asked (1) the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an American company is now endeavouring to obtain control of the cinema trade in this country by building theatres for the exhibition of American films; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps to prevent the passing of these means of advertisement to and education of the people into other than British hands; (2), the Prime Minister whether, in view of the influence of cinema exhibitions with all classes, and particularly with the industrial class, of the community, and of the fact that upwards of 20,000,000 inhabitants of the United Kingdom visit cinema theatres every week, the Government has under consideration the advisability of assisting the British cinema industry to retain control in the United Kingdom and of securing the continued exhibition of films designed to promote British views and British interests?

I am aware that a prospectus has recently been issued by a new company with an authorised capital of £1,000,000 formed to finance the erection and operation of picture playhouses, and I understand that the chairman of the company is the hon. and gallant Member for Montgomery. The matter does not appear to be one in which His Majesty's Government is called upon to take any further action, but I would point out that imported cinema films are subject to a Customs duty.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of prohibiting the building of cinema theatres in this country by other than British subjects or British-owned companies for a period of five years?

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that unless some action is taken the unparalleled opportunities of the cinema will be, or may be, devoted to other than British objects and British presentations of the subjects they represent?

I can assure the hon. Member that the Government is not blind to such possibilities.

Is it intended to make the duty on cinema films permanent?

I must have notice of that question.

Is there a censorship on foreign films?

There is a general censorship.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to introduce legislation to prevent American heiresses from marrying British aristocrats

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have arrived, or are likely to shortly arrive, at a decision respecting the question of the establishment of a Ministry of Commerce?

The Board of Trade is now being developed to perform all the functions which would appertain to a Ministry of Commerce. Whether it be desirable to change the title of the Department or not is under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that recently the Union of South Africa Government placed in the United States orders for 44,000 tons of rails, 1,000 cars, 250 trucks, and, in the United States and Canada, seventy large locomotives; and whether, in view of the friendly relations which exist between the Government of South Africa and the British Government, he can state the reasons for placing this important order for material in America instead of in Great Britain, seeing the necessity of finding work for our people and of maintaining the export trade of Great Britain?

Some of the orders mentioned were placed by the South African authorities in the United States before the Armistice at a time when it was impossible to supply railway material from this country. As regards the seventy locomotives, which have been ordered since the Armistice, I am informed that the British offers in respect both of price and of date of delivery were so unfavourable that the South African authorities felt themselves obliged to go further a field. Forty of the locomotives, however, were, I am glad to say, ordered in Canada. In view of the form of my hon. Friend's question, which seems, no doubt unintentionally, to imply that it is undesirable that the South African Government should purchase material from Canada rather than from this country, I would remind him that the policy on which the Governments of the Empire have agreed is that of preference, in contracts, to the produce and manufactures of the Empire, and not merely to those of the United Kingdom. Contractors in this country cannot expect preference from other Governments in the Empire, except as against foreign countries.

Is he aware that the price of material in the United States of America is very much lower than the price of material in this country, representing nearly £3 a ton on rails, and is that difference in price due to the high price of coal and industrial unrest in this country?

I think that question must be addressed to another Department.

Has he made representations to the Board of Trade as to the very disastrous position in which our export trade is at the present time?

:Is it not a fact that the South African Government have done their best to place orders in this country, and entered into long negotiations with manufacturers in this, country in order, if possible, to place orders here?

I understand that was the case, and that in every sense they did their best to give preference here before, owing to difference in cost and date of deliver, they felt themselves obliged to go elsewhere.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any statement to make with regard to the continued scarcity of whisky; and if any relief is to be expected by the importation of supplies from America?

I have been asked to reply. The quantity of spirits which may be released from bond for home consumption has been fixed by the Cabinet at 75 per cent. of the quantity delivered in the year 1916, and as long as the clearances from bond are fixed, the importation of spirits from America does not affect the amount available to the consumer.

Can he say what has happened to a cargo of American whisky knocking about these ports?

I have not heard of the cargo in question, but if he will furnish me with particulars I will have inquiries made.

Now that an increase has been allowed by the Government in the supply of beer, may I ask whether a similar increase is being considered by the Cabinet with regard to whisky and other spirits?

I am afraid I do not sufficiently represent the Cabinet to be able to answer that question, which, I think, should be addressed to some other quarter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that many fashionable garments which are now selling at six and seven guineas each contain less than I lb. of wool; whether the Government control price ranges broadly from 19d. to 24d. per lb.; and whether this high charge to the public is in any way due to the shortage of supply which is now being placed on the market?

I have been asked to answer this question. I have no information on the point mentioned in the first part of the question. The Government schedule of prices at which the trade receive a part of their supplies of wool ranges between 26½d. and 70½.per lb. for cleaned scoured wool, according to quality. The high price of woollen garments cannot be due to short supplies or to excessive charges for Government wool, since the Government schedule of issue prices is considerably below the market price at present in any part of the world, and British farmers are obtaining very much higher prices for the new clip. The stocks of wool in this country are the greatest ever known, and the Department is using every effort to pass the wool on to the consumers.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Allies intend to adhere to their pledge and create a free and independent Albanian State or do they propose to partition the country as Poland was once partitioned?

The question of the future status of Albania has not yet been discussed by the Supreme Council in Paris.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affaire whether any laws have recently been passed in the United States of America regarding the immigration of aliens; and, if so, what is their nature?

No new legislation has actually been enacted, but bills have been laid before the United States House of Representatives and Senate, the effect of which would be to prohibit alien immigration for periods of four and five years respectively.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Land Settlement Bill will enable authorities in urban areas to acquire land for allotments pending such land being required for building; whether such allotments will be let at an agricultural rent; and, such being the case, whether he will take steps to secure that land acquired under the Defence of the Realm Act will be reacquired under the provisions of the Land Settlement Bill when passed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and the rent paid for the land will not take into consideration the value for building or industrial purposes, for which the owner can resume possession. As to the last part of the question, the Board will take steps, when the Land Settlement (Facilities) Bill becomes law to bring its provisions especially to the notice of the various allotment authorities, and urge them to make the fullest use of the powers entrusted to them.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he can now say what price has been guaranteed for rye corn of the 1919 crop?

It has been decided to apply the method of the Corn Production Act to the price of rye, as follows: The sum payable in respect of each acre will be a sum equal to three and a half times the difference between the average price and the minimum price of 71s. 11d. per quarter of 480 lbs. The average price for rye produced in 1919 shall be taken to be the average price for the seven months September-March, as computed and declared by the following persons, or a majority of them, namely, the presidents of the London and Liverpool Corn Trade Association, a sheriff appointed by the Secretary for Scotland, a representative of the corn trade in Ireland appointed by the Chief Secretary, and a person appointed by the Treasury. This guarantee will only apply to the acreage of rye that is harvested for grain.

What will be the cost of this subsidy to the public Exchequer?

I must ask for notice of that.

:Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman be able to gather what the figure is that these gentlemen are going to find?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture when the Bill necessary to fulfil the promise of the Government to reorganise the Board will be introduced?

I hope the Bill to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers will be introduced within the next few weeks.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman urge the Leader of the House to give earnest consideration to the introduction of this before the Board of Agriculture Estimates?

I will see that the suggestion is conveyed to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions upon what duties was a Government motor car, LU 6555, being employed at I.12 p.m. in Pall Mall on Wednesday, 2nd July; is he aware that two large dogs were in occupation of the car; and can he say for what purposes were they there?

I have been asked to answer this question. Motor car LU 6555 was detailed for duty with the Headquarters, Women's Legion (Motor Drivers), on the occasion referred to. The headquarters are at I5, Pall Mall East. The Commandant ordinarily used a motor bicycle and side-car, and invariably takes her dogs with her for the purpose of guarding the machine, which would otherwise be left unattended. On this occasion the motor cycle was under repair, so a car was used. There is no Regulation forbidding the presence of dogs in military motor cars.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the dogs were muzzled or unmuzzled?

I see no reason why this woman officer, who has important duties to discharge, and is accustomed to use a motor cycle and side-car, and that is under repair, should not in an emergency be granted the use of a motor car. As to whether the dogs were in the car or not, I am surprised that the House of Commons should trouble about that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the question of the right hon. Member for the City of London (Sir F. Banbury) whether these dogs were muzzled? If not, were they not breaking the law; and if they were muzzled how could they protect the cart

Answer!

asked the Prime Minister whether he will publish any Regulations which may have been made regulating the use of Government motor cars, and especially for restricting them to official business?

:I hope to announce shortly the steps which His Majesty's Government have decided to take with regard to the use of Government motor cars.

Does the right hon. Gentleman endorse the opinion of the Air Ministry that the conveyance of officials from their residence to the Ministry is official business?

It is a very difficult question, because—it is no exaggeration to say—there is more work now in Government Departments than before the War, and it is much more difficult to get outside communication. Already, however, a great deal has been done on the subject, and I hope to be able soon to announce a definite scheme.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say why there is much more work in Government Departments now than before?

I do not know, but I can guarantee it is so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the cost of running Government motor cars is about 32s. per mile, whilst a taxi-cab costs 8d.? Why should not taxi-cabs be used?

I should very much doubt the accuracy of that statement. The cost of Government motor cars, though very high, is not, I believe, higher than that paid by private individuals who use their own cars.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is in a position to give the names of those who will constitute the Committee which is to report upon the policy, and the means of carrying it out, concerning the discovery of oil in Derbyshire; what the terms of reference will be; and whether the Committee will be asked to report before the Summer Recess?

:I should be glad if my hon. Friend would repeat his question on Thursday, when I hope to be in a position to make a statement on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether a Memorandum on the work of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) will be issued; and will it be accompanied with a statement showing the assets and liabilities of the Board and the public money it has expended to the date of its decease?

Four general Reports on the Board's work, and a Financial Statement of the position regarding the Board's acquisition of licensed premises as at 31st March, I918, have already been presented to Parliament, and documents in continuation of these publications are in preparation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that, owing to the activities of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), the taxpayer is now the possessor of a number of licensed premises, hotels, and hostels in Carlisle, Enfield, and other parts of Great Britain; have the owners of all these properties been paid for them; and what does the Government intend to do with them?

The answer to the first paragraph of the question is Yes, Sir, and to the second that most of the owners have already received payment for the properties acquired. The third paragraph will be a matter for Parliament when the promised Bill is under discussion.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he can now announce the names of the Chairman and Committee appointed to report on a pension scheme for Ordnance Factory employés, and when the Committee will begin to sit?

:Sir Edward Brabrook, C.B., has been selected as Chairman, and the other members of the Committee will be:

• Mr. J. G. Ashley (War Office).
• Mr. W. S. Sarel, C.B.E. (Admiralty).
• Mr. W. Hayden (Ministry of Munitions).
• Mr. T. Roberts and Mr. C. J. Davies (representing the workmen of the Royal Ordnance factories).

asked the First Commissioner of Works when it is proposed to remove the unsightly erections which cover so large a part of the surface of Regent's Park, so as to restore as soon, as possible the amenities of the neighbourhood and provide playing fields for the juvenile population?

The question of removing the temporary buildings in Regent's Park has been receiving my right hon. Friend's serious consideration for some considerable time past. Owing, however, to the great difficulty experienced in finding alternative accommodation, he regrets that he is not in a position to state definitely by what date the buildings will be cleared away, but he is in communication with the Departments concerned, and will spare no effort to secure their removal at the earliest possible moment.

:Will the hon. Gentleman say if the personnel of this Department contains two gentlemen named Dilly and Dally?

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the Minister in question the feelings of all true British people in this matter?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can see his way to opening the road across the park from Prince's Gate to Victoria Gate to motor omnibuses, in view of the fact that this would tend to relieve the congestion in Piccadilly and Park Lane, and would not cause any inconvenience to the public '?

The road in question is already used by light vehicles, but its use by motor omnibuses and other heavy vehicles would involve the reconstruction of the bridge over the Serpentine, and the carrying out of other alterations to the Park, the cost of which would be very heavy. My right hon. Friend regrets, therefore, that he cannot see his way at the present time to accede to the suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Birken- head Board of Guardians have refused to act upon the suggestion made by the Local Government Board on the subject of granting gratuities to registrars of births and deaths; and will he take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that registrars are dealt with in the matter of war bonus or gratuity on lines similar to those in operation in the case of other public servants?

This case has not previously been brought to my notice. On the general question, I can only refer to the reply I gave on 10th April last to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the recent tendency in Manchester to terminate by notice the existing tenancies of industrial tenants without due cause; whether he is aware of the notice to quit lately served on an important labour-employing quilt manufactory in Clifford Street, Manchester, in order to reconstruct the premises as a saloon for billiards and dancing; and whether, having regard to the present difficulty in finding other sites available as works, he can see his way, by legislation or otherwise, to protect tenancies of this type in the interests both or capital and labour and of the public?

I have received a communication respecting the particular case mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member, but I have no information as to the extent of the practice referred to. I understand that the cases are not within the provisions as to tenancy and rent of dwelling-houses contained in the Increase of Rent, etc., Acts. The matter is not one within the province of my Department, but I will have it brought to the notice of the Government

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give the House an opportunity of rescinding its 'Resolution of I689, which renders a Member of Parliament ineligible for the office of High Sheriff?

I am not disposed to think that there is any general desire on the part of the House for the action proposed.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that recently there has been such difficulty in providing suitable residences for this office that men resident outside the counties to which they are appointed high sheriffs have necessarily been appointed, and is there any objection to rescinding this Resolution?

There is the objection of finding the time. But when I was Chancellor of the Exchequer I was present when these appointments were made, and I do not think Members of the House desire what is asked.

asked the Prime Minister when he proposes to give effect to the Reports of the Committees appointed by the Government during the War in favour of the nationalisation of the liquor trade?

I am not in a position to make any statement on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister when, in view of the unrest in the Moslem world and the British interests involved, he will make a statement as to our policy in Asia Minor?

I regret that I am not in a position to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government will now abolish the cable censorship; and whether he is aware that the continuance of the censorship is seriously prejudicing the revival of British overseas trade

asked the Postmaster-General whether, now that Peace is signed, he can make any statement with regard to the withdrawal of censorship from cablegrams?

I have been asked to answer these questions. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friends to the reply which I gave to a similar question put to me on the 4th July by the hon. Member for Wimbledon, to which I have nothing to add. The reply in question was that it is hoped that circumstances may soon render relaxation in this direction possible.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he realises how deeply British industry is suffering from the present delays? Is it not the fact that the War Office are still sending numbers of messages running into 800 and 900 words, particularly to Egypt, many of which might well be sent by post or other ways?

Would the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of allowing British firms of good standing to use their own private codes?

I have investigated that matter at considerable length, and although I was strongly drawn to the hope that it would be possible to combine a certain degree of censorship with the admission of private services I regret it is not possible. But a relaxation of these restrictions is necessarily imminent; if it is prolonged for a few weeks more it is only because of the general state of the world,, which makes it difficult for us altogether to give up our means of supervising the? control of certain activities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that recently a cable occupied ten days in coming from New York to this country?

I was not aware of that, but I know there is enormous delay in all messages. I am told, however, that when the restrictions are removed and the cable resumes its full elasticity the delay will be even greater because of the pressure on the wires.

Can the right hon. Gentleman see his way to speed up the censorship so that there may be no unnecessary delay on the subject?

The matter is a very difficult one indeed. What one wishes to do now is to relax the censorship over the great volume of correspondence while at the same time preserving the censorship for certain suspected correspondence. That is the difficulty which, when it is translated into action, renders very difficult the production of a satisfactory scheme.

Would the right hon. Gentleman use his influence with the Government to allow this House to have a discussion on the whole question of cable delays, which is of the utmost importance to this country in its trade competition with foreign countries?

Everyone recognises that this censorship has got to be abolished at an early date. The question is what arrangements can be, made which will not have the effect of impeding the movements of commercial business.

Is it not the fact that the operations of the censorship cause no delay whatever?

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that, apart from the question of the censorship, it is time that the whole question of cable delays was discussed in this House owing to the extreme importance to this country of her trade?

Well, Sir, my hon. Friend has as good access to the Leader of the House as I have.