asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way to ear-mark a proportion of the prospective levy on war fortunes for the increase of soldiers' gratuities?

No, Sir. As I stated in evidence to the Committee, I do not think that the imposition of such a tax would be justifiable for any purpose except the redemption of debt.

asked the Prime Minister whether members of women's corps wounded in action while in the field or in the execution of their duty in War areas are entitled to the same compensation as men, and, if not, will he state the reason?

The Noble Lord no doubt refers to members of the Q.M.A.A.C., W.R.N.S., and W.R.A.F. injured in the War areas. The Regulation of these corps provide compensation not less generous than that provided under the Injuries in War Acts for male employés of the War Department injured in similar circumstances.

Is the hon. Gentlemen aware that many of these delicate and disabled women shrink from the publicity of the course to which they are forced, and will he consider the advisability of placing them on exactly the same conditions as men wounded under the same circumstances?

They do enjoy exactly the same conditions as men who are non-combatants.

Will the hon. Gentleman explain on what principles of justice the wound pension and gratuity is refused to women and granted to men?

All the corps concerned are in exactly the same category as those in the non-combatant corps. They receive exactly the same terms as the men do who undergo similar risk in corps such as the labourers of contractors in and behind the lines. If this particular corps was classified as combatant it would be perfectly impossible to draw the line between what has hitherto been regarded as combatant corps and anyone doing work in any capacity in and behind the line.

May I ask whether a woman who loses a leg as the result of shell fire in France receives the same compensation as a private in a labour corps wounded under similar circumstances?

No. [HON. MEMBERS: "Shocking!"] She gets exactly the same compensation as is given to a contractor's labourer.

Is an Army nurse in the same category as a contractor's labourer?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether a Report has now been received from the proceedings of the conference with reference to the Ostend and Central Europe railway communication, and, if so, when it is expected that a train service will be run between Ostend and Central Europe?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. A daily train service between Ostend and Central Europe is being arranged, which it is hoped to begin not later than May 1st next.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that an alleged account of the findings of the Inter-Allied Committee of Inquiry into the Greek atrocities at Smyrna has been published in certain Continental journals and in at least one newspaper published in this country; whether the Official Report of this Committee is in the hands of the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and when will it be made available for Members of Parliament?

I am aware that an alleged account of the findings of the Committee of Inquiry has been published in the Press, but, as the Report was not addressed specially to His Majesty's Government but to the Allied Governments, it can only be published officially by agreement between them.

In view of the great importance of his question, will the right hon. Gentleman ask his Department to make representations that this Report should be made available to Members of this House?

I will convey to the proper authority the wish of the hon. and gallant Gentleman.

asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether the United States Government have negotiated a loan to Roumania on terms of being granted certain concessions in regard to the production and export of oil from that country; whether His Majesty's Government have granted, or are about to grant, any loans to Roumania; and, if so, whether the terms of such loans have included, or will include, any concessions in relation to the production and export of oil?

I have no information in regard to the first; part of this question, and can make no statement in regard to the second and third parts.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the education statistics, as collected and published before the War, are being collected; and whether he intends to publish this year fuller statistics than during the past two years?

The Board are now, so far as pressure of work and limitations of staff permit, resuming the collection and tabulation of statistics which were suspended during the War, and I hope to be able to publish during the financial year 1920–21 fuller statistics than during the last few years.

asked the Home Secretary whether several aliens have recently evaded the aliens' officer and landed at Dover without permission: if so, what steps he proposes to take to remedy this; and whether aliens with first-class tickets find no difficulty in landing at Dover without attracting the attention of the immigration officer?

It is the fact that some of the aliens—principally persons who left this country under the Military Convention of Russia—who have recently succeeded in evading the law and in landing in this country without permission have stated that they landed at Dover without accepting these statements. I am taking all possible steps to prevent such evasions of the law, whether at Dover or elsewhere. The provisions regulating the landing of aliens in the United Kingdom apply and are enforced in respect of all alien passengers irrespective of the class by which they travel.

Does that mean that aliens will not be allowed to land in Ireland?

It is still part of the United Kingdom.

Is that answer an attack on the Government?

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state what special steps have been taken since the passing of the Aliens Restriction Act to keep undesirable aliens out of this country; and how many aliens since the passing of the Act, having evaded the immigration officer, have subsequently been arrested by the police for entering this country without permission?

The staff of immigration officers dealing with passengers has been increased, and is about to be further increased, and all passengers landing are subjected to thorough scrutiny. The people who evade the Act are persons who are stowed on board the ships and slip on shore after all the passengers are landed, generally at night. I cannot give exact figures, but the number who escape is very small in proportion to the general traffic. A good many have been caught and sent back—I have just heard for instance of one case where 10 stowaways were found on board a single ship—but it is, of course, physically impossible for 160 aliens officers to watch day and night all the ships that come into our ports, and we must rely for the effective enforcement of the Act largely on the action of the magistrates. The penalty for evasion is a fine of £100 or six months imprisonment, and all persons found to have landed without leave are prosecuted. I cannot give the figures asked, but in London, I am informed, 110 have been prosecuted.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that it is not possible under his Regulations for aliens to come freely into this country, if they hold first-class tickets?

I am quite satisfied they cannot come in freely. They may slip in, of course.

Are there still provisions requiring aliens to be registered when they come to reside here?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is the practice of one of our Police Court Magistrates, when aliens who have landed without permission are brought before him by the police, to impose a fine of only £3, and does he consider this a sufficiently adequate penalty to deter other undesirable aliens from entering the country without permission?

The magistrates go into the circumstances of each case and decide accordingly.

asked the Home Secretary for what purpose the restrictions regarding the hours of sale of sweetmeats, cigarettes, etc., are still enforced in theatres, music halls, etc.?

The restrictions have not been withdrawn up to the present, because very strong representations have been made to me by the confectioners against the proposal to withdraw thorn. The matter requires to be very carefully considered before a decision can be taken.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the interests of the agricultural industry in Scotland, he will consider, in connection with future legislation, the suggestion that the period during which the Daylight Saving Act is in operation should be four instead of six months?

The whole question will come under the consideration of Parliament when a Bill is introduced to make the system permanent.

When will that be?

I cannot say.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the desirability of cancelling all pre-war endorsements on chauffeurs' driving licences for moderate offences in the case of all men who served in His Majesty's Forces during the war?

I am not prepared to introduce legislation which would be necessary for this purpose.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a number of these men are unable to obtain employment? Furthermore does he not consider, in view of their services to the country, that they should receive favourable consideration?

The matter has been very carefully considered.

Does it not come within the terms of the amnesty?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the late Governor of Ceylon, Sir John Anderson, cancelled the appointments of three Europeans, Mr. Sudlow, Major Bayly and Mr. Baines, as justice of the peace, unofficial police magistrate, or member of the military forces, on the ground of their action in shooting Sinhalese without legal trial: that, in an official dispatch, the Governor stigmatised the conduct of one of them as deserving the loathing and disgust of every decent Englishman: and that Sir John Anderson's successor has recently reinstated these gentlemen in their posts of police magistrate and justice of the peace; and whether, seeing that this action has roused uneasiness and protest among the Sinhalese, he proposes to take any action in regard thereto?

In November, 1918, to celebrate the conclusion of hostilities, the Governor proposed to release all those remaining in prison on conviction for offences connected with the riots in 1915, and at the same time to reinstate the four Europeans who had been guilty of illegal actions while engaged in restoring order. The Secretary of State left the matter to the discretion of the Governor, who released the prisoners accordingly and subsequently restored Messrs. Bayly and Sly to their appointments as justices of the peace and unofficial police magistrates. I have received a protest against the Governor's action from certain Sinhalese, but I do not propose to take any steps in the matter.

Was it the same Governor who, having stigmatised their action as "deserving the loathing and disgust of every decent Englishman," reinstated these men in their positions?

If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will look at the question I think he will find that the remark was made only in reference to one person.

as that one person been reinstated?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these gentlemen acted on the instructions of the head of police in Ceylon, and by their plucky and prompt action they saved other members of the community, such as Mahomedans, from murder and rapine, and saved the country in a serious situation?

I am aware that the gentlemen referred to had to act in a period of very grave crisis and public danger, and in so doing overstepped the law, but I certainly do not consider that the principle of amnesty should apply only to native offenders against the law, and not apply to Englishmen who may, in time of crisis, have overstepped the boundary.

Is it not a fact that there is no question of amnesty? They were not put in prison but only deprived of their offices. Is it not a fact that people who shoot natives with a view of stopping those natives from committing outrages subsequently, are adopting a new departure in British administration? [HON. MEMBERS: "That's argument."]

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics whether his attention has been called to the memorandum by the bishops of Mombasa and Uganda on Colonel Ainsworth's labour circular, published in November last year and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to allow native labour to be forcibly recruited by native chiefs in British East Africa under the stimulus of British officials?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply which I gave yesterday to the questions of the Noble Lord the Member for South Nottingham.

Will the hon. and gallant Gentleman lay the circular issued by Colonel Ainsworth, so that we can see what it contains?

I have not yet seen an official copy of the circular, but on hearing reference to it some time ago I wrote to the Governor, and when I receive the circular, with his views, and have ascertained how the matter has been carried out, I will certainly consider the question whether the whole correspondence should be laid on the table of the House.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can make arrangements for the use of Hyde Park for cricket pitches, considering that there are hundreds of clubs which are being deprived of the opportunity of playing cricket owing to the scarcity of playing fields?

I have given the question of playing cricket and other games in the Royal Parks my most careful consideration. Certain facilities have been granted to the troops quartered in London, but owing to the danger to the public which would be incurred if hard ball games were allowed. I regret that I see no possibility of making concessions in this direction.

Is there more danger in playing cricket than in making dangerous speeches at the Marble Arch?

Considerably more danger to children when cricket balls are flying about.

Considering the very large area of this park, cannot some portion be set aside entirely for cricket?

I do not think it would be right to exclude the public from their right to go over any part of the park.

Have the Government got any idea of what it is to play cricket?

asked the Prime Minister why children's allowances are paid to officers of the Army, and are not paid to officers of the Royal Navy?

No children's allowances are paid to officers of the Army, these allowances having been with drawn on 31st December last.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government has considered the recommendations contained in the Ninth Report (1918) of the Select Committee on National Expenditure; and, if so, whether they are prepared to give effect to them, and, in particular, to set up forthwith one or more Committees on Estimates, as recommended in that Report?

With the hon. Gentleman's permission, I will publish a detailed statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

May I ask whether the answer is in the affirmative?

The Ninth Report contains sixteen recommendations. The answer to some is in the affirmative, and to some in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, on account of the general uncertain political situation of the world, it has been necessary to alter the original Estimates of the quantity of war material and stores that have to be held in reserve in this country and throughout the British Empire; whether this fact has necessitated the return to military and naval authorities of considerable surplus stores previously available for sale; whether, in spite of this, over 165 million pounds' worth of stores and 125 million pounds' worth of raw material has been sold since last November: and is it possible to spare any further shipping from other purposes to weekly transport more than the 20,000 tons from French to British ports?

The estimates of the total quantity of war material and stores that have to be held in reserve have not increased; on the contrary, they have decreased. The political situation of the world had not affected the question of reserves.

Is the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that there is no serious waste going on by the delay in getting rid of these stores in France?

A representative of the Ministry of Munitions is over there, and I shall be in a better position to say when he comes back.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has taken steps to ensure that the Government lists of contractors for any work put out to public tender are brought up to date so as to include all firms of standing which have been established during the War?

I shall bring my hon. Friend's suggestion TO the notice of the Departments concerned.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the probable revocation of the food orders made under the Defence of the Realm Act, it is the intention of the Government to give full effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee of the House of Commons appointed to inquire whether any and, if so, what steps should be taken to protect purchasers of goods sold in packages and of bread, from short weight or measure, which reported on the 15th July, 1914; and whether it is proposed to re-enact in permanent form the provisions regarding sales by weight and measure in the various food orders.

I have been asked to reply. It is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for the purpose of giving effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee, together with the provisions regarding sales by weight and measure in the various food orders?

asked the Prime Minister when the Government will introduce the Anti-Dumping Bill, and when the Second Heading will be taken?

It is not possible at present to name a date.

asked the Prime Minister whether any applications-have been received from persons in this country willing to adopt temporarily destitute orphan children under ten years of age from the city of Vienna: whether permission has been refused, and on what grounds: and whether large numbers of the destitute orphans are being so adopted by families in Italy, France and Belgium with the approval of the Italian, French and Belgian Governments?

A scheme has been submitted by responsible persons to the Home Secretary for bringing a number of Austrian children to the United Kingdom, where they could be placed in suitable surroundings. Subject to the Ministry of Health being satisfied that proper precautions will be taken to safeguard the health of the people of this country, the scheme has been approved and the details are now being worked out in consultation between the Home Office and the Ministry of Health. I understand large numbers of Austrian children have been sent to other countries, but I have no information as to the arrangements made for their reception.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that there is enough milk to go round?

That is one of the considerations the Ministry of Health will take into account.

Would it not be better that the funds collected for this purpose should be sent from this country, in order to keep these children at home instead of bringing them to a foreign country?

I am rather doubtful about that. The difficulty is getting food there.

Why not buy food here-and send it there?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer which were the Government Departments that failed to reply by 1st January, the date laid down to the Cabinet letter of 20th November last in regard to the cutting down of expenditure?

The replies of fifteen Departments were not received till after the 1st January. Of these five replied within a week, and replies have since been received from all the rest except the Admiralty. I should add that the Admiralty had sent a forecaste of their staff reductions to the Secretariat before the Cabinet letter of the 20th was issued. They have since been reviewing their position again, and I expect a further report shortly. I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the names of the twenty Departments in question.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also be able to publish, in a shape of a White Paper, the replies?

No, Sir I do not propose to do that. This was a return called for by the Cabinet, and it was for the information of the Cabinet.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much of the £175,000,000 Excess Profits Duty and Munitions levy in assessment, but unpaid, at 1st January, 1920, in respect of accounting periods ended before 1st Januare, 1919, is under appeal or is contested by the firms assessed; how much of the amount is made up of payments which are to be made by instalments; how many instalments are allowed; and at what periods after the end of the accounting period the final payments are allowed to be made?

No analysis has been made of the arrears in question in the form desired by the hon. Member, and in view of the time and labour which would be involved, I cannot see my way to authorise the preparation of this in-formation. Payment by instalments is allowed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue in cases where the facts justify the adoption of this course, and the terms of any such arrangement necessarily vary according to the circumstances and merits of each particular case.

Are we getting interest on these outstanding instalments?

No, Sir.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether, in considering the renewal of the lease to the Royal Zoological Society, he will make it a condition that members of the public shall be admitted on all days of the week?

I have been asked to reply, as the gardens are held by the Royal Zoological Society under the Commissioners of Woods. The public are admitted on all days of the week excepting Sundays, which are specially reserved for Fellows and their friends. The Society is largely dependent on the subscriptions of Fellows, and it would not be practicable, as the Society is at present constituted, to extend facilities for the admission of the public to include Sundays, while maintaining the gardens on a self-supporting basis without any cost to the public beyond the small fees charged for admission.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if the Mantegna cartoons at Hampton Court have recently been restored; and, if so, by whom and with what result?

The pictures in question are not under my charge, nor do they form any part of the national collections. I can, therefore, only refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to a similar question asked on the 19th instant by the hon. find gallant Member for Bromley.

asked the First Commssioner of Works when the premises belonging to the Fulham Liberal Club were vacated by the War Office; if rent is still paid for their use: and why they have not been returned to the officers of the Liberal Club?

I presume that this question relates to No. 3, Barclay Road, Fulham. These premises were vacated by the War Office on the 15th December last, and since that date negotiations have been proceeding between my Department and the club with a view to leasing the premises for the Ministry of Pensions, as no other suitable accommodation is available in the district. Rent is of course, still being paid, as the agreement between the War Office and the club is still subsisting.

Are these premises used for any purpose whatever at the present moment, and is it not, a fact that, if the doors are left open, anyone can come in and destroy the premises?

I shall want notice of that.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether Captain Bather's Committee has yet made any Report or recommendations, and, if so, whether the Report will be available to Members of the House of Commons?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affrmative. With regard to the second part, it is not usual to publish the reports of Admiralty Committees, which are for the information of the Board, and it is not proposed in this case to depart from the ordinary practice.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will give an undertaking that no decision will be come to as to the leasing of Pembroke Dockyard pending a discussion in Parliament.

Yes, Sir. An opportunity will be afforded during the Debate on Navy Estimates.

Will my right hon. Friend say when the Colwyn Report dealing with Royal Dockyards will be issued?

My impression was that it was issued yesterday, and, if so, it should be immediately available. I will inquire.

asked the Minister of Health if he can give any statistics as to the number of absent voters dealt with in the recent bye-elections: and if he can state, approximately, what is the percentage of those voters who have exercised the franchise?

I propose to circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures asked for in the question, as far as they are available The figures show that in the recent bye-elections for which figures are available, viz., at Plymouth, South Croydon, St. Albans, Bromley, Ashton-under-Lyme, and Wrekin, the percentage of the ballot papers of absent voters returned varied from 51 per cent. in the case of Plymouth to 27 per cent. in the case of South Croydon.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the arrival of a ship at a British port recently with cases of smallpox on board; and whether any steps are taken to deal specially with the danger of the introduction of infections diseases through the ports of the country?