asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the Government policy regarding the disposal of the permanent-way materials used by the British Expeditionary Force?

I have been asked to answer this question. The policy of the Disposal Board is that surplus permanent-way railway material in France and Belgium should, in so far as it is suitable, be disposed of so as to meet first the requirements of British railways and of home consumers and the requirements of railways in India and the Colonies. The balance will be disposed of, wherever possible, on the spot, either to the French and Belgian Governments or to private purchasers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can see his way more fully to control or regulate the price of cloth as sold by the manufacturers, so as to enable not only large dealers in cloth goods to benefit by the control price but also smaller ones?

The right hon. Member appears to be under some misapprehension. There is no Government control of cloth. The issue price of wool is the same to all manufacturers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that on the 8th July, 1919, a French presidential decree imposed additional duties, varying from 40 per cent. to 260 per cent. on the importation of lace and new into that country and that these duties are very adversely affecting the export trade of Nottingham to France; that similar goods of French manufacture are specially exempted from the prohibition into this country and are admitted free of all duty and in unlimited quantities; that every lace machine in Calais is fully employed whilst 70 per cent. of the machines in Nottingham and district are standing for want of orders; and will he consider the possibility of paying our Allies the compliment of following their own lead and imposing exactly similar duties?

I am aware that the French import duty on machine-made lacehas recently been increased by 40 per cent., and on nets by 100 per cent. Under the reciprocal agreement of August, 1917, between this country and France, import licences were freely granted in each country for lace manufactured in the other. As to the condition of the Calais lace industry I have no information; but the Nottingham lace industry has certainly been suffering a depression and a good deal of machinery has been standing idle. My latest information is that the demand for certain classes of Nottingham products is improving. With regard to the hon. Member's suggestion I am not yet prepared to make a statement about future trade policy.

Do I understand that the reciprocal arrangement referred to having taken place in August has been varied by the French authorities?

No. The arrangement has not been varied. Certain prices may have changed but not the duties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can announce the names of the members of the Milner Commission to Egypt, and its terms of reference?

(Department of Oversea Trade) Invitations to join the Mission have been issued, but the whole of the replies have not yet been received.

Will the hon. Gentleman make a statement before the House rises, giving the names and terms of reference?

If the names are received the Leader of the House will be able to make a statement.

When will the Mission start?

I am not able to answer that statement.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of Count do Salis on conditions in Montenegro has yet been received; and whether he will lay the Report upon the Table of the House?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether under the Agriculture and Fisheries (Councils, etc.) Bill, 1919, powers would be obtained to enable the Board to deal with cases of river pollution which had an adverse effect on fresh-water fish?

No, Sir. The Bill does not confer on the Board any new powers in the direction mentioned by my hon. Friend.

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman does not think that such powers should be conferred, and whether he would accept favourable Amendments which would give the Board such powers?

:I think it may be necessary to afford such powers. I am not quite certain that they would be conferred better upon the Board of Agriculture or upon the Board of Trade, but in any case, they would not really be germane to this particular Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how much agricultural land taken over during the War the State is still farming on its own account; whether any statistics would be furnished as to the working of this land; and what was the future policy of the Department with respect to it?

:I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a detailed reply to my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether it had yet been decided that the price of hay and of feeding-stuffs for next year was to be controlled?

I have been asked to reply. The advisability of controlling the price of hay is now under the consideration of the Government. Arrangements have been made with the manufacturers of home-produced cakes and meals for these commodities to be available to farmers at fixed prices ex mill. Negotiations are proceeding with importers of foreign cakes and meals for the purpose of securing the importation of the largest possible supply at the lowest possible price. I will continue to control the price of millers' offals and of maize.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state when the decision will be arrived at, as the question of controlling the price of hay is pressing, and the uncertainty is very detrimental to agriculture?

I recognise the uncertainty and how prejudicial it is, and, therefore, will do my best to expedite a decision.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the date?

The matter has to go before the Cabinet. It is utterly impossible for me to state the date exactly.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Army authorities had more than a year's supply of hay purchased; whether he was aware that owing to the light crop of this season hay buyers were offering £15 to £20 a ton, when the control price was now £10 a ton; and, in view of these facts, whether he would keep the control, on another twelve months, to allow the small consumer fair treatment?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As regards the first part, I am informed by the War Office that, while it is impossible to state accurately the length of time for which the supplies of hay held by the Army will last, owing to the uncertainty as to the number of horses that will be retained, the supplies will certainly not be sufficient to meet Army requirements for twelve months. I am aware that high prices are being offered for 1919 hay. I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the Government's intentions with regard to future control.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that some of the hay purchased last year is not yet paid for or removed?

No, Sir; I was not aware that it had not been paid for. I was aware some of it had not been removed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman kindly expedite both operations in the interest of those concerned?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is always possible to get an advance of 75 per cent on the price?

Yes, I am aware of that. I will draw the attention of the Secretary of State for War to the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he was aware of the great dissatisfaction among farmers at the Regulations of the hay control; and whether he would take steps to have their interests protected, and this matter put on a more satisfactory footing without delay?

Yes, Sir. I am aware of the dissatisfaction referred to by my hon. Friend. The subject of the control of hay is at present under consideration by the Government.

asked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to control this year's hay crop; and whether, if that is done, there will be a modification or abolition of the charges which were payable to the middlemen under the recent Orders and Regulations?

As already stated, this matter is under consideration. If it is decided to frame any scheme of control, the suggestion of the hon. Baronet will be borne in mind.

asked the Minister of Health whether he was aware that 700 sightless persons lived in London on less than 10s. each per week; whether similar circumstances prevailed in the provinces; and whether he would expedite legislation to deal with the problem of these sightless peoples?

The Advisory Committee on the Blind have compiled much valuable information and statistics, which are under consideration at the Ministry of Health, both as to London and the rest of England. Certain Exchequer Grants-in-Aid are about to be disbursed to assist various agencies in their work for the blind, for which the regulations that have been prepared, after consultation with that Committee, will be issued in a few days. In reply to the concluding paragraph of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Wednesday last to the hon. Member for the Duddesdon Division of Birmingham on the matter.

Can the hon. Member undertake to produce legislation on this matter?

It is obvious I cannot undertake that, but my hon. Friend will see that the matter is being dealt with.

asked the Minister of Health whether he had considered the Report of the Special Committee on Tuberculous ex-Service Men; and when it would be made public, as the matter was one of great urgency?

:My right hon. Friend has only received the Report of the Committee within the last few days. He will consider it at once, and discuss the matter with the Minister of Pensions, who jointly with himself appointed the Committee.

asked the Minister of Health whether he was aware of the threatened ejectment of the tenants of Phillips' quilt manufactory, Clifford Street, Manchester, and of Willson's bakery and café Oxford Road, Manchester, without being given any option to purchase their respective premises; whether he was aware that no alternative suitable site for either labour-employing works was available in the vicinity; and whether he had (in pursuance of his promise of the 11thJuly) brought to the Government's notice the question of giving industrial tenancies some legal protection against disturbance, such as a statutory extension of the time normally required for a valid notice to quit?

As stated in the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. and gallant Member on the 7th July, the matter to which he refers is not one within the province of the Ministry of Health. In view, however, of the displacement of labour involved by the termination of tenancies in the circumstances mentioned, my right hon. Friend is in communication with the Minister of Labour on he subject, and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury what were the 200 vacant positions in the Government service for which applications from girls and young women had recently been invited in the London "Gazette"; whether the possibility of utilising discharged service men who had been unable hitherto to find employment had been considered in reference to such posts; and whether he would state the respective number of girls and women employed in the permanent Government Departments before the War, at the time of the Armistice, and now?

The vacancies in question are vacancies in the authorised establishments of women clerks in the Employment Department of the Ministry of Labour and in other Departments which had before the War a staff of permanent women clerks. Ex-soldiers would not be suitable for appointment to these posts, which are required for work peculiarly suitable for women. The total number of women and girls employed in all Civil Departments (including local offices throughout this country and temporary as well as permanent staff) at the dates asked for are approximately as follows:

asked the Prime Minister whether there is any Government Department which has assumed the responsibility of recommending to employers that they should carry out their pre-war promises of re-engaging men who joined the Army in the time of the country's need?

The Ministry of Labour through the local employment committees are constantly drawing the attention of employers to their obligations in this respect.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether women employed upon police duties in Scotland are paid by local authorities out of the Police Grant; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation to enable this to be done; (2) whether, in view of the fact that police duties of many kinds have been satisfactorily performed by women, he will consider the advisability of legalising the appointment of women police in Scotland?

Local authorities have been informed that Police Grant will be payable in respect of women engaged on police duties. In view, however, of the special and dangerous nature of some of their duties, I am not prepared to recommend legislation which would confer upon women the complete status and place them under the full liabilities of policemen.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the maintenance arrangements for demobilized officers whose university careers have been interrupted will be settled in time to enable thorn to resume their studies early in October?

:I am informed that some 4,000 awards have already been made by the President of the Board of Education to demobilised officers and men who have resumed or will resume full-time courses in higher education. These awards are being notified as quickly as possible, and it is hoped that all officers who have made the necessary application will know the result of their applications before October. Grants are already being paid to a number of candidates who have resumed their courses.

May I ask if the finances of the country are in such a condition as to allow this counsel of perfection of sending four thousand officers to school at the taxpayer's expense to a university?

That is a question which should be addressed elsewhere.

May I ask whether the soldiers to whom this grant has been made have yet been demobilised or will they be released before October?

Every effort will be made to get them released by the beginning of October.

asked the Minister of Labour what sum has been allocated to the Scottish Board of Agriculture for making training grants and granting agricultural scholarships to ex-soldiers; whether he is aware that the Board have been compelled to refuse grants and scholarships to desirable and qualified applicants on account of shortage of funds and have applied for an increased allocation; and whether it is intended to give this increased allocation?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Treasury have now sanctioned an increase from £6,000 to £24,000 in the allocation to the Board for the provision of Agricultural Scholarships to ex-soldiers. This provision will enable the Board to deal with any pending cases.

May I ask when that extra provision was made and when a decision as to the previously rejected candidates may be expected in order that they may know their fate quickly?

A decision has just been made, and the position as to rejected candidates will be immediately considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in case reservations to the Peace Treaty are carried in the Senate of the United States of America, the Treaty will be redrafted; and, in that case, will the House of Commons be given an opportunity of debating any alterations?

This question is hypothetical, and therefore I cannot answer it.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether our approval is contingent on the approval of the American Senate?

I would rather have notice of any question on this subject. I think the House realises that ratification becomes effective as soon as it has been agreed to by three Great Powers.

That is the Peace Treaty. This question is about the Anglo-French Treaty. May—

No, it is the Peace Treaty.

May we take it that the Government have considered the course they would adopt in the event of the United States making reservations?

I think the attitude of the Government and of the House of Commons was made perfectly plain in the discussion.

asked the Prime Minister whether the recently-elected President of the Republic of Finland, Professor Stahlberg, has declared himself as being opposed to interference with the internal affairs of Russia; whether he has been recognised by the Allies as President of Finland; and whether his election will bring about any change in British policy in the Eastern Baltic?

No information has been received regarding the attitude of the President of the Republic of Finland, Professor Stahlberg, towards Russia. As regards the second part of the question, no specific steps have been taken to recognise the new President of Finland, as this is not considered necessary in view of the recognition of the independence of Finland by the Allies. The answer to the third part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any official information of suffering in Vienna and other Austrian towns caused by the shortage of milk, and of similar suffering in Northern Italy; if so, what steps are being taken to relieve this suffering in Italy and Austria; and whether it is proposed to force the Austrians to hand over a number of milch cows to the Allies under the terms of Peace with Austria?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. So far as Vienna and other Austrian towns are concerned the prompt and sustained action of the Allied and Associated Governments in distributing milk, particularly to invalids, nursing mothers and young children, has gone far to relieve the suffering due to inadequate nutrition during the War. Some 6,000 tons of condensed milk have been sent to Austria, and it is understood that America will provide a further 2,500 tons during the present month. In Northern Italy the privation is less acute owing to the greater facilities for affording relief.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the knowledge that the Royal Commission on Agriculture has been sitting in private and has decided to continue doing so; and whether he will request the Commission to sit in public, and to have their proceedings officially reported, so that Members of this House and the public generally may be able to follow the evidence given?

asked the Prime Minister whether the proceedings of the Royal Commission on Agriculture are to be held privately; what arc the reasons for this course; and whether, in the interests of the public, this decision should be immediately reversed?

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the reported decision of the Commission on Agriculture that their proceedings shall be conducted in private; and whether he can make representations to the Commission that in so important an Inquiry the fullest publicity is essential at all stages to ensure confidence in the ultimate recommendations of the Commission?

:The question of the admission of the Press and public to the sittings on a Royal Commission is entirely one for the Commission itself to decide, and I have no power to interfere in any way with the discretion of the Commission in this case. The evidence laid before it will, as is usual in the case of such Commissions, be published in due course, and I understand that the Commission proposes to issue an official report of its proceedings to the Press at the end of each day's sittings.

Is it not in the power of the Government to draw the attention of the Commission to the matter and to state what is the opinion of all agriculturists?

As the Government have no power to interfere. I hardly think they have the right to make such a suggestion.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that an expression of opinion from the Government would be desirable?

I think there are objections to that. The rule in regard to Royal Commissions is quite definite, and I hardly think it would be right to make an exception in this case.

Will they have any power to suppress portions of the evidence published?

I think not.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the varying criticisms regarding the adoption of summer time, he proposes to appoint a Committee to investigate its operation, so as to arrive at what should be a definite permanent policy on the whole subject?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. Very few criticisms have reached the Home Office for a long time past, and it is believed that the general feeling is strongly in favour of the continuance of the system. If any further representations on the subject are submitted, they will of course be carefully considered by the Government, but as at present advised I see no occasion for a further inquiry.

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the desirability of the compulsory registration of all charities making public appeals for assistance, and compelling them to lodge a full and audited statement of their accounts which should be accessible to all wishing to sec them?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Central Southwark on the 30th April last, to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Ministry of Propaganda has entirely ceased its operations; and, if so, whether it is the intention of the Government to organise some system of propaganda upon the necessity for increased national production and economy, and other similar economic and social questions about which there is no difference of political opinion?

:The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but, as already stated, certain of its functions are being carried on by other Government Departments. The Government is taking all possible steps to bring before the public the necessity for increased production and economy and the present and prospective industrial situation.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Prime Minister could arrange to attend this House at Question Time, on, perhaps, two days a week for a few minutes in order to give hon. Members an opportunity of addressing important questions to him in regard to Government policy?

I can add nothing to what I said in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western on Thursday last.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will state who is the officer commanding the troops in St. Helena; what is his salary; and what troops does he command?

The officer commanding the troops in St. Helena is Lieut.-Colonel W. Dixon, Royal Marine Artillery. He draws, in addition to his pay from naval funds, half the salary of the office of Governor from the funds of the Island. With regard to the garrison of the island, perhaps my hon. Friend will address a question to the Admiralty.

Does not my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary know how many men this valuable officer is commanding?

The details of garrisons under the Admiralty are kept by the Admiralty.

Is it not a fact that this officer is really doing nothing, and has not more than half a dozen troops under his command?

:I am aware that the garrison is small, but the officer is busy with work not only in connection with the garrison, but in the administration of the Colony.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies who is paying the salaries, and to what amount, of the officials of St. Helena who have been on leave for over two years?

The Governor of St. Helena is drawing half the salary of his office from the funds of the island. The other officials in question are in receipt of pay from Army funds only.

May I know what the gentlemen who have been on leave for over two years are doing, and why do not they go back?

I think I have already explained to my hon. Friend that these gentlemen have been doing work connected with the War on this side, and their place has been quite adequately filled during the war conditions.

While they are doing war work here, are the funds of the Colony being called upon to pay their salary?

:I have just said that with the exception of the Governor, who is drawing half the salary of his office, the others are entirely drawing pay from Army funds, and the Colony is benefiting thereby.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the hauling down of the Belgian flag at Malmédy on the 20th July by order of the town commandant, General Hyslop, so as not to hurt German feelings; and whether this officer has been ordered to desist in the future from similar action, seeing that Malmédy has been assigned to Belgium by the Peace Treaty?

The General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, has forwarded a report of this incident to the War Office, which goes to show that the published accounts of it are not accurate. It was only by a misunderstanding that the flag in question was hoisted in the first instance. The flag was not hauled down by the direct order of General Hyslop, but was taken down on the expiration of the period for which it was intended to remain up. It is the considered policy of our military authorities in the occupied territory to prevent the display of any form of partisan feeling before such territory is formally handed over and evacuated by our troops. Special regard for German susceptibilities does not enter into the question at all. As regards the latter part of the question, Section 34 of the Peace Treaty contains a proviso regarding Malmédy which gives the population the right to appeal to the League of Nations as to the future ownership of this area.

May Iask whether his attention has been called to the discussion which took place in the French Chamber, in which the Minister for French Foreign Affairs agreed and admitted that the incident was as stated in my question, and how is it that the hon. Gentleman now says that it was not so?

:The Debate referred to in the French Chamber had not come before my notice before I prepared this answer, but the telegram from our representative in Brussels, and also the accounts published in Belgium of this incident, are in direct conflict with those of our own General Officer on the spot.

Now that my hon. Friend's attention has been called to it, will he look into the case that I have re- ferred to as stated in the French Chamber, and I will ask another question in a short time?

Yes, certainly.

What in the world is meant by saying that no signs of partisan feeling are to be shown in the occupied territories? Does it mean that no preference for the Allies over our enemies is to be shown?

:This is not a question of showing feeling as between the Allies and our enemies. It is a case of the display of flags as between the Allies. This particular territory, under the League of Nations, would probably go to Belgium if the population decided accordingly.

Is it not a fact that the Belgian flag was hauled down over the British quarters, and the German flag put up?

No; there is no suggestion that that is so either in the question or in the papers.

asked the Secretary of State for War if Reports have been sent to the War Office of the massacres of natives in the districts of Smyrna, Aidin, and Pergamos, by or owing to the presence of Greek troops; and what steps it is proposed to take in the interests of the British Empire to put an end to these massacres?

With regard to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I have nothing to add to the answers given on this subject on the 24th July last by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary for the Foreign Office. As regards the last part, it is hoped that the appointment of the Special Commission of Inquiry mentioned by my hon. Friend, and the steps now being taken to bring all troops in Western Asia Minor to recognise the authority of General Milne, will effectualy check any further recurrence of the disorders.

asked the Secretary of State for War who is in supreme command in the vilayet of Aidin; and to whom is this officer responsible?

In virtue of a recent decision of the Peace Conference, any future movement of the Allied forces shall be under the supreme direction of the Commander-in-Chief, who is responsible to the Conference for military operations in the Asiatic portion of the Turkish Empire. The vilayet of Aidin will, therefore, fall to the command of General Milne.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the search of German records which was proceeding on the 26th of May to ascertain the fate of missing British soldiers has yet been completed; if so, with what result; whether any officers or men recorded as missing in casualty lists have been traced as having been prisoners of war in Germany; if so, whether any such men have survived; what steps have been taken to make sure that no hitherto untraced prisoners of war are still alive in enemy countries, including Turkey; and whether a reward has been offered for the discovery of any such prisoners who may still be alive and untraced?

The Military Mission in Berlin, which has been at work for the greater part of this year, has not yet completed its labours, and will not be able to do so for some time. The result, so far, is that a few names, which we had recorded as missing only, have been discovered as dead in the German records, and the Mission have reported that it appears from their investigations that there are very few cases of men who were prisoners in Germany whose names were not known to the War Office. No such men have been found alive. In order that no stone may be left unturned, a complete list of the missing is now being sent to Berlin for comparison with the German records, but it is feared that this will lead to very little, if any, result In the East and in Italy, after the Armistice, steps were taken to examine all returning prisoners for any information they might have regarding the missing, and a considerable amount of information was so obtained. Wherever there was evidence of officers or men having been in enemy hands, this was referred for special investigation. Lists of the missing are to be sent to the military authorities in Austria and Bulgaria for comparison with enemy records, and also to Constantinople if the military authorities there consider it feasible to undertake such a comparison. It is feared, however, that there is no possibility of there being any untraced prisoners who are still alive. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative. After full consideration, it was thought better policy not to offer awards.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether it is the intention of the Government to adhere to the terms of the 1913 Regulations of the Royal Warrant, which laid down distinctly that an officer on attaining the age of forty might be permitted to commute a portion of his retired pay, subject to conditions that might be laid down from time to time by the Army Council; whether it was ever intended that an officer who had retired in 1913 under those conditions should now, having reached the required age of forty, be unable to commute any portion of his retired pay as a result of a condition made during the War by the Army Council; and whether he will consider the revision of the Army Council conditions on this point?

Commutation of officers' retired pay is now again allowed under slightly modified rules, a copy of which I shall be glad to send my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Home Secretary whether any conscientious objectors are still in prison or under any sort of control, or, if released, remain under any conditions or obligations?

:There is no conscientious objector now in prison or under control, and no conscientious objector temporarily released from prison will be required to complete his sentence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are an enormous number of 1914–15 men who have not yet been demobilised?

They are not conscientious objectors.

They have been penalised by reason of these conscientious objectors.

:Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a Motion on the Order Paper of this House in the names of something like 100 Members protesting against the release of conscientious objectors to compete with demobilised soldiers?

Perhaps my hon. and learned Friend will put that question to the War Office.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is proposed to grant the Victory Medal to officers and men of the Mercantile Marine?

Officers and men of the Mercantile Marine are eligible to receive the Mercantile Marine War Medal in special recognition of the peculiarly valuable services they rendered to the national and Allied cause. The grant of this medal will be strictly confined to merchant officers and seamen, and will not be extended to any other class of persons.

Can the right hon. Gentleman make a statement about the 1914–15 Star for the Mercantile Marine?

That does not arise. The Mercantile Marine War Medal is a separate thing. The War Medal and 1914–15 Star are controlled by the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War if it. is the intention of the Government to make grants to university students who were attending agricultural colleges prior to the War, and whose studies have been interrupted by reason of their service, in the same manner as grants have been given to university students in medicine and arts?

Yes, Sir. The answer to my hon. Friend's question is in the affirmative.