asked the Prime Minister if parts of German East Africa are to be ceded to Portugal, Belgium, and Italy by the Treaty of Peace; and, if so, whether arrangements have been made to secure to Britain, who played the greatest part in capturing German East Africa, trading equality with Portugal, Belgium, and Italy in the territories now ceded to those respective nations?

As I have already said, it is not possible for me to give details of this kind.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Peace Celebrations, the Government will sanction parish councils and Poor Law authorities making grants to widows and dependants so that they may fittingly celebrate Peace and make such grants a legal charge upon the poor rates?

I have been asked to answer this question, on the assumption that it relates to Scotland; and in reply I would beg to refer my hon. Friend to my answer of yesterday to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Tradeston.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government intends to make any official investigation into the position of lessees on large landed properties in London, in view of the fact that such are now rapidly changing hands?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the repayment of over-collected Income Tax on dividends by the Inland Revenue authorities only at intervals of six months inflicts hardship on persons not subject to tax or in receipt of small unearned incomes; and will he arrange that such overpaid Income Tax shall be repaid quarterly instead of half-yearly?

The Board of Inland Revenue have during the War made improved arrangements to enable the taxpayer to obtain relief, by adjustment of direct assessments as well as by repayment. It is their intention to make further improvements as staff conditions permit, and they hope to be able in about eighteen months from the present time to decentralise the system of repayment and to admit claims quarterly.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if ho is aware of the inconvenience caused to pharmacists and the public by the incidence of the Stamp Duty on proprietary medicines since 1915, when the stamp values were doubled, whilst the values coverable by the stamps were unaltered, which increase has added greatly to the inconvenience of the insufficient graduation of the duty; whether he is aware that manufacturers of these dutiable articles desire to establish a series of intermediate values if the Stamp Duty were correspondingly graduated; whether, in order to meet the convenience of the market, he will rearrange the incidence of the duty so that values of 1s. shall bear a stamp of 3d., values of 1s. 4d. a stamp of 4d., values of 1s. 8d. a stamp of 5d., values of 2s. a stamp of 6d., and so on, increasing the value of the article by 4d. and of the stamp by 1d. for each increment; whether such a readjustment, which would enable manufacturers to rearrange their charges without unduly increasing prices, could be made without loss of revenue; and, if so, whether he will propose an Amendment of the Finance Bill to give effect to it?

:I am aware that the Select Committee on Patent Medicines which reported in 1914 (No. 414) was of opinion that the Jaw governing the medicine Stamp Duty and the sale of medicines in general requires complete revision. Numerous proposals have been received for a regraduation of the duty on the lines suggested by the hon. Member, but I do not think that any sufficient ground exists for dealing with the question of regraduation apart from the other matters, such as the repeal of a number of the existing exemptions, which were recommended by the Committee. As regards the question of the "effect on the Revenue of a permanent regraduation of the tax on the lines suggested by the hon. Member, I doubt whether any reliable estimate could be formed under the present abnormal conditions affecting the cost of production.

asked the Food Controller whether the bacon distributed by the Government is released by them to agents officially accepted by the Government; whether these agents are bound to sell to their customers at Government prices; whether the Government control of the wholesale prices of bacon ceases with the Government agents, or whether they will keep it in force at Government prices to wholesale dealers; whether the Food Controller has taken steps to discover what firms are making excessive charges for bacon, and so making retailers pay 30s. to 40s. per cwt. more than the wholesale prices fixed by Government agents; and whether the Food Controller is aware that these excessive charges compel retailers to sell bacon at a loss seeing that the maximum retail price is fixed by the Government?

Bacon owned by the Government is released by the Department to officially accepted agents. These agents are bound to sell to their customers at prices fixed by the Department, except that certain agents are authorised to take into their own stock a small per- centage of the bacon released to them. The Department does not control the wholesale price of bacon after it has passed out of the agents' hands, and as the stocks of Government bacon are practically exhausted it is not possible to institute any such form of control. Investigations into the dealings of certain farms of wholesale dealers are now proceeding. I am aware of the fact that in certain cases excessive charges have been made by these dealers, with the result that retailers' margins of profit have been reduced below the figure to which they we entitled, and the question of what action should be taken to prevent this is under consideration.

asked the Food Controller what is the total number of divisional commissioners; what were the occupations of these gentlemen prior to their appointment as divisional commissioners; what salaries or other allowances are made to them; what payments were made to or on behalf of the members of the travelling milk commission; what has been the total cost of the commission; what is the reason why milk is still subject to control; and at what date will milk be subject to de-control?

The number of divisional food commissioners is at present thirteen. Of these, four were managing directors of commercial or manufacturing companies, two were barristers, one was an architect, one an official under a board of guardians, one a banker, one a landlord, one a retired member of the Indian Civil Service, one was in the Regular Army and one was engaged in the wholesale grocery and tea trade. One of the commissioners is unpaid; eight receive a salary of £1,000 per annum and four a salary of £800; they are entitled to travelling expenses at the rates provided for Civil servants of the first class. No salaries are paid to members of the Travelling Milk Commission, but they are entitled to railway fares and subsistence allowances on the scale approved by His Majesty's Treasury for members of voluntary committees. The cost of the committee is confined to these expenses, together with other incidental payments and the salary of the secretary. It would involve a considerable amount of work to obtain an exact figure and I trust that in the circumstances the requirements of the hon. Member will be met by my assurance that all unnecessary cost has been avoided.With regard to the sixth and seventh parts of the question, the control of milk has been continued in view of the possibility of inadequate supplies during the ensuing autumn and winter and it is not possible to state at present at what date milk will be subject to de-control or to what extent, if any, the control of milk will be made permanent.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the Fresh Bread Restriction Order in Ireland, which is causing a considerable wastage by the accumulation of unsaleable stale stuff, especially during this warm weather; and whether he will take steps to remove this restriction, in the interest of all concerned in the baking industry?

I have been asked to reply. Clause 1 of the Broad Order, which provides that bread under twelve hours old shall not be sold, applies to the whole of the "United Kingdom, and the Food Controller is not aware that wastage has resulted from its operation in Ireland. The question of revoking Clause 1 of the Bread Order is under consideration.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is a difference in practice in regard to the pay associated with the Distinguished Service Medal as compared with the Army Distinguished Conduct Medal, the former not carrying any extra pay; whether the Jerram and Oliver Committees made any recommendation in regard to this matter; and whether the Board will associate some monetary reward with so distinguished a decoration as the Distinguished Service Medal?

The Board do not propose to recommend that a monetary grant be attached to the award of the naval Distinguished Service Medal, as the two medals referred to in the question are not deemed to be on the same footing. The Jerram Committee, I am advised, made no recommendation on the matter.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the Admiralty ordered a pilot to be in attendance on the Immingham and Grimsby locks day and night from 22nd February, 1915, and 5th May, 1915, respectively, to the 20th January, 1919; that, in spite of several appeals, no payment was-made for the services rendered until 18th June, 1918, from which date £l 1s. per pilot per twenty-four hours was sanctioned by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty; and if he will consider the payment being made retrospective from the date of the orders, in view of the fact that the pilots on Admiralty duty have had to be recompensed by the other pilots out of their earnings made by piloting ships?

On a representation made by the Vice-Admiral Commanding East Coast of England on the 20th May, 1918, the Admiralty approved his suggestion that payment to these pilots should be made at the rate of £l 1s. per day, subject to deduction therefrom of any pilotage fees earned by them for other than naval work. It appears from the copy of a letter addressed by the Secretary of the Humber Conservancy Board to the King's Harbour Master, Immingham, on the 15th April, 1915, that the pilots had made a previous claim for remuneration in respect of the services in question, but this was not forwarded to the Admiralty. Further inquiry is being made.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether under the Jerram Report men who were directed to remain at work in the dockyards are entitled to the increases recommended provided they were under the age of fifty-five at the outbreak of war; if so, can he state the reason for fixing this age limit; and whether, in view of cases where men had just reached the specified age prior to the commencement of the War and who have done good service ever since, it will be possible to reconsider this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative as regards long service naval pensioners. The reason for fixing the age of fifty-five is that liability to service for pensioners ceases at that age, and it would have caused a distinct grievance to preclude men under that age, who were liable for service but were prevented from serving, from partaking in the benefits of the new scales. I am afraid I am not in a position to give any undertaking regarding the last part of the question.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why only ten artificer-engineers were promoted to chief artificer-engineer's rank on the 1st April, seeing that during last year fifty-one promotions to the latter rank took place; if it is the intention of the Admiralty to keep up the 1918 rate during this year; why promotions to artificer-engineer's rank has so fallen off during the current year, seeing that seventy-four promotions to this rank took place in 1918; and if he will assign the reason for the apparent slowing down, compared with the 1918 rate, of promotion of engine-room artificers to chief engine room artificers?

It is not, I am advised, the intention to alter the proportion of chief artificer-engineers borne to the artificer-engineers borne. The numbers promoted to the rank of artificer-engineer have fallen off as, hostilities having ceased, the requirements of that rank have decreased, and promotion to rank of chief artificer-engineer will necessarily be slower. Ten promotions only were made to chief artificer-engineer on 1st April, 1919, in order to avoid an excess of the numbers of that rank, which would necessitate a reduction in their numbers later on. An examination for the rank of artificer-engineer will take place in September next; the number of promotions made will depend on the result of the examination, and the number of officers required of that rank. As regards the last part of the question, the proportion of chief engine-room artificers to the total of the class remains the same.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he will state the progress made by the Admiralty in payment of outstanding accounts to private firms; what proportion of these accounts remains to be paid; what has been the cause of the delay in settlement; and what steps are being taken to expedite the payment of all accounts still remaining?

On the subject of outstanding contractors' claims generally I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on the 28th May to the hon. Member for the Newton Division. Progress is being made daily in the liquidation of these accounts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiraty if he is aware that there are twenty-three engine-room artificers on His Majesty's ship "St. George," all due for demobilisation, and mostly slip men, and that there is little or no work for them to do; and, as a number of them have been in the Navy since August, 1914, and have situations to go to, whether he can state when they will be released?

Beliefs are now on passage to the Mediterranean station, and more will follow very shortly.

asked the Secretary for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Corporal William Horsburgh, No. 72974, Royal Engineer Signals, British Expeditionary Force, France, who joined up voluntarily in August, 1915, and who has not yet been demobilised, and who is urgently required at his old employment as a joiner for building operations?

Yes, Sir; my attention was called to this case by my hon. Friend on the 20th March, and I would refer to the answer given to him on that date. I would also refer him to the statement made in my speech on the Army Estimates on 29th May to the effect that if Peace is signed in June we hope to send home all the remaining 1914 men by the end of June, and the 1915 men by the end of July. This applies to men from everywhere except India.

asked the Secretary for War whether he can give any estimate of the number of soldiers who will be demobilised as a result of the recent Regulations defining extreme compassionate ground's?

It is estimated that of the claims for demobilisation on com- passionate grounds already received by the War Office and the Commands about 20,000 cases will fall within the new rules. Applications are being received at the rate of about 1,200 a day, and a total of 30,000 releases is likely to be reached shortly. Prior to the issue of the new instructions over 24,000 soldiers were demobilised on compassionate grounds in addition to a considerable number released by General Officers Commanding-in-Chief the. Expeditionary Forces, of which no figures are available in the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War the result of his inquiry into the court-martial of Private C. M'Donnell, No. 1048273, 3rd Canadian Machine Gun Corps?

Private M'Donnell was tried by Field' General Court-martial on the 21st January on charges of

(1)Endeavouring to persuade members of His Majesty's Forces to join in a mutiny.

(2)Joining in a mutiny.

He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude and committed to the No. 7 Military Prison. He was again tried by Field General Court-martial on the 24th March for joining in a mutiny at No. 7 Military Prison and was sentenced to death. This sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, and Private M'Donnell has now been transferred to England, and is at present in Portland Prison undergoing sentence.

asked the Secretary for War (1) what provision, if any, has been made by the Graves Commission for commemorating by headstone or otherwise the death or last-known resting-place of those who died in the Great War whose remains were not buried in established cemeteries and whose last resting-place cannot now be identified;(2) whether, in cases where many of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men of a particular regiment or battalion were killed in action and whose remains were never identified or, if identified, were buried on the battlefield, but whose places of burial are not susceptible of identification, provision will be made, if possible, for erecting tombstones on the actual field of battle where they perished or, if that be impossible, in the nearest established cemetery in regimental, battalion, or company groups?

The Imperial War Graves Commission have decided that memorials to the dead whose graves have not been found or identified shall be put up in the cemetery near to the spot where they were believed to have lost their lives, or, in the case of men of the Royal Air Force. to the aerodrome from which they started. The form of these memorials has not yet been settled, and the Commission would welcome any suggestions which would assist them in coming to a decision on the matter.

asked the Secretary for War whether the estate of late Pioneer S. Muir, No. 93851, E Signal Company, Royal Engineers, who died in November, 1918, has been established: and when his widow is likely to receive the proceeds?

Two-thirds of the amount due to the estate was issued to the widow on 15th ultimo, and the remainder is now being issued to her on an undertaking to devote it to the benefit of the soldier's child.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that hardship is being inflicted on widows and mothers by the present practice of the distribution of estates of deceased men; whether Lance-Corporal William Raich, No. 1096, 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, left an estate amounting to £36 14s. 6d., and of this sum his mother, a widow, received only £12 4s. 10d., while £24 9s. 8d. is retained by the War Office pending application by the nearest blood relation of the deceased soldier's father, a sister who emigrated to South Africa twenty years ago, and who never supported or saw the deceased soldier; and whether the widow mother, who had given her only son, and has no other support, should receive his estate in full?

The amount retained is under Scottish law the property of the father's blood-relations. We have no power to dispose of an estate except in. accordance with the law.

asked the Secretary for War when the plaques and scrolls authorised two years ago commemorative of those who sacrificed their lives in the Great War will be issued to the friends and next-of-kin of the fallen?

The initial issue of the scroll will, it is expected, be made during the week beginning the 15th June. As regards the plaque, I regret that I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member for Frome on the 15th May, of which I will send my hon. and learned Friend a copy.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry, whether he is aware that Peter Anderson, No. 41455 L.A.C., 32nd Squadron, Royal Air Force, was demobilised on 4th March, and has since been waiting for a repatriation passage for himself and his wife to America, where his work and tools are awaiting him; and whether, in order to reduce the number of unemployed in this country, he can arrange that ex-soldiers whose claim to repatriation is admitted, and who have work waiting them oversea, may have first claim on the accommodation available in ships?

All airmen and ex-airmen whose claim to repatriation is approved, and who have work awaiting them oversea, are placed on the priority list for shipping accommodation, but unfortunately the accommodation available is limited. Passages for Anderson and his wife should, however, be available during this month.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that W. Mummery, No. 220892, 1 A.C. (attached 99th Squadron, Royal Air Force), joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1916, was in France till the 14th May, 1919, and on that day was sent from Marseilles to India without any leave; that this man and others with him were never medically examined before being sent to India; and whether it is the practice to transfer men to distant stations. in tropical climates without medical examinations and without leave?

Inquiries are being made in this case, and I will communicate the result to the hon. Member very shortly.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if men serving as mine-sweepers on His Majesty's ships who signd on under Admiralty agreement as Mercantile Marine ratings are eligible for pensions if discharged as medically unfit?

Such ratings are eligible for pensions if the disabilities on account of which they are discharged are specifically attributable to or aggravated by the nature and conditions of their employment under the Admiralty.

asked the Secretary for War whether the Department of the War Office which deals with gratuities to the widows of soldiers killed in the: War has not yet reached the cases of men who died in 1916; and, if so, in view of the hardship to the widows and children of such men, will he say what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The estates are being dealt with according to the date of death as far as possible. Every endeavour is being made to expedite the payment of the war gratuities due to the estates of deceased soldiers by-training extra staff. The work cannot be-correctly performed by untrained clerks.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he can state the number of outstanding cases where the gratuity to a discharged or deceased soldier has not been paid; whether there are 700,000 gratuities yet to issue; whether the system of dividing the gratuity between a widow and her children is responsible for the-delay; and whether he will consider the- advisability of augmenting a staff by employing discharged soldiers in order to expedite the payment of moneys due?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply yesterday to the hon. Member for Montrose. The staff is being augmented as fast as the necessary training can be given, but it must be remembered that the work is largely technical in character, depending as it does upon the laws of inheritance and intestacy.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that Private A. Roberts, No. 25737, South Irish Horse, who enlisted on 2nd September, 1914, for one year and applied for discharge on 2nd September, 1915, as evidenced by letter from the records officer, Cork, dated 29th January, 1919, was retained for four years seven months eight days in military service, and was refused bounty on 24th May, May, 1919, as evidenced by 18,602/Accts. Q/Comps F 6 from the War Office; and whether he will state if Private Roberts' treatment has been in accordance with rule and regulation?

Yes, Sir. It is a condition of the issue of the bounty that the soldier should have been serving on an Army engagement at the outbreak of the War.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that A. G. Archer, No. 18311, R.M.C.C., was informed seven weeks ago that his claim for gratuity had been attended to, and although he has since written about it he has not yet received anything; that this ex-soldier has started in business and urgently requires the money; and whether he will issue instructions for the gratuity to be forwarded?

If my hon. Friend will let me have the full regimental particulars of this man I will have inquiry made. It is not possible to identify him from the particulars given.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether Mrs. Ireland, 54, Wallfield Walk, Dundee, widow of Sapper J. Ireland, No. 308882, Royal Engineers, who was found drowned in a river in France, is receiving only the temporary pension of 15s. a week under Article 15 of the Royal Warrant; whether no war bonus is paid her and no allowance for her child; and whether the War Office will retain two-thirds of her late husband's war service gratuity, amounting to some £12, until the child, for whom the mother has to work to support, is twenty-one years of age?

The first two parts of the hon. Member's question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions. As regards the last part, the gratuity has not yet been assessed, and its disposal cannot therefore be stated at present.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Mrs. Thompson, Mount of Gloriat, Milton of Campsie, Stirlingshire, whose. son Private Frederick Thompson, No. 40945, 8th Battalion, Sea-forth Highlanders, joined the Army in beginning of 1913, and was killed in 1917 in France; whether he is aware that she has received no gratuity in respect of his loss and only gets a weekly pension of 12s. 10d., and so is suffering severely, as her husband is sixty-five years of age and unfit for work, and she herself is sixty-two years of age, and has no other means of support; and whether he will recommend the payment of a gratuity or a larger pension?

Mrs. Thompson applied for a pension at a time when she was not in pecuniary need, and she was awarded a life pension of 10s. 8d. a week on the basis of pre-war dependence. I cannot trace that she has ever applied for any increase of pension, but the case will now be investigated to ascertain whether her present circumstances justify the grant of a higher pension under Article 21 (1, b) of the Royal Warrant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the possibility of the post offices paying out allowances and pensions the day previous to a Saturday holiday instead of the day after, thereby obviating the disappointment and hardship which the present practice occasions?

I am making inquiry in the matter, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Private John Prentice, No. 204983, 9th Battalion East Surrey Regiment, over ten weeks ago received a green postcard from the Controller of the Post Office, telling him that if he called at the Coat-bridge Post Office he would receive an account book; that although Private Prentice has applied three times a week he has not been able to receive payment from the post office; if he is aware that this man has written three times to the Controller and all his letters remain unanswered; and whether he is prepared to offer any explanation of the delay in this case?

By an unfortunate error, since rectified, the gratuity book was missent to the post office at Colchester instead of Coatbridge.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is in a position to surrender the factory premises commandeered from Messrs. G. L. Wilson and Company, Bruce Grove, Tottenham; whether he is aware that these premises are now being very little used for Government purposes; that if they are vacated soon they will be occupied by a firm capable of affording employment to 500 persons; and whether he will authorise their early surrender, in view of the number of unemployed now registered on the books of the local Exchange?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question, as these premises were taken by the War Department. I understand that early last month Messrs. Wilson asked whether a part of the premises could not be released to enable them to let to a prospective tenant. About the middle of May they were informed that arrangements had been made which it was hoped would enable the Department to release certain specified portions of the premises by the middle of June. It was understood that this would meet the firm's requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will remove the Air Ministry store building in Regent's Park immediately the standard stocks are transferred to Ruislip, and restore this open space for public use?

No store buildings in Regent's Park have so far been notified to the Disposal Board by the Air Ministry as being surplus to their requirements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware of the case of Messrs. Arthur Lee and Sons, Limited, steel manufacturers, Crown Steel and Wire Mills, Sheffield, who erected last July, at the request of the Air Board, a new building and extended their plant to meet the increased production of aeroplane stream-line wire demanded; that in November this firm was advised that the extension would not be required; that it was then too late to cancel orders placed for machinery, etc., and that this firm has now been asked by the trade concerned to manufacture corset steel and has signified its willingness to do so provided that it can obtain a liberal and final writing-down allowance, which has hitherto been refused; whether, in view of the hardships incurred by this firm and the fact that corset steel was almost entirely a German monopoly before the War, he will state whether the Grant given to firms during the War under circumstances such as these is applicable in this case; and, if not, what steps he will take to render to this firm the financial assistance necessary at the start for their ultimate success?

The case has not been brought to my notice. If the firm in question have made excess profits the proper course for them to follow is to apply to the Inland Revenue Authorities for a suitable "writing off" from their capital expenditure. If the firm have not made ex- cess profits they should apply. to the Departmental Contracts Committee, which has been set up by the Minister with the concurrence of the Treasury, under the chairmanship of Mr. Cecil Lubbock, to consider cases of hardship in connection with contracts entered into with the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, when the preliminary inquiries now in progress relating to the suggested extension of the Chilwell filling factory are complete, he will refer The scheme to a Committee of this House for Report before incurring expense or taking further action in the matter?

:No, Sir; I am afraid I cannot adopt the course suggested by my hon. Friend.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Federal Government is maintaining its embargo on the importation of British chocolate and confectionery into Australia; if this embargo was originally ordered as an emergency war-time measure; whether representations have reached him from British exporters, who regard themselves as being unjustly treated; and, if so, has His Majesty's Government communicated with the Commonwealth Government on this matter?

I understand that the importation of chocolate and confectionery from all sources into the Commonwealth of Australia has been prohibited since August, 1917, except with the written consent of the Minister of State for Trade and Customs, but no representations have reached me from British exporters on the subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state the particulars of the arrangement that has been entered into between the Government and the London General Omnibus Company as to the supply of motor lorries for the conveyance of passengers; if the lorries are to be operated all day or during certain hours in the morning and evening; what is the purpose to which any profit arising from the working of these lorries will be applied; and whether, by operating these lorries, a larger number of public vehicles controlled by this company will be brought into further competition with municipally owned tramways?

I have been asked to answer this question. As regards the first part of the question I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given on Monday last by my hon. Friend the Deputy-Minister of Munitions to a question on the subject asked by the hon. Member for South Islington. As regards the latter parts of the question I think that most of the passengers on the lorries would probably have travelled on omnibuses if lorries were not available, but no doubt some of them might have travelled by rail or tram or in other ways. It is not proposed to prohibit the lorries from running except during certain hours in the morning and evening.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether the consideration of the modification of the Defence of the Realm Act Regulation No. 1,655, as regards headlights on cars, is being postponed until the Ministry of Ways and Communications has been set up; and whether there are any and, if so, what other matters of equal urgency the consideration of which by his Department is being deferred for the same reasons?

Any question of the modification of the Regulation to which the hon. Member refers would be a matter for the Home Secretary by whom the Regulation was made. The consideration of the question of permanent Regulations with respect to lights on motor vehicles, to come into operation upon the Defence of the Realm Regulations ceasing to operate, is not being proceeded with pending the passing of the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill. The consideration of the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Road Locomotives and Heavy Motor Cars is also deferred.

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he has received any complaints from West-hide, Hereford, regarding the system of drainage there; whether he is aware that the drains pass near the school and empty at a spot where milking-cows are kept; that some people living in the vicinity have died and others are ill; and whether he will take steps to have the matter investigated by an Inspector from his Department?

The Board have been asked to send an Inspector to West hide by a private correspondent, who mentioned that two children had died there and that he had received complaints of smells from sewage passing through the village. The matter is primarily one for the Rural District Council of Hereford, and the Board is communicating with the rural district council on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the imports of brushes from Japan were more than five times as much in 1916 as in 1913; whether this increase was mainly due to the British brushmakers having been engaged largely on special Government work during the War; whether British brushmakers are able to supply the entire home demand; and whether he will bring these facts to the special notice of the Import Consultative Council, and also supply to that council such information as the Board of Trade has in regard to the low wages paid in. Japan to labour in the brush industry, and in regard to the deterioration in the quality of Japanese brushes as the production has increased?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Deritend Division of Birmingham. I would add that the Imports Consultative Council has now completed its work.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if it is intended to allow the import, before 30th Septem- ber, of United States hosiery other than hosiery actually shipped from a United States port before 31st May?

It is not at present proposed to admit any cotton hosiery before 1st September, unless in exceptional circumstances. My right hon. Friend hopes shortly to be able to announce what the trade policy of the Government will be after that date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade under what statutory authority restrictions are imposed upon imports into this country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Gentleman to the answer which I gave to a question by the right hon. Member for South Molton on the 19th May. I will send him a copy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in connection with the Government Grant of £6,000 in compensation for the destruction of the village of Hallsands, South Devon, he can take into consideration its present inadequacy, in view of the cost of labour and building materials, to provide the necessary housing accommodation for the. fishermen in place of that destroyed; and whether he will be willing to publish the Report as to the amount of compensation rightly due made in October, 1917, by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice, who was officially appointed by the Board to investigate and to take evidence on the spot?

Before deciding the amount of the Grant recently made to the inhabitants of Hallsands the Government gave careful consideration to all the circumstances of the case, including the increase in the cost of building, and the sum of £6,000 was accepted by the Devon Sea Fisheries District Committee on behalf of the villagers in full settlement of all claims. I am unable to hold out any hope of a further payment being made by the Government in this case. The Report by Sir Maurice Fitzmaurice of the Inquiry held by him at Hallsands in September, 1917, was only intended for the information of the Government, and I am not prepared to publish it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade who is responsible for carrying on the Walton-on-the-Naze electricity undertaking, now in liquidation; whether he will hold a public inquiry into the unsatisfactory position with regard to the supply of electricity in that district; and what steps he is taking to ensure a satisfactory supply being given before the summer holiday season commences?

The body responsible for carrying on this undertaking is the Coast Development Corporation, Limited, which went into voluntary liquidation in May, 1915, the liquidators being Sir Arthur F. Whinney and Mr. John F. Stovell. Representations have been made to my right hon. Friend by the Walton-on-the-Naze Urban District Council as to the condition of the undertaking, and he has decided to appoint an inspector to hold an inquiry at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the shortage of coal in this country and of the distress likely to be caused thereby in the coming winter, whether facilities will be granted for the importation of coal for household purposes by private firms or individuals, or whether the Government will take steps to obtain a supply?

My right hon. Friend dealt fully with the question of the quantity of coal available for domestic consumption in the reply which he gave on Wednesday to the hon. Member for the Camlachie Division of Glasgow. It will be necessary in order to reserve about the same quantity of coal for inland consumption as in 1918, to impose further restrictions upon the export of coal unless the output improves.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can consider the granting of special facilities and fares to troops of boy scouts in proceeding to camp this year owing to the importance of the training this affords to the lads of our country?

I would refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given on this-subject yesterday to the hon. Members for Rotherhithe and North Lambeth.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements are being made to give special railway facilities to competitors attending the meeting of the National Rifle Association at Bisley next month?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. The matter is at present under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is considering the measures necessary to provide compensation for damage to private property or loss of life caused by any kind of aeroplane, whether in use for commercial, experimental, or other objects?

It is considered that, for the present, compensation for damage to private property or life should be dealt with by the ordinary law affecting damage to persons and property until further experience is gained. The question of compulsory insurance will be considered fully before the new Act is framed, to take effect from 1st January, 1920.

asked the Postmaster-General why the Post Office at Hexham, which is open for the sale of stamps on Sunday mornings, charges 6d. to those who make inquiries if there are letters awaiting them; and, in view of the fact that there is no Sunday delivery, if he will issue instructions to stop this charge until such time as a Sunday delivery is instituted?

I am making inquiry in the matter, and will communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will make inquiries as to the loss of a money order (No. 7,002) for, £35, obtained at the post office, Kennington Road, S.E., on 10th February, 1919, and telegraphed to Driver R. W. Tallett, then stationed in France, on that day; if he is aware that, though there has been considerable correspondence (T. O. 16,924 T.) with the money order office of the General Post Office, the amount is still unrefunded, and if he will take steps to see that without further delay the sum is returned to the sender?

The telegraph money order referred to by the hon. Member was duly advised abroad on the day of issue, and I am at present unable to state the reason for its non-payment to the payee. It is necessary to obtain the authority of the French Post Office before repayment of the order to the remitter can be effected, and the office is being pressed to give the requisite authority without loss of time and to ascertain the reason for the non-payment of the order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a public meeting of the citizens of Exeter, held on 25th May, demanded the appointment of a Government Commission of Inquiry to investigate the dispute at the Exeter city asylum; that petitions to this effect signed by 13,121 citizens and ratepayers of Exeter have been presented to the city council of Exeter; that the continuance of the dispute is likely to involve the trade unions of the city in a sympathetic strike; whether the Lunacy Board of Control have made any representations to the Government Departments concerned; and whether His Majesty's Government will favourably consider the appointment of a Commission of Inquiry, as requested by the citizens of Exeter, and include Labour representation on such Commission, seeing that this is essentially a dispute arising out of an alleged infringement of trade union principles?

Yes, Sir, I have received a copy of the resolution referred to as well as a memorandum from the Board of Control. I have offered to both the parties to the dispute a reference to arbi- tration, and if both parties agree to this course, I shall take care that the Court is so constituted as to be able to deal properly with the issues involved.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Rose Street Foundry and Engineering Company, Glasgow, have locked out their employés owing to a demand from the engineers for the forty-seven-hours week as per national agreement; and whether any immediate measures are being taken or are in contemplation for the purpose of compelling this firm to conform to the accepted terms and customs of engineering employment?

I am aware of the difficulty that has arisen, which is one that has for some time been the subject of correspondence between the Admiralty and the firm. A representative of my Department has been instructed to consult with the firm and with the representatives of the unions.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he has received any protest against the prohibition on the sale of mineral waters in fish restaurants after eight o'clock in the evening; whether such a prohibition is in force; and, if so, will he consider the advisability of cancelling it?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Early Closing of Shops Order, under which shops are required generally to close at 8 p.m., exempts from that requirement the sale, inter alia, of meals or refreshments for consumption on the premises. For the purpose of this exemption, it is provided that refreshments shall not be deemed to include sweets, chocolate, or other sugar confectionery or ice cream, but I am not aware that mineral waters have been regarded as falling within any of these categories.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that from 10 a.m. on Sunday, 1st June, large numbers of men, women and children, estimated by midday to several thousands, arrived at Kew with the intention of entering the gardens only to find that the gates were not to be opened until 1 p.m., and whether he can state the reason why, in midsummer, the gardens are closed against the public for half of the only day of the week that many families can go there?

The Royal Botanic Gardens are a scientific institution in the administration of which regard must be had to other considerations than those that apply in the case of parks and public recreation grounds. Much work has to be carried out every day before the public-could be admitted, and any extension of the hours on Sundays would involve the performance of extra duty on the part of a large number of men, together with an additional charge upon public funds. The Board regret, therefore, that for reasons of public policy and expense, they do not see their way to alter the existing arrangements.