asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the grounds on which Owen and Elizabeth Keting, of Earl Street, Longford, have been deprived of their old age pension; whether the new scale of allowances does not apply in this case; whether Owen Keting, having lost an arm in a surgical operation some years ago, has been practically disabled and totally unable to earn anything; whether he is aware that all his family with the exception of one daughter, has now gone away to earn for themselves, leaving the old couple practically penniless; whether the pension officer took into account the claims of these children on any chattels in the place in making his inquiries; and whether, as their circumstances are very poor, these old people's pension will now be restored?

This case presumably refers to Owen and Elizabeth Victory. The pensions were disallowed on the ground that the means of the claimants exceeded £49 17s. 6d. each, and therefore these people are not entitled to pensions even under the Act of 1019. The Local Government Board have no information as to Owen Victory's physical condition, but his means consist of a piece of land rented on which he keeps cows and a varying number of stock, a posting and funeral establishment and a sum of £200 in the bank. He has a son as well as a daughter living with him. The case was specially investigated by one of the Board's inspectors, who reported that the house was a good one and that the family showed no sign of poverty.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Richard O'Dwyer was shot by the military in Limerick on 2nd February, and that the jury found that he had been shot without sufficient provocation having been given to justify the military patrol opening fire; and whether, in view of the verdict, there is to be any inquiry on the conduct of Captain Lloyd who gave the order to fire?

On the occasion referred to the military patrol fired in self-defence and did not fire any shots until they were fired at. The coroner's jury found a verdict as stated. A court of enquiry was held and found that Captain Lloyd was justified in opening fire at the persons who fired at the patrol.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that no improvement in the hours and conditions of caretaker operators has taken place since the transfer of the telephones to the State; and whether, in view of the very low wages paid, the long hours worked, and the unsatisfactory character of this form of employment, he is prepared to set up a committee to examine the problem with a view to its solution?

There has been no change in the general conditions of service of caretaker operators since 1912, but increases of remuneration have been granted in many cases, while in others the attendance has been reduced by the employment of regular telephonists. The question of improving the method of fixing the remuneration of caretaker operators is already under consideration and I do not think that any further special steps are necessary at the moment.

asked the Postmaster-General what progress has been made in the installation of the telephone service for Crowland, orders for which he signed early last year?

The installation of a public call office at Crowland is dependent upon the opening of an exchange at Thorney. I regret that progress with the Thorney scheme has been delayed through a change in the conditions there, but I hope it will be possible to proceed with the work shortly.

asked the Postmaster-General whether Members of Parliament will be allowed postage at the rate of one-half the new proposed postage scheme, having regard to the number of letters which Members receive from their constituents which have to be replied to?

I could not recommend the adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion, which would revive franking privileges abolished by Statute in 1840.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps, if any, he proposes to take to ensure the efficiency of the telegraphic communication between London and Dublin?

As stated in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member for Rathmines (Sir M. Dockrell) on the 16th inst., I am considering the question of improving telegraphic communication between London and Dublin by substituting underground for overhead wires in exposed sections of the land lines.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state the approximate number of Indian labourers working under the system of indenture in Crown Colonies and in the Dutch colony of Surinam; and whether His Majesty's Government propose to take any steps towards procuring the emancipation of these people?

The numbers, according to the latest information received at the India Office, were as follow in the years indicated:—

• British Guiana, 1917, 4,818 out of a total Indian population of 138,140.
• Jamaica, 1919, 872 out of a total Indian population of 18,997.
• Trinidad, 1918, 3,359 out of a total Indian population of 129,251.
• Surinam, 1917, 3,217 out of a total Indian population of 33,330.

The system of emigration to these Colonies under contract was abolished by the Government of India on 12th March, 1917. All outstanding indentures in Fiji were cancelled with effect from 2nd January last, and it is understood that a similar step is being taken in British Guiana. The existence of indentured labour in the other Colonies will automatically cease with the expiry of the current periods of indenture.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. E. Jones, a Post Office servant, was mobilised from the Army Reserve on the 4th August, 1914, and served as Lance-corporal E. Jones, No. 6,077, A Squadron, 1st King's Dragoon Guards, until May, 1915, when he was asked in the interests of the Army, to transfer to the Royal Engineers, Signal Section; whether as Corporal E. Jones, No. 37,672, he served with the Royal Engineers Signals in Gallipoli, Egypt and Palestine, without leave until he was demobilised in May, 1919; whether, although this man was not specially enlisted in the Royal Engineers, he has been refused a war gratuity on discharge; and whether, having regard to the valuable services rendered by Corporal Jones, and to the fact that no dependant's allowance was paid to his family during his period of service, he will cause inquiries to be made with a view to a war gratuity on discharge being paid in this case?

I will have enquiry made into this case, and will let the hon. Member know the result.

asked the Secretary of State for War if the terms of Part 3, Section 10, of the Pay Warrant are being so interpreted by officials of his Department that officers who have received incapacitating wounds have in certain cases been declared to be ineligible for wound gratuities on the grounds that the wounds were not in the first instance declared to be of a severe nature; and if he will order a revision of these cases where it is admitted that a gratuity was refused on these grounds?

I know of no such case. Perhaps the hon. and gallant Member will give me particulars of an instance on which he relics.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider the request of Captain W. Chapman, formerly holding a temporary commission as captain in the 17th (T.W.) Battalion Scottish Rifles, and later a similar commission in the 17th (T.W.) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment, to be granted a permanent commission, or failing that, to be allowed to serve the short period required to entitle him to the pension of £150 per annum, to which he would have been entitled under the new pay warrant if he had not taken a temporary commission, but had remained a non-commissioned officer; is he aware that this officer joined the Scots Guards on 6th January, 1905, and served continuously with that regiment until 20th June, 1917, and that he proceeded to France with the 1st Battalion of Scots Guards on 13th August, 1914, was wounded and taken prisoner on 29th November, 1914, and after being a prisoner of war for about eleven months he was able to effect his repatriation while holding the rank of Company Sergeant-Major in the 3rd Reserve Battalion Scots Guards, he was discharged on the 20th June, 1917, in order to take up a temporary commission, that he applied to have his temporary commission made permanent, but this request was refused, and he was ordered to proceed to Kinross, where he was demobilised on 21st September, 1919; and seeing that he had 12 years, 165 days' service towards pension, and 14 years, 264 days' continuous service, so that he requires only 101 days' further service to become eligible for the pension previously referred to, he will give special consideration to the case?

I am afraid it is not possible to give Captain Chapman a permanent commission, nor is it possible to deal with him as though he had a permanent commission and had served 101 days longer than he actually did.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the commandant of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps is regarded as having military rank and title; and whether, in these circumstances, he will state how it is that her subordinates are regarded as being civilians?

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

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has received an application for the realease from service on compassionate grounds of Private J. Butterworth, No. 160,415, Machine Gun Corps; and whether, having regard to the fact that Butterworth's mother is a widow, having no other children at home to support her, and is at present living entirely on the separation allowance of 16s. per week which she draws in respect of this son, he can direct that immediate release can be granted?

I am not aware whether any application has been made for the release from the Army of this soldier on compassionate grounds. Such applications are dealt with by the General Officer commanding the military command in which the soldier is serving, and, as the hon. Member was informed by letter on 8th January last, Private Butter-worth should make application through his Commanding Officer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether silver pins are attached to medals when issued; and, if not, will he consider the advisability of granting such?

Silver pins are not attached, and the proposed issue is not considered practicable.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of British troops in Memel, Dantzig, and the portions of Poland known as plebiscitary areas; and whether it is intended to use these troops for any other purpose than for supervising the holding of plebiscites in case of emergency?

There is one battalion in Danzig, strength 589, and one battalion in Allenstein, strength 525. No British troops will be sent to Memel. The total number of troops including administrative services is 1,496. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a soldier who has made a misstatement of age on enlistment and whose real age is 17 can be discharged; and, if not, whether he can be sent overseas before attaining the age of 18?

The answer to both parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the medical officer employed as nose specialist at Tidworth military hospital has very little surgical experience and that the nursing staff and patients in this hospital have no confidence in this officer's ability; and what steps he proposes to take in this matter?

I very much regret that the hon. and gallant Member should have placed this Question on the Order Paper and have thereby given currency to such unfounded complaints as to this medical officer's professional capacity. I find, on enquiry, that he had three years' experience in oral surgery before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps, being resident house surgeon at a general infirmary and later having sole charge of all such patients in the hospital. Since joining the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1915, he has been employed almost entirely on nose and throat cases, both at home and abroad. He has done excellent work as a nose and throat specialist since being appointed to Tidworth Hospital. His commanding officer considers him very able, and is of the opinion that he has the entire confidence of his patients.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, when increased allowances were granted to permanent and temporary officers of the Army and Navy on the 1st August, 1919, temporary officers in the Air Force were excluded from this benefit; and, if so, on what grounds?

I have been asked to reply to my hon. Friend's Question, and would refer him to the statement circulated by my right hon. and gallant Friend the then Under-Secretary of State for Air, on the 21st July last, in reply to a Question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for East Islington (Official Report, Cols. (331) to (338)). From this statement, he will see that the new scale of emoluments for officers in the Royal Air Force only applies to officers who are given permanent or short service commissions or who are seconded to the Royal Air Force from other Services. The reasons for this were, amongst others, that temporary officers' rates of pay, with allowances and War bonus, were considered to be adequate, and that, in general, flying officers temporarily retained would have lost by coming on to the new scale.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether hs is aware that the carpenters and joiners employed in the Army Ordnance and National Aircraft Salvage Depôt, No. 3, Aintree, are not receiving the standard rate for the district, notwithstanding his reply on 15th December, 1919; and whether he will expedite instructions for payment of the increased rate?

The National Aircraft Salvage Depôt is under the Ministry of Munitions, and the reply given on the 15th December should have been limited to the Army Ordnance Depôt. I am assured that the men in question at the latter depôt are being paid the increased rate.

asked the Under Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if the Air Ministry intends to renain in the occupation of Nos. 1 to 4, Thurloe Place; and, if so, for what period?

It is hoped, though no guarantee can be given, that of the part of these premises which is in the occupation of the Air Ministry a large proportion will be evacuated during the month of April. I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my right hon. Friend the First Commissioner of Works for information as to when the portion of the premises in the occupation of the Ministry of Health will be vacated.

asked the Attorney-General whether the effect of peace having been made with Germany determines those commercial contracts which are stated to be in force for the period of the War, or whether an Order in Council will be made declaring the termination of the War when peace is made with all the Powers?

I am unable to express an opinion as asked in reference to commercial contracts the terms of which I have not had before me. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the total amount of morphia of British manufacture exported in the year 1919; what amount was exported to Japan and the United States, respectively; whether the amounts include consignments by post; and what amount of opium was imported from India, Persia, and Turkey, respectively, into Great Britain during the year 1919?

The quantity of morphia and morphia salts registered as exported from the United Kingdom in the year 1919 was 322,970 ozs., of which 121,474 ozs. went to the United States of America. The records show that no morphia and morphia salts were exported to Japan. No particulars are available with regard to consignments by post. The quantities of opium registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the year 1919 from British India, Persia, and Turkey, respectively, were as follow:—

		lbs.
British India	…	466,475
Persia	…	30,558
Turkey, European	…	204,966
Turkey, Asiatic	…	133,157

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the application of the datum principle in the allocation of household coal is responsible for merchants being unable to supply their customers' requirements and is thereby causing dissatisfaction, he will consider the advisability of altering the system and allocating supplies on the basis of the number of the merchant's registered customers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to the hon. Member For Kettering (Mr. Waterson).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a petition from ratepayers in Ryde, Isle of Wight, appealing for a revision of the charges made by the Ryde Gas Light Company on the ground that they are excessive; and whether he is giving this matter his careful consideration?

Yes, Sir. The price which the company are charging for gas was authorised by the Board of Trade after careful consideration of the circumstances of the undertaking, and is estimated to be not more than sufficient to enable the company to pay a dividend of 3¾ per cent., which is ¾ of their standard dividend. If the profit earned by the company is in excess of the amount required to pay this dividend it will be necessary for the Board of Trade to reconsider the matter, with a view to reducing the price.

asked the Minister of Health the number of panel doctors in the city of Nottingham, the names and address of practice, together with the number of insured persons on each doctor's list; whether any of these doctors employ qualified assistants; and, if any, the number in each case or the number of qualified assistants employed in the aggregate?

I am arranging for this information, as far as it is available, to be supplied to my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received communications from approved societies requesting him to increase the benefits under the National Insurance Act and also the amount allowed for administrative purposes; what reply has been given, if any; and, if no reply has been given, will he state the intention of the Government in this matter?

In response to representations received from a large number of approved societies I hope at a very early date to introduce a Bill to revise the present scales of health insurance benefits and contributions which will make it possible to increase the amount allowed for administration.

asked the Minister of Health whether, on the 29th November last, a soldier was admitted to the Swansea General and Eye Hospital suffering from typhoid fever and was placed in the general ward amongst about 60 other patients; whether on the 1st December a Russian sailor was admitted suffering from the same complaint and placed in the same ward under the same conditions; and will he cause inquiries to be made?

I had not previously heard of the cases referred to in the question, but I am making inquiries into the circumstances.

asked the Minister of Health whether a married porter and portress, also a married male and female attendant, have been served with notice to leave their employment by the Bramley Guardians, Leeds, because in each case they declined to put out to nurse a child that had recently been born to them; and whether there is any law compelling guardians to take such a step?

I may refer to the reply given to similar questions asked last Wednesday by the hon. Members for the Wellingborough (Mr. W. R. Smith) and Kingswinford Divisions (Mr. Sitch). I am not aware of any legal provision to the effect suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the particulars as to a large number of deaths of soldiers after arsenical treatment for syphilis, given in the paper read by Brevet-Colonel L. W. Harrison at a meeting of the British Medical Association in April, 1919; whether any special inquiries have been made into the cause of the deaths in question; and, if so, whether it is proposed to publish the results of the inquiries?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A special Committee appointed by the Medical Research Committee is inquiring, inter alia, into the toxic effects of arsenobenzol compounds, and I understand that the Report of that Committee will be published in due course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has obtained a copy of the report of the commission which sat in Germany to inquire into the cause of toxic effects produced by the arsenical treatment of syphilis; and, if so, will he arrange for a translation or a résumé of it to be published?

I have taken steps to procure the Report in question and when I have received it I will consider what I can do to meet the request of the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Health whether the grants to private persons constructing houses under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, are limited, either in Great Britain or in Ireland, to boroughs and urban districts; and, if so, on what grounds rural districts are excluded?

So far as England and Wales is concerned the answer is in the negative. I would remind the hon. Member that housing in Scotland and Ireland does not come within the purview of my department.

asked the Minister of Health how many municipal bodies have yet undertaken a campaign for raising the necessary funds for building purposes by means of local housing bonds; and if he will state their names and also the amounts for which these bonds have been or are being issued?

The issue of Local Housing Bonds has not yet commenced. It is expected that the proposed campaign will be undertaken by local authorities generally and will be started early next month.

asked the Prim-Minister whether his attention has been called to the exactions being levied on shopkeepers and trailers in all parts of the country by landlords in making demands for increased rents; and whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to restrain this growing practice?

I cannot add anything to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to a question on this subject by my hon. Friend the Member for Southport (Lieut.-Colonel Dalrymple White) on the 12th February.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the approximate total value of British foodstuffs remaining in France; and what is their present condition, their estimated value a year age, and the present value or price realised?

The approximate total value of British foodstuffs in France still awaiting disposal is £32,000, and it is anticipated that the greater portion of these supplies will be disposed of during the next fortnight. The bulk of these foodstuffs consists of tinned or preserved foods and medical comforts, of which there has been very little deterioration or decrease in value. The perishable and other foodstuffs more liable to deterioration have already been sold.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the total number of horse and motor vehicles belonging to the British Government now awaiting disposal in France and Belgium, and the length of time which has elapsed since the majority of them were collected; what offers for them have been made and refused; and whether he can give any estimate of the deterioration that has ensued consequent upon the delay in disposing of these vehicles?

As the information to enable me to answer this question has to be collected in France, I should be glad if the hon. Member would repeat his question one day next week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the circumstances under which 16,000 as cylinders were sold recently to three separate buyers in France and England, and to whom it has now been decided that the cylinders shall be allotted?

A consignment of 16,000 gas cylinders was sold to a Mr. Milligan in December last, and the delivery under this contract is now nearing completion. There was no sale of the cylinders to any other buyer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the approximate value of the works and plant set up by firms employed on manufacturing munitions during the War, partially or entirely out of public funds, and whether the whole or part of such works and plant is now retained by these firms for their own profit?

As far as the Minister has cognisance of such value, the total was approximately £85,000,000. In respect of this expenditure the Government agreed to pay:

• Approximately, £11,000,000 as non-repayable contributions, the assets remaining the property of the contractors.
• Approximately, £2,000,000 as repayable contributions, the assets remaining the property of the contractors.
• Approximately, £19,000,000 to meet the whole expenditure, the assets remaining Government property and now in course of disposal to the best advantage.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in Tottenham there are over 1,000 young men who have given their all to the State, and are now in young manhood, left with the prospect of earning their livelihood as labourers, owing to lack of training establishments; and if he will speed up the necessary machinery so as to give these young demobilised soldiers a chance to become craftsmen, in view of the already overstaffed labourers' occupation?

I am aware of the circumstances referred to in the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question. Until, however, adequate arrangements can be made to meet fully the prior claims of disabled men for training in the skilled trades, I am afraid that it will be impossible to provide training facilities for the able-bodied. Moreover, there is, as yet, no agreement on the part of the trade unions concerned to the admission of fit able-bodied men with a pre-war occupation, to the ranks of the skilled trades, although it is hoped to come to an understanding with the Unions with regard to lads who joined the Army under the normal age for commencing apprenticeship.

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that great disparities exist in the pensions of ex-police officers and, in particular, to the fact that a constable who retired after the 1st April, 1919, receives a pension considerably greater than that of an inspector who retired a little before that date, and that a sergeant who retired after the 1st April receives considerably more than a superintendent who retired a little before that date; and if, in view of these disparities and the difficult position of many ex-police officers, he will order a revision of all pensions accruing prior to 1st April, 1919, to meet alternatively the rise in the cost of living since 1914, or to bring them into line with pensions accruing at a later date?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for North Newcastle (Mr. Gratton Doyle) last Tuesday.

asked the Home Secretary whether a detective inspector called at the office of the New Catholic Press, Bouverie Street, London, on 9th January last, and demanded that the principal should give an order that none of the papers of the current issue, then in the office, should be put on sale until the authorities had seen whether the issue contained anything to which they objected; whether the police subsequently removed all copies of the issues of the London Catholic Herald of 27th December, 3rd January, and 10th January; and, if so, whether he will explain the reason for such proceedings?

A writ has been issued in this matter which is now sub judice and cannot therefore be discussed.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that, in consequence of the Kensington Allotments Association seceding from the Agricultural Organisation Society and becoming affiliated to the National Union of Allotment Holders, two members of the Committee have resigned, and have made, without the authority of the Association, application to the Registrar of Friendly Societies for registration of the Association under the model rules of the Agricultural Organisation Society: whether a protest has been made to the Ministry of Agriculture against action, directly or indirectly, by the Agricultural Organisation Society which will lead to confusion in the organised allotment movement in this district and may mean the breaking up of the present Association, which, as originally formed, has the support of the great majority of the allotment holders; and whether he will take steps to prevent the Agricultural Organisation Society using its State subsidy in such a manner against the National Union of Allotment Holders, which is a self-supporting body?

I am having inquiries made into the circumstances referred to in the Question, and as soon as these are completed will communicate with the hon. Member on the subject.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will circulate the "Colonial Office Journal" to Members who desire to receive it in the same way as the "Labour Gazette" and the "Food Journal"?

The "Colonial Journal" is a private publication, and the Colonial Office is supplied with only a limited number of copies, which are required for official purposes.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what progress has been made towards returning to their owners and rendering fit for habitation the various hotels occupied by Government Departments during the War; how many hotels, museums, public buildings and private houses in the London area will still be occupied by Government Departments on 31st March next; what will be the cost of the rent of these buildings on that date; what is the cost of compensation paid for the use of buildings in the London area occupied by the Government up to date; if any estimate can be given of the total amount of compensation that will have to be paid when all public buildings are surrendered; if the premises occupied by the Air Ministry in Kingsway have been taken over by the Government; and, if so, at what cost?

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether all the upper Egyptian and Assyrian galleries of the British Museum, including the mummy room, and the whole of the prints and drawings department, including the students' room, and two of the rooms of Greek and Roman art, are still occupied by 128 members of the staff of the Registry of Friendly Societies, and have been closed to the public since March, 1916; whether in 1913 947,000 visits were made to the British Museum and that, owing to the closing of the departments and rooms mentioned above, many of the troops from our Dominions and Dependencies and from the United States were deprived of their only chance of visiting those unique collections; how many hotels, public institutions, town halls, and other public buildings have been restored to their proper uses since the Armistice; and whether, in the interest of the general public and the large body of students, he will without further delay find other premises for the housing of these 128 members of the staff of the Registry of Friendly Societies, and thereby enable the British Museum to be restored to its normal and legitimate uses?

So far as my Department is concerned, eighteen hotels in London were requisitioned during the War, of which ten the most important have now been released, and two more will be vacated by the 31st March next. On that date the Government will be partly in occupation of four museums and galleries (of which, however, three will be vacated in a few weeks' time), two hotels, two public institutions, and eighty private houses, at a rent approximately of £61,000 per annum. I am not in a position to state the total cost of compensation paid for the use of buildings in the London area, nor to give an estimate of the total amount that will have to be paid when all the premises are surrendered. The premises in Kingsway occupied by the Headquarters of the Air Ministry have been leased by the Government, but it would not be in the public interest for me to disclose the amount of the rent. As regards the British Museum, other premises have been found for the Registry, and it is hoped to remove the staff from the Museum by next Easter.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been drawn to the case of an old age pension claimant named Henry Stone, of Dunmow, Essex, regarding which it is reported that the claimant is 74 years of age and unable to work; that he informed the local committee that his wife, aged 49 years, had done no work since Christmas and was no longer able to retain any employment on account of continued illness, and that the Old Age Pensions Committee informed him that, as his wife should be able to work and keep him, he was not entitled to the pension, and advised him to seek parish relief; and whether he will have inquiries made into this case?

My attention had not been previously called to this case, but I have had inquiries made, and I am informed that, on Stone exercising his right of appeal to the Minister of Health under the Old Age Pensions Acts, he has been granted a pension to date from the 28th November last. I understand that the calculation of Stone's means for Old Age Pension purposes presented special difficulties and that the disallowance of his claim by the local committee in the first instance was due to his having failed to satisfy them as to his eligibility.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, in view of the fact that the temporary clerical staffs in Government offices have been granted the concession of sick leave with pay for eight weeks in any 12 months, he will now grant the same privilege to the messengers, who are the only class in Government offices excluded?

Unestablished and temporary messengers, like the majority of unestablished Government employés, receive the full benefits of the Insurance Acts. Their position is not comparable with that of the members of professional and clerical classes, who are entitled to eight weeks' sick pay less certain deductions. I do not see my way to modify the existing arrangements, which were made after very full consideration of all the circumstances.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the chief Inland Revenue valuation officer, Newcastle-on-Tyne, has declined to accede to an application made to him by a local authority for a district valuation officer to negotiate a site on behalf of a local authority for hospital purposes, as it does not come within the scope of their duty; and whether, in view of the fact that valuation officers at the present time are empowered to negotiate land for local authorities in respect of housing and many other matters, he will arrange for the valuation department to undertake negotiations such as those referred to?

The Inland Revenue Valuation Department has been specially authorised to negotiate purchases of land on behalf of local authorities where the land is required for the purpose of schemes for the housing of the working classes or land settlement. The arrangement has been made in these cases in view of the financial and other responsibilities undertaken by the Central Departments concerned in connection with the initiation and execution of the local schemes in question. The case referred to in the question is not, I understand, analogous, and I am not prepared at the present time to extend the scope of the arrangement.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is prepared to grant the long service and good conduct medal to the men of the Royal Fleet Reserve who have served 15 years' service and upwards, and who have all very good conduct to their character and abilities; and if he will take action in the matter?

The question of introducing a long service medal for Royal Fleet Reserve men is under consideration.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the present whereabouts of M. Kerensky; and whether he is acting in any way as an official or unofficial representative of His Majesty's Government?

According to my information, M. Kerensky is at present residing in this country. The reply to the second part of the hon. and gallant Member's question is in the negative.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is a British representative in the Republic of North Caucasia; and whether it is intended to recognise this republic or to refer its case to the Council of the League of Nations?

It is assumed that by the term "Republic of North Caucasia" the province of Dagestan is intended. On this assumption the answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No decision has been taken as to the future status of the country.