asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that the Indian Government permits tea grown in Ceylon to be imported into India free of duty whilst the Ceylon Government exacts a duty of four annas a pound on Indian tea imported into Ceylon; and will the Indian Government remonstrate with the Ceylon Government against this tax, and, failing its withdrawal, will it put a similar duty on Ceylon tea coming into India, and thus allay the grievance felt throughout India by the planters, and remove this cause of faction between the two countries?

The Indian Import Duty on tea is 7½ per cent. ad valoren; the Ceylon duty is 4 annas per pound. These rates apply to tea from all countries of origin. The Ceylon Government, it is understood, considers a high Import Duty essential to the preservation of the reputation of Ceylon teas. I am not aware that a similar need is felt in India or has formed the subject of any Motion in the Imperial Legislative Council.

Is it not the fact that considerable quantities of Ceylon tea are now being sold in the South of India, and that the planters in the South of India feel that they are not fairly treated?

It is not the fact that Ceylon tea goes into India free of duty, as there is a duty on it of 7½ per cent. If the suggestion of the hon. Member is that there should be retaliation against Ceylon, that is a matter which will require careful consideration in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the re ported rising among the Mahsuds?

Ever since our evacuation during the Afghan operations of certain posts in Waziristan, formerly held by our frontier , the Waziri and Hahsud tribes have maintained a consistently hostile attitude and committed numerous raids upon our troops, and made incursions into British territory.

To put an end to this the Indian Government, after assembling a sumcieut military force, summoned representatives of the tribes to hear terms for acceptance. These included claims for reparation and compensation in respect of numerous outrages. The Mahsuds rejected the terms, and punitive operations were consequently undertaken against them. These operations still continue. On the 17th and 18th November the Wazirls, with the exception of three sections in the Tochi Valley, accepted the terms. The recalcitrant sections have since submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what has been the approximate cost of keeping British troops in India from the beginning of the current financial year to 31st October; and what is the estimated cost for the whole financial year?

The number of British troops kept in India this year has not at any point of time materially exceeded the strength of the normal garrison of British troops, which is about 76,000, and at the present moment is actually below the normal strength. I have not figures showing the estimated cost in 1919–1920 under all heads of the British garrison, but any increase over the cost in previous years is due not to increased numbers but chiefly to higher rates of pay, gratuities, and bonuses.

Is this cost borne by the Indian or Imperial Exchequer?

The normal cost of the garrison in India is borne by the Indian Exchequer, but certain portions of the pay are due to war conditions, and those are borne by the Imperial Exchequer.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will state what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the question of child labour in factories in India; and what instructions have been given to the official and nominated representatives of India at the International Labour Conference in Washington with regard to this matter?

His Majesty's Government would like to see the minimum age for employment of children in Indian factories raised, but have accepted the view of the Government of India that local inquiry must first be made and Indian public opinion ascertained. This they have undertaken to carry out without delay. The official delegates have been instructed to regulate their attitude accordingly in discussing and voting on a uniform age limit. No instructions have been given to the nominated representatives.

To what age is it proposed to raise the time below which the employment of children will be illegal?

We want to raise the age, but before deciding we wish to consult Indian opinion.

What is the age now when they commence to work in India?

The conditions in Indian factories are very different from those here. As to the age at which children are brought in to work, there is a sort of family arrangement in the factory and it is very difficult to diagnose exactly their hours of labour.

Is it under six years?

I do not think so.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, in view of the fact that a High Court was established in the Punjab in April last, a High Court will now be established in Burma in fulfilment of decisions of the Government of India and in accordance with the expressed views of the local Government, the judges of the chief Court of Lower Burma; the Bar of Rangoon, and the Rangoon Chamber of Commerce?

I have received no proposals from the Government of India on this question. When it was last discussed the local Government opposed the conversion of the Chief Court into a High Court, and I am not aware that the present Lieut.-Governor has made any official recommendation.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) if, at the commencement of the recent Afghan campaign there was supposed to be a hutment camp at Kacha Gashi with sufficient accommodation for divisional headquarters, certain units, and a remount depot built some years ago, whereas there was found to be nothing but a bare plain, one hut, and drinking troughs: and whether the entire staff of a brigade who were stationed in tents at Kacha Gashi later were sent to hospital suffering from heat-stroke partly due to the absence of huts;

(2) whether he will explain why the machines and equipment of a unit of the Air Force sent from overseas to supply the urgent need of up-to-date aeroplanes on the North-West Frontier were left in a siding at Delhi and lost for a fortnight?

I will make inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for India if, in the Zhob Valley, British officers had to live in tents with inadequate protection from the heat with the temperature at 109 degrees in the shade?

I presume that the hon. Member refers to officers serving with the field force in the Zhob Valley during the recent operations. I fear it is impossible to provide troops serving in the field with accommodation other than tents during active operations.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the number of two-anna, four-anna, and eight-anna silver coins issued during the past twelve months and the number for the twelve months preceding the War, and the weight of silver used in their coinage; and if he is considering the advisability and necessity of extending the nickel coinage to include at least the lower classes, in order to free the silver position to some extent?

The Indian Coinage Act has been amended so as to permit the issue of nickel coins of eight and four annas denomination as well as the existing two-and one-anna nickel. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the latest information regarding the coinage of fractional silver coins. The coinage has been on a relatively small scale.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will give the figures of the value of Japanese goods imported into India for the last financial year before the War, and the coresponding figures for the last available completed twelve months?

The figures are £3,186,782 for the year ending 31st March, 1914, and £22,348,506 for that ending 31st March, 1919.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Tashkent is at present the centre of any, and, if so, of what, Government, authority, or administration?

Tashkent is the centre of the Bolshevik Administration of Turkestan.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state what will be the status of commercial travellers on board British warships; whether cabin accommodation will be provided; and whether any expenses for their entertainment will fall upon officers of the Royal Navy?

In the event of the Oversea Trade Department making use of the very limited accommodation which may be available on His Majesty's ships, commercial travellers would be passengers as defined in Article 1541 of the King's Regulations and would be received in the ward-room mess. I am advised that cabin accommodation would not be provided as none would be available, and that no expense should fall upon officers of the Royal Navy in respect of entertainment, as a charge would, of course, be made for any such passengers carried.

May I ask if moneys arising from this will be added to the regular sums or will the amount be expended in any case for the good of the men of the Navy or the officers?

A charge is made of 12s. per day for the first fourteen days and 9s. per day afterwards. The appropriation of that fund, which we shall receive, has not yet been decided upon.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is yet in a position to make any announcement as to the future of all classes of Naval Reserves?

The future of the Naval Reserves is a question which must obviously be considered in relation to the general requirements of the post-war Fleet. It is engaging the attention of the Admiralty, but no announcement can yet be made as to the decisions likely to be reached.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any indication when it is likely to be reached?

Not at present, but directly I can I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know.

Is there an up-to-date record of the whereabouts of the men who served in the Royal Naval Reserve?

I could not say offhand, but it does not arise out of the question, and perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will give notice.

Will the right hon. Gentleman consider it?

I will.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many motor cars were still in use by the Royal Navy, at home and abroad, on 1st November, 1919; how many of these motor cars are driven by women; and how many motor cars are there for the use of the Royal Navy in London?

The total number of motor cars in use by the Royal Navy at home and abroad on 1st November of this year was 162. Since that date there has been a reduction of forty-six. None of these motor cars is driven by a woman. For the use of the Royal Navy in London there are seven cars at headquarters and three in the Greater London areas.

Does my right hon. Friend see any prospect of further reducing these motor cars, in view of the fact that before the War the Navy never used any at all?

It is a matter of the needs of the Service. I cannot give any undertaking, but they will not be retained when there is no use for them.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will give a return of officers, executive and nonexecutive, of the Royal Navy who have been retired on account of wounds or sickness contracted in the late War prior to 1st July, 1919?

I regret that no statistics on this subject are immediately available, and I am advised that in order to compile a return, even of the permanent officers concerned, an amount of time and labour on the part of the staff would be involved which would seriously interfere with the ordinary work of the Department. If temporary officers were included—

I only mean permanent.

The work would, of course, assume still larger dimensions, and would, I am advised, necessitate the employment of a special staff. In the circumstances, I hope my hon. and gallant Friend will not press for the return

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty (1) why has it been found necessary to advertise for naval schoolmasters in view of the fact that all naval ranks are being reduced in number owing to demobilisation following the War; is he aware that dissatisfaction exists in that branch consequent upon the recommendations of the Jerram-Halsey Committee not having been accepted by their Lordships;

(2) if he will explain why, although all classes of warrant officers received increases of pay in 1918, as a result of the findings of the Hyde-Parker Committee, naval schoolmasters were the only branch not to receive further increases in July, 1919?

As my hon. Friend is probably aware, before the War, naval schoolmasters were employed only in Harbour Establishments (with the exception of eight in the Training Squadron). During the War, however, it was decided to employ Warrant schoolmasters afloat, and temporary officers were appointed for this purpose. Owing to the success which attended this new departure in the interests of lower deck education, it has been decided to continue it, and an increase in the pre-war complement of the schoolmaster branch is necessary in consequence. As all the temporary schoolmasters were demobilised on the cessation of hostilities, it is necessary to enter fresh schoolmasters on a permanent basis for service afloat. If is true that letters have been received from schoolmasters expressing their dissatisfaction at rot having been treated similarly to other warrant officers in respect to pay. I am afraid I can only say that it was considered that the rates compared favourably with the salaries of teachers in civil life, and for this reason it was decided to make no change.

Is it a fact that there were at least 200 temporary school-masters engaged during the War, that they were invited to rejoin under the new circumstances, and that practically only eight or ten have done SO owing to the poor conditions of service?

I do not know. I cannot say I have heard that.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire?

I will inquire.

Is there any analogy in the conditions of service of naval schoolmasters ashore and afloat?

No. The conditions of service afloat are entirely different from those ashore. The question I had in mind was as to the pædogogie attainments and the capacity of these teachers.

Do you draw no distinction whatever between service ashore and service at sea?

If I am asked I would Say that life on shore has many more amenities and much more comfort than life at sea, obviously.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Dockyard Members' Committee received a deputation the other day, and that they strongly recommended the case of these schoolmasters for consideration by the Admiralty? We sent a letter. Has the right hon. Gentleman received it?

I expect it was sent to the Permanent Secretary. I have not seen it.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he will explain why promotions to the approved percentages of head masters and senior masters have not been made, and why not a single appointment has been made to the special list, seeing that there is in the schoolmaster branch more than a sufficient number qualified, professionally and in the spirit of the Regulations, to fill the vacancies?

The total number of officers of the schoolmaster branch (excluding probationers) is ninety. The number of head masters allowed is six, and there are six officers holding this rank. The number of senior masters allowed is twenty-three, and the number of officers holding this rank is fifteen. To qualify for promotion to senior master or for appointment on the special list a schoolmaster must have served for eight years and must have reached a satisfactory standard after taking an advanced course. A certain number of promotions to senior master have been made from among those who had completed eight years' service, although they had not taken the advanced course, and I am advised that it is not considered desirable to fill up the whole of the vacancies in this way, especially as there are several schoolmasters of outstanding merit who have completed about seven years' service whose promotion would thereby be blocked. I may, perhaps, add that both on account of lack of accommodation in the training establishments and because sufficient schoolmasters have not yet been obtained, it has not been practicable to hold advanced courses. They will be instituted as soon as circumstances admit.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the Committee promised by the Prime Minister to consider the possibility of utilising the machinery and personnel of the Royal Dockyards for the building and reconditioning of merchant vessels has yet been set up; and, if so, how many meetings have been held and when the Report may be expected?

asked the Prime Minister, if, in view of the very serious position caused by the continued discharges from the Royal Dockyards, he will say what period of time will be allowed the new Committee appointed by him to report; and will he say, in view of the urgency of taking immediate steps to stop further discharges, what he proposes to do in the matter?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Committee promised by him to deal with the dockyard discharges has been appointed; if so, if he will state the composition and names of such Committee, including the Chairman, and when they will set to work; and what step is being taken to stop the discharges pending the recommendations of the Committee?

The Committee over which Lord Colwyn will preside will, I hope, hold its first meeting on Monday next, and sit daily until its work is accomplished.

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the members of the Committee.

Upon the question of discharges generally, I have nothing to add to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary last Monday. We are fully alive to the gravity of the situation, and are anxious to avoid the suffering which may be caused. I hope to announce a decision at once.

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask if he will give the men of the dockyards a further opportunity of voting on the question they have already voted upon, now that the full facts are before them?

The matter, as my hon. Friend knows, is extremely difficult and very complicated, and the suggestion he makes, that we should have another ballot of the men in the dockyards, is one that has already been under our consideration and is under consideration now, but I am very doubtful whether a fresh ballot would really help us in this emergency. What we have got to do, it seems to me, is to try and devise a plan under which the reduction of the labour in the dockyards shall be as small as possible.

Can he say whether, in the event of cases of great distress, the National Relief Fund will be available?

I have no right whatever to answer for the National Relief Fund. All I can say, on behalf of the Admiralty, is that while we cannot justify employment which is unnecessary, and undesirable therefore, we can, I think, perhaps anticipate the work of the next year on a three-years basis, and in that way find extra employment now. If we can we will do it. I should like to add, if I may, that the whole subject is complicated by the question of housing. We have more men in the dockyards than we actually require, but men are required in other shipbuilding yards. The transfer could be made tomorrow if there were housing accommodation in the other yards for them, but unfortunately there is not, and, therefore, we must do our best to prevent unnecessary or avoidable suffering.

In view of the fact that the notices have been given for further discharges of men, may I ask whether, in the present uncertain state of affairs, their Lordships cannot see their way to withhold these discharges pending further inquiries?

That is one of the questions which we are inquiring into and which we are going to discuss this afternoon when I return to the Board of Admiralty, and I hope we may be able, at all events, to announce some lessening of the discharges if not their cessation altogether.

Cannot he promise us that as far as regards the notices already served they shall be withdrawn?

No; I cannot promise that. My hon. Friend will see what it would involve. It would involve keeping men in the dockyards for whom some work would have to be invented, and that really, in the present state of the country, would be wholly unjustifiable. May I point out, in addition, that under normal conditions there are periodical discharges from the dockyards arising out of different causes —age, for one—which has always been well understood in the dockyards? At the present moment we have a large number of men, as my hon. Friend knows, in all the dockyards in excess of pre-war numbers. In these circumstances, and having regard to the work we have got to do, I think that all we can possibly be asked to undertake is what I have already undertaken, namely, to give the fullest consideration to the whole case and to do the best we can at the Admiralty to lessen any hardships that may arise.

I quite appreciate —[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]. I think I am entitled on this very serious question to make one further inquiry. Having regard to the fact that the discharge of these men in Portsmouth means probable starvation to some of them, distress, and so on, and having regard to the fact that they were thanked by the Board of Admiralty and the Prime Minister for the splendid work they did during the War, are they not entitled to some extra consideration?

I think they are entitled to extra consideration, and that is what we are endeavouring to show. I have tried, within the limits of an answer to a question, to show the House that the circumstances are extremely difficult and complicated, and that is one of the reasons why we are engaged in discussing this question at the Board of Admiralty, and I hope in the course of another hour to be discussing it with my colleagues, and our object will be to try and meet these different cases.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the hardship inflicted on workmen, many of whom have lost sons in the War, by their discharge on reaching the age of sixty years, he will consider the alteration of the Regulations to provide for their continued employment should they be physically fit?

It is the normal procedure, in accordance with the Dockyard Regulations, to discharge workmen on reaching the age of sixty; but each case is dealt with on its merits, and, in some cases, retention is permitted up to the age of sixty-five. My hon. Friend will, I am sure, appreciate our difficulties confronted with the fact that reductions are inevitable, and accept my assurance that we do our utmost to mitigate the hardships involved.

Will special consideration be given to cases of men who have reached the age of sixty before discharge, in view of the fact that many of them have lost sons in the War?

I imagine that that fact would be taken into consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to continue the dockyard establishment at Invergordon; if so, for how long; whether any ships are now being refitted there; how many men were employed there on 11th November, 1918; how many on 11th November, 1919; and what is to be done with the floating docks at this base?

It is not intended to continue the dockyard establishment at Invergordon after the completion of the work at present in hand and that necessary to clear the base of the miscellaneous vessels at present attached to the yard. At the present time there are—one battleship in hand for refit, two small craft and one target, and it is not intended to send any more work to the yard. The total number of workpeople in Admiralty service at Invergordon on 11th November, 1918, was 4,459. The number on 15th November this year was 2,714. As regards the floating docks, the one owned by the Admiralty will in all probability be returned to its original station at Portsmouth, while arrangements are being made to return the other to its owner.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether, having regard to the continued dissatisfaction of the workers in His Majesty's Dockyard, Rosyth, at the high rents paid for housing accommodation, he will institute an independent inquiry into the whole question?

The question of the rents paid by the men is one that has been very fully considered by the Admiralty, and in this connection I would invite my hon. Friend's attention to the reply given by me on the 12th August last to my right hon. Friend the Member for Fife West. Since that reply was given, the Admiralty have considered further representations made by the Rosyth Ratepayers' Association, but on the information furnished they decided that there was no case for a reduction in rent being made, and the association were so informed on 2nd September last.

In view of the fact that the valuation has been recently raised, does he not think that a fresh case for inquiry, and does he not realise that an independent, competent inquiry into this matter would finally settle the whole vexed question?

It is a fact that assessment has been increased by £5 recently. I give no undertaking whatever arising out of that, but the effect of that upon the rents should be looked into, and if my hon. Friend has any fresh evidence to justify us in making a further inquiry, I will be glad to receive it.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will state when he expects to be able to apply the principle of only sending volunteers for such service to fight against the Soviet Government of Russia to the Royal Navy, as is already the case in His Majesty's Army?

I have nothing to add to the reply which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member in answer to his similar question on the 29th of October.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a great many of these men enlisted to take part in the war against Germany and are feeling their position very keenly?

I am not aware that anybody enlisted in the Navy to take part in the war against Germany. On the contrary, the Navy is a voluntary enlistment service, and everybody who enlists in the Navy enlists for general service and to obey orders. I am not aware of any foundation for the suggestion that enlistment was in any single case made for any particular seat of war. As regards the discontent, there has been some unfortunate evidence of discontent. Those are matters which the Board of Admiralty are inquiring into, but it has nothing to do with the question the hon. and gallant Gentleman asks, namely, whether these men shall be treated as volunteers or as conscripts.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many men of all ranks have been tried by court-martial for naval offences in connection with the campaigns in Russia since the Armistice, including those tried for refusal to embark for Russian theatres of war; how many have been sentenced to imprisonment for such offences; and what has-been the maximum sentence imposed?

The reply to the first part of the lion. Member's question is—two officers and eighty-seven men of the Royal Marines, for military offences; and nine ratings of the First Destroyer Flotilla, for naval offences. For the rest, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to questions on this subject on Wednesday last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether General Denikin has issued orders that deserters are to be punished by death and their property confiscated; and whether, in view of the fact that Ukrainians joined the volunteer army to-fight the Bolsheviks and are now being used against the Ukraine, he will make representations to prevent those orders being carried out in the case of Ukrainians?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second part of the question, General Denikin is fighting the Bolsheviks and only such individual Ukrainians as adhere either to the Bolsheviks or to Petliura. He is not fighting the Ukrainian people.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a vessel laden with munitions for North Russia was at any time lost with all hands; and, if so, whether this mystery has been cleared up?

I am informed that the ss. "Adventure" left Newcastle-on-Tyne for Archangel and Murmansk on 24th December, 1018, loaded with ammunition and general stores. The vessel has not since been heard of, and is presumed to be a total loss. This is the only case of which I have information.

Is there any indication that there was any foul play in connection with this disaster?

No, I have heard nothing of the sort.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if all pensioners who were under fifty-five years of age in August, 1914, and who were serving with the Royal Australian or Royal New Zealand Navy are eligible for the increased pension, and if all such pensioners who were over fifty-five in August, 1914, but who nevertheless volunteered and whose services were accepted, will receive the increase?

All long-service pensioners who have served in the naval forces referred to during the War are eligible, irrespective of age, for a reassessment of their pensions on the increased scales. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind in putting the last two lines of his question, I will gladly look into it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers in the Special Reserve who were called up on 5th August, 1914, have been granted any gratuities according to the precedent of the South African war?

Yes, Sir. The gratuities under Article 497 of the Pay Warrant-apply to such officers.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps can be taken to expedite decisions on the part of the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department in view of the hardship now caused, by the delay which occurs after an application has been made to that Department, and before a decision is announced; and whether it would be possible for applicants to be informed of the grounds when a Grant is refused, as the present practice of giving no reason for their decision leads to dissatisfaction on the part of discharged and demobilised officers and men who, from facts available, would appear to be entitled to assistance from that Department?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I have already informed hon. Members in reply to previous questions, steps have been taken to expedite the notification of decisions by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Department. These steps are already producing satisfactory results. I will consider the suggestion made by the hon. and gallant Member in the latter part of the question.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can give a list of the trades about which inquiries are being made with a view to their inclusion in the Trade Boards Acts?

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list of the principal trades in which inquiries have recently been, or are being, made with a view to the application of the Trade Boards Acts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, with a view to improving the wages of the most poorly-paid workers engaged in the manufacture of lace, net, and curtains, he will make an Order applying the Trade Boards Act to those processes of the trade to which it does nut at present apply, and also to those persons who are learning those processes of the trade?

As my Noble Friend is aware, the Trade Boards Acts already apply to the finishing of machine-made lace and net. Inquiries, which have now reached an advanced stage, have been instituted in the lace, net, and curtain making trade, with a view to ascertaining whether the conditions prevailing in the trade or in any branch thereof render the application of the Trade Boards Acts desirable.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the suitability for Government service of demobilised officers who are registered with the appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour has been considered; and how many such officers have received Government appointments?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of ex-officers who have been placed in temporary Government employment by the Appointments Department of the Ministry of Labour up to 14th November was 1,905. Appointments to permanent posts in the Civil Service rest, as the hon. Member is no doubt aware, with the Civil Service Commissioners.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is now in a position to accelerate land settlement for sailors and soldiers; if he has studied and adopted any of the schemes submitted to the Government relating to this need; and if he will take the earliest opportunity to enable local committees to fulfil their urgent obligations in this direction?

All possible steps are being taken by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and by county councils to acquire, equip and adapt land for ex-Service men. The Board have approved schemes in nearly every county in England and Wales. For particulars of the area of land acquired and the number of ex-Service men settled, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for Rothwell.

Will the hon. Gentleman state what measures are being taken now in this direction?

I have already said that all possible measures are being taken.

Is it not a fact that such a high price is being paid for land for the settlement of those men that they will not be able to live on it?

No, Sir. The increase in the price of land has been on the whole very small having regard to the increase of other commodities. Under the terms of the Land Settlement Act the deficits on the holdings fall not on the smallholders but on the State.

Is it not a fact that prices are about 50 per cent, higher than the pre-war prices?

What is the price of coal?

I may say that the average price for land paid for settlement to-day as compared with before the War has only increased by about £8 an acre.

May I ask what steps an ex-Service man has to take if he requires a small holding?

He applies to his county committee.

Is not £8; an acre an increase of 20 per cent.

asked the Minister of Labour if it is the intention of the Ministry of Labour under the new reconstruction scheme to make all ex-Service men at present employed as temporary clerks in Exchanges throughout the United Kingdom permanent officials and to make all other than ex-Service men at present employed in Exchanges who were not eligible for service with His Majesty's Forces, and those in possession of an exemption certificate, permanent officials?

No, Sir; I cannot encourage any hope that all the temporary Exchange clerks of the types referred to will be made permanent. I may say, however, that all new permanent posts on the male establishment of the Employment Exchanges are to be filled for the time being by ex-Service men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the House any information about the moulders' strike?

I understand that the employers have informed the trade unions concerned that any alterations in wages, and also the adjustment of future working conditions, shall be the subject of discussion after resumption of work takes place. I understand that the Associated Ironmoulders of Scotland have meanwhile withdrawn their notices to cease, work, which would, in the ordinary course, have expired to-day.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that an offer for a meeting has now been made by the moulders? The Scottish moulders cease work to-day. There is grave danger of the spread of the whole dispute, which the House is aware has a crippling effect, and will the hon. Gentleman's Department take steps to try to bring about a meeting of both parties, seeing that the men have now asked for such a meeting?

My information in regard to the Scottish moulders is that they are not ceasing work to-day, but that they have postponed action so far as they are concerned. If my right hon. Friend's information is correct with regard to another offer of a meeting, I will inquire into it, and see whether anything can be done.

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will give the reference and terms of the Order in Council under which Sir William Wilkinson, late Consul-General at Hankow, could be, and was, called upon to retire at the age of sixty years?

Sir William Wilkinson was not called upon to retire under the terms of any Order in Council. All servants of the Crown, civil as well as military, except in cases where it is otherwise provided by law, hold their offices only during the pleasure of the Crown. There are no provisions of the law excepting the Consular Service from this general rule. The Secretary of State, acting on behalf of His Majesty, has the power to call upon a Consular officer to retire at any time.

Is there any security of office for the Civil servant who is under the age limit and who is efficient?

Certainly! There is no service in the world more secure than that of Consuls and other Civil servants.

What is the security if the man is under sixty years of age and efficient?

I have answered that.

Do these gentlemen come under the Pensions Act?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is any treaty or other security against the imposition by the United States of America of a differential tariff upon the export of cotton seed or cotton oil to this country; and whether any protest has yet been received from the United States Gov- ernment against the policy imposed by the Colonial Office whereby an export duty has been placed upon any oil kernels exported from West Africa and other Powers?

The imposition of preferential export duties is prohibited by Article 2 of the Anglo-American Commercial Treaty of 3rd July, 1815. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, seeing that the French manufacturers have for years carried on a thriving trade in oil nuts with our Indian Empire, he will draw the attention of the French Government to the fact that the Secretary of State for India has recently refused to impose disabilities upon Indian exports to French and other territories, and invite that Government to withdraw the prohibition against the oil exports from French territories to British manufacturers?

I am consulting the competent Departments of His Majesty's Government on the question of approaching the French Government in the sense suggested by the hon. Member. I will inform him in due course of the decision taken in the matter.

asked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the declaration made on behalf of the Rhodesian settlers by Sir Charles Coghlan before Lord Cave's Commission in Rhodesia, that they wished to make it perfectly plain that the Rhodesian settlers repudiate any liability for whatever sums Lord Cave decided should be paid to the British South Africa Company; and whether His Majesty's Government is prepared to give an assurance that this House will be consulted before any decision is taken which will involve placing the burden in any way upon either of the other two parties, the native races of Rhodesia or the British taxpayer?

I have seen Sir Charles Coghlan's statement on the subject. The question of the ultimate liability for the sum which may be held to be due to the British South Africa Company remains a matter for consideration, and as I stated in the House in the Debate on the Colonial Office Vote on the 30th July, the Government are committed to consult the House before any payment is made or any settlement come to as to the method of payment.

Apart from any decision come to as to what liability rests upon the shoulders of the British tax-payer?

I have said that before any decision is finally come to this House will be consulted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make a further statement with regard to the abolition of the Regulation whereby a, Colonial Civil servant, accepting office at a salary of over £500 per annum, has to pay his own passage and that of his family to the Colony to which he is appointed or transferred; whether he is aware that this Regulation which was formerly a handicap is now a great hardship, owing to the largely increased cost of railway and ocean travelling; and whether, if it is not deemed advisoble to abolish the Regulation altogether, he will consider the desirability of increasing the limit to £800 per annum so as to bring the Regulation more into conformity with the general rise in the cost of living and salaries?

The question of passages for officers on first appointment, and when coming on leave, is being considered in connection with Colonies in Which a general revision of salaries is taking place, but I am not in a position to announce any general decision on the subject.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the cost of the British troops in this country from the beginning of the current financial year to 3lst October; and what is the estimated cost of the whole financial year?

The total costs of the troops in the United Kingdom, exclusive of gratuities and other terminal charges of the War, and also exclusive of pension charges, is roughly estimated at £73,000,000 for the period 1st April to 31st October, 1919. The corresponding figure for the whole financial year is £104,000,000.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the cost of the Army of Occupation in Ireland?

Not separately.

Is there any need for an Army of Occupation in Ireland; there is plenty of food there, and a great deal of personal liberty?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government contemplates making a Grant of £30,000 per annum or thereabouts, to run for five years, to the Agricultural Organisation Society; if not, has any amount been granted; and, if so, will he state the amount and whether the Grant or Grants is for the promotion of trading?

Apart from Grants for allotment and other special work, Grants to the Agricultural Organisation Society are made from two sources —the Development Fund and the Small Holdings Account; much the larger proportion coming from the former. The Treasury have paid to the society £20,000 during the current year on account of Grants proposed from the Development Fund; and I understand that the Development Commissioners will probably recommend the Treasury to make to the Society Grants for the current and three following years, which are expected, with contributions from the Small Holdings Account, to make up a total of £120,000 for the four years. After the 31st March, 1923, it is not contemplated that any further Grants will be made to the Society (which should by then be self-supporting), except, possibly, for allotment work or any special piece of work falling outside the normal activities of the Society which the Society may undertake with the approval or at the request of the Government.

No part of these Grants or of any income of the Society is or will be spent in trading, the Society being a purely propagandist and advisory body, and giving no pecuniary aid to trading societies. It is, of course, an essential function of the Society to promote trading, in the sense, of organising and advising farmers' societies for co-operative trade.

What grant is given to this organisation for which the right hon. Gentleman calls allotment work?

I cannot give the amount, but I will send the figure to the hon. Member if he wishes. It is for promoting and assisting allotment societies.

Is not the right hon. Gentleman aware that the National Union of Allotment Holders strongly objects to this Grant being given, and will he consider their views in connection with the matter?

I am quite aware of that; but I do not understand the reason for their objection.

Is any portion of this Grant applied by the Agricultural Organisation Society in support of a concern called the Agricultural Wholesale Society?

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask if he is not aware that the allotment holders' objection is that they can do the work without any public charge?

Our view is that it is absolutely necessary for Grants to be made. We are very anxious that every opportunity should be given for the formation of allotment societies throughout the country. In regard to the question of the hon. Member (Mr. Dennis), I have already said that no money whatever is given by the Agricultural Organisation Society to any trading body. The Agricultural Wholesale Society is a trading body, and it receives no grant from the Agricultural Organisation Society.

If the allotment societies will do this work for nothing why should you give them a Grant?

I have said that if we are convinced that they can do it for nothing the Grant will cease!

asked the Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs if Americans from the United States of America coining to this country are obliged to register with the police; how often this registration takes place; and if the same can be avoided by the guarantee of one or more householders?

My hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. An American paying a short visit to this country is not required to register with the police. If he takes up his residence here he is required to register and to inform the police of any change of his permanent address or any absence there from for a period exceeding two months. I think that the course suggested in the last paragraph of the question is unnecessary and would be far more irksome than the very light obligations which I have described.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Sub-committee of the National Whitley Council for the Civil Service proposed to investigate the question of the organisation of the clerical classes only; and whether, in the circumstances, he is prepared to accept the Report of the Committee on Women in Industry for early application to the manipulative classes in Government Departments who are not covered by the investigation of the National Whitley Council?

The manipulative classes are not covered by the Sub-committee of the National Whitley Council; but it is understood that their organisations are at present engaged in the preparation of wages claims and these will be duly considered when they have been presented.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware of the hardship imposed on employés in the linen industry in the North of Ireland by stopping the out-of-work donation on these people who are out of work through no fault of theirs, but owing to the shortage of flax, particularly from Russia; and if he will take steps to meet this case by giving these people some temporary assistance?

With the exception of about 600 or 700 workpeople, the linen trade; operatives in the North of Ireland whose donation was stopped on 24th November were not out of a situation, but were working short time. In these circumstances I do not consider that it would be justifiable to give them further assistance out of public funds.

Are the Government still controlling the price of flax?

That is a question I cannot answer.

What steps are being taken to get flax from Russia; we know there are very large quantities?

That question must be put to the appropriate Department.

The War Department?

The Peace Department!

asked the Prime Minister whether he is now in a position to announce that no further Government contracts shall be given to firms who have not given employment to a percentage of disabled men, as requested in the recent Proclamation of His Majesty the King?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I cannot at present add anything to the answer given on 11th November by the Leader of the House to the hon. Member for the Rother Valley Division of York.

How can the hon. Gentleman expect private firms to come in under the terms of the Proclamation if His Majesty's Government do not set an example?

His Majesty's Government is getting a good example.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Treaty of Peace with Austria will be presented to the House of Commons in the form of a Bill and the same procedure followed us in the case of the Treaty of Peace with Germany; and, if so, when it is expected that this will be done?

The Treaty was laid yesterday. Legislation will no doubt be necessary to enable effect to be given to the-economic Clauses of the Treaty, but, as-no date has yet been fixed for ratification, I am not in a position to say anything more on the subject at present.

May I ask why the very, important matter of the Peace Treaty with Austria is being treated differently, and the procedure adopted by His Majesty's Government different to that adopted in respect to-the German Peace Treaty?

I do not think it is being treated differently except from the point of view of everyone—including, I am sure, the hon. and gallant Member himself—that the Treaty with Germany was more important than that with Austria, and had to be settled first.

asked the Prime Minister when the Second Heading of the Irish Education Bill will be taken?

I am sorry it is not possible for me to name a definite date.

May we take it that the Bill will be read a second time before we adjourn?

We hope so, in spite of the pressure of business.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Bill was introduced, on its First Reading, without any statement being made from that bench, and has that been the practice with a measure of this importance? May I ask, further, when the right hon. Gentleman holds out any hope to Irish Members of seeing what this Bill contains, because it is not even printed yet?

It is in course of being printed. As regards the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, it is a custom that has been adopted over and over again with Bills quite as important as this one.

asked the Prime Minister when it is proposed to consider the Report of the Committee on Old Age Pensions; and whether, if there is a possibility of delay he will recommend the Government to immediately increase the existing pensions by 2s. 6d. a week, the lowest increase recommended by the Committee, pending a final decision on the matter?

asked the Secretary to the Treasury if the Government intends to introduce a Bill to carry out the recommendations of the Committee on Old Age Pensions; and, if so, when will the Bill be introduced?

I regret that I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to a question on this subject on Monday last by the hon. Member for Ely.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when he will be able to make an announcement?

The Committee has only reported quite recently. Proposals have now been put before the Government, but we have not yet had time to consider them.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider the fact that winter is now upon us, and to see that the increase is made as soon as possible?

I do not think that in any case an immediate change can be made, because it would require a larger staff, but I quite realise the importance of It. The difficulty is that each day has only twenty-four hours.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the number of Acts of Parliament which have already been passed during the present Session and the number of Bills still before the House, the Government propose to take any action by which uncompleted Bills at the end of the Session can be carried forward in the same position to the next Session of Parliament, so that the work of Members on any Bill shall not be lost?

The suggestion of the hon. Member is being considered by the Government, but no decision has yet been taken.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make any further announcement as to the disposal of the Prince of Wales's Fund?

I can add nothing to what I said on Thursday last in reply to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Smethwick.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to the report that great stores of guns, munitions, and other supplies, sufficient far a great Army, are hidden in the Black Forest in Germany; and, if so, whether he will take steps to see that this matter is cleared up by the Allies?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I have not seen the report to which the hon. and gallant members refers, but the information at the disposal of the War Office affords no grounds for attaching credence to the statement. As regards the second part of the question, as soon as the Peace Treaty comes into force steps will be taken by the Inter-Allied-Commission of Control to ensure the execution of its terms.

asked the Secretary of State for War what has been the approximate cost of keeping British troops in Mesopotamia from the beginning of the present financial year to 31st October; and what is the estimated cost for the whole financial year?

The total cost of the British troops maintained in Mesopotamia, exclusive of gratuities and other terminal charges of the War and also exclusive of pension charges, is roughly estimated at £4,000,000 for the period 1st April to 31st October, 1919. The corresponding figure for the whole financial year is £6,000,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many gum thigh-boots are in the possession of the War Office or the Disposal Board; what did they cost to buy; how much has been spent in transporting and handling them; where are they now; and, seeing that they could have been sold at or about £45 per ton as scrap rubber in January, 1919, and can now only fetch about £30, who are the officials or official responsible for the delay in selling them and the cost of storing them and shifting them about?

No stock of these boots is being maintained by the War Department. I understand that the number remaining on fraud with the Disposal Board is 507,193 pairs, which cost, when new, approximately, £456,500. The total amount spent in transport, viewing, etc., since the 1st April is, approximately, £1,800, but this covers boots already disposed of as well as those waiting disposal. The boots still on hand are at the stadium, White City. As these boots could not be obtained in large numbers in an emergency, it was necessary to hold them until the end of June with a view to possible contingencies, but there was no delay in reporting them for disposal as soon as the situation cleared.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there is in the possession of his Department over 1,500,000 very heavy Army boots (B 5), and another 250,000 in course of manufacture; that this supply will take about four years to exhaust; whether most of these boots can now be sold for civilian purposes at a small profit, or at least at cost and supply urgent civilian wants, and enable the Army to be furnished with a boot of a pattern better suited than the existing boot for both peace and war purposes, and so keep the manufacturers of Army boots and their workmen employed; whether these improved boots may reasonably be expected to be supplied, in the course of the next four years, at a reduction in cost considerably below the price realisable for the heavy Army boot above suggested to be sold; and will he consult the technical advisers of the Royal Army Clothing Department on the above matters, and also instruct them forthwith to have a more satisfactory style of boot prepared suitable for peace and war?

The number of boots in stock, and in course of manufacture, are approximately as stated. Taking into account reserves and probable issues, the stock is below the estimated requirements of the next three years. With regard to the remainder of the question, it is not admitted that a better boot suitable for both peace and war purposes can be provided. The present boot is the result of practical experience in the field. It was produced by Royal Army Clothing Department experts in consultation with the medical authorities, and I understand has given general satisfaction. It would not, in the circumstances be advisable or economical to dispose of the present stock as my hon. Friend suggests.

Is it the fact that these boots can now be sold at a profit, and that as time goes on the cost of making boots will be cheaper? I should like also to know if my right hon. Friend will answer the last part of the question— namely, whether ho has consulted the technical advisers, and, if so, who were the gentlemen whom he consulted?

With regard to the last question, I have already said that it was produced by the Royal Army Clothing Departments experts in consultation with the medical authorities.