prisoners undergoing sentences for Service crimes and of all juvenile first offenders?

I shall bring the suggestion of my hon. Friend to the notice of the Committee which is considering this matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has made representations to Paris as to the feeling caused in this country, both among commercial men and among the Aborigines Protection Societies, at the suggested placing of Ruanda and Urundi under Belgian mandate?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is in possession of information respecting native trouble during the Belgian military occupation of Ruanda and Urundi; whether he is aware that, if the Belgian claim to a mandate in the aforesaid districts were conceded, it would result in interference within the British sphere of influence, and involve complications in administration, communications, veterinary and medical controls, and the strategic situation; and whether, before such claim is conceded, an opportunity will be given to discuss the proposal?

This subject is still under discussion in Paris, and my hon. Friends may be sure that all the considerations referred to in the questions are not being overlooked by the British representatives.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during the War carriers recruited for those places had to be retained under British control in order that they might be decently looked after; will he remember that the record of the Belgians on the Congo is not one to warrant an extension of their control over the black races?

I think the hon. and gallant Member must see that this is not a question to which he can expect that any reply can be given.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the loss of business by firms in this country owing to the congestion of the cables; and whether, with a view to relieving the congestion and expediting the sending and receipt of messages, the present embargo against business telegrams in code will now be removed?

His Majesty's Government is most desirous of abolishing all restrictions at the earliest possible moment, but it is at present impossible to fix the date, which must depend on the peace negotiations.

Is there any military reason why business telegrams should not now be sent in code, and would not facilitating certain of these messages prevent congestion?

Yes, Sir; all that is being considered, not only by the Government of this country, but by the Allied Governments. In their opinion the restriction is necessary.

Will this matter be reconsidered immediately on the signature of the Peace?

Yes, that is so.

asked the Prime Minister whether, seeing that the increase in the cost of living has made it necessary to raise the amount of the Old Age Pension, ho will consider the desirability of raising the limit of the private income which may be enjoyed in conjunction with an Old Age Pension'?

A Committee is now sitting to consider this and other matters relating to Old Age Pensions, and I do not propose to introduce any changes pending the receipt of their Report.

Can evidence be submitted to the Committee with reference to these points?

I assume it was for questions of this nature that the Committee has been called together.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that many aged men have, owing to the conditions caused by the War, obtained temporary employment and, now that hostilities have ceased, are being discharged to make room for those whose places they have been temporarily filling during the War; whether the present method of calculating the means of applicants for an Old Age Pension in the absence of other means for ascertaining the income as provided by Section 2 (1) (b) of the Old Age Pension Act, 1911, is, in many cases, a source of hardship to such applicants; and whether he will take steps to introduce legislation to secure an amendment of that Section?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply I gave on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for East Bradford on the 15th instant.

asked the Prime Minister whether a purely industrial strike of the employés of the Suez Canal Company has recently been declared; whether members of a unit of the Army, called the Egyptian Labour Corps, have been employed to take the place of the coolies employed in coaling who have been involved in this strike; if so, whether this has been done at the request of the Suez Canal Company or whether at the request of the Egyptian Government or at whose request; and whether, in view of the repeated pledges that men under military discipline will not be employed in industrial disputes between masters and men, he will give orders that the members of this unit must be immediately withdrawn?

General Allen by has reported that a strike of the employés of the Suez Canal Company broke out on 13th May, and that following upon this all classes of low-skilled and unskilled workmen in Port Said ceased work. The strike has since spread to Suez and Ismailia. In view of its vital importance, the service of the Suez Canal must be maintained, and this is now being assured with naval and military assistance, but I have no information as to whether, and, if so, to what extent the Egyptian Labour Corps has been employed in this connection.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Report of the South African Parliamentary Committee on the disabilities of the Indians in the Transvaal recommends that no new trading licences shall be granted to Indians, and also that the hold- ing of land by Indians, even in corporate form, should be made illegal, and asks for immediate legislation; and what steps His Majesty's Government intend to take to protect the rights and opportunities of vote less British subjects in South Africa?

I am aware of the Report referred to, but it does not, as I understand, contain any recommendation regarding trading licences such as is suggested. With regard to the holding of land, the object of the Bill framed by the Committee is, I understand, to prevent what is regarded as an evasion of the law, which has been in force for many years in the Transvaal. Existing rights are, however, to be protected. The Secretary of State has not yet received the text of the Bill, but he has been in communication with the Governor-General, and as at present advised does not think that it is necessary to approach the Union Government on the subject.

Has the India Office been approached by the Colonial Office on this question of safeguarding the rights of our Indian fellow subjects?

My hon. and gallant Friend should, I think, address that question to the India Office.

I asked whether the Colonial Office had approached the India Office, not whether the Indians had approached it?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will give notice of that question, I will look into it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the names of those articles in respect of which there is, at the present moment, either complete or partial prohibition of importation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer to a similar question by the right hon. Member for South Molton, which appears in the OFFICIAL REPORT for Monday last.

asked the Prime Minister if, in view of the important appointments which will fall to be made in connection with the Government's proposals with regard to transport, electricity, and other public services, he will arrange for the appointment of a small independent committee to deal with the filling of the principal positions so as to ensure insistence upon the requisite qualifications in regard to the persons to be appointed?

I do not think that the suggestion of my hon. Friend is a practicable one.

May I ask how it is proposed to select all the high officials that are bound to be required for these important Departments; is the right hon. Gentleman aware that already a solicitor to one of the railway companies has been given a very important post in the Ways and Communications Department?

The filling of these posts will certainly be a very responsible duty. I do not see how it is possible that anyone should accept that responsibility except the Government of the day.

How long will it be before there will be nobody in the country who has not a Government job?