asked the Food Controller what was the total amount of bacon taken over from the Co-operative Wholesale Society in stock or store in this country on 9th August, when it was decided to re-establish control in bacon; what amount in addition has since been taken over for which contracts had been made at the date of recontrol between the Co-operative Wholesale Society and sellers in the United States and Canada; and what was the average price paid for the same, calculated on a basis of delivered free in store at Liverpool or Manchester?

No bacon held by the Co-operative Wholesale Society in stock or store in this country was taken over by the Ministry when control was resumed on 9th August. It is not the practice of the Department to disclose information as to traders' private business, and I therefore do not propose to state the amount taken over for which contracts had been made at the date of resumption of control between the Co-operative Wholesale Society and sellers in the United States and Canada. The prices to be paid for the bacon requisitioned from the Society have not yet been settled.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Fish Food Committee carried on any experiments into the preservation of fish by canning, or by brine-freezing process, or any oilier method; what was the approximate cost of these experiments; how many tons of fish wore thus preserved by the Fish Food Committee; and what quantity of this fish was subsequently sold to the public or otherwise disposed of?

Some preliminary experiments in connection with fish canning have been conducted by Dr. James Johnstone by permission of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee. The cost of these experiments was defrayed for the first few months out of the funds of the Fish Food Committee, and subsequently out of a grant made by the Development Commissioners. Dr. Johnstone was paid at the rate of £500 a year for Ins part-time services. Owing to the facilities kindly afforded by certain Canning Companies, and by the authorities of the Universities, of Liverpool and Leeds, the incidental expenses have been insignificant. The work commenced in May, 1918, and is still proceeding. An assistant to Dr. Johnstone was appointed in March last at a salary of £150 a year. Some account of Dr. Johnstone's work will be found in the report for 1918 of the Lancashire and Western Sea. Fisheries Laboratory. Experiments in connection with brine-freezing have been conducted for some time past under the direction of the Fish Preservation Committee of the Food Investigation Board of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. I am informed that a report on this work is in preparation and will be issued shortly by the Food Investigation Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Fish Food Committee ever got beyond the experimental stage in their efforts to preserve fresh fish by any method not previously employed by the fish-curing trade in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the preceding question.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland if his attention has been called to the difficulties under which sub-sheriffs in Ireland carry out the duties of their office and to the uncertainty of the tenure of their office; and whether the Government intend to promote a Bill dealing with the matter?

The Irish Government are fully aware of the difficulties under which sub-sheriffs in Ireland carry out the duties of their office. The Irish Government hope to introduce a Bill dealing with the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds the old age pension has been refused to Mary Mulhern, 4,364, Stranorlar sub-committee, county Donegal, D 3.27, in view of the fact that the pension was granted by the local sub-committee?

The claim of Mary Mulhern for an old age pension was disallowed because there was no satisfactory evidence that she was seventy years of age.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received any report of the proceedings at a meeting of the Irish Self-Determination League held at the Albert Hall on the 15th instant, and presided over by a Member of this House, at which disloyal and seditious speeches were made; and whether he will take steps to prevent the holding of such meetings in the future?

I have seen a report of the proceedings of the meeting referred to. I have no power to prevent the holding of such meetings.

asked the Minister of Transport whether representations have been made by the Postmaster-General as to the inconvenience which is suffered by the people of Donegal owing to the lateness of the delivery of the morning mail consequent on the slow running of the night mail-train from Portadown to Derry; whether he is aware that this train takes over six hours to do this journey, a distance of only ninety miles; and will he take steps to secure the accelerated running of this train?

I am not aware of any such representations. Under an arrangement made in April, 1918, when a general curtailment of rail facilities in Ireland was rendered necessary by the coal shortage, the mail is being carried by goods train, which cannot be accelerated.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the personnel of the profiteering committees for Ireland has been settled; whether it has been decided to utilise the services of the secretaries of the county councils; and, if so, in what manner?

In answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the personnel of the local committees appointed under the Profiteering Act in Ireland is a matter for the decision of the local authorities who have been invited to appoint the local committees. As regards the second part of the question, while no definite instructions have been issued as to the utilisation of the services of the clerks to county councils in Ireland, it is hoped and anticipated that in some counties the clerk to the county council will be prepared to act as clerk to the appeal tribunal for the county.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether men of the Royal Naval Reserve are entitled to pay at the rate of 1s per diem and men of the Royal Fleet Reserve at the rate of 6d.; and, if so, what is the reason for the difference drawn between the two reserves; and is it intended to equalise the rates?

I presume my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to the retainers paid to each Reserve, and not to the daily pay when mobilised. Royal Naval Reserve men receive peace retainers varying from £4 to £10 a year, and war retainer of £12. Royal Fleet Reserve men, Class B, receive a peace retainer of 6d. at day, and a war retainer of 8d. a day. Royal Fleet Reserve men, Class A, who are pensioners, get no retainer. The future rates and conditions of retainer for each Reserve are at present under consideration.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the reason why retired and emergency officers, promoted with effect from 11th November, 1918, in recognition of their valuable war services, have been refused pay of the higher rank; and whether he will take steps to remedy this, having regard to the fact that such officers, if recalled in future for periodical train- ing, would receive pay of the higher status, and also having in view the further fact that officers who were retired before hostilities with an automatic step in rank receive the pay of the higher status on being recalled for active service on the outbreak of hostilities?

The promotion referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend is the step in rank which has been given to retired and emergency officers called up for service during the War, on their reversion to the retired or emergency lists on ceasing service. In view of the different dates on which these officers reverted, it was decided, in order to put them all on the same footing, to date back the step in rank to the 11th November, 1918, but without effect on pay. This was done to ensure that the date of seniority in the new rank should be the same in each case. In view of the fact that none of these officers have been employed in the higher rank or received an appointment in that rank, I am advised that no reason or justification is seen for granting the pay of the higher rank, and, moreover, to do so would, in effect, again introduce the inequalities which it has been the desire of the Admiralty to avoid. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that such officers, if called up in future, will have the advantage of receiving the pay of the higher rank, and that many of the officers concerned had already, when called up for service, been granted a step in rank on the retired list before or after retirement, and have, therefore, during the War had the advantage of receiving higher pay accordingly.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that Tournament Hall, Liverpool, which was commandeered by the Admiralty during the War, is still in their possession; whether he is also aware that Messrs. John C. Goold and Company, Liverpool, tenants, have received several applications for the hall; and whether there is any likelihood of Messrs. Goold's several letters to the Admiralty on this subject being answered?

The premises in question were commandeered on 27th May, 1916. They have been used as a storage for furniture, stores and fittings belonging to merchant ships on Government service, and there is at present lying in store about 5,000 tons of such gear, the greater part of which has been landed from transport vessels on hire, and will have to be stored until the vessels are returned to their owners. It cannot be stated at present when it will be possible to vacate these premises. Full inquiry has been made, but no trace can be found of any letters having been received at the Admiralty from Messrs. Goold.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the postal communication with troops at present serving in Mesopotamia; whether he is aware that indignation exists in consequence of the number of letters which are lost in transit both to and from that country; and if he will take steps to bring the matter before the responsible authorities?

No complaints have reached me for some time, but if my hon. Friend will give me particulars of the cases he has in mind I will make inquiry.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many large rigid airships are now in commission; how many large rigid airships are under construction: how many large airship sheds are in use; and how many have full staffs and crews in attendance for handling airships; and what is the estimated total cost next year of the Airship Service, rigid and non-rigid, for the Royal Navy?

The, reply to the hon. and gallant Gentleman's first question is that there is one large rigid airship (R 34) in commission for the Navy, and that two (R 32 and R. 33) are being maintained temporarily, pending a decision as to the most advantageous method, of disposing of them.

asked the Pensions Minister if he is aware that dissatisfaction exists among the trainees on account of the alteration by which, as soon as the new scale of pensions became operative, the Ministry of Labour training scale was abolished and those trainees who had accepted that scale in August as an alternative to the pensions scale lost considerable sums of money?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I am aware that the present training allowances, which are based on the recommendations of the Select Committee on Pensions, have been criticised on the ground that they have involved a certain reduction in the receipts of those men who benefited most highly under the Ministry of Labour scale in force during August. The present allowances represent in all cases a substantial advance on the rates obtaining before August, and they undoubtedly operate more equitably than the August scale.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that James Anderson, postman, Arbroath, is being compelled to repay to the Treasury a total sum of £95 in weekly instalments, deducted from his pay as a Post Office employé of 5s.; whether he is aware that as a soldier Anderson served long and creditably abroad; and whether, in view of the fact that in his absence on service he knew nothing of the official error by which his mother was granted a larger allotment than she was entitled to, steps can now be taken to place the burden of repayment on the official at fault?

The facts are as stated in the question. Mr. Anderson has inadvertently received, through his nominee, public money to which he was not entitled; there is no evidence that the deductions now being made are causing hardship, and I see no reason to modify the arrangement. The circumstances are not such as to warrant any calling upon the officer responsible for the overpayment to make it good; as a matter of fact he has retired from the Service.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he will arrange that huts, stores, and other property at Frongoch internment camp, county of Merioneth, shall be offered for sale by public auction on the spot, and in small lots, in order that residents of the district may have an opportunity of purchasing and in order also that the cost of removal may be saved?

The Frongoch internment camp has not yet been notified to the Disposal Board as available for disposal, but when it is so notified it will first be offered to the Ministry of Health. If it is not required by that Department arrangements will then be made to dispose of the huts and materials by auction on the spot in small lots in accordance with the usual practice.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will give the terms as regards pay and promotion on which permanent officers of the British Army are permitted to transfer to the Indian Army?

Transfers of Regular British Service officers to the Indian Army were suspended after the Armistice in November, 1918, and have not since been re-opened. The conditions under which such transfers were made were published in Army Order dated 28th June, 1917.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers and men who were sent out to India early in the Wear, and have been transferred to the Indian Army, will be detained in that service when their comrades in the British Army are sent home; and what steps are being taken for their demobilisation?

Officers with temporary commissions in the Indian Service, to whom it is assumed that the hon. Member is referring, should if their service dates back to 1914 be returning in the course of the present month according to the Government of India's present demobilisation programme. In the case of officers serving at outlying stations delay is sometimes unavoidable.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the wives and servants of officers proceeding to India on temporary employment or special Government commissions lasting for not more than three or four months have been given privileged or entitled passages by the India Office; and whether the whale of the first-class accommodation on some ships specially chartered by the India Office has been reserved for officers, while on the same ships the wives and children of officers are only allowed third-class accommodation?

No special privileges have been given in any case of the kind referred to in the first part of the question. In one or two eases recently in which an officer of high rank has proceeded to India for a short period passages have been taken for his wife and servant in accordance with regulation. As regards the second part of the question, the passages by the particular vessel which I think my hon. and gallant Friend has in mind were alloted by the War Office, and I understand that the accommodation was arranged by the shipping company, who alloted the berthing according to rank.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the evidence of the Attorney-General in Southern Rhodesia before Lord Cave's Commission, wherein the admission is made that the loot divided under the secret agreement made with Sir Starr Jameson's followers in the invasion of Matabeleland in 1893 included cattle which the invaders sold, in their personal interests, at 30s. to 35s. per head; and whether he will inquire the total number of cattle so divided as loot to these invaders?

I have noticed the evidence given on the subject. As regards the second part of the question, the figures will be found on page 46 of the Parliamentary Paper C.8547.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the fact that an inspector of the uniform branch of the Metropolitan Police receives to-day, if he goes on the pension list, £250 per annum, he can see his way to increase the pensions of first-class inspectors of the Criminal Investigation Department who retired, prior to the increased scale being in operation, from £176 to a higher rate?

I have no power to increase the pensions of police officers of the rank in question or of any other police officers who retired prior to the increase scale of police pay coming into operation. There has been no alteration in the method of calculating pensions, which is prescribed by Statute. The only difference is scribed by Statute. The only difference is that they are now based on the higher

asked the Home Secretary whether ho is aware that insurance companies, presumably having knowledge oil impending legislation increasing the weekly payments under the Workmens Compensation Act, 1906, are taking advantage of the present law to redeem compulsorily the employer's liability for permanent incapacity cases on the basis of the existing inadequate rates and low annuity values; and whether he is prepared to make provision whereby such impending legislation shall be retrospective in operation or, alternatively, whereby the reservation of the workmen's rights under the Workmen's Compensation (War Additions) Act, 1917, will preserve the right of the workman to participate in the increased benefits now proposed for permanent partial incapacity as well as permanent total incapacity?

I am assured by the Accident Offices Association that there is no ground for the suggestion in the first part of this question. As regards the latter part, it is not possible for me to make any statement at the present time, as to the terms of the legislation likely to ensue when the Departmental Committee on Workmen's Compensation has presented its Report.

asked the Home Secretary when his promised Bill to increase compensation to injured workmen will be introduced?

I regret that I have not been able to introduce this Bill, but I hope to do so at a very early date.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increased recklessness with which taxicabs are driven in London, und to the increased danger to pedestrians from this cause; and whether, for the safety of the public, he will Lake steps for the better control of motor traffic?

A tendency to increased recklessness has not been noticed, and the suggestion is not supported by the return of accidents known to the police in which personal injury was caused. During the first ten months of 1918 the number of such accidents was 677, whilst in the corresponding period of 1919 there were but 755, although approximately 1,200 more cabs were in operation.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he proposes to take to secure a sufficient supply of labour for building houses?

I am in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour, and I hope it will shortly be possible to make an announcement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to two types of timber-frame houses, with asbestos covers costing, respectively, £430 and £525, and now being erected by the Aircraft Manufacturing Company; whether either or both of these types fulfil reasonable requirements with regard to number and size of rooms and general sanitation; and whether His Majesty's Government would be prepared to encourage the erection of similar houses in large numbers by means of the proposed Government subsidy, provided that credible evidence is forthcoming as to their durability?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to Command Paper 426, from page 4 of which he will see that the Aircraft Manufacturing Company's timber-framed bungalow is one of the methods of construction which have been approved by my Department. Local authorities can, therefore, enter into contracts for erection of houses of this type as part of their housing schemes, and subject to such conditions as the House may decide to impose, private builders erecting such houses would be entitled to a subsidy under the proposed new arrangements.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. John Houghton, of Small Heath, Birmingham, against whom Judge Amphlett at the Birmingham. County Court issued an order requiring, him to give up possession of his house to a person who had purchased the same from the owner, though he, Mr. Houghton, had an invalid wife, two children, and a bedridden widowed mother, eighty-four years of age, and who, in every respect, fulfilled the requirements of a desirable tenant; and whether he is prepared to issue an Order or to take such other action as will prevent tenants of houses being deprived of their homes during the present house-famine?

My attention has not been called to the case referred to, and I have no power to issue an Order as suggested, but the operation of the Increase of Rent, etc., Acts is receiving the attention of the Government.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can see his way to include Crown and War Department lands in the provisions of town-planning schemes, in deference to the expressed wish of many rural district councils?

I have received a number of representations from local authorities on this subject, and will give the matter my consideration. I am advised, however, that at present I have no authority to approve the inclusion of Crown lands in town planning schemes.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Government have taken any steps with a view to repealing the Land Clauses in the Finance Act, 1909–10, and seeing that these Clauses are largely responsible for the present scarcity of houses?

The hon. Member is probably aware that the future of these Clauses has been referred to a Select Committee of the House for considration and report.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether Lieut.-Colonel Lyddon, inspector of steel at Sheffield, has now been instructed by the Director of Building Materials Supply to take over the inspection of bricks purchased by the Building Material Supply Department for housing m the North of England; whether this gentleman and his staff are now duplicating the work already done by the staff of the Director of Building Materials Supply; whether they are re-inspecting bricks already inspected and passed; what special qualifications these steel inspectors possess for judging the quality of building bricks; whether this Steel Department's functions as to the inspection of steel have now ceased; and what is the reason for this transfer of duties?

The section engaged in the inspection of building materials has recently been amalgamated with the general inspection Department of the Ministry under the Director-General of Inspection. This has been done with a view to economy and efficient administration. There is no duplication of the work previously done by the staff of the Director of the Building Materials Supply. Lieut.-Colonel Lyddon is head of the whole inspecting staff in the northern area. No steel inspector is engaged on the inspection of building materials who is not fully qualified to do so as a civil engineer.

asked the Minister of Health if there is any likelihood of the amount of sickness benefit payable under the National Health Insurance Act being increased; and, if not, whether any steps can be taken with a view to this being done?

The revision of health insurance contributions and benefits, which involves legislation, is under consideration. This question has to be considered in its relation to possible developments of unemployment insurance, and I am not at present in a position to make, any statement in regard to it

asked the Minister of Health whether he has considered the recommendations of the Interdepartmental Committee on Tuberculous Soldiers and Sailors; and how soon he proposes to give effect to their recommendations?

Yes, Sir; and each of the principal recommendations is already being carried out, or steps taken towards this, with all possible expedition.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the quantity of coal used for bunker in coastwise trade; the average price paid at present; and the amount of reduction per ton which will take place on Monday next?

The average monthly quantity of coal used for bunkering ships in the coastwise trade from April, 1919, to October, 1919, inclusive, was 109,168 tons; the average present price of such bunkers is estimated at about 60s. per ton; and it is proposed to reduce this figure to about 32s. 6d. or 35s. per ton f.o.b. for unscreened bunker coal, according to the district from which the coal is drawn.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can state the estimated annual consumption of coal for domestic and household purposes?

The estimated annual tonnage of coal delivered to consumers in Great Britain for domestic and household purposes is 36,300,000 tons.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the ascertained average profit per ton on the working of the coal mines for the quarters ended 31st December, 1918, and 31st March, 1919, respectively, after allowing for interest on loan and debenture capital and payment of royalties, and, in the latter quarter, for payment of the Sankey wage?

For the quarter ended 31st December, 1918, the profit was about 3s. 1d. per ton of coal raised, after allowing for interest on loans and debenture capital and payment of royalties. The final figures of the March quarter are not yet available, but the profit shown by the returns so far received is about 7½12. per ton of coal raised, after allowing for interest on loans and debenture capital and payment of royalties and the Sankey wage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that a few months ago the Coal Controller urged the public to provide themselves with stoves for the consumption of anthracite coal in order to reduce the use of household coal; whether he is aware that a large number of people followed the suggestion so as to mitigate the shortage of household coal; whether he is aware that many members of the public who acted accordingly and installed stoves are now unable to obtain anthracite coal; and whether, under the circumstances, he will at once give instructions for local coal controllers to take immediate steps to procure anthracite in order that it may be supplied without further delay to those desirous of using it?

The answer to the first three parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the fourth part, arrangements have already been made for line distribution to householders of the supplies available in each local fuel overseer's area, but, as I have stated in reply to previous questions on this subject, the shortage of anthracite supplies for inland consumption is due to lack of rail transport from the pits, and the Ministry of Transport have the matter in hand.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the average output of coal per person employed for each calendar month since 31st December, 1913; and what class or classes of persons employed at collieries are included in the average?

The estimated average output of coal per person employed from January, 1914, to the latest late for which figures are available is shown in the following table. It should be noted that the four weeks ended 11th October, 1919, the latest date for which figures can be given, cover the period of the railway strike. Since that time the weekly returns of total output, which have already been made public, indicate a substantial increase:

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount by which our exports to Continental countries exceeded our imports from them during the first nine months of this year, and the amount by which the total Continental indebtedness to this country has increased this year, including services rendered and interest on investments?

I have been asked to reply. The excess of our exports (United Kingdom, Foreign, and Colonial) to the Continent of Europe during the first nine months of the present year amounted to £211,466,000. The details required to make an estimate of the kind suggested in the second part of the question are not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the amount by which our imports from the United States have exceeded our exports to that country during the first six and the last three months of this year; and if he can estimate the amount by which our total indebtedness to that country has increased this year after making allowances for services rendered by us and interest on investments?

I have been asked to reply. The excess of imports of merchandise into the United Kingdom from the United States during the periods specified were as follows:

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the agreement of the 16th May, 1919, made between the President of the Board of Trade and the Trustee of the British Dye Stuffs Corporation on 16th June, 1919, was ratified by the British Dye Stuffs Corporation; by whom the proposal to modify the agreement was made; what were the grounds advanced in support of the modification: and on what date was the share capital subscribed for by the Government?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Suggestions as to the modification of the form of Government financial assistance were made to the Hoard of Trade mainly by representatives of the dye-using interests, on the ground that though His Majesty's Government were urging those interests to give financial support to the development of the dye-making industry in this country because of its national importance, the Government were not participating in the risks, but were taking ample security for their advances, thus throwing the whole risk upon the consumers. The Government subscription for shares, as I have already explained to the hon. Member, was an alteration in the form of the Government's financial assistance to the dye industry in this country. This alteration was made on the 17th July of this year.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the pumping installation at the Hawne Colliery, Halesowen, Worcester, maintained there at the sole expense of the local mine owners, is the only one available for pumping water from the mines of a considerable area in the black country, that were a breakdown to occur in that installation serious flooding in those mines would inevitably ensue; and whether he can see his way to afford financial assistance to those concerned, in order to meet the heavy cost of additional pumping plant, and thereby provide against the contingency indicated above?

My attention has been called to the circumstances to which the hon. Member refers, and I am having special inquiries made as to the steps required to safeguard the mines in question so far as possible against flooding.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the use of flashlight advertisements in London; and whether, having regard to the present shortage of fuel and the severely restricted rationing of coal, gas, and electricity for domestic, industrial, and other necessary purposes, he will consider the desirability of prohibiting the use of electricity for such advertising purposes pending the discontinuance of the rationing of these commodities?

I am aware of the practice to which my hon. Friend directs attention. The restrictions on the use of gas and electricity for domestic purposes have recently been suspended in accordance with the general policy of the Department. I do not, therefore, consider it desirable to prohibit the use of electricity for advertising purposes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the steamers "Anglesea," "Mull," "Tokofuka Maru," "Baluchistan," and "Queenmore," occupied sixty-two, forty-seven, fifty-nine, forty-nine, and fifty-three days to discharge their cargoes; whether in each case such period represents about five times as long as with normal facilities was necessary for this operation; whether large numbers of ships arc suffering similar delays; and, if so, what steps are being taken to prevent this waste?

I have been asked to reply. The vessels referred to were discharged at Hull. They were at the port for about the times stated, but these times include also that occupied in bunkering and loading ballast and in one instance include the period when the vessel sailed for Rotterdam and returned owing to bad weather. The period in question included a local dockers' strike from 15th to 17th September, and the railway strike from 26th September to 6th October. Bad weather prevailed during practically the whole period except during the railway strike. There is also a considerable scarcity of lighters and river craft and dock labour is short by about fifteen per cent. The general question of the congestion of the ports is receiving the constant consideration of the Port and Transit Executive Committee and every effort is being made, as by the emergency motor lorry scheme, the provision of additional lighters and river craft etc., to improve matters.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now announce the constitution of the committee to deal with the subject of railway fares and rates?

I am sending the lion. Member a copy of an announcement made on the 29th October last, which gave particulars of the constitution of the Rates Advisory Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, when new railway rates are being fixed, he will consider the advisability of making a smaller charge for carrying raw material, in the form of grain, than that which is made for carrying the manufactured article in the form of flour?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Leominster on the 30th October to a similar question.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the fact that coal miners in the districts of Old Hill, Cradley, Lye, and Quarry Bank, Staffs, are at present unable to work for more than three or four days per week owing to the scarcity of trucks to transport the accumulations they have already raised; that the men are willing and anxious to work a full six-day week, and are further prepared to increase the normal supplies, but cannot do so for the reason stated; and whether he can take any steps to effect an immediate relief in the conditions prevailing in that industry, and thus enable it to meet heavy and insistent demands for coal?

I am aware that there is congestion on the Great Western Railway system, owing to shortage of engine power, and that some loss of time has occurred in the districts mentioned be- cause of delay in returning trucks to the collieries. The railway company are doing everything possible to cope with the situation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the habitual congestion of the railway goods stations at Norwich; whether this congestion is due to inadequate staff at the stations; and whether it is proposed that any steps should be taken to remedy a state of affairs that causes loss and inconvenience to warehousemen, manufacturers, and the public, and tends to diminish production?

I am not aware of the facts stated, but have referred the matter to the railway concerned and invited their consideration and necessary action on the point raised.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the distance between Shotley Bridge and Edmund Byers, the very hilly nature of the ground, and the fact that many parcels have to be carried, he will take steps to provide the postman with a motor bicycle?

I am having inquiry made and will communicate with the hon. Member.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been called to the fact that cablegrams from Australia are now rarely transmitted without mutilation necessitating repetition; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to the commercial community by the consequent delay in dealing with urgent matters, he will take steps to ensure a more efficient service?

The conditions of pressure on the cables which existed during the War have not yet ceased, and the risk of error in transmission is in consequence greater than it would be under normal conditions. I have, however, no reason whatever to think that there has been any great increase in the percentage of errors. I am assured by the cable authorities concerned that every effort is being made to improve their services both in respect of accuracy of transmission and rapidity. If the hon. Member will supply me with instances of the errors he has in mind, I will have inquiry made.

asked the Postmaster-General whether the Dundee Tramway and Carriage Hiring Company are contractors to his Department; whether the customary Fair-Wages Clause is inserted in their contracts; whether he has received representation from the National Transport Workers' Federation that this company is not observing trade union rates of wages or trade union standards of hours; and what action it is proposed to take in the matter?

The Dundee Tramway and Carriage Hiring Company provides for the conveyance of mails in Dundee under an agreement not embodied in a formal contract. On receipt of the representation to which the hon. Member refers inquiry was instituted as to the wages and conditions of employment of carters and carmen in Dundee, and when I am in a position to determine what wages and hours are proper for mail drivers, having regard to the local standards, I will, if necessary, communicate with the company.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his Department originally proposed to increase the telegraph charges for Press telegrams to 2s. 6d. per seventy-five words before 6 p.m. and 2s. 6d. per hundred words after 6 p.m., with an additional charge of 8d. for each address after the first; whether these proposed charges were actuated by a desire to place the transmission of news messages on a remunerative basis; whether he will state the reasons why these revised charges were postponed until 1st January, 1919, and why they were again postponed until the 1st January, 1920; whether the proposed scale of charges has now been reduced to 1s. per sixty words before 6 p.m. and 1s. per eighty words after 6 p.m., with 3d. for each additional copy of the first; whether he will lay the necessary Papers upon the Table of the House showing the loss of revenue which will occur as the result of his decision to introduce the lower scale of charges, together with the reasons for its adoption; and whether, in view of the immunity hitherto of the newspaper Press from any additional charges for the transmission of telegraph work, he will consider the advisability of reducing the telegraph rates to ordinary members of the public?

The higher charges referred to were proposed by the Retrenchment Committee, not by the Post Office. The recommendation was not accepted by the Government, the lower scale of increased rates referred to by the hon. Member having been adopted in its place and embodied in the Telegraph Act, l915. The Government decided to postpone the operation of those rates—which come into effect on the 1st January next— because it was thought undesirable to take any steps which might have restricted the dissemination of news during the period of the War. The amount by which the revenue from the lower Press rates will fall below the revenue anticipated from the higher rates proposed by the Retrenchment Committee is approximately £180,000 per annum. The rates for ordinary telegrams are not remunerative, and I see no prospect of their being reduced.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will lay upon the Table of the House the whole of the Papers with regard to the negotiations between the Post Office and the Press Association with regard to their proposal to introduce their own apparatus for the transmission of news hitherto handled by the Post Office service; and whether the lines which will be leased to the Press Association are those formerly used by the Post Office for the transmission of the same work?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by laying the Papers in question upon the Table, more especially as the arrangement is of an experimental nature. The matter was explained fully in my answers to the hon. Member for Nottingham on the 6th and 17th instant. As I then stated, the wires which will be allocated to the Press Association for the present experiment are spare.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he has received protesta- tions from the Comrades of the Great War and the Federation of Discharged Soldiers and Sailors in the county of Cumberland against the appointment by that county council of a civilian to the post of county surveyor and bridgemaster when there was an ex-soldier candidate for the post with equal qualifications; and if he will inquire into the case and, if satisfied that the country's pledge of preferential treatment to ex-soldiers has not been kept, will he bring pressure to bear to have the appointment reversed?

I cannot find that any such protest has been received up to the present, but inquiries are being made in the matter and so soon as these are complete, I will communicate further with the hon. and gallant Member. I should add, however, that the Ministry of Labour have no jurisdiction over appointments by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour when it is proposed to introduce a contributory insurance Bill dealing with unemployment?

It is hoped to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject very shortly.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a Resolution passed by the Scottish Pedigree Cattle Breeders' Committee representing that the time has arrived when the administration of the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts in Scotland should be transferred to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am in communication with the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries in the matter, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that legislation would be required to effect the suggested transfer.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether Samuel Gibson, whom he gave as one ex-Service man already settled on the land, is in possession on account of the fact that, although the Board of Agriculture do not enter into possession of Castle Huntley until 28th November, he was by arrangement with the out-going tenant to get possession previous to that date; whether he did himself give the above date as the date of entry of the Board; whether the buildings and the equipment were not in fact put there by the Board but were in fact part of the equipment of a large holding; whether he can now state the number of ex-Service men placed by the Board of Agriculture on lands acquired under the Small Holdings Colonies Acts, 1916–18, the rent of which holdings has been fixed and the buildings and other equipment completed or erected by the Board; and whether he can give the name of one ex-Service man whose holding is so equipped, with the name of the scheme, rent, and area of such holding?

In reply to the first two parts of my hon. Friend's question, the Board of Agriculture became proprietors of Castle Huntley farm as at Whitsunday last, but the tenant was entitled to remain in occupation until 28th November of this year. Mr. Gibson, however, was allowed to get entry to his holding before that date by an arrangement made by the Board with the tenant. As regards the third part of the question, the holding referred to was already equipped with buildings. In reply to the remainder of the question, as my hon. Friend knows, water supply, roads, buildings, and in some cases fences are necessary to the complete equipment of a holding, and it is in the interests of the holder that he should take a share in the work of providing that equipment. In these circumstances, while I am unaware of any case which complies with all the conditions referred to By my hon. Friend, he may be interested to know that in the course of a week or thereby it is anticipated that about 100 men will be settled on the land under the Small Holdings Colonies Acts.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he has now arranged that questions to the Secretary for Scotland will be placed earlier on the Order Paper on Tuesdays, or whether he has made any other arrangement that may satisfactorily meet the situation?

I do not think that any change is necessary at present. The questions addressed to my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland have been regularly reached since my hon. Friend asked his previous question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what number of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in Great Britain since 8th November, and in what parts of the country?

The following outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in Great Britain since the 8th instant: surrey 1, 12th November; Isle of Wight, 2, 10th November; Isle of Wight, 1, 24th November. Total, 4.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture when the Annual Report of the Hoard on Sea Fisheries for the years 1915, 1916, 1917, and 1918, will be published?

The final stages of the preparation of the Report have been delayed by pressure of work, but I hope it will be possible to publish it before the end of the year