asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will inquire into the case of Corporal Charles F. Field, NO. 124562, Royal Army Medical Corps, Military Hospital, Galway, Ireland, who was retained on work of national importance until August, 1917, because his category was B 1; whether Corporal Field, whose age is thirty-five years and eight months, submitted an application through his commanding officer for release on compassionate grounds, enclosing the necessary certificates, signed by his family doctor and the vicar of his parish; whether on the 24th October, 1919, a letter was sent to Corporal Field stating that he was eligible for immediate demobilisation and instructing him to settle all his office accounts, and stating that a relief would be sent; whether on the 1st November he was transferred to the 14th Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, at Cork; whether this application was duly dealt with by the headquarters of the Royal Army Medical Corps in Dublin; and, if not, whether he will have inquiries made with a view to the early release of Corporal Field, whose wife appears to be in a very serious state of health?

Inquiries are being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private Arthur Willian Corney, No. 51046, 9th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, Army of Black Sea, was called up when he reached eighteen years of age in April, 1917, was sent to India in July, 1917, arrived at Salonika just before Christmas, 1918, and is now, along with others, under orders to proceed to Eatoum; and whether, in view of the fact that this soldier has had no leave of any kind since July, 1917, special action will be taken to secure his early return and demobilisation?

Inquiries are already being made in this case, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can give any figures showing the comparative extent of the demobilisation of the British, French, American, and Italian Armies?

I am endeavouring to obtain the information required, and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend later.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any British officers and men assisted General Yudenitch in his last attack on Petrograd; and, if so, whether they suffered casualties and to what extent?

In his last attack on Petrograd, General Yudenitch was assisted by a British Tank Detachment, consisting of twenty-two officers and twenty-nine, other ranks, who went out as volunteers to train the Russian North-West Army in the use of tanks. This detachment has suffered no casualties.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of frequent statements to the effect that the Soviet Government of Russia is anxious and willing to conclude peace in Russia; that the terms are stated to include the recognition of all de facto Governments in Russia, an amnesty to political opponents, and the acceptance of responsibility for the public and private debts of the Russian peoples; and whether any steps are being taken in the interests of humanity to test the bond fides of these proposals?

I can add nothing to the answer given by the Prime Minister on the 13th of November.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the total number of ships and naval ratings now operating in the Baltic; at what date reinforcements have been sent; what was the strength of these reinforcements; and whether it is the intention to withdraw these ships immediately?

For obvious reasons, it is not desirable, while operations are still in progress, to publish the strength of forces engaged in them; neither is it desirable to publish information as to reinforcements. In retaining ships hitherto in the Eastern Baltic the Admiralty have been acting in accordance with the general policy of the Government and the obvious needs of the situation; but, so far as this area is concerned, climatic conditions will shortly necessitate their withdrawal. I might point out that the presence of His Majesty's ships at Scandinavian and German ports in the Baltic, as well as at ports of the former Russian Empire, may be called for from time to time in future.

asked the under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British troops are to be sent to Memel; if so, with what object; and will these troops be required to operate in territory forming part of the former Russian Empire?

The answer to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the affirmative. The object of sending British troops to Memel is not that they shall operate in territory forming part of the former Russian Empire, but that they shall form part of the Allied Army of Occupation which is to take charge of Memel in accordance with Article 99 of the Treaty of Peace with Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the strength of the armies which will be maintained in future by the states who are members of the League of Nations and by those who have been invited to join the League of Nations, and the approximate annual cost of each army?

I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no League of Nations at present. Until the League has been formed it is not possible to determine the strength and cost of the armies to be maintained by its members.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the strength of the navies which will be maintained in future by the states who are members of the League of Nations and by those who have been invited to join the League of Nations, and the approximate annual cost of each navy?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on the 5th November to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Central Division of Kingston-upon-Hull.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the fact that there are numerous medical officers who, by joining the Army, sacrificed their practices; and whether steps are being taken to ensure that employment as far as possible shall be given to demobilised temporary medical officers?

Every sympathy has been shown to the officers referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, and instruc- tions were issued some time ago to Military Commands that when the part-time services of civil medical practitioners are required every endeavour should be made to employ those demobilised officers who have served overseas. I understand also from the Ministry of Health that endeavours are made to give preference as far as possible to ex-Service candidates for appointments under local authorities.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether certain orders have been issued for giving demobilised temporary medical officers preference in Government medical work; and, if so, whether this order is being carried out by all Government Departments concerned?

I am afraid I can add nothing to my reply to-day to an oral question on this subject asked by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state on what grounds the military authorities proclaimed the proposed meeting at Caledon on Saturday, 1st November?

I am informed that the Proclamation was issued by the military authorities in consultation with the Irish Government, as there was reason to believe that serious disturbances would occur if the meeting was held.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the signallers attached to the 2nd wireless squadron in Mesopotamia are being retained for the purpose of handling purely civil work; whether the major in charge of this squadron has announced that arrangements have been made for dealing with commercial traffic between the Caucasus and London; whether commercial traffic to and from London from Tiflis, Batoum, Busrah, Hinaidi, or Ijlalieh will work with Georgians at Tiflis who will use commercial code until they become accustomed to British code; whether the full establishment at Hinaidi and Ijlalieh is nineteen men, of whom there are four Post Office men at Hinaidi and three at Ijlalieh; and whether he will issue immediate instructions that men are not to be retained with the military forces in order that their labour may be used for purely commercial purposes?

It has been recommended that a wireless squadron should form part of the permanent garrison of Mesopotamia, and wireless operators are not, therefore, being retained for the purpose of handling civilian work. Arrangements are, however, under discussion by which advantage may be taken of the presence of the wireless squadron in Mesopotamia to improve communication with the Caucasus in the interests of British trade. I have no information as to any statement made by the Major commanding the squadron nor as to the establishments at the stations mentioned.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Alfred Frederick Arnold, who enlisted in the Buffs on the 7th April, 1919, is a boy of seventeen years and five months, and that he enlisted without the consent and against the wishes of his guardian; and if, under these circumstances, instructions will be given for the immediate discharge of Arnold from the Army?

I am not aware of the circumstances of this case, but inquiries are being made, and my hon. Friend will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the action of the military authorities in South Wales, in approaching the Chief Constable of Monmouthshire in the spring of the year, with a view to obtaining the names and addresses of secretaries of trade union branches in the district, was taken on any instructions from the War Office; whether the military authorities in any other areas have taken similar action; and what possible occasion the authorities had in mind which would necessitate communication with trade union branch secretaries?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and, so far as I am aware, the answer to the second part is also in the negative. With regard to the third part of the question, I understand that the local military authorities thought that occasions might arise when it might be of advantage to trade union branch secretaries to be furnished with information on matters affecting their branches.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decoration is to be given to those officers, warrant officers, and non-commissioned officers and men who, on account of being engaged for the War with the Home forces on administrative and instructional duties, did not proceed overseas?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given on the 3rd instant to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Epping.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the amount of money which is expended annually on experiments in connection with now types of armament and equipment?

The amount so expended depends entirely on circumstances. There is nothing in the shape of an annual fixed grant for the purpose.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the amount of the Army Estimates in respect of the provision and maintenance of tanks, poison gas, super-heavy artillery, and other weapons which have been introduced since the outbreak of the Great War?

Pending the completion of the Army Estimates in detail, I am unable to give these figures.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many railway wagons the Government have still in France?

There are approximately 44,700 railway wagons of all types at present in France under the control of the War Department. Over 19,000 of these are the property of British railway companies, and these are being returned as rapidly as circumstances permit. Arrangements are in hand to dispose of the balance either by sale on the Continent or by return for use in this country.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that, from the 5th September, 1915, to the 11th February, 1919, Private P. E. Coles was employed on civilian duties in the Gorleston Telephone Exchange, his regimental particulars from the 5th September, 1915. to the 8th February, 1918, being No. 315475, 63rd Provisional Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, and from the 8th February, 1918, till the 11th February, 1919, No. 526389, 397th H. S. Employment Company; whether he is aware that this soldier entered a claim some time ago for civilian rate of pay in accordance with the War Office decision; and whether he will have a settlement of this claim expedited?

I have taken the necessary steps to expedite the settlement of this claim.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that two hall-maids employed in the Royal Hibernian Military School, Phoenix Park, Dublin, have not been granted the half-day holiday per week which was conceded some time ago to the other women employés known as charwomen; that these two hall-maids work seven days a week to the extent of about seventy hours; that they have now been informed that they will either have to live in or take their discharge; that one of them is a widow with two children; and whether he will take steps to have equal treatment accorded to them and countermand the decision that they will have to live in or be discharged?

The work required from these hall-maids at this school must necessarily be done early in the morning and late in the evening. If outdoor staff are employed, this leads to long hours, and renders it impossible to arrange satisfactorily for a weekly half-holiday; it has consequently been decided to substitute indoor staff.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an order has recently been issued that all foremen of works and draughtsmen who were directly employed by the War Department should in future receive the local market rate of pay without any deduction being made on account of Army pension?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to foremen of works and draughtsmen who have been paid under Article 1015 of the Pay Warrant. If so, the answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry what is the number of men of all ranks now serving sentences of more than three months duration for military offences?

The number of airmen serving sentences of more than three months' duration for Air Force offences is twenty-eight.

asked the Secretary of State for War why A. C. G. E. Lloyd, No. 149836, No. 2 N.A.B.D., Greenhill, Sheffield, who enlisted 27th September, 1917, for duration, and who, about 14th January, 1919, while still in the boys' section signed on for eight years with the Colours and four with the Reserve, was demobilised against his will 23rd October, 1919?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will communicate the result of those inquiries to my hon. and gallant Friend in due course.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the Civil Aviation Transport officers have far more responsibility than officers holding a corresponding rank in the Royal Air Force; and why the Royal Air Force officers of equivalent rank receive considerably higher pay, free medical attention, and qualify for pensions?

In reply to my hon. Friend's question, it is recognised that Civil Aviation Transport officers have considerable responsibility but not necessarily more than that of officers holding a corresponding rank in the Royal Air Force. Further than this, Civil Aviation Transport officers do not have the additional risk incurred in flying and have not executive command of a fighting or other Service unit. I may add that the rates of pay have been under revision, and revised rates on an increased scale have recently been sanctioned by the Treasury.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether the Civil Aviation Transport officers' agreements are for six months only and terminable at one month's notice on either side?

The reply to my hon. Friend's question is that Civil Aviation Transport officers are appointed for six months, and that their agreements are terminable on three months' notice on either side thereafter.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether it is laid down that only ex-pilots and ex-observers shall be eligible for appointments as Civil Aviation Transport officers?

While it is the general intention to appoint ex-pilots and ex-observers as Civil Aviation Transport officers, it is not intended that this ruling should be absolutely binding, as this might eliminate exceptionally suitable candidates who may not have had practical experience of flying.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether there is any intention of discontinuing the use of Hounslow Aerodrome as a control aerodrome?

I cannot make a statement with regard to the future of Hounslow Aerodrome, at present. The question is now under consideration.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that the regulations governing the issue of lodging and fuel allowances to married officers are not the same in the Air Force as in the Army, and that in the former case a married officer under the rank of major who was under thirty years of age when the present regulations came into force is treated less favourably than an officer serving under similar conditions in the Army; and, if so, is he prepared to reconsider the matter with a view to putting officers of both branches of the Service on the same footing?

The scheme of emoluments for the Royal Air Force must be taken as a whole, and a comparison of particular items with particular items in the arrangements of other Services is misleading. There are, however, points of difference in the system of allowances which are now being considered, one of these being the question whether all officers married at the date of the Order may draw lodging allowance irrespective of age.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that 800 ex-Service men are under notice of dismissal from the Royal Air Force Depot at Milton; whether any effort is being made to secure these men other employment; and whether, in view of the hardship involved in throwing these men out of employment at the beginning of the winter months, he will consider the possibility of retaining their services until the spring or, alternatively, make the process of reduction more gradual?

The reply to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's ques- tion is in the affirmative. The future strength of the Royal Air Force has now been fixed, and it will be possible to release Royal Air Force personnel from redundant stations elsewhere to serve at Milton. The reply to the second part is that efforts are being made to obtain other employment for the men discharged by giving them as long notice as possible, and by forwarding the names and trades of the men under notice both to the Ministry of Labour (locally and at headquarters) and to the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions, the latter of whom, I understand, is likely to require a number of men of the type now being discharged. The case of the men is receiving my close attention, and efforts are being made to reduce the alleged hardship by the granting of increased notice of discharge.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the procedure that a contractor has to adopt before he can obtain payment of his accounts for goods delivered and contracts completed; if he will state the internal procedure controlling the inspection and checking of a contractor's account before it is passed for payment, giving the minimum possible number of officials through whose hands such account has to pass; and whether he can state the average time which elapses between the delivery of the contractor's account at the Ministry and the date of this payment?

Contractors are required to submit bills supported by signed advice and inspection notes. The internal procedure is primarily directed to ascertaining that the bill is in accordance with the terms of the contract, that the supporting documents are in agreement with the separate advices received by the Ministry, and that the bill is arithmetically correct. This entails passing the bill through four operations. The average period between receipt and payment of a bill is six weeks. My hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate the fact that before the final payment is made the position of the contractor's account must be reviewed in relation to any loans and advances that may have been made, or material that may have been supplied to him by the Ministry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what properties recently owned or administered by the War Office have been handed over to the Ministry of Munitions for disposal?

If I am right in understanding my hon. and gallant Friend to refer to hutted camps, the answer is as follows:

Camps in United Kingdom handed over to Ministry of Munitions for disposal since Armistice and up to 1st November, 1919	150
Camps in United Kingdom approved for disposal by the War Office which are in process of being "listed" prior to being handed over to Ministry of Munitions	73

I may explain that before a camp is handed over to Ministry of Munitions lists of all huts, buildings, fittings, pipes, etc., have to be prepared by the military authorities.

Total disposed of, or in process of being disposed of	223
Camps still to be dealt with (not including small isolated hutments)	59

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the total number of persons, military and civil, engaged at home and abroad in the work of or connected with the work of the War Material Disposal Board, including all on the strength of the War Office?

The total number of persons employed under the Disposal Board, at home and abroad, is 1,881, and in addition there are 645 persons engaged upon other duties who devote part of their time to the work of disposals. There are also a number of persons in other Departments of the Government who are engaged upon work connected with the handling, movement, and storage of material before disposal, but the responsibility for these duties rests with the Departments notifying the material to the Disposal Board, and I have no knowledge of the numbers so employed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will state the terms of any clause or clauses directed against bribery or secret commissions inserted in Government contracts?

The following clauses are included in the general conditions of contract governing all contracts made by the Minister of Munitions:

9. Bribery.—Any bribe, commission, gift, loan or advantage given, promised or offered by, or on behalf of, the contractor or his partner, agent or servant, in relation to the obtaining or to the execution of this or any other contract for His Majesty's service, or given, promised, or offered by, or on behalf of, the contractor or his partner, agent or servant, to any officer or person in the service or employ of the Crown, who shall be in any way connected with the obtaining or the execution of this or any other contract, subjects the contractor to cancellation of this contract, and also to payment; of any loss resulting from any such cancellation. Where any such bribe, commission, gift, loan, or advantage, has been given or promised in relation to the obtaining or the execution of this contract, or to any officer or person in the service or employ of the Crown who shall be in any way connected with the obtaining or the execution of this contract, the contractor shall also be liable to pay by way of liquidated damages a sum equal to 10 per cent, of all the sums which became payable to him under this contract. Any question or dispute as to a breach of this Article, or the sums to be paid, is to be settled by the Minister, in such manner, on such evidence or information, as he thinks fit, and his decision is to be final.

10. Commissions,—The contractor undertakes that unless the approval in writing of the Minister has been previously obtained, neither he nor his partner, servant or agent will give, promise or other to any person, firm or corporation, any commission in connection with the obtaining or execution of this or any other contract made by him with the Minister, except commissions at reasonable rates paid to permanent and recognised agents of the contractor, and he further undertakes to include a Clause in all sub-contracts made by him in connection with this contract similarly restricting commissions in connection with such sub-contracts. The contractor also undertakes to disclose to the Minister particulars of all commissions paid in connection with this contract or any other contract made by him with the Minister, and also to require his sub-contractors similarly to disclose to the Minister, if so required, particulars of all commissions paid in connection with any sub-contracts made by the contractor for the purpose of carrying out this contract. If the contractor commits any breach of this Clause the Minister may cancel the contract, and also require payment by the contractor of any loss resulting from such cancellation, and in addition to any other remedies the Minister may require the contractor to pay as liquidated damages, or may deduct from the contract price, the amount of any commission paid without the Minister's sanction in writing. Any question or dispute as to a breach of this Clause or the sums to be paid, is to be settled by the Minister, in such manner on such evidence or information as he thinks fit, and his decision is to be final.

asked the Undersecretary of State to the Air Ministry whether civilians are still being trained as pilots at the Royal Aircraft establishment, Farnborough, while certificated pilots are at present willing to fly and are not allowed to do so?

I have been asked to answer this question. A certain number of civilians are employed at the Royal Aircraft establishment on special research work. In order to obtain the fullest advantage from their work, it is necessary that some of them, at any rate, shall actually take up and fly machines themselves. At the present time one civilian is so employed and three more are under training. Apart from this Special work, all flying tests or experiments are carried out by R.A.F. pilots.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that the wife of Private S. Eldridge, No. 10102, Royal Army Veterinary Corps, is entitled, under a separation or maintenance order of Court, to receive the pension payable to her husband on account of his four children, and that, unless this pension is regularly paid, she and her children are reduced to destitution; if he is aware that her pension book ran out on the 17th of September, and that since that date all her efforts to obtain a new book and the payments to which she is entitled have been fruitless; and whether he will give instructions for the immediate payment of what is due to Mrs. Eldridge and for regularity of payment to her in future?

There has been some difficulty in this case owing to the failure of Private Eldridge to forward a life certificate, but the continuance of the payment of the children's allowances to Mrs. Eldridge has now been authorised. The period of the present award will expire on 2nd December, and unless Private Eldridge reappears and submits himself to medical re-examination, payment of the allowances must then cease.

asked the Pensions Minister if his attention has been called to the extreme hardship of the cases-of temporary medical officers who have served away from home, and whose practices have suffered severely in consequence; whether he is aware that in many cases such temporary medical officers are receiving no compensation at all; whether he will take steps to urge upon all Departments the necessity for providing employment for such officers; and, failing that, whether compensation will be granted to them?

In making appointments of medical men to positions under the Ministry of Pensions it is the practice of this Department to give preference to doctors who have served abroad during the War.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the continued cost of living, the 20 per cent, bonus on pensions for disability will be further extended?

I have been asked to reply to this question. In the case of men, the 20 per cent. bonus is now merged in the higher rates of pension which take effect as from 3rd September last. In the case of officers the rates of disability retired pay have not been revised pending the further report of the Select Committee, but the Government have decided that the 20 per cent, bonus shall cease to be a temporary addition, and shall form an integral part of the retired pay of temporary officers for the next three years.

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 see fit to reconsider his decision?

I have investigated this matter very carefully, and regret, that I cannot alter the decision not; to issue a war gratuity to these ladies.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India compel the majority of their Civil servants and a great number of their subordinates and clerks to subscribe a percentage of their salary each month to the general provident fund and only allow 4 per cent, compound interest on all deposits, whereas they have to pay 5½ per cent, interest on money raised in the open market; and whether the Government of India intend to revise this rate of interest, with retrospective effect, so that the rates to be allowed will not be less than ½ per cent, in excess of the rates at which the Government were in a position to raise rupee Loans?

I am in communication with the Government of India on the subject, and have requested them to propose a rate of interest on Fund deposits more in accord with the prevailing market rate.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that several Regular officers of the Indian Medical Service now in Mesopotamia have served there continuously for four hot seasons, while some of them have not been on furlough for nine years; and what arrangements have been made for their speedy relief?

There are, I am afraid, a number of officers in the Indian Medical Service whose leave is overdue. This unfortunate state of affairs, to remedy which no effort is being spared, is not peculiar to Mesopotamia. If the hon. Member refers specifically to Indian Medical Service officers in civil employment in Mesopotamia, he will be glad to hear that it is hoped to replace them from this country before very long.

asked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that in Barrow-in-Furness citizens are still being called up to serve as special constables, under the Special Constables Act, 1914; that a num- ber have refused to take the oath and have been fined £5, with the alternative of one month's imprisonment; whether the calling up of these men is with his knowledge and sanction; and will he state the ground for this being done at a time when war conditions have long ceased to exist?

The proceedings in question were not taken under the Special Constables Act, 1914, which contains no provision for the compulsory appointment of special constables. I am informed that they were taken under Section 196 of the Municipal Corporations Act, which provides for the appointment in October of every year of borough special constables who can be called upon to serve on any occasion when the police force of the borough is insufficient to maintain the peace. The proceedings appear to have been in accordance with the Act. They do not require my sanction or authority; the appointment of these constables is a normal peace arrangement of very old standing, having nothing to do with the War.

asked the Minister of Transport what financial arrangement he has made with the railway and dock companies with reference to the use of Government motor lorries; and whether the same offer has been made to private haulage contractors?

In the case of controlled railways and docks owned by controlled railways, the expenses and receipts will be treated as part of the general railway expenditure and receipts, and will, therefore, in effect, be on Government account. As stated in my answer to the hon. Member for Newcastle on the 11th instant, local port committees may let out lorries to private contractors. The rates of hire payable by haulage contractors vary in different localities, but will generally conform to the rates of hire prevailing in the district.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the probable withdrawal next week of all the omnibuses of the National Company running in London; whether he is aware that such a withdrawal will affect some 1,300 workers, of whom about 75 per cent, are ex-Service men; whether, in view of the fact that certain garages of this company have already been taken over by the London General Omnibus Company, representations will be made to the London General Omnibus Company to replace the steam omnibuses gradually and to absorb the National Company's workers before engaging other employés?

I am aware that the National Steam Car Company are withdrawing omnibuses from service in London, and I am informed that the London General Omnibus Company are arranging to run their own vehicles on the routes previously worked by the National Company's steam cars. They have purchased both the Putney and Peckham garages of the National Company, and are prepared to register any of the employés of the latter company who desire to transfer with a view to favourable consideration of their employment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what rate of delivery was promised when orders for 2,500 railway wagons were placed by the Ministry of Munitions with Woolwich Arsenal on the 28th and 31st July; and how many of these wagons have already been delivered?

No definite rate of delivery was promised to the North-Eastern Railway in respect of the order for 2,000 wagons, but an undertaking was given that delivery would be completed as quickly as circumstances permitted. It was agreed with the Great Western Railway that delivery of the 500 wagons ordered by that company should commence at the end of December, 1919, and be completed by September, 1920. No wagons have yet been delivered.

asked the Minister of Health how soon he will issue instructions to local education authorities to resume the medical inspection of school children on the lines in vogue before the War, instead of on the reduced scale sanctioned by the Board of Education during the War; and when he proposes to put in force the provisions for extended medical inspection under the Act of 1918?

I am informed that medical inspection in public elementary schools was fully maintained throughout the War in more than two-thirds of the areas of local education authorities. In the remaining areas where the provision had to be temporarily restricted, they are now being rapidly restored, as the requisite staffs are obtained. Under the circumstances, no special instruction appears necessary. Section 18 of the Education Act was brought into operation on 8th August, 1918, except in so far as it imposed a duty. The present intention is to bring it into full operation on 1st April, 1920.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the estimated volume of imports into the United Kingdom in each of the years 1913 to 1918, and in the first nine months of the present year?

The value and estimated weight of the imports into the United Kingdom during each of the periods specified were as follows:

Period.	Value of Imports.*	Estimated weight of* Imports.
	£	Tons.
Year 1913	768,735,000	54,548,000
1914	696,635,000	46,368,000
1915	851,893,000	45,470,000
1916	948,506,000	41,356,000
1917	1,064,165,000	33,957,000
1918	1,316,151,000	35,167,000
First 9 months of 1919	1,166,607,000	27,855,000
* The figures for the period from the beginning of the war up to July, 1917, include all articles of food, but do not include other goods which at the time of importation were known to be the property of His Majesty's Government or the Governments of the Allies.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the British imports from the United States of America during the six months February to July, 1919, and the United States of America exports to the United Kingdom during the six months January to June, 1919; whether it is reasonably accurate to assume that the difference between the totals represent the freight and insurance paid on American goods shipped to the United Kingdom during the first half of 1919; if he will state the United States of America imports from the United Kingdom during the six months February to July, 1919, and the British exports to the United States of America during the six months January to June, 1919; and whether it is reasonably accurate to assume that the difference between the totals represents the freight and insurance paid on British goods shipped to the United States of America during the first half of 1919?

The particulars of imports and exports asked for by my hon. Friend are as follow:

• Imports into United Kingdom—
  • Consigned from United States of America, February to July, 1919, £248,977,000.
  • Exports from United States of America to United Kingdom, January to June, 1919, £236,756,000.
  • Imports into United States of America from United Kingdom, February to July, 1919, £22,846,000.
• Exports from United Kingdom—
  • Consigned to United States of America. January to June, 1919:
  • United Kingdom Produce and Manufactures, £10,607,000.
  • Foreign and Colonial Merchandise, £7,520,000.

Apart from the fact that the available information does not permit of the separation of domestic from foreign merchandise exported from the United States of America to the United Kingdom in the period specified, any cargoes which were diverted from United Kingdom to other destinations as a result of transactions while the goods were on passage would appear in the United States of America record of exports to the United Kingdom, but not in the United Kingdom record of imports. With reference to exports from the United Kingdom to the United States of America, it would appear probable that the United States of America record includes some goods other than those covered by the United Kingdom record of exports of United Kingdom produce to the United States of America. I am, accordingly, unable to confirm the assumptions referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what percentages of the British exports to the United States of America and the American exports to the United Kingdom during the first six months of the present year were carried in British ships?

Particulars of exports classified according to the nationalities of the vessels on which the goods are shipped have not been compiled. The preparation of such information would involve a considerable expenditure on clerical labour, which would not, in my opinion, be justified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the estimated average percentage of the total freight paid which is spent in America on stores, dock charges, etc., in the case of British ships trading between the United Kingdom and the United States of America; and what is the corresponding percentage spent in the United Kingdom in respect of American ships trading between the United States of America and the United Kingdom?

The information asked for by my hon. Friend is not available.

asked tin; President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the number of local committees that have ben formed up to the present under the Profiteering Act, the total number of prosecutions, the proportion which have been successful, and the total amount of fines received up to the present; whether any licences have been issued to the local authorities to trade under the Act and if they have been taken advantage of; and whether he has any information showing whether the Act has reduced the cost of living?

In answer to the first part of the right hon. Member's question, 1,772 local committees have been established by local authorities under the Profiteering Act. As all the local committees have not yet reported to the Board of Trade, I am unable to give the exact number of cases in which prosecutions have actually taken place. The reports which have, up to the present, been received from local committees show that prosecutions have been ordered in forty-one cases. In three of the four cases which have so far been reported as heard, fines were inflicted, and the fourth case was dismissed with costs. The total fines and costs imposed amount to £46 6s. At present no authority to trade has been granted under Section 4 of the Act to local authorities. While I am of opinion that the Profiteering Act has tended to reduce prices generally, it is impossible at present to state the effect of the Act more precisely.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the question of granting some form of compensation to the men of the Mercantile Marine for damage suffered physically and financially through the action of enemy submarines is still being considered; and whether, in view of the service performed by these seamen during the War, it will be possible to treat them in the same manner as the men of the Royal Naval Reserve in this respect?

Compensation is already granted in the case of officers and men of the Mercantile Marine who have been injured or incapacitated as a result of war perils. Extra wages have been paid to men whose ships were sunk as a result of enemy action in accordance with a scheme started in 1917. No further payment is being considered, and the reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, owing to the Orders of the Board, gas companies and others who had previously drawn their supplies, or part of their supplies, of coal from Yorkshire by rail, are now compelled to take the whole of their supplies from Northumberland or Durham by sea at a very heavy additional cost for transport; that in the case of the Dover Gas Company, who have during the War at considerable expense provided a railway siding at their works in order to reduce the cost, the additional cost of transport and handling coal of quality inferior for gas making has amounted to from 16s. to 18s a ton, the rates of sea freight and demurrage fixed by the authorities being nearly five times the prewar rates; and if he can see his way to take immediate steps to reduce these enormous rates of freight and demurrage or to allow the coal to be transported by rail?

My attention has been, called to this matter, but I fear that, owing to the shortage of coal in Yorkshire and the Midlands it is necessary to continue to supply Durham gas coal by sea as largely as possible to those gas works capable of receiving it. I understand that in the case of the Dover Gas Company the action which was taken affected less than 10 per cent, of the total supplies received by the company. On the question of rates of freight and demurrage, I would refer to the last part of my reply to a question by the hon. Member for the Twickenham Division on Tuesday last.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the clerical staffs of the three general lighthouse authorities, who have to pass a Civil Service examination on entry, are recognised for all purposes as Civil servants, or what limitations there are on such recognition; and whether these staffs have the same rights as regards salary questions and the redress of grievances as Civil servants?

The expenditure of the general lighthouse authorities is not met out of moneys voted by Parliament, and their clerical staffs are not, therefore, recognised as Civil servants. It is, however, the practice of the Board of Trade, in whom the financial control of the expenditure of these bodies is vested, to apply as far as practicable the conditions of the Civil Service to their clerical staffs.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the tonnage under construction at the present time in British and American shipyards, respectively?

I have been asked to reply. The tonnage under construction on 30th September, according to the latest return issued by Lloyd's Register of British and Foreign Shipping, was as follows:

	Gross Tons.
United Kingdom	2,816,773
American	3,470,748

asked the Postmaster- General if he will state the result of his investigations in relation to the Clipston post office and the establishment of a letter-box in the village?

The sub-postmistress of Clipston had to remove last August from the premises in which the Post Office business was formerly carried on. She secured other premises about 300 yards away, and as these afforded adequate accommodation and were conveniently situated the post office was transferred to them. A letter-box will be established in that part of the village distant from the post office.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will consider the question of the installation of a telephone in the Post Office at Plungar, near Bottesford, in Leicestershire, as the wire is already laid to within 650 yards of the Post Office, and only requires to be joined up?

I am having inquiry made in the matter, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General for what reason a new tenant, when taking over an existing telephone installation from a previous tenant without any alteration or cost to the telephone department, is required to pay a fine of £4; if he is aware that this charge is resented by telephone users; and whether it is his intention to continue the practice?

The reason for the surcharge on each new contract for an Exchange line is the fact that the annual rental and fees for telephone service under the current pre-war tariff are too low to cover the expenses in present con- ditions. I hope it will be possible to discontinue the surcharge when a new scheme of rates comes into operation.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he proposes to take any steps to publicly acknowledge by medal, certificate, or otherwise, the service rendered to the community by the many women who undertook postal work during the War; and if the women who have been dispensed with will have the first chance of employment during the pressure of Christmas and New Year business?

On the conclusion of hostilities my right hon. Friend published in the Post Office Circular an expression of thanks for the loyal and devoted service rendered by all ranks of the Post Office staff, both permanent and temporary, since the outbreak of war. The additional temporary staff required for this year's Christmas pressure will be recruited as far as possible from discharged soldiers and sailors.

asked the Postmaster-General (1) whether any agreement has been come to between his Department and the Press Association whereby wires will be leased to that body for the conveyance of news messages in competition with his Department; whether it is proposed to grant a lease of the necessary wires to this association of newspaper owners under the terms of which they will secure the free use of the telegraph lines for a period of two years; and whether he will lay all the papers with regard to this transaction upon the Table of the House before any agreement is ratified;(2) whether the leasing of newspaper lines to the Press Association for the transmission of news messages, for which the Press Association has hitherto been compelled to pay the Post Office, will merely mean that a fully occupied Post Office wire from which the telegraph administration now secures the revenue will become a fully occupied Press Association wire, from which this combination of newspaper owners will take the proceeds of the relief this will afford to the Post Office telegraph lines; and whether beyond the loss of revenue, the change is likely to have any effect upon his Department;

As my right hon. Friend explained to the hon. Member on the 6th instant, he has agreed to lease certain wires to the Press Association on the usual rental terms. The period of the lease has not yet been fixed, as the arrangement is at present of a partial and experimental nature. Spare wires will be allocated for the purpose in the first instance, and there will be no interference with the ordinary service. Beyond securing for the telegraph service a substantial rental and relieving it of a considerable amount of unremunerative traffic, I do not anticipate that the leasing of the wires will affect the Post Office. The case is not one in which a Fair-Wage Clause could be properly inserted. It does not differ essentially from that of wires rented for private purposes.

asked the Postmaster-General if he is aware that the first delivery of letters in the West Central district of London is very frequently delayed till after 8.30 a.m., and that this is the cause of grave inconvenience to the many business people who live in that district who have to leave their houses about that hour, and who consequently only get their morning letters when they return home in the evening; and will he take steps to have this state of things improved?

The trains conveying the night mails do not at present reach London as early as they did before the War. This is the main cause of the variation in the time of delivery to which the hon. Member refers. I am arranging for additional assistance to be given, which I hope will result in some improvement, but, until the trains are accelerated, the delivery cannot be materially earlier.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the latest weekly figures of discharged soldiers, civilians, and women drawing unemploy- ment donation, and how these figures compare with the corresponding figures of six months ago?

At 7th November the number of persons drawing out-of-work donation was, approximately, as follows: Ex-Service men, 336,000; civilian men, 99,000; and civilian women, 30,000. The corresponding figures at 2nd May, 1919, were: Ex-Service men, 402,000; civilian men, 214,000; and civilian women, 422,000.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if a decision has now been come to with reference to the granting of the out-of-work donation to the late employés of the Belfast Remount Depot?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I hope that a final decision on this question will be reached in a few days, and I will not fail to communicate it at once to the how. Member.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he will state the tonnage of the British Mercantile Marine as far as it consists of ocean-going steamships of 1,600 gross tons and upwards; how much of this tonnage is now under requisition at Blue Book rates by the Government; and what proportion of the tonnage of other than fully requisitioned ships is reserved for Government imports at Blue Book rates or special rates?

Excluding tankers, there are 3,014 British ocean-going steamships of 14,024,482 gross tons. On 31st October there were 109 such vessels of 468,016 gross tons on requisition at Blue Book rates. Fifty per cent, of the space of the liners is at the disposal of the Ministry of Shipping for the carriage of Government imports at the equivalent of Blue Book rates. The balance of Government requirements is met by the direction of tramps from time to time, and in each case of a tramp so directed it is the present practice of the Ministry to require at least 80 per cent, of the space for Government cargo.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the increase in rates throughout Scotland, and if he proposes to inaugurate an Inquiry into the whole matter without delay, so that local authorities and other bodies may be able to estimate the probable cost to the community as a whole of the Government housing scheme; whether any alteration of procedure is intended in regard to the assistance to local rates for education and roads by Grants from the Imperial Exchequer; and whether, pending the establishment of such a Commission, he will provide opportunity for local authorities to draw up a statement emphasising their point of view and in what manner the burden on the ratepayers may be reduced?

I am aware that local rates have increased in Scotland, as in other parts of the country, owing to the serious increases in the cost of commodities and services arising out of the War, which necessarily affect local authorities as well as others. The scope of an Inquiry such as the hon. Member suggests with regard to housing would apparently extend beyond Scotland, and it is not, clear that it would produce results of value at the present time. The subject is one that is receiving the continuous attention of the Government. Assistance to local rates for education is provided from the Education (Scotland) Fund, and the amount and mode of assistance that will be given in the present year is, as I have already stated, under consideration. The subject of financial assistance to the cost of roads falls within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transport. I need scarcely add that I shall be happy to receive any statements drawn up by local authorities on these matters.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Scottish Board of Health what steps, if any, he proposes to take to inquire into the financial position regarding the loan of necessary funds by local authorities for the construction of houses; whether the Board of Health in Scotland proposes to issue any new regulations on this subject or any memorandum giving advice and assistance; and whether he is aware that the chief cause for the delay in the construction of houses is entirely due to the uncertain financial situation of the problem?

I am aware that certain local authorities are experiencing difficulty in obtaining loans in the open market for the purpose of their housing schemes. The whole question of the financing of loans for housing schemes is at present under consideration by a Committee appointed by the Treasury. Meantime, local authorities with an assessable rental of under £200,000 can obtain the necessary loans from the Public Works Loan Board if they satisfy the Scotlish Board of Health that they have been unable to raise the money in the open market.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the difficulty experienced by local authorities in obtaining loans to enable them to carry out their housing schemes, he will be prepared to make some provision whereby the Treasury may grant such loans on favourable terms, and thus facilitate the erection of working-class houses?

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has recently appointed a Committee, on which local authorities are represented, to consider what steps can be taken to assist authorities to raise loans in the market.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the circumstances attending the daily examination at Boulogne of British subjects returning to England with regard to their passports, their baggage, and the cash they have upon the person; whether he is aware that they have to put up with great inconvenience and discomfort in undergoing this process, and that accidents may at any time occur owing to the complete want of proper arrangements for carrying out this examination; and whether he will make representations to the French Government that the indignities daily inflicted on British subjects returning home may be put an end to at the earliest possible moment?

I have made inquiries, and find that complaints of the kind indicated in the Noble Lord's ques- tion have not so far been received at the Foreign Office If he be in a position to bring specific cases to my notice, I will at once have further inquiries made.

asked the First Commissioner of Works which London museums or galleries are still occupied in part or in whole by Government Departments?

The following museums and galleries are still occupied by Government Departments:

• Hertford House. (Staff now being removed.)
• National Gallery of British Art.
• Parts of the following are also occupied:
• National Gallery. (Majority of staff already removed. Remainder will be removed very shortly.)
• Imperial Institute. (Most of this space will be given up on 1st February, 1920.)
• Victoria and Albert Museum. (Will probably be vacated by 31st March, 1920.)
• British Museum.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what London hotels art still retained by Government Departments?

The following hotels, so far as my Department is concerned, are still retained by Government staffs:Metropole, York, Holborn Viaduct, St. Ermin's, Horrex's, Howard, Windsor, Salisbury.It is expected that the first three will be surrendered during the next few months; of the remainder, the Windsor, Howard, and Salisbury Hotels are held on lease. St. Ermin's Hotel has been purchased by a private firm, and upon Government vacation will be used as offices. A small portion is being surrendered to the firm at an early date. Horrex's Hotel will be required for some time by the Ministry of Labour for a portion of their Appointments Branch staff.