asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a Report from the British Minister in Warsaw respecting the Anti-Jewish pogrom in Vilna and Pinsk; whether the British Minister's Report is based upon his own personal investigations in those cities or upon the personal investigation of other British officers; whether Jewish representatives were freely permitted in both cities to make statements on the outrages, or whether statements were accepted only from Polish representatives; and whether His Majesty's Government will publish the full text of the Report received from Warsaw?

:The full Report on the treatment of Jews in Poland which His Majesty's Minister was instructed to prepare has not yet been received. A number of interim telegraphic reports have been received, but I think it would be more satisfactory to await the detailed statement which we are expecting than to-lay Papers now.

I might add that we are asking the United States Government whether they would be willing to allow a representative of His Majesty's Government to be attached to the Special Mission of Investigation which they are stated in the Press to be about to send to Poland.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Admiral Kolchak's Government has issued an order which conscripts all Jews for the Infantry and forbids any Jew to hold a commission; whether the Propaganda Department of Admiral Kolchak's Government is directed by the Holy Synod at Omsk and is issuing incitements against the Jews, on the ground that Bolshevism is created and sustained by the Jews; and whether the representatives of His Majesty's Government in Russia and Siberia have been instructed to take steps to prevent the persecution of the Jews?

:I have no information in regard to the first or second parts of the hon. Member's question. I consider that the action attributed to Admiral Kolchak is unlikely to be founded on fact, having regard to a telegram recently dispatched by Admiral Kolchak to M. Sazonoff, the Foreign Minister representing the Omsk Government. In that telegram Admiral Kolchak states that as he learns that the Jewish population in Russia is anxious in regard to its future, he considers it opportune to recall the views which he has frequently and publicly expressed. These views are to the effect that the Omsk Government is endeavouring to guarantee to all the peoples of Russia, without distinction of religion and nationality, complete equality before the law, which will safeguard the personal welfare of all citizens.

No special instructions have been sent to His Majesty's representatives at Archangel and in Siberia in regard to the possible persecution of Jews, and Admiral Kolchak's telegram suggests that it is unnecessary, but the hon. Member may rest assured that our representatives, will always use their influence in the direction which he indicates.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Minister has been appointed to the Czecho-Slovak Republic?

:No, Sir; not yet. His Majesty's Legation at Prague is at present in charge of Mr. Cecil Gosling as His Majesty's Charge d' Affaires.

When is the appointment likely to be made? I have asked this question before.

The matter is being carefully considered.

Will the hon. Gentleman be able to answer the question this day week?

I should think so.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affaire whether a Consul-General has. been appointed to New York?

I hope that it will be possible to make a very early announcement in regard to this appointment.

Will the hon. Gentleman be able to answer this question next Thursday?

I hope to be able to give a definite answer then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether political representatives have been appointed to South Russia, Sofia, and Vienna?

As regards South Russia the appointment of a political, as distinct from a military or commercial, representative of His Majesty's. Government has hitherto been thought unnecessary, but is now receiving careful consideration. The hon. and gallant Member will remember that General. Denikin acknowledges the supremacy of Admiral Kolchak with whom His Majesty's Government already have a representative.

As regards representation in Bulgaria and Austria, I am unable to add anything to the reply which I returned on the 8th July.

Is it the case that the absence of the Foreign Secretary in Paris is the reason why we can get no answers to these last three questions, and if so, how soon may we hope for a return of the power of decision?

The hon. Member is not entitled to assume that.

Is there close communication between General Denikin and Admiral Kolchak?

Is not the Government of Archangel in exactly the same position as regards General Denikin as it is with Admiral Kolchak, and why should a Commission have been sent in one case and not in the other?

The matter is under consideration.

If I put that question down on Thursday can I then have an answer. I put it down a week ago and got exactly the same reply as to-day?

I will endeavour to have an answer by then.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will state what steps were taken to consult the non-Christian natives in the areas where there were German missions, now transferred by the Peace Treaty to the Allies; whether in all cases of transferred missions the native converts and others were consulted; and with what results the inquiries were made?

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1), whether the Clause in the Peace Treaty with Germany, Section 15, which provides for the transference and continuance of German religious missions, is operative in the case of both Roman Catholic and Protestant missions; how many mission stations, Protestant and Roman Catholic, respectively, have been or eventually will be transferred and come under the operation of this Clause;

(2)whether he will state how many missiosary societies have been maintaining religious missions whose missions come under the Clause in Section 35 of the Peace Treaty; how many mission stations in how many transferred or Allied territories will fall under the provisions of the treaty in this respect; whether he can state the number of missionaries formerly working in these mission stations; whether it is intended to exclude the missionaries formerly working in them from all further part in these missions; and whether any German subjects will be allowed to act as trustees or as workers in those missions after they have been transferred?

It is impossible for me to answer these very comprehensive questions immediately. The necessary information is not at the moment in the possession of the Foreign Office, but I am taking steps to have it compiled, and I hope to be able to supply details at an early date.

Is it the policy of the Government not to allow any scope for the activity of German Missions in the future?

That scarcely arises out of the question on the Paper.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Easier Mission, of Basel, Switzerland, has been treated as a German missionary society for the purpose of the Peace Treaty; whether toe Swiss Government or the Basler Mission has made any representations on this matter; and, if so, what was the purport and outcome of the representations made?

In view of their enemy connections and sympathies the Basle Mission and Basle Mission Trading Society in the Gold Coast were dealt with as enemy associations before the conclusion of Peace, and steps were taken to vest their properties in selected trustees to be administered on religious and philanthropic lines for the benefit of the natives. Representations have been made by the Swiss Government and the Trading Society with a view to obtaining a reversal of the action taken, but after full consideration the Government has seen no sufficient reason for modifying its decision. It is proposed to repay to the shareholders in the Trading Society their capital in full.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state what is the composition of the Joint Mission which is being sent out on behalf of the Department of Oversea Trade and the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement to investigate conditions in Serbia; what are the business interests represented on this Joint Mission; whether the whole cost of the Mission will be borne by the Department and the Commission; whether it has any powers to make recommendations to the Government with a view to legislation, as well as to the business interests of the country; whether a Report of its investigations will be published; whether he has sent out any other Mission of a similar nature; and whether he can give details of such Missions?

I will have the names of the members of the Economic Mission to Serbia printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The Mission was sent in two contingents, of which the first has already returned, the object of the Mission being to investigate commercial conditions generally in Serbia and also reconstruction problems in engineering and public works, transportation, agriculture, timber, mining, town-planning, and sanitation. The official members of the Mission included no direct representative of any specific business interest. The first contingent of the Mission was, however, accompanied in an unofficial capacity by a representative of the Levant Company and a representative of the Associated British Manufacturers. The Mission was not intended to take the place of private initiative, but it is affording any facilities in its power to representatives in Serbia of British firms.

The expenses of the official members of the Mission are borne by the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement. It has no power to make recommendations with a view to legislation. A Report of its investigations will be published on the completion of its work and an interim Report has already appeared in the "Board of Trade Journal" of 19th June.

A similar Mission was sent out to Poland by the Department of Oversea Trade and the Commission Internationale de Ravitaillement in the early part of the year. The Report of that Mission is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is proposed to reconstitute the National Reserve?

:I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply on the 3rd March last to my hon. Friend the Member for South Kensington, to which I can add nothing at present. In the answer referred to I stated that the question of the future of the National Reserve must stand over until the policy regarding the size and general organisation of the after-war Army has been settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now state the reply to his inquiries in India as to the health of the troops in the rest camp at Karachi; how many men are in hospital; what deaths, if any, have taken place owing to the heat; whether he is aware that the latest news from home received by soldiers there is dated January last; and whether their wives' letters are still being returned to England instead of being sent on to Karachi from Mesopotamia?

:A Report has now been received, and I am informed that the health of the troops at the concentration camp at Karachi is fairly good. There are nearly 700 troops at the camp, and the number in hospital on the 4th July was twenty-three. There have been no deaths owing to the heat.

As regards letters, I am informed that immediately it was decided to retain in India demobilisable men from Mesopotamia orders were issued to intercept the English mails for such men at Bombay base post office. It is regretted that some delay was unavoidable in retrieving mails already en route to Mesopotamia or awaiting delivery in Mesopotamia. With regard to the statement that letters have been returned direct to England, I can only suggest that this was due to individual requests made by men on their departure from Mesopotamia.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can now make a statement regarding the control and distribution of canteen profits?

:I am not yet in a position to make an announcement as to the future organisation for dealing with canteen funds, but I hope to be able to do so at an early date.

Are they now making profits to any extent out of these funds?

I have no reason to think the general canteen work is not making profits.

Will not the hon. Gentleman consider the desirability of trying to reduce the charges of the articles, so that a profit shall not be made and the men shall get absolute value for their money?

That particular question is being considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state approximately the amount of money now in the hands of the authorities arising from the profits from Army canteens, and if any decision has yet been come to as to the disposal of the same?

:The only sum at present available is the Central Regimental Institutes Fund amounting to about £720,000. The profits of the Navy and Army Canteen Board are being used as working capital, and the surplus assets of the Expeditionary Force Canteens, which are being wound up, have not yet been definitely ascertained.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to a speech made by Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig at Newcastle, on 8th July, in which he made critical remarks as to the efforts of our Allies in the War; and whether he can see his way to advise officers on the active list to refrain in public speeches from making statements derogatory to our Allies and associates?

I have not seen any full report of the speech in question, but I am sure that there was no intention on the part of Sir Douglas Haig to depreciate the efforts of our Allies. Indeed, it appears from the summarised accounts that his object was simply to show how heavy was the burden successfully borne by the British Army.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the second part of the question?

I think that part does not arise. I say I am sure there was no intention on the part of Sir Douglas Haig to depreciate the efforts of our Allies.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not see that the second part of the question does not necessarily refer to Sir Douglas Haig, but is of general application?

I think it is quite unnecessary to issue any general instruction to officers not to make speeches which are derogatory to our Allies.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) under what Section of the Army Act officers may be dismissed from the Army without sentence by court-martial; (2) how many officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Forces have been dismissed without court-martial as required by the Army Act and the King's Regulations?

There is no Section of the Army Act under which officers may be dismissed from the Service without trial by court-martial, and no officer of the Army or Air Force has been dismissed without such trial. But many officers have been called upon to resign their commissions or to retire under the provisions of Article 527 of the Royal Warrant for Pay, etc., and a number have also been removed under the provisions of Article 529. No figures for the Army are available, and, in view of the labour involved in obtaining such statistics, I regret I cannot undertake to have them compiled. As regards the Air Force, twenty-eight officers have been removed from the Service under the provisions of Articles 525–527 of the Royal Warrant.

For information as to officers of the Royal Navy, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty.

What is the difference between calling upon an officer to resign his commission and dismissing him?

The question asked under what Section of the Army Act. 1 explained that it was not under a Section of the Army Act, but under the Regulations of the Royal Warrant.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question, which is of considerable importance to many officers in the Army?

The practice which prevails is of long standing, and the distinction between cashiering an officer as the result of a court-martial and his removal from the list in certain circumstances, is perfectly well understood.

:Is it not the case that many officers prefer to be called upon to resign rather than be court-martialled?

It depends. Some prefer to resign, and some to be court-martialled.

What happens if the officer refuse to resign when called upon?

He can be removed from the list, His Majesty having no further need of his services, at any time on the responsibility of the Secretary of State.

Suppose he refuse to resign and demand to be tried by court-martial, is not that course open to him?

No; no officer can demand a court-martial as a right.

If he is asked to resign. I presume he has to resign?

Certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether native levies are being raised and trained in Mesopotamia; when it is expected that native levies will be able to relieve the greater part of our troops in Mesopotamia; and what is our future policy as regards the Army of Occupation in Mesopotamia?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Future policy with regard to the policing of Mesopotamia cannot be definitely laid down until we receive a mandate to administer the country. The possibility of using native levies to some extent is, however, under consideration.

As regards the Army of Occupation, our future policy is to cut it down as much as possible, and to employ as large a proportion of Indian and other native troops as possible. The extent, however, to which local native troops could be employed, depends on their efficiency, which is at present an unknown quantity. It is hoped to make considerable use of the Air Service with a view to economising troops and their maintenance in the outlying unsettled districts.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any information with regard to the future policy of the Government concerning the Army of Occupation in other countries not so far away as Mesopotamia?

No, nor as to the extent to which it is possible to rely on native levies.

When will the Army of Occupation in Dublin be transferred to Belfast?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the number of relatives of those who fell in the War who can- not afford the expense of the extra inscription of sixty-five letters which is allowed on headstones, provision may be made for defraying the cost of such inscriptions out of public funds?

I will ask the Imperial War Graves Commission to consider whether, in cases where the next-of-kin cannot afford to pay for the additional personal inscription on headstones, the expense should not be met out of the Commission funds.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also ask them to consider whether this privilege might not be extended to units, to select a uniform inscription where the relatives do not wish to avail themselves of this opportunity?

I will see that that suggestion comes to the notice of the Imperial War Graves Commission.

asked the Secretary of State for War if permission will be given to wear the general service medal ribbon on 19th July to those of both sexes who are entitled to it?

The conditions under which the medal is to be awarded have not yet been published, and until this is done and the medal authorised I regret that permission to wear the riband cannot be given.

Could not matters be expedited, as it would give such satisfaction to a large number of men?

We will do our best to expedite it, but they are much more complicated questions than appeared at first.

Is it not permissible to wear the 1915 Star, for instance?

Oh, yes! There is no need to wait for the issue of the medal itself or the star. So long as the Order has been issued entitling the men to mount the riband, they can do so. But the Order has not yet been issued.

asked the Secretary for War, in view of the statement made by the Cippenham Select Committee that the War Office files carrying the history beyond the summer of 1917 are missing, whether an investigation has been held into the loss of these official documents and those responsible for the loss; and, if so, what was the result of such investigation?

I am having this matter investigated, and perhaps the hon. Member will repeat his question next week, when I hope to be in a position to answer fully.

Is it the case that this correspondence was thrown out of the windows of the War Office by a young lady clerk in the exuberance of her feelings on Armistice day?

asked whether at Sutton Camp there are about 400 men belonging to the Labour Corps under armed guard; and, if so, will he appoint a Commission of Inquiry as to the treatment of soldiers in this camp, and give the soldiers an opportunity of stating their case without fear or favour of being penalised or otherwise?

Inquiries are being made, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for War if he is aware that the tramway depot at Cressy Road, Hampstead, was taken possession of by the military authorities during the War and, although repeated applications have been made, the property has not yet been returned to the London County Council; whether he is aware that the continued occupation of this depot by the military authorities is causing great inconvenience to the council with regard to the running of their tram-cars on the Hampstead route; and whether, considering the great shortage of tramway accommodation at the present time, he will give instructions for the depot to be returned immediately to the council?

Special attention is being given to this matter, and the Cressy Road tramway depot will be handed over as soon as alternative accommodation is obtained. Negotiations with this object in view are in progress.

Have they not been in progress some time, and can the hon. Gentleman tell me when the War Office are going to find an alternative site?

Negotiations are at present in hand, and it would naturally be undesirable to give any information as to the actual date.

asked whether he is aware that 8,821 German prisoners are employed on military work by the War Office; and, if so, whether he will super sede such labour with British civilian labour?

:The figures given arc approximately correct. Instructions have already been issued that German prisoners of war are not to be employed by the military authorities on work for which civilian labour is available and could be employed. It is anticipated that by the end of the present month the number of prisoner employed will have been reduced to about 6,500, and this number will, of course, be still further reduced, from time to time, as the supply of civilian labour increases.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when it is intended to restore these men to their own country?

I should be glad to have notice of that.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a considerable number of British workmen who can do this work are receiving out-of-work donation?

Is it not laid down in the Peace Treaty that the German prisoners are to be returned to their own homes?

I have asked for notice of the question. With regard to the question by my hon. Friend (Mr. Tyson Wilson) there is more in that than meets the eye. Every effort has been made to obtain civilian employment.

asked the Secretary for War if he is aware that great dissatisfaction has been created by the discharge of ex-soldiers and ex-sailors who have been employed at the Army Pay Office, Lower Thames Street, S.E.; and if ho will state why women and civilian clerks have been retained whilst these men, many of whom have been wounded in the War, have been dismissed?

The matter is already the subject of inquiry, and particulars are being obtained of any disabled soldiers who have been discharged, in order that their cases may be considered.

asked the Secretary for War whether a large number of men recently called up from the land to rejoin the Army are smallholders and consequently had no employer to appeal for their retention nor opportunity to be included among the 20 per cent. left upon the land; whether a large number of this class at Belmont camp, Sutton, Surrey, have been practically doing nothing for the past month; and whether he will make inquiries with a view of allowing these men to return to their holdings where they are so urgently needed?

I am making inquiries, and will acquaint the hon. Member of the result in due course.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what these men are doing in a camp in England? Were they not called up on the plea that they were urgently needed for service overseas?

Notice was only given yesterday, and, as I have stated, we are making inquiries.

Will the hon. Gentleman expedite the inquiries as much as possible?

Yes. Inquiries have already been set on foot this morning.

Is it in order for a question to appear on the Paper as a starred question after only one day's notice?

I meant I only saw it yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have come to a decision concerning the payment of royalties on the oil discovered in Derbyshire?

I can add nothing to the answer which I gave on the 8th instant, when I said:

"The Government have this matter under consideration, and an announcement of their decision will be made as soon as possible."

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state the present position with regard to the suggested appointment of a Canadian representative at Washington?

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

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the appointment is made it will be the beginning of a far-reaching constitutional change and will he not therefore take the House of Commons into his confidence in regard to it?

:I am quite aware of all the consequences, but this is not a new matter. There has been throughout the War a Canadian representative at Washington.

:Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Canadian representative at Washington was not a representative in the sense proposed according to the announcement made in the Dominion House of Commons?

:I have not seen the exact words, but the subject was discussed with the Canadian Prime Minister, and my hon. Friend may, I am sure, feel certain that it will not affect the relations of Canada and the United Kingdom.

:Will the right hon. Gentleman take this House into his confidence before the- step is actually taken, so that this House may know what sort of a step is going to be taken?

I do not quite follow. One of two things must happen. Either we refuse to allow Canada to do what they want, or we do not. I do not see how submitting the matter to the House of Commons can alter that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce the appointment of a British Ambassador to the United States of America?

I regret that I am not yet in a position, to state the name of the new Ambassador.

If I put a question down for Thursday, will the right hon. Gentleman answer it then?

I would rather that my hon. Friend would leave it to next week, when I hope that it will be possible to give the name of the gentleman.

What is the chief difficulty—finance or the man?

Neither; it is solely that the Government have felt that, in present circumstances, it is advisable to get the best man.

Will the appointment be given to one of the Ulster Members who has not already got one?

asked what is the actual net income from the State for a judge or Cabinet Minister whose salary is fixed at £5,000 per annum after Income Tax and Super-tax have been de- ducted; whether he will give the result also, in the case of the British Ambassador in Washington D.C.; assuming in both cases that there is no life insurance premium and that the gross private income is £1,000 per annum?

As regards the first part of the question, the taxpayer would, in the circumstances stated, be required to pay Income Tax and Super-tax amounting to £2,237 10s. for the present financial year. If the total tax were distributed pro rata between the salary and the private income, the proportion of tax applicable to the salary would be £1,864 11s. 8d., leaving £3,135 7s. 4d. out of £5,000.

Taking the taxable emoluments of the British Ambassador in Washington at the figure shown in the Estimates for the current year—namely, £2,500—the Ambassador would, on the assumptions indicated in the question, be required to pay Income Tax and Super-tax amounting to £l,162 10s. for the present financial year. If the total tax were distributed pro rata between the taxable emoluments and the private income, the proportion of tax applicable to the emoluments would be £830 7s. 1d., leaving £1,669 12s. 11d. out of the £2,500. In addition the Ambassador is paid a sum of £7,500 a year as "frais de representation, not taxable."

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state that the facilities tentatively promised for the Barristers and Solicitors (Qualification of Women) Bill will be granted during the present Session; and whether the Bill will be introduced as a Government measure?

I regret that I am not in a position to name a definite day.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that facilities will be given during the Autumn Session?

I have already promised to do my best in the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he received a telegram which was dispatched to Paris and Downing Street from the British Labour Party Conference at Southport protesting against the action of the British authorities in preventing two fraternal delegates from the French Socialist Party travelling to South- port to attend the Conference, and asking for an explanation; and, if so, can he state the reason why no reply or acknowledgement of any kind has been made to this telegram?

Telegrams were sent to both the Prime Minister and myself, but were not received until after the gentlemen referred to had returned to Paris.

Why, if the telegram was received late and so many people were waiting for a reply and are still waiting, was no reply sent?

The delay was one of those delays which occur frequently at present. I was going to Paris myself the morning after the telegram was sent. One of the gentlemen referred to spoke to me about it, and I told him I had not received the message, and he was already on his way back to Paris.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in order to enable old age pensioners to enjoy the Peace celebrations on 19th July, the Government will arrange for some additional sum to toe allowed to each pensioner in respect of the week beginning 18th July?

I would refer the right hon. Member to the reply which I gave on the 7th July to a similar question by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bow and Bromley.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will give the total amount of State Grants already made to highway authorities in connection with the road and bridge programme, 1919–20; and whether he can give the total estimated cost of the road and bridge improvement scheme now awaiting the final decision of the Road Board?

:The total Grants already made and promised to highway authorities in connection with the road and bridge programme 1919–20 now amount to £8,610,009. The total estimated cost of schemes for which applications have been received and on which no final decision has yet been communicated to the applicant authority amounts to £17,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether a provisional classification of the roads in England and Wales outside the administrative county of London and the county boroughs has been made by the Road Board; whether he is in a position to announce when the final classification will be proceeded with; and whether he will consider the desirability of extending the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on Local Taxation (1914) by classifying, in addition, the roads of Ireland and Scotland and the whole of the administrative counties and county boroughs?

:The Road Board were engaged on preparing a classification, but the work was suspended after the outbreak of war. I am not in a position to inform the hon. Member when the work will be resumed and completed. Consideration of the matter referred to in the latter part of the question must be deferred until the Ministry of Ways and Communications Bill has become law.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in connection with the Municipal Savings Bank Act, 1916, which municipalities have established savings banks under this Act; what are the amounts received by each on deposit; what interest they have paid; and what has been the cost of administration in each case?

The Birmingham Corporation is the only municipality which has established a savings bank under the provisions of the Municipal Savings Banks Act, 1916. From the opening of the Savings Bank on the 29th September, 1916, up to the 31st March last, £520,815 had been received from depositors, of which £327,983 remained on deposit at the latter date. The total amount of interest allowed to depositors to that date was. £13,276, and the total cost of administration £8,545.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the claims of Civil servants who retired be fore 1915 to a war bonus in addition to their pensions to meet the increased cost of living, especially having regard to the fact that those who retired since that year are now receiving these allowances?

:I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Plaistow.

:Is there a very large number of these people, and will it involve a very considerable cost if their demands are complied with, because there is a very great amount of dissatisfaction?

I shall be very pleased to get any information which my hon. Friend is able to supply.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his at- tention has been called to an advertisement in which the Board of Inland Revenue invite applications for permanent appointments as accountants in the Inland Revenue Department, but limit the appointments to members of certain societies of accountants only; whether this limitation unfairly debars many equally efficient and experienced professional accountants throughout the country, who are not members of these societies, from applying for or obtaining any of these appointments; and whether he can see his way to adopt the definition of accountant as set forth in Section 137 (c) of the Income Tax Act, 1918, and allow an application to be made by a person who has been admitted a member of an incorporated society of accountants, such applications to be considered equally on their merits with applications from members of the societies mentioned in the advertisement?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Having regard to the special nature of the work for which the accountants are required, I am unable to accept the suggestion made in the last part of the question.

asked the total amount of the subscriptions to the Victory Loan?

:Owing to the very large number of applications which have still to be dealt with by the banks, I cannot give the House any estimate of the result of the Loan at present. It may be possible to make a preliminary statement towards the end of the week. May I take this, the earliest possible opportunity, of expressing my most grateful thanks to all those who have assisted in the work on which I have been engaged, whether on the earth or in the air.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Departnment whether he is aware that widows of police officers who died or resigned on or before the 31st August, 1918, are debarred from receiving any pension; and whether, taking into consideration the excellent work that has always been rendered by the police force, he will reconsider this decision in order that all widows of police officers maybe placed in the same position as widows of officers who left the service on or after the 1st September last?

Pensions are at present being paid to widows of constables who died from injuries received in the execution of duty before September, 1918. I do not see my way to propose legislation for extending the benefits conferred by the Act of 1918 beyond the limits laid down by Parliament so recently as last year.

If the Home Office and the Government acknowledge that the widows of police officers who resigned from the service on or after 1st September, 1918, are entitled to consideration, is it contended that in the case of officers who resigned previous to that date widows are not entitled to the same assistance from the State?

That was the decision of Parliament only last year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the matter and see if some alteration cannot be made in order that these widows might be suitably looked after.

asked the Home Secretary how many interned and un-interned Germans, respectively, were deported against their will since 15th April, 1919, and how many interned and uninterned Germans, respectively, were granted exemption from repatriation since that date?

Since 15th April, 1919, about 1,400 Germans (including some British-born wives and children) have left this country. Of these, ninety men had been interned. It is difficult to give figures as to the state of mind in which these persons departed, but it may be taken, I think, that by far the greater part of them would have wished to remain in this country. Since the date named ninety-two exemptions from repatriation, have been granted to interned men on the advice of Mr. Justice Younger's Com- mittee; and the exemptions already granted in 1915 and onwards to uninterned men and women have remained in force— save for a few cases of revocation—no fresh ones being required.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that M. Fishel, a conscientious objector who is serving his third sentence, one of twelve months, hard labour, in Walton Prison, Liverpool, is suffering from a severe nervous breakdown; and whether he will call for a medical report on this man's health with a view to his release from prison on health grounds?

This man was released by the authority of the Army Council on the 25th June. The medical officer reports that at that time he showed no signs of mental or physical ill-health.

asked the Pensions Minister what is the total number of the paid staff at the headquarters, and at the various local centres, in the county of Hampshire, employed by the war pensions committees; and whether he will state how many of this paid staff are men, women, and discharged Service men?

The total number of the paid staff of the various war pensions committees in Hampshire is 127, of which 85 are women. Of the 42 men, 35 are ex-Service men.

What steps do the Ministry propose to take to get rid of these women, and to substitute discharged men? Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the Secretary of the Chief Pensions Committee at Winchester is a woman?