asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why passports are being refused from this country to Soviet Russia, in view of the fact that no state of war exists between His Majesty and the Soviet Government and that no legal blockade is being enforced?

Passports are not at present issued for Soviet Russia in accordance with the general policy decided upon at Paris and adopted by the Allies.

Why?

This is the policy adopted by the Allies, and I am afraid that my hon. and gallant Friend must address any further questions to the Leader of the House.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a strongly-worded Note has been handed to the Esthonian Government on behalf of the Allies, with a request that the army of General Yudenitch may be permitted to remain on Esthonian territory pending its reinforcement by units from Colonel Bermondt's forces; whether Yudenitch' s troops are in a demoralised state, and have been disarmed by the Esthonians; whether Bermondt's forces are partly Germans; whether they have already killed nine British seamen on board His Majesty's ship "Dragon"; and whether there is any change in the declared Allied policy of compelling Bermondt and his German allies to evacuate the Baltic Provinces?

The Supreme Council in Paris have requested the Provisional Government of Esthonia to take no drastic action in regard to General Yudenitch's army, pending a decision on the matter by the Conference. Meanwhile, the disposal of Colonel Bermondt's forces is in the hands of the Inter-Allied Military Mission.

Will the hon. Gentleman answer the last part of the question?

I have said that the answer to the fifth part of the question is in the negative.

Have Bermondt's troops yet been sent to join General Yudenitch's troops, or is that movement in contemplation?

That is a queston of which I must have notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Russian military forces serving in the army of Colonel Bermondt, or recently General von der Goltz, are receiving assistance in money or materials from this country; and, if so, whether it is proposed to transport these forces to any other anti-Bolshevik front, or what policy it is intended to adopt in regard to these forces?

The Russian troops serving under General Bermondt and General von der Goltz have never received any assistance in money or materials from this country. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

Does the right hon. Gentleman propose to join these forces to any other anti-Bolshevist forces?

That does not arise out of the question. I really do not know what will happen in that theatre, but it depends entirely on whether the small Governments there make any peace or armistice with the Bolsheviks, and what are the terms of that peace.

Will it be realised when those arrangements are being made that these so-called Russian forces under Colonel Bermondt are in reality forces of the German Baltic barons?

I am quite sure that my hon. Friend's objection to these gentlemen is not due to the fact that they are pro-German, but to the fact that they are anti-Bolshevist.

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what is the number of Russian prisoners of war in British hands; what is the nature of their employment; where are they stationed;

The number of Russian prisoners in British hands is 100. They are interned at Whitley Bay as hostages for the safety of British prisoners in Russia. I have no information regarding the number of Russian prisoners in the hands of other Allied countries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he is aware of the need of adequate storage facilities for oils; and, if so, what steps are being taken to meet the need?

The need of adequate storage facilities for petroleum is fully realised. A considerable amount of tankage has been erected or is projected both on Government and private account, and the position will be kept carefully under review.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department if he will give the scale of salaries of the Consular Service and of the Trade Commissioner Service?

The reply to the hon. Member's question is necessarily detailed, and will, I fear, not convey much if given orally. I, therefore, propose to circulate the full reply in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could arrange that discharged soldiers instead of women should be employed for canteen services at Kidbrooke and other camps; whether he is aware that the women employed at Kidbrooke report at 6 a.m. and finish at 10 p.m., and that they work, apart from rest periods, 12 hours per day; and will he state how many days per week these women are in attendance for canteen work?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies to his question on the 12th November, and to the question by the hon. Member for Smethwick on the 19th November. I am informed that the hours of employment stated are not correct. The canteen is open for a quarter of an hour from 7.30 a.m., during which period only two of the staff are on duty; during the remainder of the day the canteen is open from noon till 1.30 p.m. and from 5.30 till 9.45 p.m. The staff are allowed two hours off duty every afternoon, a half-holiday once a week, and a week-end every five weeks.

asked the Secretary of State for War if any alteration has been made in regard to the fees charged to cadets at Woolwich and Sandhurst since the termination of the War compared with the charges in force during the War; if so, whether the consequence has been to make it more difficult for a person. of moderate means to undergo a course of military training at these establishments; if he will state the average cost to a cadet of a complete course of training at Woolwich and Sandhurst during the War and now; and if, in view of the admirable results which were obtained under the special arrangements made for the war emergency, he will consider as to appointing a small Committee of Inquiry to go into the whole subject, and will arrange for the appointment of a representative of Labour on such Committee, to provide a check on the standard of expenditure to be adopted, in order that these national institutions shall not again become the preserves of one favoured class, irrespective of more important qualifications?

The scale of fees to be charged cadets at Woolwich and Sandhurst has been under consideration for some time, and I hope that an announcement will be made at a very early date. I hope the result when announced will convince my hon. and gallant Friend that there is no tendency to exclude a "person of moderate means."

When does the right hon. Gentleman think an announcement will be made; also will he reply to the last part of the question?

I thought that my answer covered the last part of the question. I hope that an announcement will be made before the end of the year.

asked what steps had been taken to establish a battalion of oversea guards to consist of contingents from each of the great self-governing Dominions; and if the Governments concerned have expressed any opinion or wishes on the matter?

The Dominion Governments have been consulted, but no decision has been reached, and I think further consideration of the matter must stand over until the future organisation of the Army is more settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will reconsider his decision not to give priority for demobilisation to craftsmen in the building trade, in view of the serious shortage of skilled labour for the erection of houses so urgently required all over the country?

I regret that nothing further can be added to the answer given to the hon. and gallant. Member for Moss Side on 28th October last.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the French Government have recently granted a sum of about £4,000 to aid inventors in carrying put experiments with the Helicopter type of flying machine.; whether the Air Ministry are alive to the very great importance of such experiments; whether all encouragement is being given to British inventors who may wish to experiment with this system; and whether any sums of money have been granted for such experiments?

The answer to the first and second parts of this question is in the affirmative. The answer to the third and fourth parts is that any proposals for a Helicopter type flying machine brought to the notice of the Air Ministry are sympathetically considered and such financial assistance as appears proper is given. Adequate financial provision has already been made for the purpose. Since June, 1916, this line of research has been continually explored, and I am personally familiar with the details of the progress made with these experiments, in which, while Minister of Munitions, I took a great interest.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the approximate cost of demobilisation, including gratuities, to latest date; what is the estimated cost for the financial year; and whether this amount is included in the £73,000,000 stated on 26th November to be the cost of the Army in the United Kingdom?

The cost of the War gratuities in the current financial year is estimated at £71,500,000. This has now practically ail been paid. As explained in the reply to the hon. Member on 26th November, this item was excluded from the £73,000,000 stated therein. I am unable to give any figure purporting to represent the whole cost of demobilisation.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will publish and circulate a statement showing the estimated cost for the current financial year of the British Army, allocating the cost to the various areas where troops have been or are stationed, including cost of pay, separation allowances, transport, supplies, etc., and any other cost defrayed out of the War Office Vote?

I hope the hon. Member will find what he requires on page 9 of the Army Estimates just circulated, where the cost of the forces, British and Indian, is divided according to areas.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that a large number of girls employed as clerks at the Labour Corps Records, Nottingham, are under notice, and are not entitled to a gratuity on leaving; and whether he will consider the desirability of granting a gratuity to them the same as to the Army Pay Corps, Women's Royal Air Force, and the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, who have been engaged on similar work?

Clerks serving on an ordinary civilian engagement are not entitled to a gratuity, and I regret that none can be given.

Is it a fact that these same persons were called on to sign agreements to remain on six months after Peace was declared, and has not that unfairly handicapped them in returning to pre-war occupations?

The gratuity is kept for persons who took on a military engagement and to reopen the terms would rather lead the House into channels of expenditure altogether indefinite in their scope.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a shortage of girls for labour in Nottingham, and also a large number of discharged soldiers wanting places?

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Special Reserve, Territorial Force, and holders of temporary commissions, belonging to the Machine Gun Corps are now employed in India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia; whether a considerable number of these officers are being retained in the Service in spite of their urgent desire to return to their civil work and professions; whether there are a sufficient number of fully trained and suitable Regular officers qualified for work with the Machine Gun Corps who could relieve all non-Regular officers; and whether the establishment of Regular Machine Gun Corps battalions asked for by the military authorities in India has been adhered to, so that the demobilisation of Machine Gun Corps personnel now in India can be proceeded with?

The answer to this question is too lengthy to read out in the House, and I will therefore, with my hon. and gallant Friend's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to issue the report of the Committee set up by the War Office to report upon uniforms?

The report of the Dress and Uniform Committee is still under consideration, and I regret I am not yet in a position to make any announcement as to the decision regarding its recommendations.

May I ask whether the regulations previously issued about the uniforms to be bought by officers on joining still hold good, in order to save officers just gazetted purchasing a large amount of uniforms which might be useless?

I am sorry to hear there is any doubt about it. The War Office ought to issue an order to that effect, and I will see that that is done.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing there are a few returned soldiers in institutions in this country who have lost their memories, he could see his way to have their photographs published in some of the leading papers, in the hope that their relatives may recognise them?

As I have already explained, experience has shown that identification by photographs, especially when reproduced in the Press, is most unreliable, and the suggestion made in the hon. and gallant Member's question is not considered practicable or desirable. Anyone who wishes can send to the War Office a photograph of a missing soldier relative for comparison with those of the men unidentified owing to mental trouble. As stated in answer to a question on Monday of last week, there are three such cases at present.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he will reconsider the decision that the gratuity under Army Order 324 of 1919 of £100 per year of service in the case of officers retiring with at least ten years' service, shall not be 'payable to officers who were not serving before the date of the Army Order, 13th September, 1919, as this interpretation of the Regulation inflicts serious hardship and injustice upon officers who saw years of war service, but who may have retired shortly after the date in question, say, in January or February of this year; and whether the Regulation may now be modified and applied to all officers who have served for a substantial period in the Great War and retired with ten years' service after demobilisation had commenced?

It has been decided to apply the concession to all such officers retiring after the date of the Armistice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, seeing that it was proposed to continue the anti-aircraft station at Putney Heath until a permanent site was found, he would give instructions for the station to be put in a cleanly and satisfactory state at once and some provision made for washing motors and lorries other than the roadway; and would he state what steps, if any, had been taken to prevent contamination of the filtered water in the reservoir?

I am informed that there is no other space for washing motors and lorries other than at the side of the road, where a special place was made for that purpose. Special precautions have been taken in order that the filtered water in the reservoir should not be contaminated, and the washhouses and latrines have been constructed well away from the reservoir. A sanitary inspector recently inspected this station and expressed his satisfaction. The Water Board were also satisfied with the arrangements made. Instructions have been issued for the station to be kept in a cleanly and satisfactory state.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention had been called to the case of Army pensioners who were employed as clerks in Record Offices and other Departments of the War Office prior to the War and who, on the outbreak of War, were desirous of re-enlisting but were not permitted to do so on the ground that they were rendering more useful service where they were; whether these men had, during the War, been engaged in the same work as if they had, in fact, re-enlisted and in many cases more laborious work; and whether he would consider the claim of these men to be granted the benefit of Army Order 325 of 1919, and to have their pensions reassessed as if they had re-enlisted, and for that purpose to have this Army Order amended?

As I stated last Tuesday, in answer to a similar question by the hon. Member for Canterbury, I regret I am unable to permit any departure from the terms of the Warrant requiring military service during the War as a condition of increase of pension.

Are not these men, who were prevented from re-enlisting, as much entitled to the gratuity on the ground that they did precisely the same work as those who did enlist?

No; I think the only rule on which we can proceed is to regard what the person actually did, and whether that work brought him within the decision as to the gratuity.

These men wanted to re-enlist, but were not allowed to do so?

There may be many people in different spheres of employment who would have liked to have enlisted, bad they been allowed to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War what was the number of soldiers now occupying the camp on Wimbledon Common; if the greater part of the temporary wooden buildings in the camp enclosure were now derelict; if the camp occupied the finest portion of Wimbledon Common; and when would it be restored to the conservators of the common, and applied to its proper use as the principal recreation ground and lung in the neighbourhood of London?

The number of troops in occupation of the camp on Wimbledon Common is 90 officers, 1,647 other ranks. There is also a considerable quantity of stores. None of the huts is derelict. Such huts as are now vacant are being gradually occupied as battalions, recruited on a Regular basis, in- crease in strength. It is not intended to retain the camp any longer than is absolutely necessary; but, barracks in London having fallen into a state of disrepair owing to the War, I regret it is not possible to dispense with the camp at present.

Seeing that the camp was constructed for 5,000 or 6,000 men, and occupied by that number, may I ask whether, now that there is a very much smaller number in occupation, a large portion of the ground could not be surrendered to the conservators?

I will see that my hon. Friend is informed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say when the repairs to the London barracks will be completed, so that we shall then have some date for the freeing of Wimbledon Common?

I am afraid I cannot. Building is very difficult nowadays. All I can say is that we shall do our very best to quit Wimbledon Common at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any women were now employed by the War Office discharging the duties of motor drivers or carrying out duties formerly carried out by the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps; if so, how many; and whether it was intended to continue their employment?

The number of enrolled women employed as motor drivers is 1,094, including 236 under notice. Reductions are constantly being made as their terms of enrolment expire. In addition, there are a certain number of women civilians temporarily employed upon work formerly carried out by members of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, as men with the requisite experience and qualifications are not in all cases available. The numbers cannot be given without an inquiry throughout all commands. I am not in a position to say how long it may be necessary to continue their employment.

Is it not possible to employ some of the discharged soldiers and sailors on duties now undertaken by women?

That is being kept in mind as far as possible, and the numbers of women are being reduced very rapidly and drastically. There must be a certain give and take in these matters and a certain consideration. We are reducing the numbers of women as fast as possible. I do not think we ought to take up the position of driving the whole lot out by a stroke of the pen.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that thirteen months after the Armistice, with an enormous number of men asking for jobs, it would be a great deal better to get rid of these women in order to give the men a chance?

We are getting rid of the women in a very rapid way. I do not agree at all that thirteen months have been wasted.

asked the Secretary of State for War what parts of the Ottoman Empire were now under the control of British troops; and what parts they were jointly controlling with the troops of our Allies?

As regards the first part of the question, of the pre-war Turkish Empire, Mesopotamia, Hodeida, and part of Palestine are in the occupation of British troops. As regards the second part, Thrace, Constantinople and the Straits and the Anatolian Railway are in joint occupation of British and Allied troops.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he could state the battlefields, other than those on Belgian soil, on which special sites are to be reserved as memorials to British feats of arms in the late War?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a question on this subject asked by the hon. Member for Elland on 3rd November. Applications from units to acquire land for memorials in France are in process of negotiation with the French authority concerned. As regards other theatres of war, I have nothing to add to my previous reply. I may add that I hope early next year to be able to make a statement on the subject of national memorials on the battlefields of France and other theatres of war.

asked the. Secretary of State for War whether battalions of the Dublin Fusiliers and Royal Scots Fusiliers had recently left this country, or will shortly be leaving, to join the Army of the Black Sea; where these men would be stationed; and whether they were being sent out to relieve forces which were returning home, or represented an addition to the Army of the Black Sea?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The General Officer Commanding the Army of the Black Sea will decide the places in which these battalions will be stationed. They are being sent out in relief of the forces returning home and are not an addition to the Army of the Black Sea.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say, in view of the fact that all British troops are to be withdrawn, why these men are going at all?

Who said British troops were to be withdrawn?

You did.

From Turkey! The Army of the Black Sea is stationed in Turkey.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the retention of a wireless squadron in Mesopotamia meant that men who enlisted for the period of the War were being compulsorily retained in that country and were being employed in the transmission of ordinary commercial traffic; whether he was aware that the Government had decided that all soldiers employed on civilian work must be paid the civilian rate of pay for such work; and whether he would issue instructions that those Post Office telegraphists who were being compulsorily retained in Mesopotamia, and who were to be called upon to handle commercial traffic between London and the East, should be paid the rate of pay proper to civilian wireless operators in the employment of private companies?

Inquiry is being made, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Post Office telegraphists who had not had a day's furlough since landing in Mesopotamia in 1916 had been sent to wireless stations to replace Australian operators, many of whom had less than twelve months' service in that country; whether he was aware of the indignation which was felt at this penalisation of men who enlisted from this country; whether he was aware that, although General Regimental Order 1,049, of the 24th September, 1919, laid it down that all men who were called to the Colours prior to 1st July, 1916, were now eligible for demobilisation, the and wireless squadron orders for the week ending 12th October, 1919, stated that the strength of the squadron had now been reduced to the minimum necessary for the maintenance of wireless communication, and that it would be impossible to consider any further cases for demobilisation; and whether he would issue instructions that telegraphists should not be specially selected for victimisation because of the value of their skill?

Inquiries are being made, and I will write to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he would consider the advisability of recognising in some extraordinary manner the cases of ex-Regular warrant officers to whom a special appeal was issued by Lord Kitchener in 1914 to rejoin the Army as instructors for the purpose of training the New Armies and who responded in large numbers and had no small share in the subsequent defeat of the enemy, but whose efforts had, up to the present, not received any special recognition?

The question of an award for those who have rendered service outside theatres of war is under consideration. I think that those who have served in the theatres of war must have their case dealt with first.

In view of the fact that it was considered worth while to issue a special appeal to these particular men, would it not also be worth while, now that their service is terminated, to recognise their work?

It will take three or four years to get the medals and clasps out for the men who did the fighting. I do feel that there is not a great deal of urgency in settling the awards to those who did not take part in the active sphere. I agree that it is a matter which should be carefully considered.

Give them the O.B.E.

asked the Prime Minister which, if any, of the principal provisions of the Peace Treaty will be affected in the event of the United States of America refusing to be parties to the League of Nations proposals, and to what extent?

It is not possible to deal with this matter by question and answer. It is a complicated question which requires careful investigation by skilled legal experts, and will take time. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will be content not to press his inquiries for the present.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a statement signed by eleven senior superintending inspectors of taxes calling attention to the injustice which they allege they have suffered in connection with recent promotions in the Inland Revenue service; and whether he will take steps to ascertain the facts and merits of the case?

My attention has been called to the issue of this circular which was, I understand, sent to all Members of the House. No previous representations with regard to the subject matter of the circular had been made either to the Board of Inland Revenue or through them to me and copies of the circular were sent to the Board and to me merely as "an act of courtesy"—to use the language of the signatories. The House will recognise that such procedure on the part of highly placed officials is subversive of discipline and directly opposed to the public interest. Acting under my directions, the Board have communicated with the signatories pointing out the grave impropriety of their procedure and its inevitable consequences, and the signatories have now been given an opportunity of considering their position. If they recognise, as I feel sure they will, that the procedure which they adopted was improper and will present their grievance to me in the proper manner, no further notice will be taken of the irregularity of procedure, and I shall, of course, go into the merits of their case carefully.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer under what authority the Inland Revenue authorities refuse to recognise accountants who are not members of the Chartered Institute; whether a taxpayer whose return is disputed and against whom an arbitrary assessment is made is compelled to employ a chartered accountant to verify his figures; and, if so, do the Government realise that a large number of persons who depend upon accountancy for a living are deprived of an important part of their business?

My hon. Friend must be under a misapprehension. The Inland Revenue authorities do not act in the manner suggested in the first part of the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a substantial reduction could be obtained in the railway deficit by returning to the pre-war system by which the Army, when not travelling on duty, paid the same railway fares as the general public instead of receiving their tickets for one-third of the usual rate under certain conditions as at present; and whether he will take the matter up with the Departments concerned?

I have been asked to reply to this question, and, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport stated in reply to the hon. and gallant Member on the 1st instant, he is endeavouring to obtain information which he hopes will be available before the Recess. I shall be glad if the hon. and gallant Member will repeat the question shortly before the Recess.

Has not the Chancellor of the Exchequer often invited suggestions towards national economy, and could he not take the matter up?

asked the Minister of Transport what steps are being taken to remedy the great shortage of railway wagons which so seriously hampers the trade of the country?

As my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport stated yesterday, he proposes to deal fully with this question at a Conference to-morrow in Committee Room 8 at 6 p.m.

Is it the intention of the Minister of Transport to have a report taken of what he is going to say?

The Minister of Transport announced yesterday that the conference would be open to the Press.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the higher paid railway officials, whose salaries range from £400 to £8,000 per annum, are in receipt of war bonuses ranging from £100 to £300 per annum; if so, whether he will consider the question of increasing the bonuses of the lower paid staff, upon whom the burden of the high cost of living has fallen with greater severity than upon the higher paid officials; whether it is proposed to further increase the bonuses paid to the higher officials; and, if so, whether an opportunity will be given to the House to express its opinion on the matter before such increase is agreed to?

The war bonus received by the higher paid railway officials is limited to a maximum of £300, which is a considerably smaller percentage on their salaries than in the case of the lower paid staff. Improved scales of pay have been agreed upon for the lower paid clerical staff on British railways, and these will be brought into operation, with retrospective effect, when the classification of posts has been settled. It is not proposed at present to increase the bonus to the higher paid officials.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that, notwithstanding repeated representations during the last nine months of the serious lack of transport facilities on the North-East Coast, the present iron and steel stocks on Tees-side exceed 67,000 tons as compared with 31,000 tons at the end of June, and what steps are being taken to relieve this most serious position of affairs?

From information which has been furnished to me the figure given by the hon. Member as regards the iron and steel stocks in the Tees area appear to he approximately correct. With reference to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by the Minister of Transport yesterday as to his proposed conference with Members.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that three or four works on Tees-side have been standing, that men have thus been thrown out of employment, and very considerable distress in the district arisen in consequence; cannot the Ministry take some steps to remedy the shortage of wagons?

I am aware that some unemployment has arisen in the sense indicated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman. The Ministry of Transport are taking all available means to deal with the situation.

Is my hon. Friend aware that the position to-day is even worse than that stated by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Middles-brough, and will he cause further inquiries—telegraphic inquiries—to be made before to-morrow's meeting?

I shall certainly take care that every possible information is available for hon. Members at the meeting tomorrow.

asked the, Food Controller if he has received any representations from fishermen at Bridlington, Flamborough, or Filey as to the effects of the new Fish Prices Order; and if he will consider favourably a revision of the order, so that these men may make a reasonable living from their industry?

No such representations have been received. The Food Controller con- siders that the new maximum prices afford an adequate margin of remuneration to the fishermen.