asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state whether the inquiry into the Hawne colliery pumping station, in the South Staffordshire area, promised before the Recess, has yet been held; and, if not, can he see his way to arrange for such inquiry to be insti- tuted at an early date, having regard to the increased seriousness of the flooding in the districts concerned?

asked whether he can state the names of the committee appointed to inquire into mines drainage in the South Staffordshire coalfields; whether he can announce what are the terms of reference to the committee and what area will be included within the scope of the committee's investigation; and whether he can say when the committee will commence its sittings?

A committee of enquiry has been appointed, consisting of Sir Richard Redmayne, K.C.B. (Chairman), Mr. Maurice Deacon, M.J.C.E., and my right hon. Friend the Member for Abertillery (Mr. Brace), with the following terms of reference:—

"To enquire into the present position in regard to mines drainage in the South Staffordshire coalfield and advise as to the steps to be taken to ensure the future security of the mines and the proper industrial development of the district on an economic basis."

The area which will fall within the scope of the Committee's investigations will be that portion of the South Staffordshire coalfield which lies to the south of the Bentley fault. The preliminary work of collecting information is now in progress, and I understand that the Committee hope to begin their sittings early in March.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that numbers of the inhabitants of all classes in the Cradley Heath, Old Hill, and Quarry Bank districts of Staffordshire have been unable to procure supplies of domestic coal for some weeks past, to their discomfort and hardship; and whether he will order an immediate inquiry into the matter with the view to ensuring speedy improvement in the supply of this essential fuel?

The shortage of supplies of domestic coal in the Cradley Heath Old Hill and Quarry Bank disricts in Staffordshire is due to the flooding of the local coal mines from which these districts draw their supplies. All possible steps are being taken to obtain supplies from other sources.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, if he has been approached by the Association of Midland Local Authorities for the purpose of securing the same 10s. reduction in the price of coal supplied to water undertakings as has already been allowed to gas and electricity concerns: whether the Board has been unable to accede to this application; and, if so, having regard to the dissatisfaction felt at that decision by numerous local authorities, he will state the reason for this preferential treatment in this matter allowed to the particular public supply companies indicated as compared with those undertakings engaged in the no loss essential supply of water?

The Coal Mines Department have no record of a complaint from the Association of Midland Local Authorities. The differential treatment to which the hon. Member refers is consequent upon the application of the reduction of 10s. per ton in the price of coal for household or domestic purposes as from the 1st December last, to that proportion of the coal supplied to gas and electricity undertakings which is used for making gas or electricity for domestic or household purposes. While there is a close relation between the domestic purposes for which coal and gas and electricity are used, there is not such a close relation between coal and water. In the circumstances it was decided not to bring water works within the scope of this special arrangement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the stock of coal now hold at the Coventry gas works is less than three days' requirements: whether this is due to the non-delivery by the railways of the quantities hitherto delivered and required by the Coventry gas works: whether he is aware that the Coventry gas works is only one of some 400 gas works throughout the country which have less than one week's supply of coal; and also whether he will take immediate steps to ensure that the coal requirements of Coventry gas works and of other gas works throughout the country will receive the immediate attention of the Coal Controller and the Ministry of Transport, so as to prevent the failure of the gas supply, and the consequent closing of all factories dependent upon gas supply in these various towns?

I am aware of the circumstances to which my hon. Friend calls attention, and every possible effort is being made, in conjunction with the Ministries of Transport and Shipping, to relieve the situation.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the situation probably to-day, since this question has been printed, is that there is less than one day's reserve of coal, and that tomorrow morning some of the industries in the city must perforce be closed down? Can nothing be done to alleviate the situation?

I am aware of the difficulties, and the matter has been receiving the most careful consideration during the week-end. I hope something will be done to relieve the situation in time.

Does the hon. Gentleman think, so long as so much coal is being exported, he will be able to supply home consumption?

A question is to be asked later, and a reply will be given showing what efforts are being made to deal with the difficulties of the situation.

Is he aware that the difficulty in the main is due to the breakdown of transport, because coal is being carried for long distances when it can be obtained almost on the spot?

I am aware it is largely due to the difficulties of transport, but the difficulty of arrangement of the different areas is a very serious one, and it is not quite so easy as the hon. Gentleman seems to think.

asked the Leader of the House if he is aware that exports of coal from the United Kingdom in January last exceeded the exports in any month since August last; and if it is the policy of the Government to permit exports of coal even though the inland requirements of the industry, public utility works and households are not being fully met?

The answer to the first part is in the affirmative, and to the second in the negative. It must be remembered that the question is not one of coal so much as it is one of transport coastwise and by rail, and for this reason: While the ouput of coal has been steadily improving it is yet much short of the pre-War rate and except in the export districts there are general shortages for home requirements.

Priority of supply has been given in the following order:

(a) Household and domestic supplies.

(b) Public utility undertakings.

(c) Rail ways.

(d) Industries.

Efforts, at the same time, have been made to transfer supplies from the districts where the surpluses exist to districts where the output is insufficient to meet home needs. Only the balance, after such transfer has been made, so far as transport has permitted, has been allowed for export. The difficulties of transport have not, however, made it possible so far to meet the necessary inland requirements, and it has become clear that more drastic steps are necessary to secure the movement of coal to areas which have a deficiency. It has, therefore, been decided to give to coastwise and railway movement of coal such priority as is necessary to secure that home demands are met as fully as possible. It will happen in cases that this priority wilt involve delays to other traffic, but if home demands in respect of coal are to be met this is clearly inevitable.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are instances where towns are situated within a mile of coal pits and the inhabitants are suffering from a coal famine and have to see thousands of tons of coal taken by rail to outside parts of the country, and is he further aware that Kilmarnock is one of these, and that nothing whatever is being done?

Mo, I was not aware of that and I have not heard anything special from Kilmarnock.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that this country depends for its existence upon our export trade and that one of the principal lines of export is coal, and that the remedy for the present state of affairs is greater output?

I think that statement can only be received with qualifications. The largest amount of export possible ought to be maintained, but we cannot allow either householders or industries to suffer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if some of the ships which are at present taking coal abroad were employed in coastwise traffic the extraordinary amount of congestion due to taking coal by rail to coast towns would be obviated and trucks would be available for inland traffic?

No. The hon. Member is mistaken. I was present at a conference where the whole question was gone into on Saturday. His remedy would only lead to further congestion at the ports where loading and discharging is now impossible.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that iron and steel works on the coast are standing idle although trucks are being used to ship coal from the collieries to the very ports at which these works are standing idle, and therefore it cannot be lack of trans port which accounts for the shortage of coal?

I do not think that quite follows because the arrangement of transport is very complicated, depending on the number of trains which can be passed over a particular line, very often a bottle neck. That is the very point which is now being gone into in complete detail by all the Departments concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many more trains might be carried if they were worked at night?

The hon. Member may be assured that, so far as the power of the Ministry of Transport is concerned, that is being done. It is a question, to some extent, of labour.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether the Wool Council submitted to him in the autumn of last year a scheme by which 25,000,000 yards of cloth for men's suits and a similar quantity for women's and children's clothing should be manufactured from wool issued at controlled price and should be costed at every stage so that at no point in production or distribution would more than a reasonable profit be yielded; whether he rejected the scheme on the ground that the Profiteering Act would keep down the price of clothing; and whether any action can be and is being taken under the Profiteering Act in this matter?

In the summer of last year such a scheme was submitted, but the reasons for rejecting it were not primarily those suggested in the question. The Profiteering Act has been applied to all articles of wearing apparel, and I am satisfied that this has had a stabilising effect on the price of clothing.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell us the reason for rejecting this scheme?

Yes, with pleasure, but it would take rather long to elaborate it in full. In the first place, legislation would be necessary. In the next place, it would have meant a very large Department, with a very large number of officials, at very great cost to the Treasury. In the next place, it would have disorganised trade, at a moment when there was very considerable difficulty in getting under way, by cutting across all existing contracts. It would have meant, further, a renewal of State control at a moment when freedom in connection with our export trade was most extremely desirable. It would have led to a very slight saving to the consumer, and hindered employment, and any slight benefit in the price of clothes would be entirely lost. The last point is that it would have been 18 months at least before a new suit under the scheme could have been available on the market.

Is it not surprising that the committee which inquired into this matter did not see fit to give all these reasons against it?

I did not control the committee which issued a report on this matter. They stated that the Board of Trade reasons were those suggested in the question without asking the Board of Trade, so that I can only imagine that they found them out by some process of divination. This is the first time I have been asked, and I have now given the answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to cases of profiteering in the letting of rooms and houses; whether such cases are covered by the Profiteering Act of last Session; and, if not, whether he proposes to meet such cases by further legislation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Profiteering Act does not apply to rents charged for rooms and houses. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for South-port on February 12th.

If legislation is introduced will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of making the Act operative from, say, the introduction of the Bill?

I will certainly bring that suggestion to the notice of the Department concerned in this, which is not the Board of Trade, but the Ministry of Health.

Is he aware that, owing to the Rent Restriction Act, some tenants are living in one or two rooms in a large house for a greater weekly rent than is paid for the whole property, and does he consider that either reasonable or fair?

I am afraid I am not quite in a position to enter into a discussion on the housing question. I do not in my own Department know about it; it falls within the scope of the Ministry of Health, and if my hon. Friend will put down a question to them, I have no doubt he will get an answer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of prosecutions under the Profiteering Act in which fines have been inflicted, the aggregate amount of such lines, the number of eases in which imprisonment has been inflicted, and the aggregate period of imprisonment?

The reports received from local committees show that to the 31st January last lines amounting to £834 11s. had been imposed in 83 prosecutions under the Profiteering Act, in addition to which orders for the payment of costs amounting to £236 4s. had been made. No sentences to imprisonment have been imposed.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he is satisfied with the way the Profiteering Act is working, and whether the Government propose to endeavour to introduce a more efficient Act to deal with this very urgent problem, especially in regard to building materials?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these profiteering tribunals are in too many instances composed of interested persons with a complete lack of the sense of responsibility, to the discouragement of public-minded individuals, who incur all the expense of a prosecution, by awarding penalties which are quite inadequate?

With regard to the first question, the announcement has already been made, I think, on two occasions—before Christmas and again since we met—that it is the intention of the Government to introduce an Amending Bill. That is, I hope, now within a very short distance of becoming an accomplished fact. With regard to the second point, I am fully aware that some of the local committees are not very satisfactory, but it will be within the recollection of the House that at the time the Profiteering Bill was passing through it was felt by the majority of the House most desirable that the administration of the local part of the Act should be in the hands of local persons, and it is a matter of great difficulty for the Central Department to interfere with the selections made by local bodies to the local committees.

Is he aware that in the main what we are suffering from is not the small profiteer, but the large combine, and what steps is he taking to deal with the cement combine, for example, which has raised cement from 18s. to 132s. a ton?

The hon. Member ought to give notice of those figures.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many sectional committees have been set up under the Profiteering Act to inquire into the causes of high prices, what trades these committees cover, the number of meetings held by each committee, and what recommendations, if any, have been made?

Thirty-two Sub-committees have been appointed by the Central Committee to investigate various trades and commodities, including boots, brushes, building materials, clothing, cotton, chocolate, cement, drugs, dyeing, electric lamps, farriery, fish, furniture, glass, groceries, hardware, jams, motor fuel, matches, milk, meat oils and fats, pottery, road transport rates, soap, salt, tobacco, tools, weights and measures, wool, tops and yarns, and wallpaper. The number of meetings of each Committee vary from one to thirteen. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reports of the various Sub-committees which have been presented to Parliament.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman how many times the Pottery Committee has been called together?

I cannot carry in my head the number of meetings of each Committee, but if the hon. Member will put down a question I will furnish the information.

I happen to have been on the Committee, and I have never been called yet.

asked the President of the Board of Trade, whether he is aware that his Department has informed the Poplar Board of Guardians that in consequence of the plentiful supply of frozen meat in this country it is no longer necessary to supply the Board direct; whether he is also aware that since June, 1916, the Board have obtained their supplies of meat direct from the Queensland Government at prices lower than those quoted by contractors; and whether, in view of the fact that this arrangement has given satisfaction and has been in the interests of the ratepayers, he will allow it to continue?

The arrangement to which the hon. Member refers was made in order to meet a special difficulty, and I do not think it desirable to authorise the continuance of that arrangement now that supplies of meat are ample.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it fair that the Poplar Board of Guardians should pay more for their meat than they can buy it from the Queensland Government?

But I am not aware that anybody is preventing the Poplar Board of Guardians buying their meat from the Queensland Government if they can make such an arrangement.

A special arrangement was made, and your Department said it could not continue.

That was a special arrangement to meet a special difficulty. If the Board of Trade is to become permanent butcher for the country it will require to be completely reorganised on a colossal scale.

Is it true that the Board of Trade entered into an arrangement under which they could get their meat at a certain price, while the general public were allowed to be fleeced?

No, Sir, I pay the same price for my meat as anybody else.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, if British firms are compelled to pay to Austrians who have become Czecho-Slovaks pre-war debts due to them according to contract in sterling, His Majesty's Government can take any stops to secure equally favourable treatment of British firms to whom pre-war debts are due from Czecho-Slovaks, originally Austrians, especially in cases where such debts are stated in kronen, bearing in mind the depreciated Austrian currency and the fact that the provisions of the treaty with Austria as to debts do not apply to Czecho-Slovakia?

As Czecho-Slovaks were our allies before negotiations for peace were entered into with Austria, it was, I think, obviously not possible to impose on them a provision varying the terms of their contracts by requiring them to pay their debts at the pre-war rate of exchange. The position is that if under contracts with Czecho-Slovaks debts were payable in kroner, they will remain payable in kroner, and if they were payable in sterling they will remain payable in sterling, whether the debts were owing to Czecho-Slovakia or to this country. I fully appreciate that the position is one of great difficulty for British firms who are owed large amounts of money by persons carrying on business in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, but I am afraid that it is one which the Government cannot remedy.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the impossibility of securing settlement of pre-war debts from Austrian nationals on the basis laid down in the treaty of peace with Austria, and the fact that British firms stand to lose consider able sums thereby, notwithstanding the proposed partial distribution of Austrian assets here to meet the claims of British creditors, His Majesty's Government can now see their way to adopt the suggestion that any surplus realised from Ger man property and assets, after liquidating British claims, should be utilised to meet unsatisfied British claims against Austrian nationals in respect of pre-war debts?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on the 24th November to the question of my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry. Any surplus assets on German account will be available for payment of claims by British nationals in respect of enemy Government action affecting their property in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey, but the Treaty does not enable such assets to be applied for the payment of private debts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what quantity of dyes has been delivered to this country by Germany under the provisions of the Treaty of Peace; how much has been distributed to dye users; on what principle and by what agency has the distribution been carried out; what price has been charged; and what sum has been credited to Germany by the Reparation Commission?

About 650 tons of dyes have actually been received from Germany under the Treaty and, with the exception of a small proportion reserved for the Dominions, practically the whole has been allocated to users so far as possible on the basis of their requirements. Distribution is now being carried out by the Central Importing Agency. The prices charged vary with the different classes of dyes, but are based on the values placed on the dyes by the German manufacturers in their stock lists, with allowances for the low German exchange rates. The sum to be credited to Germany has not been finally settled by the Reparation Commissision.

Who is responsible for the distribution of the dyes?

The Committee of Dye Users.

asked the Prime Minister whether, under the terms of the Peace Treaty, debts owing to a subject of this country by any enemy debtor are recoverable plus accrued interest at 5 per cent. per annum; whether a subject of this country is liable to like terms for debts due to an enemy creditor; and is he aware that at the outbreak of hostilities subjects of this country were refused permission to pay off their foreign obligations by handing the moneys over to the Government in satisfaction of the debt?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. No arrangements were in existence immediately after the outbreak of hostilities for payment to the Government of debts duo to enemies, but I am not aware of any case where, after the Board of Trade had power to vest property in the custodian, subjects of this country were refused permission to discharge their debts by payment to him.

Could the right hon. Gentleman say what he means by the word "immediately"?

In the early weeks or months of the War due arrangements were made for the appointment of a custodian for these debts.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has ascertained that debtors in this country have to pay 5 per cent. interest on debts due to enemies, and is not that a very curious incident, having regard to the fact that it would have been a breach of the law if they had paid these debts while the War war going on?

Yes, I quite agree that there is some difficulty with regard to the cases where payment was not made at all, but early in the War the Government appointed a custodian for these debts to whom payment could be made. There is no interest required on such debts where paid to the custodian.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the stocks of finished iron and steel held by works in the North-East Coast area amounted to 90,000 tons on 6th February, as compared with 70,000 tons at the end of December and 30,000 tons at the end of June, 1919; and whether he can induce the railway companies concerned to adopt a three-shift system of working, in order more adequately to cope with this traffic?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 12th instant to a question asked by the hon. Member for Consett upon the same subject. I am making inquiries as to the second part of the question, but it must be understood that, unless traders to whom steel is consigned adopt similar methods of working in unloading the traffic, the available supply of wagons is, not necessarily increased by the railway companies working three shifts.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that when representatives of the North-East Coast met the directors of the Railway Company on the 5th of this month they got an assurance from the directors that everything possible was being done, and that, notwithstanding that, the stocks on the North-East Coast are increasing threefold; and will the hon. Gentleman see that attention is given at once to this matter, otherwise a large number of works on the North-East Coast will be standing idle next week?

The matter is receiving the most urgent and continuous attention of the Ministry of Transport and the North-East Railway.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is the practice of the railway companies to grant all their employés free railway travel from their homes to their work; whether this point was considered or dealt with in the recent settlement with the railway men and if free travel is continued under the agreement; and can he state if this practice applies to the London Tube and Underground railway systems?

It is not the general practice to grant railway employés free railway travel from their homes to their work, but some railway companies do issue free tickets within limited areas on their own systems, and all companies issue tickets at reduced rates. The prevailing conditions have not been altered under the recent settlement, but the value of these concessions was not overlooked. So far as the London Tube and Underground systems are concerned, it is understood that their staffs generally are granted free tickets to enable them to travel to and from their work.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the relatives of railway employés are also given cheap tickets?

No, I cannot.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to recommend the railway companies who are now considering the question of the conditions of service of the railway police to apply the recommendations of the Des-borough Committee with respect to the formation of a federation on democratic lines and the adoption of a standardised scale of pay and allowances.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the discontent existing in the railway police departments owing to the methods adopted by the authorities in dealing with the question of standardisation; and whether he is prepared to allow the men's representatives to take part in the discussion of their future conditions and grant them facilities to form a rail-way police federation, particulars of which have already been submitted to the Ministry of Transport?

The Minister of Transport has received certain representations from the railway police giving him the benefit of their views upon their future status and the position with reference to the railway companies. He is aware of the importance of the question, which is being closely investigated by the railway companies in consultation with the Minister. The discussions have not yet reached the stage which makes it possible for me to give a more definite reply to the questions put by my hon. Friends. I shall be prepared shortly to see deputations of the men.

Can the hon. Gentleman, arising out of Question 28, say approximately when he is prepared to receive this deputation; and will he give the House an assurance that he will make strong representations to his Chief as to the desirability of this matter having further attention?

I shall be prepared to receive the deputation, and to consult with the men at the very earliest date if they will communicate with me. With regard to the latter part of the Question of my hon. Friend it is quite unnecessary to make strong representations to the Minister of Transport as he is quite awake to the importance of the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether he is yet in a position to state the policy of the Ministry as to the future ownership and administration of canals and inland waterways; whether he is aware that the revised railway rates are likely to have the effect of driving heavy and bulky traffic off the water on to the railways; and whether he will cause a further revision to be made with a view to the distribution of traffic between railways and canals in accordance with their several capacities?

I am not in a position to make any general statement as to any change in the present private ownership of canals and inland waterways, but I do not understand the hon. Member's apprehension that the recent increase in railway rates will have the effect of diverting traffic on to the railways. With a view to further consideration of the distribution of traffic between canals and railways, my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Transport, is proposing to appoint a Committee, of which he hopes the hon. Member will consent to act as Chairman, to consider what development of canals and waterways is practicable, having regard to the financial position of the country at the moment.

Is the hon. Gentleman able to answer that part of the question which asks whether the Ministry of Transport has a policy with regard to the administration of the canals, and has not the Minister of Transport, after fifteen months' reflection, a policy of his own until the Committee reports?

The answer is in the negative!

I am always glad to have assistance in answering supplementary questions, but that interjection is not an accurate answer. The policy of dealing with canals is a subject which is closely related to the greater policy of dealing with the railways and other forms of transport. The subject is receiving attention—[An HON. MEMBER: "Hear, hear!"]—and certainly needs detailed consideration by the Committee of which the right hon. Gentleman has asked the hon. Member for Ladywood to become chairman.

Have not all these canals been bought up by the railway companies in the past for the purpose of shutting out the competition of water transport, and what steps has the hon. Gentleman's Chief taken to carry out the policy of the Prime Minister in this matter, a policy announced at the Election?

It is not the fact that the whole of the canals, or the majority of them, are owned by the railway companies.

The key ones are!

As to future policy in relation to canals, I fear I cannot add anything to what I have already said.

Why do you not carry out the policy of the Railway Commission which reported about ten years ago. No action has yet been taken upon their report?

To carry out that report in its entirety would involve the expenditure of many millions. The Minister, before advising the House to sanction such an expenditure, desires to be fully advised upon the question in its present relationship to all transport problems.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company has come to any decision as to reopening and working the Victoria and City line, which formerly supplied many parts in South London with railway services which were of great convenience to workers and residents of those districts; and whether he can press the railway company to at once reopen this line and all the stations upon it?

The question of the re-opening of this line has been under the consideration of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic, and it is hoped to arrive at a definite conclusion at an early date.

asked the Minister of Transport, whether any system for the more speedy notification to farmers of the arrival of empty trucks has yet been devised; and, if so, what steps are being taken to put it into execution?

I understand that advices are given verbally, by post, or by telegram, according to the circumstances in each case, and very few complaints are being received. The question of installing telephones at the stations is being looked into, having regard to the cost and their probable utility in each case.

asked the Minister of Transport how many railway trucks were completed during December and January; how many were returned from France during the same period; and how many are under construction at the present time?

The information asked for in the first part of the question is not yet available, but I am obtaining it and will write to my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible. The number of railway-owned wagons returned from France in December and January was 2,279. The number of wagons for the building of which arrangements have been made by the Railway Companies is about 32,000, of which 15,000 are orders placed with outside firms.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can take any action to accelerate the repairs to street surfaces in London?

The execution of repairs to street surfaces in London is a matter entirely for the several local authorities, but representations have been made to these authorities with a view to securing acceleration.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that so far it has taken nearly two months to repair one-half of Knights-bridge?

That is not a question with which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport can deal.

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us if there is any possibility of the poorer local authorities getting financial assistance from the Government to carry out repairs?

I think that is a matter which should be addressed to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can now state when it is proposed to amend the existing laws relating to the use of motor vehicles; and whether special legislation will be required?

Until the Departmental Committee now sitting has presented its report, it is not possible to state when the House will be asked to consider the special legislation necessary to amend the existing laws relating to motor vehicles.

Can the hon. Gentleman state whether the extracts and suggestions in the technical Press, referring to any alteration in the Act, have or have not any foundation in fact?

I cannot anticipate the report of the Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Chalk Farm stations of the North London and London and North Western Railway Companies, which were closed during the war, are still closed to passenger traffic; and, in view of the grave inconvenience to the public, will he take steps to secure the reopening of these stations at an early date?

I have been asked to answer this question. At the present time alterations are being carried out in connection with the widening of the London and North Western line between Queen's Park and Chalk Farm, resulting in Chalk Farm Station being remodelled, and the railway company state that during the process of these alterations it would be a very difficult matter to maintain a service of passenger trains on the slow lines between Willesden and Chalk Farm. The matter is, however, under the consideration of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic in connection with their general review of the stations closed during the War.

asked whether any arrangement was made last year with the General Omnibus Company, London, to guarantee or pay them any grant or subsidy when they put on London streets a number of motor-lorry omnibuses; if so, can he state what the agreement was and if any money has been paid to the company; and, if so, how much?

No arrangement was made with the London General Omnibus Company to guarantee or pay them any grant or subsidy when motor-lorry omnibuses were put on to relieve the congestion of passenger traffic in London. The company have, however, made representations' to the Minister of Transport with regard to certain expenditure to which they have been put and, inasmuch as the matter is at present the subject of discussion, I am not able to make any statement.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that excessively long hours are being worked in Lancashire by locomotive men and goods guards on the railway; and can he state when he expects to relieve the position and enable the men to have an actual eight-hour working day instead of, as in many cases at present, a working day of 12 to 15 hours?

I have no reason to suppose that railway companies in Lancashire and elsewhere are not doing all that they can to reduce the hours worked by locomotive men and goods guards to eight hours a day or as near thereto as may be possible. My hon. Friend will appreciate, I am sure, that the detailed working of shifts is not a matter which can be dealt with from Whitehall. My attention has not recently been called to any such long hours as are mentioned as being systematically worked, but I will pass the question to the railway company concerned if the hon. Member will supply me with the necessary information.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will make arrangements so that discretion is allowed to all railway agents to accept small consignments of livestock when wagons are available for their carriage; and whether he is aware that the present arbitrary restrictions are the cause of great irritation and loss of time and money to farmers and create a feeling of hostility to the new Ministry.

Reasonable discretion in matters of this kind is allowed to railway agents, but the governing factor is the necessity of using rolling stock to the best advantage. As the hon. Member is probably aware, livestock is conveyed in small, medium, or large wagons, and in country districts farmers often co-operate to fill a truck in cases where small consignments are concerned.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that these arbitrary restrictions are modified and that in these country districts local agents are given authority to accept small consignments?

All these questions as to the detailed working of railways are matters for the railway companies themselves. It is quite impossible, and I do not think that the House would wish it if it were possible, that the Minister of Transport should attempt to deal with all these details as to the working of the railway system.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a regulation which has been introduced since the railways came under the control of the Government?

There is no regulation of which I am aware made by the Minister of Transport, which has the effect which my hon. Friend indicates.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if generals of the late Czarist regime are leading the Bolshevist forces in Russia; and, if so, has he information that there is a combination of Imperialist and Bolshevist forces against Foreign intervention in Russia?

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative.

asked Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make, any statement giving the exact positions of the Polish force in Russia; whether their positions have been taken for strategical purposes; and, if so, whether for purposes of offence or defence?

I have been asked to reply. I would remind my noble and gallant Friend that Poland (an Allied country) is at war with the Soviet Government, and to give, in answer to this question, any information which may be in possession of His Majesty's Government would disclose intelligence of military value to the Bolsheviks.

May I ask whether His Majesty's Military Mission in Poland is acting in a conciliatory manner or is it encouraging further offensives in Soviet Russia by Polish arms, and is it acting on the instructions of the War Office?

H.M. Military Mission in Poland is not concerned with the policy of the Polish Government.

Then may we take it that His Majesty's Military Mission in Poland has had nothing to do with the attack on Dvinsk on the raid on Jitomar?

Certainly not. Any operations which Poland may engage in are settled by the head of the Polish State and by the Polish Government-Colonel WEDGWOOD: Without pres sure from or in consultation with our Mission?

Certainly.

asked the Prime Minister what steps have been taken by the Allies to encourage the Russian border states to make peace with Soviet Russia?

His Majesty's Government have informed the Baltic States, Finland and Poland that the question of peace or war with Soviet Russia is one which they must decide according to their own judgment and on their own responsibility.

May we take it that there is no pressure being brought to bear upon anybody to make the peace referred to?

The answer says that we are taking no responsibility in the matter one way or the other.

Does my right hon. Friend think that we shall be able to maintain a position of absolute detachment whatever these Powers do?

The future must take care of itself. We are only dealing with the present. The policy of the Government in this respect has been very often and clearly put before the House.

Are we to understand that if they do not make peace we shall not be made responsible for defending them in case the War continues?

That is a problematical and hypothetical question, and I will answer it when the occasion arises.

Is it not very serious that we should be committed to defending these people if they do not make peace without any advice on our part to make peace?

It might be serious, but how does my hon. and gallant Friend know that we are so doing?

We are asking you.

asked when the Milner Mission is expected to return from Egypt?

Lord Milner always hoped to be able to return in March, and there is no reason to believe that his plans will be altered.

asked if any agreement has now been reached with the French Government as regards the removal of restrictions on the release of homing pigeons in France in connection with pigeon-flying races?

Yes, Sir, I have been informed in a note, dated 9th February, that a decree has been issued permitting the flight of foreign carrier pigeons in France under the laws and regulations which were in force before the 2nd of August, 1914. The liberation of carrier pigeons from England is accordingly allowed as before the declaration of War and under the same regulations.

asked the Prime Minister whether the civil and military administration of Mesopotamia is still carried out by officers acting under the instructions of the Secretary of State for India, and in Palestine by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; and whether any steps are being taken in Palestine as in Mesopotamia to replace military by civilian administration?

asked when a statement of Government policy in Mesopotamia may be expected; whether the War Office, Foreign Office, or India Office are responsible for the present administration in that country; and, if more than one department is responsible, which duties are performed by the officials responsible to these departments, respectively?

The Prime Minister regrets that he cannot be present to-day. The civil administration of Mesopotamia is carried out under the direction of the Secretary of State for India. The military administration of that area is controlled by the War Office. Palestine is under military administration, A civil administration cannot be effected until peace has been concluded between the Allies and Turkey and the status of the various parts of the former Ottoman Dominions decided.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the case of Palestine certain appointments are being made from among military officers of a more or less permanent character and some of these officers are not very well suited to the posts which they are being given? Will it be made clear that these appointments to either service are purely temporary pending the proper establishment of civil government?

Under the circumstances, are not military officers likely to make better administrators?

I am not aware of the facts stated by my Noble Friend, but the answer which I have read shows that in the meantime there is nothing but a military administration and therefore the appointments must be temporary.

asked the Prime Minister, what are the steps stated by him to have been taken in conjunction with the Minister of Labour to expedite the provisions of training facilities for disabled men?

The following steps have been taken in consultation with the Departments concerned as being the best means of dealing with remediable difficulties in the acquisition, adaptation and equipment of training centres for disabled men:—

(1) In cases of urgency the Director-General of Lands, is authorised by arrangement with the Treasury—under certain conditions to purchase or hire factories in Great Britain at the request of the Ministry of Labour without prior reference to the Treasury.

(2) The power of taking possession of any land, including buildings, required for training purposes which was conferred on the Minister of Pensions under the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, has been transferred to the Minister of Labour.

(3) The Office of Works have been authorised to proceed within certain financial limits with repairs and alterations necessary at premises in future acquired for training, without prior Treasury sanction.

(4) The Ministry of Labour have been authorised as a temporary measure under certain conditions to carry out local purchase of equipment and material through their local officers.

(5) The Treasury have authorised the placing of substantial orders for equipment and material in advance of ascertained detail requirements.

asked the Prime Minister, whether the Civil Liabilities Committee have declared their inability to assist disabled men who have been trained under a scheme worked by the Ministry of Pensions or the Ministry of Labour; and whether, seeing that it is a waste of public money to train a man for any employment unless he be assisted, whore necessary, to prosper in that employment, he will see that the Treasury be empowered to provide the Civil Liabilities Committee with funds for this purpose?

The purpose of the Civil Liabilities Fund is to provide assistance to men in re-establishing themselves in a business which was lost to them owing to military service. On the other hand, the object of the training allowances is to fit men for skilled employment. It is, therefore, apparent that the two forms of assistance are quite unconnected with each other. What is done under the present scheme as a supplement to the training allowances when the period of training is over, is to help in the provision of tools to the trained man, and that is done up to a sum of £10. It ought to be added that at the end of the period of training the man also receives a sum representing an allowance of 5s. per week which is granted as a bonus for efficiency.

What is a man to do if he has been trained in some occupation that he could take up on his own? It is not a question of finding employment. Ought he not to have a grant to enable him to start a business of his own?

My hon. Friend cannot expect me to answer questions of detail. Perhaps he will put a Question to the Ministry of Labour.