asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the defeat of Mannerheim by Stahlberg for the Presidency of Finland is held in that country to be a rebuff to His Majesty's Government and their expeditions against Petrograd; whether British credits to Finland have been cancelled on account of Mannerheim's defeat; and, in view of Mannerheim's record, will he make a statement on this subject?

The answer to the first and third parts of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, His Majesty's Government have not been contemplating, either before or after the defeat of General Mannerheim, the grant of a credit to the Government of Finland.

Is it permissible to use a question for the purpose of making an innuendo against a foreign statesman like Mannerheim, whose reputation stands so-high in his own country?

It is a procedure very strongly to be deprecated.

Against whom is the insinuation made? Is it against Mannerheim, the well-known butcher of the Reds in Finland?

That only aggravates the offence.

There was no-offence.

asked whether it is proposed to raise a loan for Finland in the British market?

Permission has been given to the Government of Finland to raise a loan in this country on. condition that the proceeds are devoted to the purchase of goods in the United Kingdom. I have no official information what progress has been made with the negotiations.

Will that provision be strictly enforced?

That is the condition attaching to the raising of the loan.

Will similar opportunity be given to the Governments of Esthonia, Lithuania, and Lativia?

Will there be a guarantee that any goods going to that country are not required by the home consumer?

In so far as it may be necessary to protect our own resources against depletion that must be done by restrictions of general application imposed by the Board of Trade. It would be wholly insufficient merely to attach conditions to a particular loan.

Is the abolition of the restrictions on capital issues now being considered?

We have been considering that question, but are not yet in a position to make an announcement on the subject. I doubt very much whether the time has come for their complete abolition.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps it is proposed to take to place commercial travellers of foreign nations entering the United Kingdom on the same footing as regards the payment of licences, taxes, and fees as British commercial travellers are placed on entering foreign countries?

No proposals of the kind have been under the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

Will the Government consider whether it is not possible to apply the same law as the French of strict reciprocity in this matter, charging foreign commercial travellers the same as our travellers are charged in foreign countries?

That probably cannot be done under existing treaties, but I will inquire.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what are the commercial economic arrangements in respect of British exports to Belgium and Belgian exports to the United Kingdom?

(Department of Oversea Trade) As the answer is a lengthy one, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why only about 500 permits to enter the British-occupied areas in Ger many were issued to British subjects for business reasons during April, May, and June last, while nearly 5,000 permits to enter the same areas were, during the same period, issued to foreign subjects?

The explanation is that very few more than 500 British subjects applied for permits. As a matter of fact not more than 2 per cent. of the applications to enter British-occupied areas in Germany for business purposes have been refused.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the British subjects who were permitted to enter the British occupied areas in Germany between 31st March and 30th June last were officials and how many were permitted to enter for business purposes; how many applications were made by British subjects to enter these British-occupied areas for business purposes; and how many were granted and how many refused?

The number of British subjects permitted to enter British-occupied areas in Germany between 31st March and 30th June was 667. Of these permits to 448 were granted in London, the remainder having been granted by Consuls abroad. Between 31st March and 30th June 112 applications were made by British subjects to enter British occupied areas for business purposes; 102 permits were granted and 10 were refused; 336 permits were granted during that period to officials.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Oversea Trade Department what arrangements have now been made regarding the levy of Consular fees on invoice certificates, certificates of origin, legalisation of bills of lading, and such like documents by British Consuls abroad as are levied by foreign Consuls in Great Britain, with a view to the provision of funds towards the improvement of the British Consular service as well as to put British merchants in this country on an equal footing with foreign merchants abroad?

The revision of the Consular fee table is under consideration, and complete proposals with a view to a largely increased yield have been formulated. These proposals include all the services referred to.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether His Majesty had, through the Lord Lieutenant for Ireland, requested that the holidays for school children in Ireland should be extended this year for one week; whether such request has been refused; and, as there has been no meeting of the Commissioners of National Education in the meantime, can he say on whose authority this request was refused?

It has been decided, in deference to the views of His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant and the Chief Secretary, to grant the request for an extra week's holiday.

asked the first Commissioner of Works what are the Regulations and hours for bathing in the Serpentine water in Hyde Park; and whether, during the continuance of the present hot weather and the duration of the London school holidays, he will extend the hours for children bathing in this park?

The hours for bathing in the Serpentine at the present time are as follow:

Why should not children bathe in the Serpentine whenever they like?

Children can bathe there from 1.30 to 8.30, which is quite a long time.

Why are regulations necessary?

We must have regulated hours.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he can now state if the Advisory Committee have considered the question of granting a permit to take up a street collection en route in connection with a demonstration to be organised by the League of the Blind in Hyde Park on 17th August?

The matter has been further considered by the Advisory Committee with the result that a permit has now been granted subject to compliance with the Regulations, which require, inter alia, that all collectors should occupy stationary positions on the footway.

asked the Home Secretary whether, a few days ago, there arrived in England from Norway a man named Zachariassen, who handed to a woman a sealed package; whether he was shortly afterwards arrested and, after a night's detention, made a confession implicating certain people in this country; if he had previously stated in England that he had brought a sum of £6,000 for the woman; and if he will give the House full information about the matter?

Axel Zachariassen landed in this country on 30th June, and was detained by the police as stated in the question. In a written statement he said that he had been asked to convey from Stockholm a locked box, of which he had the key, containing notes, and to hand it to a lady in this country. In this statement he said that he did not know the amount of the notes, but he appears previously to have said that the sum brought by him was £6,000 The lady in question has admitted having received £280 through Zachariassen for the support of a journal of extreme views and small circulation of which she is the editor.

Is the lady in question Miss Sylvia Pankhurst?

I understand that is the lady's name.

asked the Home Secretary on what terms and conditions-Germans are now being admitted into this country and what restrictions are imposed on them as to the place and duration of their residence here; and whether the Germans whose businesses were wound up-under the Trading With the Enemy Act, 1916, are permitted to return to this country and restart their businesses?

Two categories of German subjects are at present being admitted to the United Kingdom: (1) British born wives who have urgent reasons for coming here, such as the serious illness of a parent; no conditions are imposed on their landing; (2) German business men who can prove that their visit to this country will be for the benefit of British trade. Such men are admitted subject to appropriate conditions as to the duration of their stay and the places that they visit, and they are required to register forthwith with the police and report to them all temporary changes of residence. Germans who have been repatriated are not being permitted to return to restart their businesses.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what are these conditions of residence under which Germans are admitted here?

The conditions are that they report their residence and report any change of residence.

Would the right hon. Gentleman kindly say is this country at peace with Germany?

Will the right hon. Gentleman, when he gives permits to Germans, bear in mind the pledges given at the General Election by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House, and the present Lord Chancellor?

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how the visits of German business men to this country will be for the benefit of the trade of this country?

asked the Home Secretary whether there are any other Syndicalist leaders employed by the police authorities on the terms admitted by him to have governed the employment of the convict F. W. Watson; and, if so, will he publish the names of such persons?

I must decline to answer this question, not because it presents any difficulties in itself, but because I must maintain the general principle of not giving any replies, positive or negative, with regard to police informants.

Why was that pious ordinance broken in the case of Watson; and why could the right hon. Gentleman make disclosures in his case and cannot make them in any other cases, provided that such other effenders exist, as they undoubtedly do?

The case of Watson apparently was known.

Can the right hon. gentleman say what sum of money is being expended annually by the Home Office on secret service?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Health if at the Northern Hospital, Winchmore Hill, London, certain wards are used for consumptive patients in all stages of the disease, the patients including men, women, and children, while other wards are being used for children convalescent from scarlet fever and diphtheria removed from other infectious hospitals ; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the whole of the wards referred to are enclosed in one building, that the nursing staff is presided over by one matron, and that the nurses are employed indiscriminately in either infectious or tuberculosis wards; whether, if he decides that the hospital should still house both classes of patients, steps will be taken to appoint a recognised expert to take responsible charge of the tuberculosis wards; and if he will ascertain if there is sufficient and suitable space for recreation for sanatorium patients?

Some blocks at the Metropolitan Asylums Board Hospital, Winchmore Hill, are used for the treatment of tuberculous patients and other blocks for convalescent cases of acute infectious disease but no ward and no block is used for more than, one disease. The tuberculous patients are classified in their respective wards according to the stages of the disease. A nurse engaged in nursing tuberculosis is not allowed to come into contact with cases of acute infectious disease. An entirely separate medical staff, with special experience in tuberculosis, under the general supervision of the medical superintendent of the hosptal, is in charge of the blocks for the treatment of tuberculosis. Having regard to the class of case admitted to these blocks, the space available for recreation is sufficient and suitable.

asked the Minister of Health if inconvenience and danger to the health of the people have been caused by the holding up of the water scheme to supply the inhabitants of Recurdean Hill, Gloucestershire, with a supply of water; if for six months a dispute has existed between his Department and the local council whether cast-iron or galvanised iron pipes should be used; and if he will take steps to get the matter settled at once, so that the scheme can be proceeded with?

The Ministry are in communication with the council, from whom they received on the 22nd of July a revised estimate on which a loan could be sanctioned. The question of the use of galvanised iron pipes is to be considered at an early conference with the council.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware of the real danger to health through contaminated water which children will get to in this hot weather; as there is a water supply within forty yards of the neighbourhood not injured in any way by the soil, has he any objection to the laying of this pipe; and will he expedite matters, so that this evil may be removed?

I can assure my hon. Friend that no time will be lost. I sent word this morning to get the matter settled as soon as possible.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the congestion of timber at the port of Hull owing to sufficient railway wagons not being available to transport it; whether he is aware that this is causing delays in shipping and also shortage of timber and high prices in the country; and whether, in case it is impossible to detail more wagons for this work, steps can be taken to use road, coastal, and canal traffic to relieve this congestion and distribute the timber?

I have been asked to reply to this question. My attention was recently called to this matter, and I understand that, as far as the congestion of timber traffic at Hull is due to an insufficient supply of railway wagons, such steps as are possible are being taken by the railway companies to meet the requirements of the trade, due regard being paid to the present heavy demands for wagons at Hull for foodstuffs and perishables and other urgent traffic. Arrangements are also being made for the increased use of water transport in cases such as that referred to.

Would the use of motor transport be possible? Has it been considered by the Department?

Yes; it has been considered.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the same difficulty is to be found in all the ports throughout the Kingdom?

The matter is receiving the most careful consideration of my right hon. Friend. Cases do, of course, occur all over the country.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the effect of the liquor restrictions at present en forced in working men's clubs; whether he is aware that these restrictions were war time measures; whether, now that the Peace Treaty has been signed, he will state what are the reasons for the continuation of these restrictions; and whether, in view of the importance of removing any source of irritation, he will consider the advisability of removing these restrictions at the earliest possible date?

I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

Can the right lion. Gentleman give any information before the end of the Session?

No, not more information than I have given, which is that the Government are going to introduce a Bill on the subject, but cannot do it until after the Recess, and in the meantime the position remains as before.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these workmen's clubs, acting on the advice of myself and other eminent lawyers, are ignoring these restrictions, on the ground that they no longer retain any force in law?

Is the lion. Member prepared to take the position that if he and other eminent lawyers are wrong they will bear the penalty?

I do not mind being prosecuted a bit by the Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether he proposes to reconstruct the Cabinet on a Peace basis; and, if so, when will this be accomplished?

I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave on the 16th of July to questions on this subject by the hon. and gallant Members for East Leyton and Yeovil respectively.

Is not the best way to go to work to reduce expenditure to restore the old system of Cabinet Government?

My hon. and gallant Friend's views and mine differ on that subject. I believe it would not tend in the least to help in coordinating the work, which is the only way to keep down expenses

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that a meeting of No. 3 Sub-committee of the Select Committee on National Expenditure was held on 17th July to consider the arrangements for staffing the Ministry of Supply; if he will state whether these prospective arrangements for a service for which Parliamentary authority has not yet been asked were within his cognisance; and will he now definitely state what are the intentions of the Government in reference to the Ministry of Supply?

I was not aware of the meeting referred to. As regards the rest of the question, I cannot add anything to what I said on Monday last in reply to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Kincardine and Western.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read the Report of the meeting of the Sub-committee if I furnish him with a copy?

Yes, certainly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. and gallant Gentleman (Captain Guest), in answer to me on Monday, said some 3,000 officials had been transferred from the War Office to the Ministry of Supply, and how does he reconcile that statement with the answer he has given me?

It would have been more correct to say they were transferred to the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Minister of Health what is the cost each year of the grants made and promise I to panel doctors and chemists in respect of war bonuses or allowances?

The answer is long, and I will have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Giants by way of war bonuses or allowances, as distinct from the regular payments for remuneration for insurance practice, have been made to insurance practitioners, in respect of the year 1918, amounting to approximately £300,000. Approval has been given by the Treasury for the grant of a war bonus to insurance practitioners in respect of the year 1919 on a basis corresponding broadly to that laid down by the Conciliation and Arbitration Board for Civil Servants. The cost of the grants for the year 1919 is estimated to be approximately £950,000. These figures are for Great Britain. As regards chemists, the increase of remuneration afforded them in respect of war conditions forms part of the general charge upon funds provided for defraying the cost of medical benefit and cannot be readily separated.

asked the Minister of Health if 'he has yet given any consideration to the insufficiency, owing to declining money values, of the allowance of 3s. 5d. per member of approved societies for administrative purposes under the National Health Insurance Acts ; and, if not, can he see his way to do so and recommend Parliament to approve of an augmentation of the allowance in order to meet the increased expenditure of the societies under that head?

asked the Minister of Health if some approved societies have been unable to grant an adequate war bonus to their staffs in consequence of the administration allowance, which was fixed by Regulation several years ago, being now found by them to be insufficient; and, if so, what action lie proposes to take?

It rests solely with the approved society to determine the salaries of its officials, and the Ministry has no knowledge of the extent to which war bonuses have been granted. The audited accounts indicate that the great majority of societies have still a surplus on their administration account, though the necessity for increasing the maximum sum available for purposes of administration is under consideration in connection with the question of the revision of the rates of contributions and benefits. Sick- ness and unemployment benefits are, however, so closely associated that the question of the revision of the sickness benefit scale cannot be settled pending a decision in regard to the contemplated revision of unemployment benefit.

asked the Prime Minister what steps are to be taken to inquire into the alleged shortage of hospital equipment and supplies, the deficiency of water supplies, and the consequent, outbreak of cholera in the Khaibar during the late operations on the North-West Frontier of India?

I would refer the lion, and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to my lion, and gallant Friend the Member for Horsham and Worthing. I hope to lay Papers tomorrow.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the great majority of those injured by the bombardment of the Hartle pools on 16th December, 1914, and by subsequent air raids, are poor people and have received either very inadequate compensation or none at all, and in a number of instances have actually become chargeable to the guardians, the Government will without further delay advance compensation, instead of keeping their cases waiting indefinitely to be settled by a Reparation Commission or other authority to be constituted under the terms of Peace?

:I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me, on 14th March last, to a question asked by the hon. Member for the Putney Division, Wandsworth. The Government is unable to adopt the suggestion contained in the last part of the question.

In view of that answer, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether lie will give a day before the Recess to discuss the present position of the black races?

I regret that it is not. possible to give special facilities for this discussion.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the United States Senate recently found time to discuss the Irish question, and does the right hon. Gentleman not consider that it would be a graceful act to reciprocate by placing at the disposal of the United States the benefit of our experience in governing the negro races throughout the British Empire?

I now understand, I did not before, the meaning of this question. Perhaps the best way for the hon. Gentleman to express his views would be to put down a Resolution to that effect.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no similitude between the Irish race and the negro race?

I recognise that, except that they are both human.

Will the right hon. Gentleman do his best to prevent any effort to sow dissension between this country and America even by means of what may be intended to be merely humour?

I should like to say, in so far as that question is concerned, that the Government recognises, and I think the House recognises, that largely the future of the world depends upon good relations between the United States and this country.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when the volumes of historical, economic, and geographical information which were prepared for the use of the British delegates in Paris will be published; and whether the prices will be fixed at such reasonable amounts as will make them generally accessible?

Arrangements are being made by the Foreign Office for the publication of the Peace handbooks prepared for the use of the British Delegation at the Peace Conference at Paris. Considerable editorial work is involved, and at the present moment it is impossible to say when the volumes will be ready for issue. Due economy will be exercised in respect of the remuneration of the editorial staff and in cutting down the cost of preparation and production. It is to be anticipated that the books can be issued at prices sufficiently low to render them generally accessible to the public.

Will these handbooks be issued as a White Paper, or will Members have to buy them?

I think hon. Members will have to buy them. There are many volumes.

asked the Prime Minister if any economic or commercial understanding or treaty has been negotiated with the United States of America as the corollary of the Treaty of Peace; and if any arrangements have been agreed to or approaching agreement for the favourable admission of British exports into the United States of America?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether, notwithstanding the critical state of the country's finances, 4.000 officers are to be sent to the universities at the expense of the taxpayer?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this question. Under the Government scheme for the assisted education of ex-Service officers and men, which was de-sided upon by the War Cabinet in December, 1918, and publicly announced in the same month, Grants are being made by the Board of Education for courses of higher education at universities, polytechnics, and other public educational institutions. I cannot say at present how many ex-officers and men will receive assistance under this scheme, but I am sure that the money will be well spent in the national interest.

Cannot as much be said for every one of the items of expenditure, and if no beginning is ever to be made in cutting down, when is a saving to-be effected?

That is a matter of opinion. My hon. Friend is justified in-having one opinion; I have another opinion on this point. I think the money is very well spent. I may add that no-officer and no man under this scheme receives a Grant for higher education unless he can prove to the satisfaction of a competent committee, whose work comes under my review subsequently, (1) that he needs assistance, and (2) that he is capable of profiting by the course offered.

Is it not the case that by the action of the trade unions many of those who obtain such training in technical colleges are prevented from obtaining employment? [HON. MEMBERS: "No!"]

I am not aware of that.

Is it not the case that the Minister of Labour answered that yesterday?

If so, there is no reason. to ask it again.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the recent decision given in the Court of the King's Bench in the case of Curtis, surveyor of taxes, and Holds worth, when the appeal of the Crown against the finding of the General Commission for Income Tax at York, that acting-paymasters were in fact doing work of a military character, was dismissed, he will give the reasons for the refusal of the Special Commissioner of Income Tax at the War Office to assess the incomes of lady superintendents of the Army Pay Department at military rates, seeing that these ladies are doing the same work and carrying out the same duties as acting-paymasters or other officers of the Army Pay Department; and whether he will consider the advisability of reversing the decision of the Special Commissioner?

I am inquiring into this matter, and will communicate with my hon. Friend as soon as I am in. a position to do so.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the only means of dealing with the adverse exchange is by reducing imports of articles of luxury; if so, whether he is aware that the value of imported embroidery in 1916 was over £3,000,000 sterling, and that the Board of Trade have just increased the ration So as to permit importation of a like amount for the current year; and whether he is aware that this is not only causing unemployment in Nottingham but adversely affecting exchange?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Reduction of the import of luxuries is certainly one method but not the only one of dealing with adverse exchanges. Moreover a great quantity of this embroidery is made into apparel in this country and exported, thus affording a considerable amount of employment. Whilst the figure given as to the import of embroidery is roughly accurate, it is not correct to say that the ration has lately been increased so as to permit an equal amount to be imported now. On the contrary, as I pointed out to the hon. Member in a previous answer, having regard to the large rise in value, the quantity now permitted to be imported is rather less than half the quantity imported in 1916. I am not aware that this adjustment of the ration has caused unemployment.

If the material is used for re-export why does the Board of Trade prevent its import?

That is one of the larger questions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has made any estimate of the saving which could be effected in expenditure by a revision of the Royal Air Force establishment, in view of the termination of the War?

This question has been under constant consideration and a provisional establishment has been drawn up which shows very substantial reductions. That establishment is now undergoing further revision with a view to reducing expenditure. The results will be embodied in the detailed Air Estimates, to the presentation of which, during the: autumn, my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Treasury referred in his answer to the right hon. Baronet the Member for the City of London on the 11th instant.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered the desirability of demobilising the women of his Department?

Yes, Sir. As I announced in my remarks the day before yesterday the women will be reduced very shortly from the large number they were to 3,000, comprising only those employed, on domestic service.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the inclusive cost incurred out of national funds on account of the recent visit of the Minister-designate of Ways and Communications and his staff to Leeds in connection with the coal-mining dispute in Yorkshire?

I understand that all the accounts have not yet been received, and I am, therefore, unable to make any statement of the total cost at the present time.

asked whether a farmer can sell cider to the neighbouring farmers within five miles tax free, and yet if he sells to his workmen he has to pay the duty of 4d. per gallon?

Cider made by farmers is not liable to tax unless sold or kept for sale. Duty is payable if a farmer sells the cider to his workmen, but not if lie supplies it to them free of charge, nor if he sells it to a neighbouring farmer for supply by the latter free of charge for consumption on his own farm by persons employed thereon.