asked the Minister of Transport if, as stated in the Report of the Railway Rates Advisory Committee, the charges on goods carried at owner's risk were advanced in 1918 by an average of 24 per cent., and if they now recommended an increase of 50 per cent.; is he aware that those increases will raise the rates on a 33-pound parcel in a 10-mile journey from 6d. to 1s. 8d., a total increase of 233 per cent.; and will he take steps to reduce this heavy increase without waiting for the Report of the general inquiry which, according to the Committee, may take a year or longer to complete?

The figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend are substantially correct, and presumably refer to the increases on parcels traffic carried by passenger train at owner's risk. These increases, which are of interim character, were made on the advice of the Rates Advisory Committee, and the Minister feels unable to sanction any modifications pending the report of the Committee on the general inquiry into the basis and classification of railway rates which is now proceeding.

Will the hon. Gentleman represent to the Minister in connection with the demand for the decrease of these rates that seven of the railway companies increased their dividends for 1919 over 1918?

The rate of dividend paid by the railway companies does not depend at all upon the amount which is to be realised by the increased railway charge.

asked the Minister of Transport if the Ministry of Transport has refused representation on the Roads Advisory Committee to the British Rubber Tyre Manufacturers' Association; whether he is aware that the only part of a vehicle that comes in contact with the road surface is the tyre, and that therefore the chief possibility of reduction or aggravation of road wear lies in the construction and perfection of the various forms of tyres; and whether he will reconsider his decision in view of the importance of having the best technical advice on this important subject on the Roads Advisory Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The representation of bodies such as the British Rubber Tyre Manufacturers' Association on the Roads Advisory Committee is not provided for, or required, in Section 22 (2) of the Ministry of Transport Act, and I do not think it desirable that associations of this character should have direct representation on the Committee, though the Committee will doubtless take steps to make itself acquainted with the views of the traders affected.

What steps are being taken by the Government to ascertain the result of experiments in wheels and tyres as to the relative amount of road destruction occasioned by them?

If the hon. Member gives notice I shall be glad to answer.

asked the Minister of Transport what method is followed in selecting the personnel of the Roads Advisory Committees whether representatives of the rural district councils have, been selected: and, if not, will he favourably consider the appointment of such a representative or representatives, in view of the mileage of roads for which these councils are responsible?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that rural district councils control nearly 100,000 miles of roads, he will consider the advisability of including a representative or representatives of these councils on the Roads Advisory Committee appointed or to be appointed under Section 22 of The Ministry of Transport Act, 1919?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he has received a communication from the Rural District Councils Association, pointing out that no representative of the rural district councils has been appointed on the Roads Advisory Committee, formed under Section 22 of The Ministry of Transport Act, 1019; and whether he is prepared to consider sympathetically the question of appointing such a representative?

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of there being nearly 100,000 miles of roads under the superintendence of the rural district councils, he can see his way to grant their request, made through the Rural District Councils Association, for a representative on the Roads Advisory Committee?

A representative of the Rural District Councils' Association has been nominated to serve on the Roads Advisory Committee. I am, waiting to hear from the gentleman so nominated whether he is willing to serve. The name of the representative of the rural district councils will be announced in due course.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is satisfied with any of the experiments in traffic regulation recently carried out in London; if any experiments in one-way traffic have been carried out in the most important arteries of traffic; and, if not, will he consider the possibility of giving a trial to the suggestion, at any rate dining the hours of greatest congestion?

The reports from the Com missioners of Police of the City and Metropolitan Areas indicate that alterations in stopping places of omnibuses and trams adopted on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee have, in general, greatly facilitated the movement of traffic. No such experiment as that referred to in the second part of the question has been carried out. The question shall be referred to the Advisory Committee for consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can place the Report of General Maybury's Committee at the disposal of Members of the House of Commons?

Sir Henry Maybury is Chairman of two Departmental Committees appointed to consider and report respectively on (1) lights on road vehicles, and (2) the taxation and regulation of road vehicles. The first of these Committees has presented an Interim Report; the second has not yet reported. I am informed that a further Interim Report by the Committee on lights may be expected at a very early date, and the Minister will then give favourable consideration to the question of publishing both Reports.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether it is proposed to give the House an opportunity of debating this question before issuing any Regulations?

That will receive consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is his intention to introduce a Bill or Bills to increase the passenger rates for travelling; and is he aware of the hardship this will place upon school children travelling by train to school, also upon teachers and the general public?

As at present advised the Minister of Transport does not intend to take any steps to effect a further general increase in ordinary passenger fares above their present level.

asked the Minister of Transport whether there is any woman representative on the Transport Advisory Committee to consider questions relating to the welfare of women and child travellers; and, if not, will he state the reason?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to the Committee which the Minister has appointed to advise upon technical matters connected with railway working. I do not think that this would be an appropriate Committee for the purpose which my hon. Friend has in mind. The question of the safety and convenience of passengers is being dealt with at the Ministry of Transport by the staff who formerly dealt with these matters under the Board of Trade. As my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, a panel of experts is being appointed under Section 23 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919, from which Advisory Committees for particular purposes can be selected. The question as to whether it is desirable to constitute such a Committee to consider matters affecting the welfare and convenience of passengers is under consideration, and if it should be decided to appoint the same, the Minister would doubtless desire to have the representation of women on the Committee.

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind the importance of this as regards the safety of women and children?

If the Committee is appointed, that is one of the matters which it certainly would have to consider.

asked the Minister of Transport if the railway facilities for reduced fares to camping parties of scouts, boys' brigades, and similar organisations of boys and girls will be available at Faster and during the summer, subject to their approval by the juvenile organisations committee in connection with the Board of Education?

The question of railway facilities for such camping parties is under consideration with the railway companies. I am trying to expedite a decision; meantime I am unable to make any definite statement.

Will reduced fares for children during the Easter holidays be allowed?

That question is also receiving consideration.

asked the Minister of Transport if it is intended to further raise passenger fares and abolish work men's tickets?

As at present advised, the Minister of Transport does not intend to take any steps to effect a further general increase in ordinary passenger fares above their present level. The discussion on the London Electric, Metropolitan District, City and South London, and Central London Railway Companies (Fares) Bill will give the House convenient opportunity of considering the question of cheap fares for workmen so far as the Metropolis is concerned, and whether any modification of the present system is desirable.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what is the attitude of the Minister of Transport with regard to this matter, and whether the Government are going to back the Bill or otherwise?

It is the intention of the Minister of Transport to be represented and take part in the Debate.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Minister of Transport has made up his mind whether he is going to back the Bill or oppose it?

That, I think, we had better wait for until the discussion on the Bill.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the present estimated cost of re-opening the closed exit from the Midland Railway opposite Trent Street, Nottingham; will he give details showing how it is arrived at; and what he net cost would be after allowing for the saving to the Exchequer which would follow the employment of discharged and demobilised sailors or soldiers now drawing out-of-work donations, and also taking credit for the contribution of £100 per annum offered by Boots Cash Chemists, Limited, as an acknowledgment of the convenience which the re-opening of the exit would provide to many hundreds of their employés?

I am asking the Midland Railway Company to furnish me with a revised estimate of the cost to them, and I will communicate with the hon. Gentleman after I have received their reply.

Cannot the hon. Gentleman spare the House a repetition of the very painful details of this controversy by making something in the nature of a concession to the right hon. Gentleman?

Would the hon. Gentleman also take into account the amount of money that would be saved by the elimination of this weekly conundrum from the Question Paper?

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware of the congestion of traffic in London and the consequent waste of labour and petrol; whether the Select Committee which recently sat on Transport (Metropolitan Area) made any recommendations with regard to slow-going traffic; if so, whether such recommendations have been carried out; and, if not, what is the reason for the delay?

Yes, Sir. The Select Committee has drawn attention to the need for the better control of slow-moving traffic. The question has been under the consideration of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic and its Technical Committee, and an experiment is being carried out on two thoroughfares in the City and East End of London, where there is a great volume of slow-moving traffic.

Considering that the Advisory Committee is sitting now, does the hon. Gentleman not pay any attention to the two Select Committees set up, one in 1918 and one in 1019: and when did they start this experiment with regard to slow-moving traffic?

The Advisory Committee is considering, amongst other matters, the report made by the Select Committee to which my hon. and gallant Friend referred. I cannot give the date when the experiment was commenced.

But is the Department aware of the enormous amount of loss in consequence of the congested traffic? Does he recognise how it is held up, and should not something be done to alleviate it?

The existence of the Committee is the best evidence that the Ministry attaches very great importance to the question.

That is only a repetition of the last Committee.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any announcement as to the decision of the London Advisory Committee as to re opening the stations and working the Victoria to City line on the South Eastern and Chatham Railway Company, which in pre-War times was a convenience to thousands of daily travellers in South London?

The Advisory Committee on London Traffic has not yet made a recommendation with regard to the reopening of the stations on this line, but, as indicated in my previous reply of the 16th February, it is hoped that a decision will be arrived at very soon.

Is the Advisory Committee going to issue any report; and, if so, will it be available to Members of the House

Certainly it will issue a report.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the City and South London Railway Company run trains during part of the day with the entry gates closed to some of their carriages which are run empty, and that this has recently caused an accident and a death; whether it is according to Regulations that such trains should be run; and, if so, if he will order the company to exhibit proper notices on the platforms stating which parts and carriages of such trains are open for the use of passengers?

I am in communication with the railway company in regard to the point raised by the hon. Gentleman. I gather that the unfortunate accident to which he refers was one in which a passenger attempted to enter a moving train.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he will state what steps have been taken by his Department to overcome the difficulty of securing granite kerb from Guernsey and with what result?

The Shipping Controller has been able to arrange for suitable steamers to load stone from Guernsey in accordance with the requirements of the Roads Department of the Ministry of Transport. Up to the present moment steamers aggregating something over 6,000 tons have been utilised for this purpose.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if his attention has been called to the Report recently issued by the Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association dealing with the disorganisation of shipping arising from the present methods of Government control; and if he will state when the Government propose to remove such control?

This Report has only just been received, and the Department has not yet had time to consider it.

If I put down a question in a week's time, will the right hon. Gentleman perhaps be able to give a reply?

I hope so.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether any and, if so, what steps are being taken by him to alleviate the present congested state of the Hull docks in regard to timber owing to the inadequate supply of wagons for transit of goods inland, which goods are urgently needed for the building trade;

(2) Whether any and, if so, what steps he has taken to amend the present allocation of wagons to the Humber district, which is based on 1917 user, when, owing to its geographical position in the war zone, the imports and exports were considerably reduced; why the allocation is not based on the normal pre-war trade of this district; and whether he is aware that the congestion resulting from shortage of wagons is causing much unemployment?

The subject of readjusting the allocation of wagons made in 1917 under the common user system is a matter for, and is being dealt with by, the railways, and I am expecting to receive shortly their final conclusions on the matter. In the meantime the supply of wagons at Hull is receiving constant attention, with the object of ensuring for that port a fair proportion of the wagons available, and as far as it is possible without sacrificing other requirements the demands for wagons for timber required for the building trade are being met. Every effort will be made to reduce the stocks of timber at Hull before the next importing season. I am again calling the special attention of the railway companies concerned to the urgency of the problem.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the motor lorries supplied by his Department to Hull gave great satisfaction and great assistance in cleaving the port, and could this be extended?

I am glad they gave some assistance; I do not know to what extent.

Can anything be done to continue this assistance and extend it?

That shall be considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the best steamers hitherto used by the Government in the Persian Gulf and the River Tigris have been sold by private negotiations, to the exclusion of many traders who were awaiting the opportunity of bidding for them at a public auction; whether he will disclose the names of the group who purchased the steamers from the Government; and what steps he will take to ensure a fair competitive basis for obtaining transport facilities in the area described?

This question has been referred to the India Office.

May I ask why the India Office should answer this question?

asked the Prime Minister whether it is proposed to issue a list of enemy persons whom it is proposed to put on trial for offences against international law under the Peace Treaties: and, if so, when the list will be issued.

As the hon. Member will recollect, an opportunity has been given to the German Government to proceed itself to the trial of the persons referred to, and a list of those who are to be so treated will be forthcoming at an early date.

Is it not proposed to issue a list of prisoners whom we propose to put on trial?

Certainly. The list that we are sending will be published in due course.

Shall we conduct the prosecution, or will the Germans?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what "due course" means: does he not realise that very great public interest in taken in the names of the persons, if any, who will be put on trial?

Undoubtedly, and rightly so. There are some of these people who undoubtedly must be brought to justice, because they have committed some of the most foul crimes in the history of the world. The list is being prepared by a Commission of the Allies.

Is it proposed that the Law Officers of the British Crown shall be represented at this trial, and, if so, will they conduct the prosecution?

No, the Law Officers of the British Crown will not appear before the German Court. We propose to give the opportunity to the German Court to see that justice is done, but we are not in the least abandoning our rights.

What is the number comprised in the first list forwarded to the German Government?

I have not had the list yet.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take care that British experts are present at the trial to watch the proceedings?

We shall certainly watch the proceedings very carefully.

WO the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of sending the hon. and learned Member for York (Sir J. Butcher)?

You want a butcher to kill the Kaiser!

What will be the attitude of the British Government if the German Court acquits these men?

The hon. Member can ask that if the contingency arises.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state what control will be exercised by the Allies over the trials of war criminals at Leipzig; whether, if the trials are unsatisfactory as regards their impartiality and otherwise, the Allies have reserved to themselves an effective right to re-open the matter; and whether any and, if so, what modifications have been made in the list of accused persons originally submitted on behalf of this country?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will consult the Note addressed to the German Government on February 13th, the terms of which were published in the Press of February 17th, he will obtain all the information asked for in his question. No further communication on this subject has since been made to the German Government.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the first portion of the question is not replied to by the reply already given? What control will there be?

I have already answered that in reply to another question.

May I ask further whether, in consequence of the reply that he has made that the Law Officers of the Crown will not be able to represent the British Government, who is going to look after the interests of the British Government, or who is going to see that these criminals are properly dealt with?

We shall take very step that is possible before a German Court to see that all the facts and evidence are submitted to the Court.

Will the German Court permit us to have someone there with a watching brief on our behalf?

Will British witnesses be subpoenaed to give evidence in these matters?

I have no doubt at all that all the evidence necessary and relevant will be submitted, whether it is British or any other evidence.

Is it still the intention of the Government to try the Kaiser before a German Court or an English one?

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when copies of the Peace Treaty will be obtainable at a price less than one guinea; and whether he is aware that the German text, with map, can be had for 2½ marks, equalling 2d.

The issue of a cheaper edition of the Treaty is under examination. There was a considerable loss on the first edition which gave the English text only, and cost 4s. I was not previously aware that a German translation had been issued so cheaply.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards the republic of North Caucasia, including Dhagestan; whether he is aware that the Soviet government of Russia has recognised the provisional independence of this government; and why de facto recognition of North Caucasia is withheld by His Majesty's Government, while the de facto governments of Georgia and Azerbaidjan are recognised?

The Allied Powers have not recognised the so-called North Caucasian Republic of Daghestan, because of the uncertainty that exists as to the authority and stability of its Government. I have no information as to its recognition by the Soviet Government of Russia.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that representatives of this Government are now in London, and has his Department interviewed them?

I do not know-as to whether any interviews have taken place with any representatives who may be in London. The answer I have given is the only answer I can give to-day.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been reached at the Peace Conference with regard to the former Russian province of Bessarabia; whether the Royal Roumanian Government has been approached by the Soviet Government of Russia with a view to the settlement of this question and the making of peace what advice has been tendered by His Majesty's Government on this question: and whether we have entered into any agreement with the Royal Roumanian Government to support Roumania if peace with Russia is not concluded?

As regards the first part of the question, the future of Bessarabia has been the subject of discussion between the Supreme Council and the Roumanian Prime Minister. The answer to the second part is in the affirmative. As to the third and fourth parts. His Majesty's Government have adopted the same attitude in this regard towards Roumania as they had already taken towards Poland and the Baltic States.

asked the Prime Minister whether any decision has been come to by the Peace Conference with reference to the frontiers between the new States of Poland and Czecho-Slovakia and Soviet Russia; if so, whether it is intended that the Soviet Government of Russia will eventually be consulted in this matter: and, if not, whether these new States will be advised to arrange an armistice with the Soviet Government with a view to coming to a provisional arrangement as to the frontiers and avoiding further fighting?

It is not clear from the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question what are the frontiers to which he is referring; but I may say that those between Poland and Soviet Russia have not finally been fixed, whereas Czecho-Slovakia and Soviet Russia are not co-terminous. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to the full statements already made on these matters.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state who will be the British representatives on the Commission of Inquiry to be sent by the International Labour Bureau to Soviet Russia; whether the Liberal and Labour parties in this country will be invited to nominate representatives; when the Commission is expected to start for Russia; and whether the consent of the Soviet Government to the sending of this Commission is being sought?

The arrangements for conducting, on behalf of the League of Nations, the enquiry into conditions in Russia will be entirely in the hands of the Council of the League. Until the Council has held a meeting, which it has not yet had time to do, I can give no information on the points raised by the hon. Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in large blocks of house property which have recently changed hands the new owners are, wherever the terms of the tenancy allow, giving the sitting tenant notice to quit or to purchase the property at a much advanced price; and whether, in view of the fact that further legislation on the subject has been forecasted and in view of the continued shortage of houses, the Government will legislate to protect the sitting tenant for a further defined period in the event of his agreeing to a stated percentage increase in his rent?

The whole question of the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts and of their extension, continuance or amendment is now being considered by the Committee which has been appointed, but I cannot anticipate their Report.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say who is on this Committee?

No, I cannot.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that there is a shortage of building material, especially cement, at Torquay, and will he take steps to rectify this deficiency owing to which building operations are at a standstill.

No information has reached me which suggests that there is a shortage of building material at Torquay. I will, however, make inquiries in the matter.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a general shortage of building material throughout the country, and will he communicate with the Minister of Transport and endeavour to get some further transport facilities for building material?

I am doing my best.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps, if any, have been taken to reclaim the great areas of waste land on the East and West Coasts, thereby finding employment for many unemployed men; and, if such work has not been undertaken, whether he contemplates taking action in the matter?

Works are now being carried out for the reclamation of land in the neighbourhood of Wainfleet, on the northern shore of the Wash. Several schemes for the reclamation of land were prepared subsequent to the Armistice, with a view to finding employment for demobilised men. In view, however, of the urgent need for the curtailment of all public expenditure, it was recently decided that none of these schemes, other than that already referred to, should be proceeded with.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he can give the names of those, who will serve on the committee of scientists who are to investigate the problems connected with foot and mouth disease?

I regret that I am unable at present to announce the names of the scientists who will serve on the committee in connection with the problems of foot and mouth disease, but the names will be published as soon as the list is complete, probably within a few days.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the export of horses to the Continent has now been resumed; whether he can give the number sent out and the number rejected as unfit during the months of November, December, and January: whether the latter are killed in this country and sent abroad for food; and whether he will consider an alteration in the Law whereby a declaration of the purpose for which each horse is exported shall be made and those intended for food shall be slaughtered in this country?

The answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. The total number of horses which have been passed for shipment by the Veterinary Inspectors of the Ministry at ports during the months of November, December, and January was 10,846. The number of horses rejected was 525. The Ministry have no information as to whether these were killed in the country and sent abroad for food. The Ministry do not consider that an alteration of the existing law is necessary, as under the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914, every horse to be exported must be certified by a Veterinary Inspector to be capable of being conveyed and worked without suffering.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the future scarcity of live stock, he will restict the slaughter of young stock in this country: and whether steps will be taken to ensure the growing of sufficient corn to meet the nation's requirements in 1921?

The Ministry are in constant communication with the Ministry of Food as to the slaughter of young stock, but in view of the comparative failure of the various orders that have been made with the object of restricting slaughter, it is considered undesirable to make any further order of the kind at present. It is hoped that the situation will right itself when meat is decontrolled, but if not the matter will be further considered. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the recent announcement of the Government's policy with prices of home-grown wheat which it is hoped will have the effect of stimulating production to a considerable extent.

Arising out of the reply to the second part of the question, and in view of the importance of the question, and that doubt may not exist as to whether the Government policy announced here to-day will have the desired effect, will the hon. and gallant Gentleman ask the Prime Minister whether he will give an early opportunity for a discussion of this question?

So far as I know, there is to be a discussion on Wednesday night. No doubt the question will be raised.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions the exact conditions under which he holds a fund from which compassionate grants can be made to persons who have sustained injury while engaged on munition work; whether he is in any way restricted from making grants to persons who were engaged by private firms in the manufacture of munitions; whether in the case of Miss G. George, of Chippenham, he has taken into consideration that at the time of the accident she was only 20 years of age; that she only received £30 compensation for an injury to her eye; that two years subsequently the eye had to be removed; and that now she is threatened with total blindness; and whether this is a case requiring the most sympathetic treatment.

A limited fund is at the disposal of the Department from which, in cases of distress, small grants may be made to direct employees of the Department discharged in circumstances rendering them ineligible for Awards under the Superannuation Act; or, in case of death in the service, to their dependants. No fund is at the disposal of the Department from which grants may be made to employees of private firms. I understand that a lump sum of £30 was accepted on behalf of Miss George in full settlement of her claim against her employers in respect of the injury; and that this amount was paid to her "next friend" through the County Court in the manner prescribed by the Workmen's Compensation Acts.

Has the hon. Gentleman considered whether this was reasonable compensation to be paid, and is there not some other fund from which in so extremely hard case such as this some other compensation can be paid?

This was a question between Miss George and her employers, who were a private firm, and I am advised that we have no fund from which we can make a grant.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in the opinion of the representatives of the Disposals Board in France and Flanders, about 5,500 men are all that are at present required for those services; and whether arrangements have now been made for the guarding of stores that have been disposed of to the French Government in all the forward areas and certain ports and the Dieppe area to be performed by the French police authorities?

It has now been agreed with the War Office in France that 5,000 men are sufficient for the services of the Disposal Board in France. This number it is anticipated will rapidly be reduced. Arrangements have been made with the French Government that the responsibility for the custody of stores disposed of to them shall be undertaken by the French police authorities as from the date of transfer.

Is it not a fact that many of these dumps have disappeared and cannot be accounted for?

My hon. Friend will do well not to attach too much importance to accounts of the kind that appear in the picturesque Press.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he is aware that the Disposal Board's official organ, "Surplus," dated 16th February, contains the announcement that civilian suits are available for sale by the Board through private treaty; whether on the following day, 17th February, he authorised the despatch to the Bradford Corporation of a telegram to the effect that civilian suits were no longer available for disposal; will he explain the discrepancy in these two statements; did the Board receive an offer from the Corporation named of 40s. each for 5,000 civilian suits, which offer was ultimately increased, on 13th February, to 45s. per suit; whether at any time similar suits have been disposed of in small or large quantities at less than 45s. each to private traders; and has he received representations from the Bradford and District Chamber of Trade and/or any other private interests with the view to stopping any further supplies of civilian suits or other clothing to the Bradford Corporation?

The statements contained in the first parts of the question are correct. The proofs of "Surplus" are necessarily corrected by the various Sections several days prior to the date of publication, and it is clearly stated in that publication that all goods are offered subject to their being unsold at the time when applications are received. With regard to the latter parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by me in the House on the 25th February to a similar question asked by the hon. Member for Smethwick. No quantities, either large or small, of similar suits have been sold to anyone at less than 45s., and no representations of the kind referred to have been received.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the number of suits of clothes which has recently been sold to a single purchaser: and what was the price obtained?

The number of suits of clothes recently sold to a single purchaser is approximately 577,000. The Ministry extensively advertised for three weeks offering small parcels of twenty-five suits for sale, but these offers met with a very poor response. In view of the small extent of the sales of small lots, and the time it would have taken to dispose of the large quantity in lots of twenty-five, the Ministry decided to sell the lot referred to. The sale price was 45s. per suit, and the Ministry imposed the condition that the retail prices at which the suits are disposed of to the public in the United Kingdom should not exceed 63s. per suit.

asked whether discharges of ex-soldiers employed at Woolwich Arsenal have been cancelled or suspended: and, if so, for how long?

A number of disabled ex-service men were under notice owing to the completion of the work on which they were engaged, but I suspended these notices for three weeks pending the result of inquiries with the object of finding other employment for the men in question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in the case of the sale of the Victoria Works, Wincham, Cheshire, for £60,000, due regard was taken by the Disposals Board of the value of the plant and whether he is aware that the Salt Union, the purchasers of the factory, held a private sale of only a part of the plant and machinery, and realised nearly £60,000?

Due regard was given in fixing the proportion of the purchase money for the machinery and plant passing with the deal. The £60,000 was not the only consideration for the sale, as the Ministry, in addition, saved liabilities. It is understood that at the recent sale by the Salt Union of the major portion of the plant and machinery only about £22,000 was realised.

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he will read a signed statement which I will place in his hands: will he promise that the writer shall be in no way penalised for the writing: and, in the light of that statement, will he answer further questions of which I will give him notice?

I will read with pleasure anything my hon. Friend puts into my hand.

I take it that the writer will not be victimised in any way?

As I have not seen the statement, I have no difficulty in giving that undertaking.

asked the Secretary of State for India what steps are being taken to increase the pensions of the widows, children, and dependants of deceased officers of the Indian Army, the Indian Medical Service, and the Royal Indian Marine?

The subject is now engaging the attention of the Government of India, who have informed me that they will communicate their views as soon as possible.