asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will take steps to find out what are the wages paid by Japanese employers in the Japanese silk trade; and whether he will undertake that there shall be no free imports of Japanese silk unless the Japanese silk manufacturers pay British trade union wages and conditions?

I will ask my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour whether he can obtain any recent information as to the first part of this question. As regards the second, I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on Monday last.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a volume was published by the Japanese Minister of Finance in 1918 which contained this information, and that the rates of wages stated therein are 7½d. to 11d. per day per man, and 4½d. to 8d.,per day per woman?

The hon. Member seems to be better informed than the Minister.

Arising out of that answer

That was not an answer.

I beg to give notice that I will refer to this question on the Motion for Adjournment this evening.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the dissatisfaction among the masters of foreign-going and home trade merchant steamers, and also among the pilots on the East Coast, at the withdrawal of the Regulations making pilotage compulsory by licensed pilots at East Coast ports; and if he will consider orders being given that no shipmasters in the foreign-going and home trade ships shall hold a pilotage certificate for British harbours?

The Board of Trade have no power to issue such an Order, but, even if it had, I doubt if it would be desirable to prohibit British masters of British ships from piloting their ships into British harbours in cases where the local pilotage authority does not consider such a course necessary.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the great loss suffered by the Humber pilots through their having to pay the export price of 42s. 6d. per ton of coal for their own pilot cutters instead of the price under the Coal Limitation Act of about 32s. a ton; and, as this coal is burnt at the mouth of the Humber and does not go abroad, will he consider charging the reduced rate for this coal, as the pilots cannot increase their charges in the same way as the ship owners raise their freights?

The Price of Coat (Limitation) Act, 1915, does not apply to ships' bunker coal. Complaint has not previously been made that the application of the bunker coal prices to pilot cutters entailed great loss to the Humber pilots, but if the hon. and gallant Member will arrange for a full statement to be submitted on behalf of the pilots affected, the question of modifying the present charges will be fully considered.

Are sea-going trawlers supplied with coal under the Domestic Prices Order?

No.

Is the right hon. Gentleman also aware that correspondence has been going on between the Coal Controller and the Humber pilots on this matter for the last six weeks?

I have no information how long correspondence has been going on. Correspondence has been going on with nearly every port in the country with regard to the prices of bunker coal, which many people in the ports do not understand include freight charges in this country, and therefore there are different prices at different ports.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when the agreement with Japan, allowing that country to import brushes into the United Kingdom to the extent of its 1916 imports, was made; for what period or until what date is it to continue; and has His Majesty's Government any right to determine it at any earlier date or to revise or vary it?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether Japan and Italy are still permitted to import into this country brushes to the extent of their 1916 importations duty free; whether this country is capable of supplying its own requirements; and, if so, whether, in view of the cheapness of labour in Italy and Japan, he proposes to take any steps to enable British brush manufacturers to compete with free imports and maintain the industry?

In the spring of 1918 a concession was made to certain classes of goods of Italian origin, and, in view of an undertaking previously given to the Japanese Government, these concessions were extended to similar classes of goods of Japanese origin. The concession originally provided for the unrestricted importation of brushes, but in February of this year it was announced to the Japanese Government that unrestricted licensing would have to be replaced by the issue of licences to an amount not exceeding the imports of the year 1916. The question is at present under consideration by the Import Consultative Council.

I will call attention to this matter on the Adjournment.

I put this question down on Wednesday, and transferred it to this day. On Thursday I saw the answer to it in the "Times" newspaper. I propose to put some supplementary questions on some other day.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) why Sir Percy Daniels was seat to the United States to purchase leather for the production of civilian boots when there are large stocks in hand in this country available for this purpose; whether the purchases so made in the United States amount to several millions sterling; whether he is aware that the importation of this leather has demoralised the market in this country; (2) whether he is aware that, as a consequence of the Government's policy of purchasing quantities of leather in the United States when there is an ample supply in this country, some of the largest British leather manufacturers are unable to dispose of their products and have been compelled to reduce largely their output, thus adding to the unemployment already existing; and what action he proposes to to take in regard to the matter?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether the directorate of raw materials recently purchased large amounts of leather in America for shipment to Great Britain; whether he will state what steps were taken before effecting this purchase to obtain tenders from leather manufacturers in this country; whether he is aware that there are several million square feet of leather, similar to that about to be imported, unsold in the hands of the producers in this country; and whether, in view of the present urgency of finding employment in this country, he will in the future take steps to see that all home manufacturers are given the opportunity of fulfilling these contracts before the orders are sent to foreign firms?

I have been asked to reply to this question. Approximately thirty-nine and a half million feet of fine upper leathers have been purchased by Sir Percy Daniels in the United States and Canada at a cost of about £3,500,000. Before the purchase was made, inquiries revealed a serious shortage in this country, and the purchase had the entire approval of the Leather Council, which is fully representative of the whole leather trade.

Are we to understand from the words "demoralised the market in this country" that leather was getting too cheap?

I cannot give any 'explanation of the question. I am only responsible for the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the pottery industry is being seriously handicapped by inability to obtain coal; and what steps he proposes to take to enable this export trade to continue?

I am aware that industry generally, including the pottery industry, is handicapped by inability to obtain adequate supplies of coal, owing to the fact that the present rate of output is insufficient to meet the normal requirements of the country. Everything possible is being done to provide for the equitable distribution amongst the various industries of such supplies of coal as. are available.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that coal is the raw material of the pottery industry, and is not merely the motive power? Is he further aware that there is sufficient coal produced in the North of Staffordshire, but, unfortunately, it is being shipped out of the country to other industries?

I am well aware of the importance of coal to all industries. I am also well aware that it is necessary to distribute the coal as fairly as we can in view of the shortage, just as it was necessary to distribute food in the past as fairly as necessary, and there is no discrimination against the pottery industry.

Is this the way in which the Board of Trade encourages our export trade, which is so important at present?

asked the President of the Board of Trade what profit was earned by the thirty-four Austrian and German detained steamships managed for the British Government by Messrs. Everett and Newbigin, of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and paid over into the Exchequer during the period in which they were run on the basis set out by the President of the Board of Trade in his statement of 16th February, 1915; and what amount the managers received for their services?

I have been asked to reply. The trading profits of the vessels referred to for the period 1st January, 1915, to 30th September, 1918, the latest date to which the accounts have been finally made up, is £1,550,850. In arriving at the net trading profit on a commercial basis provision would have to be made out of the above amount for depreciation and interest, and for the replacement of vessels lost so far as not covered by insurance. The remuneration paid to the managers for their services in respect of these and other vessels in the coasting trade office was at the rate of £5,000 per annum.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, before the Coal Industry Commission reports, the various sections of coal consumers indicated in the Coal Conservation Sub-Committee's Report will be allowed to place their views before the Commission; whether bodies organised in the interests of domestic consumers who are now paying £3 per ton for their coal will be entitled to be heard also; whether any of these bodies have already applied to be heard and have been refused; and, if so, what were the names of these organisations, and on what grounds they were refused?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am informed that before the Coal Industry Commission reports some of the classes of coal consumers referred to will have given evidence specifically, and the others generally through the medium of witnesses nominated by the Association of British Chambers of Commerce. Steps are being taken to obtain evidence from a body representative of domestic consumers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) if he is aware that, at an interview at the Admiralty on the 21st March last, it was admitted that an official of the Cunard Company, whose case was not covered by the War Risks Association, received a compassionate allowance from the Board of Trade, and that in the case of Mr. Ferber, who was in the same position as the above-mentioned officer, the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company was directed to make an application for a similar allowance, and was led to believe that the application would be treated in the same way, as it was admitted it ought to be. and that the company has now been informed by the Board of Trade that it has no fund from which special allowances can be made in such cases; (2) whether his attention has been drawn to the speech of the chairman of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company at its last half-yearly meeting, in which it was stated that the "Leinster" was lost owing to the culpable negligence of those responsible for her safety; whether the Government is now prepared to hold a sworn judicial inquiry into all the circumstances attending the loss of this mail packet; and whether the Government is prepared to pension adequately the dependants of the officers, sailors, soldiers, and civilians who lost their lives in consequence of the torpedoing of the vessel, to compensate fully the survivors for their loss, and to pension adequately the dependants of the officers and crew of the packet, and those of the officials of the company who were on board at the time of the disaster?

I have carefully inquired into the facts embodied in these two questions, and I find that the dependants of all officers, sailors, soldiers, and civilians employed by the Government who lost their lives when the "Leinster" was sunk have received such compensation for their loss as financial grants can give. Similarly the dependants of the officers and crew of the ship have been compensated. These financial payments have been made under the compensation and pension schemes administered by the Board of Trade and Ministry of Pensions respectively. The Government are unable to accept the obligation to compensate the dependants of other persons who lost their lives. The statement that the dependants of an official of the Cunard Company who lost his life at sea through enemy action, received compensation from the Board of Trade is both inaccurate and misleading. The Cunard Company official was at the time of his death engaged by the Director of Transports and Shipping to go over to France to superintend arrangements there for the disembarkation of American troops. The pension to his dependants was granted by the Admiralty under the Injuries in War (Compensation) Scheme. Mr. Ferber was an official of the City of Dublin Steam Packet Company, and was travelling on the business of the company.

While the Government have every sympathy with all the dependants of those who lost their lives at sea, not only when the "Leinster" was sunk, I do not see how it can be expected that the dependants of those who were not members of the crew and were not on Government business should receive compensation at the expense of the taxpayer. The Government does not consider that an inquiry at this date would serve any useful purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Mrs. Williams, widow of the chief fireman of the "Leinster"—who would have been getting £5 a week if he had been alive to-day—is at the present time getting 4s. l0d. a week? How can she live on 4s. l0d. a week? I have had no reply to the first part of question 14 as to the allegation of culpable negligence of the Government in not looking after a ship which was carrying 500 troops per day.

I was not aware of the sum allotted to any of the dependants, but if the hon. Member will provide me with information about any special cases of hardship I will most certainly at once have them fully investigated, and see if anything can be done. In regard to the first part of question 14, the Government cannot admit any negligence.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly reply to the second part of my hon. Friend's second question as to whether he proposes to hold a sworn judicial inquiry into all the circumstances attending the loss of this mail packet?

I am sorry if my hon. and gallant Friend did not hear my reply:

"The Government does not consider that an inquiry at this date would serve any useful purpose."

Why should there be differentiation in the Government attitude towards a ship owned by an Irish company which has been torpedoed by enemy action and a Cunard liner? If there was an inquiry into the case of the "Lusitania," why should there not be an inquiry into the case of the "Leinster"?

Will the right hon. Gentleman have a Return made of the whole list of pensions to the dependants who lost their lives in the "Leinster"? We have a list here and they appear to be totally inadequate.

If there are any cases of special hardship, I shall be pleased to have them looked into,. to see what the position is. In reply to the hon. and gallant Member (Captain Redmond), there was no differentiation.

Will the right hon. Member inform himself, before coming to answer questions, as to the pensions actually granted? Can he say on what basis these pensions were allotted? Is he aware of the fact that they were allotted on prewar wages, and that the poor dependants of the men who went down in the "Leinster" are getting inadequate pensions based on pre-war wages and not on modern conditions?

As regards informing myself, I spent from two and a half to three hours looking up this matter in order to be able to answer these questions. I did not go into the actual amount of pensions because they are on scales and it is no part of my functions to go into the scale of pensions.

Would not an investigation disclose the fact that the ship had no option but to obey orders and go out, although they knew they were facing their fate owing to the fact that there were torpedoes outside the harbour?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any compensation has been awarded for loss sustained to those persons who sent registered or other postal packets or letters containing money or articles or value per the City of Dublin steamship "Leinster," sunk in the Irish Sea by an enemy submarine?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Compensation is not paid by the Post Office when a letter or other postal packet, whether registered or not, is lost through enemy action.

Is compensation paid by any Government Department at all?

I must have notice of that question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the middle of May a list was issued by the Board of Trade specifying certain classes of paper for which import licences would be freely granted; that this list was revised almost immediately, and that on the 27th May the free paper licence list was entirely withdrawn without any official notice being issued to the trade, with the result that contracts had been and still are being entered into by firms for the import of the classes of paper referred to in the original free list; and whether it is now proposed to issue an amended list of papers which may be freely imported?

It is the case that a list was issued by the Board of Trade specifying certain classes of paper for which import licences would be freely granted, and that this list was subsequently revised and ultimately withdrawn upon the same official notice to the trade as was given when it was issued. Licences will be granted for the importation of all paper, of the classes scheduled on the original free list, which was purchased during the time the list was in operation. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. The present Regulations regarding imports of paper are based upon the unanimous recommendations of the Paper Industry Inquiry Committee, upon which producers and consumers of paper were represented in equal numbers.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say where and how the original notice was given to the trade; if it is a fact that there is a demand for certain classes of paper in excess of what is available of Empire supplies, and whether he proposes to allow the users of paper to import supplies of paper which they cannot purchase within the Empire?

As to whether there is a shortage of paper within the Empire, I would refer the hon. Member to the actual Order, in which he will see that in the event of any shortage of supply the Board of Trade is in a position, and is prepared and willing, to license supplies being brought from other sources.

Can the light hon. Gentleman say why the import of paper is restricted?

Yes, with the greatest possible pleasure. It is being restricted at the present time in order that the paper industry, which was entirely disor- ganised in certain parts by the War, should have an opportunity to re-establish itself and be able to give all the employment it can to the workers engaged in the industry.

Is it the policy of the Government to maintain the high price of paper?

The hon. and gallant Member is raising matter for debate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has received a protest from the Federation of Southwestern Newspaper Owners against the Order restricting the import of paper from abroad and compelling paper users to purchase 80 per cent. of their supplies from British mills; and what reason is there for such restrictions except to afford protective privilege to concerns which have not had the enterprise to instal and use up-to-date methods and machinery?

I have received the protest from the Federation of Southwestern Newspaper Owners to which the hon. Member refers. The Regulations against which this protest is directed are based upon the unanimous recommendations of the Paper Industry Inquiry Committee, upon which producers and consumers were represented in equal numbers. They form, in my opinion, as satisfactory and equitable a solution as is possible of an exceedingly difficult problem; and they arc, I believe, generally accepted as such by the different interests concerned. The paper industry, like many others, has been greatly disturbed by war conditions. The object of the present Regulations is to safeguard the industry for a limited period in accordance with the transitional trade policy which is designed to give an opportunity of re-establishing normal conditions.

What does "limited period" mean?

The trade policy of the Government was described in this House in the first half of March. The date announced was the 1st September.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the present prices for clothes and boots are inflicting grave hardship upon large sections of the population; and what action the Board of Trade has taken or proposes to take in order to limit profits in the production and sale of articles of prime necessity?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Barnard Castle on 28th May.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what action the Board of Trade has taken or proposes to take in order to limit the profits in the production and sale of articles of prime necessities; and whether he has ever given any reply to that question in the House?

This is the first time I have been asked that particular question in this particular form. I have given an answer upon the general point. In regard to what action the Board of Trade is taking, it is at present investigating the whole position as to prices and is preparing a series of proposals which will be laid before the House, I hope, at no distant date.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care to check the rapacity of these profiteers?

Yes, if the Board of Trade is once armed with the necessary power it will be able to do so.

Is there any restriction, on the import?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether vessels fishing from Cardiff are exempted from the Export Duty on coal; and, if so, whether a similar exemption will be granted to vessels fishing from Lowestoft?

My hon. Friend appears to be under some misapprehension. No Export Duty is charged upon coal exported from this country, or used for ships' bunkers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to obtain the sanction of the French authorities to the removing of their present limitations on licences for the import of many cotton goods from this country?

The hon. Member is aware that France has suffered cruel losses and has been forced to borrow heavily from this country. It would neither be fair nor reasonable of the British Government to urge the French Government to increase its liabilities to this country by the purchase of goods which, in the opinion of our Ally, are not necessary to meet the needs of her population.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Mr. Ernest Maxse, His Majesty's Consul-General at Rotterdam, who is to succeed Mr. Hearn, His Majesty's Consul-General in Paris, is of German origin and at one time served in the Prussian cavalry?

Consul-General Maxse served in the First Hanoverian Lancers for two years, from 1885 to 1887. He is the son of the late Sir Henry Maxse, Colonel of the Coldstream Guards and Governor of Newfoundland, his mother being of Austrian origin. The position at present in regard to the Consulate-General at Paris is that the post is not yet vacant, it being still held by Mr. Hearn. The question of Mr. Hearn's successor is under consideration.

Why is Mr. Hearn, who has done his work very well, being sacked from Paris?

There is no suggestion of Mr. Hearn being sacked from Paris.

Is it the policy of His Majesty's Government to see that no gentlemen who are sons of foreign parents or have foreign blood are given any of these appointments in the near future?

The Foreign Office practice in these matters is very strict.

Has any petition concerning this matter been received from the Chamber of Commerce in Paris?

Has Mr. Maxse served in the War, and, if so, in what capacity?

Has he not performed valuable services throughout the whole of the War?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he proposes to take any action in association with the Allies of this country to promote commerce between Allied countries and to restrain the diversion of capital to enemy countries occasioned by the abnormal rates of exchange at present ruling and the inducement of extended credit proffered to traders by enemy firms assisted by enemy banks; whether he has considered the effect of the virtual disappearance of coin from Belgium and other Allied countries; whether he proposes to promote any, and what, remedial measures to defeat the capture of Allied markets by enemy organisations and to afford further and better facilities to British traders to resume commercial relations with Allied correspondents in the markets from which they are at present excluded by existing economic conditions; and will he state on what principle the importation of raw materials by British firms into Belgium is prohibited, and take immediate steps to remove the opinion prevalent throughout Belgium that reconstruction is hampered by conditions improvised by the Allies which indicate that they are either unacquainted with or indifferent to the needs of Belgium?

The greater number of the topics touched on in the hon. and learned Member's comprehensive question are doubtless being studied by the Department of Oversea Trade and the Treasury, and I can only refer him to those Departments.

With regard, however, to the last part of the question, I take this opportunity of repeating, what I stated in this House on 15th May, that Belgium has, of course, never been subject to the blockade, and His Majesty's Government do not prohibit the importation of raw materials into Belgium.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that Chargés d' Affaires, Consuls-General, and Consuls are, under King's Regulations and Admiralty Instructions, entitled to a salute of seven guns on visiting a ship upon going on board or quitting, but only once within twelve months and by one ship only on the same date, who keeps the record to see that this ration is not exceeded?

I would suggest that this question should be addressed to the First Lord of the Admiralty. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular officers are not responsible for the correct observance of the Regulations governing the matter.

May I ask the representative of the Admiralty, who is present, for an answer now?

No. I should like to see it on the Order Paper.

I shall be very pleased to put it down again.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state what steps are being taken to give effect to the Prime Minis- ter's undertaking given in June, 1917, that the dominant factor in determining the future of the German Colonies would be the wishes and sentiments of the inhabitants of the territories?

The Peace Conference decided, after a full discussion that the German Colonies should be administered under a mandatory system, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the relevant clauses in the League of Nations Covenant.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that the uncertainty as to who is to be the mandatory is causing an emigration of the native population into British territory?

There are some indications of that, but this is really a matter for the Peace Conference and not for the Foreign Office.

asked the Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to an advertisement published in the Press of the 29th May, 1919, inviting subscriptions for shares of a company called the Abyssinian Corporation, Limited, in which appears a letter, dated 13th May, 1919, from the Foreign Office addressed to Messrs. Erlangers, the promoters of the issue, which letter is the sole basis on which subscriptions are invited; how far the Foreign Office are concerned in the flotation of the company as indicated in the paragraph of the advertisement immediately following the letter; whether Messrs. Erlangers are receiving £30,000 for their services in connection with the issue; what proportion of this will be paid to the Foreign Office in return for the letter above mentioned; and whether other companies may expect to receive similar assistance from the Government Departments?

As appears from the report from His Majesty's Representative in Abyssiania, which was communicated in the Foreign Office letter of 13th May referred to, the Minister is convinced of the exceptional opening for trade development at present offered by Abyssinia, and of the great value of organising British commercial and financial interests in order to take advantage of the oppor- tunity presented. The Foreign Office being satisfied as to the correctness of Mr. Thesiger's appreciation of the position in regard to this gave the promoters of the new corporation, when approached by them, the full measure of assistance and advice which can properly be given to British business men of approved standing and repute aiming at the development of British enterprise in a foreign country. The assistance thus given included the personal interviews referred to in the above-mentioned Foreign Office letter, at which Mr. Thesiger gave to the directors the benefit of his knowledge of conditions in Abyssinia. This is the whole extent to which the Foreign Office have "been concerned in the flotation of the company."

As regards the financial arrangements between the corporation and Messrs. Erlanger, I possess no information beyond that contained in the prospectus itself. The same principles govern the conduct of the Foreign Office in their relations with all British firms, and, though each case must obviously be judged on its own merits, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the claims of any other company to Foreign Office assistance will receive the same consideration as those of the Abyssinian Corporation.

Would my hon. Friend tell me whether the Government are receiving anything from Messrs. Erlangers in consideration of the eminent services rendered?

No, Sir, certainly not.

Could my hon. Friend state if the appointment of the Noble Lord the Member for Aldershot as chairman of this company was made at the instigation of the Foreign Office, or if the Foreign Office was consulted as to this appointment?

I have no information as to that.

Would the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether this has ever been done before?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state where the reported outbreak in South Kurdistan has taken place; whether the place of outbreak is in Persian or ex-Ottoman territory; whether any British soldiers have been captured by the insurgents; and what is the alleged cause of the outbreak?

The outbreak occurred at Suleimaniyeh, a town in South Kurdistan in ex-Ottoman territory, where a Kurdish notable has obtained temporary control of the town, after an engagement with the local levies, in which the latter appear to have been worsted. The British officers and staff are prisoners, but are reported to be unharmed. Steps are being taken to extricate them, and to deal with the situation. The Kurdish Chief's action seems to be due to a wish to establish himself as an independent ruler.

Is my hon. Friend aware that a dangerous feeling of fear and suspicion is growing up against us amongst populations in the East who have been perfectly loyal during the War, and that only a clear statement of British policy will allay those suspicions?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state to what extent the property purchased by the Government at Sheriffhales, in Shropshire, for an agricultural colony for ex-soldiers has been developed for the purpose intended; how many ex-soldiers are being employed; and when it may be expected that the acreage will be fully utilised?

With the exception of a small area that will be retained as a central farm, the farm settlement at Heath Hill will be divided into thirty-eight small holdings. The number of ex-Service men already provided with holdings is sixteen, eight others are at the settlement on probation, and nine are working as wage earners. The number of ex-Service men at the settlement is therefore thirty-three. In addition, six men have been accepted as probationers, but have not yet started. It will not be possible to provide the full number of small holdings contemplated until additional cottages have been built, and it is hoped these will be completed by the end of the summer.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when he will be able to announce the composition of the Commission to Egypt and a date for the commencement of its labours?

I hope to be able to make an announcement on the subject at an early date.

Does that mean before the House rises for the Whitsuntide Recess?

I think that is very doubtful.

asked the Prime Minister if he will give a day to discuss the working of the new Rules of Procedure?

No, Sir; I am not prepared at present to give a day for this purpose.

If I can convince my right hon. Friend that there is a general feeling that this matter should be discussed, would that alter his opinion?

I think it is quite right that it should be discussed, but I am pretty sure that it would not be the wish that it should be discussed until we have had the experience of this Session.

asked the Prime Minister if, before the appointment of the new British Ambassador to Washington is determined, His Majesty's Government will consider whether, in view of Canada's geographical and economic position as regards the United States and her natural and vital interests at Washington, and in remembrance of the part Canada has played in every phase and activity of the War, the time is now opportune for the Dominion to have a special representative at Washington, with a status and prestige commensurate with the new Canada which has developed during the years of the War?

I regret that I can add nothing to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Colonies on the 20th May least to the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western.

asked the Prime Minister if he can make any statement or suggestion regarding the old pensioners, Royal Navy, meaning all those pensioners over the age of fifty-five in 1914; and if he can hold out the hope that these men who have served their country will be considered in a pension scheme and pensioned on the new basic rate?

I am sorry that I cannot add anything to the answers which have been given on this subject by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty?

May I put down this question again at an early date?

Yes, certainly.

asked the Prime Minister whether the question as to what are or what are not key industries is under the consideration of His Majesty's Government; and, if so, whether this House will be afforded an opportunity of discussing the question before any definite decision is arrived at?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if, in order to make the best use in the public interest of the services of those experienced members of the Civil Service who were temporarily transferred to other offices during the exigencies of the War or who served in His Majesty's Forces, and also to give a safeguard against any arbitrary exercise of personal patronage while the usual conditions of entry into the Civil Service by competition continue to be suspended, he will appoint a Committee, on which this House will be represented, to review the lists of those eligible for appointment?

I am sending my right hon. Friend copies of the Treasury Circulars of 29th January, 26th February, and14th March last, from which he will see that steps have already been taken to secure that posts in the new Departments and in new branches of old Departments shall be filled by permanent Civil servants (including those specifically referred to in the question) who have proved themselves fit for promotion to posts superior in status and emoluments to their substantive posts in the service. I am satisfied that the arrangements under the Treasury Circulars in question will provide a satisfactory and impartial method of testing the abilities of the various candidates, and I am accordingly not prepared to adopt my right hon. Friend's suggestion. I might add that as regards appointments made by the open competitive selection system, the arbitrary exercise of personal patronage is excluded by a warning which forms a part of the various Regulations that "any attempt on the part of a candidate to enlist support for his application through Members of Parliament or other influential persons will disqualify him for appointment."

May I ask if those inquiries conducted in the Treasury will relate to the higher appointments, or are confined to those appointments under a certain amount per year?

I will endeavour to find out for my hon. Friend.

Can the hon. Gentleman say how far the disqualifications to which he has alluded will affect a number of persons who have been appointed without examination during the War period?

It is obviously impossible to answer that without notice.

asked the Prime Minister whether any alterations in the organisation of the War Cabinet are contemplated in order to meet the changed conditions arising from the reversion from war to peace legislation?

Yes, Sir; but the exact nature of the change cannot be settled until after the return from Paris of the Peace Delegation.

Is it proposed to continue the government of the country by a War Cabinet after the War is over and Peace is signed?

My answer is, that is not the intention.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the old-fashioned Cabinet is still in existence, and, if so, when it last met?

Of course, it is not in existence. The War Cabinet took its place.

asked the Prime Minister if His Majesty's Government are aware of the danger of an outbreak of plague in Eastern and Central Europe this coming summer due to the blockade and civil war; and what steps of a precautionary measure are being taken to prevent its spread to this country?

The precautions for preventing the introduction and spread of plague in this country are prescribed in General Regulations made by the Local Government Board in 1907. I will send a copy of these Regulations to the hon. and gallant Member. I am not aware of any special danger of an outbreak of plague in the regions referred to, but the precautions taken by the port sanitary authorities of this country under the supervision of the Medical Department of the Local Government Board are being carefully carried out, and strict watch is kept on vessels coming from plague-infected countries. These measures have proved very successful in the past in protecting the country from plague.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the medical profession are very alarmed at the conditions which are likely to prevail next summer, and that the ordinary means to prevent plague will not safeguard us unless exceptional means are taken?

I am well aware of the alarm to which the hon. Gentleman refers, and, as a result, a joint body representing the different services has been at work on this subject for several weeks past.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Blockade excludes us from sending drugs to those countries?

I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the controversy that is now taking place between Mr. Asquith and Lord French in connection with the supply of ammunition of our Armies in the early months of the War; and if he will agree to setting up a small Committee to inquire into the matter and to report in the House as far as possible?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I do not think that the course suggested in the last part of the question is desirable.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the proposal that the Bill to make further provision, with respect to the Government of India should after it had been introduced, according to the promise made last Session, be referred to a Joint Committee of both Houses that would hear evidence, discuss the alternative, and upon whose-recommendations the House would ultimately form judgment, he will now postpone the Second Reading of the Bill, fixed for Thursday, 5th June, till after that Joint Committee has reported?

No, Sir; the Government is pledged to recommend to Parliament that the Bill should be referred to-a Joint Committee after Second Reading. This pledge was made in the House of Lords as long ago as the 23rd October last year, and has often been repeated in. this House. This procedure is well known in Parliamentary practice, but I know of no precedent of referring a Bill to a Joint Committee before its Second Reading.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the majority of the provincial Governments of India have refused diarchy and have submitted an alternative scheme; and if this Joint Committee approve the decision of the provincial Governments can the Government of India Bill be altered after the Second Beading?

I have no doubt whatever that subject will be discussed by the Joint Committee, but I think it is premature to anticipate what their decision will be.

This is a most important question. Can this Bill be altered after the Second Reading if the Joint Committee reports against diarchy?

Any Bill can, of course, be altered until its final stages.

In view of the importance to the whole of the British Empire of this matter can the right hon. Gentleman see his way not to discuss the Second Reading until the House meets again?

Oh, no. I do not think that would be possible or right. The date of the Second Reading has been fixed.

Can there not be a reasoned Amendment?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us a pledge that the opinions of the provincial Governments in India will in no way be prejudiced by the Second Reading?

Is not the idea of setting up a Joint Select Committee in order that representatives of the provincial Governments may be heard as witnesses before the Select Committee?

Obviously the object of this mode of procedure is to enable the facts to be examined more thoroughly than by any other method that has been suggested.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agri- culture whether the Agricultural Wages Board has jurisdiction to fix special harvest wages in those districts where such special wages are customary?

The answer to my right hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, having in view the serious shortage of meat in the country, he can now remove the Canadian cattle import restrictions so as to increase the number of store cattle?

I have nothing to add to the answers I gave to the questions addressed to me by the hon. Member for Dundee on the 15th of April last and the 2nd instant.

Can the hon. Gentleman give us an approximate date at which the embargo will be removed?