asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the question of placing clerks in a limited company on the same footing as clerks in a private firm for assessment of Income Tax?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given by the Leader of the House to a similar question on the 20th November, 1918. For the rest, the question of the bases of assessment appropriate to the various classes of income is under consideration by the Royal Commission on the Income Tax.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether soldiers' widows are liable to pay Income Tax; find, if so, under what conditions?

The case of the-soldier's widow is not the subject of any special legislative provision, but if her total income does not exceed £130 per annum she is exempt under the general law, and where the income exceeds that figure, the various statutory allowances and reliefs—abatement, children allowance, graduated rates, etc.—are applicable.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the amount of debt upon which he has estimated a charge for interest and sinking fund of £360,000,000 in a normal year; and how he arrives at that figure?

The amount is approximately £7,000,000,000, and its composition is explained by paragraph 4 of the Memorandum prefixed to Command Paper 376.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the average pension per week paid to retired civil servants and the average weekly pension payment made by civil servants; what is the number of retired civil servants; and what is the total cost in pensions?

The numbers of retired civil servants and the provision for their pensions are shown in the Estimates, The average pension could not be precisely ascertained without a detailed analysis of the pensions at present payable, but it is believed to be slightly over £2 a week, without taking into account the annuity value of the lump sums generally payable on retirement or the additions on account of war bonus lately authorised in the case of those in receipt of war bonus at the time of their retirement. No pension payment is made by civil servants.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total number of persons engaged by the Ministry of Food, the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Shipping, the Coal Controller, and the Board of Agriculture during the last four years and at present employed by the Departments mentioned in outside work throughout London and the provinces, but not including the clerical staffs engaged in the offices of the Ministries in London; the total cost to the State of the salaries paid to such employés and the incidental expenses such us travelling, maintenance, and other allowances; and when it, will be possible to materially reduce the numbers employed and the expenses incurred?

A statement covering the points mentioned in the question is being prepared, and will be forwarded to the hon. Member immediately it is ready.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the possibility that the discussion now proceeding as to a levy on war gains and the reference of the matter to a Select Committee of the House may induce potential taxpayers to attempt to conceal or distribute their wealth, and that the institution of new business enterprises may be hampered by the fear of this new taxation falling upon them; and whether he proposes to take any steps to deal with these matters?

If a duty be imposed upon war-time increases of wealth I should propose that the amount of the duty should be computed as at a date which is now past, and by reference to the circumstances then existing. Devices of the kind alluded to by my hon. and gallant Friend would be ineffectual to circumvent a duty so constructed, while, on the other hand, increases of wealth now arising would be entirely outside its scope. There is, therefore, no reason why the possibility of such a tax being imposed at some future date should interfere with the free development of business enterprise at the present time.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Treasury Committee on Bank Amalgamations have considered and decided on request, for permission made for the absorption of the Palatine Bank of Manchester and the Halifax Commercial Banking Company by the Bank of Liverpool and Martin's, the West Yorkshire Bank by Lloyds, and the Sheffield Banking Company by the National Provincial; and, if so, what is the result?

The amalgamation of the West Yorkshire Bank with Lloyds Bank and of the Shelfield Banking Company with the National Provincial Bank has been authorised by the Treasury on the advice of the Advisory Committee, The proposed amalgamation of the Palatine Bank of Manchester and the Halifax Commercial Banking Company with the Bank of Liverpool and Martin's is now under the consideration of the Committee.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, during the first week of the new Regulation being in force regarding the sale of B meat, 4,914 lbs. of this meat was sold in Leicester for £169 3s. 4½d. and that £61 8s. 6d. was deducted by the Government (36.3 per cent, of the realised offals), leaving only £107 14s. 10½d. for the fanners for the eighteen beasts that were sold; and will he have inquiries made into this matter?

I am informed that as the returns with regard to this meat have not yet been received it is impossible to check the figures which the hon. and gallant Member quotes. I would point out, however, that they refer entirely to meat of inferior quality which has to be sold at its marketable value, and that this, in the case of some of the carcases referred to, appears to have been as low as 3½d. per lb. I may add that instructions have recently been issued that the price of B meat must be regarded as having advanced to correspond with the advance in price of first-grade meat, arid should in no case be less than 6d. per lb., plus 1½d. per lb. for offal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, as the price of pigs in Chicago is at present 6½d. per lb. and the price of good-class sides of bacon 9d., he will arrange with the Food Controller that all food, whether controlled by the Food Ministry or otherwise, shall come under the Profiteering Act, so that differences such as between 9d. per lb. for bacon in Chicago and 2s. 6d. per lb. in England may be analysed by the Investigation of Prices Committee?

Bacon, hams, and lard are under the control of the Ministry of Food, and maximum wholesale and retail prices are fixed by Orders of the Food Controller. As the Profiteering Act does not apply to articles which are controlled, I am unable to take the action suggested in the hon. Member's question.

asked the Food Controller whether the number of milch cows registered in the Island of Jersey is considerably over 10,000, supplying a population of about 40,000; whether the amount of butter made in Jersey and other Channel Islands is far beyond the needs of the population; that, notwithstanding this, the export of butter to the adjacent Island of Great Britain is prohibited, while considerable supplies of butter are exported from Yeovil and Channel ports to the Channel Islands; and that, owing to the excess of butter due to home production and importation, large quantities are taken to sea by fishermen and delivered to French boats and sold in France at high prices; and whether, in view of these facts, he will prohibit the export of butter from England to the Channel Islands?

According to the Food Controller's information, the amount of butter made in the Channel Islands is not materially in excess of the needs of the population. The records of the Ministry show that no butter imported into this country has been exported to the Channel Islands. It is just possible that some small supplies of British butter which is not controlled have been so exported. But I am quite sure that no considerable quantity is involved, and I should be grateful, to the hon. Member if he would supply particulars of the cases to which he refers in the third and fourth parts of the question.

asked the Food Controller whether he can give the quantities of sugar that have been imported by manufacturing confectioners and chocolate makers in excess of their rationed quantities during this year; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take entire control of all imports of sugar in the future?

I much regret that it is not possible from the records available to give the figures for which the hon. Member asks in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, entire control of imports of sugar will be taken by the Government after the end of this year.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that the increased price of milk has resulted that many retail dealers in London and district have had a considerable part of their stock, left on their hands; and whether, in view of the increased cost of labour, local rates, lighting, and heating to these shopkeepers, he can see his way to reduce the present cost price of milk to these dealers?

I am not aware that retailers have or are having a considerable part of their stock of milk left on their hands. I would remind the hon. Member that this is a matter which is dependent on the amount purchased, as well as the amount sold, by them. As regards the last part of the question, the margins to retail dealers were fixed after careful investigation, and the Food Controller is not prepared, on the information before him, to modify them.

asked the Food Controller whether there is a glut in the supplies of milk; whether the public demand for milk has fallen appreciably since the price was fixed at 1s. a quart; whether he has received reports of waste of this valuable commodity; whether the large milk dealers of London and the Provinces are making complaints; and whether it is proposed at an early date to modify the price in the interests of the consumers?

I am aware that the usual excess of milk supplies in the month of October has been somewhat accentuated by the decreased demand resulting from the prices which it has been necessary to fix; and, further, that traders are representing that the margin of profit allowed to them does not adequately cover their costs. I have, however, no information to the effect that the demand for milk has fallen appreciably since 1st November, or that milk has been wasted. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which has already been given to-day on the subject.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if milk retailers in London are entitled to charge 1s. 0½d. per quart for milk from the 1st November; and, if not, is he aware that notices have been served on milk consumers by the Manor Farm Dairy, Limited, fixing the price of milk at that figure from the date named?

Under the Milk (Winter Prices) Order an extra charge of ¾d. per quart is permitted when milk is sold in bottles at the seller's premises, or of Id. per quart when milk is delivered in bottles at the buyer's premises. The notices to which the hon. Member refers apply to bottled milk only.

asked the Food Controller what steps are being taken to increase the supplies to the public of dried fruits; and on what date it is proposed to reduce the prices of those commodities?

Very considerable quantities of dried fruits have been purchased and imported by the Ministry and are now being distributed through the usual trade channels. Owing to the abnormal conditions prevailing in the countries of origin, the dried fruits have not reached this country as early as usual, but all steps are being taken to expedite transport and delivery to retailers. I am afraid that I cannot state at the present time when the maximum prices of dried fruits will be reduced, but the hon. Member may be assured that a reduction will be made as soon as the purchase prices admit of this being done.

asked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to reduce the controlled price of cheese, lard, and margarine at an early date; and what are the special reasons for maintaining these foods at an abnormal rate, considering the supplies on order and in stock?

The prices of these foodstuffs are not maintained at an abnormal rate, as the hon. Member suggests. The price of margarine is not controlled. The Food Controller proposes to reduce the price of lard as soon as the cost price, taken in conjunction with the loss on exchange, permits a reduction. The prices in America have fallen since control was reimposed, but lard purchased on the lower market has not yet arrived in this country. As regards cheese, the maximum retail price of cheese is fixed at the figure which is necessary to enable the operations of the Ministry of Food in that commodity to be maintained on a self-supporting basis; the price in force represents the average cost of all purchases of both home and imported cheese, and the cost of distribution. The supplies of cheese in stock and in sight are not sufficient to meet the full normal demand. I may add in this connection that the price last winter was 1s. 8d. per pound, against the present price of 1s. 6d.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men of the Royal Navy have applied for free discharge in the Home Fleet, the Atlantic Fleet, squadrons stationed abroad, and depots, respectively; what proportion the numbers bear to the total in each case; and whether any condition as to guarantee of employment on discharge are required?

The lists of applicants are being prepared in the respective squadrons, and the numbers have not yet been reported to the Admiralty. A guarantee of employment in civil life is not an essential condition of discharge; but, on home stations, men who have employment awaiting them in civil life will be given priority for discharge over those who nave not. In view of the difficulty of men on foreign stations obtaining a guarantee of employment, this rule is limited to home stations.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that many of the Brixham fishermen demobilised from the Navy and Army are unemployed owing to no boats being available; will he consider the allocation to that port of a proportion of the surplus trawlers and drifters in the hands of the Admiralty, so that the men may remain in the town instead of having to go elsewhere to find work; and will he take immediate steps to have those wrecks which are sunk in the fishing ground marked by buoys, as much fishing-gear has been lost owing to the absence of any sign by which the position of the wrecks can be located?

The allocation of surplus vessels suitable for the purpose will be in the hands of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries so far as England and Wales are concerned, and I understand that that Department has already under consideration the question of enabling ex-Service fishermen of Brixham and other ports to acquire some of these vessels. As regards the last part of the question, I am advised that, owing to the difficulty and time which would be occupied in actually locating the wrecks, it is not practicable to buoy the positions. With a view, however, to giving every assistance possible to the fishing industry, the Admiralty have published a series of charts on which the positions of all known wrecks are marked from the best available information. These charts are on sale, and can be obtained by anyone interested through any of the chart agents.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the men of the Army of Occupation in Ireland will be demobilised according to priority of enlistment?

The demobilisation of the men referred to is being carried out as laid down in current instructions, i.e., age and length of service are the chief factors governing release.

asked the Secretary of State for War how much of this year's hay and of old hay is in store at Aldershot; and for how long it is expected that this supply will be sufficient;

There is no hay of the 1919 crop at Aldershot. The hay at present in stock is of the 1918 crop, and is estimated to be sufficient to last till about April next for the strength of the Aldershot Command.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private James Hurst, No. 77903, E Company, 19th Platoon, 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, Room 44, Salamanca Barracks, Aldershot, was not eighteen years of age when he enlisted on 1st August, 1919; that he only attained seventeen years of age on 28th December, 1918, and that a letter was sent to the War Office on behalf of the parents, and a reply received advising the parents to communicate with the headquarters. Preston, which they did, and sent his birth certificate with the letter, to which communication no reply has been received; is he aware that the father is in failing health, and there is also a mother along with a son aged twenty-two years, an imbecile, and a girl at school, Private Hurst being the main support of the home; and whether he will issue instructions for his early discharge from the Army, and also issue instructions that youths must not be enlisted unless they prove that they are eighteen years of age?

The discharge of a soldier under eighteen years of age who mis-states his age on enlistment is only sanctioned in certain circumstances and as a concession. As regards the last part of the hon. Member's question, instructions on the point are contained in Recruiting Regulations, and special instructions on the subject have been issued on two occasions recently. Every possible precaution is taken to avoid enlisting men under eighteen years of age, and I shall be happy to consider any suggestions for improving the system. The production of birth certificates by all recruits is impracticable. I am inquiring into the particular case mentioned, and will acquaint the hon. Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the period for which it is likely to prove necessary to maintain British troops at Batoum; and whether it is a fact that the 9th South Lancashire Regiment has received orders to proceed from Chanak to that place?

As I stated in my reply to a similar question on the 4th instant, the small force at Batoum is remaining there at the request of the Foreign Office. It will be withdrawn as soon as it is considered possible to do so without causing an outbreak of serious disturbances. The answer to the last part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a man, a hairdresser by trade, who joined the Army and took the tools of his trade with him overseas, and who lost such tools on being taken to hospital and is now, after demobilisation, unable to obtain employment at his trade in consequence of having no tools, has any right to claim compensation for such loss; if so, to whom should such claim be made; and, if not, whether any fund exists which would be likely to consider favourably such an application?

Strictly, a man has no right to claim compensation in such a case, but if the man referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend forwards an application to the War Office, stating the exact circumstances in which the tools were lost, and giving a complete list and description of them, the matter will receive full consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, in view of the fact that in the month of July last the House of Commons decided by Resolution that the Treasury were to discontinue the practice of deducting 10 per cent, of the salary of retired Army officers when they obtained civil employment while drawing a pension from Army funds, he will say why there are instances in Belfast where the decision of the House is not being carried out?

The Bill enabling the Treasury to amend the existing Rules under Section 6 of the Superannuation Act, 1887, received the Royal Assent on the 15th August. I regret that owing to the current pressure of work it has not yet been possible to issue the new Rules, but I hope that they will be laid before the House in a very short time. In the meanwhile, I can assure the hon. Member that it is the intention of the Government that the deduction of the 10 per cent, of salary to which he refers shall take effect from the date of the passing of the Act, and that any sums which have been deducted in the interval shall be refunded to the officers.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to pay officers who have, under Articles 120 and 428A of the Pay Warrant, been retained in the Army beyond the date on which they became liable to be retired, the arrears of pension which they have earned, and to which they were entitled by the conditions under which they joined the Army?

As stated in Army Order 324, the position of these officers is under consideration, but I must not be understood as admitting in any way that they have any claim under the Regulations as they stand.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the Army Order granting a gratuity to interpreters has yet been issued; and, if not, what is the cause of the delay?

I regret that the Army Order has not yet been issued, but I hope it will be published at an early date.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether the military masseuses have been refused a war gratuity, though it has been granted to all other hospital workers, and by the Red Cross to their masseuses; and whether, owing to the good work done by these masseuses for the wounded, he will reconsider his decision?

As I have stated on several occasions recently, I am looking into this matter, but I have not yet come to a decision.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the greatest dissatisfaction has been expressed by the Newcastle-on-Tyne War Pensions Committee at the inefficiency and delay of the Military Service Civil Liabilities Department, Savoy Place, London, in dealing with applications for grants; whether on 24th September last forty-eight cases were outstanding; whether, since then, grants have only been received in sixteen cases; whether twenty-seven cases were under correspondence on 29th October and nineteen other cases have been added to the list as being outstanding for more than a month; and whether measures will be taken to speed up the machinery in dealing with such cases and so avoid unnecessary privations and discontent in regard to those concerned?

I have been asked to reply to this question. My attention has already been drawn to this matter. Of the forty-eight cases brought to my notice as outstanding on the 24th September, thirty-six have since been disposed of and I hope that the remaining twelve will be disposed of in a few days. I am inquiring as to the position of the other nineteen cases, and will communicate further with the hon. Member. As stated in reply to other questions, I am doing all I can to remove the difficulties which have militated against expeditious settlement of applications to the Civil Liabilities Department.

asked the Undersecretary of State the Air Ministry whether he is aware that a number of lads are being discharged from the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough, before they have completed their apprenticeship; and whether, in view of the fact that there are no other engineering works in the neighbourhood, he will take steps to assist them to complete their apprenticeship in other engineering works in the country so that the time that they have already spent and the knowledge that they have already acquired is not wasted?

I have been asked to answer tins question. No lads of the apprentice class (excepting nine who were dispensed with in June last as unsuitable for engineering training) have been discharged, and, in spite of the drastic reduction in the personnel of the Royal Aircraft Establishment, I hope that the necessity for discharging any lads of that class will be avoided. The remainder of lads discharged since the Armistice, 195 in number, have been selected only from those who were originally engaged as office boys, messengers, etc., but who were subsequently drafted into the shops and given an opportunity of learning a trade.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any attempts have been made to cancel the last contracts given for B 5 new pattern boots; whether the contractors making the boots have been communicated with a second time, and told to deliver the original quantity ordered; whether some explanation can be given as to why this has been done; if he will state the average issues of boots per week to the British Army for the last three months; and what are the issues per week at the present time?

I have been asked to reply. As regards the first three parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, I am informed by my hon. Friend the Deputy-Minister of Munitions that inquiries were made with a view of ascertaining if cancellation could be made of existing contracts should circumstances render such a course of action desirable. Representations were, however, received from the manufacturers that the cancellation of contracts would seriously dislocate the trade and entail loss both to them and to the State. In a few cases where contractors were willing and desirous of cancellation, the contracts are being cancelled. As regards the last two parts, the average weekly issues of boots for the last three months were nearly 10,000 pairs, and the present weekly issues, based on the past three weeks, are 6,816 pairs.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Munitions whether orders have lately been placed for large quantities of war-time-pattern boots; whether it is admitted that these boots are unsuitable for peace-time service; and who is responsible for such a transaction taking place?

I have been asked to reply. No orders for Army boots have recently been placed. The answer to the second part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. It is essental that soldiers during peace-time should become accustomed to the boots to be worn on active service. A stock of boots must be held for service purposes, and these would deteriorate by storage unless issues are made in peace-time to afford the necessary turnover.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will give the quantity of Army marching boots (B 5), old and new patterns, now in stock; whether the pattern of the Army boot is to be changed for peace-time wear, and, if so, has a new pattern been put forward; and why no decision on this matter has yet been given?

I have been asked to reply. The stock of ankle boots is 1,485,000 pairs. It is not proposed to change the pattern of Army boot for peace-time wear, and no pattern of boot specially for peace-time wear has been considered.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will have the evidence given before the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Bill published at once without waiting for the issue of the final Report?

I am hopeful that the Report of the Joint Committee will be shortly in the hands of Members, and that the evidence will be presented, if not along with the Report, very soon after the Report itself has been presented.

asked the President of the Board of Education if equal pay is given for men and women teachers of the same professional status; and, if not, whether he is prepared to grant the same and upon what grounds it has been refused previously?

Subject to compliance with the Board's requirements as to minimum rates of salary for certificated and uncertificated teachers in public elementary schools, the remuneration of men and women teachers, respectively, is determined by the local education authorities and school governing bodies which I employ them. I am not prepared to interfere with their discretion in this respect.

asked the Secretary of State for India when compensation will be given to those officers whose kit, stored at the regimental depots in India, was removed out of store by order of the Government and sent home uninsured and torpedoed in transit?

My right hon Friend has asked me to reply. Compensation for the loss of military kit can be claimed by an officer as soon as replacement of the kit becomes necessary for further service.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether service in a privately conducted school, with regard to which the Board are satisfied either by a certificate from an inspector of the Board or of a local education authority or university that it is making satisfactory provision for the education of the scholars, will be accepted as qualifying service in accordance with the provisions of the School Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918?

The answer to the hon. Baronet's question is in the affirmative so far as service after the 1st April, 1919, is concerned. Service prior to that date stands on a different footing. The conditions of recognition of such service as qualifying service are more complicated, and I will send the hon. Baronet a copy of the Treasury's Declaration on the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether service in any university in receipt of grants, or otherwise, or in any university college will be accepted as qualifying service, under the Act, in respect of a professor or other teacher, demonstrator, or lecturer employed by the university or university college?

The answer is in the affirmative provided the service is full-time service.

asked the President of the Board of Education why the rules and regulations recently issued by the Board as to conditions of qualifying service under the School Teachers' (Superannuation) Act, 1918, and published wholly or in part in the Press, are not obtainable in the Vote Office for the information of Members?

I would remind my hon. Friend that it is for the Treasury, on the recommendation of the Board of Education, to declare what is qualifying service. The Treasury's declarations on the subject are not rules or regulations under the Act; but I propose to give due publicity to them, and will send my hon. Friend, a copy of the Declarations, so far made relating to teaching service. At present I am awaiting a further Declaration as to non-teaching service.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether teachers who have served with His Majesty's Forces and are in consequence in impaired health are compelled to submit to medical examination in order to comply with the rules made under the School Teachers' Superannuation Act, 1918; whether the Act could be amended in order that dependants may not suffer loss of death gratuity in the event of the early death of ex-Service teachers who are in impaired health as the result of War service; whether such ex-Service teachers are compelled to pay a fee for such medical examination; and, whether, having regard to the War service of such ex-Service teachers, he will make arrangements for payment by them of a medical fee to be dispensed with?

Under the Act a death gratuity cannot be granted in respect of any teacher who fails to satisfy the Board that he was not of impaired health on 1st April, 1919. I regret that I do not see my way to provide for the payment of the medical officer's fee out of public money, or to initiate legislation to exempt teachers who have served in His Majesty's Forces from the requirement of the Act. But my hon. Friend may rest assured that where it is possible., consistently with the provisions of the Act, to dispense with a medical certificate in the case of ex-Service teachers, the Board will do so.

asked the President of the Board of Education what amount was set aside to provide for Grants in aid of ex-members of His Majesty's Forces desirous of taking university degrees; how much has been expended and in how many cases; and whether he will consider the possibility of extending such Grants to ex-members of auxiliary forces such as Marconi operators, etc.?

The amount set aside to provide Grants for ex-Service students pursuing full-time courses of higher education at universities and other institutions for higher education is £6,000,000. The awards already made commit the Board to an expenditure of about £4,500,000 for about 15,000 approved applicants, and from the present; rate of applications it appears probable that the remaining £1,500,000 will be fully absorbed without any extension of the scheme.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that Arthur Windass, of 8, Perry Street, Hull, who served in the Mercantile Marine throughout the War and was incapacitated and rendered unable to follow his former employment through his ship being mined, has applied for a grant to enable him to study and fit himself for another vocation and has been refused; and whether the privileges of educational grants will be extended to men who served in the Mercantile Marine and were wounded or incapacitated by enemy action?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question, I cannot commit the Government to extend the scope of the scheme for assisting the higher education of ex-Service students, which is limited to those who have served during the War in units of the Army, Navy, or Air Force, paid out of funds provided by Parliament.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that there is a proposal to pull down Nos. 2, 2a, 4, and 6, Kennington Park Road, for the purpose of erecting a cinematograph theatre on the site; and, if so, whether in view of the necessity of securing every available space for the purpose of erecting houses, he can take any steps to prevent the demolition of these houses for this particular purpose?

The property to which my hon. Friend refers has been inspected both by an architect of my Department and on behalf of the Housing Committee of the Lambeth Borough Council with a view to ascertaining its suitability for conversion into flats for members of the working classes, but the property is considered unfit for such conversion owing to its derelict condition.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Scottish Board of Health if he can state the number of houses which have been erected in Glasgow under the Scottish Housing Act, 1919; the number in course of erection; the number for which plans have only been approved; the number for which plans have only been submitted; what steps, if any, are being taken to expedite building; and how long it is likely to take to complete the number of houses required in Glasgow, judging, by the present rate of progress?

The number of houses in course of erection in Glasgow under the Act is 146. None of these houses have yet been completed. The Scottish Board of Health have approved plans for 3,740 permanent houses. These include a large number of types which will be repeated as schemes develop. Approval has also been given by the Board to the plans of 500 temporary wooden houses. All house plans submitted to date have been approved. The Board have under consideration a proposal by the Builders' Federation that, in order to expedite building, contracts should be allocated among the members of the federation at a price previously agreed upon by the Board, the local authority, and the federation. Building operations so far are on too limited a scale to be taken as a basis for the rate of progress.

asked the-Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Isle of Wight County Council have twice asked to be furnished with a copy of the Report made to his Department by one of their medical inspectors concerning the outbreak of small-pox at Cowes; why the request has twice been refused; why this course has been taken; and, seeing that the council consider the matter one of great importance and desire to be supplied with the fullest information in order that any necessary steps may be taken to prevent a similar outbreak in future, will he direct that a copy of the Report be supplied to them?

I am informed that the Report made by the medical inspector of the Ministry after his visit to the Isle of Wight regarding the outbreak of smallpox was a confidential document intended solely for the information of the Ministry, and I see no sufficient reason in the present case to warrant a departure from the establised practice in the case of such Reports.

asked the Minister of Health when the Report of the Special Committee on Tuberculosis in ex-Service Men will be considered, as the matter is one of great urgency?

The Report referred to has already received careful consideration by the Departments concerned, and an announcement of the increased capital Grant with a view to stimulating the rapid provision of additional sanatorium and hospital accommodation for the treatment of tuberculosis was issued on the 3rd instant. I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy of the announcement. A scheme for the immediate provision at existing sanatoria of facilities for the training of tuberculous ex-Service men in suitable occupations has also been prepared by my Department, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this subject in a few days.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention, has been called to a resolution passed by Birmingham and other insurance committees, urging that all institutional treatment required for the treatment of men suffering from tuberculosis attributable to or aggravated by service with His Majesty's Forces be provided by the naval or military authorities; that the men be retainded in the Service whilst undergoing treatment and for so long as there is a reasonable prospect of improvement in health; and whether, in view of the urgency of these cases and the large number of civilians awaiting residential treatment, he can state that immediate steps are being taken to deal with the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The course suggested was considered by the Inter-departmental Committee on Tuberculosis appointed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pension and myself, but for the reasons given in paragraph 6 of their Report the Committee were unable to concur in the suggestion. I may add that immediate steps are being taken with a view to a large addition to the amount of accommodation available for the residential treatment both of ex-Service men and of civilians suffering from tuberculosis, and an announcement of the increased capital Grant for this purpose was made on the 3rd instant. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the announcement.

asked the Home Secretary whether it is intended to introduce legislation dealing with the support of land and buildings in mining districts and for compensation for subsidence?

This matter is under consideration.

asked the Home Secretary, in view of the request of the Compagnie Belge Maritime du Congo that they may revert to the calling of their steamers at Falmouth instead of Plymouth, if he will give immediate attention to this important matter in the interests of Falmouth, seeing that the duties can easily be performed by the officers of His Majesty's Customs, following the withdrawal of the aliens' officers, and the fact that these steamers have for many years made Falmouth their port of call?

The Home Secretary has given this matter very careful consideration, and regrets that he does not see his way to authorise the increased expenditure which would be involved by adding Falmouth to the list of approved ports for the purposes of the Aliens Order. 1919.

asked the Home Secretary when he will introduce a Bill to increase compensation payable to injured workmen?

The Home Secretary hopes to introduce the Bill referred to next week.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that miners to-day, with the percentage and coal selling at £3 to £4 per ton f.o.b., are not gaining as much per shift in proportion as when the coal was selling at 9s. 9d. per ton f.o.b.; and, in view of the fact that the owner is only supposed to get 1s. 2d. per ton in profit, can he state where the differences go?

I am aware that the statement made in the first part of the I question is true of individual collieries, but not of the country as a whole. For this year it is intended that coal-owners will only be entitled to retain 1s. 2d. per ton raised, and legislative proposals to give statutory effect to this intention will be introduced at an early date. As was explained in the Debate on the 4th November, the profits due to the excess of export prices over home prices are in part applied as a subsidy to coal consumed inland. In addition, they are applied in relief of collieries which are adversely affected by the conditions under which the industry is now carried on. Any excess thereafter would go to the Exchequer in reduction of the amount paid out by the Treasury on account of coal miners' wages in the earlier part of the year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that many miners in the county of Nottingham are having to walk two or three miles underground to and from their work, which is very exhausting; and whether, in view of its effect upon their Continued attendances, he will take immediate steps to have inquiries made and, where necessary provide for facilities for conveying the workmen to and from their working places?

The actual management of the mines is not undertaken by the Coal Control Department but is left to the coal-owners. All complaints and allegations as to causes of diminished output reported to the Department are, however, immediately followed up. This complaint is being dealt with in the usual way.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, with reference to the weekly report of the output of coal, he will state the basis upon which the published figures are calculated, that is to say, whether they represent the quantity of coal hewn, or the quantity of coal actually raised, or the quantity loaded into trucks and dispatched from the pits?

The published weekly figures of output of coal represent the quantity actually raised.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the present high price of sporting cartridges; whether this is caused, as alleged by the cartridge sellers, by the fact that the sale is controlled by a small, ring; and, if so, whether he will take any steps in the matter to protect the interests of the consumers against the combine?

My attention had not previously been called to the matters referred to in the question of my hon. and gallant Friend, and I will consider the advisability of applying the Profiteering Act to sporting cartridges, in order that the prices, costs, and profit, of these articles may be investigated at all stages. The policy of the Board of Trade in administering the Profiteering Act is to apply the Act first to articles of a kind in common use by the public, and my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that there are very many articles more generally used by the public than sporting cartridges.

asked the Minister of Transport if he can give the number of privately-owned railway wagons in use at the present time; how many are owned by colliery proprietors, coal merchants, and consumers, respectively; and what is the relative proportion of railway-owned and privately-owned railway wagons?

According to Returns taken on 1st August, 1918, the total number of privately-owned wagons registered to run on railway companies' lines was 616,178. Of these, 544,644 were coal wagons, 368,988 being owned by colliery proprietors, 141,020 by coal merchants, and 34,636 by consumers. The number of wagons owned by private traders represents about 46 per cent. of the total.

asked the Minister of Labour how many Irish soldiers have been demobilised; for how many of these employment has been found; what is the percentage of unemployment amongst them as compared with that amongst demobilised British soldiers; what agencies are at work; and to what extent have the services of influential civilians been availed of in the endeavour to find employment for Irish soldiers?

The number of demobilised ex-Servicemen in Ireland is believed to be about 76,000. The number drawing out-of-work donation on the 24th October was about 35,000, leaving 41,000 as reabsorbed in industry. The percentage of unemployment among ex-Service men in Ireland is thus 46 per cent., as against 10 per cent, for Great Britain, and 11 per cent, for the United Kingdom as a whole. The official agencies working to find employment for ex-Service men in Ireland are the Employment Exchanges and the local branches of the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour, with a special staff of canvassers. Prominent civilians and ex-Service men are actively co-operating with the Ministry as honorary correspondents of the Appointments Department or as members of the Central Committee for ex-Service men, with local committees throughout Ireland.

asked the Minister of Labour (1) whether it is intended by the Hours of Employment (No. 2) Bill to prohibit every man after he has worked forty-eight hours in any one week from working for any other employer in any time in that week or from working for his own employer for more hours at overtime rate than are agreed between him and his employer's trade union or association;(2) whether it is intended by the Hours of Employment (No. 2) Bill to prohibit every man, after working eight hours in one day, from working on the same day for any other employer in the same or any other trade or occupation?

The Hours of Employment (No. 2) Bill deals with the total hours of employment in a week and not with the hours permissible in any one day. Under Section 8 (1) (h) it is provided that the Act will not apply so as to prevent a person who ceases his employment with one employer and commences his employment with another employer in the course of the same week, from being employed by the subsequent employer in accordance with the hours customarily worked by persons in his own employment. This provision might not be held to cover the case of persons employed in a class of employment subsidiary to their main class of employment, under concurrent contracts in the same week, and I am considering how far it may be desirable to meet the point by an Amendment to the Bill. As regards the limitation of individual overtime, I would refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Clause 4 of the Bill. It is not contemplated that an employé will be permitted to work more overtime hours than are generally applicable under the Bill to the class of employment in which he is employed.

asked the Minister for Labour whether he is aware that, as a result of the moulders' strike, certain skilled and unskilled workmen are, though unconnected with it, thrown out of work; that the skilled men receive unemployment pay, whilst the unskilled trimmers, labourers, etc., do not; and whether he will take steps to see that the men coming under the latter categories receive forthwith unemployment pay for the period of enforced unemployment, in view of the fact that during the railway strike both skilled and unskilled workers were eligible for unemployment pay?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The rules according to which claims to donation or unemployment benefit in such cases are decided were explained in reply to the hon. Member for Newton on the 5th November. They do not give any preferential treatment to skilled workmen, nor are they different from those applied during the railway strike; and I cannot undertake to alter them in the manner suggested by the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the out-of-work donation has been granted to men thrown out of employment by the strike of moulders; and what measures have been taken to secure such workmen from unnecessary hardship and anxiety?

I have recently answered several questions in regard to the right to out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit in the case of men thrown out of employment by the strike of moulders; and I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer of 5th November to a question asked by the hon. Member for Newton. Apart from the payment of out-of-work donation or unemployment benefit, the Ministry of Labour has taken no further steps.

asked the Secretary for Scotland who are the members of the Committee for considering the Regulations regarding the burning of heather?

An announcement as to the constitution of the Committee was issued to the Press on Saturday. The Chairman of the Committee is the Duke of Buccleuch, and the other members are Mr. David Wilson, Mr. G. A. Ferguson, Mr. James Gardiner, Mr. James Scott, Mr. John Elliott, and Captain H. S. Gladstone. The hon. Member for Berwick and Haddington has been added to the Committee since its appointment was notified to the newspapers.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if he will give the number of Service men who have applied for holdings of land in Scotland through the Board of Agriculture, for Scotland, the Labour Exchanges, the Appointments Department, the Small Holdings and Rural Employment Bureau, and the Young Men's Christian Association bureaux; the number of applications which have been received from other than Service men; and the number of discharged men settled on holdings to date and expected at Martinmas, 1919?

Up to 31st ultimo, the Board of Agriculture for Scotland had received from civilians 6,739 applications for new holdings, and 4,750 for enlargement of existing holdings; and from ex-Service men 2,524 applications for new holdings, and one application for enlargement. I am informed that no applications have been made to the Employment Exchanges and only one to the Appointments Department, which has been passed on to the Board within the last few days. The number of applications made to the other bodies mentioned in the question cannot be stated, but as these applications would presumably be transferred to the Board as the statutory authority entrusted with the work of Land Settlement the figures quoted may be regarded as the present ascertained demand for small holdings. Ninety-two discharged men have been settled on the land to date. It is expected that 200 additional men will be settled at Martinmas, though actual entry at that term may not be possible in all cases owing to difficulties in connection with buildings.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he will state the number and gross tonnage of all British vessels sold to foreign owners in each of the years 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919, and of the number and gross tonnage of such vessels sold by the British Government authorities to foreign owners during each of such years; if he will state the names and gross tonnages of British vessels still retained by the Shipping Controller, and of the numbers and gross tonnage of vessels now under construction for or contracted to be built for the Shipping Controller; the numbers and gross tonnage of vessels now under construction for foreigners in the United Kingdom or contracted to be built in the United Kingdom for foreigners, and of the number of licences granted by the British Government for the construction of vessels in the United Kingdom for foreigners; and the several Orders made or directions given by the Shipping Controller under Regulation 39bbb since the date of the Armistice in respect of ships, setting out the names of vessels, tonnages, ports, cargoes carried, and rates of freight, and the position of each vessel when such orders or directions were made or given; and if he will say whether, in respect of vessels now owned by the British Government or building or contracted to be built for them, such vessels will be sold by auction or private treaty to British buyers only?The following statement is circulated in accordance with the answer printed in the OFFICIAL REPORT on Thursday, 14th August—

(1) The following is a statement of the number and gross ton- nage of all British vessels transferred to foreign owners in the years 1915, 1916, 1917, 1918, and 1919, including steamships and sailing ships of all sizes, but excluding vessels requisitioned during the War and

		1915.	1916.	1917.	1918.	1919. (to Sept. incl.)
U.K. Register.	…	70– 191,588	38–30,259	38–33,440	28–24,190	153–457,461
Colonial Register		32–26,942	33–18,635	37–27,759	50–24,791	26–34,707
Total	…	102–218,530	71–48,894	75–61,199	78–48,981	179–492,168

(2) So far as is known, no such vessels were sold to foreign owners by the British Government authorities in the years 1915, 1916, and 1917, The number and tonnage of vesesls in respect of which the sale to foreign owners had been completed during 1918 and 1919 are as follows:

Date.	No.	Gross Tonnage.
1918	11	25,021
1919	100	400,515

In addition 72 vessels, of 298,536 gross tons, have been sold to foreigners, but are not yet handed over to their new owners.(3) The names and gross tonnages of British vessels still retained by the Shipping Controller are:

Name.	Gross Tonnage.
"Appleleaf"	5,891
"Brambleleaf"	5,912
"British Beacon"	6,891
"British Lantern"	6,897
"British Light	6,470
"British Star"	6,888
"Cherryleaf"	5,896
"Orangeleaf"	5,926
"Pearleaf"	5,911
"Plumleaf"	5,913
"Duchess of York"	302
"Delphinula"	5,238
"Nugula"	4,614
"War Bahadur"	5,565
"War Begum"	5,578
"War Divan"	5,543
"War Dogra"	5,559
"War Ghurka"	5,571
"War Hagara"	5,578
"War Kookri"	5,582
"War Mogul"	5,548
"War Nawab"	5,577
"War Nizam"	5,592
"War Pathan"	5,581
"War Pundit"	5,549
"War Rajah"	5,576
"War Sepoy"	5,557
"War Shikari"	5,540

The above-named are all oil-tankers on Admiralty service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Department of Woods and Forests is requiring Bedford College for Women to pull down one of its large permanent buildings (South Lodge) which is necessary for the purposes of the college; and, if so, for what reason?

It is not the case that this Department is requiring the demolition of South Lodge, either at the present time or in the immediate future. The terms on which the land was let for the erection of the college buildings provided for the removal of the old private residence known as South Lodge, which forms no part of the permanent buildings of the College and is not in harmony with them. Applications by the college to postpone the demolition on account of difficulties created by the War have been granted from time to time, and the latest extension does not expire till July next. If application is made for a further extension the Commissioners of Woods will be prepared to consider it, but no such application has yet been made.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps, if any, have been taken to utilise the experience obtained during the War in connection with aerial photography for mapping purposes towards assisting the Ordnance Survey work in this country, having regard to the fact that many maps are now out of date?

The value of aerial photography for the purpose of map-making in the theatre of war is fully appreciated by the Ordnance Survey, and its application to peace surveys is being carefully studied, but at present the process is generally more expensive than normal methods, and less accurate. The Ordnance Survey has full information on the subject, and is in touch with those who carried out air surveys on the Western Front and elsewhere. Some of these officers are now on the Ordance Survey staff.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if foot-and-mouth disease has broken out in the Isle of Wight; and if, instead of killing all suspected animals, he will, in the interests of economy and future knowledge, segregate any affected herds, such being possible in the island?

The existence of foot-and-mouth disease in the Isle of Wight was confirmed on the 21st ultimo. Slaughter of affected animals and those that have been exposed to infection is carried out with a view to stamping out, at the earliest possible date, centres from which disease, might be carried to other districts. Whenever an initial centre of disease can be surrounded and eradicated, as the Board think possible in this case, it is not economy to keep the virus alive, as experience has shown that it may leak out in spite of the most rigid precautions, and its existence in this country seriously interferes with the export trade, upon which the successful rearing of live stock in this country is greatly dependent.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have taken place in the Isle of Wight since the middle of last month?

Since the 20th October twenty-six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in the Isle of Wight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the exact position of China under the Peace Treaty; whether China, which is named in the Covenant as an original member of the League, will take its place at the first meeting of the League; and, if not, what are the reasons for China's withdrawal?

China having refused to sign the Treaty of Peace, with Germany cannot take any benefit or incur any obligations under it, but if the Chinese Government ratify in due course the Treaty of Peace with Austria which was signed by her delegates on 10th September, 1919, and in which the Covenant of the League of Nations figures in the same terms as in the German Treaty, the Chinese representatives will be entitled to take part in the first meeting of the Assembly of the League. China is not represented on the Council of the League.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the neutral nations invited to join the League of Nations have accepted the invitation; whether any have declined; when were the invitations transmitted to the Governments of the invited nations; and what reasons can be given for the delays in accepting?

The invitation to the thirteen neutral nations named in the annexe to the Covenant of the League of Nations begins to run from the date of the coming into force of the Treaty, so that the last two parts of the question do not arise. None of the nations in question have declined to join the League.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he is unable to reconsider his decision to terminate in February, 1920, the tenancy of the allotment-holders on Primrose Hill, can he offer a near alternative site for the continuation of the allotments?

I am giving this question my careful consideration, and hope to find a site in the neighbourhood which, although considerably smaller, could, I think, be devoted permanently to allotments.