asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the can state the intentions of his Department with regard to the Report of the Fuel Research Board on Gas Standards, which recommends a change in the method of charging for gas; and whether the proposed change, if given legislative effect to, would be ultimately inimical to the interests of gas consumers?

The Report is under consideration by the Board of Trade and other Departments concerned, and I cannot state at present what action will be taken upon it. The Fuel Research Hoard in making their recommendations appear to have given full consideration to the interests of gas consumers, and they will be safeguarded in any Bill which His Majesty's Government may introduce to give effect to the Report.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the manufacturers of gas mantles are asking for two years' prohibition of imports; whether any understanding has been given that this will be done; whether he is aware that the shares of the principal company concerned have risen by 20s. a share in the last week, and are now thirty-four times the value they were in 1914, while mantles have risen from 1½d. and 2d. each to 8d. and 9d. each; and whether this form of protection is the considered policy of His Majesty's Government?

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers that question, may I ask whether the industry referred to in the question was not entirely under the control of a German trust before the War?

I have heard of no such request as that indicated. Certainly no undertaking has been given about imports of gas mantles after 1st September. I am unable to trace any share movement of the nature indicated. The hon. Member appears to be comparing the pre-war wholesale price of mantles with the postwar retail price. Action so far taken is in accordance with the policy announced for the transitional period.

Is he aware that the shares in the Welsbach Company stood at 2s. before the War and are now 7s. 6d.?

I am not aware of any movement of the nature indicated in the question, and I have not seen recently what the shares of the Welsbach Company are standing at.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman can answer my question?

I apologise for any appearance of discourtesy. I thought the facts were so well known that it was unnecessary to refer to them.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether prices are fixed for certain classes of imported timber; whether such prices are considerably higher than the maxima which may be paid for home-grown timber; what is the average preference per cent. thus given to the foreigner; and if he will explain why the same conditions are not applied to both home and foreign timber?

Prices are not fixed for timber generally, but there are fixed maxima for pitwood, both home-grown and foreign. The prices for home-grown pitwood are fixed to allow a reasonable profit on the basis of the fixed prices for standing timber in force until 31st March last; those for foreign pitwood include charges for freight, insurance, handling and exchange, and are the lowest at which supplies can be obtained from foreign sources.

What is the object of giving this preference to the foreigner? Would it not encourage the timber industry more if these maxima were removed in England?

The position is this, that the Government controlled prices of standing wood up to a date not very long ago, and there does not seem to be any reason to allow the prices in this country now to go up to a level of the prices which we have to pay for pitwood brought from abroad, with all the heavy charges on them, because at present it is known exactly what the profits are, and they are reasonable profits.

Is he aware that since these prices were fixed agricultural wages, which largely make up the cost of forestry, have been increased?

I answered a question by my hon. and gallant Friend, I think it was, last week upon the relation of agricultural wages to the prices of pitwood, and I explained at that time that if it became necessary to reconsider the prices on the ground of wages reconsideration would be given.

May I ask whether his Department are taking any steps to control profiteering in timber necessary for housing purposes?

There is no control now in timber outside the very limited area of certain pitwoods. The general question of prices and profits touched upon by the hon. Member is a much bigger thing than merely referring to timber, and the whole of that question is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, in connection with the com plaint regarding the services of workmen's cars at Peterborough, no such cars are available in the morning after seven a.m.; and whether he will make representations to the company with a view to the time being extended until eight a.m., in order to meet the convenience of the workmen?

I understand that weekly tickets for workmen, at reduced rates, are now issued, and that they are available by any car up to 8 a.m.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the drifters and trawlers now working from Great Yarmouth are charged for their coal 55s. per ton whilst the same coal is retailed to private houses at 39s. per ton; that at Grimsby and Hull they are only charged 38s. per ton; that this handicap on the boats at Yarmouth must crush the industry unless it is remedied; and that the Controller of Coal Mines has refused to alter these prices for the Yarmouth boats; and what steps he will take to remedy this difficulty?

The pit price of house coal is regulated by the Price of Coal. (Limitation) Act, which does not apply to ships' bunker coal. The controlled pit price of the coal supplied to trawlers at Yarmouth is on the same basis as that of coal supplied to trawlers at Grimsby and Hull, the difference between the delivered prices payable by the trawlers being due partly to longer rail haulage to Yarmouth and partly to charges for additional services in handling the coal at Yarmouth.

Can the right hon. Gentleman suggest what can be done to the industry at Yarmouth against the preference of these other towns of 17s. a ton?

A great deal of the difficulty at Yarmouth arises, I am informed, through the lack of facilities for handling bunker coal, and we have had in the last few days an exhaustive Report upon the conditions of the Yarmouth harbour, and that is now being examined to see if an improvement can be made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the wages paid to silk operatives in Japan on the silk manufactured goods at present being imported into this country, and the number of hours worked per day; and whether he will make representations to the Foreign Office that the treaty with Japan should be revised unless the Japanese employers pay their workmen on the same basis as British employers?

I understand from my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that no authoritative data are available as to the wages paid and hours worked at the present time in Japanese silk mills. With regard to the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that under the treaty we obtained a number of tariff concessions for British goods entering Japan, and that the undertaking to admit certain Japanese goods free of duty was given in compensation for those concessions.

I beg to give notice, in view of the reply, that I will refer to this question on the Adjournment to night.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, under the proviso contained in Section 2 (2) of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, exemption has been granted to any companies registered after 22nd November, 1916, from complying with the provisions of that Section, which requires the publication of the names of the directors on business letters and trade circulars; and, if so, in what circumstances exemption is granted?

Numerous applications have been received for exemption from the provisions of Sub-section (2) of Section 2 of the Companies (Particulars as to Directors) Act, 1917, and exemption has been granted in some cases. Applications for exemption are favourably considered where the name of the company substantially discloses the names of the directors, or, in the case of a large company, the nature of the business, and the directors are British-born subjects who have not changed their name; but each case must depend upon the particular circumstances. Exemption is not, as a rule, granted to a email private company, nor, as a matter of policy, is an exemption granted to a company which owns a newspaper.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the very serious situation created in the coalmining industry of the Tipton, Old Hill, and Kingswinford areas of Stafford shire, through the failure of the operations carried on by the Mines Drainage Commission of those districts, he will be prepared at an early date to receive a deputation representing the mine-owners concerned for the purpose of discussing the question and submitting suggestions for the more efficient protection of the property from flooding?

The Controller of Coal Mines is receiving to-day a deputation from the South Staffordshire coal-owners.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the Government have estimated that 20,000 tons of binder twine will be required for the coming harvest; of this quantity the home manufacturers were to spin. 12,000 tons, 3,000 tons of the twine was held in Government hands from last season, and if he is aware that they intend to buy 5,000 tons from America; if he is aware that the estimate of 20,000 tons being required is proved to be on an incorrect basis, and that there is a large quantity of binder twine in the hands of the farmers and dealers left over from last season, and if he is aware that the firms of R. Hood Hagie and Sons, Limited, Willington Quay, and Craven and Speeding Brothers, Sunderland, employ over 1,500 women when working normally; that during the past three months a number of the women have been paid off, and that the firms in question contemplate paying off more; if he is aware that all the hemp rope makers in this country can make all the binder twine required for home purposes, and if he will take action in the matter?

The figure of 20,000 tons was mentioned as indicating the possible consumption of binder twine for the 1919 harvest, but it does not seem practicable for anyone to forecast requirements with any exactitude. The Board have no intention of buying binder twine from America, and they have already sold for export 2,000 tons out of the 3,000 tons carried over from last season. They have no definite information on the last part of the question, but a Press notice is being issued, urging farmers to place orders without further delay, which more than anything else will contribute to diminish unemployment in this trade.

Do I understand from that answer that there is no intention at all of buying the 5,000 tons mentioned in the question? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that a few days ago an answer was given to a question that the Government had no intention of allowing any to be imported from America?

The question asked on that occasion was whether the Board was going to import any. I believe a small importation is being allowed—something like 2,000 tons—but that is not under the Board.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if America is now able to import steel into this country at a price which enables manufacturers in the United States to undersell British manufactured steel by £4 10s. a ton and upwards, after allowing for freight and all other costs; and, if so, what practical steps have been taken by the Government to meet the position thus arising?

I understand that American steel manufacturers are quoting prices for delivery in the United Kingdom lower than those quoted by British manufacturers (though not, so far as I am aware, to the extent suggested). As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government are not prepared at present to impose any restrictions upon the importation of iron and steel, in view of the demand in the country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I put the amount at £4 10s. and upwards, and it is upwards instead of downwards; and as the Government have undertaken to protect the interests of this country, are they going to do anything or are they not?

With the traditional policy that is being followed, the interests of the country are being protected to the best ability of the Government, but It is not so simple as my hon. Friend seems to imagine. There is a very great demand in this country for iron and steel, which at present producers in this country are unable to meet.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the iron is produced at much nearer places to this country than the United States? Does it seem reasonable that they are able to send their produce into this country at £4 10s. and £5 less, to the great detriment of manufacturers in this country?

I do not know whether it is reasonable or not, but it is a fact that they are producing iron and steel at the present moment more cheaply. It is also a fact that our export trade demands a large amount of iron and steel to work up things to be exported.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an undertaking to move in this matter between now and the end of this Session to see whether something cannot be done for our own people?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the proposed partition of Turkey is in agreement with the 14 points?

I am not in a position to answer the question of the hon. and gallant Member either in the affirmative or the negative, since I have no knowledge of the proposed partition to which he appears to refer.

I hope the hon. Gentleman will give us an assurance that the Arabs are not to be allowed to remain under the cruel persecution of the Turks?

asked what steps are being taken to punish those German and Turkish officials responsible for the Armenian massacres?

The Allies are determined that responsible officials shall not escape punishment. Many are already in custody, but the actual steps to be taken to ensure their receiving their deserts are under discussion in Paris.

Will the hon. Gentleman say whether Enver and Taalat Pashas have yet been caught and whether——

The hon. Member had better give notice of his question.

asked if the Allies have landed at Smyrna in the cause of self-determination or for the sake of self-interest?

The landing at Smyrna was carried out by the direct orders of the Supreme Council of the Peace Conference in accordance with the terms of Article 7 of the conditions of the Armistice with Turkey.

Arising out of that answer, may I ask if it is true that rabies have spread to Paris?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is yet in a position to announce the name of the successor to the Earl of Reading as His Majesty's Ambassador to the United States of America?

I regret that I am still not in a position to add anything to my replies to previous questions put to me on this subject by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Will the hon. Gentleman report to the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State the great harm that is being done to British interests in America by this long delay in giving the name, and can he say when a decision will be arrived at?

Will the hon. Gentleman put the names in a hat and pull one of them out?

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what new States the Government has given recognition within the past five years?

His Majesty's Government have definitely recognised the following Governments:

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he can give the House an assurance that all these places are a long, long way from Tipperary?

asked (1) the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British banks desiring to establish branches in the United States have to obtain a licence, are subject to a differential tax on their earnings, and are prohibited from accepting local deposits, while in British Colonies United States banks are treated on the same footing as English banks; (2) the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether American banks are permitted to establish themselves in British colonies on more favourable terms than are extended to British banks in the United States?

The facts as regards the position of British banks in the State of New York are substantially as stated, but His Majesty's Government have no information as to the regulations in other parts of the United States. The attention of His Majesty's Government has been drawn to the subject, which is under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that recently a temporary labourer employed at Kew Gardens was promoted to the position of constable and that a number of regular employés who have been serving in the forces and are now demobilised have been passed over in making this appointment; whether the claims of these men were considered before the appointment was made; and whether he will have this matter reconsidered?

The answer to the first part of tie question is in the affirmative. The man referred to has already served as a constable at Kew to the entire satisfaction of the Board for four years. The claims of regular employés who have been serving in the forces, and have now reverted to their civil duties, were duly considered before the appointment was made. The Board do not propose to reconsider the appointment.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us why the claims of men who have served in Government Departments are not to be considered before those of the temporary employé?

I have said in the answer that they were considered. As a matter of fact this man was specially suitable, having served as a constable for four years. Although he did not actually serve he volunteered in 1914.

Why, in view of all the Government has said about giving the first opportunity to old employés who have served, that now a post is vacant it is given to a man who has not served?

I quite agree with my hon. Friend, that other things being equal, preference should always be given to the man who has served. In this case it was understood that this was by far the best man.

Does the hon. Gentleman say that a physically fit man who has been demobilised is not better than an unfit man who has never served?

I think I must have notice of that question.

asked why the censorship of letters, etc., is still continued in the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey?

I have been asked to answer this question. So long as censorship continues in the United Kingdom, so long is it necessary to continue the censorship in the Channel Islands. The mails which are subject to censorship there are examined under the same Regulations as apply to similar mails to and from the United Kingdom.

Is it proposed to abolish the censorship on the signing of Peace?

I hope it may be possible to abolish the censorship as soon as the blockade ceases.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether his attention has been called to the Report of the Controller and Auditor-General on the appropriation accounts of the Ministry of Munitions, which includes the case of a phenol-picric acid factory; whether he will state what was the factory and what were the manager's name and qualifications; how many days per week he worked at the factory; and how much he received as salary in respect of this factory?

The Report of the Controller and Auditor-General is now before the Public Accounts Committee. Until that Committee reports no statement can be made on the particular cases cited by the Controller and Auditor-General.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that, owing to the inadequacy and frequent breakdowns of the pumping arrangements in the coal mines of the Tipton, Old Hill, and Kingswinford areas of Staffordshire, over 100,000,000 tons of coal, in addition to great quantities of ironstone, are now submerged with water, and that the water is daily rising and threatens to overflow to other and deeper mines; and whether he will immediately take steps not only to present level of the water, in order to present level of the water, in order to allow of the recovery of the minerals and secure the mines from greater damage if not permanent closure?

I am aware that there has been failure owing to breakdown of the pumping arrangements to deal successfully with the water flowing into the mines in the Tipton area of South Staffordshire, and that that area is, on the advice of the mining experts recently employed by me, being abandoned; but emergency measures are being taken with a view to safeguarding the Old Hill, Kingswinford, and Oldbury areas against inundation. The amount of coal and ironstone lost through the flooding of the Tipton area is probably about 20,000,000 tons; the annual output from which is about 400,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what amount of public money has been advanced to individuals or companies under the Flax Companies (Financial Assistance) Act; how much flax will be harvested this year in Great Britain as the result of moneys so advanced; and will the crop be dressed in mills that have been or are being erected in various parts of Great Britain by public moneys?

My hon. and gallant Friend appears to be under a misapprehension. The Act in question does not permit of any advances out of public funds to flax-growing undertakings, but only authorises companies or associations to take shares in or make or guarantee loans take any limited liability company formed for the purpose, such action being subject to the approval of the Board of Trade.

Would the right hon. Gentleman give me an answer to the last part of the question. There are two questions?

I have no knowledge of the last part of the question.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this matter came before the Standing Committee which is considering Estimates?

asked how many motor cars are allotted for the use of officials of the Ministry of Munitions?

Twenty-five cars are allotted for the use of Ministry of Munitions officials at the various headquarter offices in London, and twenty-four are allotted in the principal provincial centres.

Under what authority are these cars used? Could the hon. Member say how many of these cars are allowed to be used?

The usual authority given to a Minister.

May I ask whether it was the habit before the War of Civil servants to use these cars, and, if not, why we cannot now revert to the condition of things that existed before the War?

That is a question as to general policy, which should not be answered by me.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he does not understand that the continued action of the Departments in this direction is causing a good deal of unpleasantness?

I am sorry that I was not listening to the supplementary questions. I understand that these cars are used for Government purposes. We have tried many times to deal with this subject, and I promise that I will try again.

Will the right hon. Gentleman lay on the Table of the House a list of all the cars used by Government Departments, together with their horse-power?

Have any steps been taken to limit the use of these cars to official business?

That was done long ago.

Will my right hon. Friend look at what occurs every day in Pall Mall and St. James's during the luncheon hour, and will he say whether Civil servants are not by an entirely new rule employing these cars to be carried to their luncheon?

I know there is a good deal of complaint about that, and I am afraid there is some cause for it. I can only promise again that I will inquire into the matter.

May we take it that this scandal will be stopped?

Does the right hon. Gentleman now see the value to be attached to supplementary questions?

That is a demonstration to the contrary.

Does it not show that the time devoted to supplementary questions is most valuable?

asked how many motor cars are lent by the Ministry of Munitions for the use of each Government Department?

Fifty-nine cars are allotted by the Ministry of Munitions to thirteen other Government Departments, with the sanction of the Treasury in each case. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the Departments and the number of cars allotted.

Is it true that one of the persons supplied with a car was Lord Cunliffe, and, if so, can he say why?

I will circulate with the Report the names of the Departments concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman call for a Report as to the names of the persons who are using these motor cars?

I think that question should be addressed to the Departments concerned.

Has not the time arrived when they might try a ride in. the busses?

asked the President of the Local Government Board how many motor cars are allotted for the use of officials of the Local Government Board?

No motor car has been allotted for the use of officials of the Local Government Board, but arrangements have been made with the Ministry of Munitions for the use of cars by the Housing Commissioners for special journeys.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say how many cars are borrowed from the Ministry of Munitions?

None have been allotted to our officials. I do not know how many cars have been borrowed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by officials on the Housing Committee?

It means anybody employed by the Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary whether he has received any protests regarding the proposal to close down the national machine-gun factory at Burton-on Trent; and whether it will be possible to reconsider this matter, with a view to utilising the factory in the national interests?

Yes, Sir, certain protests have been received. It is intended that the factory shall be used in the national interests—mainly, as a store for machine guns—and a certain amount of labour will be employed in the work as storage and maintenance. The factory will also be retained as a reserve unit for the manufacture of machine guns.

asked the First Commissioner of Works by whom the suggestions for alterations to Hampton Court Palace gardens were submitted to him; and whether he will give the names of the horticulturists and landscape gardeners composing the Advisory Committee which be proposes to appoint?

I am not disposed on principle to give the names of persons who make suggestions to me on questions for which I am responsible whether acted on or not. I shall be willing to announce to the House the names of the proposed Committee directly it is constituted.

Has not all this trouble arisen from the interference of an old lady who is related to one of the right hon. Gentleman's officials, and who thinks she knows a lot about gardening?

That is certainly not the case.

Why did the right hon. Gentleman think it necessary to alter a garden which for centuries 1 as been regarded as one of the beauty spots of England?

Will the right hon. Gentleman cease to tamper with old British possessions?

asked the Postmaster-General how many cables there are between the British Isles and North America; and how many of these cables touch British territory only?

There are fourteen cables between the British Isles and North America. They all land in Canada or Newfoundland, and there are extension cables or landlines between Canada and Newfoundland on the one hand and the United States on the other by means of which they can be used for communication with the latter country.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the fact that when trunk calls to Glasgow are given to the London exchanges subscribers are in formed that the operator is not allowed to state the time of the delay, and that this is causing great inconvenience to business firms with whom telephone communication between London and Glasgow is of vital importance to their business; and will he explain the reason for this action on the part of telephone operator?

Public notice was given in October, 1918, of the general suspension of the practice of informing subscribers when their trunk calls were likely to be delayed. The trunk service is still being worked under difficult conditions, and it would not be practicable to keep the operators booking trunk calls informed of the delay on all routes. But I am considering to what extent the wishes of the hon. Member can be met, and will inform him of the result.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the report which has been published in the "Daily Herald" with regard to the conditions obtaining at Les Attaques Military Prison, near Calais; if, as there stated, men are confined in this camp for trivial offences such as the over staying of leave for a few days; if they are supplied with only one blanket each in the coldest weather and are flogged and placed in irons and handcuffs for conversing with each other; and, if there are no grounds for these charges, will he consider as to the taking of criminal proceedings for the publication of such reckless and libellous statements for the purpose of bringing the Army into disrepute?

The Report from France has now been received, and it shows that the allegations referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend are quite unfounded. The men are supplied with the same number of blankets as all other troops on the lines of communication living under canvas. No men are put in irons unless the governor of the prison is satisfied that it is necessary on account of violence. As regards the offences for which men are confined in the camp, these are of all descriptions, and include the most serious criminal offences, as well as comparatively small offences for which short sentences have been awarded.

Will the Government forthwith take steps against those who have circulated these reports, which are detrimental to the interests of the British Army and will the right hon. Gentleman take immediate steps in the matter, because this question has now been on the Paper for fourteen or sixteen days waiting for this Report?

We will consider it.

Is not all this libellous? Does the right hon. Gentleman not appreciate how libellous it is on the British soldiers and officers, and surely, under the circumstances, they are entitled to the protection of this House and of the country?

I say that the matter will be considered.

Will it be done?

Surely the character of the governor of this prison should be cleared?

I hope I have cleared it.

Were any of them flogged?

No, Sir. So far as I know there were no cases of that sort.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the fact that numerous brickfields throughout the country are unable to resume operations owing to lack of capital; and whether, having regard to the fact that thousands of men suitable for employment are receiving unemployed donation, he will take immediate steps to arrange advances of capital to all such brickfields in the interests of urgent problems of the building trade as also of national economy?

I have been asked to answer this question. The Government have given assistance to the trade by placing orders with makers at prices ensuring a reasonable profit, and by making liberal payments on account so soon as the bricks were out of the kiln, and before actual delivery. These arrangements have produced satisfactory results, and it is hoped will have the effect of putting the trade on a sound footing.

Is it not a fact that in many parts of the country building operations are entirely held up through lack of bricks, and what steps are the Department going to take to see that brickfields which are unable to obtain capital owing to labour uncertainty will get a start in the production of bricks?

All my information shows that it is not a fact that building operations are being held up for lack of bricks.

Are any bricks being exported?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Allies sanctioned the Polish occupation of the Lithuanian city of Vilna; whether he is aware that the Lithuanians desire to have no connection with Poland; and whether he is aware that the actions of the Polish Army in Vilna in pillaging the Lithuanians there has still further embittered the relations between these two distinct races?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I do not feel authorised to speak for the Lithuanians.

Is not Lithuania in North-East Poland, and is it not a fact that they have threatened to get up a civil war against the system of government?

Is the hon. Member not aware that at the bottom of this difficulty is the clerical question of imposing an alien Church on those people?

Is it not a fact that the Poles, unauthorised by the Allies, took Vilna, massacred 2,000 Jews and put a large number of Lithuanians to the sword without the sanction of the Allies?

asked the Prime Minister whether the extreme fluctuations in the foreign exchanges are handicapping trade, and that until the exchanges are placed upon a more stable basis any appreciable revival of trade cannot be expected; whether, in these circumstances, the matter is receiving the attention of the Government and the Peace Conference; and whether anything is being done with a view to re-establishing the credit of the various countries who are in need of it with a view to stabilising exchanges?

I am fully alive to the importance of this question, which has formed the subject of informal discussions in Paris.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the quickest, the surest, and the best method to remedy this situation would be to remove the restrictions upon shipping and trade, and, in connection with that, is he aware that the United States export trade for the month of April reached the huge record of 715,000,000 dollars?