asked the Pensions Minister whether he has recently reconsidered or intends to reconsider the case for increase of pre-war pensions; and whether, in view of the 50 per cent. increase in old age pensions and the very general increase of wages in addition to war bonus in all classes of employment, men who served the country in previous wars and retired on pension prior to 1914 are alone to be debarred from receiving an increase of pension commensurate with the rise in the cost of living?

If my hon. Friend is referring to disability pensions I may remind him that men disabled in former wars, who are totally incapacitated or who suffer from certain specific disabilities, already have their pensions raised to the level of the present War, and to the pensions so raised the 20 per cent. bonus is added. The question of similarly increasing the pensions granted for other disabilities incurred in previous wars is under consideration.

Has any consideration been given to pensions which are not for disability but for active service?

The Ministry only deals with disability pensions. Any question of service pensions as service should be addressed to the War Office.

Does this consideration of pre-war pensions extend to the officers or only to the men?

Certainly; to both men and officers in the Navy and Army.

asked the Pensions Minister what provision is made by the Ministry for a disabled soldier who, having completed his training for a new occupation, is unable to find employment?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The policy of the Training Department of the Ministry of Labour is that disabled sailors and soldiers shall only be trained in trades which are capable of absorbing additional labour. The Divisional Training Authorities, acting in conjunction with the various local technical advisory committees and the Employment Exchanges, will assist in securing employment for men who have completed approved courses of training

Is it not a fact that there are thousands of men who have already received training and who are at present unemployed?

Not to my knowledge.

What provision has been made for them after they have had their training if they cannot get employment?

Every effort is being made to place these men when they have received their training. If it is impossible to train them then they come under the unemployment donation fund.

Where disabled officers and men are discharged from other Government Departments is their case taken up by the Minister of Labour?

If my hon. and gallant Friend or anyone else has any such ease I shall be glad to have it investigated.

I will send you one.

What arc the results of the-best efforts of the Ministry?

That would take too long.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Alexandra. Palace will be handed back for the use of the general public as in the days before the War?

:The Alexandra Palace is now being vacated by the aliens who have been interned there during the War, in order that it may be utilised temporarily for occupation by Government staffs, thereby securing the release of equivalent space in hotels, museums, public institutions, and premises requisitioned from business firms. I hope, however, that it will be possible to make arrangements for the public to be admitted to the grounds, which are at present closed to them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where the unfortunate aliens who have been imprisoned there for four years are being sent to?

In a camp provided by the military authorities.

And where are the officials coming from who are to occupy the palace?

I am astonished that that question should be asked. I have said they are coming from the various hotels and institutions which are being given up.

And what is it going to cost to transform Alexandra Palace into offices? Could not a more suitable building be found?

I think I ought to have notice of that question. Certainly the cost will be very small compared with. the size of the staff.

What Department——

The hon. Member must give notice. There is a long list of questions to be dealt with to-day.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry if he will offer to the Overseas Dominions and Colonies some of the surplus aeroplanes now in the possession of the Air Ministry, with a view to their being used for postal and similar services?

This question is at this moment being considered. Perhaps my hon. and gallant Friend will repeat his question next week. Since I drafted this answer a satisfactory conclusion has been arrived at by the Government and I hope to make a satisfactory announcement when the hon. Member repeats his question.

Will this be given as a free gift or will it be a purchase?

As a free gift to the Dominions, the Crown Colonies, and to India.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether, in view of the high prices now being realised for obsolete and old motor cycles and cars being sold by Government Departments, it would be desirable to offer some of the new aeroplanes, now being broken up by his Department, to the public by auction sale so as to test the market on this matter?

The aeroplanes which are being reduced to produce are those which are obsolete for war purposes and unsuitable for civil aviation. His Majesty's Government accordingly could not accept the responsibility of putting them on the market. The responsibility of the Air Ministry ends when they have decided what machines are surplus and which of them are obsolete for service use and unsuitable for civil aviation. Thereafter the question of disposal rests with the Disposal Board under the Ministry of Munitions.

Why could not the right hon. Gentleman put some of these on the market to see if there is a demand for them, and at the same time make it clear that any purchaser purchases them at his own risk?

That is a matter for the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions, and questions on that subject should be addressed to them.

:Have steps been taken to dispose of some of these machines to neutral countries for trade purposes?

I have just announced the decision of the Government to make a free gift to the Dominions, Colonies, and India of those required for certain specific purposes, but the disposal of the machines is a matter for the Disposal Board of the Ministry, and I shall I e obliged if the hon. and gallant Gentleman will address his questions to them, as they have all the facts at their disposal.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that many girls and women who volunteered for work at the Yate (Glos.) aerodrome have been recently discharged and their places taken by other women; whether this action is locally regarded as unjust and results in the turned-off women receiving out-of-work donation; whether, as the result of newspaper correspondence, no women received fresh notices on Friday, 16th May, but many girls left that week owing to previous notices and eight or nine fresh ones were taken on; and will he say what justification there is for this conduct?

Apart from compassionate discharges (to which I presume my hon. Friend is not referring) I find that thirteen members of the Women's Royal Air Force at Yate were recommended for discharge in April last. The work in certain branches had then greatly diminished and the least efficient workers were selected for discharge when the staff was reduced. Discharges were carried into effect as regards eight of the women on the 9th May and as regards five on the 16th. Forty-seven members of the Women's Royal Air Force have since been enrolled, but only three of them, who were miscellaneous labourers, are of the same trade as those discharged. The women whose places they took were regarded as inefficient. Two civilian subordinates have also been discharged since the 1st April and their places taken by two members of the Women's Royal Air Force.

Will my right hon. Friend explain why women are turned off and receive out-of-work donation and at the same time an equal number are being taken on and being paid?

I have asked for a full report from the officer commanding. I have not yet received it. I admit the point is somewhat obscure. If my hon. Friend will repeat the question next week I hope to be able to give an answer.

Cannot discharged soldiers do this work instead of women?

That raises a very big question. Where women are already engaged in doing work well it would be wrong to displace thorn if they are fully efficient for the work, and more efficient than men would be. It is a big question which I cannot argue at present.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the headquarters of the South-Eastern Area is the only unit of the Air Force accommodated in No. 4, Thurloe Place; by what number of officers and men the strength of this unit has been reduced since 11th November, 1918; and how much further it is intended to reduce the strength after the signing of Peace?

With the exception of two officers and three clerks, the headquarters staff of the South-Eastern Area is the only Royal Air Force unit accommodated at 4, Thurloe Place. On the 11th November, 1918, the total numbers of this staff were sixty-four officers and 195 other ranks; yesterday the figures worn sixty-seven officers, 173 other ranks and fifty-six civil subordinates. The increase shown has been made in consequence of the great increase of work due to rapid demobilisation. Thus, while the reduction of the whole force during the period mentioned is: Officers and cadets, 64 per cent., and other ranks 74 per cent., an increase is necessary in the staff of the areas in order to complete the great volume of work involved in this rapid reduction, and assist in building up the smaller permanent force.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what is the Statute under which the Royal Air Force occupies premises: and whether an Order under the Defence of the Realm Act issued by the War Office is deemed to be valid in such a case?

The Statute under which premises can be compulsorily taken by the Royal Air Force is the Defence of the Realm Act. Regulation 2, made under that Act, provides for any competent naval or military authority taking possession of any buildings or other property, when it is necessary to do so for the purpose of securing the public safety or the defence of the Realm.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any right to hand them over to the Insurance Commission?

:That is a legal matter. I should presume it must be legal otherwise we should not have done it.

Has the right hon. Gentleman taken the advice of the Law Officers?

I am quite sure my predecessor must have done, because he was a most wise man, but I will inquire at once. It was before my time.

asked how many casualties there have been in the Air Force since the Armistice up to the pre sent time, mentioning in addition those which have had a fatal termination?

The reply is as follows: Officers, fatal, 374 up to the 25th May, 1918, for Home and Overseas; other ranks, fatal, 848. The above figures are up to the 30th April, as it was not possible to work out the information up to a later date in the time available. The figures for non-fatal casualties up-to-date are being inquired into.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Air Ministry whether about 300 men have been discharged during the last month from the works now in progress at Wendover; if the cause for this is the delay in the passing of the plans for the continuation of the scheme; and if this is so, will he take steps to see that there shall be no further delay involving, as it has, the discharge of many demobilised soldiers?

The recent discharges of men employed on construction work at Halton Park have been due to the approaching completion of buildings.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the serious congestion of traffic between Nottingham and London; why so few wagons are allotted to so important a business centre as the capital of the Eastern Midlands; why the railways only accept ordinary merchandise on two or three days in the week; and whether he will take steps to relieve a situation so disastrous to trade which is attempting to revive after the restrictions of war?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that great inconvenience is being caused to the traders of Nottingham by the refusal of the railway companies to accept any goods for delivery in London; and whether he will take immediate steps to relieve the congested state of the railways, which is detrimental to the re-establishment of the trade of the country?

I am aware that at the present time railway companies are, for various reasons, finding great difficulty in dealing with the amount of traffic being offered for conveyance, in many parts of the country. The Railway Executive Committee are giving the matter special attention, and are taking steps to improve the distribution of the available supply of wagons. I hope that the position will shortly be more satisfactory.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken, considering the shortage of railway trucks and the inability of the railways to carry the traffic, to increase the carrying powers of the canals and to ease the present congestion by substituting water traffic for railway traffic wherever practicable?

I am afraid I can only refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the reply given on this subject yesterday to the hon. Member for North Salford.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether anything is being done in. this matter?

I will send the hon. and gallant Gentleman the reply, and he will be able to judge whether it is satisfactory or not.

That is not satisfactory unless there is something in it.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to station a mixed Allied force on the Rhine for fifteen years; and, if so, what will be the strength of the British contingent?

I am informed that no arrangements have yet been made.

asked the Prime Minister whether the blockade is still maintained against Hungary, because that State is a Socialist Republic?

The answer is in the negative. The blockade against Hungary is maintained for the present because the Associated Governments are not satisfied that the existing Government of Hungary, which is still an enemy country, is such as to offer any security for law and order.

How is it that the only two Socialist Republics, Hungary and Russia, are the only places where the blockade is still fully maintained?

asked the Prime Minister how many passenger motor cars, the property of the public, are at present placed at the disposal of the British delegation to the Peace Conference in Paris; whether any check is kept on the mileage run; and whether there is any authority responsible for the use to which the cars are put, or whether Ministers, military and naval officers, and Civil servants, to whom a car or cars are allotted, are permitted to use them for any purpose which they may desire?

There are fifty-one cars employed by the British Peace Delegation, but, owing to the necessity for repairs and a shortage of drivers, the number in use from day to day is considerably short of that figure. A check is kept of the mileage run and a monthly return rendered. A certain number are allocated to Plenipotentiaries, Ministers of the Crown, and Dominion Prime Ministers, and are used at their discretion. The remainder form a common pool, and can only be used on written requisition sanctioned by a responsible official, whose duty it is to investigate and control the purposes for which each car is to be used in the interests of the public service.

asked the Prime Minister when the custom was introduced of providing officials in Government Departments with special means of locomotion between their offices and homes or clubs at the public expense; and whether, in view of the need for economy in administration, he will give instructions that no transport shall be provided for any official except at his own cost?

I am afraid that it is true that the abnormal conditions prevalent during the War have given rise to the abuses. The whole question of control of Government motor cars is now being carefully considered by His Majesty's Government, and I hope that in a short time instructions will be given which will deal satisfactorily with this among other aspects of the subject.

Am I to understand that the custom has originated since the beginning of the War?

I believe that is so, and I think it was only natural, because there were no means of getting locomotion.

asked the Prime Minister whether he recently granted an interview to the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress; whether he was informed by them that unless the Government reversed its declared policy with regard to the liability for military service, the treatment of the conscientious objector to military service, and certain other matters, a general strike would take place; and will he, before be gives the Parliamentary Committee the answer of the Government, receive the Parliamentary Committee of the Middle Classes Union in order that he may acquaint himself with the views of the union with regard to the demands made on the Government by the Trade Union Congress and its alleged threat should it fail to comply with them?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Dulwich.

Will the report of the interview be made public?

I have authorised them to make it public if they wish, and I think it will be made public.

Supposing they do not make it public, will it be published?

I said nothing that I have not said in the House, and I do-not care whether it is made public or not. I understand that it is to be made public-

asked the Prime Minister (1) if his attention has been called to the fact that an aeroplane was picked up by a vessel not equipped with wireless and consequently unable to report until she reached the coast, this demonstrating the importance that every ship which might be instrumental in saving life or property or in disseminating important news should be equipped with wireless; whether this matter will be brought up for international discussion at the earliest possible moment;

The subject of wireless telegraphy on merchant ships was considered by the International Conference on Safety of Life at Sea in 1913–14, and an international agreement was reached on the subject at that time. Owing to the War, the Convention has not been brought into operation, and the question whether any modification of the Convention is necessary in the light of experience gained since the Convention was agreed to is being considered. A Bill dealing with the provision of wireless telegraph apparatus on merchant ships was introduced into Parliament on 21st May.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the issue of the draft Order in Council regulating the admission of aliens to the United Kingdom, he will state whether these Regulations will, with suitable local modifications, be applied to all parts of the British Empire other than the self-govern- ing Dominions; and, if not, what different principles for achieving the same end will be sanctioned by the Colonial Office?

I am not yet in a position to say what precise measures it may be desirable or practicable to take in the various Colonies and Protectorates in border to provide effectively for the regulation of the admission of aliens, or to what extent those measures will be based on the Regulations proposed for the United Kingdom. My hon. Friend will realise that the question will require very careful consideration in order to secure the end in view in the manner best suited to local conditions in each case.

asked when the Report of Lord Sumner's Committee regarding the British Cellulose and Chemical Manufacturing Company will be forthcoming?

I regret that it is not possible for me to name a definite date, but I hope that it will be ready within a week or two.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the registration of the United Baltic Company with a private capital of £2,000,000 on 20th May to carry on a multiplicity of undertakings by land and sea; whether he is aware that the British directors are the Right Hon. Leverton Harris and two representatives of Andrew Weir and Company, and the remaining directors are Hans Niels Anderson, of the East Asiatic Company, and Emil Gluckstadt, who both direct the Landmandsbank of Denmark; whether he is aware that before and during the War the Landmandsbank was virtually a branch of the Deutsche Bank of Berlin; that it was a subject of complaint during the War that the East Asiatic Company assisted our enemies and that Hans Niels Anderson was given too many privileges; whether full inquiry has now been made as to whether it is desirable to give British registration to the company and as to whether Hans Niels Anderson and Emil Gluckstadt will promote British interests?

I am advised that the Landmandsbank is not and never has been, either before or during the War, a branch of the Deutsche Bank; on the contrary, it has on several occasions during the War rendered services to His Majesty's Government. In particular, it made His Majesty's Government, through the British Bank of Northern Commerce, two loans of 30,000,000 kroner each, as well as a dollar loan in New York of 36,000,000 dollars, and renewed them from time to time at the request of His Majesty's Government. Mr. Gluckstadt, referred to in the question, was at that time, and still is, managing director of the Landmandsbank. With regard to the East Asiatic Company, charges were made some time ago in a certain newspaper against this company, but were later unreservedly withdrawn as being unfounded. With regard to Mr. Anderson, this gentleman is managing director of the East Asiatic Company, and has during the War rendered great services to His Majesty's Government. Before issuing his certificate of incorporation the Registrar of Companies was satisfied that no subscriber of the Memorandum of Association or any of the proposed directors were enemy subjects, and therefore there were no grounds on which he could refuse to register the company.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the bank in question were the agents of the Deutsche Bank, and does he derive his information from those best qualified to know, whose business it was to know, like the naval and military attaches at Copenhagen during the War?

I cannot say whether the advice was from those best qualified to give it, but it was the best advice I could get.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the strength of local feeling on the inadequacy of the old age pension and the need for greatly increasing the statutory scale of yearly means on which the several rates of pension are based, he anticipates being able this Session to give effect to legislation in this direction?

As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, these questions are at present under consideration by Committee, and I am not at present able to say whether its Report will be received in time to enable it to be dealt with this Session.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order that the public may be in a position to judge of the moderation of the Peace terms submitted to Germany, the Government will publish particulars of the terms of Peace proposed by Germany in the course of the War so far as regards France, and communicated officially to the United States Government while that country was neutral; including the arrangements pro posed as regards the surrender of French territory, the payments of indemnities, and the granting of economic concessions?

His Majesty's Government have no information upon this subject.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the report by Mr. Kahn, chairman of the United States Congress Military Committee, of dissensions between the American Army authorities in Europe and the Allied military staffs; if he will state whether there is any foundation for such a statement; if so, if he will indicate what is the position of this country in the matter in order to remove any impression that Great Britain is lacking in appreciation of the sacrifices made by the United States in the War; and if he will at the same time give particulars of American expenditure and casualties in the War, and the same, information with respect to this country?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part, therefore, does not arise. With regard to the third part I may say that the relations between the American and British Army authorities have been most cordial.

Would the right hon. Gentleman like to see the report referred to in the third part of my question?

I do not think so.

asked whether a sum of about £6,000,000 has been already spent upon the shipyards at Chepstow, Portbury, and Beachley; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of instituting an inquiry into what is alleged to have been wasteful expenditure of public money?

I have been asked to reply. The approximate cost to date is about £4,250,000. The ultimate completed cost depends on the number of ships to be equipped at the various yards, the nature of the equipment, and the number of houses to be built. Having regard to the statements which have been made from time to time in the House, and particularly in the Debate on the Vote of Supply for the Ministry of Shipping on the 19th instant,;t is not considered that a further inquiry would serve any useful purpose.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a trade union meeting of glove and leather workers recently held at Worcester a resolution was unanimously passed protesting against the recent Government Order removing restrictions from imported leather gloves, and expressing the hope that a sufficiently high tax would be imposed on imported gloves or partly-made gloves to ensure that English workers shall not be rendered unemployed by underpaid foreign competition, as was the case before the War, and that it shall be made compulsory for imported gloves, whether finished or partly finished, to be stamped with the name of the country of their origin; and whether consideration will be given by the Government to these proposals?

:The Prime Minister has asked me to reply to this question. I have no information about the resolution alluded to. The decision to allow leather gloves to be imported under general licence, free from restriction, was consequent upon a recommendation of the Import Consultative Council made after considering all the circumstances of the case. With reference to the suggested stamping of these goods with the name of the country of origin, I will see that the point is brought before the Committee about to be established to consider questions relating to the marking of goods of foreign origin.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that some of the civilian British prisoners interned in enemy countries during the War lost every thing they possessed and, owing to the in evitable delay in securing compensation on their claims submitted to the Foreign Office, have now barely enough to exist on and no immediate hope of re-establishing either their health or their fortunes; and whether it is possible in obviously genuine cases to treat these men more generously and more promptly?

:I am informed that the Repatriated British Civilian Prisoners' Help Committee, Surrey House, Marble Arch, which is a sub-committee of the Red Cross Society, deal with cases of the nature indicated in the question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether or not the Government are definitely opposed in principle to a capital levy as a method of reducing the war debt in order to dispel doubts from the minds of those who have savings to invest in the forthcoming Government Loan?

:In such a matter the Chancellor of the Exchequer speaks for the Government, and I would refer my hon. Friend to his statements on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman's mind now closed?

I do not think that I can deal satisfactorily with that in answer to a question, but I shall be glad to say what my view is when the matter comes up on the Finance Bill.

asked what is the total amount of American securities deposited with the Treasury; what was the total amount of American securities deposited with the Treasury which have been sold; and what is the net balance of American securities deposited with the Treasury now held by the British Government?

The dollar securities (including Canadian securities) now held under the Treasury deposit schemes amount to just over $500,000,000. Most of these securities are pledged as collateral for loans in America. In addition deposited securities to the value of $106,111,000 were purchased by the Treasury and most of these have been sold.

asked what is the present amount of the indebtedness of the British Government to the Government of the United States; what is the present amount of the indebtedness of the Government of the United States to the Government of the United Kingdom; and, when all the necessary adjustments have been made, what is the estimated net balance: of the indebtedness of the British Government to the Government of the United States?

The present amount of the indebtedness of the British Government to the Government of the United States is $4,260,000,000. Exact figures of the amount of the indebtedness of the Government of the United States to the British Government are not available, such indebtedness consisting of claims on current account by various British Departments against several United States Departments, but the amount may be roughly estimated, converting sterling at the rate of $4.65, at $210,000,000. On this basis the estimated net balance in favour of the United States Government is $4,050,000,000.

Do these figures include any guaranteed loans for which this country is responsible?

The question is about our indebtedness to the United States.

Would the right hon. Gentleman be able to answer a question as to the extent of the loans from the United States to other nations of which we have guaranteed the payment, if any?

I do not know what my hon. and gallant Friend is thinking of.

Is the indebtedness purely for the purchase of war materials?

I cannot say what the indebtedness is for. We have made purchases of many things in America besides war materials—principally food.

Were we not guaranteeing the exchange at the rate of 4 dollars 75 cents?