asked the Secretary of State for War whether the late Private William Shyrme, No. 64,578, C Company, 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, was sentenced to 21 days' imprisonment for trying to obtain leave under false pretences; whether these pretences were that when on leave his mother, a widow with six children, and managing two retail shops and desirous of closing down one shop, requested him to apply fur an extension of his leave, he did so, and the usual police inquiries took place, and a promise made to secure the leave desired, yet the report sent in was business worries not urgent; whether, when ordered to return to Aldershot, he did so two hours before his leave was up yet was sentenced to the punishment stated; whether such punishment was excessive seing he had not overstayed his leave; and whether, while in prison, he was given two cold baths without reference to the state of his health, with the result that within two days he was removed to hospital, temperature 105, where he died of influenza.

I regret that my investigations in this case are not yet complete, but I will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the representations now being made by the various societies of ex-service men in favour of leniency to those soldiers undergoing terms of imprisonment for desertion after the Armistice, he will consider each such case individually to ascertain whether there may be special grounds justifying compassionate treatment; and whether these prisoners are, in any case, sufficiently punished by the loss of their gratuity?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Plaistow and Wigan

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a 20-shot automatic was given extended trials by the Army authorities in France in 1917 with highly satisfactory results and was adopted for use in the Army; whether manufacture was started on a large scale in this country in 1918; and whether this weapon is yet in the; hands of the troops?

Trials were carried out with a self-loading semi-automtic rifle in France in 1917. These trials were confined to ten specimens made by hand. The War Office asked for supplies of these weapons in the spring of 1918, and arrangements to manufacture were commenced. Owing to the length of time necessary to produce a rifle of this description in large standard quantities by machinery, and in view of the changed military situation, it was decided in October, 1918, to abandon the manufacture.

Has any compensation been given to the firm?

That question must be addressed to the Minister of Munitions.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether a decoration will be awarded to the officers and men who served in any of the Russian Expeditionary Forces?

Officers and men who served on the establishment of a unit with the Russian Expeditionary Forces will be entitled to receive the British Medal and the Victory Medal. In the event of clasps being awarded, they will also receive the appropriate ones.

Supposing an, officer served with Denikin, does he get a medal?

Yes, he will get the Victory Medal and the British Medal.

Is it proposed to issue a clasp for this particular expedition and for no other expedition?

The whole question of clasps has been the subject of the most careful investigation, and I am not prepared to deal in a piecemeal fashion with the general issue of clasps.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Report of the Committee upon Courts-Martial has yet been considered by the Army Council; whether he proposes to adopt the recommendations of either the majority or minority Reports of the Committee; and, if so, whether the necessary Amendments will be proposed by the Government in Committee on the Army (Annual) Bill?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part of the question it is proposed to accept the recommendations of the Majority Report with a few exceptions, and in accordance with a recommendation to that effect contained in the Report itself I have appointed two small expert Committees to draft the necessary Clauses, Rules of Procedure, King's Regulations, and other documents, and to work out certain of the proposals in detail. With regard to the last part of the question the greater part of the Recommendations in the Majority Report do not require legislation. It may be found practicable to embody the specific proposals which involve legislation in the Army Annual Bill of this year. It will not, however, be possible to deal this year with the general revision of the Army Act and scales of punishments thereunder recommended by the Committee.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the number and cost per day of the personnel engaged in the care and maintenance of stores handed over by the War Office to the Disposal Board; whether such cost is debited against the Disposal Board; and whether systematic and periodical comparison is made between the cost of the care and maintenance of a particular dump and the estimated amount realisable therefor?

Inter-Departmental Conferences overseas are now estimating the numbers of military personnel lent to the Disposal Board in connection with the care and maintenance of surplus stores, and the Ministry of Munitions will be debited with the cost of this personnel, with effect from 1st February, 1920.

As regards stores at Home, I would explain that there are at present depôts and dumps which contain only stores for disposal; and depôts and dumps which contain stores both for disposal and for the needs of the Army. In the former case the Ministry of Munitions become responsible for care and maintenance. In the latter case, as divided control is not sound, military personnel handle both descriptions of stores. It is therefore impossible to give a categorical reply to the question. The last part of the question should be addressed to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions.

Is it within the right hon. Gentleman's knowledge that such comparisons are made and further, does not he see that unless such comparisons are made it is quite clear that there must come in the case of any particular dump a vanishing point at which the amount realisable will not cover the amount of charges?

Obviously, that would be one of the first considerations of the Ministry of Munitions with regard to any dumps handed over to them. With regard to dumps containing surplus stores for the Army, the reserves for the Army do not enter into the question, but it is possible that where other stores belonging to the Ministry of Munitions may be kept in a dump where the stores are mainly reserves for the Army the same high economy may not prevail. That is a matter which must be carefully looked into.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Army lorries, including the Thorneycrofts, recently sold in Cologne were put up to public auction and how, if this is not the case, the maximum price possible is secured for the nation: whether the profit on some of these lorries, even after removal, custody, and transport expenses are paid, is often 100 per cent.; and whether, in view of the sums involved and the criticism of the transactions in expert motor circles, greater care can be taken to realise national property to greater national advantage?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is, No, Sir. I am satisfied that the highest price would not have been secured had the vehicles been sold in Cologne by auction, and I do not agree that sale by auction necessarily secures the highest price in this country. I am not aware that any of the vehicles referred to have been re-sold, and I understand that the purchasers have not yet received the lorries. The greatest care is taken by the Disposal Board to ensure that surplus Government property is disposed of to the best advantage. I would remind my hon. Friend that the usual contention of the critics of the Board's transactions is that the prices obtained are excessive.

asked the Secretary for War whether the final design of the new type of tanks for the purpose of war has been decided upon; and, if so, before embarking upon the heavy expenses connected with standardisation, whether he is satisfied that they will reasonably overcome all known obstacles or methods both of attack and defence?

A stage in the design of tanks has been reached which is considered to be a distinct advance upon all earlier types, but it is in no sense regarded as the final design for war purposes Tanks are still in their youth, and as the result of research and experiment it should be possible in the future to design and produce tanks in every way superior to the latest type now in existence. While, therefore, it may be necessary from time to time to incur certain expenditure in manufacture in order that a particular design may be thoroughly tested, there is no intention of embarking upon any heavy expenditure to standardise a type that is bound to become obsolete as research and experiment proceed.

asked whether the British troops in Ireland, Egypt, and India are equipped with poison gas; and whether this weapon had been used in those countries?

There are stocks of gas shell in Egypt left over from the War, but not in Ireland and India. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative; a very limited amount, however, was fired away in Palestine.

In view of the protest that the Allied powers made against the use of gas as a method of warfare, are the Allied powers considering the wisdom of abolishing gas as a recognised method of warfare?

That is a very important question which ought to be debated by the League of Nations. At the same time, the difficulty of preventing studies in this form of warfare, and the danger that discoveries and preparations may be made make it very necessary that we should be in a position to protect our troops against any warfare with this kind of attack.

Has consideration of the subject been remitted to the League of Nations?

Not at this moment, because the League of Nations is still in an embryonic condition; but it is one of those subjects which must engage the attention of a great international body.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will consider releasing from the Army Isaac Jackson, No. 65,115, B Company, Lincolnshire Regiment, who enlisted at Grimsby at 17½ years of age, giving his age as 18 years, but who will not be 18 years old until 17th April, 1920, in view of the fact that his father is in' the United States of America and his mother, who is an invalid, together with five sisters and brothers younger than himself, are practically dependent upon this boy's earnings?

This case has been referred to the General Officer Commanding the Command for consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the unfortunate impression created amongst men of the Territorial Force by withholding the overseas medal from those who have the 1914 and 1915 stars; whether the whole idea of this medal was to recognise those who, although civilians, had trained in peace time and were ready to go abroad in the first few months of war; and whether the fact that they have any other medal is irrelevant to this main point?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the proposed Territorial Medal is being granted in recognition of the fact that officers, non-commissioned officers, and men had served for four pears prior to the War and at the outbreak of War undertook Foreign Service liabilities?

asked why active service abroad in 1914 and 1915, when it was most needed, is to disqualify pre-War Territorials from the award of that medal which is going to be given to similar men who did not go abroad till 1916?

It was originally proposed that this special medal should be granted to all Territorials who were serving on the 4th August or who had served for a period of not less than four years prior to the War and who rejoined the Force on the outbreak of War provided they undertook to serve overseas on or before the 30th September, 1914, and were passed as physically fit and accepted for service overseas. After full consideration, however, it was decided that it was undesirable that any soldier should be in a position to earn four medals for service during the War, and it was accordingly provided that those who were entitled to the 1914 or 1914–1915 Star should not participate in this award.

Will this medal be granted to officers and men of the Territorial Force who volunteered in August, 1914, and did not go overseas until 1916?

Yes. The medal is intended to meet such cases.

They volunteered in August, 1914, and their services were accepted then.

Yes.

Since the reply is in the affirmative what justification is there for refusing to grant the Territorial medal to those Territorials who possess the qualifications and who were specially selected to go to France in 1914 and 1915; and will, regular soldiers who have the 1914 or. 1915 Star be deprived of the long service and good conduct medal?

The decision was taken on the ground that it was not desirable to give four medals.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, considering that officers of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force all drew full pay while prisoners of war, and that the scale of pay of officers of the Air Force was in some cases even higher than that of the Indian Army, he will state why officers of the Indian Army should have been alone deprived of half their staff allowance after the first two months of captivity?

I am afraid that I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

Does that mean that the reward of these men for their heroic defence of Kut is that they are to be deprived of half of their staff pay?

No. It simply means that the Indian officers receive a higher rate of pay than British officers, and I see no reason in justice why they should be given treatment substantially better than that given to British Army officers while they are prisoners of war.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office (1) whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists owing to the long delays that are being experienced in the settlement of accounts for credits and war gratuities due to soldiers on their demobilisation; whether he can give an assurance that steps will be taken to expedite the settlement of these accounts:

(2) whether, in cases where exceptionally long delays have occurred, through no fault on the part of the soldier, in the payment of credits and war gratuities due on demobilisation, interest can be allowed on the total sum due to the soldier, such interest to be charged after a period of, say, two months has elapsed from the date of demobilisation, and to be calculated from the date of demobilisation to the date of payment?

Delay in the settlement of the accounts for credits and gratuities is inevitable in the case of soldiers who have returned from India, owing to Last Pay Certificates and other necessary information being outstanding In these cases, provisional settlements are made and the required documents, &c, are cabled for. I am not aware of any other cases of delay. I regret that I am unable to entertain the proposal to allow interest.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction at present existing among the storeholders, principal foremen, and foremen at Chilwell; whether a report from the local authorities was called for on or about the 20th February; and, if so, whether he will state the purport of its contents?

This matter is one of several in connection with this Department which are being considered at the War Office to-day. I hope it may be possible to arrive at a satisfactory settlement.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Sergeant F. C. Newbold died in hospital on 4th September, 1918; whether his relatives have been in communication with the authorities in relation to the war gratuity due, with the result that it was admitted that.£18 10s. was the amount to be paid; whether the money is not yet paid, although the Warrington War Pensions Committee has sent three letters, which have been ignored, on the subject; and whether he will state the reason for the delay in payment, seeing that letters of administration were in the hands of the authorities as far back as 14th July, 1919?

I regret the delay that has occurred in this case. The Department is now in communication with the relatives, and I will see that a settlement is expedited.

asked the Secretary for War whether he will explain why many Post Office women telegraphists who were members of the 'Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps have not been paid the Army of Occupation bonus; whether he is aware that these women were forbidden by the Postmaster-General to re-enlist, under the penalty that the' period of re-enlistment would not count in respect of service for pension, leave, and marriage gratuity; and whether, seeing that these women telegraphists were soldiers on active service, he will consider the possibility of paying them a retention bonus of agreed amount to that which was paid to all men retained for the machinery of demobilisation?

No members of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps were eligible for the Army of Occupation bonus unless they entered into the necessary engagement for further service. I regret that I am unable to make any exception to this principle.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is prepared to reconsider the gratuities paid to men who served in His Majesty's Forces during the late War, and is he aware of the dissatisfaction of demobilised sailors and soldiers with their treatment?

The scale of gratuities was settled by His Majesty's Government after careful consideration, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer regrets that he is not prepared to reconsider it.

Would the right hon. Gentleman explain why my question has been mangled and why the most important part of it does not appear?

asked the. Pensions Minister if he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused amongst disabled men by the issue of Circular 204 (Home Treatment); and will he take steps to withdraw the circular forthwith.

I am aware that Circular 204, as originally issued on the 8th January last, caused some dissatisfaction. That circular was withdrawn and re-issued on 6th February, and I am not aware that in its amended form it has given rise to any dissatisfac- tion On the contrary, it has resulted in bringing to notice each man's special requirements and of securing for him the most suitable form of treatment.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make any statement as to the present position in Siberia and the Maritime Province; and are steps being taken to assist British merchants to open up trade with Vladivostock and other Russian ports in the Far East?

The answer to the first part of the question is that a recent report states that Irkutsk has been recaptured from the local Soviet by a remnant of the late Admiral Kolchak's army. General Semenoff is at present in control of Chita. A Zemstvo Government is in power in Vladivostock. With regard to the second part of the question, the present insecurity of the position, and the difficulty of communication do not lend themselves to the promotion of trade, but the matter is not being lost sight of.

Is any obstacle being put in the way of trade with these important and rich districts?

Certainly not. No avoidable obstacle is put in the way of trade with any country.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government can confirm the reports, as published in the politico-economic organ of the Soviet Government of Russia, to the effect that the chief cause of the terrible situation of the Russian industries is the lack of all discipline and order in the factories; that the works councils and factory committees, whose function it was to establish order in the factories, have only done harm, and have destroyed the last vestige of discipline and played havoc with the plant; and that all these circumstances have compelled the abolition of works councils and the appointment at the head of the most important undertakings of dictators with unlimited powers over the lives of the workers?

The answer is in the negative.

Could not the hon. Baronet possibly consider whether he could issue a statement regarding the diabolical state of affairs in Russia to-day in order to counteract the propaganda which is going on on the other side pretending that things are all right there?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government can confirm the information that, although the Soviet Govern- ment had declared that the death penalty had been abolished, quite recently 227 people were shot by commissaries armed with revolvers at a railway station on the Irinorskaia Railway.

I have received no official confirmation of the report referred to.

Will the details of this wonderful revolver episode be brought to the notice of the Minister of War?

asked the Secretary for War whether he can make any statement with regard to the members of the British military, railway, and other missions recently in Siberia; are any of these British subjects known to have been captured by Red forces; and, if so, will any steps be taken at Vladivostock or elsewhere in the Far East to negotiate for their exchange?

asked the Secretary for War whether he can give any information as to the alleged murder by the Bolshevists of certain British officers who were captured with Admiral Koltchak?

The British Military Mission, including the Railway Mission, now numbers 50 officers and 67 other ranks. It is being withdrawn at an early date, and preliminary arrangements are already in progress.

Twelve officers and six other ranks are known to have fallen into the hands of the Bolsheviks. A report states that four of these officers have been shot by the Bolsheviks, but this has not yet been confirmed. According to a Bolshevik report the remainder were alive and well about the middle of February, but no later news has been received. Negotiations for their exchange are in progress.

With regard to the question by the hon. and gallant Member for Bury St. Edmunds, no British officers or men were killed by the Bolsheviks at the same time as Admiral Koltchak. A British officer was present at Irkutsk at the time, and his report on the death of the Admiral makes no mention of any such occurrence.

Is the right hon. Gentleman taking steps to get farther information about the fate of the four officers alleged to have been shot, and will he try to get some redress for their fate?

In view of the right hon. Gentleman's statement that these missions are being withdrawn, is there any truth in the report in the "Times" to-day that two of these officers have gone to Chetah and joined up with General Seminoff? Is that in accordance with the policy just announced?

asked the number of casualties suffered to date by the officers and men of the British military mission with General Denikin?

The information asked for is as follows:—

Officers.—Died of sickness, four; missing, three (one believed captured by Green Guards; two, according to Russian report, captured by Bolsheviks at Rostov and murdered); wounded, one.

Other ranks.—Died of wounds, one; died of sickness, sixteen; missing, one (believed captured by Green Guards).

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the names of the missing officers?

I have not the names here now.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Russian Soviet Government has recently made offers of peace to the Governments of Japan, Roumania, and the United States; and whether His Majesty's Government has been consulted in the matter?

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

May I ask whether it is not the usual custom to consult the other Allies before entering into negotiations, and why a deviation has been made in this case?

I do not know that there is any universal custom in such cases. As the House knows, this was a matter for the countries concerned.

asked how many British officers are now stationed in Constantinople and how many motor cars are allotted for their use?

There are 1,103 British officers in the Army of the Black Sea and the number of motor cars is 80. Without making special inquiry of the General Officer Commanding, I cannot state the actual number of officers and motor cars in Constantinople.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that officers who are not on the staff are beginning to write home from Constantinople and to comment on the use of military motor cars for joy riding and other non-military purposes?

I shall be glad to receive any information bearing on that point.

Might not some of these cars be very useful in Armenia?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the strongly held opinion that the casualties to our airmen during the War could have been considerably decreased, and the morale similarly increased, if parachutes had been fitted to their machines in the same way as the Germans were able latterly to do to theirs, he can say if parachutes are now being fitted as standard to Army machines in order to protect pilots as much as possible from the dangers of fire, collapse, and collision in the air?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that this matter is receiving very careful consideration. Arrangements have been made to provide a large number of training machines with parachutes of a standard pattern and the work in connection with the modification of existing types of fighting machines to enable parachutes to be carried is being proceeded with, but some time must elapse before all existing machines are modified in this direction. It, has also been laid down that the best method of fitting the machines with parachutes shall be considered as and when new designs are submitted.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will consider the suggestion that in future a civilian pilot s certificate shall be obtainable only under the same conditions as are laid down for Air Force pilots, thus ensuring that by obtaining a knowledge of machinery, gunnery and aerial manœuvres these pilots will automatically form part of the reserve of the Royal Air Force and thus obviate delay or shortage of trained fighting pilots in time of emergency?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The necessary machinery for training civil pilots in gunnery or air pilotage does not at present exist, nor is the necessity for setting up special machinery to create a reserve of the character indicated by my hon. and gallant Friend an urgent matter at present, in view of the large numbers of fully trained pilots who have been demobilised. The effect upon transport firms of withdrawing their pilots for more or less lengthy periods has also to be taken into account. The question, however, is not being lost sight of.

asked if the chaplains' branch of the Royal Air Force is to be continued; what is its annual cost; and whether the Army chaplains' branch could undertake the work?

The cost of air pay and allowances of permanent and temporary chaplains for the coming financial year is estimated at £25,000 and of capitation payments to officiating clergy at £4,000. A separate chaplains' service for the Royal Air Force was organised and appointments made to it shortly after the Armistice, but; the question of amalgamation with the Army chaplains' branch is being considered.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry if he proposes to take action on the Report of the Committee on Education and Research in Aeronautics; and whether arrangements will be made for the common use of research establishments by the various interests, including industrial firms of aircraft constructors?

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is that the recommendations of the Committee on Education and Research in Aeronautics have been approved in principle by the Air Council, and steps are being taken to give effect to them, more particularly with regard to the formation of an Aeronautical Research Committee and the provision of instruction in aeronautics at the Imperial College in connection with the Zaharoff Chair of Aviation.

As regards the second part of the question, the results of such research carried out at Government establishments as are of interest to aircraft constructors generally, are already made available; but it would be quite impossible for industrial firms to have common use of Government Research establishments.

asked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether one of the three aeroplanes lost in crossing the Irish Channel was seen to fall in the vicinity of Land's End; if he will state whether he attributes this disaster to a faulty compass or faulty navigation, or both; and what steps are being taken to prevent similar occurrences?

In regard to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, the only information I have on this subject was contained in the com- miniqué issued to the Press, and was to the effect that one machine was seen to descend in the sea 85 miles S.W. of the Scilly Islands. As to the second part, I regret that I am not in a position to make any further statement in regard to this most regrettable event. A Court of Inquiry is being held.

In reply to the last part of the question, I can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every endeavour has always been made, and will continue to be made, to prevent such occurrences.

I feel that I ought to express the deep regret of all connected with the Royal Air Force at the loss of these three gallant officers.

asked the Secretary for War whether he can state the number of soldiers who during the War have become totally deaf through shell-shock or other causes; and whether institutions will be provided for these men to be taught lip reading and useful occupations, on the lines of St. Dunstan's Hospital for the Blind, so that they may be enabled to earn their livelihood?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The number of the totally deaf cannot be stated, but approximately 30,000 men have been pensioned for deafness of greater or less degree. Medical Boards are instructed to recommend a course of tuition in lip-reading where the degree of deafness is such as to render this desirable. Lip-reading classes are held in London at the Ministry's Aural Clinic (28, Park Cresent, Regent's Park), and at 30 other centres throughout the country.

asked if he will state how many houses or hospitals are provided under his Department for uncertifiable cases of loss of mental balance occurring among soldiers; where are these houses situated; what is the accommodation in each; and whether it is still the policy of the War Office to retain these cases of nerve strain under military control in so-called war hospitals staffed by lunacy officials and lunacy attendants?

I assume the hon. Member is referring to accommodation for cases of mental disorder. Soldiers suffering from nerve strain are not sent to war (mental) hospitals unless the condition of the patient constitutes actual mental disorder, but are treated in neurological hospitals or neurological sections of general hospitals. There is one hospital for eases of mental disorder, namely: Lord Derby's War Hospital, at Winwick, Warrington. There are 1,000 beds in the hospital, and the number of patients at present is 741. It is still the policy to retain such cases in the hospital until they are cured, if this seems likely to occur. Otherwise, they are discharged to the care of their friends, or to appropriate institutions.

asked the Secretary for War whether any steps have been taken to ensure that the money granted for works of reconstruction for the employment of ex-service men in Ireland is expended on the work for which it was intended; whether he is aware that men of no military service have been employed on such work and that ex-service men have been discharged from the works of the Royal Dublin Society whilst a civilian was retained; and whether he will give instructions that in future preference shall be given to disabled ex-service men?

All possible steps are taken to ensure that the Funds referred to are expended on the employment of demobilised soldiers and sailors. While this is so it is occasionally necessary for special reasons to employ a man who has not served in the Forces. For example, the work of painting at the Royal Dublin Society's premises is being carried out by ex-service men, but the foreman painter who has not seen service is employed on account of his exceptional experience, no similar type of man being; available.

asked the number of men now in Egypt who are overdue for demobilisation; and when it may be expected that they will be able to return to England?

On 1st March, 1920, there were in Egypt 1,580 men whose demobilisation was overdue owing to a temporary shortage of shipping; of these, 68 were in hospital undergoing treatment. It was hoped that 800 would embark on March 4th, and the remainder on March 9th, 1920.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many ex-service men and others are now actually in occupation of land as a result of the Scottish Land Settlement Act?

The Land Settlement Act only became law on the 23rd of December. Further land has been acquired since that date and good progress has been made under the schemes which the Board of Agriculture already had in hand in anticipation of the passing of the Act. Out of a total of 419 persons who have been given entry to land since the beginning of 1919 (of whom 305 were new holders), 263 were settled at Martinmas or have been settled since that date. I may add that of the 305 new holders referred to 243 are ex-service men. My hon. and gallant Friend will understand that in normal course entry to the land is given at the Whitsunday and Martinmas terms.

asked the Secretary for Scotland when an announcement may be expected as to the Government's intentions regarding the issue of whaling licences in Shetland?

Under the existing law, whaling licences can only be terminated by the Fishery Board for a breach of their conditions. Any change in the existing position would, therefore, require legislation. I am considering the propriety of adopting that course, and an announcement of policy will be made as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if his attention has been called to the dissatisfaction existing among the officials and staffs employed under the local authorities in Scotland with reference to war bonus; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I have received representations, chiefly through associations of local government officers, asking me to recommend the application of Civil Service war bonus arrangements to officials of local authorities in Scotland. I have no information as to the, salaries actually paid to these officials, and I do not control their remuneration. I am willing, however, to issue to local authorities statements of the awards of war bonus authorised for the Civil Service, in order that they may have this information before them in considering the salaries of their staff.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any of the small holdings at Locharwoods have been awarded or will be awarded to persons dwelling in distant counties; and whether, in view of the large local demand for small holdings which exists in Dumfriesshire, he will consider the advisability of satisfying local requirements before this is done?

Except for two ex-service men who were trained at one of the Lochardwoods farms all the holders selected are Dumfriesshire men. The Board of Agriculture for Scotland in selecting holders always take into account the claims of local applicants, but I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate the fact that it would be impracticable, in dealing with ex-service applicants, to exclude from consideration men who do not happen to possess this local qualification, but who are in other respects suitable and are urgently in need of holdings.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that the housing secretary of the Scottish Board of Health wrote to the county sanitary inspector of the county of Selkirk, on 13th December, 1919, asking him whether he agreed with the Report of the Selkirk County Council as to the requirements for new houses in the county; whether it is customary for a Government department to invite the opinion of an official employed by a county council upon the decision or Report of the members of that council; and, if not, will he take steps to ensure that such procedure does not recur?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question, I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that under the Housing, Town Planning, &c. (Scotland) Act of last Session, the Scottish Board of Health have a duty placed upon them to consider the adequacy of schemes submitted. It is obviously impossible for the Board to discharge this duty without free recourse to local sources of information. It may be that the form of inquiry adopted in this case is open to objection, and I have brought this aspect of the matter under the notice of the Board. The Board, however, have an unrestricted statutory right to require information from sanitary inspectors, and I cannot, give any undertaking which would debar them from the exercise of this right in regard to matters bearing on local administration.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of the great shortage of houses in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, and that this shortage is accentuated by residents in Glasgow taking small houses and only occupying them in the summer months or in sub-letting to summer visitors, whereby ex-Service men are unable to get accommodation for themselves and their families, he will make an inquiry locally with the object of freeing such houses for the use of demobilised men?

I understand that the local authority at Lennoxtown are proposing to proceed with a scheme for the erection of 25 houses in that village. I may remind my hon. Friend that local authorities are further empowered by Section 11 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc. (Scotland) Act, 1919, to acquire houses suitable for the working classes. This power appears to be sufficient so far as my information goes.

asked the Minister of Food whether the stocks of imported food under his control are kept for any longer time than is necessary to enable inland transport to be provided; and whether he can say that no food is stored when there is an immediate market available?

In the case of articles in short supply, such as sugar and butter, it is necessary to maintain reserve stocks in order to ensure the regularity of the ration; otherwise I can safely say that no food under the control of the Ministry is stored when there is an immediate market available.

asked the Minister of Food what are the grounds upon which the Food Ministry is maintaining the restrictions on dealing with raw cocoa imported from our Colonies?

The only restriction on dealings in raw cocoa is the placing of a limit on the amount which may be re-exported from the United Kingdom. This Regulation applies to all raw cocoa, whether imported from the Colonies or from foreign countries, and is intended to ensure the maintenance in this country of sufficient supplies at reasonable prices. At present, the actual amounts exported have been considerably below the permitted figure.

asked the Minister of Food if there is sufficient meat stored at the docks to last three months, and a further three months' supply waiting to be discharged, in addition to home-killed meat; what are the total charges paid to-day to the Port of London Authority for the storage of this meat per week; what is the demurrage paid per steamer and the number of steamers waiting to be discharged owing to lack of storage room; and will those charges have to be added to the price of the meat and be paid by the public?

I have been asked to reply to this question. There are in all the cold stores in the United Kingdom, in ships discharging in all ports, and in steamers waiting to discharge, about four months supply of imported meat, at the present rate of consumption, which, however, is rising. The storage rates charged by the Port of London Authority are, per ton of meat, 22s. plus 85 per cent. for the first month, 18s. 6d plus 85 per cent. for the second month, and 17s. 6d. plus 85 per cent. for the third month. Seven ships are waiting to be discharged. Rates of demurrage are at present under consideration. If meat is to be sold without loss, all charges on it must be included in the selling price.

May I ask if the hon. Gentleman thinks it necessary to keep four months' stock of meat in storage?

No, Sir; but, as I explained yesterday, it was owing to the supplies from Australasia which were held up during the War, and are now coming in quite abnormal quantities.

If a good deal of this meat was released would not the price of meat come down about threepence in the pound.

The question is how much loss would be incurred by the Government.

Can the hon. Gentleman state the tonnage of frozen meat either in storage or on board ship?

That is a question of which the hon. Member should give notice.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that certain farmers contemplate ploughing up their winter wheat already sown, and re-sowing the land with barley for consumption by their own stock or selling off the farm; whether, by adopting this process, a profit of over £7 per acre can be shown; and what steps he proposes in the above event to safeguard the nation's food?

I am not aware that any farmers intend to plough up their winter wheat, but I have heard that some farmers propose to cross-drill their wheat with barley or oats so as to secure a crop of mixed corn which can be used for stock feeding. Such action would not constitute any offence against the law, but I should deprecate it as being contrary to the national interest.

Are the Government yet in a position to say they have amended their statements in the direction of being prepared to give fairer treatment for 1920 growers?

I am not in a position to make any further statement.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state, for the years from 1914 to 1919, the tonnage of the exports of raw cocoa from the Gold Coast Colony to the United Kingdom, and the corresponding figures of raw cocoa exported to the United States from the same source?