asked the Secretary of State for India, in connection with the Karachi troop-train incident, whether, in view of the fact that it was unusual to send British troops to India in the hot season, any special suggestion or instructions had been sent by the India Office to the Government of India to safeguard the movement of such troops, both as regards the port of disembarkation and the journey inland by rail; and whether such suggestions or instructions were complied with or varied in any way with regard to the troops on board the "Ballarat"?

asked the Secretary of State for India, in connection with the Karachi troop-train incident, whether, in view of the fact that it was unusual to send British troops to India in hot weather, any special suggestions or instructions had been sent by the India Office to the Government of India to safeguard the movement of such troops, both as regards the port of disembarkation and the journey up country by rail; and whether such suggestions or instructions were complied with or varied in any way by the Government of India with regard to the troops on board the "Ballarat"?

I understand that no special instructions were sent to the Govern- ment of India by the India Office regarding the drafts on the "Ballarat," The entire shipping arrangements were made by the War Office, and the India Office had nothing to do with them and were not informed of them.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the new rates of pay, half-pay, and retired pay for officers of the British Army have been approved, he can now state when the new rates of pay, pension, leave, and expatriation allowances will be approved for the officers of the Indian Army?

I have asked the Government of India to consider urgently the question of Indian Army pay, and I have suggested as an interim measure the grant of temporary allowances when the War Office have published and applied the new rates of British Army pay. Consideration on similar lines will be given to the leave and pension rates when these are finally settled for the British Army.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any persons in the Punjaub and Delhi were flogged or otherwise beaten in the streets either by sentence of an extraordinary tribunal or under general orders issued by the military authorities for petty breaches of their regulations, such as the non-opening of shops or being in the streets during prohibited hours, though not concerned in any act of violence?

There were no prosecutions before or punishments by tribunals for refusal to open shop. No case of public flogging for petty breaches of orders has been brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the expenses involved in obtaining medical advice in London for officers on leave from India; and whether ho can do anything to assist these officers in that respect?

All Indian Army officers on sick leave in this country during the War have been admitted to the same medical treatment in hospitals or by private practitioners as British Service officers. Through the generous aid of the London School of Tropical Medicine it has also been possible to arrange to send civil and military officers suffering from tropical diseases to the school hospital at the Albert Docks; for diagnosis and preliminary treatment. I hope it may be possible to continue this arrangement. It secures to the officer the best advice on his case and as to its treatment. The hospital charges in these cases are borne by the revenues of India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that Sir James Meston has been deputed by the Viceroy to explain the views of the Government of India to the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill in favour of the proposed scheme for diarchy, it is the intention of the Viceroy to depute representatives of the provincial Governors to explain their views in favour of the alternative scheme propounded by those Governors in their minute of the l5th January, 1919; and, in the event of the Government of India not giving effect to their undertaking to give all facilities possible to accredited representatives of all shades of opinion to visit this country to give evidence before the Committee, he will state what steps he proposes to take to carry out his own undertaking that care would be taken that the views of the Governors of the provinces in India are represented before the Committee?

I have already told my hon. and gallant Friend that it rests wholly with the Select Committee to decide what evidence they require, but that I shall be happy to submit for their consideration the names of any witnesses suggested to me by my hon. and gallant Friend. Heads of provinces have committed their views to writing, and will be represented on the Committee by their constitutional Parliamentary spokesman, the Secretary of State.

Does that mean that the Government of India have deliberately refused to permit the Governors of provinces in India to make their representations before the Select Committee?

It means nothing of the kind, and I am not aware that any suggestion of the kind has been made to the Government of India.

Is it not a fact that Sir Michael O'Dwyer, who is one of the five heads of provinces referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend who signed the Report of the five dissentient provinces, is now in this county and is available to give evidence?

There are several ex-heads of provinces in this country at the present moment—Sir Michael O'Dwyer, Lord Pentland, Lord Carmichael, Sir Archdale Earle, and many others—but 1 think my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to men who are now heads of provinces.

May I ask if theèlate Lieut.-Governor of the United Provinces will be allowed to give evidence?

I have no knowledge that he has ever suggested that or that the Select Committee would wish him to. His views are on record, and he signed the same scheme which has been presented by the Lieut.-Governors.

Does that mean that Sir Michael O'Dwyer will be the only one representative of the scheme presented by the provincial Governors?

:As I have said, if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes to suggest anybody else, I will charge myself to bring it before my colleagues on the Committee on his behalf.

I have to thank the right hon. Gentleman. It is not I who wish to give evidence, but the Governors of the provinces in India. There are eight provinces, and will a representative of each be allowed to give evidence?

I can hardly believe that the Lieut.-Governor of the United Provinces will have communicated his wishes to my hon. and gallant Friend in preference to the Government of India or myself, and I have had no suggestion to that effect.

I have had no suggestion to that effect either, but Sir John Hewett is now in this country, and I ask—

Order, order!

asked the Secretary of State for India when the opinions of the Government of India in the Report of Lord Crewe's Committee on the Home Administration of Indian Affairs will be published?

I cannot say at present, but their views will be available to the Select Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has any authentic information regarding an alliance said to have been concluded between the Soviet Government of Russia and the Government of Khiva; and whether he can say what Government is in power in Khiva at the present time?

I have been asked to reply. His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any such alliance as indicated by the hon. Member.

As the hon. Member is doubtless aware, Khiva was a part of the former Russian Empire. It is understood that the capital was in the hands of the local Khan, who was in active hostilities against the Bolsheviks as late as the middle of last February, since when no definite news has been received as to the form of Government at that place.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware of the increase in efficiency of the Russian Soviet warships in the Eastern Baltic during the last few months; if he is aware that, among other modern vessels, these include two ships of the line and several modern destroyers; that the shooting of these ships is as accurate as was the shooting of the German men-of-war; whether he will state the object of keeping British ships of war in these waters; and will he state whether he is satisfied that our forces there are sufficient and in no danger of being overwhelmed by a sudden attack?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative, and to the third part in the negative. The object of keeping British ships in the Baltic is to prevent unprovoked raids on the coastal towns of the Baltic States and Finland, to prevent interference with the arrangements to feed the needy populations of these border States, and to prevent the spreading of Bolshevik militarism. The answer to the last portion of the question is in the affirmative.

May I ask how the right hon. Gentleman defines Bolshevik militarism?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether British Naval forces are operating in the Caspian or on the rivers which drain into the Caspian or on the shores of the Caspian; who is the officer in command of these operations; at what date was the Caspian recognised as a special sphere of operations; what forces are opposed to our forces in the Caspian area; and whether any decision has been taken, or statement can be made, as to the conclusion of these operations?

:British Naval Forces are operating in the Caspian Sea. The officer in command is Commodore David T. Norris, C.B. These operations have been going on since August, 1918. The opposing force is a Bolshevik fleet consisting of a large number of armed merchant ships, destroyers, and submarines. The numbers are not accurately known. The operations in this area will be concluded, and our personnel will be withdrawn, before winter.

asked who is in command of the British Naval Forces in the Black Sea; what powers besides Great Britain have at present naval units in the Black Sea; whether there is a commander-in-chief of the Allied naval forces in the Black Sea; and, if so, who that officer is?

Rear-Admiral Michael Culme Seymour, C.B., M.V.O., is in command of the British Naval Forces in the Black Sea and Marmora, under the orders of the British Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. In the Black Sea are French and Italian Naval units. There is no Allied Commander-in-Chief.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is the Russian officer in command of the Russian Northern forces with which this country is co-operating; when did he receive his present command over those Russian forces; whether there is a recognised commander- in-chief of all the Allied and Russian forces co-operating in the Northern, Archangel, and Murmansk areas against the Soviet Government's forces; if so, who is that officer; whether the Finnish and other forces acting against Petrograd are under one commander; and, if so, who is that officer?

The Russian officer who has been in command of all the forces of the North Russian Provisional Government since January, 1919, is General Miller. The Allied forces in North Russia (including those Russian forces under General Miller) are divided into two commands—Archangel, which is under Major-General Ironside, and Murmansk, which is under Major-General Maynard. The Russian North-West Army operating on the south side of the Gulf of Finland is under the command of General Rodzianko.

Is this not a violation of the promise to withdraw the troops?

I do not think any of the terms have been violated.

asked the total number of British and Allied troops, respectively, at present in Russia?

It is very undesirable at the present moment, when the whole question of the Allied policy in Russia is a matter of urgent consideration, to give this information. As has been publicly announced, all British forces except volunteers are either in process of withdrawal or will be evacuated within the next two or three months, according as shipping is available.

Does that apply to all the theatres of War in Russia?

I am afraid I cannot answer that without notice.

asked the total number of British casualties in the Russian theatres of war since November, 1918?

The numbers are:

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information concerning the Bolshevik excesses which have been reported recently in the Press?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked what sum is taken in the present year's Estimates towards the cost of the British Expeditions in Russia?

The troops in Russia were included with the Home and Colonial Establishments, as shown in Army Vote A passed by the House in February last, and the provision made was based on the estimated total strength without reference to the area in which the troops might be employed. I regret, therefore, that I am unable to separate the provision in Estimates for troops in Russia from that for troops in this country.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for War, on the Adjournment Motion, promised me that if a question was addressed to his Department that he would be able to give an estimate as to the cost to this country of the troops in Russia?

I am not aware that there was anything in the nature of a binding promise. My right hon. Friend said if it was possible to give the information it would be made available.

asked the total sum spent since the Armistice on the wars in Russia, distinguishing, if possble, the cost of shipping freights and munitions from the cost of maintenance of personnel?

:I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to my reply yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull.

Does that mean that the Government cannot state how many men are in Russia or how much it is costing?

:It means that I cannot state it without a very great deal of elaborate work, such as I am not prepared to undertake at the present moment. The hon. and gallant Member will remember that the form in which our accounts are kept is prescribed by Parliament, and the form in which these accounts are kept do not enable me, without a great deal of research, to dig out the information for which he asks.

Does the answer mean that the Government is not in possession of the information showing what the Russian adventure is costing this country?

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Member means by "in possession." Of course, all the details of the accounts are given, and calculations can be made as to what all these expeditions cost, but the means of ascertaining the precise amount are not readily available and will not be available until the full accounts are received.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say what amount of tonnage which is needed for other purposes is being used in supplying munitions to Russia?

How is it possible that I can give that information without notice?

The question is on the Paper.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state how many naval writers, hostilities only, were employed on His Majesty's ship "Egmont'' at the date of the Armistice and how many have since been released; how many were employed on the Mediterranean station and how many have since been released; are any reliefs for these men on their way; and will he state what steps he proposes to take to deal with this question?

On the date of the Armistice there were employed in His Majesty's ship "Egmont" five second writers and ten third writers for hostilities only. All have been sent home. On the institution of the dispersal roster, 143 writers were employed on the Mediterranean station; fifty-seven have since been released. A number of writers have been sent out recently, and others are on their way. Every effort is being made to relieve all demobilisable writers abroad: but, in view of the shortage of men of this rating, delay is inevitable before all can be released.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can now announce an improvement in the general conditions of service of officers' stewards and servants?

As a result of the Jerram Committee, the pay of all grades of officers' stewards and cooks was increased by over 100 per cent., and their pensions were increased in common with those of other ratings. Other alterations in conditions of service of this branch have been proposed, and the Report of a Committee which inquired into the subject is now under consideration.

Will my right hon. Friend expedite this matter, which has now been delayed for some six or eight months?

I do not think the Committee was at work six months ago. But I will represent my hon. and learned Friend's request to the Second Sea Lord.

asked what is the present monthly consumption of coal for the Royal Navy; and what is the present monthly consumption of oil fuel?

:Careful consideration has been given to the further question of my hon. and gallant Friend, and I have to inform him it is still considered undesirable to publish the figures relating to the Navy expenditure of coal and oil. He may rest assured, however, that consumption is limited to the bare necessities of operations and movements.

asked when it is intended to reinstate the normal peace leave routine for the Navy?

Normal peace leave routine is now being reverted to, and is being supplemented this year by special demobilisation leave.

asked what changes, if any, are contemplated in the uniform of officers of the Royal Navy?

As I have already said, this matter has received close con- sideration. A Fleet Order will immediately be issued, but I am afraid I am not in a position to anticipate it.

asked whether the new scale of pay for the Royal Navy will be subject to taxation at special or ordinary rates?

Income Tax on service emoluments will continue to be charged at service rates for the current financial year, but thereafter will be at the ordinary rates applicable to the rest of the community.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that H.M.S. "Donovan" was recently in home waters from Gibraltar; that the men were given no home leave on the plea that this ship was urgently required, at Gibraltar; that on the ship's return to Gibraltar she was immediately docked to have her boilers cleaned, and that she is still in dockyard hands; if he can say if this was the urgency requiring her presence at Gibraltar; if such boiler cleaning could have been as well and more economically performed in England and that her crew might then have had the advantage of home leave; if he will say if the engineer officer of the ship asked to be allowed to clean boilers in England; if the length of the passage from Gibraltar to England and from England to Gibraltar can be given as proof of the condition of the boilers; and if he will consider the possibility of some members of the crew of H.M.S. "Donovan" being detailed to bring H.M.S. "Brisk" home instead of sending out a crew from home to take this ship back, seeing that H.M.S. "Donovan" has, among other ratings, two senior petty officers in excess of her complement?

:As I told my hon. and gallant Friend on the 2nd July, H.M.S. "Donovan" arrived in home waters on the 29th June and left for Gibraltar on the 1st July to continue her duties from that port. The ship was not docked to have her boilers cleaned, this being neither customary nor necessary. The ship is not in dockyard hands, having sailed for Oran, Bizberta, and Malta on the 17th July. Boiler cleaning is carried out by the ship's company periodically and on the completion of voyage, and would therefore have been carried out on return to Gibraltar as a matter of routine. As regards the last part of the question, we cannot undertake to detail members of the crew of the "Donovan" to bring the "Brisk" home; neither shall we send out a crew to bring that vessel home.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is now in a position to make any statement with regard to the allocation of established posts to storehouse assistants in the Royal dockyards?

The yards are being instructed to make recommendations for filling the thirty-five established posts assigned to store-house assistants.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he can make any statement as to the service pensions of men invalided apart from any award in respect of disability?

Under present Regulations, only a man with fourteen years' service is entitled to a life pension on the service disability scale, in addition to any award from the Ministry of Pensions in respect of permanent disablement. The whole question of the service disability side of the award made to the men invalided is now being considered.

Is it on the new basis?

That is the point, whether the service disability side shall be reassessed to an amount proportionate to the new scale basis, but as to that I can give no undertaking at the moment.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Clause 51 of the revised scale of pensions deals with the cases of sailors and Marines who had completed time for pension before or during the War and who have been detained in the Service under the existing law, or as to Marines under 5th Geo. V., c. 16; and if not, will he take steps to include them and treat them in the same manner as pensioners now serving or who have served during the War?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The second part does not, therefore, arise.

Arising out of that reply, will these men who were detained get the improved pensions? That is the point.

Yes, certainly. I said the answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is he aware that some of these men—at any rate one of them, has been discharged, was detained, and has not got his full pension?

Let me have the particulars.

asked the. First Lord of the Admiralty whether any Greenwich age pensioners on attaining the age of sixty-five in the years 1916, 1917, and 1918, received the increased Greenwich age pensions of 9d. without making any application for such increase; and, if so will he give the approximate number?

Prior to the decisions of the Government, notified in Command Paper 149, it was necessary in the case of the age pensions to make awards by selection from the eligible candidates, in consequence of the limited funds annually available. Men in receipt of age pensions who had been ten years on the pension rolls became eligible at the age of sixty-five for increased age pensions, and the increased age pensions were awarded to all such men upon their making application. It was, however, the practice to date such awards from the time of application, it being considered fair to assume that application would not be delayed in cases in which the pension was really needed. As previously explained, this made for a more extended distribution of the benefits, as the available funds were always fully expended, and these savings on awards of increased age pensions went to other men in need. As my hon. and learned Friend knows, every life pensioner in receipt of the Greenwich Hospital Pension will now receive the increased age pension, on reaching the age of sixty-five, without application.

Will my right hon. Friend, who has given so much verbiage, answer my question? [HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"] I am quite in order. My question is a perfectly simple one, namely, whether any Greenwich age pensioners on attaining the age of sixty-five in the years 1916, 1917, and 1918, received the increased Greenwich age pensions of 9d. without making any application for such increase; and, if so, will he give the approximate number?

The short summary of all this is "No." My hon. and learned Friend takes great interest in this, but "No" is the answer.

Will my right hon. Friend adopt the admirable procedure of answering "Yes" or "No" in future?

My hon. and learned Friend would be the first to complain.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman will continue to give us such information as he can in answer to our questions in the interest of the public, and not content himself with a pure negative?

Subject to what my hon. and learned Friend says, Yes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the statement contained in the Disabled Soldiers' Handbook, 1918, which publication is given officially to every disabled man on discharge, that a pension has nothing to do with any wages or salary that a soldier may earn after discharge, and in view of the consequent natural dissatisfaction felt by Civil servants when a deduction is made from their pay, he will issue orders that no exceptions shall be made to the general rule laid down for Civil servants, which states that no deduction shall be made from the civil pay or sick pay of Civil servants in respect of disability pensions granted in connection with the War?

The present Regulations are the result of careful considera- tion, and I am unable to contemplate their amendment as proposed. The hon. and gallant Member will be aware, from the answers given by me to the hon. Member for the Kirkdale Division of Liverpool on the 17th instant, and to the hon. Member for Twickenham on the 18th February last, that it is only when a Civil servant goes on sick leave before or within one month of return to duty that his civil pay is reduced, and even then he receives, inclusive of his disability pension, a sum equal to full civil salary.

asked the Secretary for War whether members of the Q. A. I. M. N. S. Reserve are granted a war gratuity on resigning to be married, whereas members of the T. F. N. S. are not entitled to a war gratuity on resigning for the same reason; and whether, if this is so, he proposes to remove the injustice?

There is no difference. If they can be spared they are allowed to go, and receive the gratuity.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware of the great hardship inflicted upon disabled men and others who are applicants for Grants from the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Commission by reason of the great delay in granting or refusing their applications; whether he can accelerate the machinery for dealing with such claims; and, if not, whether he will retransfer this work to the King's Fund, by which the claims were promptly and satisfactorily dealt with?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am aware that there has been some delay in dealing with eases transferred to the Civil Liabilities Department from the King's Fund; but, as I explained on the 25th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Willesden West, one general reason for this is the large number of uninvestigated or only partly investigated cases handed over to the Department en bloc in April last. I am arranging for an increase of staff to deal with these cases, and thus expedite their settlement. It would not be practicable to re-transfer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that compensation under the Government war-risk scheme has been refused to Mr. T. E. Davies, lately an officer on the steamship "Dafila,'' who is temporarily incapacitated from employment at sea; whether Dr. Hawkes, of Wallasey, and Dr. Buchanan, of Liverpool, have certified that Mr. Davies's ill-health is due, in their opinion, to strain and exposure at sea arising from war conditions; and whether he will cause a further investigation to be made into this case with a view to Mr. Davies being granted duo compensation under the Government war-risk insurance scheme for the time ho is incapacitated from employment at sea?

This case has been brought to the notice of the Board of Trade, and it has been fully considered by the War Risks Association concerned. The medical opinions mentioned have been given due weight, but it is not possible to bring cases under the war-risks compensation scheme unless there is evidence of some definite war peril over and above the ordinary anxieties incident to employment at sea under war conditions. The only definite war peril to which Mr. Davies was subjected was the torpedoing of the "Dafila," but he is quite recovered from the injury he received at this time, and he has since made, voyages on three other vessels. I regret that this case cannot be regarded as covered by the war-risks scheme.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider this case; it is a very hard one?

I will certainly look into it very carefully.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the reason that hostility ratings and time-expired men of His Majesty's ship "Walker," now in the Baltic, have not been returned home for demobilisation; and whether ho is aware that when they were ordered to the Baltic they were promised relief within six weeks' time and that this period has now been considerably exceeded and no reliefs have yet arrived?

Reliefs for all demobilisable men in His Majesty's ship "Walker" have already been sent to that vessel in the Baltic. Owing to the distance and movement of vessels, their arrival is uncertain. If, however, they have not already arrived, they should do so very shortly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an application was made by the Sovereign Confectionery Company, Lowton, Lanes, on 28th December, 1918, for Private E. Leigh, No. 202367, G. and Q. Offices, 55th Division, W. O., British Expeditionary Force, France, as a pivotal man; that such application was stamped by the Leigh Employment Exchange 30th December, 1918, and reached the camp commandant On 4th January, 1919; and if ho will explain why he has not been released?

Private Leigh is not registered by the War Office cither as pivotal or for special release, and I am informed by my right lion. Friend the Minister of Labour that he is not so registered by his Department. The application referred to by the hon. Member was apparently a contract offer of employment such as to obtain his registration as a slip man, but this alone does not render him eligible for demobilisation. If, however, ho is eligible under the instructions recently issued, he will be demobilised accordingly.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will order the immediate demobilisation of Gunner T. Bartlett, No. 612310, Royal Artillery Depot, Ambala, India, who enlisted on 25th September, 1914, and has spent two summers in Mesopotamia, and, although ordered for demobilisation, has now been sent to India?

Gunner Bartlett was apparently sent home from Mesopotamia via India, and was retained in that country owing to the conditions that existed there. I have already stated that when demobilisation recommences in India those men who arrived from Mesopotamia and are eligible for demobilisation will be amongst the first to be released. I regret I can take no special action in this case.

Could the right hon. Gentleman send this news to the troops in India who are being sent to Egypt for demobilisation, and so allay the unrest which is prevalent there, and thus save the vast amount of correspondence hon. Members are receiving?

I will bring that point to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary for War whether, in view of his published statement that there are many hard eases, both compassionate and pivotal, which deserve attention and whereas nothing is being done to meet these compassionate cases, he will consider the desirability of extending the definition of compassionate cases so as to provide that immediate release should be granted in cases where there are two parents both aged or infirm and dependent on the son, and also in the cases of a widower father who, through age or infirmity, is unable to support himself?

asked the Secretary for War when he intends to modify the Regulations whereby a man can obtain release on compassionate ground;, from the Army, in view of the fact that he has made no mention of this matter in his Memorandum recently regarding demobilisation; and whether he is aware of the discontent existing in the ranks to-day owing to the existing Regulations for release on compassionate grounds and the small number of men who have obtained demobilisation through those channels?

As I stated yesterday, the Memorandum published on the 17th instant greatly enlarges the scope of the demobilisation Regulations, and also renders eligible numbers of men not previously eligible for release. Under the circumstances, I regret that I cannot at present consent to any further modifications of the Regulations governing demobilisation. I would add that during May and June, 7,864 releases on compassionate grounds were authorised, in addition to over 26,000 in previous months.

asked the Secretary for War if he will take steps to stop the regrading of men marked for discharge as medically unfit by their various units at the Ripon discharge centre where many of them are sent; if he will also take steps to stop the system employed at this centre of having men so regarded being paraded in front of representative officers of the Royal Engineers, Royal Army Service Corps, and Royal Army Medical Corps for the purpose of being picked out for one of these regiments; and if he is aware of the discontent existing amongst them through this action and the resentment felt at their treatment whilst undergoing the examination for transfer by the officers?

I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether men who enlisted in 1914 are still being compulsorily detained in Mesopotamia; and, if so, when will they be released?

As already announced, these men will embark for home before the 28th July, subject to the necessary shipping being available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that, while the roads in Devonshire are badly needing repair and labour is needed for executing those repairs, the Labour Exchange at Exeter is advertising applicants as available for immediate employment and when the Crediton Rural District Council applied for men to take up road repairing the Exeter Labour Exchange replied that they had no men who wished to take up this work; and whether his Department will take steps to bring the workers and would-be employers together for road repairs?

I find on inquiry that the Crediton Rural District Council have not applied to the Exeter Employment Exchange for ordinary labour for road repairing, but are in search of persons who will take up contracts with the council for the repair and maintenance of roads over a stated period. Such persons are not commonly found among the workpeople on the registers of the Exchanges. The manager at Exeter has done, and will do, his best to help the council; but he cannot in the circumstances be blamed for the lack of success that has hitherto attended his efforts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state precisely what action is being taken to find civil employment for the 400,000 discharged and demobilised sailors and soldiers still unprovided for?

This question is not one which can be dealt with by way of question and answer. I have already informed the hon. Member that every effort is being made to deal with the situation, and I shall be happy to explain to him in detail the actual steps which are being taken, if he would care to make an appointment.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think it would be very interesting to the general public, as well as to me personally?

I quite realise that. The information has been given in this House from time to time, and I do not wish to take up the time of the House by giving detailed information.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say whether the actual number of demobilised sailors and soldiers still unemployed is 400,000?

That is a round number which is somewhat extravagant. In point of fact, the number of sailors and soldiers who will be reincorporated into employment is very large, and will be something between 80 and 90 per cent. of the whole number.

asked the Prime Minister whether a soldier under the age of twenty-one who was placed on the register of voters under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, is now that he is demobilised deprived of his vote until he has attained the age of twenty-one?

I have been asked to reply to the question of the hon. Member. I am unable to add anything to the reply given to the question on this subject which was put on the 16th April last by the hon. Member for Wednesbury, of which I am sending the hon. Member a copy.

Could the hon. and gallant Gentleman say simply "Yes" or "No," because Regulations have been issued showing that these men have been deprived of their votes, and the Representation of the People Act seems to give them this right?

If the hon. Gentlemen will look at the reply to which I have referred him he will see there is some doubt. My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health has no power to give a ruling on, the interpretation of an Act of Parliament.

Has the register been examined? Who has the power, may I ask, to decide the question?

If there is any doubt it must be taken to appeal, either to the County Court or to the Court of Appeal.

How can a young soldier of nineteen pay the expense of going to the Court of Appeal?

Will the hon. Gentleman consider the introduction of legislation to settle this point?

I will put that point to my right hon. Friend.

Has the hon. and gallant Gentleman asked the opinion of the English Attorney-General on this question, or is he too busy dealing with Ireland?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government proposes to appoint a Commission to visit the Far East, in order to inquire into the export trade of cotton goods and yarn?

I have been asked to answer this question. The matter is under consideration. I hope to be able to make an announcement at an early date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has yet concluded any arrangements far providing long-term credit facilities in European countries which are not yet in a position to pay at present by means of exports for essential imports; whether he is aware of the urgency of this question if the United Kingdom is to retain its good will in those countries and to foster its export trade; and whether he will state what steps it is proposed to take?

I am fully aware of the urgency of the question raised by the hon. Member, and the Government are at present considering it. I hope soon to be in a position to make a statement on the subject.

Can I have an answer next week?

I hope it may be possible.

By Wednesday?

It may be possible by next Monday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the increasing congestion of the port of Avonmouth, and that on 16th July the number of empty open trucks in Avon-mouth docks was thirty-eight, whereas the number required for the day's loading was 482, and the total requirements for traffic then in sheds and ordered away was 3,192; whether the available trucks are being used to the best possible advantage; and what steps are being taken to increase the supply of trucks at Avonmouth and to stop the further congestion of the port?

:I am aware that there is a congestion of traffic and shortage of trucks at Avonmouth and other ports. The situation cannot be regarded from the point of view of any particular port, and I can only say that every step possible under the present difficult circumstances is being taken to provide a remedy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Government Departments do not make the fullest use of available water transit; and whether, in view of the congestion on the railways, steps can be taken in the case of Government traffic to use water transit when it is available?

I should be glad if my hon. and learned Friend would give me particulars of any case he may have in mind, in order that I may be able to take the matter up with the Department concerned.

asked the Prime Minister the total sums of money for which sanction has been given by the Coal Controller or the Treasury to the colliery concerns of the United Kingdom for development work or other capital expenditure out of their profits since the institution of the Coal Control; and if he will cause a Return to be presented to this House showing these sums for each individual colliery concern in the United Kingdom?

:I regret that I cannot give the information desired, as information such as this which has been obtained from the collieries under Sections 17–19 of the Coal Mines Control Agreement (Confirmation) Act, 1918, must, by the provisions of Section 20 of that Act, be treated as strictly confidential.

Does that mean that this House is to be called upon to vote in favour of increased price for coal without being placed in possession of the aggregate figures under this head? If the right hon. Gentleman cannot give details of the collieries concerned, can he inform the House of the total sum of money which has been sanctioned by either the Coal Controller or the Treasury to be devoted out of profits by way of capital expenditure?

I will look into that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will appoint a small committee to inquire into the statements by the miners' leaders in this House as to the cause of the restricted output in collieries with a view to immediately having these causes removed?

I do not think that my hon. Friend's suggestion is at present practicable.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the hope of obviating the threatened increase in the price of coal, he will call a conference of representatives of coal-owners and miners with the object of discussing whether by the exercise of the principles of co-operation and conciliation the output of coal can be increased?

I have been asked to answer this question. The increase of 6s. per ton in the price of coal came into force on the 21st July. I need hardly assure the Noble Lord that the question, of the output of coal is receiving the most urgent consideration of the Government.

asked the. Prime Minister whether he will institute a national campaign to impress upon all concerned the importance of increased production in collieries and factories?

:It if not possible to exaggerate the importance of increasing output, and the Government are doing what they can in the direction suggested by the question.

Is there any further news with regard to the mining output?

I have asked the Department concerned to send me at the end of questions any further information received, and if the question be then repeated, I will answer it

:In view of the great success which attended the Prime Minister's efforts during the War I would like to know whether he and other members of the Government will adopt similar measures to rouse the country to a sense of the danger which it has to face?

I have discussed that very point with the Prime Minister this morning. I think it is just as urgent as any problem of the War.

With regard to the cost of living, have any arrangements been made for considering the cost of the products in collieries and factories as far as it is affected by output, and will this question be considered by the Committee which appears on the Order Paper to-day? The terms of reference to that Committee only refer—

The hon. Member had better put his question on the Paper.

asked whether the Government intend to adopt the recommendations with regard to the relationship of women's wages to men's, contained in the War Cabinet Committee's Report on Women in Industry; and, if they do, whether he will take immediate steps, in cases where the Government is a direct employer, to see that these wages are paid, and where the Government employs a contractor to amend if necessary the Fair-Wages Resolution, so that it may cover women's wages in the sense laid down by the Report?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am afraid it is not possible at present to add anything to the reply given by the Leader of the House to a similar question on the 9th July.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that the engine-drivers and pump-men in the Yorkshire collieries are ready and anxious to work, and that they are forcibly prevented from returning to duty by members of their trade union; and what action he proposes to take to restore to the men referred to the right to return to work?

:I have been asked to reply to this question. I understand that the engine-drivers and pump-men who are on strike in the Yorkshire coalfields have ceased work in pursuance of a decision arrived at by the council of the Yorkshire Miners' Association. I have no evidence as yet that the men in question are desirous of resuming work.

Is the hon. Member aware that the hon. Member for Attercliffe (Mr. Casey) got his information from personal observation in the pits on Monday last?

I have not received any information to that effect.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give protection to the engine-men and pump-men who have nothing to do with this dispute between the miners and the coal-owners and who want to continue working to keep the collieries in safety; will ho extend protection to these men who want to work and who are kept from working by threats of violence by men belonging to the unions; and will he withdraw the Navy men, who are absolutely unnecesary because the men who work these machines want to work them and the naval men are simply putting in black leg labour while the men are walking the streets and want to work?