asked whether Mr. Sasonoff, Mr. Milhuikoff, and Mr. Tereshchenko, former Foreign Ministers of Russia, are now, or recently have been, in London; whether each, or any, of these Russian gentlemen have been, or now are, in communication with the Foreign Office since 11th November, 1918; and, if so, whether any statement can be made of the negotiations or communications which have passed?

Of the three gentleman named, Mr. Milhiukoff is understood to be at present in London, while Mr. Sasonoff and Mr. Tereshchenko are believed to have been in London recently. Mr. Sasonoff paid a call at the Foreign Office in the course of his visit. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked when a decision may be given as to whether the British Government will recognise, attach diplomatic representatives to, and permit trade to commence with the Kolchak Government, the Bolshevist Government, or both?

As regards the question of recognition of Admiral Kolchak's Government, I fear I cannot give my hon. and gallant Friend the information he desires. The question of the recognition of the Russian Soviet Government has not arisen. I would, however, point out that His Majesty's Government are in relations with Admiral Kolchak, being represented in Siberia by a High Commissioner, and that trade is allowed with the territory under Admiral Kolchak's control.

Is it not a fact that German enterprise has already taken over the management of the railways in parts of Bolshevist Russia, and have not large concessions been granted to neutrals?

There is another question on the subject of German enterprise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that M. Sasonoff was Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Czarist Government in Russia, and is now Minister for Foreign Affairs under the Kolchak Government, he can state if the policy of the Kolchak Government is similar to that of the Czarist regime?

I do not think I can do better than to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the Notes exchanged between the Allied Governments and Admiral Kolchak, in which the views of Admiral Kolchak in regard to the reconstitution of Russia are fully explained. It will be seen that they are in no way similar to those of the old regime.

Is it not a fact that Sasonoff is anathema to the other Russian representatives in Europe, and that his views do not always agree with the views of Kolchak?

I cannot express any opinion as to the effect of Sasonoff's views.

asked if anyone is carrying out the duties of representative of the Bolshevist Government in England in place of M. Litvinoff; and, if so, who?

The answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

Is it not a fact that the Bolshevist Government has communicated with certain gentlemen in this country, and that some of these communications have reached the Foreign Office? Will the hon. Gentleman make inquiries whether that is a fact, and either disregard all these communications or recognise the Bolshevist Government, and not have this dilly dallying on one side or the other?

I do not know that there is any official communication. If the hon. Gentleman has any information perhaps he will supply particulars.

Will the hon. Gentleman take steps to arrest these Bolshevist agents?

asked the Foreign Secretary whether the policy to recognise no Russian Government which could not speak for the whole of the former Imperial Russia of the Czar has been abandoned; if so, on what date; whether any definite declaration of intentions or policy in this connection can be referred to; whether any Russian Government at the present time does actually speak for the whole of Imperial Russia or claims to do so; and, if so, what that Government is; and whether it has any representative in London?

The answer to the first, second, and third parts of the hon. Member's question is that His Majesty's Government have never decided not to recognise any Russian Government which could not speak for the whole of the former Imperial Russian Empire. The answer to the fourth part is in the negative. The fifth and sixth do not, consequently, arise.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether trade is permitted with Southern Russia and the Ukraine through Odessa and other Black Sea ports; and whether there are any British Diplomatic and Consular representatives in the Ukraine and the Caucasus respectively?

Trade is not permitted with those parts of Southern Russia or the Ukraine which are under the control of the Soviet Government. Trade is not only permitted, but is actively encouraged, by His Majesty's Government with part of the districts under General Denikin's control. For further particulars on this head, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the official announcement which appeared in the Press on the the 20th June.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of efforts being made by the German Government to enter into trade relations with Soviet Russia; whether a German industrial and commercial mission has visited Soviet Russia; and what steps will be taken to safeguard the interests of British merchants and traders in Northern Soviet Russia and to enable them to compete in Russian markets?

Although I have no exact information, I believe it to be the case that the German Government are endeavouring to enter into trade relations with Soviet Russia, and that a German industrial and commercial mission has visited or is about to visit Soviet Russia. I am not in a position to make any statement in regard to the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

Are we in a position to stop Germans trading in Soviet Russia in the same way as our merchants are stopped from trading in that most lucrative market?

This question is under the immediate attention of the delegates in Paris.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that Private A. F. Titlow, No. 6582, 1st Norfolk Regiment, residing at 53, Ribston Road, Downall, Sheffield, is a victim of tuberculosis; that he is receiving a pension of 13s. 9d., plus 7s. l1d. for three children who all attend school; that he is unable to follow his employment; that Mrs. Titlow is now a victim of the disease; and whether he will cause his pension to be immediately increased and further expedite Private Titlow's application to be found work upon a poultry farm?

When examined by a medical board in April last, Private Titlow was found to be incapacitated to the extent of 50 per cent. No application for increase on his behalf has hitherto been received, but in the circumstances the local war pensions committee have been asked to have the soldier examined by their medical referee, and if he certifies that the disablement has increased from the original cause, the committee will at once issue recoverable advances pending the final decision of the Ministry. I have not been able to trace any application to the Ministry of Employment.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that delays in the Pensions Issue Office are as great as ever; and when the promised improvement may be expected?

The work at the Pensions Issue Office is not generally in arrear. There are now about 1,400,000 pensions in issue, and, of course, errors are made by individual clerks. The effort to prevent and correct errors is continuous.

Is it not a fact that considerable delay has taken place between the sanction of the award and the actual issue of the pension? Will the hon. Gentleman remedy this delay?

I am not aware that there is any delay generally. I am not suggesting that there is not delay in some individual cases. I do not think that there is any delay generally as suggested by my hon. Friend, but I will look into it.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the widow of Private J. W. Burton, No. 74858, Middlesex Regiment, has been applying in vain to the Pensions Issue Office since October, 1918; that this man was granted a pension of £l per week for twenty-five weeks, which expired a few days before he died, and was therefore not renewed; and when a decision may be expected in this case?

The late Private Burton's disability has not been accepted as due to or aggravated by service. He was granted a gratuity of £35 paid to him in weekly instalments. An appeal lodged against the decision raised questions requiring considerable investigation which is now completed and the Appeal Tribunal will hear the case at an early date.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state what is the salary of the president and members respectively of the reassessment boards; whether any pro vision is made to grant holidays to these medical men; and how many doctors have applied for posts under the Ministry of Pensions within the last month?

Presidents of resurvey boards are whole-time officials, whose salaries vary from £650 to £800. Other members are part-time officials paid at the rate of £1 1s. for a session of two and a half hours. All the salaried officials, who are whole-time servants of the Ministry, are entitled to holidays with pay in accordance with the regulations. During the past month 321 medical men have applied for posts in the Ministry of Pensions.

Does the hon. Gentleman think that salaries such as he mentioned are sufficient to attract men of the highest ability, and is there now a shortage of medical personnel to be employed?

As there have been 321 applications from medical men during the last month, the hon. Gentleman will realise that the salaries are sufficient to attract men of capacity and standing.

Will the hon. Gentleman give special attention to applications from officers who have been in the Royal Army Medical Corps?

Preference is given in the appointment of medical men first to those who have been overseas, second to those who have given up their practices at home, and, third, to the ordinary civilian practitioner.

asked the Pensions Minister if he will state the average number of cases dealt with per day per head of staff employed by the Pensions Ministry?

So many operations are involved in the award, issue and continued payment of a pension that it is impossible to give any average output per head of the staff which would not be misleading. The staff of the Ministry consists of approximately 15,000 persons. In the month of May, the awards branches, with a staff of 6,000, gave decisions in over 250,000 cases, and the number of pensions in payment at the end of the same month was 1,300,000. In addition to its other work, the Department deals with an enormous amount of correspondence, upwards of 500,000 letters being received every week.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that the income Tax Commissioners have no authority to give effect to the Government's decision to issue disability pensions and gratuities free of Income Tax until the Finance Bill has been passed, he will arrange that special permission shall be granted pending the necessary legislation?

My hon. and gallant Friend is under a misapprehension. After the announcement on the 13th February, that it was proposed to seek authority to exempt disability pensions and gratuities from Income Tax, arrangements were made that, pending legislative sanction for the proposed relief, Income Tax should not be deducted in respect of the pensions and gratuities in question.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether, in order to alleviate possible hardship, and with a view to the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Private Thomas Cowan, late No. 146229, Royal Engineers, now living at 1, Park Lane, Kilmarnock, who was demobilised on the 23rd December, 1918, and who, up to the present, has been unable to obtain payment of his war gratuity; (2) whether, in order to alleviate possible hardship, and with a view to the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Private A. S. Queen, No. 365711, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, now living at 7, Dean Lane, Kilmarnock, whose war gratuity was deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank on the 19th March on remittance roll No. 253/B series due for deposit on the 1st April, 1919, but up to the present has been unable to obtain payment of same?

A warrant was sent to Private Cowan on the 14th instant. As regards the other question, no soldier with the name and number quoted appears on the remittance roll mentioned by the hon. Member, or is known to the regimental paymaster concerned.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in order to alleviate possible hardship, and with a view to the removal of a legitimate grievance, he will have inquiry made into the case of Pioneer H. B. Seymour, No. 129343, G Special Company, Royal Engineers, Special Brigade, British Expeditionary Force, who was demobilised on 13th February, 1919, and whose war gratuity has been handed to the Controller of the Post Office Savings Bank, under remittance roll No. 20/188, on 22nd February, 1919, but up to the present has been unable to obtain payment of the same?

Pioneer Seymour's gratuity book and green card were duly dispatched but he has apparently changed his address, as the card was returned undelivered. The Savings Bank Department are now endeavouring to get into touch with him.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that, on the 25th March, 1914, it was stated that the Postmaster-General and the Secretary of State for War had recommended the Treasury to grant the claim of the K Company men; and whether, seeing that an impartial body has given a verdict in favour of the men, he will take steps to do justice to this class, despite the small-ness of their numbers and their inability to show industrial strength?

I would refer to the answer which I gave to the hon. Member for Nelson and Colne on this subject on the 6th May last.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state on whose advice or on whose instructions were large detachments of military and police brought into the town of Killarney on Sunday, the 8th of June, to suppress the annual Gaelic League festival fixed for that date; and whether there has ever been any sort of disturbance in connection with previous celebrations of the same character; and, if so, when and of what nature?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a similar question on this subject asked by the hon. and learned Member for South Down on 26th June. The Irish Government accept full responsibility for the action taken.

:Would it not be possible to exempt these athletic meetings from interference on the ground that athletics are a useful and harmless outlet for the energies of the young Irishman?

We are always glad to allow athletic meetings to be held, but we find that at those meetings the energies of the young Irishman sometimes take the form of sedition.

Were any troops sent to Belfast on 12th July, and, if not, why not?

What is the hon. Gentleman's definition of sedition?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that for the past two years Irish prison officers generally have been called upon to perform special and extra duties consequent on the institution of a new class of prisoners imprisoned under the Defence of the Realm Act and the granting of special ameliorations to that class; that those ameliorations comprise long hours of additional exercise on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as permission to remain outside their cells after the scheduled hour of evening lock-up; that such exercise and liberty involve extra duty on the staffs and, at the present moment, are delaying the application of the eight-hour day to the Irish warders which has been working in the English Prisons Service since 1st May; and will he now take immediate steps to give special consideration and recognition to this body of servants who have in very trying times proved themselves loyal and faithful servants?

The institution of a new class of prisoners under the Defence of the Realm Act in receipt of ameliorative treatment has of necessity thrown additional work on the prison staffs, but when possible relief is given in respect of additional hours of duty. The application of the eight-hours day to Irish prison staffs is not being delayed thereby.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if his attention has been directed to the attacks made upon soldiers and other loyal persons in Dublin and Dundalk while celebrating the signature of the Treaty of Peace; whether he is aware that Major Alexander, of the Rifle Brigade, was attacked in Sackville Street while driving to his club, dragged from his car, and severely beaten; that Army lorries were attacked and burned and men in charge of them assaulted; that shots were fired by members of the mob, and Constable Dawson was struck by a bullet; whether in Dundalk soldiers were attacked and some of them seriously injured; and whether any arrests have been made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. On the 28th June Major Alexander, while driving to his club in Sackville Street, was pulled off the car by a number of men and severely beaten but his injuries are not serious. An attack was made upon a military motor lorry which was overturned and set on fire. A corporal and several members of the Women's Royal Air Force were injured. Shots were fired but did not take effect. On the 29th June there was further disturbance when Constable Dawson was struck by a bullet, but not seriously injured. Two Australian soldiers who were carrying a Sinn Fein flag were arrested and handed over to the military authorities, and two other men have been returned for trial. Disturbances also took place at Dundalk on the 28th June, when some soldiers were attacked, but none were seriously injured. Two ringleaders in the crowd have been identified by the police and will be prosecuted.

May I ask whether these disturbances do not indicate that there are a great many people in Ireland who are displeased because we have beaten the Germans and won a good Peace?

We can all form our own conclusions.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether Joseph Charles Fitt, a boy of sixteen years of age, who was sentenced to death last November for the murder of a child of under two years of age, but whose sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, is being detained in solitary confinement in Mountjoy Prison; and whether, in view of the fact that he was under sixteen years of age at the time of the crime, that the evidence as to the cause of the child's death was not conclusive, that no evidence was called as to the mental state of the boy, and it appears to be very doubtful whether he is responsible for his actions, he will give instructions for his immediate removal from prison to some place where he may receive, under suitable conditions, training of a reformative nature?

The boy is detained in Mountjoy Prison, but not in solitary confinement. He was removed from Maryborough Convict Prison to Mountjoy Prison, where he is receiving modified Borstal treatment so far as is compatible with the character of his crime and the nature of his sentence.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the same increases granted to the police forces of England, Scotland, and Wales in the Lord Desborough's Committee Report will be granted to the members of the Royal Irish Constabulary; and if these increases will be retrospective?

This Report is receiving the immediate consideration of the Irish Government.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he will give instructions for arrangments to be made in Palace Yard for the staff of the Houses of Parliament to view the Peace procession on Saturday next?

I regret that, owing to the height of the stand that would be required, the lack of labour and material, and the short time available, I am unable to adopt this suggestion, and in any case I could not provide a stand for the staff in question at the public expense.

Is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to reserve for the staff spaces in Bridge Street, as has been done, I understand, on more than one occasion at the opening of Parliament?

I will look into it.

Is there time to look into it? Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the matter?

I will look into it this afternoon.

Are there not some rooms about the precincts of the House that could be allocated?

I doubt that.

asked the Minister of Health if he can make any statement as to the arrangements which have been made by way of response to his instructions to local government authorities that on the occasion of the Peace celebrations special entertainment could be offered to inmates of workhouses; and whether these instructions also affect people in receipt of out-relief?

Poor Law authorities are not required to report the action which they propose to take under the recent Order which authorises the making of special arrangements for persons in receipt of out-relief as well as for the inmates of the institutions.

asked the Food Controller whether, seeing that many thousands of people will be visiting London during the week-end of 19th July on account of the Peace celebrations, and that the secretary of the London Retail Meat Trades Union has stated that there will be a shortage of meat at this period in view of the big demands for meat by hotels and catering managers, he intends making arrangements in order that butchers in working class areas will have a fair share of the quantity of meat available and a proportion of the better cuts?

The arrangements for the distribution of meat in the London area over the period of the Peace celebrations are calculated to ensure that butchers in working-class areas will receive an equitable share of the various qualities of meat.

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the prominent part taken by the wounded in the Peace Procession at Paris, and whether he proposes to give the British wounded any part in the Peace Procession for Saturday, the 19th?

Will the Leader of the House endeavour to see that a reply to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for Fairfield (Major Cohen) is circulated in the course of the afternoon, notice having been given to the Secretary of State for War?

I am informed that no notice has reached my right hon. Friend, but I discussed it with the Secretary of State for War yesterday, and he is going to arrange it if he can.

I am informed that no provision is being made for the wounded men to take part in the Peace Procession. Special accommodation is being reserved for wounded serving men to view the procession, and also for wounded and disabled discharged soldiers.

(by Private Notice) asked the Leader of the House whether, in view of the serious doubt which exists in the minds of both employers and workers as to the duration of the Peace celebrations, he will state if Saturday is to be the only official holiday arranged by the Government for such celebrations?

I did not know there was any doubt. Saturday is the only official holiday.

Will the Government make any statement or give any indication with regard to pay? I ask because at Newcastle and Middlesbrough a lot of people think they are entitled to pay, and the employers would like a lead from the Government.

I do not like answering a question without verification, but I am pretty sure I stated in the House that, so far as Government employés are concerned, pay would be given. Of course, we cannot control private employers.

Is the Leader of the House aware that employers in the steel and tinplate trades in South Wales are paying the workers for that day, and that other employers in the country ought to follow a good example?

I am very glad to hear it of one set of employers. I should be glad to hear it of all.

Will the right hon. Gentleman not give a lead to the private employers—I am sure they would be glad to follow it?

As I said before, I would like notice, but I have no doubt we have already given the best lead.

asked the Prime Minister when the Report of the Cave Committee will be published?

This Report has just been received, but there has not yet been time to consider it.

May we assume that there will be no undue delay?

This is the kind of Report in regard to which there is no obligation to publish. I think this probably ought to be published, but I cannot give a definite promise until it has been considered.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he has yet ascertained the facts concerning the recent contract given by the Glasgow Corporation for steel rails from the United States; what was the difference in price between the quotations from Glasgow and the United States firms; what is the saving to the ratepayers; what is the value of the total contract; (2) what is the cost of unemployed benefit paid to workers in Glasgow under the present Government scheme; and whether he can give the approximate amount of wages which would have been paid in the production of 5,000 tons of steel rails in Glasgow?

As regards the first question, I have made inquiries as to this transaction and understand that the order has been placed abroad, because home firms are unable to deliver the rails in time for the necessary renewals of track which have to be carried out before the winter.

In view of the financial situation of the U.S.A. and of the economic situation and the labour position in view of unemployment, will the hon. Gentleman state when the House is going to be informed what the definite trade policy of the Government is, in order that manufacturers may prepare for these contracts, which ought to be preserved to this country?

That question ought to be addressed to the Leader of the House.

How much of that million unemployed was actually paid to steelworkers?

I cannot answer that without notice.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the total amount of the subscriptions to the Victory Loan?

I am glad to be able to give the House approximate figures of the result of the War Loans. As a certain number of applications have still to be dealt with, some addition will be made to these totals when the final figures are available.

May I ask whether, in view of those figures, about which I express no opinion, the right hon. Gentleman will now consider the desirability of making an early issue of premium bonds?

No, Sir.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, during the Victory Loan campaign, a charge of £30 to £40 was made to country towns requiring a tank to help the cause; whether this charge was made on his instructions; who was expected to pay this charge; whether, considering the use to which it was put, the tank could have been supplied gratis; and whether, owing to this exorbitant charge, few tanks were used and a great many subscriptions were lost to the country?

I am not aware that any charge was asked or made in connection with the loan of a tank to any town during the Victory Loan campaign.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Mr. E. Somerfield, of West Bridgford, Nottingham, who has a siding on the Midland Railway at Nottingham and has placed orders with Mr. A. W. Plumb, of Mansfield, for tar, whose siding is also on the Midland Railway, is involved in an additional expense for cartage at both ends of the journey, amounting to £4 16s. for each 4-ton lot, by reason of the fact that this material has to be carried by the Great Central Railway in consequence of the system adopted by the railway companies for allocating traffic; and whether he will give directions that the present system be revised and altered with a view of avoiding the heavy loss incurred by traders in this and similar cases?