I shall have to submit to the House several Amendments of Standing Orders, some of which are on the Paper to-day and some of which I shall set down for next week. Those which I submit to-day are entirely consequential Amendments arising out of legislation. They fall into two groups. The first group, dealing with Scottish legislation, arises from the fact that the Standing Orders have not been revised in that respect since the passing of the Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act of 1899, and these Amendments are to put the Standing Orders into agreement with that Act. The other group deals with legislation of the present Session establishing the Ministry of Health and substituting its jurisdiction for that of the Local Government Board.

Standing Order 4 read, and amended, in line 22, by leaving out the words "and Sheriff Clerks."

Standing Order 9 read, and amended, in line 4, by leaving out the word. "Edinburgh."

Standing Order 14 read, and amended, at the end, by leaving out the words "and Sheriff Clerks, as the case may be."

Standing Order 22 read, and amended, in line 11, by leaving out the words "and Scotland."

Standing Order 24 read, and. amended, in line 17, by leaving out the words "or in the office of the Principal Sheriff Clerk of every County in Scotland and where any County in Scotland is divided into districts or division, then also in the office of the Principal Sheriff Clerk, in or for each district or division"; in line 34, by leaving out the words "or Sheriff Clerks"; and, in line 45. by leaving out the words "or Sheriff Clerk."

Standing Order 26b read, and amended, in line 10, by leaving out the words "if the river is in Scotland, at the office of the Secretary for Scotland."

Standing Order 27 read, and amended, in line 4, by leaving out the words "or Sheriff Clerk."

Standing Order 29 read, and amended, in line 31, by leaving out paragraphs (e) and (f).

Standing Order 33 read, and amended, in line 9, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof]; in line 10, by leaving out the words "Scotland or," and by leaving out the words "at the Office of the Secretary for Scotland or"; in line 13, by leaving out the words "as the case may be"; and, in line 71, by leaving out the words "or Scotland."

Standing Order 36a read, and amended, in line 8, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof].

Standing Order 38 read, and amended, in line 31, by leaving out paragraph (3); and, in line 53 by leaving out the words "as regards Scotland, the Secretary for Scotland."

Standing Order 57 read, and amended, in line 25, by leaving out the words "or with the King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer on behalf of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland, if the work is intended to be done in Scotland."

Standing Order 61 read, and amended, in line 11, by leaving out the words "and in the Office of the Sheriff Clerk of every County in Scotland"; in line 15, by leaving out the words "and where any County in Scotland is divided into districts or divisions then also in the Office of the Principal Sheriff Clerk in and for each district or division in which such alteration is proposed to be made"; and, in line 30, by leaving out the word "Edinburgh."

Standing Order 62 read, as amended, in line 14, by leaving out the word "Edinburgh."

Standing Order 64 read, and amended, in line 34, by leaving out the word "Edinburgh."

Standing Order 66 read, and amended, in line 43, by leaving out the word "Edinburgh."

Standing Order 158 read, and amended, in paragraph (A), line 41, by leaving out the words "the King's Remembrancer of the Court of Exchequer in Scotland"; and, in line 45, by leaving out the word "Scotland."

Standing Order 158a read, and amended, in paragraph (B). line 26, by leaving out the words "or the Court of Exchequer in Scotland"; and, in paragraph (C), line 106, by leaving out the words "or Edinburgh."

Standing Order 172 read, and amended, in line 7, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof].

Standing Order 184 read, and amended, in line 3, by leaving out the words "Scotland, or."

Standing Order 194b read, and amended, in line 42, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof]; and, in line 52, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof].

Standing Order 194d read, and amended, in line 5, by leaving out the words "Local Government Board," and inserting the words "Ministry of Health" [instead thereof].—[The Chairman of Ways and Means.]

Granton Harbour Order Confirmation Bill,

Read the third time, and passed.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the vexation caused by measures now taken by the Swiss Government in regard to British travellers who are not connected in any way with political movements; and whether the Government will consider the desirability of taking similar measures with regard to Swiss who may desire to enter England in the future?

No complaints have come to my knowledge recently, but if the hon. Member will furnish me with particulars of the cases lie has in mind I will see what action can be taken.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware of the active propaganda now being carried on in the United States by Sinn Feiners, with a view of influencing public opinion against this country by false and exaggerated statements; and whether any action is being taken to counteract the efforts of these agitators?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Opportunity is taken whenever possible to correct misapprehensions and to contradict false statements in relation to the action or policy of this country.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether this country is about to enter into an agreement with Roumania for the exploitation of her natural wealth; and whether the terms of the agreement will be made public?

The possibility of increased co-operation of British interests with Roumania in the development of her petroleum resources was discussed some time ago with the late Prime Minister of Roumania, but there have been no recent negotiations on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an Anglo-American concern is negotiating with the Government at Prague for a twenty-five years' lease of the Czech railway?

His Majesty's Government have no knowledge of any such negotiation. His Majesty's representative at Prague is being instructed to furnish information on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the case of Private Albert G. French, No. 12838, 7th Battalion Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, who was reported missing on the 9th May, 1917, and since reported as supposed to have been killed on that date; is he aware that this man since the age of eighteen months was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Smith, of 32, York Road, Stony Stratford, Bucks, who cared for him for twenty-two years, that he had no blood relatives known, that he was unmarried, that no will can be traced, but that his adopted parents are prepared to swear that he did make a will leaving all his effects to his adopted mother; and will he cause inquiries to be made into this case and enable Private French's foster parents to prove their claim?

I will have further inquiries made, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the increased cost of living, he will consider the desirability of increasing the service pensions of pre-war pensioners who, for no fault of their own, but purely by reason of age and ill-health, were unable to join the Colours in the recent War?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply yesterday to a similar question put by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Edmonton.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British military hospitals are still established at Marseilles; and, if so, will he state the number and approximate size of those units?

The latest information available in the War Office is dated the 16th October. On that date there were at Marseilles one British General hospital equipped with 750 beds and one Indian General Hospital equipped with 400 beds.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many German prisoners of war have been repatriated to date; and when the country may expect to see the last of all these unwelcome guests?

Since the 1st September, 1919, when the general repatriation of German Combatant Prisoners of War commenced, 218,380 have been repatriated according to the latest returns, including 32,530 from this country. It is impossible to say at present when they will all have been repatriated, as this depends mainly upon transport facilities.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the justifiable and increasing irritation amongst British Labour at the continued employment of these German prisoners of war?

I suppose we are all anxious to get rid of them.

asked the Secretary of State for War what progress is being made with the preparation of the conditions of service in the post-war Territorial Force; what inducements he proposes to offer in order to attract suitable recruits to this force; and whether he has considered the advantages of offering reduced rates of Income Tax to all members of this force?

I am not in a position to make any definite statement at present.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider all that is required is to assure men that they will be re-engaged on the terms existing before the War?

The hon. and gallant Member knows that the conditions of service are under consideration at the present moment.

Is it the attitude of the War Office that the Territorial Force is not required at all?

I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend if he thinks that, he is under a misapprehension.

Why are fourteen major-generals drawing pay and allowances?

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the members of the Territorial Force Nursing Service, engaged in our home military hospitals, by reason of the fact that they are not to receive the war medal or victory medal the same as those who went overseas; that many of these devoted women volunteered for overseas service but were commanded to remain on duty in this country, where they received the wounded from overseas and rendered most efficient and invaluable service in nursing our soldiers and sailors back to health; will lie consider their claims for recognition; and does he propose to take any action in the matter?

As I have already stated, the question elf the award of a medal to those who rendered services in connection with the Army at home during the War is receiving careful consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the commanding officers of the reconstituted Territorial Force units have been decided on; if so, when their appointments will be gazetted; whether enlistment is to start on 1st November as promised; and whether he is in a position to make public the conditions of service?

The future organisation of the Territorial Force has not yet been decided, and meanwhile no appointments to command of units have been made. The terms and conditions of service are still under discussion, and until a final decision is arrived at enlistments cannot commence.

May I ask whether any sums for the Territorial Force were included in the Army Estimates in the White Paper circulated yesterday, and, if so, what amount?

I think that raises a different question, and perhaps my hon. Friend would give notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is the intention of the War Office to make officers and men of the Territorial Force, when not embodied, liable to be called out as a military body in aid of the civil power; and, if so, whether he is aware of the serious effect such a Clause would have on recruiting?

No such decision has been reached. The future terms and conditions of service of the Territorial Force are still under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to War Office Letter 9/General Number 9,598 (M.S. 4) of 1st October, stating that no officer who has been in command of a unit for four years is to command a unit of the reconstituted Territorial Force; whether this applies to those who have held only acting or temporary command during the War; and whether, seeing that under the Territorial Force Regulations the period could be extended up to eight years and in view of the importance of taking advantage of war experience, he will consider extending the above period of four years for a further two years in special cases?

The letter referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend applies only to those who have held the substan- tive rank of lieutenant-colonel for four years, and. the intention is that, in order to secure a flow of promotion and to enable young officers with war experience to be selected for command of battalions, etc., the term of command should not be extended beyond the normal period of four years.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will give the total number of officers who form general headquarters, together with the total of their pay and allowances as on the 1st October, or other convenient date; and will he say what work is undertaken by General Headquarters which could not be performed by the War Office itself, and an economy be thereby effected?

The number of officers at General Headquarters, Great Britain, is seventy-one, and the total amount of their pay and allowances is £72,000 per annum. The responsibilities of the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Great Britain, include arrangements for defence, the training of all officers and troops in Great Britain, with the exception of cadets, and discipline and administrative questions affecting the organisation and distribution of the troops. In addition, the inspectors of all Arms except those of Ordnance and Quartermaster-General's services come under the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief and report to him. The question of the retention or abolition of General Headquarters, Great Britain, is at present under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the total number of Chinese and other coloured labour, together with the number of British labour troops and other details, at present engaged upon salvage work in war areas; what is the weekly cost of this salvage work; and for how much longer is it anticipated that it will be continued?

I understand the term salvage in the question as covering all work of handling, custody, and transport of stores other than equipment in the charge of regiments. The number at present employed upon such work in war areas are:

British Labour troops and other details	81,000
Chinese and other coloured labour	45,000

The weekly cost of salvage operations is estimated at £537,000 a week, including cost of transportation to the United Kingdom. The point raised in the last part of the question is under close consideration between the War Office and the Ministry of Munitions, and I can name no definite date at present, but my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that we are perfectly alive to the situation.

Is it not the fact that the Ministry of Munitions are getting the credit for the amounts of money obtained from these sales, and that the War Office is getting abused as being an expensive service, and cannot this be readjusted?

Looked at from a purely Army point of view, I think that is very desirable: looked at from the point of view of the taxpayer it does not make any difference whether the amount realised by the sale of this material is credited to the Ministry of Munitions or the Army.

Is it not the fact that this is delaying the demobilisation of large numbers of men who would be more profitably engaged in production in the country?

Of course it is quite clear that the duty of the collection, storage, and transport of this material—which is very valuable—has no doubt prevented the demobilisation of large numbers of men. It is quite obvious also that the work they have done and are doing would have to be done by others if they were sent away.

Does the salvage sent home include such things as barbed wire or is this sold locally?

We do not deal in barbed wire.

Has my right hon. Friend any idea how many pounds it costs to sell El worth of this stuff?

No; I am afraid I cannot say, because we are not responsible for what we have collected.

How much is expected to be realised in money out of this expenditure of nearly £600,000 a week?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will put that question to the Ministry of Munitions. I understand they contemplate realising an enormous sum.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the signing of the Armistice many Infantrymen were transferred to the postal section of the Army of the Black Sea; whether these men have had no leave since they went overseas: whether, being Derby men aand entitled to retention in the Army of Occupation, they are entitled to a period of furlough; whether the Assistant Director of Postal Services declines to sanction any leave and says he will decline absolutely to accept any allotment for leave which may be offered to him on behalf of these men although they have been overseas without leave for periods of two and a-half years and three years; and whether he will make immediate inquiries into the conditions of the men in Constantinople, Salonika, Batum, and Bucharest, with a view to the removaal of this ground for complaint?

As the hon. Member was informed by letter on the 29th August last, since the Armistice some ninety men have been transferred from the Infantry and other arms to the Army Postal Service. In some cases the men had not been granted leave since proceeding overseas, and some of them were "Derby" men and entitled to furlough. I am informed that a fair proportion of leave has been allotted to the Army Postal Service. It is, however, regretted that hardship has been imposed on some fifty of these men, but only by postponing their leave was it possible to maintain an efficient distribution of mails to this widely scattered Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that men in the Royal Army Service Corps have been transferred against their will into the employment of the Navy and Army Canteen Board; and whether it is in order to withhold the demobilisation of these men?

No men of the Royal Army Service Corps have been transferred against their wishes into the employment of the Navy and Army Canteen Board. Shortly after the Armistice a limited number were lent to the Board to assist at ports and railway stations in the feeding of troops sent home for demobilisation. These men are released for demobilisation as and when they are eligible under current instructions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British mission to the Iman of Yemen, which was stated to have been captured by independent Arabs on the road from Hodeida to Sanna, has yet been released; who the mission consisted of; and, if not yet released, what information. he can give concerning it?

A mission composed of three or four British officers, headed by Colonel Jacob, was on its way to visit the Iman Yahya at Sanna, when it was intercepted and detained by a small section of independent Arabs who do not recognise the Iman's authority. The members of the mission are being well treated, and are all in good health, and they are in uninterrupted communication with their relatives. Negotiations for their release are in progress, and it is hoped that this will shortly be effected. Exact information as to the personnel of the mission is not at present available.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the two ex-Service men's organisations known as the Comrades of the Great War and the National Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors are represented on the Committee under General Lord Byng in connection with the disbursement of the accumulated canteen profits, and that it is proposed to entrust the administration of the fund largely to the local branches of these two organisations; that the National Union of ex-Service men, which in a number of areas is stronger in membership than either of the other two organisations, has been refused representation on the Committee or any participation in the work of administration; and whether, in order to ensure equal treatment to all such organisations, the services of the National Union of ex-Service Men will be utilised and the organisation given representation on the Committee?

The constitution of the Executive Committee of the United Services Fund has not been decided finally. The establishment and incorporation of this fund will be effected by Royal Charter, the terms of which are at present under discussion.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is any prospect of the early abolition of the passport system at present applying to the Channel Islands; and, if not, will he state which Channel Island authority objects to the abolition?

I have been for some time in communication with the Governments of Guernsey and Jersey with regard to the abolition of the passport system at present applicable to the passenger traffic between the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands, and I hope that a decision will be reached at an early date.

Is it not the fact that, owing to the small number of steamers and the large number of would-be passengers, the passport system is a blessing in disguise?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to state when it is intended to withdraw the British Minister from the Vatican?

I hope to be able shortly to make a definite statement on this subject.

May we take it that His Majesty's Government fully recognise the importance of having a Diplomatic representative at the Holy See?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now make any statement as to the policy of the Government in respect to the control of the liquor traffic, more especially in regard to the extension of hours during which alcohol can be sold; and whether he proposes to permit tobacco to be sold after 8 p.m.?

I would suggest that my hon. and gallant Friend should await the introduction of the Bill which the Government have promised to introduce dealing with the control of the liquor traffic. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, to a question on this subject on the 20th of March, to which I have nothing to add.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state the cost to the nation, as far as it can be ascertained, of the recent railway strike?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which was given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to similar questions yesterday.

asked the Prime Minister whether a Bill is in preparation designed to abolish boards of guardians and insurance committees; and whether lie can make a statement on the subject?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement as to the proposals which are under consideration in regard to the two points referred to in my hon. Friend's question.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the resolution of the Consumers' Council stating that, in view of the fact that the Prime Minister has given no reply to the deputation which urged upon him the necessity for at once establishing the Ministry of Food upon a permanent basis, the council again presses upon the Government and the House of Commons the importance of constituting forthwith the Ministry of Food as a Department of national administration with widely increased powers; and if he will say what action the Government propose to take in view of the support that the Consumers' Council has on the part of organised labour and consumers?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Smethwick

asked the Prime Minister if he will consider the advisability of distributing the Government stocks of surplus boots and cloth to the various municipal authorities in the country or co-operative societies at the prices which the Govern- ment paid for the same, so that the same might be sold to the public for public need and at the same time prevent profiteering?

I do not think that municipal authorities are conveniently organised for undertaking retail trade, nor could I undertake to confine the distribution of Government stocks of surplus boots and cloth to co-operative societies. It is open to these societies, and to any other organisation of retail tradesmen or business firms, to tender for Government stores or to purchase at local auctions, and all inquiries from such organisations are welcomed. The Disposal Board does not hold out for the prices at which the goods were purchased by the Government. Its policy is to dispose of surplus stores at the best market prices.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that now these articles are sold to profiteers who add to the prices instead of reducing them to the public?

No, I have no information to justify that statement. This is not a time at which the Government would be justified in selling stores below their proper value.

Are the Government disposed to open retail shops themselves to sell at real market values?

I shudder at the prospect of the Government going into the retail trade.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if lie is in a position to give the amount realised by the sale of surplus stores for the six months ending 30th September, 1919, as compared with the Budget estimate of the amount of such sale; and if he will say how much is expected to be realised in the current financial year compared with the amount for which he budgeted?

I have been asked to answer this question. The sales of surplus stores (excluding raw materials on trading accounts) for the half-year ended 30th September, so far as the figures have at present come to hand, amount approximately to £45,000,000, as against a total of £76,780,000 allowed for in the Estimates for the whole financial year. I hope that we may eventually realise a total of about £120,000,000 for the year, but my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate the difficulty of making anything like a close estimate.

What will be the cost of realising these stores?

Obviously offhand I cannot give that information.

asked the Prime Minister, in the light of continued rise in the cost of living and the failure of the Profiteering Act to arrest increased prices or reduce cost of essentials of life so as to bring them within access of workers' wages, what policy the Government has to accomplish the same so as to cope with the general labour unrest arising from both high prices and inferior quality of articles purchased?

:I think the Profiteering Act, the full effect of which is not yet felt, is having a very considerable effect. There are very many causes, including increased wages, which are responsible for high prices. High prices can only be effectively reduced if there is a greater production of commodities.

Might not high prices be reduced if the Government made both ends meet and stopped the inflation of currency?

I think it will greatly help to reduce inflation as soon as we cease to be under the necessity of borrowing.

Did not food prices rise rapidly before there was any increase in wages?

The lion. Member must realise there are many causes operating at different times and in different circumstances for the rise in prices, but I am satisfied that the main cause is inflation.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the restocking of woodlands felled for war purposes is seriously prejudiced by the delay in appointing the Commissioners under the Forestry Act, 1919; and when the appointments will be made?

I am aware of the urgency of appointing the Commissioners referred to, and as I said yesterday it is hoped to announce the names this week.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of His Majerty's Government to introduce legislation to prevent irresponsible or lightning strikes against the community until a ballot has been taken of all the members of the trade union concerned in the dispute?

I cannot add anything to the answer which I gave yesterday to my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can give the cost of the Food Controller's Department and the extra expenditure necessitated by the. resumption of rationing this winter?

I have been asked to reply. The estimated cost of the administration of the Ministry of Food for the financial year ending 31st March, 1920, is £2,490,000. This amount includes a sum of £720,000 involved by the continued existence of Food Control Committees owing to the necessity for the rationing of certain foodstuffs this winter. Some form of organised distribution of sugar and butter must, I am afraid, be maintained so long as the world shortage of these commodities continues. I do not anticipate any part of this expenditure will have to be borne by the taxpayer. Hitherto the cost of the administration of the Ministry of Food has been covered by the margins obtained as the result of its trading transactions.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in the opinion of many managers of large industrial enterprises the objection on the part of wage-earners to the payment of Income Tax is due to the fact that payment is demanded in a lump sum. instead of being spread over the financial year, with the result that such wage-earners find it impossible to pay Income Tax without severe hardship; and whether he will consider the advisability of allowing business firms to deduct Income Tax from the wages of such of their employés as are liable thereto from week to week and save the cost and difficulty of collection?

I assume that the question relates primarily to weekly wage-earners employed by way of manual labour, and the answer has been framed accordingly.

Income Tax due from weekly wage-earners employed by way of manual labour is charged by quarterly assessment and involves quarterly payments. Where, however, the amount of the quarter's Tax exceeds six shillings it is open to these wage-earners to spread the payment over thirteen weeks by applying to the Collector for a card for the purpose and affixing stamps of appropriate value weekly. Moreover, in these cases where both the employer and the bulk of his employés so desire, arrangements are made for the collection of the Tax by deduction from the wage.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether lie will state the number of enemy aliens, distinguishing between Germans and other enemy aliens, who were in this country uninterned at the date of the Armistice; and how many of these persons have since been repatriated?

I regret that I cannot give the precise figures asked for as no census was taken on the date of the Armistice, but I hope that the following figures will serve the hon. and learned Member's purpose. According to a census taken in July, 1918, the alien enemies at liberty in this country numbered 10.749 males (including 5,785 Germans) and 10,216 females (5,965 Germans). A census in July, 1919, showed 9,613 males (5,446 Germans) and 9,041 females (5,321 Germans). The differences between these figures represent repatriations, fresh internments and the recognition as alien friends of persons belonging to friendly races who were at the earlier date technically subjects of enemy Powers.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state the number of enemy aliens, distinguishing between German and other enemy aliens, who were interned in this country at the date of the Armistice; how many of these persons have since been repatriated; and how many of those who still remain in this country have been recommended for exemption by Mr. Justice Younger's Advisory Committee?

The number of enemy aliens interned at the date of the Armistice was 24,450, of whom 20,472 were Germans. The number repatriated since the Armistice exceeds 20,000 (including over 17,000 Germans). All those remaining in the country, with the exception of a very small number whose cases have only just been determined, have been recommended for exemption from repatriation by the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state approximately the number of enemy aliens, distinguishing between German and other enemy aliens, who were exempted from internment by the Advisory Committee which sat in 1915?

The Committee's Report made in July, 1915, stated that 6,092 enemy aliens had been recommended by them for exemption from internment. The Report does not distinguish between Germans and other enemy aliens, but it is estimated that the Germans in this total did not exceed 2,800.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will state approximately the number of uninterned enemy aliens, distinguishing between Germans and other enemy aliens, whose cases were reconsidered by Mr. Justice Sankey's Advisory Committee in 1918; how many of those were recommended for internment and repatriation, respectively; and how many were left uninterned provided they did work of national importance?

I regret that I can add nothing to the answer which I gave to a similar question put by the hon. and learned Member on 29th July last, when I stated inter alia that about 350 persons were interned and 250 repatriated in the course of this Committee's work.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give no idea of the number of Germans still in the country who have not been let out and have not been before Mr. Justice Younger's Committee?

As far as I understand the question, I think I have just answered it.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any steps have yet been taken to carry into effect the recommendations of the Departmental Committee on conditions of service, etc., of the staffs in reformatory and industrial schools; whether he is aware that the hours of work of teachers and instructors in these institutions average from sixty to seventy per week; that the remuneration of the teachers is considerably below that paid to teachers in elementary schools whose hours of work are much less; that the pay of the instructors is considerably less than that of the average craftsmen employed outside; and whether the recommendation of the Committee that these staffs should receive at least twelve months' retrospective pay is to be carried out?

I am aware of the findings of the Committee referred to, which was appointed by my predecessor with the special object of improving the conditions of service of the staff of reformatory and industrial schools. In reply to the second part of the question, the Committee did not state that the average hours worked are from sixty to seventy per week, but that the staff are generally employed for thirty hours a week in teaching and often for as many or even more hours on other duties. The reply to the third and fourth parts of the question is in the affirmative. With reference to the first and fifth parts of the question, I am anxious that effect should be given to the recommendations of the Committee by the managers of the schools as soon as possible, including the recommendation as regards retrospective pay. The scheme which the Committee proposes involves a complete review of the financial arrangements by which these schools are supported, and the whole subject is receiving the immediate consideration of the Treasury and the Home Office. I hope to be able to issue to the managers of the schools very shortly a statement showing what the revised financial arrangements will be.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether members of the police reserve who were called up or invited to volunteer for police duty in August, 1914, and served throughout the War received the same pay as regular constables employed on similar duty; whether they participate in the increase of pay and pensions recently granted to the police force; and, if not, on what grounds they receive less generous treatment than their comrades?