asked the Minister of Food whether the controlled price of cheese in Scotland is 2d. per 1b. less than in England; whether he will state the reasons for this differentiation; whether the price of Scottish cheese was fixed with the assent of the Scottish Board of Agriculture; and whether, in view of the increased cost of production, the high prices of feeding-stuffs, and the scarcity of pasture now obtaining in Scotland, he will now reconsider his decision in regard to this matter?

The price per lb. of cheese is obtained by adding 2d. to the wholesale price per gallon of milk, and, apart from the special provision for the recent drought in England, the average price of cheese for the summer months is the same for both England and Scotland. At the request of the Scottish producers. the monthly prices for milk in Scotland were varied from the English monthly prices so that, though the average price throughout the summer was the same, the prices in the two countries differed from month to month. The principle on which the price of cheese is arrived at was accepted by the Board of Agriculture in Scotland.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether it is intended to apply to revolutionary orators in Ireland the same measures of discipline as have been applied to revolutionary orators in England; whether he is aware that speeches inciting to direct action by force of arms were made on 12th July; and whether any ex-Ministers or Privy Councillors are granted special privileges in this connection when speaking in Ireland?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answers which were given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on Monday and to-day.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland is now the responsible authority for enforcing the Food Control Orders for Ireland; was this Department constituted in the interests of producers only; having regard to the decision of the Cabinet recently announced to prolong the existence of the Food Ministry, will he reestablish the Food Control Committee for Ireland and revoke the Order transferring the functions of that Committee to the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, which is not regarded as capable of acting in the interests of the consumer; and, if so, whether he will make provision for direct representation of the workers on the new Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and that to the second part is in the negative. It is not thought that the interest in production of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland adversely affects its power to enforce the Orders of my Department in that country.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the three members of the Socialist party who were imprisoned in Belfast have been on hunger strike; whether they will be treated as political prisoners; and whether, in view of the excessive terms of imprisonment to which they were sentenced, he will now take steps to have them released?

Two of these men have been released. The case of the third is under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that orphans of men who have died on service who enter Greenwich Hospital School have their pensions paid into Greenwich Hospital fund instead of to the widow or guardian; whether he is aware that the boys have still to be supported during the holidays, and that petty officers and men who are in receipt of regular wages obtain the privilege of Greenwich School for their sons free of charge; and why this discrimination is made in the case of orphans of men who have died on service, so that the money is not paid to their widow, seeing that the funds of Greenwich Hospital were established, among other purposes, for the support of widows of seamen?

My hon. and gallant Friend is incorrect in his impression that the orphans of men who have died on service, who enter the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich, have their pensions paid into the funds of Greenwich Hospital. The education and maintenance of boys in the Royal Hospital School is in all cases entirely free of any charge upon the parents or guardians, and pensions in respect of any such boys are not paid to the funds of Greenwich Hospital. There is, therefore, no such discrimination as is implied in the question. Moreover, I understand from the Ministry of Pensions that State pensions are issued for any holidays that a boy may spend at home.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, now that Peace has been signed, ha can see his way clear to endeavour to arrange that all dockyard apprentices serving with the forces can be released, having regard to the importance of their training?

The release of men from the Army is entirely a matter for the Army Council. I am advised that the release is dependent on whether or not a man is eligible under existing Regulations, and that the War Office can make no exception in favour of students or apprentices. The attention of my hon. Friend is drawn to the statement of the Secretary of State for War on the 25th February, in replying to the hon. Member for the Scottish Universities.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that the slowness of promotion, and the failure to issue the Report on this subject promised in this House on 18th April, 1918, is causing dissatisfaction among the sick-berth staff of the Navy; if he is aware that this branch has to serve, on the average, seventeen years before attaining chief petty officer rank; and whether he can make any statement on the subject?

The Report of the Committee referred to is receiving consideration, and it is hoped that such alterations in conditions of service of the sick-berth branch as may be approved will be promulgated shortly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any proposals are under consideration to enable lieutenants who have been mates to become eligible for promotion to the rank of lieutenant-commander at the same age as other executive officers, in view of the fact that under present conditions their age precludes them from reaching any higher rank than that of commander?

Promotion to rank of lieut.-commander is by seniority and not by age. Officers promoted from the rank of mate are not precluded by age from reaching ranks above that of commander, and no alteration in present Regulations is contemplated.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the special circumstances attending the loss of the Royal Mail steamer "Leinster," and the many interests affected thereby, he can now see his way to hold an inquiry into this matter, in view of the fact that Peace having being signed the reason given on 15th, 24th, and 30th October, 1918, that such inquiry would not be in the public interest does not now apply, and that the holding of such an inquiry would be but an act of justice to those who have suffered so much through this loss?

I think my hon. and gallant Friend has had an opportunity of reading the statement which was made on Monday in another place by the Civil Lord. He will, I think, agree that that statement, together with the several answers given in this House at the time of the loss of the "Leinster," covers pretty completely all matters concerning the loss of the vessel with which we have any association. Our view is that no really useful purpose would be served now by setting up an inquiry into the loss of the ship.

asked the Secretary of State for War bow much motor spirit or petrol is being kept in hand by the War Office; what the monthly amount used is and what the purpose of keeping this supply is; and is he aware that a great deal of tonnage space and storage space is being wasted by the Government policy?

On the 1st July last 110,000 tons of motor spirit or petrol were held by the War Office. The estimated monthly consumption is 14,000 tons. The stock held was accumulated to meet the requirements of the Armies in the field and no reduction could justifiably be made until after the signing and ratification of the Peace Treaty. The future estimated requirements of the Army have been under review, and any surplus stock will be released as early as possible.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the English troops in Baku were paid on 1st June at the rate of 200 roubles to the £ when the local exchange was 270 roubles to the £, and on 15th June at the rate of 250 roubles when the local exchange was 330: whether it is the fact that much dissatisfaction exists owing to these underpayments; and if he will take steps to ascertain who is profiting by the difference in exchange and to ensure that the troops receive the full value of their pay in future?

I was not aware of it, but I am having inquiry made, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can expedite the demobilisation, on compassionate grounds, of Private A. Maybourne, No. 227977, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, Auxiliary Petrol Company, British Expeditionary Force, France, whose mother, a widow entirely dependent on him for support, is certified by her doctor to be confined to bed with illness with no prospect of being able to move for a considerable time, and who has living with her a very delicate daughter with an infant in arms?

From the particulars given by my hon. Friend, Private May-bourne's case does not fall within any of the categories prescribed in the instructions governing releases on compassionate grounds, and I regret that I cannot authorise his release under those Regulations. The soldier could, however, make application to his commanding officer for special leave, which I think would meet the case.

asked the Secretary of State for War what prospect there is of the early demobilisation of Private D. Ravine, No. 322017, Special Factory Section, Royal Engineers, A.P.O. S 73, British Expeditionary Force, France; and, in view of the fact that this soldier on joining the Colours had to close down a prosperous business in a working-class district, the reopening of which would be to the public advantage, and also in view of the fact that he is thirty-six years of age and that his brother, an electrical engineer, has been totally disabled by shell-shock, whether steps can be taken to expedite Ravine's discharge from the Army?

If Private Ravine's case comes within the new instructions recently issued, making provision for the release of certain one-man business owners on compassionate grounds, and my hon. Friend will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars certified as set out in the said instructions, the case will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can expedite the discharge from, the Army of Gunner S. W. Read, No. 169497, Royal Field Artillery, Victoria Barracks, Athlone, whose services are urgently needed by his father, who has an extensive dairy business, ministering to the needs of a considerable population in Whitstable, which he, the father, has been carrying on with difficulty during his son's absence with the Colours, but which he has not the strength to continue longer without the assistance of his son?

Gunner Read is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release, and in the absence of particulars of this soldier's age, length of service, etc., I am unable to state whether he is eligible for demobilisation. If he is eligible, he will be released in accordance with the instructions recently issued making provision for the early release of men eligible for demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Gunner L. Grant, No. 227665, Royal Field Artillery, and to the fact that the Ministry of Labour recommended him for special release on 15th January last; and whether, under recent Regulations, he is now entitled to demobilisation?

Gunner Grant is not registered by the War Office either as pivotal or for special release. I am also informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. The recommendation referred to by my hon. Friend was apparently a contract offer of employment, which alone does not render him eligible for demobilisation. With regard to the last part of the question, unless Gunner Grant is eligible for demobilisation under current Regulations, his release is not provided for in the Instructions referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the fact that an error was made in the local Labour Exchange in dealing with the case of Driver J. E. Glaholm. No. 248901, B Battery, 50th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, Solingen, Germany, he will consider the application for his demobilisation on compassionate grounds?

If Driver Glaholm's case comes within the instructions recently issued making provision for the release of certain one-man business owners on compassionate grounds, and my hon. and gallant Friend will obtain a statement giving full facts and particulars certified as set out in the said instructions, the case will be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if H.C. IJ. Rook, No. 410106, F Section, Chingford Aerodrome, who enlisted in January, 1915, in the Royal Army Medical Corps and since his return from overseas has been transferred to the Medical Section, Royal Air Force, has been notified as eligible for demobilisation but, owing to his employment as a hospital orderly, has not yet been released; and whether, in view of the fact that Rook's wife is in a precarious state of health, he will give instructions that Rook's discharge be expedited?

Inquiries are being made, and I will acquaint my hon. Friend with the result with the least possible delay.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private H. Hartley, No. 68786, of the 1st King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who enlisted on 5th February, 1919, for two years, and who signed Army Form B 2514–6, applicable to stations at home and abroad other than India, is now under orders for embarkation to India; whether he is aware that this man and others who have signed Army Form B 2514–6 consider it a breach of faith on the part of the Government to send them to India; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

Army Form B 2514–6 was drawn up for the re-enlistment of men serving at stations at home and abroad other than India, but did not in any way limit the liability of such men to service only at these stations. The words "other than India" were inserted in the heading to ensure the correct form being used; a separate form being in use for men serving in India. The general conditions of the contract entered into by the soldier on re-enlistment are given at some length in the body of the form. By these terms the men engage to serve as soldiers of the Regular Forces and as such they are liable under the Army Act to serve in any part of the world.

asked the Secretary of State for War why soldiers who are category A 1 and liable for service overseas, but who are retained at home to perform services in connection with demobilisation, are not granted a free railway warrant every six months?

Under existing Regulations soldiers serving in the United Kingdom who are liable for service abroad may be given leave with free railway warrants at the end of three months' service, and thereafter at intervals of six months, provided they are not living with their families.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, having regard to the great expenses incurred by members of the Corps of Military Masseuses for lodging, board, and travailing during the War, and to the good work done by them, a war bonus will be granted to them on terms similar to the terms of the bonus granted to members of the Voluntary Aid Detachments?

The expenses incurred by these masseuses have been considered in fixing their pay. I am afraid I can hold out no hope of a war gratuity, to which I understand the question to refer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the Estimate for 1919–20 for airship construction and management; and whether he will state the policy of his Department in respect to this branch of air work, either from a military or from a commercial standpoint?

Expenditure on airship construction for the current year is, under present arrangements, borne on Admiralty Votes. The question of future policy is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether steps will be taken to grant the same travelling warrants given to serving soldiers to discharged sailors and soldiers now in hospitals, nursing, and convalescent homes, and similar institutions to enable those whose health permits to visit their homes during the coming Peace celebrations, and which in many cases they are most anxious to do, but which in many instances will be impossible unless some travelling facilities are granted them, especially when the institution in which they are being treated is some distance from their homes?

:The answer is in the affirmative. Arrangements are being made so that all discharged disabled men in military or civil institutions, who are fit to travel, shall be able to return to their homes for the Peace celebrations. Their railway fares will be paid, and a sum of 10s. will be given to each man for subsistence and out-of-pocket expenses. A Grant is also being made to all institutions where disaibled men are under treatment in order that those who are unable to return home may be given extra privileges and fare.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can make any announcement with regard to the opening of shops on the day preceding the Peace celebrations; and whether any action is contemplated concerning the Thursday half holdiay?

The Early Closing Order has been suspended as regards Friday. No Order can be made to suspend the Thursday half-holiday, but, under the general provisions of the Shop Act, a shop which is closed on Saturday may be kept open on the previous half-holiday.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Private H. M. Hopkins, No. 6292, 5th Middlesex Regiment, whose left arm is incapacitated through a wound sustained on active service, is eligible for disability pension; and, if so, will he give instructions for such pension to be paid to Hopkins without delay?

On transfer to Class Z of the Army Reserve, Private Hopkins claimed to be suffering from a disablement due to gunshot wound of the right shoulder, but the medical report showed that no disablement then existed from the wound. In these circumstances he was not eligible for pension. If, however, he claims to be now incapacitated by reason of the wound, he should apply to his local war pensions committee, who will arrange for him to be examined by their medical referee. If the referee certifies there is some disablement existing from the wound, the committee have power to grant recoverable advances pending the decision of the Ministry.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that the War Office, through the Post Office Department, asked for volunteers for the Royal Engineers, Postal and Signals Section, in 1914, and such volunteers were offered by a Post Office Circular, dated the 29th September, 1914, full civil pay while serving with the Colours, in addition to Army pay and allowances; is he aware that in Pamphlet No. 7, issued by the Minister of Reconstruction, it was stated that gratuity would be paid to all men who had joined the Army since the 4th of August, 1914, with certain specified exceptions; and why men who volunteered on the terms of the Post Office Circular above-mentioned are deprived of gratuity on the ground that they received civil pay while serving in the Army, not withstanding the assurance in the Circular that such civil pay would be in addition to Army pay and allowances?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 9th July to the hon. Member for Central Nottingham. As regards the second part, the pamphlet referred to, while giving generally correct information about the benefits granted to soldiers, has no claim to be an authority for the issue of any emoluments.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that F. H. Bergrove, aged fifty-six, of 66, Lawrence Road, White Hart Lane, Tottenham, who was discharged in 1884, having lost five joints off his left hand, is only receiving 6d. per day for life, and he has been through this War and was discharged with no increase of pension; and will he inquire into his case?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. I am having inquiry made, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that of sixty-two discharged soldiers who had been given employment at the National Aircraft Factory No. 1 at Waddon, after a course of training, all but twenty-two had been dismissed by the 23rd June last, although men who have not seen a day's military service, and many women, are still retained in good positions; that sums amounting in some cases to –20 per head, which had been advanced by the Ministry of Pensions to set these men up in tools, have been practically wasted in consequence; that owing to the inadequacy of the training these men had received, followed by only a few months' engagement on repetition work, they are now greatly handicapped in their search for employment; and whether it would be more in accord with the avowed policy of the Government to discharge, first of all, some of the women and men who had not served, and instead of dismissing the discharged disabled men to have given them the option of transfer to an ordnance or other suitable establishment where they could have been put under competent instructors for the completion of their training?

At the date of the Armistice there were forty-seven disabled discharged soldiers employed at the Waddon National Aircraft Factory who had been trained under the Government scheme prior to their engagement. Since that date eleven have left of their own accord, one was discharged for misconduct, and thirteen have been discharged owing to a reduction of staff rendered necessary by the discontinuance of certain work at the factory. As regards the men. who were discharged, this action was only taken after a committee appointed by the ex-Service men and the shop stewards bad satisfied themselves that the men in question were incapable of performing the work done by any of the women and non-Service men retained. So far as I am aware, none of these trained disabled men were supplied with tools by the Ministry of Pensions, the necessary tools being provided by the factory. I believe everything possible has been done to provide disabled men with suitable employment in the factory, but I should point out since the Armistice it has been necessary to reduce the total number of employés from 3,036 to 735. Of the present staff of 601 men, 277 are ex-Service men. There are obvious difficulties in the adoption of my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion that disabled men should in such circumstances have the option given them of transfer to another Government establishment, but I will consider it and see whether anything can be done.

asked the President of the Board of Education what is the cause of the delay in carrying out the necessary work at the Carlyle and Sloane schools, Chelsea, which were during the War used as military hospitals; and whether the schools will be ready to receive pupils at the beginning of the autumn term?

These schools were evacuated and the hospital equipment removed in April last. The Board made representations to the military authorities in May, and again at the beginning of July, point- ing out the importance of the schools being ready to reopen in autumn, and urging that the work of repairs and reinstatements should be completed with all possible expedition. I hope that this will be effected and the school premises be in full working order before the beginning of the autumn term.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, during the current financial year of the Board, he is prepared to waive the Regulation in the Code which requires every school to be open at least 400 times per year, in order to allow for an extra holiday as a means of celebrating the signing of Peace?

The answer is in the affirmative. I am sending a Circular to the local education authorities and school governing bodies on the subject.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether representations have been made to him regarding the inadequacy, in view of the rise in prices, of the pensions of retired elementary teachers: and whether he is in a position to make recommendations to the Treasury on the subject?

I do not think that the position of retired teachers can be considered separately from the position of other retired public servants or pensioners, and I am not in a position to make any statement on the question of augmenting their pensions.

asked the President of the Board of Education what decision has been taken, if any, concerning the amount and conditions of maintenance Grants for secondary school pupils; whether he is prepared to advance or pay to local authorities half the cost of all maintenance Grants which such authorities may decide to pay; whether any Circulars or Regulations have been, or will be, pub- lished on this matter; and whether any other Department than the Board of Education is concerned in dispensing maintenance Grants?

I am glad to be able to inform the hon. Member that the Government have assented to the principle that the State should contribute 50 per cent. of the expenditure of local education authorities upon the provision of maintenance allowances tenable at institutions of higher education under arrangements approved by the Board of Education. It has not, however, been, found possible to make provision for such contribution in this year's Estimates. The question is receiving very active consideration, and I hope to set up a Committee to inquire into the existing provision of maintenance allowances and advise me as to its improvement and extension. So far as I am aware, the only other Government Department besides the Board of Education which makes Grants for maintenance of school children is the Ministry of Pensions, which makes Grants for the maintenance of children of killed and disabled soldiers and sailors and serving soldiers and sailors.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any further information to communicate to the House regarding the situation in Afghanistan and the negotiations between the Amir and the Governor-General in Council?

As I have already stated, I am about to lay Papers on this subject.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any and, if so, what action has been taken in respect of the future extension to Burma of such constitutional reforms as may be introduced into the other provinces of British India?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a similar question put by him on the 26th February. I am awaiting a reply from the Government of India to a telegraphic inquiry I addressed to them recently as to the present position of the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether an amending Bill to the Dentists' Act, 1878, is in course of preparation; it so, whether this Bill will appoint, in accordance with the recommendations of the Departmental Committee of Dentistry, an ad hoc committee to inquire into the eligibility of unregistered dentists for registration; whether the personnel of this ad hoc committee has already been decided upon; whether the Incorporated Dental Society, Limited, will have representatives upon it and how many; and whether he can state why the National Dental Association, an organisation which represents at the present moment over 800 unregistered dental practitioners, who each, by the terms of his agreement with the association on assuming membership, undertakes not to canvass or advertise for patients, and makes a declaration that he has been in practice for a period of five years as a dental assistant or practitioner wholly engaged in operations on the month before 5th February, 1919, has not been accorded equality of treatment with the Incorporated Dental Society, Limited?

No, Sir, most of the proposals referred to in the Report of the Committee must form part of the general scheme for improved health services for the nation which the Ministry of Health are concerned to develop as soon as possible, but there has not yet been sufficient time to work out such a scheme, nor to consider adequately the various recommendations of the Committee in question as regards dental registration. The other points in the question therefore do not arise.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the number of accidents, many of them fatal, that have occurred which are directly attributable to the carrying of passengers upon the carriers of motor bicycles, owing to which practice the driver cannot have proper control of the machine, and the consequent danger to the public, he will, in view of the increasing number of motor bicycles coming on the roads, consider the desirability of so amending the Motor Car Acts as to constitute the practice referred to an offence and punishable accordingly?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question of the hon. Member for Edmonton and Keighley on the 30th June.

asked the Home Secretary if he will give the official account of the case of Ernest Taylor, who, while employed as an assistant warder at His Majesty's Prison, Wands worth, on 20th May, 1904, was, during the performance of his duties, struck on the head by a prisoner with a sledge hammer, causing depressed fracture of the skull, and completely incapacitating him for twelve months; and, seeing that due to his inability to work this man is in a desperate and starving condition, can he see his way to make a special Grant?

On the 28th April, 1908, the then Home Secretary, in reply to a question in this House, said that the case had been repeatedly considered by him and his predecessor, who found themselves unable to accept the view that Taylor's condition was due to an injury inflicted on him while on duty in Wands worth Prison. Since 1908 no facts have been adduced to-make such a view more tenable; and I regret that it is not possible to make any Grant as the hon. Member suggests.

asked the Home Secretary whether, in connection with a demonstration to be organised by the National League of the Blind in Hyde Park on 17th August, a permit for a street collection en route has been refused; whether he can state the reason for refusal in this particular case; and whether the decision can be reconsidered?

I am informed that the fact is as stated in the first paragraph of the question. I am inquiring into the circumstances, and will communicate-further with the hon. Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that many coal consumers who purchase in quantities of 1 cwt. or less are apprehensive of being charged more than the rise of 6s. per ton; and if he can allay such apprehensions by stating that coal retailers will only be allowed to increase the prices of small quantities in proportion to the advance of 6s. per ton?

In the event of the pithead price of coal being increased by 6s. per ton, the increased charge which coal retailers will be permitted to make on this account will be 3½d. per cwt. where small quantities are concerned. The Household Fuel and Lighting Order provides for the corresponding prices of quantities less than 1 cwt.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that an increase of 6s. a ton in the price of coal would add upwards of£73,000 a year to the cost of carrying on the gas and electricity departments of the Nottingham Corporation, with the result that considerable additions would be necessary to the rates prevailing in the city, while the export trade of the county in coal would be almost destroyed, and the poor would be unable to keep warm in the winter; and whether these cogent circumstances will receive due consideration as well as the demands of the miners?

My right hon. Friend referred in his statement on Monday to the serious consequences of the increase of coal prices on the cost of production of gas and electricity and on the export trade, and to the hardship which will be caused to consumers generally. I can only express the hope that the result of the proposals which were made on Monday will be to secure a material increase in output and a corresponding reduction in costs of production and prices.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish an estimate as to the amount that it would be necessary to add to the price of coal in London to cover an economic charge for railway transit and cartage?

I am not in a position to supply such an estimate, which must depend on various considerations. The cartage of coal from the stations is not undertaken by the railway companies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he contemplates any relaxation of the restriction by which passengers on the railways are only allowed to have with them luggage not weighing more than 100 lbs.?

This matter has already been considered, but I regret that it has not been found practicable at present to relax the restriction referred to.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now inform the House what are the very definite steps which on 7th July he said were being taken with reference to the coastal trade?

I am afraid that I cannot at present make any statement on this matter.

asked the Postmaster-General what additional charge for rent, if any, has been incurred by the postal authorities in respect of the premises hitherto used as the post office on Kew Green since or in consequence of the resignation of the late sub-postmistress on 9th March last; whether any postal authority or person in the employment of the Post Office is the lessee of these premises; if so, how much longer the lease has to run; what additional staff, if any, has been employed at this office since 9th March and at what cost; and if instructions have been issued to the postal authorities at Richmond or elsewhere to take prompt and adequate steps to secure continuation of the postal facilities hitherto enjoyed by the residents in the Kew Green district?

A temporary payment at the rate of£40 a year is being made for the use of the premises referred to, but they are not held under a formal agreement. The staff now employed consists of an established sorting clerk and telegraphist on loan from, the Richmond Post Office and a part-time assistant. The cost of maintaining the office under these arrangements exceeds the payment that would be made to a sub-postmaster by approximately£100 per annum. As regards the last part of the question, I beg to draw the hon. Member's attention to the answer which my right hon. Friend gave him in this House on the 9th instant.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is responsible for the wages, hours, and conditions of caretaker-operators or whether these matters are disposed of by the interposition of a sub-contractor; whether he employs a girl operator seventeen years of age at Stone house, Gloucester, whose hours of duty are 8 p.m. to 4.30 a.m. every night in the week, with additional duty every Sunday, the Sunday attendance being 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and 1.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. alternatively; whether the wages paid, inclusive of war bonus, amount to 11s. per week; and whether, in the interests of national economy, he will inquire whether such a payment is justified?

Caretaker operators are paid a fixed weekly remuneration for providing the necessary attendance at small telephone exchanges during the hours when the traffic is light. In addition to this they are allowed free quarters. Personal attendance is not required; and caretaker operators are at liberty to make their own arrangements with the staff whom they employ. I have no knowledge of the case referred to.

the Postmaster-General if, in view of his statement that seven new cables will be constructed immediately, one of these cables will be diverted to Bristol in order that the great delays which have arisen in the delivery of telegrams in the West and South-West of England may be in some degree mitigated by the increased facilities which would thereby be given to the community in those areas?

The new cables referred to are mainly for telephone purposes. One of the cables is to be laid between London and Bristol. Bristol already has a telegraph cable from London, which gives a good telegraph service to that city and to other towns in the South-west of England.

asked the Postmaster-General if any steps are being taken to ensure the earlier delivery of the morning mails at West Mailing, Kent, the present delivery, notwithstanding that the hour of arrival of the mail train has not been altered, being more than an hour later than previous to February last, so that in parts of the town letters are delivered as late as 9.45?

Arrangements are being made to restore the pre-war hour of the morning delivery at West Mailing. Since the introduction of reduced hours of working for railway servants on the 1st of February last, and consequent alterations of train services, it has been necessary for the mails to be kept at the railway station from an early hour in the morning until seven o'clock, and delivery has consequently been made over an hour later than it was before that date.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware of the dissatisfaction at Sturry, near Canterbury, with the inefficiency of the postal service there; that there are only two deliveries instead of three as formerly, and those two very irregular, the bags having to be fetched from Canterbury by bicycle; that the service, which was more efficient during the War than it is now, deteriorated after September, 1918, when the mail van between Canterbury and Herne Bay was discontinued; and whether he will take steps to restart this mail van and to improve generally the postal service and the facilities for Post Office business at Sturry

As my right hon. Friend has already stated, tenders have been invited for a motor service between Canterbury and Herne Bay, and I hope it will be possible shortly to restore it.

asked the Postmaster-General whether there has been an increase in the complaints of delay regarding telegrams transmitted from abroad, and particularly from France, Belgium, and Italy; whether he is aware that covering business letters posted in France at the same time as telegrams are sent ate frequently being delivered in this country before the telegrams; and whether he will make representations to the postal departments or other authorities of the foreign Governments concerned on this matter?

I am aware that there is considerable delay upon telegrams transmitted from France, Belgium, and Italy, and I have already made representations to the telegraph administrations concerned. I understand that the delay. is due to the interruption of land lines, to the shortage of staff, and to great pressure of traffic, as the result of which it has frequently been necessary to send considerable numbers of telegrams by post in order to obviate the greater delay which would arise if they were retained for transmission by wire. The foreign administrations have assured me that they are doing their best to improve the service.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the fact that information has been furnished to the Ministry by the Amalgamated Society of Operative Lace Makers to the effect that operatives, among whom are discharged soldiers, have been thrown out of employment as the result of the sale of Nottingham lace machines to France, he will fulfil his promise to hold an immediate inquiry regarding such sales?

I am already making inquiries in this matter, and will let the Noble Lord know the result as soon as I am in a position to do so. Meanwhile it would assist me if the Amalgamated Society of Operative Lace Makers would furnish me with any specific instances in which they hold that the sale of Nottingham lace machines to France has had the direct effect of throwing workpeople out of employment.

asked the First Commissioner of Works by what arrangement with the trade unions concerned the men who commence work before the usual starting time must leave work earlier in order to avoid overtime; if he is aware that the conditions of all trade unions are that if any man commences work before the usual starting time it is counted as overtime; and with what trade unions such arrangements were made?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the negotiations which have recently taken place between my Department and certain trade unions with regard to the hours of men. working in these buildings who are required at times to commence work at 6 a.m. It has now been arranged that the men in question shall work a forty-seven-hour week, overtime rate being paid in respect of any portion of that time worked between 6 and 7.30 a.m.