asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in. several recent labour disputes a large proportion of the strikers themselves as well as the general public were ignorant of the precise points of the dispute; whether he concurs in the view that in many cases a little delay, accompanied by a prompt official Inquiry and Report, both public, would clear the air and enable public opinion to be rightly directed; and whether, in the interests of the general community, he will introduce legislation to make strikes and lock-outs illegal without a week's notice being first given in writing, whereupon a prompt public Inquiry could be held and a Report made and published within the week?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, which is being carefully considered.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is in possession of evidence that funds have been supplied from the Continent or elsewhere to persons connected with the recent industrial and other unrest in this country; and will he give particulars of the sums so forwarded?

asked the Home Secretary if he is in a position, in order to allay public anxiety, to state whether the Government has any information to the effect that large sums of money have been and still are being brought into this country and placed in the hands of a secret junta for the purpose of bringing about a revolution by fomenting civil strife, engineering lightning strikes, and generally interfering with the trade, security, and well-being of the community?

The Government have information regarding organisations abroad which are endeavouring to send sums of money into this country far the purposes stated in these questions, and they are taking all possible steps to prevent the money reaching the hands of those for whom it is intended. It would clearly not be advisable to give details, but one case has already been made public, and I understand that one of- the recipients admits receiving a sum of money.

asked the Homo Secretary whether any proof has been discovered of the circulation in Nottingham of a seditious leaflet advocating revolution, said to have been printed by New Press,. Princes Street, Edinburgh?

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will, before it rises, give the House information regarding the intentions of the Government as regards the action to be taken upon the abolition of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), the personnel of the new body to take its place. and the extent to which, and the date upon which, existing restrictions in general, and particularly those in regard to clubs, are to be removed?

It has not been found possible to introduce the Bill dealing with this subject before the Recess.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he anticipates during the current financial year the receipt of any sums of money from Germany, under Article 232, Annexe 1., Subsections (5) and (7), of the Peace Treaty, compensation for pensions and family allowances of mobilised persons?

I have not taken credit for any receipt under this head in my forecasts for the year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he anticipates during the current financial year any payments into the Exchequer on account of the £1,568,447,000 due to us on account of loans advanced to the Allies, or on account of the £170,896,000 due from our Dominions?

I do not anticipate any considerable repayments of principal in respect of these loans this year, except that, as stated in my Budget speech, I hope to be able to arrange to set off certain of the advances made to the Dominion of Canada against the considerably larger advances made to this country by the Dominion Government. There will be certain payments by the Dominions for interest, included under the head of Receipts from Sundry Loans in the weekly statement published in the "London Gazette."

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the obvious inadequacy of the present old age pension of 7s. 6d. per week, and of the legal inability of boards of guardians to grant additional relief, he will take steps to bring the allowance to a figure more in accord with the present high cost of living?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by me on the 30th ultimo to the hon. Member for Morpeth.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the delay in the payment of local rates, or the payment of the customary contributions in lieu of such rates, upon the buildings erected on Osea Island, Essex, which are permanent buildings that were built and rated before the Admiralty took possession of the island for CM. boats; whether the Treasury valuer wrote to the clerk of the Maldon Rural District Council on the 29th March last promising that the matter should receive early attention; and whether the delay can now be explained?

The matter has been in suspense pending the decision of the Government whether this shall be a permanent establishment or not. If it is to be permanent the whole of the new buildings will be specially inspected and valued, with a view to a contribution in lieu of rates being granted in respect of them. Until more complete information as to the terms of occupation and the decision as to permanence is received the matter has not sufficiently matured for the Treasury Valuer to deal with satisfactorily.

asked the Food Controller why a manufacturer can obtain from the merchant four times the quantity of sugar specified on his licence to buy sugar, while the private individual can obtain half only of the quantity for which he has applied for jam making?

During the period of restricted supplies, vouchers to manufacturers, other than manufacturers of jam and condensed milk, were issued upon the basis of 25 per cent. of their 1915 usage. When supplies became more plentiful the rate of issue was raised, first to 50 per cent. of the 1915 usage and later to 100 per cent. For administrative convenience the old vouchers, issued at 25 par cent., were retained and the increase was secured by honouring the voucher at twice, and later at four times, its face value. Manufacturers are now receiving 100 per cent. of the quantity they used in 1915, and not, as seems to be implied, four times the quantity they are entitled to purchase. Private individuals desirous of using sugar for jam making received 100 per cent. of the quantity applied for in respect of the earlier fruits, and are now receiving 50 per cent. of the quantity applied for in respect of the later fruits. As already stated, the total amount of sugar supplies for domestic jam making will exceed the amount originally allotted for this purpose.

asked the Food Controller whether he will make a statement as to the winter prices for milk before the House of Commons rises for the Recess?

:The question of winter milk prices is under immediate consideration, and it is hoped that an announcement will be made in the course of next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what contracts, if any, for manufactured flour to be imported in this country have been made since the Armistice; what were the dates of such contracts and the quantities of same; and what was the period over which delivery was allowed to be made?

I have been asked to reply. The quantities of imported flour for which contracts have been made since the Armistice arc negligible, but I can furnish the hon. Member with a return it' he so desires.

asked the Food Controller what steps he is prepared to take to control the selling price of all commodities produced in the British Isles?

I am not in a position to make a statement as to commodities other than foodstuffs. The profits on essential foodstuffs are limited by the lining of prices at every stage of production and distribution. As regards other articles of food which are not subject to a complete scheme of price control, proposals for extending at an early date the powers of food control committees are under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if, in the new scale of pay for the officers of the Navy, the specialist allowances given to all gunnery and torpedo officers arc 1s. 6d. a day less than those given to navigating officers holding a first-class certificate; and if he can state why this differential treatment is held out to officers of equal substantive rank?

The facts are as stated by my hon. Friend. It was considered by the Board that the duties of a lieutenant (N.) who has passed for first-class ships for pilotage justified a higher specialist allowance in his case than in that of gunnery or torpedo officers It must be remembered that he holds a joint responsibility with the captain for the conduct of the ship at sea.

asked the Secretary of State for War it he intends before the liecess to make any statement with regard to the preferential treatment in respect to the demobilisation of men who enlisted under the Derby scheme?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Memorandum recently published, which makes provision for the release of Derby men who joined the Colours prior to 1st July, 1916. I regret that I can make no statement at present regarding the release of men who joined the Colours after that date unless they are otherwise eligible on account of age or wounds received, etc.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private H. Murphy, No. 21088, of Shipley, attached to the 43rd B. G., enlisted at the age of sixteen; whether he is now stationed at Quetta and has not had home leave for four years; and when he proposes that he should be sent to England for demobilization?

If Private Murphy's length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend, he will be released in his turn after the arrival in India of the reinforcements now on their way.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Private Sydney Brook, of Shipley, 130th Machine Gun Corps, enlisted voluntarily on 13th August, 1914; whether he has served in the Dardanelles, Salonika, and Mesopotamia; whether he is now at Inkow, in Central India; and when he proposes that he should be sent home to England for demobilisation?

If Private Brook's length of service is as stated by my hon. Friend, he will be amongst the first to be sent home when the reinforcements arrive in India.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether A. C. 2 J. Lees, No. 89597, A Section, Royal Air Force, Chingford, Essex, for whose demobilisation on extreme compassionate grounds application has been made, can now be released?

An application for this man's release has been received, but as his case does not fulfil the conditions required for release on compassionate grounds, it is regretted that his discharge cannot be sanctioned at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the men who arrived at Bombay from Mesopotamia in April last for demobilisation are going to get their release at present; and, if not, when?

As I have already stated, men who arrived in India from Mesopotamia will be amongst the first to be released upon the arrival of the reinforcements which are being sent out from the United Kingdom. The reinforcements are now commencing to arrive in India, and 1,000 of these men have already commenced their journey home.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give any information as to the intentions of the Government as to the maintenance of the Women's Legion; and whether he will state if it is proposed to disband it in the near future?

Women's Legion motor drivers are being employed to make up the deficiency of soldiers where uniformed drivers are essential. The large reductions which are now taking place in the Army will increase the number of Royal Army Service Corps (Mechanical Transport)drivers available, and the women drivers will gradually be demobilised as their services can be dispensed with.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that 700 men in the Signal Depot at Poona have been retained for service in the garrison in India although they had completed three years' service abroad; and whether, in view of the demand that these men who enlisted before the Conscription Acts were introduced, he will take the earliest steps to secure the release of all men who have seen considerable service with the Colours and have special regard to the cases of all men who attested under the Derby scheme, even though they did not enlist for immediate service prior to July, 1916?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Memorandum recently published, which states that all 1914-1915 men and Derby men who joined the Colours prior to 1st July, 1916, who are in India will have started for home by the 1st December, if not released earlier, provided that no unexpected trouble occurs in that country. With regard to the last part of the question, I regret that I can make no statement at present regarding the demobilisation of Derby men who did not join the Colours for immediate service prior to 1st July,1916.

asked the Secretary of State for War why it is now necessary to retain any troops in Italy and why they cannot be brought back and demobilized?

The main line of communications for British forces in the Near East passes overland through Italy, to Taranto. Only the administrative ser- vices necessary for its maintenance are employed, and the only combatant force in this theatre is one Infantry battalion, which forms part of the Allied Force of Occupation in Fiume.

asked the Secretary of State for War what staff the Inspector-General of Communications now has at his headquarters in Italy, and how many motor cars are at his disposal?

The staff of the Inspector-General of Communications, Italy, consists of—

• 1 Assistant Adjutant-General,
• 1 Assistant Quartermaster-General,
• 1 Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General,
• 1 Deputy - Assistant Quartermaster-General,
• 1 Staff Captain,
• 1 Aide-de-Camp.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can sanction the issue of surplus machine guns to those Cadet battalions that have machine gun sections for instructional purposes?

There are no surplus machine guns available for issue at present, but the matter will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War what fresh military obligations he is undertaking in Smyrna; how many troops he has placed at the disposal of General Milne; what is his estimate of the cost of this new expedition; whether the successful accomplishment of this new Mission implies a grant of public money for senior officers: and whether he will publish every dispatch furnished by the general in command?

There are no British troops in Smyrna, nor is it proposed to undertake any fresh military obligations in these parts. General Milne has been appointed by the Supreme Council to supervise the movement of Allied forces in this area, but no British troops are affected. The latter part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the age limit for entrance into Wolwich; and whether it is possible for an Army candidate to take his B.A. or B.Sc. degree at a university before entrance into Woolwich?

The age limits for admission to the Army entrance examinations are between seventeen and a half and nineteen, the governing half-yearly dates being 1st January and 1st July. Exceptions are made in favour of those who have served in the War who can compete up to twenty-one years of age. The answer to the latter part of my hon. Friend's question depends on the conditions laid down by the various universities.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause inquiries to be made into the case of Private Frank Leonard Hollingworth, No. 81118, 5th Company, Durham Light Infantry, who joined the forces, for the duration of the War, at the age of eighteen, in July, 1917, was taken prisoner by the Germans in France in April, 1918, reached England at the end of December, 1918, rejoined his unit two months later, and is now apparently under orders to proceed with a draft to Russia, although he has not volunteered for this service; and, if this information is correct, whether, in view of the frequent assurances given in this House that only volunteers shall be sent to Russia and that he is expecting to embark about the 16th of this month, ho will give immediate instructions that Private Hollingworth shall not be sent to Russia?

Inquiries had already been instituted in this case, and I will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of Stale for War whether am further steps have been taken for the evacuation of the premises held by the War Office in St. Giles-in-the-Fields; whether the large stock of motor accessories at present stored there could be sold and a substantial profit secured; and whether ho is aware that the evacuation of these premises would result in the saving of a payment of £4,000 per annum rent, and that their occupation by the War Office is preventing the owners from giving employment to large numbers of men and women

It is hoped that a definite solution of this question will be arrived at very shortly.

asked the financial Secretary to the War Office, with regard to the case of Sapper E. Longdon, No. 388301, 306th H. S. Company, formerly G Company, Chatham, and of 9, Bowden Street, Salford, whether he is aware that this man was discharged in November last-but, in spite of frequent applications to the paymaster at Chatham and promises by him to furnish a final statement of Long-don's account, no such statement can be obtained; whether, in addition, Longdon cannot obtain payment of the supplementary allowance which came into force; last November; and whether he can at once have inquiry made into the matter?

I am making inquiries, and will inform my hon. Friend of the result.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether soldiers serving in the Egyptian theatre of war under G.R.O. 4,840, issued in December, 1918, and A.G. 1,851, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, issued in January, 1919, are entitled to seven days' pay and ration allowance if they are not granted leave to the United Kingdom?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) what decision has been arrived at with reference to the extension to warrant officers, who are recipients of the medal for long service and good conduct, of the gratuity of £5 which is paid to non-commissioned officers and men who earned this decoration;(2)if he is now in a position to announce the increase which it is proposed to make in the amount annually allotted for meritorious service medal annuities;(3)if he is now in a position to outline the concessions which it is proposed to make to men in receipt of service pensions?

I am afraid I cannot yet announce a definite decision, though I hope to do so shortly.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the amount of money subscribed to the Prince of Wales' Fund which has been spent in assisting the War Office to relieve the families of soldiers and sailors; and what amount of such sums so expended has been, or will be, repaid by the Government to the fund?

The Government have no responsibility for the administration of the National Relief of Fund, but I am informed that a statement of the expenditure of the fund on the relief of dependants of soldiers and sailors will be found in the half-yearly Reports on the administration of the fund, which have been issued as Command Papers The committee presented a claim for a Grant from Army Votes in recognition of expenditure stated to have been incurred by them on behalf of the War Office. Tin's claim was submitted to arbitration before Mr. Justice Younger, who assessed the amount due to the fund at £105.000. This sum has been paid.

asked the Pensions Minister whether his attention has been called to the case of Mary Jane Riddick, of 9, Mount Vernon Street, Liverpool, a respectable widow, seventy-five years of age, who has resided all her life in that same neighbourhood; whether he is aware that this poor widow had an only child, William Riddick, who was a gunner, No. 228745, in D/59 Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and was killed on the 2nd April, 1918, by an enemy bomb whilst doing his duty in France, and buried at Chocques in the British military cemetery; whether he is aware that Mrs. Riddick lost her husband some years ago, and, by the death of her son, has been left alone in the world, and that her old age pension, which she had been receiving since she attained the age of seventy, has now been taken from her on the ground that her pension in respect of her dead son is 12s. 6d. per week, whereas, if such pension had been a trifle loss, she would still have been entitled to the old age pension; and whether he is aware that, on applying to the local pensions authorities, she was visited and told slip ought to be content with the 12s. 6d. a week, and ought to sell up her little home and go into lodgings?

The pension of 12s. 6d. awarded by the Ministry to Mrs. Riddick represents the extent of pre-war dependence. Inquiries are, however, being made with a view to a possible increase of the pension on the ground of pecuniary need. My right hon. Friend is not responsible for the Regulations governing the award of old age pensions. He has ascertained that the statement referred to in the latter part of the question was not made by or on behalf of the local war pensions committee.

I have no information as to some of the details referred to in the question, but I am informed that, on the admitted facts, Mrs. Riddick is not, under the existing Old Age Pensions Acts, entitled to an old age pension. As my hon. Friend no doubt knows, the question of the limits of means for a pension is now under consideration by a Committee which is inquiring into the Old Age Pensions Acts generally.

:asked the Pensions Minister what sum of money stands to the credit of the King's Fund which was raised during the War; how the money has been spent and on whose authority; and towards what objects and for what purposes and at whose advice is the money to be given in future?

A sum of £508,500 stood at the credit of the King's Fund on the 11th inst. By that date £712,969 had been expended on restarting disabled men in life and on assisting the widows and orphans of men deceased in consequence of the War. The objects and purposes for which the money is to be given in the future are fully set forth in a leaflet which has been published for general information, of which a copy has been sent to the hon. Member. From this leaflet it will be seen that grants are made by members of the council of the fund, who in every case have before them the recommendation of a local war pensions committee or of a member of the outdoor staff of the Ministry. The names of the members of the council are given at the commencement of the leaflet.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will give the names of the Members of this House who were appointed by him as a Committee to advise him on pension decentralization?

The Members referred to are the hon. Member for the St. Rollox Division of Glasgow, the hon. Member for South Paddington, and the hon. Member for Central Edinburgh. The Committee was under the chairmanship of the Parliamentary Secretary.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that a number of complaints have been received from widows of sailors who put their boys to Greenwich Hospital School that the children's allowances are stopped as soon as the boys are entered at the School; whether he is aware that they have difficulty in getting the children's allowances, during the holidays; whether he is aware that the deducted money does not go to Greenwich Hospital funds, which exist for the benefit of the sailors; and whether he can say why the widows are deprived of the amounts, when education at Greenwich Hospital is supposed to be free for the children of naval men?

Under Article 2 (4) of the Royal Warrant and Order in Council, in the event of a parent being wholly or partially relieved of the charge of a child by its maintenance in an institution wholly or mainly supported by public funds, the allowance granted on account of that child may be reduced to the extent of that relief. Consequently, when a child enters Greenwich Hospital School, which is supported by public funds, the allowance is suspended. Payment to the mother is resumed daring the holidays on application being made to Pension Issue Office.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he will have inquiries made into the case of Mr. A. Wakefield, late able-bodied seamen, No. 16273, of His Majesty's ship "Ruby," of 15, Enbridge Street, Trafford Road, Salford; whether this man was invalided from the Navy with flat feet caused through wounds in the leg and ankle after seventeen years' service, having joined at the age of fifteen and a half years; whether, on discharge, he was awarded a temporary pension; whether he applied to the local war pensions committee for reassessment and was examined by the medical referees on the 29th April; and whether, in spite of the fact that his recommendations were forwarded to the Ministry of Pensions and a further medical board ordered, the man is still unable to ascertain what pension, if any, has been awarded to him?

Mr. Wakefield was invalided for injury to his right leg, and was in receipt of disablement pension until 15th May, 1919. The disability of flat feet has been found to be neither attributable to nor aggravated by service. He was medically examined on 6th March, 1919, when the disablement arising from the injury was assessed as nil. He therefore reverted to a pension of 4s. 8d. a week for life, awarded in respect of his service. On an appeal being received from the local war pensions committee on his behalf, he was further examined on 3rd June, 1919, when the extent of disablement was again assessed at nil. He is therefore ineligible for resumption of his disablement pension, and the fact has now been communicated to him.

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 cae of John Preston, No. 319643, Labour Corps, who was demobilised on 26th April, 1919, and whose war gratuity has been handed to the Controller of the Post Office Savings Bark, under remittance roll No. Army F No. 169940, but who up to the present has been unable to obtain payment of the same?

Payment was made to Mr. Preston on the 23rd July

asked the Under-Secretary to the Air Ministry how far demobilisation of the Air Force and Ministry, in men, hotels, and flying grounds, has proceded since the date of the Armistice?

So far as officers and other ranks of the Royal Air Force are concerned, I would refer my hon. Friend to the figures I gave in my speech of yesterday. So far as the Women's Royal Air Force is' concerned, the strength at the time of the Armistice of officers and other ranks were 532 and 23,485 respectively; the corresponding figures for 1st August were 407 and 15,700. I also gave yesterday the number of officers employed in all Departments of the Air Ministry at the date of the Armistice and the present strength, but on reference to the report of my speech, I see that I am reported as having said that the figures in question, namely, 806 and 402, referred to the staff of the Ministry in all Departments. The figure I quoted from the paper before me referred to the officer staff. The total strength of the Air Ministry Departments on the 11thNovember was 4,640, and the corresponding figure for 1st August was 3,230. It must be remembered that the staff of the Civil Aviation Department has been added during this time. Arrangements are in contemplation for further considerable reductions to be made during the next two months, and the transfer of the Air Ministry from the Hotel Cecil to Kingsway, which has now taken place, is expected to facilitate such reduction. As regards the surrender of flying grounds, I would again refer my hon. Friend to my speech of yesterday: and as regards the evacuation of hotels, the reply I made on the 7th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what action is taken if the central pay office of the Air Force pay a man too much on his being demobilised or otherwise, and find out their mistake and demand it back from the man and ho declines to return it?

It is not possible to give a general reply to this question. Each case is dealt with on its merits.

asked the Under-Secretary of Slate to the Air Ministry (1) whether he is aware that the Select Committee on National Expenditure have recently reported that replies given to them by Major Cockburn, Royal Air Force, in connection with certain clothing contracts, were contradictory and unsatisfactory; what is this officer's war record; whether he is still on the active list; and whether it is proposed to take any and, if so, what action in connection with the matter;(2)whether he is aware that the (Select Committee on National Expenditure have recently reported that they were unable to attach any credence to the statements made to them by Colonel Latimer, Royal Air Force. in connection with certain clothing contracts; what is the war record of this officer; whether he is still on the active list; and whether it is proposed to take any and, if so, what action in connection with the matter; and(3)whether he is aware that the Select Committee on National Expenditure have recently reported that replies given to them by Colonel Bersey, Royal Air Fore s, in connecnection with certain clothing contracts, were very unsatisfactory; that this officer ignored the request of the Committee to come before them for further examination; what is this officer's war record; whether he is still on the active list; and whether it is proposed to take any, and if so, what action in connection with the matter?

The answer to the first part of the first two questions is in the affirmative, and to the first part of the third that the complaint of the Committee is What Colonel Bersey did not attend at all, and not that his replies were "very unsatisfactory."The facts asked for about the three officers mentioned arc as follow:Major Cockburn was transferred from the Army to the Royal Air Force as from the 1st April, 1918, and was employed at Headquarters up to the 24th October, 1918,first with the Directorate of Manning and then in the Directorate of Air Quartermaster Services. He was then transferred to Headquarters, Midland Area, where he remained until he was demobilised on the 21st February, 1919.Colonel Latimer was employed in an administrative position first at South Farnborough, and then at the Air Ministry, from the 12th October, 1916, until the 3rd May, 1919, when he relinquished his commission.Colonel Bersey joined the Service on the 29th October, 1917, and was employed in an administrative capacity under the Air Board and Air Ministry until the 30th September, 1918, when, he was transferred to No. 7 Royal Air Force Reception Depot, where he remained until his transfer to the unemployment list on the 25th April, 1919.As regards the statement that Colonel Bersey ignored the Committee's request for his attendance, the only information I have is that contained in the Committee's Report and a letter -which appeared in the Press from Colonel Bersey's solicitors, explaining his non-appearance; but in fairness to this officer I must state that there has been nothing in his conduct, so far as the Air Ministry are aware, to show that he wishes to avoid examination, and that in point of fact he is attending in London to give evidence before the O'Sullivan. Court of Inquiry.As regards any action which it may be desired to take in regard to these officers, I cannot, I am afraid, make any statement until the findings of the Court of Inquiry just referred to have been received. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War gave an undertaking yesterday that the results of proceedings of this inquiry should be laid (before the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if the attention of the Air Ministry was drawn to the statements of Sir John Hunter that there had been fraudulent conspiracy in connection with the carrying out of contracts; and if no action was taken because a prosecution would reveal what appears to be inefficiency and absence of control on the part of the representatives of the Ministry on the spot?

I have nothing to add to the reply I gave to the hon. Member when he put a similar question to me oh the 11th August.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state the cost of the buildings and equipment of the machine-gun factory at Burton-on-Trent, the value of the total product of the factory, and the intention of the Government in respect to the future use or disposal of the premises?

The cost of the buildings and equipment of this factory was approximately £870,000. The factory had not been completed at the time of the signature of the Armistice, and has not been used for the manufacture of machine guns. The Government propose to retain the factory for the present. It is now being used for storage and for the repair of machine-guns.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state the cost of buildings and equipment of the Government factory at Queensferry, the amount expended upon wages and supervision, the average number of persons employed, the value of the total production of the works, and the intentions of the Government in respect to the future use or disposal of the premises?

I shall be glad if the hon. Member will postpone his question as it has not yet been possible to obtain the detailed information asked for.

asked the Minister of Supply whether a large quantity of value able office and camp furniture is now lying exposed to the weather in a dump in Wood Lane, Hammersmith; whether, as a result, much is rapidly deteriorating in value; whether there is a great public demand for all of it; and whether he will consider the advisability of either protecting it or disposing of it?

The furniture at Wood Lane referred to in the question is not Government property.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether there is in force a Regulation in pursuance of which wine and spirit merchants refuse to supply spirits except to customers whom they supplied in 1916; if he is aware that this rule prohibits officers and men now at home who were serving abroad in 1916 from obtaining spirits; and if he will take steps to have the Regulation cancelled which thus operates inequitably to the disadvantage of returned sailors and soldiers?

I have been asked to reply. The limitation imposed on the delivery of spirits from bond for home consumption involves adherence to a system of distribution on a datum year basis, and this has caused some hardship to clubs which came into existence after 1916 and to officers and men who were in that year serving abroad. As regards clubs, arrangements have been made whereby applications for supplies will be considered by the Board of Customs and Excise. In cases where the Customs are satisfied that provision should be made, special clearance certificates will be issued and such certificates honoured. As regards individuals, I understand that the margin of supplies in the hands of wine and spirit merchants should be sufficient to meet the claims of returned soldiers and sailors. If my hon. Friend will give me particulars of any case of hardship within his knowledge, I will do my best to have it remedied.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the applications of officers of the Indian Army Reserve of Officers for compensation for loss of kit when they were taken prisoners at Kut has been refused by the India Office, and the claim rejected as inadmissible unless the officer is called out again for training purposes; and whether, considering the special circumstances of the case, he will direct that the compensation due should be paid?

I am making inquiries into this matter.

asked the Minister of Health how many cases of small-pox there are in this country; and whether any of them have been introduced from outside?

During the month of July and the first week of August, sixty cases of small-pox have come to the knowledge of the Ministry of Health. Of these, one group of cases, numbering twenty-five up to 7th August, is associated with the return, home of a sailor, and three groups, numbering eight cases in all up to 7th August, to soldiers returning home from abroad. There have been three ship-borne oases intercepted by port sanitary authorities from which there has been no spread of infection.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that a policeman on strike succeeded in securing the arrest of two persons engaged in robbing a seafaring man, receiving the thanks of the presiding magistrate there for; and whether he will take steps to show his appreciation of such conduct either by making a special exception in the man's favour of the order refusing to reinstate any policeman on strike or, failing that, in some other marked manner?

I presume the case to which the hon. Member refers is that of an ex-constable of the City of London force which was mentioned in the Press last week. He cannot be reinstated, and the question whether the services which he tendered should be recognised in some other manner is one for the City Authorities.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the fact that ice-cream can be served to persons attending dinners at restaurants, etc., after eight o'clock, an extension of the hours In which it can be sold at shops can now be granted?

Eight o'clock (nine o'clock on Saturdays) is the hour fixed for the closing of shops by the general Order in force throughout the country. I am afraid it would not be possible to make exceptions to the general rule in favour of the sale of particular articles because they may also happen to be supplied in restaurants after that hour as part of a meal. The bulk of opinion among shop- keepers is strongly in favour of maintaining the present closing hour, if not of fixing an even earlier hour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is intended in the present Aliens Restriction Bill to enforce the rule that all officers of British ships should be British subjects or whether it is now intended to relax and alter that Regulation and, if so, to what extent; and what reasons there are for any such alteration?

This matter will be fully considered before the Report stage of the Aliens Restriction Bill is reached.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the recent railway accident at Ferozebad, in India, in which at least 250 people lost their lives owing to the carriages catching five as a result of the gas cylinder bursting; and whether he will inform the House on how many railways in this country the lighting of carriages by gas is still in existence?

My right hon. Friend has seen a report of a Committee that hold an investigation into the accident referred to in the first part of this question, and the number of persons killed is estimated at about 100. In reply to the latter part of the question, I may say that the great majority of the principal railway companies in the United Kingdom, while they still possess stock lighted by gas, concur with the inspecting officers of railways in regarding electricity as preferable to gas for the lighting of rolling stock, and are fitting their new carriages accordingly. A number of companies are also converting their existing stock to make it suitable for electric lighting, and considerable progress had been made with this work before it was necessarily interrupted by the War.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what requirements of empty railway wagon stock remained unsatisfied according to last week's return, the unsatisfied requirements to be expressed in thousands of wagons; what, number of railway wagons, including private owners' and companies' stock, have been empty during the past fortnight; and why empty coal wagons ordinarily serving collieries which are not now working have not been requisitioned for general purposes subject to their becoming available to meet their own colliery requirements so soon as coal can be forwarded?

The Board of Trade do not receive returns such as those contemplated in the first two parts of the question. The preparation of such returns, if possible, would involve an excessive amount of labour. As regards the last part of the question, steps have been taken to utilise many coal wagons which were not in use to convey coal in other districts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Report of the Committee on the establishment of the Department of the Registrar of Shipping and Seamen has now been received by him; if so, when action upon it may be expected; and, if the lie-port has not been received, can he say when it is expected that it will be received?

The Report of the Committee has not yet been received, but it is expected shortly.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Germany has an immense stock of comparatively low-priced cutlery stored in Holland awaiting shipment to Mexico, South America, the United States of America, Spain, and other foreign markets, and that fully 60 per cent. of the goods bear English descriptions, such as Keen, cutlery knives, though but few of the articles show their actual source of origin; is this stock to be dumped into England or is the Government proposing to take it in discharge of part of the indemnity, and, if this is the case, will the Government consult the Sheffield Cutlery Manufacturers' Association, which represents the cutlery industry as a whole, as regards the disposal of this stock, and thus avert the injury which would be done to the Sheffield trades through its reckless put-chase or sale throughout the world?

I have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the first part of the question; in regard to the second part, I would point out that the cutlery could not be imported into this country without a licence, which would not be issued; and the third part, therefore, does not arise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is considering the propriety of accelerating the improvement which is reported to him to have manifested itself in the Nottingham lace trade by bringing about a representation to the French Government that the decree imposing heavy additional duties on the importation into France of lace and nets seriously retards the recovery of the staple trade of the Eastern Midlands?

My right hon. Friend does not think that any useful purpose would be served by representations to the French Government on this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will give instructions to sell or dispose of the Government property now left on Penrith Beacon, the timber having now been felled, and return the property to the owners so that they may, if thought desirable, grant permission to the people of the neighbourhood to collect brushwood and fuel for use in the winter months?

Inquiries are being made, and I will acquaint the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that all unorganised classes in the Post Office are badly paid; whether he has refused to recognise the Postal and Telegraph Clerks' Association as the trade union representing caretaker operators; whether there is any other union which caters foe this type of labour; whether it would be in the interests of the Post Office to make it less difficult for the poorly-paid classes to be reorganised in order that a low-wage standard may not be perpetuated; and whether a large number of caretaker operators having joined the Postal and Telegraph Clerks' Association, he will recognise that society as representing the interests of all its members?

I cannot accept the implication in the first sentence of the question. I have recently received an application from the Postal and Telegraph Clerks' Association for recognition as representing caretaker operators. The number of caretaker operators who are members of the association is only 100 out of a total number of about 1,000. I informed the association that this proportion is much smaller than is usually regarded as sufficient to justify official recognition; and that, until the proportion of members is substantially greater, I should not feel able to regard the association as representative of the class.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is now able to lay upon the Table of the House of Commons the full specification, blue-print, and estimate for the new wireless telegraphy stations at Oxford and Cairo; whether the Government is represented on the Allied Wireless Commission which has been silting in Paris which decided that an international arrangement should be arrived at to ensure the transmission of pure waves from all commercial stations; and whether the stations at Oxford and Cairo, which the Government are satisfied will be equal, if not superior, to stations of corresponding power in this or any other country, are to be equipped with Poulsen arcs of an old patent design which transmit impure waves?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by laying the documents in question on the Table of the House. Some of the details are of a confidential character, His Majesty's Government is represented on the Inter-Allied Wireless Commission, the recom- mendations of which are under consideration by the several Governments concerned, and due care will be taken that all relevant international requirements to which His Majesty's Government is a party are duly carried out by the stations at Oxford and Cairo. The arcs to be employed are of recent design.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that letters are being received from Riga although the service to Riga is suspended; and whether it would be possible to arrange that letters addressed to Riga should reach their destination?

I am aware that letters from Riga are occasionally received in this country. It has hitherto been impracticable to find a suitable means for transmitting letters from the United Kingdom to Riga, but I hope to be in a position to establish a service soon; and the fact will then be announced in the ordinary way through the Press.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether 110 ships have been sold this year to foreigners; and, if so, will he explain why, and under what circumstances, such ships have been sold, in view of the serious depletion of British tonnage during the War?

The number of vessels sold by the Shipping Controller to foreigners to date is as stated in the question. They have been sold mainly to France, Italy, and Belgium. The fact that our Allies were very largely prevented from utilising their own resources to replace their war losses in merchant shipping gave them a strong claim to be allowed to acquire a certain amount of British tonnage, and the needs of these countries in regard to the restoration of their economic life would in any event have involved the allocation of this amount of tonnage to their service. A few ships have been sold to neutrals in special circumstances, but in every case the requirements of British shipping were given priority.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will give a list of the trades in which the Interim Arbitration Court has given an increase of 5s. to women workers, and a list of the Orders made by him under Section 2 (3) of the Temporary Wages Regulation Act, extend-

asked the Minister of Labour whether the National Federation

The following are the cases where awards have been issued by the Interim Court of Arbitration, constituted under the Wages (Temporary Regulation) Acts, giving advances of wages to women and girls of 5s. and 2s. 6d. per week respectively:of Laundry Associations, representing the employers, and the National Federation of Women Workers, representing the workers, have requested him to exercise his powers under Section 2 (3) of the Temporary Wages Regulation Act, so as to make universal the rates fixed in certain cases for the laundries by the Interim Court of Arbitration; and whether he proposes to exercise those powers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of complying with the request has been carefully considered, but it has not been found possible to grant it. It is hoped that the trade board for this industry will be able to fix the rates at an early date, probably some time in September.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the statement made by Mr. A. White, a trades union official, at the last meeting of the joint industrial council for the packing-case industry, that output in the Manchester district has been deliberately diminished with the object of finding employment for men who were walking the streets; whether he is aware that this statement was not challenged or disputed by any other trades union officials present; and whether he will take steps to prove to the trades union officials in question the fallacy of these economic arguments and that the necessity of the nation at the moment is increased production?

I have made inquiries, but cannot learn that any such statement was publicly made at the last meeting of the council. I can imagine no better way of bringing home the need for increased production to all concerned than a full and frank discussion of the matter by the joint industrial council itself, which has at its command full knowledge of the industry both from the employers' and the workers' side.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that No. I site in the housing scheme for the burgh of Grangemouth, which the Board of Health has refused to sanction, is the only site at present vacant and not under cultivation in the burgh, and that the site was specially acquired by the town council for building thereon workmen's dwellings, and an obligation to that effect inserted in the feu charter, and that such buildings of a superior class extend the whole length on the opposite side of the street, and are let to superior tenants; whether he is aware that the town council's medical officer of health for the burgh and the sanitary inspector are unanimous in their opinion as to the suitability of the site in question, and that the ratepayers of the burgh, duly convened in public meeting, have had the correspondence with the Board submitted to them, and have unanimously approved of the site as suitable, and emphatically endorsed the town council's position and called on the Board to approve of the site, and to desist from its attempt to force its will on the local authority and the ratepayers; and, if so, whether he is prepared to sanction the site so as to let the housing scheme proceed and the requirements of the burgh be provided for without further delay?

The Scottish Board of Health are advised that other and suitable sites which at the request of the local authority were inspected by the Board's inspector can be made available, and they are prepared to advise and assist the local authority in their selection. I understand that site No. I is part of an area of land acquired in 1911 by the town council for the purpose of a burgh cleansing depot. The Board have refused their approval of this site primarily because of its proximity to a soap works, cleansing depot, and stables, and I cannot hold out any prospect that the Board will reconsider their decision. I am informed that the area in question would only permit of the erection of twelve houses, while the requirements of the burgh as intimated by the local authority to the Board, are 270. I am aware that the medical officer of health has reported that he sees no valid objection to the site from the public health point of view. The Board, however, are satisfied, for the reasons above stated, that the site is quite unsuitable for the erection of houses for the working classes. The delay in preparing a housing scheme to meet the requirements of the burgh would seem to be due to the local authority's resolution to give no instructions regarding an alternative site.

asked the Parliamentary-Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that, pending the completion of a building scheme, the rural district council of Limps field are anxious to hire a number of Army huts at present on Limpsfield Common and thus find temporary accommodation for a number of ex-soldiers and others and their -families; whether the Disposal Hoard lifts power to let Army huts on hire; and, if not, whether, in view of the difficulty in the way of a local authority purchasing these huts and in order to meet to some extent the present house shortage, power will be given to the Disposal Board to meet the request of the Limpsfield rural district council?

The huts at Limpsfield have not been declared surplus nor have the local authority made any application in regard to them. On the general question I am at present discussing with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health the terms on which surplus Army huts can be disposed of to local authorities in connection with their housing schemes. There are obvious financial objections to the Government undertaking to let them but on hire.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the fifteen hostels for munitions workers closed before the 20th March this year have now been reopened; if not, whether it is the intention of his Department to reopen them or to close the remaining hostels; how many hostels are at present closed; what number of people could be housed in the whole of the hostels belonging to his Department; and whether it would be desirable to transfer them to the Minister of Health in order that they might be kept open, with the staffs now or recently employed, for the benefit of the general public until the present house famine has been overcome?

The total accommodation of the Ministry hostels apart from Gretna and Birtley would be about 9,000; as my hon. Friend is aware, I am conferring with the Ministry of Health as to the best method of utilising Ministry hostels.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been drawn to the appointment of a committee by the Fifes-hire education authority with the object of assisting, out of the education rate, the children of sixty miners who have been on strike at Lochore for three weeks; and whether it is intended that the, statutory provision for feeding necessitous children should apply to cases arising from the parents being involved in labour disputes?

My attention has not been drawn to the appointment of the committee in question, nor have I any knowledge of its. constitution and alleged objects. Under Section 6, however, of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1908, education authorities have certain duties as regards the feeding of school children. The Section prescribes a certain procedure to be followed by the education authority in the exercise of their powers in this matter, and if the education authority exceeds these powers the matter is one for decision by a Court of law.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of theneed for proper supervision of grazing committees, as defined in Section 24 of the Small Landholders (Scotland) Act, 1911, steps are being taken to remedy defects which experience has disclosed; and whether immediate legislative enactment is proposed to render more effective these committees, which are capable of beneficial development especially throughout the North of Scotland?

The subject referred to is at present engaging the careful consideration of the Land Court, which is making special inquiries. I may refer the hon. Baronet to what is said on this matter on pages 3 and 4 of the Report of the Land Court for 1918, from which it will be seen that the Court contemplate the possibility of new legislation when their inquiries are completed.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Commission proposed to be sent out or already sent out to Poland to investigate the question of pogroms and to report thereon is an Allied Commission from Great Britain and the United States, or whether separate Commissions are being sent with separate instructions; and whether he can give the names of the members of either Commission or of the Allied Commission, as the case may be?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the Mission which His Majesty's Governmentare proposing to dispatch to Poland will act independently of the Commission already dispatched by the United States Government. As regards the last part of the question, I am not yet in a position to give the names of the members of the British Mission.

asked the hon. Member for Cheltenham, as Chairman of the Kitchens and Refreshment Rooms Committee, whether he will consider the advisability of asking Mr. Speaker's permission to serve dinner on the Terrace?

The suggestion contained in the hon. and gallant Member's question has been often considered by the Kitchen Committee, and the attractiveness of the idea recognised. But various difficulties of a practical character impede its adoption. It has not, therefore, been thought necessary hitherto to submit any proposal on this subject to Mr. Speaker.