asked the Secretary of State for India if day and night aeroplane bombing raids have been carried out against Jellalabad and other Afghan towns; if so, what steps are taken to avoid the killing of women and children in these raids; and will he publish assurances on this subject for the information of the Moslem subjects of the Empire and of our Allies?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any and, if so, what instructions have been given as to the bombing of Afghan towns and villages with a view to prevent injury to non-combatants?

As far as is known, aeroplane bombing raids on Afghan towns have been solely by day. I have ascertained from the Viceroy that all possible care is taken to confine operations to attacks on troops and military objectives and to avoid villages and other unfortified places. British military practice in this respect is sufficiently known to make a public announcement on the subject unnecessary.

Are any instructions given as to the height from which bombs are to be dropped in the day time?

No.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether before the War Admiralty charts were sold through the agency of private firms, such as nautical opticians; whether during the War the Admiralty supplied the greater part of the Mercantile Marine with charts on loan; whether recently the Admiralty have circularised the shipowners with a view to establishing a system of direct sales in competition with the said private firms; what proportion of the shipowners so circularised have replied favourably to the Admiralty scheme?

Admiralty charts were sold before the War, and continue to be sold, through an agent and his sub-agents, which include nautical opticians. During the War it was found essential, for various reasons, to supply charts on loan to the greater part of the Mercantile Marine. On the release of ships from Admiralty control, a strong desire was expressed by a number of shipowners and masters to continue to have the advantage of a direct supply from the Admiralty of suitable chart sets, but on a payment basis. To ascertain the views of shipowners, a circular was sent out suggesting a scheme for doing this. This scheme was approved and adopted by 22 per cent. of the firms circularised, and is still under consideration by 54 per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the Admiralty have set up a Government agency for the sale of charts at Liverpool; whether they have announced to shipowners their intention of setting up such chart shops in other commercial ports; what advantages to the shipping community are anticipated from this competition with old-established private enterprise; and what is estimated to be the cost to the taxpayer of the proposed new system?

I propose to circulate this answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT, but I will read the concluding paragraph.

Was it not under strong protest from the shipowners that they have had to take these charts from the Admiralty instead of from the firms who have been accustomed to supply them in years gone by?

I have said that 22 per cent. of the firms approved and that 54 per cent. had it still under consideration. That still leaves, I think, 24 per cent., and I dare say that amongst them there is something in the nature of a protest, although I do not know.

Is it intended to take any steps to recompense the firms whose business has been taken away?

I cannot answer that without notice.

Have the balance of the firms circularised replied in an adverse direction?

I would like to look at it again. The fact is that 22 per cent. have approved and 54 per cent. have it still under consideration. In regard to the remainder, it must be assumed for the moment that the majority are against—that is, assuming the worst.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that the men transferred from Peterhead Harbour works to Rosyth do not receive the transfer fee which is paid to men similarly transferred to Rosyth from southern yards; whether he can state the reason for this discrimination against men transferred from the North of Scotland; and whether he will take steps to have this inequality redressed by the payment of the transfer fee to the Peterhead men in future with arrears as from the date of their transfer?

At the time when it was necessary to obtain a large number of workmen, mainly skilled, for employment at Rosyth, certain inducements were held out to men serving in the southern dockyards in order that they might volunteer for permanent service at Rosyth; the inducements included 2s. a week advance in wages. This 2s. transfer increase was not offered to the men who were formerly serving at Peterhead; these men were given the offer of employment at Rosyth at the usual rates for local entrants when, it became necessary to dispense with their services at Peterhead.

Does the right hon. Gentleman consider it fair that advantages should be given to men transferred from southern yards that are not offered to men transferred from Scotland?

What we did I think was quite equitable. We asked southern men to go a very great distance and to separate themselves from all home associations. We are offering Peterhead men the same terms as we are offering all other men from Scotland.

They consider it exceedingly unfair.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) whether arrangements can be made to enable ex-Service men to acquire drifters, for cash, at prices based on cost less reasonable allowance for depreciation; (2) what arrangements have been made to enable fishermen whose drifters have been lost whilst on Admiralty service to obtain vessels in replacement of the same; and what are the terms on which such vessels are to be obtained by those entitled to benefit by the scheme?

We have set aside a number of drifters for disposal to persons actually engaged in fishing operations. Apart from that, we are engaged at the present time upon the discussion of a scheme designed so to use drifters and trawlers surplus to Admiralty requirements, if possible, in such a way as to help re-establish in their proper avocation the men who have served us during the War in the Royal Naval Reserve Trawler Section. For the rest, persons desirous of replacing drifters lost while in the Naval Service are entitled to compensation on, the basis of fixed percentage additions to the charter party value, namely, an addition of 75 per cent. in the case of wood vessels and 80 per cent. in the case of steel.

Would the right hon. Gentleman say when the details of the scheme to which he refers are likely to be available?

I am sorry to say I cannot. We have not brought it so far.

Will the scheme enable a man who has lost his drifter to get another to replace it, or only a portion of the value?

That scheme will not enable him to replace the drifter which he has lost; but the last paragraph of the answer shows that he is entitled to compensation on the basis of fixed percentage additions to the charter party value, namely, an addition of 75 per cent. in the case of wood boats and 80 per cent. in the case of steel. That should go a long way towards compensation.

Why should not the Government go all the way?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will read my answer. My reply stated that we have set aside a number of drifters for disposal to persons actually engaged in fishing operations.

Have you set aside enough drifters to meet the needs of men who have suffered loss?

I cannot answer that.

Is not the main point in this matter to supply drifters to men who cannot now go to sea, in order that they may be allowed to go to sea?

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the proposal to establish a trade board in London to deal with conditions affecting the Scottish distributive trades is causing dissatisfaction; and whether, in view of the many particulars in which Scottish and English customs differ, he will set up a Scottish board located in Scotland and consequently more closely in touch with Scottish trade and more easy of access to Scottish traders?

No decision has yet been reached as to the number of trade boards to be established for the distributive trade, and the whole question is being carefully considered in consultation with representatives of the various interests affected. I fully appreciate and sympathise with the standpoint of those who desire that a separate Board should be established for Scotland, and, as my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Labour recently informed a deputation representing important sections of the distributive trade in Scotland, this question is receiving my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that H. Burridge, late sergeant in the Sherwood Foresters, applied to the Ilkeston Labour Exchange for employment at the Chilwell factory, where he was employed prior to enlistment, and was informed that only soldiers in uniform, drawing His Majesty's pay, and under Army discipline, would in future be employed at this place; and if he will say when this decision was arrived at, by whom, and for what reasons?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am making inquiry, and will write to the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Minister of Labour what machinery has been set up in Ireland to further the technical and other training of demobilised officers and men, whose education or training was interrupted, for professional, business, trade, and agricultural appointments; whether wounded officers and men whose educational qualifications fit them for the same are being considered; and what will foe the procedure for finding suitable employment for these men in conjunction with the Labour Exchanges?

The machinery set up in Ireland for the training of demobilised officers and men is similar to that set up in other parts of the United Kingdom. Higher educational training is administered by the Irish Department, Agricultural and Technical Training by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, while the Ministry of Labour Is responsible for training in offices and works, and for all schemes of training in industrial occupations. As regards employment after training, the same facilities are afforded in Ireland as in the rest of the United Kingdom through the Appointments Department and the Employment Exchanges. As regards both training and appointments, wounded officers and men receive special consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps are being taken to replace girls temporarily employed in Government offices and elsewhere during the War by discharged and demobilised sailors and soldiers; and whether it is not considered desirable to provide such temporary employment for ex-sailors and ex-soldiers pending their securing permanent employment?

I agree that preference should be given to discharged soldiers in filling vacancies for temporary as for permanent appointments and all the Departments of the Government are doing what is possible to attain this result.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Women's Legion are employing women drivers at 42s. per week, and if they are not able to drive they give them free tuition and during the period of tuition they get free board and lodging and 10s. per week; and furthermore, the War Graves Commission quite recently, last week, engaged lady drivers at £2 17s. 6d. per week in France with free board and lodgings. May I have an answer to that?

The hon. Member's supplementary question contains a number of figures, and he could not expect a Minister to carry all those in his head.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that the salaries offered to discharged men are adequate to the needs of adult men?

I think the salaries given for these appointments are adequate.

No, they are not.

In view of the widespread and natural interest in this matter, may I ask the Minister of Labour if he will make a statement on the subject?

I am afraid I cannot make a statement as to the figures which the hon. Gentleman has referred to, but the hon. Gentleman and the House may take it that the desire of the Ministry of Labour is to provide all possible employment for discharged soldiers and that we are taking means to supervise all temporary appointments held in the public ser- vice with a view, so far as possible without hardship to others, to provide those appointments for discharged soldiers.

If the right hon. Gentleman finds that what I have stated is the fact will he further consider the matter?

Certainly, if the facts are as the hon. Member suggests, then I will undoubedly have the matter seriously considered.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that the period for payment of unemployment donation in the case of ex-Service men will shortly expire, he can state what steps are proposed to provide maintenance for such men until they obtain employment?

The Government are. aware that in the case of a number of ex-Service men the term of their unemployment donation under the original scheme is about to expire. The intention of the Government is to do in the case of ex-Service men what was done in the case of civilian workers when the term of their unemployment donation came to an end, namely, to continue it for six months to the extent of thirteen payments at the reduced rate of 20s. per week, together with the ordinary allowances for children, so as to meet the cases of those who cannot find work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a man who has signed on as unemployed for three days can at any time thereafter if he should be unemployed for six consecutive days obtain unemployment pay for such time as he remains unemployed; and whether, in the case of a man working three or four days a week and drawing unemployment pay, inquiry is made into the man's monthly earnings from casual labour before the unemployment donation is issued?

As regards the first part of the question, the rule is that an applicant for out-of-work donation must at the outset be unemployed for three consecutive working days before he becomes entitled to receive donation. He is not paid for those three days, but thereafter he is entitled, subject to the usual condi- tions, to receive payment in respect of each day of unemployment until he obtains work (or fails to prove that he is out of work) for six consecutive working days. He must then serve a further waiting period of three days before becoming again entitled to donation. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. It would not be practicable to act upon the suggestion contained in it.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any new Ministry has been formed in Egypt; and, if so, whether the Legislative Assembly will now be summoned?

As I stated in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Stafford on 28th May, a new Ministry was formed on 21st May under the Presidency of Mohammed Said Pasha. Under present conditions in Egypt it would be premature to summon the Legislative Assembly.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to statements made in the Press last Saturday with regard to the Greek atrocities at Smyrna; that a number of unarmed civilians and old men were massacred by the Greek soldiers; and, if so, whether those responsible for these atrocities will be put on their trial?

I regret to say that the landing of the Greek troops at Smyrna was attended by disorder and rioting, involving numerous casualties. My latest information is to the effect that the necessary measures are being taken to punish those responsible for the disturbances. Several persons caught pillaging, including two Greek soldiers, have been sentenced to death by court-martial and executed. A senior Greek officer who was at least partly responsible is being severely dealt with.

Does my hon. Friend realise the fact that it is we in India and in Egypt who have to bear the odium of these massacres that occur, and for the sake of the honour of the Allies will they repudiate those Greek massacres?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Foreign Office have in any one case previous to that of the Abyssinian Corporation, Limited, authorised the publication of an official letter recommending an issue of shares by a privately-promoted company; and why the State should not share in the profits made by the promoters of the Abyssinian Corporation, Limited, in view of the fact that the Foreign Office letter of the 13th May, 1919, was the sole basis on which applications for shares were made?

The letter of 13th May does not bear the construction put upon it by my hon. Friend, and the questions which he bases upon that construction do not, therefore, arise; but it is not the first time that such a letter has been written or published.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government are supporting a group in China in connection with the consortium for loans which has been frequently mentioned in the Press; and do the Government intend to give a monopoly in view of the unsatisfactory consequences of the monopoly before the War on British trade?

On the initiative of the American Government, negotiations have been proceeding for some months past for the formation of a new International Consortium for financing loans to China, and His Majesty's Government will naturally give full support to any British group which may be formed to take part in such a consortium. In regard to the alleged monopoly, His Majesty's Government have from the outset of the negotiations made it clear that there can be no question of exclusive official support to the British group unless that group is enlarged in such a manner as to render it sufficiently representative of the financial houses of good standing interested in loans to China to give no cause for criticism on the ground of its restriction.

Is it the intention of the Government to allow this financial group to support one merchant house in the taking of contracts, and is he aware that the practice before the War was——

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

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the intention of the Foreign Office with regard to China; whether it is intended to create a monopoly for financial transactions excluding many important British firms established in China, thus again driving business into the hands of foreign firms by refusing to support those British merchants who are in a position to secure contracts but who are not in the combine?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my reply today to the question on the same subject by the hon. Member for East Surrey.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the policy of His Majesty's Government to discourage settlement on Crown lands in Trinidad and Tobago; whether this policy has been adopted to secure a supply of cheap labour for the planters; and whether there are hundreds of thousands of acres of arable land still uncultivated in that Colony?

I understand that settlement on the Crown lands has been to some extent retarded in the past by the difficulties inherent in combining oil development with agricultural settlement, but under arrangements which have now been made I believe the Colonial Government will be able to overcome those difficulties. There is, of course, no intention of discouraging agricultural settlement, the importance of which to the Colony is fully recognised. A scheme has been initiated under which free grants of land will be made to returned Trinidad soldiers and several fertile blocks of Crown land have been reserved for this purpose. There are estimated to be some 900,000 acres of uncultivated land in the Colony, but I have no figures to show how much of this may be arable land.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has received a petition from the Trinidad Working Men's Association praying for the grant to Trinidad of a democratic constitution, including the grant of the franchise to all male British subjects over the age of twenty-one who are able to read and write English, and the election of the Legislative Council by popular vote; and whether it is proposed to take any steps in this direction?

The Secretary of State has received the petition to which the hon. Member refers, but he is informed by the Governor that the Trinidad Working Men's Association has no claim to represent any considerable section of the working classes of the Colony. It is not proposed to take action in the matter.

Is it not a fact that these men are simply asking for the same conditions as obtain in the French West Indies?

I should like to have notice of that.

Is it the Trinidad Working Men's Association who pressed for that legislation dealing with habitual idlers in these Colonies?

I should like notice of that.

asked the Prime Minister if landowners under whose land oil is discovered will be allowed to exact royalties on the output?

I must refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for Clay Cross.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the suggestion that all recommendations for titles should be referred to a Committee of the Privy Council in order to advise him if anything is known against the character of the pro posed recipients and to consider the adequacy of the reasons for the proposed honours; and whether he proposes to take any action in relation thereto?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last part in the negative.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can deny that honours have been conferred in recent times on persons whose character would not bear investigation, and if not——

Order, order.

Will he take into consideration that the Privy Council is a much older body than the Cabinet; in fact, that the Cabinet is a usurper of the Privy Council's functions?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend is mistaken; the Cabinet is a Committee of the Privy Council.

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's answer during the Debate, will he place before the Prime Minister the strong feeling there is in regard to the suggested Committee of the Privy Council?

I was not aware of that strong feeling. In the course of the Debate I pointed out—and I think I was right—that no Prime Minister could hand over his responsibilities to a Committee, and I did not find that the House disagreed with that.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is his intention to include the Channel Islands within the scope of any measure having for its purpose the enforcement of a legal 48-hour week?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The regulation of the hours and conditions of employment in the Channel Islands has hitherto been regarded as a matter for the insular Legislatures to deal with. It will probably be found most convenient to follow the same course in the present instance, but I will consult the insular Governments on the point.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state whether it will be within the powers of the Joint Committee of both Houses on the Government of India Bill, after the Second Reading of that Bill, to introduce an Amendment to give effect to the alternative proposal submitted by the majority of the provincial Governments in India to the system of dyarchy embodied in the Bill?

It is certainly our intention that this should be within the competence of the Committee, and the Bill has been drafted with this in view.

Then no objection will be taken to any Amendment on the ground that it infringes the principle of the Bill?

I cannot, of course, answer that. A question of order must always be a question for Mr. Speaker, if in this House, or for the Chairman, and if the Chairman were in any doubt I have no doubt he would consult Mr. Speaker, but, as I have said, the Bill has been drafted with a view to making such an amendment in order.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to adhere to the undertaking given by the Secretary of State for India that a Joint Committee of both Houses would be appointed to hear evidence and discuss alternative proposals for Indian reform; and, if so, in what way will it be within the competence of the Committee to give guidance to the House in the event of the Second Reading of the Bill being carried?

As I stated on Monday last, it is proposed to recommend to Parliament that the Bill should be committed to a Joint Committee after Second Reading. The House will be invited to empower the Committee to send for persons, papers, and records, and the Committee would then have power under S.O. 63 to make any special report which they may consider desirable, and this report would give guidance to the House. It will certainly be within the competence of the Committee to discuss alternative proposals for reform.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when we shall get the names of the members of that Committee?

As soon as possible after the Second Reading is carried.

asked the Prime Minister if before the appointment of a new Ambassador at Washington is determined His Majesty's Government will consider whether, in view of Canada's geographical and economic position as regards the United States, her interests at Washington and her loyalty to and sacrifices for the British Empire, the time is now opportune to appoint a Canadian statesman to that position, in order to represent Imperial interests as a whole on the North American Continent?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on Monday last.

Is it not likely that Canada will have made her appointment before the British Ambassador is selected?

There is really no connection between the two.

asked the Prime Minister whether our Russian Allies will permit any correspondents of British newspapers to accompany their armies in the field?

Permission would have to be obtained from the Russian Commanders-in-Chief concerned. So far as we are concerned there is no objection.

Will my hon. Friend use his great influence to obtain this opportunity from the Russian Commander-in-Chief?

No, that is not suggested in the reply which I have given.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the terms of the draft By-law made under Section 4 (b) of the Poisons and Pharmacy Acts, 1908, which the Pharmaceutical Society is considering, have been agreed upon in conjunction with the Privy Council; and will he state the terms of the By-law and give a list of the public institutions which it is proposed to recognise as institutions in which dispensing experience can be obtained by the apothecaries' assistants whom it is proposed to register as chemists and druggists under the terms of the By-law?

I have nothing to add to the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 27th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the closure of the Crown lands in Trinidad and Tobago and the operation of the Habitual Idlers Ordinance compels labourers to hire themselves for lower wages than they would otherwise be able to demand; and whether, seeing that the Habitual Idlers Ordinance relieves the prosecutor from the obligation of proving a charge brought under it and throws on the accused the obligation of proving his innocence, he will explain why assent was not withheld from the Ordinance?

So far as I am aware, the Habitual Idlers Ordinance is not yet in operation, and I see no reason to anticipate that it will have the effect which the hon. Member fears. As regards the question of the onus of proof of charges under the Ordinance, the Secretary of State gave special consideration to this point, but was satisfied by the representations received from the Colonial Government that the Ordinance would be- quite ineffectual if the onus of proof were placed upon the prosecutor. He consequently came to the conclusion that the case was a proper one for making an exception to the ordinary rule, but directed that an annual report should be furnished on the working of the Ordinance. I should add that the Ordinance provides that if habitual idleness is proved, the case is to be adjourned by the magistrate for at least a month to enable the accused to make an effort to work.

Is not this Ordinance solely directed to providing cheap labour for employers in the island?

No, Sir.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider the propriety of introducing similar legislation in this country?

The conditions in this country are very different.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if, before Northern. Rhodesia is incorporated in the Union or administratively joined to Southern Rhodesia, the opinion of the white inhabitants and, so far as it is possible to obtain it, of the native inhabitants will be taken to find out whether or not they are in favour of the change?

Neither proposal is at present under consideration; but, in the event of any change in the administration of Northern Rhodesia being proposed, the views of the inhabitants would naturally receive the most careful consideration.

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will read my question again, he will see that that is not the question I put to him. Will they be consulted, or their views be taken, and not merely consideration be given? Are we to understand that these people are to be taken out of their present system of administration and put under another system without a referendum in the country as to their views? If so, will he give the House an opportunity of expressing its opinion?

No, Sir; I said their views would certainly be given consideration, but I do not think I could pledge the Government to take a referendum of the native inhabitants of Northern Rhodesia.

How can their views be ascertained unless their votes are taken?

There are many ways of ascertaining people's views without a referendum.

Then it can only be by thought-reading.

Arising out of the question, which is one of the most importance to Northern Rhodesia, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman undertake that no action will be taken until this House has had an opportunity of expressing its opinion? Is he aware that 99 per cent. of white opinion in the country is opposed to Northern Rhodesia being placed in the Union, which General Smuts is working all he can to bring about?

I am not aware of the accuracy of the last part of the question, and, as I said at the beginning of my answer, there is no question of Northern Rhodesia being incorporated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what was the total aggregate cost up to the date of the Armistice of the East African campaign to the British Government and the Protectorates of British East Africa and Uganda; what proportion does such expenditure bear to the total expenditure by the Belgian Government in respect of their African campaigns; whether their territorial claim to Ruandi and Urundi is based upon their relative proportion of the total Anglo-Belgian expenditure; and, if not, on what grounds do the Belgians base such claim?

As regards the cost of the East African campaign, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given in the House by the Under-Secretary of State for War to a similar question yesterday. I am not in a position to express an opinion upon the subject raised in the latter part of the question.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman able to give the House the grounds on which the Belgians are making this extraordinary claim? They must be basing their claim on some grounds, and that is what I want to know on behalf of the people of that country as well as this House.

I think the hon. and gallant Gentleman will realise that if we discuss on the floor of this House all the reasons for which particular demands are made at the Peace Conference, it will impede the work of the Conference.

But is not the claim of the Belgians based on the admirable nature of their administration of the Congo?

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that the natives of Ruandi and Urundi will be consulted?

It would be a novel position to give an assurance on behalf of the Peace Conference.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that during the occupation by the Belgians of Ruandi and Urundi the natives caused very great trouble?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that many of the civilians permanently employed in the Army Ordnance service during the War have carried out important duties pertaining to the permanent ordnance depots, that for these services some of them have been highly commended by the War Office, but no promotions to posts higher than storeholders in the stores branch and foreman writers in the clerical branch have yet been made; and will he consider, in view of the services rendered by these men and seeing that many were mentioned in dispatches, the possibility of introducing a scheme of promotion allowing employés to advance to superior positions in the ordnance service?

The good services rendered by the civilians of the Army Ordnance Department are fully recognised. The store holders and foremen writers are already at the top of their respective trees, and the administrative posts above them are necessarily of a military character to which it would not be possible to promote civilians.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that they do not agree with that statement?

I am not aware of that.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will take steps to provide that officers who had retired with retired pay but rejoined on the outbreak of war shall, on refunding all sums received by them in respect of retired pay while re-employed during the War, be entitled to add the period of their commissioned service during the War to their former service in the Regular Army in assessing their rate of retired pay?

No, Sir; the whole body of retired officers have had the advantage of drawing retired pay while serving, and it is not possible to extend to those of the survivors whom it might benefit the conditions of a different system.