asked the Food Controller how the prohibition of imported edible offal, except under licence, can conserve the supply of meat available at the present time in this country and which his Department are continually proclaiming to be only plentiful for a very short time?

The restriction referred to has been put into force in order to reserve as much cold storage space as possible for the frozen meat which has arrived or is about to arrive in this country. The available supplies of edible offals are, it is estimated, sufficient to meet all probable requirements, and under the licensing system any modification necessary to encourage increased importation can be made at short notice.

asked the Food Controller if he has agreed with the Agricultural Organisation Society to hand over to that body farmers' co-operative slaughterhouses for them to manage; if he has offered to pay for each slaughter-house £300 a year and all reasonable and necessary expenses; if the National Federation of Meat Traders is the proper body to undertake such management; and has the sanction of His Majesty's Treasury been obtained for the payments proposed?

It has been arranged that while the control of live stock is maintained the Agricultural Organisation Society will undertake the management of a number of farmers' slaughter-houses, and that, subject to the management being satisfactory, the society will receive for its services a sum of £350 per annum in respect of each slaughter-house, together with all reasonable and necessary expenses. This arrangement has been made with the sanction of His Majesty's Treasury. I am not of opinion that the National Federation of Meat Traders is the proper body to take over the administration of farmers' co-operative slaughter-houses.

asked the Food Controller if beef which costs the Board of Trade f.o.b. an average of 4¾d per lb. in Australia cannot be handed to the retailer in this country at less than is. per lb.; and if beef which costs the Board of Trade f.o.b. an average of 4⅞d. per lb. in New Zealand cannot be handed to the retailer in this country at less than ls. per lb., thus doing injustice to the British consumer?

The price paid for beef in Australia or New Zealand by the Board of Trade does not give a fair indication of the cost of the meat by the time it arrives in this country, since transport and storage charges have to be allowed for. The price at which the beef is disposed of to the retailer is fixed by the Ministry of Food, and I am now considering the possibility of its reduction. I may, however, point out that the quantity of Australian and New Zealand beef now available for civilian consumption is very small.

asked the Food Controller, seeing that he now allows the consumer to go where he likes to buy his meat where any English meat may be on sale, if he is prepared to give the retailer the right to buy what he likes and from whom he likes, and also to refuse to take any meat that may not be suitable for his trade; and, if not, why this differential treatment as between retailer and consumer?

Retailers of meat are already free to buy such quantities of imported meat as they may desire from any sources which they may select. It is not possible to extend this concession to home-grown meat so long as the Ministry of Food is responsible for obtaining supplies from the British farmer and for regulating distribution.

asked the Food Controller whether, as the average daily yield of milk per cow in Scotland is stated by him to be 1.68 gallons, while he based the existing maximum prices on an estimated yield of one and a-half gallons,. a reduction of ld. or ½d. per quart in the maximum price of milk in Scotland would be justified?

It is not possible to differentiate between maximum prices for milk in various parts of the country; the administrative difficulties in the way of such a course would prove insuperable. I may add that the returns received from Scottish farmers, showing an average of 1.68 gallons per cow per day for the week ended 6th December, 1919, were very few in number, and I am not prepared to assume that a complete return would not show a figure approximating more closely to that of 1.5 gallons anticipated by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to subsidise the creameries in Scotland up till the end of this month, or for any other period, for any loss incurred in buying milk at a price out of parity with the return in cheesemaking; and, if so, whether by such action he is subsidising the farmers and assisting them to resist the demands of the dairymen and the general consumers?

Compensation will be paid to cheese factories in Scotland, England and Wales in respect of losses incurred in connection with the November and December make of full cream hard cheese manufactured from surplus milk delivered to the order of the Ministry of Food not later than 31st January, 1920. This arrangement was made with the object of obtaining an adequate production of milk and ensuring the conversion of surplus milk into cheese, of which the supply would otherwise have been short. I am, therefore, unable to agree with the suggestion contained in the last part of the hon. and gallant Member's question.

asked the Food Controller whether he is aware that, owing to the present high price existing for rabbit skins, prices are being offered and paid for rabbits in Glasgow in excess of the controlled price; whether he is also aware that it is the opinion of Glasgow tradesmen that the present high price for rabbit skins is the direct result of the restrictions on the sale, due to control; and whether he is prepared to decontrol the sale of rabbits or to take any other steps to remedy the existing state of affairs?

I am informed that in certain localities rabbits are being sold at prices in excess of the maximum price permitted, and am taking the necessary steps to enforce the Order. My Department does not concur in the suggestion made in the second part of the question concerning the prevailing high prices of rabbit skins, which appear to be due to the fact that the demand by furriers is greatly in excess of any possible supply. An advisory committee of the trade is now considering the whole position; but, pending their report, I do not consider, having regard to the interests of the consumer, that the removal of control from rabbits would be justified.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can give particulars for the month of November showing the amount expended on the main items of naval expenditure, together with the numbers of the naval personnel borne; the numbers of the Headquarters Staff; the numbers of the outports office staff; and the numbers of industrial employés; and whether, if a question be put down at the opening of the next Session of Parliament, he will then give similar particulars for December, 1919, and January, 1920?

The following are the particulars of cash expenditure by the Navy during the month of November, and of the numbers of personnel.I should explain that the statement of expenditure is based almost entirely on the gross outgoings in the form of cash during the month; that it takes no account of receipts in the form of Appropriations-in-Aid; and that for these reasons it must be taken only as an approximate indication of the amount which will ultimately rank as Navy Appropriation Account Expenditure. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he can state the number of fishermen and trawler ratings killed while serving with the Royal Navy during the War?

No statistics are immediately available regarding this matter, and to obtain the desired information it would, I am advised, be necessary to examine the service records of over 20,000 men of the Royal Navy and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve; and, even if this were done, it would only be possible to furnish a very approximate figure, as the records would not show whether men giving their previous occupation as "seaman" or "Merchant Service" were actually serving in fishing vessels.As regards the Royal Naval Reserve, however, if my hon. and gallant Friend wishes for this portion of the information, I am advised that the following casualties were sustained during the War by members of the Trawler Section:

This statement, however, does not show all the casualties to fishermen serving in the Royal Naval Reserve, as there were a number of these men serving in the Royal Naval Reserve proper and the Shetland Section of the Royal Naval Reserve who also lost their lives.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the troops who served in North Russia received pay of 2s. 6d. per day from 1st September, 1919, and on their return were granted two months' furlough on full pay and allowances; whether the 6th Battalion, Royal Marines, which were ordered to proceed to North Russia on 1st August, 1919, and were attached to the Army out there, were granted these. privileges; and, if not, whether he will state the reasons for this distinction being made between the Army and the Marines attached to the Army?

The 6th Battalion Royal Marines are entitled, as from 1st September, 1919, to the same allowance as was granted to the troops serving in North Russia. They received fourteen days' leave on return to England, and will be granted six weeks' further leave as soon as circumstances admit.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many men re-enlisted for one year under the War Office scheme of enlistment for one, two, or four years' service; whether any of these men could voluntarily terminate their agreement before the end of the first year's engagement was reached; whether some of the men who re-enlisted for a year have been demobilised before others who have been serving for several years; if so, what were the terms of their engagement and why it is that men who re-enlisted for one year and whose time does not expire until February, 1920, are demobilised against their wishes and refused pay and allowances for the unexpired time due to them under the terms of their re-enlistment; and whether such payments will now be made in fulfilment of the obligations of the State?

The number of soldiers who re-enlisted for one year under the scheme mentioned was 13,986. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the remainder of the question a small number of men who re-enlisted during the past year for special service as warrant officers and non-commissioned officers with the Chinese Labour Corps and a few others similarly situated have been discharged. These men re-enlisted to serve for the period of one year provided their services were no longer required. Owing to the demobilisation of the corps with which they were serving being more rapid than was expected and to the fact that, in view of their rank, etc., they could not be employed to replace men retained in other corps, their services were dispensed with in accordance with the terms of their attestations.

asked the Secretary of State for War if, after consultation with the Minister of Health, and the Home Secretary, he can state how many men, if any, having served in any branch of the Army, are now under care in institutions, having lost their memories or from other causes have lost their identity?

I understand my hon. and gallant Friend to refer to discharged unidentified soldiers in asylums or other institutions, and it so I can assure him that no such cases exist. As stated in a written reply to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Tottenham, North, on the 19th December, there are three cases of soldiers unidentified owing to mental trouble. These have not been discharged from the Army, but are retained in a military hospital.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to give further and more accurate particulars of the circumstances connected with the disappearance of the bulk of the officers and men of the 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment in the fighting near Gallipoli; and if he is aware that the anxiety among the inhabitants of King's Lynn and the surrounding district on this matter is unabated, and that a strong desire exists that a full inoury should take place and a public report be made as soon as, possible?

No facts concerning the fate of the 1/5th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, have come to light other than those contained in Sir Ian Hamilton's Dispatch, published in the Supplement of the "London Gazette," dated 6th January, 1910 (page 303). It is regretted that under these circumstances it is impossible to hold an inquiry.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether 'officers and men who have served three years overseas without home leave were granted twenty-eight days' additional furlough on this account on their return to England; whether this decision was published to the Army in Mesopotamia; whether he is aware that non-commissioned officers and men who have lately returned from Mesopotamia state that the above was officially communicated to them by officers who were sent from General Headquarters in Mesopotamia to lecture to the troops on the question of demobilisation; whether he is aware that such furlough is now being disallowed by the War Office; and whether he will in future do his utmost to see that undertakings and promises made by the Army Council or on their behalf are fulfilled both in the spirit and in the letter?

There is no Regulation under which the grant of this leave is authorised. Special inquiries were recently made by cable to the General Officers Commanding-in-Chief, Egypt, Salonika, and Mesopotamia regarding the alleged promise of additional leave for service overseas, but no trace of the issue of any such order could be found. There is no War Office authority for the granting of extra leave for service in the theatres mentioned, nor for the issue of pay and allowances in lieu of the same. Any man who was serving on a pre-war attestation at the outbreak of war, and who has completed the term of his original engagement and has been retained in the Service under the Military Service Acts, is entitled to an extra month's leave in addition to his twenty-eight days' demobilisation leave, under Army Council Instructions 851, of 1918, and 633, of 1919, or if discharged or demobilised, one month's pay and allowances in lieu of the same.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sapper A. C. Hussey, No. 27059, L Signal Battalion, Royal Engineers, St. Omer, detachment, has been refused the special bonus payable to Army detained in the Army of Occupation or who were hi receipt of Army pay after 1st May, 1919; whether he is aware that Sapper Hussey joined the Territorials in 1909. transferred to the Signal Reserve in 1913, resigned from the Signal Reserve on the 12th February, 1914, was mobilised on the 4th August, 1914, went overseas on the 16th August, 1914, was demobilised on the 25th March, 1919, and discharged on the 20th April, 1919; whether. although Sapper Hussey was demobilised on 25th March, he was then overdue for one month's leave for extended service which, together with the twenty-eight days' demobilisation leave. gave him fifty-nine days in all; and whether, seeing that lie received Army pay and allowances until the 20th May, 1919, and that his discharge certificate was franked accordingly by the officer commanding the demobilisation camp, he will give instructions for the payment of the retention bonus in this case?

Inquiry is being made, and the hon. Member will be informed of the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that A/Sergeant W. Young, No. 60785, Royal Army Medical Corps, has frequently, during the last nine months, asked the paymaster for a statement of his account, but thus far has never had a full statement rendered to him; and if he will give in- structions to have such a statement furnished forthwith to A/Sergeant W. Young at his address 21, Brechin Road, Kirriemuir?

A statement of accounts has now been dispatched. The paymaster has no trace of any previous application, and I should be glad if my hon. Friend would give me particulars of the applications stated to have been made.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is awart of the strong feeling existing in Cavalry regiments that the Scots Greys are being treated differently from other line Cavalry regiments in being exempt from foreign service; if he will give instructions that they should be treated in this respect the same as other Cavalry regiments; and, if unable to do this, will he similarly exempt one of the Irish Cavalry regiments from foreign service?

I regret I have nothing to add to the written reply which I gave yesterday on this subject to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Hexham.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many British troops are now in Italy; and for what purpose they are still in that country?

The present ration strength of troops in Italy is 3,250, including sick in hospital. These troops are required, partly for the guarding of Austrian prisoners, who number about 2,300, and partly for the custody, storage and handling of surplus Army stores which have been handed over to the Disposal Board, and are awaiting disposal. The prisoners will shortly be repatriated, and the Ministry of Munitions, I understand, anticipate that the disposal of the surplus stores will be effected in some six weeks' time or less.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether there has recently been, or now is, an epidemic of malarial fever in the military camp in Turkey; if so, whether the death rate has been high; and whether such death rate is due to neglect in providing adequate accommodation?

I am not quite clear as to what the hon. Member means by "the military camp in Turkey" The latest returns from the Army of the Black Sea, however, show that during the week ended 29th November two officers and forty-seven other ranks were admitted to hospital owing to malaria, and that there were no deaths. This is not considered an excessive incidence of sickness. A report is, however, being obtained from the local military authorities.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many plaques and scrolls in memory of soldiers killed in the War have been completed and sent to the bereaved; and when will the work be completed?

Two hundred and six thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven scrolls have been completed and dispatched. It is estimated that a further eighteen months will be required to complete distribution of the scrolls. Owing to unforeseen circumstances it was not possible to begin distribution of the plaque before the 16th December, and an announcement on the subject appeared in the Press on the 17th. Thirty-six plaques have been distributed, but a modification of the process has been found necessary, and this has temporarily delayed production. It is estimated that between eighteen months and two years will be required to complete distribution.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the number of Russians who have been formed into special units in connection with any of the Allied Armies, stating what is at present the condition of such persons; and what is the policy of the Allied and Associated Governments with regard to them?

Two battalions of Russians were formed in England in 1918 for labour duties in France; the total numbers raised were about 2,700. The battalions were amalgamated in December, 1918, and this unit has just been disbanded. A Labour Company was also used in France composed of Russians and Roumanians, which was disbanded in July, 1919. In North Russia, SlavoBritish Allied Legions were formed both at Archangel and Murmansk., The total number in these was about 6,000. On the withdrawal of the Allies from North Russia these units were disbanded. All the men comprising them who wished to leave North Russia were evacuated at the same time as the Allied troops, and were transported to other parts of Russia. Last spring a Russian brigade under British officers was formed in Siberia as an experiment. In July, owing to the military situation and the urgent need to reinforce existing units at the front, the brigade was disbanded and the Russian personnel transferred to the Russian Command at the latter's request. The establishment of the brigade was, roughly, 10,000; the numbers actually recruited under the scheme cannot be ascertained without reference to the British Mission in Siberia. I have no further information as regards any special units formed in connection with any of the Allied Armies.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether ex-soldier clerks engaged at the War Office are granted a pension for performance of their duties; if not, will he say on what grounds it is refused; and whether all permanent civil clerks who are not ex-soldiers, and who carry out precisely the same duties as the ex-soldier clerk, are on a pensionable basis?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to a similar question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Wandsworth, and to the answer also given yesterday by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Wood Green.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is yet able to state if it is convenient for him to appoint a small Committee of Members of this House to advise him upon the suitability, type of. recognition, and method of application of such recognition of the many bodies of citizens, civilian and military, who have taken part in procuring victory to the British arms?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will confer with me as to the precise object he has in mind and which a Committee such as he suggests would help to secure.

asked the Secretary of State for War in what manner the money standing to the credit of the Canteen Fund is at present invested, and what amount of surplus. canteen stores has been disposed of since the Armistice?

The funds of the canteen organisation, apart from the capital employed in the business, consist partly of cash and partly of investments in Government securities. I regret that I am unable to supply the information asked for in the second part of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the War Office have now taken over five farms in the parish of Cove, Hampshire; whether he is aware that these farms formerly supported some 300 cows for the milk. supply of the neighbourhood, and that they now only support one cow; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to release this land, so that it can be used. for dairy purposes again?

Inquiries are being made, and my Noble and gallant Friend will be informed as to the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of. State for War whether his attention has been called to the suitability for use as allotments of a piece of ground known as the White City site at Bristol, now in the occupation of the military authorities; and whether he will take steps to hasten the vacation of this land, in order that a local allotments association composed largely of ex-Service men, may be put into possession by the owners of the land, who are willing to let it for the purpose of cultivation by the members of the association?

I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. and learned Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the International Trading Corporation, of 21, Arcade Chambers, St. Mary's Gate, Manchester, applied on 3rd November for a permit for their representative, Mr. George Simpson, to visit Germany; that after considerable delay they were informed by the military permit office, of 14a, Charles Street, Haymarket, that the application had been submitted to the military authorities in Cologne, who refused to grant the permit; if he can say on what principle the military authorities in Cologne adjudge the merits of an application; and what was the reason for their unfavourable consideration in the present case?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Thursday last to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Rothwell.

asked the Secretary of State for War, referring to his previous answer on this question, whether he will reconsider the granting of the 1914–15 Star to the personnel of the 11th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, notwithstanding Army Order 20, of 1919, having regard to the fact that this battalion was actively engaged with the enemy in the Ægean Sea prior to the expiration of the period in respect of which the decoration is granted—namely, on the.29th December, 1915?

As the hon. Member was informed on the 19th November, this battalion did not disembark in a theatre of war until a date subsequent to 31st December, 1915, which is the closing date qualifying for the "1914–15 Star." The Star is not a reward for gallantry, but is a token that its recipients served within specified localities during a certain period. If the ship conveying this battalion was subjected to a hostile attack by a submarine during its voyage this would not qualify the men for the award of the Star I am, however, informed that no official report can be traced that the ship was fired at or was engaged with a hostile submarine. I can assure the hon. Member that the case of this regiment has been carefully considered, but, as I have explained, the men are not eligible under the conditions governing the award of the Star, and I regret that no exception can be made.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he can state the number of directors and officers graded for pay as such, of deputy and assistant directors, or officers graded for pay as such, and of general staff officers, first grade, who were employed in the various Departments of the War Office on 1st August, 1914, 1st November, 1918, and 1st December, 1919?

The information asked for is as follows:

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the representation of the Union of National Ex-Service Men, or any other organisation of ex-soldiers, on General Byng's Committee dealing with the allocation of canteen profits?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 2nd December to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Workington.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the wages paid to storemen employed by the Army Ordnance Corps at Shoreham-by-Sea, Brighton?

The rate for the unskilled labourers is 44s. 6d. a week. The question of increasing this rate is under consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is now able to give further information beyond that contained in his statement of April last with regard to the amount of moneys remaining in the hands of the State as the result of dealing in British wool under control; if there is likely to be a profit or otherwse on such transactions; and whether he will give some indication as to what profit, if any, has been or is likely to be made on the above-named transaction?

Owing to the short notice given, I am unable to answer this question, but I will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any officers and men of His Majesty's Army and Royal Air Force attached to the Military Mission with General Denikin, K.C.B., have been engaged in fighting against the nationalist Ukrainian forces under General Petlura; if so, whether this is in concurrence with the wishes of His Majesty's Government; and, if not, whether any instructions have been issued for the guidance of the Mission should its services be sought in fighting against Petlura?

The answer to the first and third parts of the hon. Member's question is in the negative, and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked the Under-Secretary of State fur Foreign Affairs if his attention has been called to the statement by M. Litvinoff, one of the Soyiet leaders, that no peace offer of any kind was communicated by the Bolshevists to the hon. and gallant Member for East Leyton; and if this statement is reconcilable with the terms of the offer which the hon. and gallant Member stated he was authorised to transmit to the British Government?

I understand that some reference to this matter has appeared in the Press, but I have no, knowledge of the circumstances myself.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information to the effect that Colonel Bermondt has recently visited Berlin; what is the object of this visit; and whether it is still the policy of His Majesty's Government to reinforce-General Yudenitch's Army with Colonel Bermondt's troops?

I have been asked to reply. I understand that Colonel Bermondt has visited Berlin since giving up command of the Russo-German forces in the Baltic States; but I am not aware of the object of his visit. The question whether any elements of the forces recently under the control of Colonel Bermondt will be encouraged to join the Russian North-West Army must necessarily depend on the local situation.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he has foregone his demand for 100 tons of curled hair desired for the 7,000 beds for the Royal Air Force; whether tenders are now being asked therefore in the Irish Press; and where and on what are the Royal Air Force to sleep now?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The ninety tons of hair has been definitely accepted by the Air Ministry and tenders are now being invited from the trade by His Majesty's Office of Works (on our behalf) for the making up of this hair into mattresses. With regard to the second part of the question, nothing is known of this. The Air Ministry does not at present possess a Contracts Branch and is therefore not in a position to invite tenders. The third part of the question does not now arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that on Sunday night, 2nd November last, there was an outbreak of disorder among the Royal Air Force men at Henlow station; that whilst the disturbance was being dealt with by the non-commissioned officers, a number of men concerned entered hut No. 21 whilst the proper occupants were in bed and asleep; that following the occurrence a number of the latter were picked out and charged with inciting to mutiny and other counts, and without their defence being considered were sentenced to detention at Wandsworth and loss of grade; that such punishment has caused indignation and discontent; and if he will order an inquiry into the matter with a view to justice being done to innocent men?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is in the affirmative; to the second part, that the men who caused the disorder were rounded up in hut No. 21; to the third part, that these men were brought before the Commanding Officer, and that none of them were dealt with without their defence being considered. Four men were tried by general court-martial, eleven elected to be tried by district court-martial and have already been brought to trial, and the remainder were dealt with summarily. I am not aware that indignation and discontent has been caused by the way in which this outbreak has been dealt with. If the hon. Member has any reason to believe some or any of the men who were in bed and asleep have been punished unjustly and will furnish me with the names, I will have that matter inquired into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state the average life in flying hours under peace conditions of two-engined aeroplanes capable of carrying twenty to thirty passengers and single-engined aeroplanes carrying up to four passengers?

The period that has elapsed since civil flying under peace conditions commenced has been insufficient to allow such reliable data to be obtained as would enable a useful answer to be given to this question. The necessary data are being collected. It may, however, be observed in this connection that if the proper replacements, both of engine and aeroplane parts, are made during the periodical overhauls, there is no reason why any aeroplane should ever wear out, as after 200 hours flying there will probably be very little of the original machine left.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether officers of the Royal Air Force promoted to the substantive rank of major for distinguished service rendered in the War by His Majesty in the New Year Honour List have been now instructed to vacate their position in the Royal Air Force as majors, to relinquish this rank, and to report back to their old unit?

Promotion in the Royal Air Force is given in respect of an officer's Royal Air Force commission and is not Army rank. The number of Air Force officers has been reduced from, approximately, 30,000 at the date of the Armistice, to about 4,000 at the present date, and consequently a large number of officers seconded to the Air Force from the Army have been returned to their units. Promotions in the Royal Air Force conferred as rewards for good service in the Air Force on officers seconded from the Army must necessarily become inoperative during the subsequent service of these officers in the Army unless they have attained equivalent rank in their parent Service. The question of allowing officers, who have not then attained Army rank equivalent to their Royal Air Force rank, when they finally leave the Army to reassume their Royal Air Force rank will again be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary to the Air Ministry whether he is aware that during 1917 the Government compulsorily acquired a farm of Mr. W. Watts, Ivy Cottage, Hawley Road, Black-water, Hants, for the purpose of building cottages for the employés of Farnborough Aircraft Factory; that when they took it over the farm had been heavily manured and cultivated at Mr. Watts' expense, and by the action of the Government he was deprived of all his crops and had to dispense with ten of his best cows at a sacrifice, and that Mr. Watts has been thereby ruined; that an expert valuer engaged by Mr. Watts has assessed his losses at £700, and that after keeping him waiting nearly three years the Government have offered him only £340; and whether he will cause inquiry to be made with a view to redress being given?

I am at present unable to answer this question owing to the short time available for the investigation of this matter, but I will communicate with my Noble and gallant Friend as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Memorandum by the Chief of the Air Staff issued with the Air Estimates had received detailed consideration by and the approval of the Board of Admiralty and the Army Council; and whether it is intended to supplement the Chief of the Air Staff's Memorandum with any comments passed on it by the Admiralty and the War Office in so far as those Departments are affected by the proposals contained in it?

No, Sir. It was stated in the Memorandum that the organisation proposed was provisional. I was anxious that it should be published in order that the House might be informed at the earliest possible moment of the general outlines of the proposed permanent organisation of the Royal Air Force. Discussions will now proceed between the Departments concerned. The financial limits of the scheme must be taken as definitely settled by the Cabinet.

asked the Pensions Minister whether he is aware that ap- proximately fifty discharged men resident in Wealdstone. Middlesex, have not received their pensions for a month, owing to the failure of the pensions issuing office to supplement their pension allowance draft books upon completion; and whether he will direct that these arrears be made good before Christmas, in view of the infinite hardship caused to the men concerned by this deprivation?

I am not aware of the fact stated, but I will have immediate inquiry made of the local war pensions committee who, in such circumstances, can possibly assist men by making recoverable advances.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Post Office employés who served in the special sections of the Royal Engineers have not been granted the War gratuity, in view of the fact that these men were informed upon enlistment that they would receive full military remuneration in addition to civil pay?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Nottingham on 27th October last.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether an officer on the Reserve of Officers who rejoined his unit on the outbreak of War, and who has seen continuous active service, is entitled to any increase in pension on that which he received on retirement previous to the War?

He is entitled to have his old rate of retired pay reassessed in accordance with the scale published in the Royal Warrant of 13th September (Army Order 324 of 1919).

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that confusion is constantly arising owing to there being two authorities dealing with military and naval pensions, more especially owing to the difficulty of deciding where the functions of the War Office or Admiralty end, and those of the Ministry of Pensions begin; and whether, in view of the interdependence of service and disability pensions, he will consider the possibility of the administration of the whole matter, including wound, disability, and service pensions, being transferred to the Ministry of Pensions?

I am aware that some inconvenience has been caused by the fact that service and disability pensions, and, in the case of officers, wound pension and disability retired pay, are concurrently payable in the case of disabled Regulars. It would not, however, be possible to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion as the Service Departments alone, as employers, can properly say on what basis the reward of service is to be given. Arrangements are, however, being made which will, I hope, simplify the matter.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if the history of his Department has been concluded; if he will state how many people were engaged in its preparation; what was the cost of its production; and how it is proposed to distribute copies?

The preparation of the history of the Ministry of Munitions is not yet completed, rather more than one-third of the work not having reached the final stage. The number of persons engaged on the work of compiling and editing the history has varied from time to time since the first Minister of Munitions gave direction for the compiling of the history in 1915, but the present staff numbers four whole-time officers and five persons who give occasional services. The cost of production, including salaries and printing charges up to date, is £9,648. No decision has yet been reached as to publication.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that the Hunter Commission of Inquiry is being boycotted by members of the Indian Congress; and whether the refusal of these persons to give evidence is due to the refusal of the authorities to allow certain persons now in gaol to give evidence before the Commission?

The Committee's inquiry has been boycotted by the Punjab Inquiry Sub-Committee of the All India Congress Committee, but, it is not the case that the authorities refased to allow persons in gaol to give evidence. The authorities offered facilities for the tendering of these persons' evidence to the Committee, but the Congress demanded their unconditional release en security during the period of the inquiry, and boycotted the inquiry because this was not granted.

asked the Secretary of State for India how many strikes have occurred in India during this year?

According to my information, the number is 22.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state the number of Indians fined and imprisoned this year for participation in strikes

I know of no punishments of this description.

asked the Secretary of State for India if anything has since occurred which makes it necessary for him to modify his recent statement that he knew no details of the circumstances connected with the rioting at Amritsar early this year until he saw the newspaper account of the occurrences; and if he will circulate. For the information of this House, the original dispatches, which he received from India, on the subject?

Nothing has occurred to make it necessary for me to modify the statement referred to. The contents of the telegrams which I received from India were published in full, with only two exceptions. In neither of these cases was any important fact omitted.

asked the Secretary of State for India (1) what has been the increase in the cost of living in India since July, 1914; and if he has any statistics showing the average increase in wages of Indian textile workers since July, 1914;(2) if he can state the average increases in wages of Indian miners and ironworkers. since July, 1914?

I am sending the hon. Member all the information I have on the subjects referred to in these questions.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any arrangement has been concluded for the reduction of cable rates between India and the United Kingdom?

No arrangement has been concluded.

asked the Secretary of State for India what progress has been made with the repatriation of Germans and whether a decision has been reached by which Germans shall be excluded altogether from India for a fixed period; and whether he can make any announcement regarding the policy to be pursued in this behalf?

The repatriation of Germans from India is steadily proceeding, and before long no German will remain in India except those who for very special reasons are granted exemption. The precise period during which Germans will not be allowed to enter India has not yet been finally decided, but it will not be less than, at any rate, three years.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that thousands of Canadians who accepted discharge in this country because they thought the prospects were bright are now stranded here; and whether arrangements can be made with the Dominion authorities to arrange for a free passage for them home now that they desire to go?

I understand that the policy of the Canadian Government was to grant discharges only in Canada, and that in cases in which discharge was allowed in this country this was done on the express condition that the men in question waived all claims against the Canadian Government. But I have no doubt that special cases of hardship will receive the most careful consideration of the High Commissioner, and should my hon. Friend know of any such cases, I am sure that the High Commissioner would be glad if he would communicate with him.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great rise in the cost of living, he will review the pensions of pre-war police so as to make them approximately equal in purchasing power to what they were before the War, and thus prevent a great deal of hardship and suffering?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Members for Morpeth and St. Rollox on Thursday last, in which I stated that this matter has constantly been under consideration, but that I regretted that I did not see my way to propose legislation in the sense suggested.

asked the Home Secretary whether any areas in the United Kingdom are now protected areas within the meaning of the Aliens Order, 1919, or whether there are any restrictions as to residence of aliens which justify the refusal of the local chief constable to allow an alien named Cronbach to reside with his wife and family at Cowdenbeath?

Neither under Article 9 of the Aliens Order, 1919, relating to protected areas, nor under any other provisions of the Order has permission been refused for the alien to whom the question relates to reside at Cowdenbeath. He has, however, been advised not to reside there, and to seek employment elsewhere, and in all the circumstances of the case he would be wise to act upon that advice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will give the total number of houses for which the foundations have been laid since the passing of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919; whether he will state the number in course of erection by local authorities; how many are now being provided by private enterprise; whether he will state the number of wooden houses being erected; and if lie has any further announcement to make with regard to the pisé method of construction?

Up to the 1st December, the latest date for which figures are available, the number of houses on which work has been commenced was 3,005, and in 1,992 cases the foundations had been completed. The returns which I have received show that 4,900 working-class houses are being erected otherwise than under the Housing Acts. Timber-framed bungalows or wooden cottages are being erected by four local authorities, but detailed information is not at present available. With regard to the pisé method of construction, I cannot at present add anything to the reply which I gave on the 17th December to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Southend-on-Sea.

asked the Minister of Health whether each Board of Health constituted under the Ministry of Health Act will contain at least one woman representative; and how far this practice has been followed in the provisional appointments?

The only Board of Health constituted under the Ministry of Health Act is the Board of Health in Wales. I gave particulars of the present membership of that body in reply to a question by the hon. Member for Denbigh on the 15th December.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the practice of the London District Railway Company in putting on ticket collectors at the time when homeward traffic is seriously congested between the hours of five and six; whether he is aware that these ticket collectors demand excess fares from all the persons riding in the first-class carriages, many of whom are workpeople; and whether he will make representations to the District Railway Company that this practice of charging excess fares under the circumstances shall not be followed unless and until the company provide adequate accommodation in the third-class carriages?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am informed by the District Railway Company that the holders of first-class season tickets have complained that they are unable to secure the accommodation for which they have paid, because it is occupied by holders of third-class tickets. Under these circumstances, the company have found it necessary to take the course described, and I do not think that their action is unreasonable.

asked the Minister of Transport whether measures are now being taken to restore the requisite balance of income between revenue and working expenses upon the railway systems in the United Kingdom, in order to the provision of an adequate return upon the capital invested in these undertakings?

In the revisoin of rates the object will be to place railway fares and rates upon an economic level.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, at a recent examination for ex-Service men held to fill eighteen vacancies for assistant examiners in the Patents Office (Mechanical Section), only eighteen candidates obtained qualifying marks at the written examination, including a Mr. Richard Claude Reed and, if so, will he state why Mr. Reed was not selected, seeing that eighteen vacancies were advertised and the eighteen vacancies are not yet filled?

The qualifying examinations held under the reconstruction scheme are essentially different from the normal competitive examinations, as they are only a preliminary test of general education designed with a view to facilitate the work of the selection board. Success at the qualifying examination, therefore, does not ensure appointment and all candidates who qualify at the examination are required to attend before the selection board set up by the Civil Service Commissioners, and it rests with that board to decide what candidate can be recommended for appointment. The board takes into account not only the results of the written examination, but the educational and military records of the candidates and all other relevant considerations. The board considers only the fitness of the candidate for appointment, and it is not under any obligation to select the whole number of candidates who pass the qualifying test. Mr. Reed was one of several candidates who were declared unsuccessful in the competition for the posts of assistant examiner in the Patent Office by the selection board, and I am not prepared to discuss the grounds on which they arrived at their decision.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if he will name an early date when he will vacate the corporation baths at Shrewsbury, so that they may again be used by the inhabitants for the purpose for which they were built at great expense?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Endeavours are being made to provide alternative accommodation in order that the buildings referred to can be released, but I regret that I cannot at present name any date by which they will be vacated.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that in the postal district to which Tanza Road, Hampstead, belongs, the last delivery of letters now takes place between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. and the last collection is made at 10.5 p.m., whereas during the War the last collection was at 11 p.m. and before the War at 3 a.m.; and whether this inconvenience to the residents in the district can be removed or abated?

The facts are as stated by the hon. Member, except that a later collection at 10.45 or 10.50 p.m. is made from a limited number of boxes in the Hampstead district, including one at the Hampstead Heath Station Post Office, which is about 600 yards from Tanza Road. I am not aware that any serious inconvenience is occasioned by the present arrangements, which are of general application in the London postal area. Perhaps I may also refer the hon. Member to the answer to the question of the hon. Member for North Hammersmith on the 27th ultimo.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is the case that postmen who retired from the postal service before the War have not received any increase in the amount of their pensions, whilst the postal servants pensioned after March, 1915, are awarded an increase of 25 per cent. on their pensions; and, if so, whether, looking to the great difficulty experienced by those postmen whose pensions have not been augmented in meeting the present high cost of living, he has in contemplation the extension to all retired postmen of the enhanced rate of pension applicable to postal servants who retired after March, 1915?

As was fully stated by my right hon. Friend in his reply of 16th April last to the hon. Member for the Devonport Division, the existing arrangements with regard to the reckoning within certain limits of war bonus for pension do not apply to pensioners who were not in receipt of war bonus at the time of their retirement. His Majesty's Government are not prepared to depart from the previous decision, which was reached after very full consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that in the Island of Jersey, when the increase of 6s. per ton on coal came into operation the consumers of the Island were charged the increased amount, but since the Order for a reduction of 10s. per ton for household purposes the reduction in price has not been put into operation by the coal merchants; and will he take action to see that the people in the Island are allowed the privilege of the reduction in the price of coal?

I was not aware that coal merchants in Jersey had not reduced the retail price of house coal by 10s. per ton as from the 1st December. Steps are being taken to secure to the people in the Island the full benefit of this reduction.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the import figures of artificial flowers, with countries of origin, for the months of August, September and October, 1913 and 1919, respectively?

The following statement gives the information desired:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if there are any Regulations made by the Board with regard to the storage of or conditions affecting the keeping of naphthalene or naphthalene sludge; and, if so, when the same were issued and where the same can be obtained?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state how much of the Royalties paid by the tin mining industry, together with wolfram and arsenic, are tributes paid to private individuals; what proportion is paid as dues to the Crown and what does the average Royalty on tin production in Cornwall amount to per ton?

The Royalties paid by the mining industries in Cornwall are dues to owners of the mineral rights. In some cases these rights are held by the mine-owners themselves; in others by a limited company; and in the cases of two submarine mines by the Crown. The rates of Royalty vary, and are usually in the form of a percentage of the value of the ores raised. In some cases they are percentages of the profit made. In the cases of the Crown leases, the Royalty payable is a percentage of the value of the ore raised with reductions when the amount payable in respect of Royalties exceeds the profit made by the mines. Information is not available as to the Royalties paid by all mines in Cornwall, but the average Royalty is, I understand, about one-thirtieth of the value of the produce.

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) to which countries we have during the last six months exported more than we have imported from them, and the amount of the excess of imports in each case;(2) if he will state from which countries we have during the last six months imported more than we have exported to them and the excess of imports in each case?

I am sending my hon. Friend a statement containing the information specified.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what were the profits or losses of the Dolcoath Tin Mine, East Pool Mine, South Crofty Mine, Levant Mine, Geevor Mine, and Tincroft Mines, Cornwall, for the

The information asked for is as follows:—