asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that chaplains of the Indian ecclesiastical establishment have been officially in formed that under existing Regulations they are not entitled to a gratuity for service in the field, he will take steps to alter these Regulations so as to permit chaplains receiving War Gratuity according to rank at the same rates as com batant officers under Army Order 85, of 1919, as granted to chaplains on the British establishment?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to a similar question by him on the 16th February. Steps are being taken to expedite a decision.

Does that mean that that the chaplains will be given their gratuity?

It means that the matter is under the consideration of the Government of India.

asked how much of the cost, if any, of the Army of Occupation and the civil administration in Mesopotamia falls directly or in directly upon the Exchequer of India?

No part of the cost of the civil administration of Mesopotamia falls upon the Indian Exchequer. The same is now the case as regards the Army of Occupation. During the War the ordinary (but not the extraordinary) charges of the troops despatched from. India for service in Mesopotamia and other theatres of war were borne by India revenues under the Parliamentary Resolutions of 16th September and 26th November, 1914. No contribution is now being made by India towards the cost of the troops overseas.

asked the Secretary for India if he will state how far the Committee or Commission inquiring into Indian military affairs has been able to proceed with that inquiry and how soon the Report will be forthcoming; whether he will state if the deliberations of that body are being carried on under the presidency or acting chairmanship of Sir Michael O'Dwyer, the ex-lieutenant governor of the Punjab, whose administration of that province during the spring of last year came under examination by the Hunter Committee and has been the subject of controversy both here and in India; and, if he is so acting, whether he will consider the advisability of relieving him of that position until his administration of the Punjab, which supplies a considerable percentage of the recruits for the Indian army, has been cleared?

The Committee will shortly complete their inquiries in India, but no estimate can be given of the date when their Report will be issued. Sir Michael O'Dwyer is acting Chairman of the Committee. The Secretary of State sees no reason for relieving him of the position. His administration of the Punjab has no bearing on the matters under discussion by the Committee.

asked the present rates of wages paid to Indian workers in the principal industries; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps to ensure an early approximation of Indian industrial conditions to British standards?

As in several cases increases have recently been granted I have no exact information as to the present rates of wages in the various industries in India, but I will enquire. The settled policy of the Government of India, which has the full approval of my right hon. Friend, is to improve as rapidly the condition of Indian workers, but in a country like India British standards cannot in all cases be adopted. This, as the hon. Member is aware, is recognised in Article 405 of the Treaty of Peace, which lays down that in framing Draft Conventions and Recommendations for general adoption the International Labour Conference shall suggest modifications to meet the case of those countries in which, to quote the words of the Treaty, "climatic conditions, imperfect development of industrial organisation or other special circumstances make the industrial conditions substantially different."

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether it is the intention of the Government of India to retain powers over Labour legislation and to introduce any system of legal minimum wage in India, as has been suggested?

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the approximation to the British standard will include the compulsory adoption of English standards of clothing, food and housing, and, if so, who will pay for the mutiny which must result?

It is obvious that there must be great differences between economic legislation in India and in England. The differences must be adjusted to the economic circumstances in the two countries. The whole matter of the economic legislation suitable to Indian conditions is under the consideration of the Government of India.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at present there are 60,000 mill workers out in Bombay, striking for higher wages, and may we understand that the cause of these striking mill workers is being supported by Sir George Lloyd and the Government against the employers, with a view to securing a wage more comparable with that paid in other countries?

Under the Government of India Act, are they not capable of dealing with these cases in India?

Sir George Lloyd has already intervened in an important labour dispute in Bombay, and his intervention has been effective in securing a settlement, and I have no reason to suppose that his intervention in any later disputes will be less successful than in the past.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a dispute on now and that 60,000 men are out in Bombay?

asked the rate of pension paid to the widow of a deceased Indian private soldier; and whether any substantial increase is contemplated in the immediate future?

The rate of pension for the family of a sepoy or sowar is Rs. 5 per mensem or Rs. 4 per mensem, according to the circumstances of his death. The Government of India have been asked to expedite consideration of proposals for increasing these rates.

asked the Secretary for India whether he is now in the position to make a statement respecting the excessive price fixed by the Government of. India for rice exported to Ceylon and certain other British Dominions?

As the reply is somewhat long I propose, with the permission of my hon. Friend, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT:—

Is the reply satisfactory?

It depends upon the point of view from which the reply is regarded.

Will a reduction be made in the price that is being charged for the rice?

Yes.

asked the Secretary for India whether his attention has been drawn to the misunderstandings that appear to have arisen in Madras regarding the communication sent by the Secretary of State to the Government of India or the Governor of Madras, or both, on the subject of the distribution of seats between Brahmins and non-Brahmins according to the recommendations of the Joint Select Committee; if he has now seen the telegram; and whether he will give the text of the telegraphic private instructions to the Governor of Madras in so far as those instructions relate to the representation of non-Brahmins?

It is clear that the Press telegram from Madras which my hon. and gallant Friend presumably has in mind is inaccurate. I have already stated quite explicitly (in my answer of the 18th February to the hon. Member for Stafford) the terms of the message which my right hon. Friend sent to the Governor of Madras, and the very unusual step of publishing the actual text would not afford any further information on the point. The question at issue between Brahmins and non-Brahmins in Madras is, I understand, now under arbitration.

If the publication of the text of the telegram would not afford any information, what objection is there to publishing it?

It is not usual to publish a telegram.

Has not Lord Meston, who has been appointed arbitrator, succeeded in effecting a settlement of the question?

Lord Meston has been appointed arbitrator, but I have not received official information as to a settlement.

asked the Secretary for India if he will inquire whether the Acts of 1918 and 1919 enabling the Government of India to institute arrangements for the examination and certification of films have yet been put in force; if so, how many of these films have been censored, and with what results?

The Secretary of State is making the enquiry suggested.

asked the Secretary for India whether he can take steps to secure the abolition of the employment of child labour in the cotton mills and industrial concerns of India?

The International Labour Conference which met at Washington in November last adopted a Draft Convention regarding the minimum age of employment of children, and the Convention contained a special article relating to India. The Government of India will now be required, under Article 405 of the Treaty of Peace, to bring the matter before the competent authority for decision whether the draft Convention can be ratified or not.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is no one in an Indian house to look after the children unless they accompany their parents to their work. And will the right hon. Gentleman ensure that there shall be no forcing of utterly inappropriate standards upon an unfortunate people.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether a deputation of Fiji planters is at present in India; whether this deputation is demanding the continuance of indentured labour in Fiji; and whether His Majesty's Government and the Government of India will make a public denial that there is any intention of supplying indentured labour to Fiji, in view of the recent unrest there?

The unofficial Fiji Mission now in India is certainly not asking for a renewal of indentured labour, which is quite well understood to have been finally stopped. The recent unrest in Fiji occurred after the cancellation of all remaining indentures.

asked the Secretary of State for India, if he will state how many Indians have left India during the last 10 years under indenture; and how many are at present under in denture, and in what localities.

In the last 10years, 61,401 Indians have left India under indenture but none have gone since 1917. I gave the hon. and gallant Member for Gateshead, on the 24th February, the latest figures as to the number still under indenture in the several colonies.

asked how many strikes have occurred in India since the beginning of this year; in how many cases were troops called out; on how many occasions have there been conflicts between the strikers and the military in which the military fired on the crowd; and what has been the total number of casualties resulting among the Indian population?

Information available at the India Office shows that since the beginning of the year, in addition to the widespread strikes in the Bombay Presidency, which affected the cotton mills and other industries, strikes occurred in the Jamalpur railway workshops, at four Calcutta jute mills, and at Cawnpur. No official information has yet been received regarding the more recent strike at Jamshedpur. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the replies given on the 25th February and the 3rd March to questions asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme and the hon. Member for Barnard Castle.

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that the economic conditions of the Indians would be very much better if they were not compelled to carry on their backs some of the tribe of Civil Servants?

asked how many iron and steel workers are at present on strike in Jamshedpur district; and whether an attempt is being made to give the strikers' claims a fair hearing and to arbitrate the strike on British lines, in view of the regrettable occurrences at Sholapur and elsewhere?

I have received no report from the Government of India regarding the strike.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to obtain a report on this strike from the Government of India?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Indian caliphate or Islamic delegation at present visiting this country is led by a certain Mohammed Ali; whether this Mohammed Ali is the same individual who, on account of his revolutionary tendencies and his intimate association with the Committee of Union and Progress, was interned on his own responsibility by His Highness the Nawab of Rampur and who was subsequently interned by the Indian Government, together with his brother Shaukat Ali, who had earned a similar reputation at the university of Alighur; whether the inclusion of a man of such revolutionary tendencies on this Islamic delegation is approved by the Government of India; and whether he will consider the possible prejudice to the cause of the millions of loyal Islamic subjects of the Crown of the inclusion of an avowed revolutionary on a mission of this kind?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part the loader of the delegation is the same individual who was interned by the Government of India. With regard to the third and fourth parts of the question, the Government of India had no hand in selecting the personnel of the delegation. I can accept no responsibility on this point.

Is it a fact that members of the delegation have been officially received by representatives of the Indian Government in this country; does not such reception constitute an act of approval of the constitution of the delegation; and is it a fact that the Government of India, quite properly, had no hand in selecting the personnel of the delegation?

The hon. and gallant Member should hand in his question at the Table.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a visit of a committee of this kind is of the utmost advantage to the relations between ourselves and the Mahomedans in India; and is he also aware that it can only be of advantage to this Empire for men like Mohammed Ali to come here?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must follow the example of the hon. and gallant Member and hand in his question.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is the custom of his Department to reserve a certain number of berths on all passenger steamers leaving this country for India; and, if so, will he state what is the average number of such berths reserved; and whether, in the event of the same not being required by his Department, such berths are released in time for the use of the travelling public from whom there is a demand for passages at present?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. It is difficult, in view of the difference in the size and class of the ships, to give any average number, but from 15 per cent. to 30 per cent. of the accommodation available in liners is reserved. In the unusual event of any berth not being registered for a Government passenger, it is immediately released to the shipping company.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the pay and allowances to married officers of the British Army in India correspond, allowing for the difference in the cost of living, to the increased pay and allowances given to married officers of the British Army serving in Home stations?

The present rates of pay for officers of the British Army in India, which are provisional only, are the same for single and for married officers. But the Government of India have undertaken to consider the question of giving different rates to married and single officers when a permanent scale of pay is fixed.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the point in the question as to whether the pay and allowances to married officers correspond to the increased pay and allowances to married officers serving in this country?

I rather think they do, but I will look into it.

That is the point of my question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the withdrawal of the special exemption with regard to Income Tax, the pay of naval officers is now on a proper basis having regard to Recommendation No. 3 of the Halsey Report?

The Board of Admiralty in reviewing the Report of the Halsey Committee considered that the rates of pay recommended, after being subjected to to the higher tax, would be on a proper basis. This decision must be accepted, though it is realised that the increases of pay will be discounted to an appreciable extent thereby.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this decision takes on an average from £00 to £100 off the naval officer's pay, that, he does not get the army officer's allowance, and that naval officers with children to educate are placed in a serious position?

I quite appreciate that in certain cases there is a great deal of hardship, but there is a certain amount of misapprehension as to the position. The increase in the case of the naval officer is an increase in his pay. The army officer has an allowance. The one is of a permanent and the other is of a temporary character. The naval officer is not so much to the bad as my Noble Friend thinks in reference to that branch of the subject, but if he will be good enough to send me any cases showing what the disadvantages are, I will undertake to look very carefully into them.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can yet make any statement as to whether the Report of the first, Welfare Committee and the Admiralty decisions thereon can be made available to Members of Parliament?

It is not proposed to depart from the usual Admiralty practice, which is to treat Reports of Admiralty Committees on Service matters as solely for the information of the Board of Admiralty. Full information as to the request put forward through the Welfare Committee, and the Admiralty decisions thereon, will, of course, he promulgated to the fleet. I may add that the Report of the Welfare Committee was presented to the Admiralty on the 3rd of March: and that, as it contains a very large number of requests which require consideration, it will be some time before decisions can be promulgated.

In view of the great importance of this important departure, would not the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of laying this Report before the House?

I do not know what the hon. and gallant Member means by this new departure—whether he means the Welfare Committee. I presume what he wants is that the Welfare Committee should succeed. I think that their success would be gravely prejudiced by publishing their Report. It would be far better in the interests of the lower deck that these considerations should be regarded as questions put by them in the most friendly way to the Board of Admiralty, and to be considered by them in the same way, but it would be very undesirable to publish them.

asked whether H.M.S. "Steadfast" was recently fired upon in the Black Sea; if so, whether she suffered casualties or damage; who fired upon her; what service she was engaged upon at the time; and whether any other of His Majesty's ships have been fired upon since the capture of Odessa?

While returning to Novorossisk, after conveying General Cotton to Tuapse, H.M.S. "Steadfast" was fired upon from the latter place by Green Guards, and was hit by a 60-pounder shell and machine-gun bullets. No details as to casualties or damage sustained have yet been received. The reply to the last part of the: question is in the negative.

asked what British men-of-war are at present at Vladivostock or other Far Eastern ports: whether they have orders with respect to commerce to Vladivostock and other ports now in the hands of the Russian revolutionaries; and, if so, what are these orders?

H.M.S. "Carlisle" is at Vladivostock for the purpose of protecting British interests: there are no British men-of-war at other Russian ports in the Far East. "Carlisle" has been instructed as necessary to give effect to the policy of His Majesty's Government in regard to trade with Russia.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has received any particulars concerning the sinking of H.M.S. "Glowworm" at Meleberreznik, on the Dvina River; whether her destruction was caused by an explosion; whether she was at the time moored alongside a military lighter; whether there were on board approximately 90 ratings under confinement on account of their pro-Bolshevik sympathies; and how many officers, if any, were also lost in the explosion?

His Majesty's Ship "Glowworm "was not sunk, nor was she destroyed by the explosion referred to. She was proceeding alongside a barge which was on fire, in order to assist in extinguishing it, when the barge blew up, the commanding officer of the "Glowworm" being unaware that it contained ammunition. There is not a word of truth in the story as regards the 90 ratings under confinement. The following were killed or died of wounds caused by the explosion:—

• The Commanding Officer (Commander S. W. B. Green, D.S.O., R.N.),
• Four British officers,
• Two Russian officers,
• Seventeen men;

asked whether, under the Order in Council of 10th August, 1888, the proportion of freight falling due to Greenwich Hospital funds was one quarter of the whole sum paid as freight; whether in the case of freight paid since the Order in Council of 26th October, 1914, this proportion would have brought £438,285, or thereabouts, to Greenwich Hospital funds; and whether, having regard to the possibility of increasing pensions both to officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines had such a sum been paid to those funds, he will say whether the £15,000 only which has actually been contributed to Greenwich Hospital funds should be augmented by at least a further £400,000?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. But by the annulment of the Older in Council in question, the arrangement under which Greenwich Hospital funds received one-quarter of the sum paid for the conveyance of private treasury in H.M. Ships automatically ceased. In view, however, of the fact that a source of revenue which had existed for many years was thus terminated, it was agreed to make a grant of £15,500 out of a total sum of £30,963 4s. 6d. received as freight and insurance on a shipment of gold early in 1915, on the understanding that no further sums would in future accrue to Greenwich Hospital from the conveyance of treasure. I may add that the amount thus paid to Greenwich Hospital was more than the equivalent of the receipts of Greenwich Hospital from this source during the preceding fifty years. Perhaps I might say, regarding the answer given on Wednesday last, that the amount received by the Admiralty was for insurance and freight, the greater portion being for insurance, and that Greenwich Hospital was at no time entitled to share in the receipts for insurance.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty under what authority freight amounting to £1, 738,150 has been taken in charge and used as an Appropriation in Aid of Navy Votes (Vote 11 zz.); and to what specific purposes under Vote 11 this sum has been applied?

The amount received by the Admiralty represented a payment for services rendered in the conveyance of private treasure by H.M. Ships, and was accordingly correctly appropriated as a receipt in aid of the expense incurred by the Admiralty in carrying out the service. It would be impossible to allocate such a receipt proportionately to the various Navy Votes which contributed to the expenditure, and, as a matter of convenience, the whole amount was appropriated to the Miscellaneous Vote.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any legal liability still attaches to officers commanding any of His Majesty's ships which carry treasure on which freight is paid should such treasure or part of it be lost while in their charge?

The responsibility for the safe conveyance of the treasure, which under the Order in Council of 10th August, 1888, rested with the captain of the ship, now rests in the Admiralty. To the extent, however, that for any loss which might have been contributed to by negligence on the part of the commanding officer he would be liable to be dealt with under the King's Regulations for neglect of duty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any further decisions have been come to with a view to utilising the Royal dockyards and naval harbours to relieve the congestion at other ports and to build merchant shipping: and, if so, what are these decisions?

I hope to deal with this matter in my statement upon the Navy Estimates.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether officers and men of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Naval Reserve, and Royal Naval Division who have been mentioned in despatches during the War are to be entitled to wear a bronze oak leaf on the ribbon of the War Medal?

I presume my Noble Friend refers to the Victory Medal. As regards the Royal Naval Division, my Noble Friend is probably aware that they come under the War Office as regards medals. In the case of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, and Royal Naval Reserve, it has been decided, as the conditions in the Naval Service do not assimilate to those of the Army, not to issue this emblem.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when Naval prize bounty money is to be distributed?

As regards prize bounty, the old practice is followed. An award is made from the National Exchequer in each case in which an enemy ship of war has been sunk or captured. Each case is brought before the Prize Court, and payment is made immediately after a decision is given in each definite case, in accordance with the scale set forth in Order in Council, 27th April, 1918. Awards have in this way been made already in 93 cases, the total amount of money actually distributed being £68,500. There are, of course, certain cases still undecided by the Courts, but the procedure in these cases will be as I have described. If my hon. Friend refers in his question, as I imagine he does, to the distribution of prize money, I would refer him to the answer given on this subject on 3rd March, copy of which I am sending him.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that for many months past certain Admiralty houses in Eton Road, Stockton-on-Tees, have been unoccupied, causing deep resentment and indignation amongst those requiring houses; whether he is aware that more than a year ago the Admiralty informed the town clerk of Stockton by letter that the premises would probably be required at an early date and refused the town council's request that the property should be let; and whether and for how long the Admiralty intends to keep the property unoccupied having regard to the urgent public demand for houses?

It is true that certain of the Admiralty houses in question were not occupied during recent months, but they had been allocated to Coast Guard ranks and ratings, whose furniture in all cases but two was actually in the houses. For this reason the houses were not available for letting. As regards the second part of the question, I am advised that shortly after the letter to the town clerk in February, 1919, all the houses in question were allocated in the circumstances already mentioned. I would add that Stockton Wireless Station is about to be re-opened, and all houses will not only be occupied, but the number of houses will not be sufficient for our requirements.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the houses are to be occupied immediately, and, if not, will the Admiralty consider letting them on weekly tenacies, the tenants undertaking in writing to vacate at short notice?

Of course, I sympathise with my hon. and gallant Friend in putting that question. Our difficulty is that, even if we let the houses on weekly tenancies, we cannot get the people out of them. I will give the assurance that, if these houses are not forthwith required for the wireless station, what he suggests, that they should be let to weekly tenants, the tenants giving an undertaking in writing to vacate at short notice, will be considered.

May I ask whether an undertaking in writing will set aside the law?

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether it is proposed to give pay plus pension to officers promoted from the ranks of the Royal Navy for the period of their War service; and if he can justify the grant of pay plus pension to the lower deck while the same is denied to the officer who has risen therefrom?

The answer to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question is in the negative. As regards the second part, the policy is to treat officers promoted from the lower deck on the same lines as officers entered as such, and no reason is seen for departing from this policy.

Does my right hon. Friend absolutely shut the door?

My hon. Friend desires a differentiation between officers promoted from the lower deck and officers entered as such. I think I may say that officers promoted from the lower deck would not wish that; they would wish all to be treated alike.

Does my right hon. Friend absolutely shut the door to all officers of the Royal Navy?

That is not the question asked.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty if he is aware that a number of dockyard apprentices have been induced to apply for the post of schoolmaster, Royal Navy; if he is aware that, if two shipwright apprentices join the Royal Navy at the same time, the one as a shipwright chief petty officer and the other as a schoolmaster candidate, acting warrant officer, then at 28 years of age the former, being promoted shipwright warrant officer, will draw 15s. per day while the schoolmaster will draw 11s. 6d. per day, and that 10 years later the shipwright will draw 20s. per day and the schoolmaster 14s., with corresponding pensions; and if, seeing that this scale of pay is not likely to attract the best men to the schoolmaster branch and that the schoolmaster branch is of as great importance as any other, he will try to remedy this state of affairs?

The rates of pay of the schoolmaster branch are at present under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can give the number of ex-service men at present unemployed; and whether he can give an estimate of the number of skilled workmen among them?

289,139 ex-service men were claiming out-of-work donation at 27th February, of whom 38 per cent. were registered under skilled occupations.

asked the Minister of Labour to state the number of discharged sailors and soldiers that have been trained under the scheme for hand-sewn boot and shoe making; the number for boot and shoe repairing; the number still under training and their previous occupation; the number that have been trained under the scheme for boot and shoe manufacturing; and the number at present under training with their previous occupations?

Up to date approximately 2,000 men have been trained in the boot and shoe trade, of whom about 45 per cent. have been trained in hand-sewn boot and shoe making, and the remainder in boot and shoe repairing. The number trained in boot and shoe manufacture is negligible. There are at present about 1,800 men in training for these trades, of whom at least 80 per cent. are being trained in hand-sewn boot and shoe making. I regret that I have no information as to the previous occupations of the trainees referred to, which are very varied.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many have found employment?

After training?

Yes.

I am afraid I cannot tell that. I may be able to discover it, but I have not the information at hand at the moment.

Is not the prosperity of the boot trade able to absorb a far larger number of men than are available?

I should not like any reflection to be made on the assistance we have got in the boot and shoo trade. I am sure they are doing very well.

Is it not a fact that the boot and shoe operatives have helped these ex-soldiers in every particular, and that no objection has been raised?

They certainly have given us every help.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men are now unemployed; and what percentage of these have been unemployed for the following periods: less than four weeks; over four weeks and less than three months: over three months and less than six months; over six months and less than 12 months; over 12 months?

As this is a very long and detailed answer containing many figures, I hope the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the decision of the International Labour Conference recently held at Washington upon the employment of child labour?

My tight hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The Conference adopted a draft convention which provides that children under 14 shall not be employed in any industrial undertaking, other than undertakings in which only members of the same family are employed. Special provisions were inserted in regard to the application of the convention to India and Japan.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Apex Stamping Company, Limited, of Fleetwood, having failed to carry out an arbitration award, dated 20th November, 1919, and having been successfully prosecuted for non-compliance with the order, dismissed forthwith a large number of women trade unionists and filled the vacancies so created with non-union women; that the resentment aroused by this action in the local trade union movement is such as to threaten a general stoppage of work similar to that of last September: and whether steps will be taken by the Department to impress effectively upon the firm the disastrous effect of this policy of hostility to trade unionism?

I understand that this case is still sub judice. My Department has for some time been endeavouring to compose the difference in this case; but as the hon. Member will be aware, I possess no legal powers to enable me to take effective steps of the kind indicated.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the conditions under which the office staff and many servants live and work in certain large hotels is onerous, exacting, and injurious to health; that it is impossible for many of them to take concerted action for better wages and improved living conditions; and whether he will consider the advisability of appointing a Departmental Committee to inquire into the question of the conditions of employment of the nondescript workers in such establishments and to report?

I proposed to apply the Trade Boards Acts to the catering trade, including hotels, at an early date, in order that the conditions of the various classes of workers employed may be effectively regulated. In these circumstances, I think that it is unnecessary to appoint such a Committee as my hon. Friend suggests.

Does that answer apply to hotels in Government occupation?

Surely that is rather a ridiculous question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in view of the representations that have been made to him by Irish representatives, he will have the benefits promised under the Unemployment Insurance Hill to workers in Great Britain extended to the workers of Ireland?

I hope to be in a position to give a definite answer on this matter by the time the Bill next comes before Standing Committee C on Tuesday, March 16th. At the present time consideration is being given to the adjustments, financial and otherwise, which would be involved in giving effect to my hon. Friend's representation.

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is considering this matter sympathetically?

I am doing everything I possibly can to make it effective.

I am sure you are.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Clause 4, Sub-section (1) of the Trade Union Act, 1913, which enjoins the Registrar of Friendly Societies not to approve of the ballot rules of a trade union unless he is satisfied that every member has an equal right and, if reasonably possible, a fair opportunity of voting, and that the secrecy of the ballot is properly secured, is applicable to all subjects on which ballots are held; what steps the Registrar takes to satisfy himself that ballots are so conducted; and whether he is aware that ballots are conducted in circumstances in which intimidation takes place and there is no secrecy whatsoever?

The Section only applies to a ballot taken for the purpose of enabling a trade union to apply its funds to political objects as denned by the Act, and it is the duty of the Registrar to see that the union's rules provide for the matters referred to in the question. This has been effected by the preparation of sets of model rules, which have been adopted by the unions in every case. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not aware of any case of a ballot within his jurisdiction where there has been intimidation or any absence of secrecy.

Will my right hon. Friend state what means the Registrar possesses for satisfying himself that these rules are carried out?

It is his duty to see that they are, and he does it.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the regulations of some trade unions make a provision for sending ballot papers to the men's homes, and that councils can cancel certificates, and that the Registrar has got no power over them at all?

asked the Minister of Health if he will issue a Return to date, and continue to do so monthly or quarterly, of all cases where land acquired by local authorities for housing purposes under the 1919 Acts has, by means of the assistance of the Land Valuation Department, been purchased at a price 25 per cent. or more cheaper than that originally demanded; will he show in each case the price originally asked, price recommended by local authority, purchase price sanctioned by the Ministry, name of local authority, and name of owner of land; and will he give the grand totals of cost in the case of all land purchased to date and in the future with the assistance of the Land Valuation Department?

I have consulted the Board of Inland Revenue and I am advised that the publication of the details suggested would be undesirable and might prejudicially affect future negotiations for the purchase of land. On the other hand, periodical statements as to the total cost of the land purchased and showing the average saving which has been affected by means of these negotiations have been and will continue to be issued.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to cases where dwelling-houses which are fit for occupation have been kept unoccupied either for the purpose, of storing furniture or to obtain a higher sale price; and whether he will introduce legislation to enable local authorities to compel their immediate usage as dwelling-houses.

According to my information the number of cases of the kind referred to by my hon. Friend is small, and, as I stated in my reply of the 26th February, I think that the powers of the two Acts of 1919, if firmly administered, enable local authorities to deal with such cases. It does not appear that, in the cases of dwelling houses left empty, local authorities have any power other than that of acquisition, and in suitable cases I am recommending them to take this course.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can give an approximate estimate of the number of unskilled men required in the building trade at the presen moment?

I am not in a position to give an estimate as to the number of unskilled workers required in the building trade as a whole. As regards the erection of working-class houses, assuming that 200,000 houses are built per year, I estimate that the total number of unskilled workers required is approximately 172,500. At the present time the shortage is of skilled workers. We were, for instance, in the week ending February 28th, short of 2,149 skilled workers on houses now under construction.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state a single case where the building of either factory, workshop, or ordinary house is stopped for want of unskilled labour; and is it not a fact that if you are in a position to get skilled labour, it is very easy to get unskilled labour?

Yes, my information confirms that. We are not held up by lack of unskilled labour; it is skilled labour we are short of.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he has received any reply from the authorities of the Trade Union Congress to the suggestion that I understood he made that he should address the Congress on this subject?

I regret to say that the authorities of the Trade Union Congress have not yet fixed a date for me to see them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that a very large number of skilled bricklayers, having migrated to other trades, are remaining in those trades; and is the Ministry intending to take any steps to bring them back to their original occupation?

My right hon. Friend questions the accuracy of that statement, but we have been exploring all possible means of improving the situation with the best good will for a long time past, and I am looking to the skilled trades concerned to give some real help in the matter.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether there are any skilled men still in the Army; and, if so, has he made representations to the Secretary of State for War?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will introduce a Bill authorising local authorities to levy rates on unoccupied land and houses?

I cannot undertake to introduce such a Bill at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health (1) how many houses have been built or commenced under the Government housing scheme;

I have not the detailed information as to the progress made during February on the 26,186 houses of which the tenders had been approved by the end of January. I have only information, up to the present, as to stages of the work on 9,354 houses, with a record of the completion of 777 houses and flats. The number of house tenders approved by my Department up to the 1st November, 1919, was 8,646. The number of tenders approved during November last was 3,022, during December 7,507, during January 7,011, and during February 33,518, making the total number of tenders approved at the end of February 59,704.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean to say that the 26,000 he spoke of as having been tendered for by the end of January were all commenced in February?

I have not got the details as to every individual case. I am augmenting the staff very greatly, but it means a very large staff to keep in contact with every individual house. I will do my best.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Rent Amendment Act, 1919, deals with the question of ejectment, but under Section 2, Sub-section 1, it states that the Act shall remain in force until the 1st day of July, 1920; and if he will state whether the security of tenure under the Rent Acts, 1915 to 1919, ceases to be operative from the above date; and, if so, he will state what the intention of the Government is on this matter?

As I have already stated, a Committee is now sitting to consider the question of an extension of the Acts, and I hope to be in a position to make an interim statement next week.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the complaints of the Metropolitan retail butchers, as well as the public, to the inferior and, in many cases, bad meat which is being placed on the London market; and if he will institute a short inquiry into the causes, with a view to remedying the evil and punishing the offenders?

Local authorities have full powers for dealing with any meat which is found to be diseased, unsound, unwholesome, or unfit for the food of man. The information at my disposal as a result of inquiries recently instituted does not point to the existence of any considerable amount of meat on the London market coming within this description. If my hon. Friend has any cases in mind and will send me particulars, I will inquire into them.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for, Foreign Affairs whether he has received information to the effect that owing to the inflated prices derived from cotton, which at a conservative estimate have recently given a net profit exceeding £120 per acre, the cultivators in Egypt have ploughed up large areas of land already sown with cereals in order that they may plant cotton instead; whether he is aware that this action on the part of the cultivators is certain to add very largely to the cost of food in Egypt owing to the necessity of purchasing imported cereals; whether it is also realised that the action of the Egyptian cultivators will increase the shortage of cereals elsewhere; and whether the Government has taken, or proposes to take, any action in the matter?

His Majesty's Government have no official information on the subject, but have reason to believe that some isolated cases have occurred when standing crops of cereals have been ploughed up in order to plant cotton. It must be remembered that the price of cereals is very high, and unless the crop had been almost a complete failure, the cultivators would hesitate to plough it up in view of the approaching harvest which will commence next month. The Egyptian Government are fully alive to the importance of conserving the home supply of cereals and may be trusted effectively to check the practice referred to by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a number of former ministers of the late Soviet Government in Hungary are being tried on charges of murder and forgery by the present Hungarian Government; that every member of the former Soviet Government is charged with murder in 200 cases, which is the number of persons said to have been killed or executed under the Soviet Government: that they are charged with forgery for printing paper money; that some of these Ministers only held purely technical and scientific posts and had no say in general policy; and whether His Majesty's Government will take any steps to save the lives of these men?

I have no information concerning the alleged particulars, but I have asked His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapest for a report.

In connection with this inquiry can it be made clear to Admiral Horthy that we do not question his integrity in the matter, but that it is M. Friedrichs who is the danger point so far as the Hungarian White terror is concerned?

May I ask when the hon. and gallant Gentleman took the office of Prime Minister

I do not propose to answer the second question. The hon. and gallant Member knows the custom of this Front Bench. With reference to the supplementary question put by the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood) having asked the High Commissioner for a Report, it is not possible to tell him what to say and how to say it.

Is it not clear that this question is one for the Foreign Secretary and not for the Prime Minister?

asked the Prime Minister whether Great Britain and her Allies have demanded from Holland delivery of the German steamers which Dutch nationals have ostensibly purchased from German owners and which, in defiance of the terms of the Peace Treaty, have been taken to Dutch ports, notably the "Limburgia"; and, if so, what reply has been received from Holland?

I have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave on February 25th to a similar question put by the hon. Member for Chester.

is the hon. Gentleman not aware that this transaction is regarded as a colourable evasion of the undertaking of Germany to give this tonnage to the disposal and service of the Allies?

No, Sir; and as my hon. Friend is doubtless aware, this question was decided by the Supreme Council at a later date, and till the ratification of the Treaty the question of the taking over of those vessels is a matter for the Reparation Committee. As I stated in a former reply, that Committee is in communication with the German Government on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether facilities will be given for passing into Law this Session the Early Closing Bill, and what procedure will be followed if the measure is not placed on the Statute Book before August, when the present Regulations cease?

The Bill is down for Second Reading on Friday, the 18th, and until the Debate has taken place I am not prepared to make any statement on the subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in the event of its being finally decided to leave the Turks in possession of Constantinople, it is intended to leave any portion of European territory in Turkish control apart from the city of Constantinople itself; and, if so, what is the extent of the territory intended to be left in Turkish control?

As the Treaty with Turkey is at present under discussion, it would be inadvisable to make any statement.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give any information regarding the recent anti-Jewish excesses by Mohamedans in Palestine, particularly in the Jewish colony of Metulah, in Galilee: and whether any special instructions have been sent to the Commander-in-Chief in Palestine to put a stop to these excesses and to prevent further anti-Jewish demonstrations as likely to lead to crime?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. The War Office has no information of such excesses and it is not considered likely that any have taken place, or they would have been reported by the General Officer Commanding. If the hon. Member will be good enough to give details regarding dates, etc., inquiries will be made. No special instructions have been sent to the General Officer Commanding, Palestine, nor are any considered necessary, as the Commander-in-Chief is fully aware of His Majesty's Government's policy in regard to Palestine.

May we have a statement of the Government's policy with regard to Palestine?

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government are in a position to make the Prince of Wales' Fund available for assisting cases of extreme necessity among pre-War State pensioners generally or among naval and military pre-War pensioners?

The Government are not responsible for the National Relief Fund, the administration of which is vested in an Executive Committee. The Fund was subscribed expressly for the relief of distress directly due to the War, and I understand that the Committee have always taken the view that it is not within their province to attempt to relieve distress which results from the depreciation of currency and the rise in the cost of living, a disability which pre-War pensioners share with many other persons with small fixed incomes.

asked the Prime Minister with regard to the settlement of Kurdestan and Upper Mesopotamia, whether the creation of an independent Kurdestan is under consideration; whether it will include all the Kurdish tribes assigned under previous agreements to the French and British zones; and whether the interests both of the Kurds and of the various sects of Assyrian Christians will be safeguarded?

The whole question of the future of Kurdestan is at present being considered by the Peace Conference, who fully realise the necessity for safeguarding the interests both of the Kurds and of the various sects of the Assyrian Christians.

When may we have a statement of policy with regard to Mesopotamia in this House?

I think the House has been informed, so far as the Government are concerned, that it is not advisable to give any statement or details until the Treaty as a whole can be submitted.

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Kurds have now any representative either in Paris or in this country who is recognised as speaking for the Kurds at present?

I cannot answer that question without notice, but I can assure my hon. Friend that the question of Kurdestan is one of those which are most deeply absorbing the attention of the Allied representatives.

When do the Allies expect to come to a decision?

asked the Prime Minister, seeing that a very large section of the community who have reaped little or no advantage in the way of improved wages and increased incomes are suffering severely because of the constantly rising prices and are becoming restive and impatient through the failure of the Profiteering Act to cope with the evil, if he can give some indication when the Supreme Council will publicly announce the details of the remedy by means of which they propose to bring prices down?

As my hon. and gallant Friend will have observed, a communication on this subject appeared in the Press this morning.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the great interest now being taken in the proposal to nationalise the coal mines and the necessity of furnishing the public with the latest and most accurate information, and also in view of the Report of the Sankey Commission, he will issue a White Paper showing the countries where State ownership is now in operation and how long it has been so; the rates of wages, hours of labour, and cost of coal to the public in such countries; the latest available information concerning the German State-owned mines; and if the individual miner enjoys as much liberty under such a system as he does in the case of privately-owned mines or the public derive as much benefit?

I will consider my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion, with a view to furnishing the information as to the facts to which he refers so far as they can be ascertained.

Will the right hon. Gentleman also publish in the White Paper the fact that the Government have granted twenty-six millions per year to the coalowners as against a pre-war profit of thirteen millions, and have also relieved them of the cost of the Coal Control Department to the extent of £750,000?

I have not promised to lay any White Paper. I have promised to consider it, and if we do, it will contain facts only and not opinions. I may say in my judgment the statement which the hon. Member has just made is an opinion, and very much the reverse of the fact.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has arranged for the keeping of records regarding the treatment centres for venereal diseases established partly or wholly at the public expense: whether he can state the number of cases that have been dealt with for the first time at such centres; and what has been the expenditure in connection with such centres from national and local funds, respectively, for each year since their establishment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The number of cases dealt with for the first time at these centres between the 1st of January, 1917, when the first treatment centres were opened, and the 31st December, 1919, is approximately 175,000. The approximate expenditure of local authorities on their schemes for the diagnosis and treatment of venereal diseases during the years ended the 31st March, 1917, 1918, and 1919, amounted to £18,000, £116,000 and £216,000 respectively. The estimated expenditure during the current financial year is £314,000. Of this expenditure 75 per cent. is borne by national funds and 25 per cent. by local funds.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that some boards of guardians, in administering out-door relief, are giving to aged and infirm people considerably less than that given in old ago pensions, and to widows and children less than is given to the widows and children of deceased soldiers; and whether, in view of the fact that relief when given should be adequate, what action, if any, he proposes to take to have the order of the Ministry observed?

The question of the amount of relief required in a particular case is one to be determined by the guardians dealing with the application, on whom Parliament has placed the responsibility; I have no authority to make any order or regulation dealing with this matter.

As the order of the Board is that relief, when granted, should be adequate, would the right hon. Gentleman urge on Boards to increase the relief to equal that given to old-age pensioners and widows and children of deceased soldiers?

We state that relief must be adequate, but it is impossible to say as to the details of any particular case unless the details are before you. If the hon. Member has any particular case in mind, I shall be glad to look into it.

asked the Minister of Health whether the legislation necessary before he can decide the future utilisation of Poor Law infirmaries is to be expected this Session; and, if not, whether he will give such definite advice to boards of guardians as will enable them to make the institutional provision urgently required for tuberculous persons without incurring expenditure on accommodation which may be unsuitable for its ultimate purpose?

I am not yet in a position to make any statement in regard to the first part of the question. As regards the latter part of the question, it is not the policy of the Government to encourage boards of guardians to make additional provision for tuberculous persons. I am pressing upon the public health authorities the need for providing further institutional accommodation for these cases, with the aid of substantial financial assistance from the Exchequer.

Does not that mean a large amount of institutional provision that may be superfluous when there are Poor Law institutions available for the purpose, and suitable?

I do not think it does. 4s a matter of fact, we are several thousand beds short at the present time.

asked the Minister of Health if he has now received a large number of resolutions from municipal authorities asking for the alteration of the statutory date for holding municipal elections from 1st November to the third Saturday in May in each year; and if he proposes to take any action thereon?

I have now received resolutions in the sense indicated in the question from 48 municipal councils. I could not, however, take action in the matter without fuller evidence of a general desire for the alteration of the dates for municipal elections.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will give the total estimated loss of life due to massacres among the hitherto subject races of Turkey since the start of the War?

I regret it is impossible to give any estimates of an even approximately accurate nature.

asked the Under-Secretary of Slate for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that Latvia and Lithuania have received the recognition of Italy, and that representatives of the Italian Government are being sent to those countries: and whether, in view of the fact that it has been the consistent policy of the Allies to take no action of this nature without the consent of the majority, it may be assumed that Latvia and Lithuania will obtain complete de facto de jure recognition by both France and Great Britain in the immediate future?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The second part does not therefore arise.

Are you quite sure of those facts?

Absolutely.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the Government of Western Australia has signified its willingness to accept as immigrants several hundred war orphans between 9 and 16 years of age; and whether, having regard to the offer of the Oversea Settlement Committee of the Colonial Office to give free passages, he can suggest any steps that could be taken to ensure the provision of the necessary shipping facilities?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave him on March 2nd.

asked the Under-Secretary for State for the Colonics whether any riots or disturbances have been taking place in Fiji; whether hundreds of Indians and women have been put into prison; whether there has been any shooting on the part of the authorities: and whether he can make a full statement on the situation?

I beg to refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 3rd of this month to the hon. Member for Sevenoaks (Mr. Bennett). I have since received a statement from the Governor of all arrests during the disturbances. Under summary jurisdiction, 128 men and 14 women have been convicted of riotous behaviour, and 10 men of other offences; the cases of 40 men and four women were dismissed. Twenty-three men and six women have been committed for trial on charges of wounding with intent, cutting telegraph wires, or riot. Twenty-seven men are on remand on charges of wrecking bridges, one on the charge of cutting telegraph wires.