asked the Secretary of State for India when the Hunter Com mission Report will be published, and whether it will be published simultaneously in England and in India?

The Report will be published simultaneously in England and in India at the earliest possible date, but I cannot at present give a definite date.

Will the evidence be published at the same time?

I must have notice of that question.

asked whether Mohammed Ali, who is reported to have been interned in India for correspondence with the enemy during the War, has arrived in England, and, if so, has he been received at the India Office?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley on the 10th March, Mohammed Ali has arrived in England as a member of the Indian Khalifat Deputation. The Deputation has been received by myself on behalf of the Secretary of State for India.

Was it not the case in 1913 that Lord Crewe, when Sccretary of State, refused to receive this same man, and may I ask the right hon. Gentleman why he did not adopt the same procedure?

Mohammed Ali had been already received by the Viceroy of India, and in those circumstances I thought it right to receive him here.

Is he not going to be received by the Prime Minister tomorrow?

Yes.

Is he not covered by the Amnesty, like almost everyone who has offended?

Will the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Prime Minister that this man, who has been interned for communicating with the enemy, is not a man who should be received.

Is it not a fact that there is no truth at all in the statement that he communicated with the enemy, and is he not an ordinary agitator, who has had no dealings with Germany at all? Is that not true?

I think it is true that Mohammed Ali had no dealings with Germany.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer my question—whether he will represent to the Prime Minister the precedents and the conduct of this man, and that he is not a right man to be received?

I think the Prime Minister is perfectly well aware of the career of Mohammed Ali.

asked whether permission has been given to Lajpat Rai, who was deported from the Punjab in 1907, as reported in the Rowlatt Report, to return from America to India; and, if so, was that permission given before the proclamation of the general amnesty on the passing of the Government of India Bill or after?

It was in October last that the Secretary of State for India decided that a passport from America to India might be allowed to Lajpat Rai.

Was this permission given before the Amnesty, or after?

I think it was given before, but the Amnesty does not really affect the question. Lajpat Rai was never prosecuted for sedition. A British Indian subject, Lajpat Rai, who has never been convicted in court and never prosecuted—it is true he was deported in 1907—and whose public writings, however objectionable they may seem, were cloaked by the assertion that he wished for constitutional changes in India, but was not asking for separation from the British Empire, desired to return to India. The Government of India decided that the passport should no longer be refused.

asked whether any settlement has been arrived at regarding the cost of the India Office to be borne by British and Indian Revenues, respectively, during the coming financial year, and when the respective amounts will be made public in India and this country?

The recently published Vote on Account for the Civil Services forecasts a contribution from Imperial Revenues towards the cost of the India Office of £78,500. This amount, together with other sums totalling £40,000, which have for some time past been contributed to Indian Revenues on account of certain Imperial services rendered by India, is provisionally estimated to cover the cost, during the coming financial year, of the salaries of the Secretary of State and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, and of the Administrative as distinguished from the Agency functions of the India Offie.

asked when it is proposed to set up the Standing Committee of Members of both Houses of Parliament in connection with Indian affairs, as recommended by the Joint Select Committee on the Government of India Act last Session?

I think it is clear from paragraph 6 of their Report that the Joint Select Committee did not contemplate the setting up of a regular Joint Standing Committee until the Act is in operation, and, speaking generally, the Act cannot be brought into operation until the rules to be framed under it are ready. But I hope very shortly to move the House to reappoint forthwith the Joint Select Committee which dealt with the Bill, for the purpose (as they themselves recommended) of considering and advising on the drafting of these rules, and that similar steps will be taken in due course in another place.

Are we to understand that there is to be no change in the personnel of the Joint Select Committee from that which was sot up last Session—no addition either in this House or the other House?

No, Sir; I think there will be some.

Is it usual for a Committee, set up for a particular purpose in one Session, to recommend that they should be continued indefinitely, and that that recommendation should be acceded to?

My right hon. Friend thinks that is the appropriate course to take under the circumstances.

asked the Secretary of State for India what Indian troops, if any, are still at Hodeidah; why they are still there: whether they are shortly to be withdrawn; and whether any trade is possible between the town of Hodeidah and the interior of Yemen?

The garrison at Hodeidah, which was temporarily increased at the time of the detention of Colonel Jacob's mission, has now been reduced to one battalion of Indian infantry, which is being retained for the present at the desire of the inhabitants. I have no reason to believe that there is any impediment to trade between the town of Hodeidah and the interior of the Yemen.

Would the hon. and gallant Gentleman toll me why he answers this question, and not the India Office? Is Hodeidah in charge of the Foreign Office?

I answer this question because it concerns the Government policy in the Foreign Office zone.

Docs the Foreign Office zone now extend throughout the Red Sea as far as Aden?

I must decline to answer any question dealing with boundaries.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say whether Hodeidah is managed from Cairo or India?

In so far as this question is concerned, it is managed from the Foreign Office.

asked whether the Afghan Government has despatched an envoy to Teheran for the purpose of negotiating a commercial treaty?

I understand that an Afghan envoy has been despatched to Teheran. I am not aware whether he has yet arrived.

asked whether the Resolution of the Government of India of 27th January, 1920, on the Report of the Calcutta University Commissioners can be made available for the use of hon. Members?

Yes, Sir. I will have copies placed in the library, and I will send a copy to the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when it is intended to publish a further edition of the wreck chart?

A new edition of the seven wreck charts, published by the Admiralty, which embraces the British Isles and North Sea, is now being revised, and should be ready for issue by about the 23rd of this month The work has been prolonged owing to the necessity of sifting a great deal of information, much of which was unreliable, regarding the position of some 2,000 wrecks. About 400 additional wrecks have been inserted on the new editions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what is the number of naval ships of each class now in commission in home waters; and what number of each class is not in commission?

Complete details of ships in commission are contained in my statement explanatory of the Navy Estimates. The numbers of ships of the various classes which have been paid off, are as follow:—

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether there is any hope of being able to sell H.M.S. "Vindictive" at a moderate cost; and, if so, what are the intentions of the Admiralty with regard to her disposal?

I am afraid I cannot to-day say anything definite in reply to this question. Amongst other things the "Vindictive" broke her back during a very severe gale experienced in May last. Operations are in progress in order to move her to a position where she will not obstruct the Channel. Thereafter a decision will be taken as to her ultimate disposal.

Are we to understand from that answer that there is a prospect of saving the ship? Shall I put a question later?

My hon. and gallant Friend might put a question later. I should not like to answer that without consulting the Department.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many trawlers and drifters are employed with His Majesty's Fleet on services other than mine-sweeping; how many are employed on mine-sweeping; how many are awaiting disposal; how many trawlers and drifters have been disposed of since the Armistice with Germany; and how many of these were disposed of to ex-Service men or to Royal Naval Reservists?

The answer is a long and detailed one. I will, if I may, therefore circulate it with the OFFICIAL REPORT. Presuming that my hon. and gallant Friend needs the information in anticipation of the Debate on Navy Estimates which opens at 7.15 this evening, I am sending him a copy forthwith.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any plans have boon drawn up for clearing the Eastern Baltic of mines after the ice clears; and whether it is intended to assist the Soviet Government of Russia in clearing the Gulf of Finland of mines by exchanging information as to the position of the minefields or in any other way?

The mine clearance of the Baltic, outside the Gulf of Finland, has been allotted to Germany. With regard to the Gulf of Finland, exchange of information as to the position of mines laid with the intention of safeguarding His Majesty's ships from attack by Bolshevik ships, will depend on the attitude of the Soviet Government towards the British naval vessels which may be in Baltic waters in the spring. It is not the intention to afford assistance in clearing the Gulf of Finland of mines, other than by such exchange of information.

asked how many of His Majesty's ships are undergoing repairs or docking in private yards?

None of His Majesty's ships are at present undergoing repairs or docking in private yards. Three Admiralty trawlers are, however, in hand at a private yard in Brightlingsea fitting out for transfer to the National Fishery Scheme. Three old cruisers ("Leviathan," "Minotaur," and "Duke of Edinburgh") are also having guns, etc., removed at the Humber—where they are lying—preparatory to sale and transfer to purchasers. This work will all be completed before the end of April.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether discharges by purchase from the Navy have been suspended; and, if so, for what period?

In order to reduce the personnel of the Fleet to the level of post-War requirements, a number of free discharges have been authorised, since the 1st October, 1919, among men over 18 years of age. Discharge by purchase is suspended for men over this age, those who can be spared being allowed free discharge. Orders respecting the reintroduction of discharge by purchase will be promulgated at an early date. The discharge by purchase of boys under 18 has not been suspended.

Will ray right hon. Friend explain whether those who made application for discharge by purchase before the suspension will receive consideration and free discharge?

Oh, yes, their applications will be considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me why a man who applied before suspension has not been released?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will consult with me in any case of that kind; I confess I do not quite follow what he is asking.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how much of the total sum of £1,753,150, received by the Admiralty for freight and insurance of treasure carried in His Majesty's ships during the War, was on account of freight and how much was on account of insurance; what rate of freight was charged; having regard to the annulment of the Order in Council of 10th August, 1888, on what authority was any freight charged or rate fixed; whether the receipt of money for insurance was in consequence of the Admiralty undertaking the insurance; and, if so, on what authority did they undertake it?

An arrangement was made with certain owners of bullion for their property to be conveyed on board His Majesty's ships during the War on payment of a percentage charge to cover insurance and freight. The rate paid was usually 25s. per cent. It was generally unnecessary to divide this amount between insurance and freight, but where freight was accounted for separately, it was chargd at 4s. 3d. per cent.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty the number of men who were promoted from the lower deck to be officers during the War; how many of these have been retained in the Navy, and whether it is proposed to grant additional facilities for deserved promotion to the higher rank?

During the War, 3,101 promotions were made to Warrant rank, and 497 to the rank or equivalent rank of Mate. Of the officers so promoted, 1,758 and 447 respectively are still serving. A few of those promoted to Mate were Warrant Officers previously, but the exact number is not available The number of promotions made during the War was considerably above the normal, and at present, generally speaking, the lists of officers are much overborne. Bearing in mind also the lesser number of officers required for the post-War Fleet, it is likely that the number of promotions, taken as a whole, must be smaller for some time to come. At the same time the Admiralty are anxious to increase, as far as possible, the facilities for promotion, and in this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the proposals for earlier promotion to Mate which appear in the First Lord's Statement on the Navy Estimates issued to the House.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether his Department received a petition from the chargemen of trades in His Majesty's dockyards, Rosyth, Portsmouth, Chatham, etc., relating to increase of pay by annual increments, and the granting of 12 days' annual holiday with pay; and whether a decision has been reached and a reply sent to the petitioners?

Before that question is answered may I ask whether the word "Devonport" has not been missed out before Rosyth?

Before my right hon. Friend takes notice of that question, will he in his answer kindly address himself to my question No. 20. Devonport is an "etcetera."

My hon. Friend (Sir C. Kinloch-Cooke) should have thought of his point before. A petition has been received of the nature referred to by my hon. Friend, and a deputation of the petitioners had an' interview with me at the Admiralty. Both the points raised require and are receiving careful consideration. I am afraid I can give no undertaking respecting the ultimate decision.

Will the right hon. Gentleman give a decision soon on this matter?

There will be no delay, but both points are rather important. They constitute an alteration in the status as well as in the pay of the chargemen

Now would the right hon. Gentleman say why Devon-port is not represented?

I have seen the Devonport chargehands 6n both these matters on several occasions.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether several young ex-Service men were engaged at Rosyth naval base at definite weekly wages, plus bonuses, mutually agreed upon, and after working several weeks they were sent for, informed that as they were not 21 years of age they were not entitled to the 12½ per cent. bonus, and were compelled to return th excess; and, if so, whether he will state the reason for this treatment?

A report has been obtained on the subject of my hon. Friend's question. It appears that four ex-Service men were recently engaged. As they were not 21 years of age, the 12½ per cent. bonus was not payable to them, but through inadvertence the bonus was paid for several weeks. On the mistake being discovered, arrangements were made for the recovery of the overpayments by easy instalments. The payment of the 12½ per cent. bonus was not part of the specific terms of employment, but a report has been called for from the Yard, with the object of considering whether the circumstances are such as to make recovery of the over-payment inequitable.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that I have the united testimony of these four men that the 12½ per cent. bonus was promised? Even if It had not been promised, now that it has been paid, does he not think it is very paltry on the part of the Admiralty to call for a return of this ss. extra per week? No private firm would pursue such a policy; and does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the only value of this incident is to show the Labour party in this House what labour can suffer when under State control?

I will not go into the broad question, but I may say that the 12½ per cent. bonus, under the Ministry of Munitions Scheme, was not payable to men under 21. If, however, anyone in authority inadvertently promised these men the 12½ per cent., although recovery is being made, it shall be repaid them.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he has received a petition from the male writers at Rosyth asking for increased pay; and whether his Department has yet arrived at a decision on the question?

A petition for increased pay has been received from the temporary writers at H.M. Dockyard, Rosyth, but a separate decision cannot be arrived at as regards Rosyth pending a decision on the application by the Civil Service Union for increased pay generally for temporary writers in all the dockyards and naval establishments. This latter application is under consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour how many disabled sailors and soldiers are now under training through the efforts of the 17 divisional training committees; how many of these are training for the building trade; whether the directors of these divisional training centres have complete power to act on the evidence placed before them as to the number of men the industry is capable of absorbing, or whether they have to be guided by votes of the members of their committees; and whether he will add to the committees representatives of the sailors and soldiers?

19,514 such men are now under training, of whom 1,505 are being trained in the building trade. In deciding as to the capacity of a particular industry to absorb more labour the Divisional Directors of Industrial Training are guided by local technical advisory committees representing the local organisations of employers and workpeople in the trades concerned, who ought to be in the best position to gauge the prospects of employment in their own districts. The addition to these committees of representatives of the ex-Service men is now under the consideration of the various national trade advisory committees who are responsible for determining the constitution of local technical advisory committees.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any record is kept of the sailors and soldiers that have been trained in boot and shoe making who have been placed in situations and of those who have been unable to obtain the same, and whether he will give the figures appertaining thereto; and, if no such record has been kept, whether he will arrange for this to be done in future?

As the course of training in boot and shoe making involves the placing of men as improvers with private employers for the latter part of their training, the question of finding situations at the termination of training does not as a rule arise. In certain cases delays and difficulties arise in finding "improver" vacancies on the termination of the period of training in an institution, but these are normally overcome by the action of the local technical advisory committees, who give special attention to the finding of such vacancies for the men. Steps are being taken to obtain records of cases where improvers' vacancies are not available.

May I ask whether their training as improvers with private firms is merely part of the scheme of training and can the right hon. Gentleman say how many men whoso training has been completed have been placed in employment and are at work? Is it not the fact that part of the recommendation of the Committee for the establishment of the scheme was that more men should not be trained than could reasonably be placed in vacancies?

It was certainly part of the scheme that no more men should be trained than could be placed. That matter is controlled by the Local Technical Advisory Committees which contain representatives both of employers and employed. Up till now we have not had the experience of failing to find men positions at the end of their improvers' course after the technical training.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men have in all applied for industrial training; and how many hitherto are actually being trained?

The number of ex-service men who are now known to be awaiting industrial training is approximately 27,500. The number of those actually receiving industrial training is 19,514.

Have facilities been given to suitable persons to obtain the necessary factories wherever possible in accordance with the Committee's recommendations?

We are as rapidly as possible acquiring as many factories as we can use. There has been delay which I much regret, but we are expediting matters as much as possible at the present time.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state in detail the numbers of ex-service men whose training has been sanctioned by the various unions represented at the Trades Union Congress of 1919, and at the same time indicate how many of these ex-service men have actually commenced their training?

The bodies responsible for deciding the number of ex-service men who may be admitted to training in the organised trades are not the Unions represented at the Trades Union Congress, but Local Technical Advisory Committees, representing the local organisations of employers and workpeople in most of the chief staple trades of the country. The great majority of the 19,500 men now under training have been "admitted by Local Technical Advisory Committees.

Docs that answer apply to the building trade?

Yes, it applies also to the building trade. There is a Local Technical Advisory Committee which sits on the matter, and there is also a Building Trades Council which has been dealing with part of the question in order to put a large number into training for the trade.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it is essential that some further pressure, outside that of employers and employed in the building trade, should be enforced in order to open the ranks of the trade to discharged service men?

Yes, I entirely agree with the suggestion made in the question of my hon. and gallant Friend. So far as training is concerned we have been met to a very great extent by the building trade, but so far as getting discharged men into the trade goes there has been a very definite refusal, and I hope that public pressure will be brought to bear on this matter.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can arrange for approved societies to be notified when any of their members undergo a period of training under the Ministry of Labour?

The necessary instructions have recently been issued to ensure the notification to the approved societies of all insured persons receiving training allowances.

asked the Minister of Labour what decision has been arrived at relative to the case of Mr. Wright, a discharged soldier, reference number 80,011/L6, who has made application for assistance from the Civil Liabilities Department, Savoy Place; whether he can now give his promised reply; and whether he is aware that the applicant has notice to leave his present home by 11th March next and has nowhere to go unless his application is granted?

I find upon further inquiry that Mr. Wright has already received a course of training at the public expense. He would not, however, be eligible for assistance in starting business on his own account unless the local War Pensions Committee, under whom he had entered upon training, had undertaken that he should have it, and the Committee were to certify that, owing to special conditions, it is not practical for Mr. Wright to obtain employment in the occupation for which he has been trained. The local War Pensions Committee have now stated that no such undertaking was given.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of persons employed in the trades now under trade boards and the number employed in trades in which it is proposed to create trade boards during the present year; the number of persons at present engaged in the administration of the Trade Boards Acts; and the additions proposed to be made to this number when the further trade boards are created?

It is impossible to state accurately the number of workpeople employed in trades to which the Trade Boards Acts have been applied, but it is estimated that the total number is over 2,000,000. It is further estimated that about 2,500,000 are engaged in trades which are now being investigated with a view to the application of the Trade Boards Acts. The number of officers engaged in the administration of the Acts, including the Secretarial and Clerical Staff attached to the Trade Boards, is 159, of whom 115 are temporary officers. For the enforcement of Trade Board rates of wages, it is proposed not to increase the number of the special staff of Inspectors but to utilise the existing noncompliance staff of the Ministry for inspection under the Trade Boards Acts and other Acts for the administration of which the Ministry of Labour is responsible. I anticipate that by this means the proper observance of the Acts will be secured.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that the Trade Board for the aerated water trade in Scotland has proposed to fix minimum rates of wages below those proposed by the Trade Board in the same trade in ling-land and Wales, and that this difference of rates is viewed with apprehension by manufacturers of aerated waters in England and Wales; whether there is any justification either in regard to cost of living or cost of production in Scotland for the difference; and whether he will look into the matter and, if the difference should not appear to be justified, take steps to bring about a co-ordination in the two sots of minimum rates in the interests of English and Welsh manufacturers and Scottish operatives in the aerated water trade?

I am aware that the two Trade Boards set up for the aerated waters trade have proposed different minimum rates of wages for England and Wales and for Scotland. The proposals are still under the consideration of the respective Boards, and I feel unable to express an opinion until the recommendations of the two Boards are submitted to me in accordance with the procedure prescribed by Statute. The whole matter will then receive my careful consideration.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of cases in which he has sanctioned, or proposes to sanction, the creation of separate trade boards for Scotland in respect of trades not distinctively Scottish; the considerations, if any, that induce him to create these; separate boards, and the advantages he I expects to derive from the policy; whether, if he regards separate boards as advantageous for Scotland, he proposes also to create separate boards for Wales; whether he is aware that the creation 1 of separate boards in a single trade for; different parts of the United Kingdom involves the risk of different rates of wages, and consequently of friction between employers in one part of the United Kingdom and those in another, as well as a serious increase in the expenses of trade boards administration; and whether, in the circumstances, he will undertake not further to create more than one board in any trade in the United Kingdom until he has taken into account the views of the associations of employers and workers in the trade?

This question involves a very long answer, and I propose to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Press that on 3rd November last the price of tin (standard cash) was £273 per ton, and that it rose by rapid stages to £423 per ton on 25th February and is still over the £400 limit and stands at a figure higher than tin has over reached in its history; that the position in Cornwall to-day is that the miners are not being paid a fair rate of wages compared with the increase which other branches of workers are receiving; whether the Industrial Council of the tin trade has had before it demands for increased wages for over a month and has come to no settlement; whether the return of tin miners' wages in the February issue of the "Labour Gazette" only reveals average weekly earnings of £2 6s. 6d. per man per week; and whether, in view of this apparent refusal of the tin-mine proprietors of Cornwall to pay their men an adequate wage, he will, in view of the profits now being made, at once set up an Industrial Council inquiry?

I am informed that negotiations are proceeding between the Tin Mining Employers' Federation and the Workers' and Dock, Wharf, Riverside and General Workers' Unions, that an offer of certain increased wages has been made to the unions, and that a ballot on it is taking place. In the circumstances I do not think my Department should intervene in this matter at the present stage.

asked the Minister of Labour whether in 1913 there were raised from mines 48,018 tons of barytes of a value of £41,460, or about 17s. perton, and this figure had increased in 1918 to 66,360 tons of a value of £218,592, or about £3 6s. per ton; whether he could state, approximately, what were the wages of barytes miners in 1913 and what they are at the present moment; whether in 1913 24,688 tons of fluor spar were mined valued at £9,436, or 7s. 6d. per ton, and in this production had risen to 53,498 tons in 1918 of a value of £41,310, or about 16.s. per ton, and what were the wages of fluor spar miners in 1913 and what are they at the present moment; and whether he can arrange for the wages of these two sections of miners to be stated each month in the "Labour Gazette" Returns in the same manner as those of other classes of workers are returned?

I propose to circulate this answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any Indus trial Council exists in the lead and zincmining industry; if not, whether he will avail himself of Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act to institute an inquiry into the recent rises of lead from £37 per ton in November to over £50 per ton (English pig) to-day, and the relation this advanced price bears to the wages of lead miners; and whether, as spelter has advanced in a similar period from about £46 per ton to an average of about £60 per ton, he will extend the inquiry into the remuneration of blend miners, and, if possible, form an Industrial Council for these two industries?

No Joint Industrial Council exists for either of the industries, though there is an Interim Industrial Reconstruction Committee for the Non-ferrous Mines Industry, which is primarily connected with lead and zinc mining.

As I have previously ventured to point out to the hon. Member, an inquiry into the economic position of non-ferrous mining in this country is already being conducted, and a concurrent inquiry on this subject is accordingly unnecessary and inadvisable.

asked the Minister of Labour when the Hours of Employment Bill will be introduced?

I hope to be able to announce very shortly a date for the introduction of this Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state if the benefits of the Unemployment Insurance Bill will be extended to the workers of Ireland?

The point of the hon. Gentleman's question has been raised by an Amendment to the Bill and will be dealt with shortly in Committee. The details connected with the matter are at present under the consideration of the Government Departments concerned, and the considered view of the Government will be given when the Committee deals with the point.

asked the Minister of Labour why young men of the mercantile marine who were on service during the War have been refused financial assistance while studying for their Board of Trade certificate, seeing that these men's period of service was interrupted during the War?

asked the Minister of Labour whether men who served in the mercantile marine during the War are excluded from the training schemes of his Department; and whether, having regard to the danger to which these men were almost always exposed and that their War service was as real as that of many men with the ordinary forces who are eligible for training and grants, the Government is now prepared to alter the Regulations applying to demobilised men of the mercantile marine?

As I explained to the hon. and gallant Member for South Nottingham in an answer given on the third day of this month, the limits of the maintenance and training grants' scheme administered by my Department were fixed after a full review of all the relevant factors, and it was decided that it was impossible to include members of the Mercantile Marine as a, class in that scheme; although the matter has been reconsidered by me on more than one, occasion, I fear I cannot see my way to recommend a reversal of this decision. I may add that members of the Mercantile Marine who enter into certain agreements with the Admiralty and were disabled during their service under such agreements, are already eligible for training under the scheme.

In view of the fact that the bulk of these men suffered very considerably, and further, that their numbers are very small, would it not be possible to include them in this scheme without much additional cost to the State?

Everyone knows that the utmost possible sympathy is felt by all for members of the Mercantile Marine. But this is a question which is entirely separate from the main question of apprenticeships in other trades. While we have applied the apprenticeship scheme to those whose apprenticeships were interrupted during the War, the same kind of considerations do not apply to the Mercantile Marine, and what we are really being asked to do is to provide for people during the time they are preparing for their examination. That does not fall within the general limits of the scheme, and I am afraid I cannot promise any reversal of any decision already arrived at.

Does that apply strictly to men of the mercantile marine who are really in the position of disabled men, and why should any distinction be drawn?

There is no distinction in that respect. So far as they are disabled men there will be adequate opportunities of training, just the same as the others.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that in some eases Scottish bakers who have been in receipt of unemployment donation in Scotland have been offered by the Employment Exchanges of the Ministry of Labour situations in England and Wales at rates lower than the rates for these areas prescribed in Statutory Rules and Orders, 1919, No. 1772, dated 19th November, 1919; whether the officials of these Exchanges are acting in accordance with the Ministry of Labour's policy and Regulations in offering situations the terms of which are at variance with findings which have been reached through the agency of the Ministry's officials; and whether he will take steps to prevent such offers being made in future?

The instructions to Employment Exchanges provide that vacancies offering lower wages than the legal minimum shall not be offered to workpeople, whether or not such workpeople are in receipt of donation or unemployment benefit. I am making inquiry as to whether there has been any contravention of these instructions in the class of cases referred to by the hon. Member, but it would assist these inquiries if he would furnish me with further particulars.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any of the new Employment Exchanges, for which Estimates have been submitted, are designed to deal with applicants between fourteen and eighteen years of age; and, if so, on what ground the Ministry of Labour is justified in encroaching on the powers given to local education authorities by the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910?

The Estimates submitted for new Employment Exchanges provide, where necessary, for dealing with applicants between fourteen and eighteen years of age. This does not involve any encroachment on the powers vested in local education authorities under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910. In the majority of cases the local education authorities have concurred in special schemes, either under the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, or the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910, which provide for all the work of dealing with juvenile applicants being performed at the Local Employment Exchange. In certain cases in which a scheme under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act has been approved, the scheme provides for the work being done in premises belonging to the local education authority, and in such cases provision for the accommodation of juveniles is not made and is not proposed at the Local Employment Exchanges. It should be added that, as regards persons between the ages of sixteen and eighteen, who are compulsorily insured against unemployment, the Ministry are under a statutory obligation to provide the necessary accommodation for this purpose.

Are we to understand that in all cases local Education Boards will be consulted and asked to co-operate in this scheme?

I am sorry to say cooperation between these two bodies is not complete throughout the country. It works very well at headquarters, and I am at present considering with the Minister of Education means whereby we can get bettor co-operation in the country.

Will the right hon. Gentleman insist on there being no unnecessary duplication of buildings or staff at the public expense?

That is a point which we are keeping very much in view.

asked the Prime Minister whether the supply of arms and munitions to Poland by the United States of America received the approval of the Supreme Council?

The action which the United States Government have seen fit to take in this matter cannot suitably form the subject of a question and answer in this House.

When may we have a statement in view of the recent pronouncement on the need of demobilisation and peace in the world?

I do not think this is a proper place for a statement on that subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether a decision has yet been arrived at by the Supreme Council as to the constitution of the Commission to visit Russia; and on what date it is proposed to despatch that Commission?

The hon. and gallant Member is incorrectly informed. A Commission to visit Russia is being organised not by the Supreme Council, but by the Council of the League of Nations.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Ruthenians formerly under Hungarian rule have expressed a desire for incorporation into Czechoslovakia; if so, by what method; and, if not, whether they will be allowed to choose their allegiance?

The Peace Conference, after prolonged study of the question of the Ruthenians of Hungary, came to the conclusion that this people preferred to be attached to Czechoslovakia rather than to Hungary or Roumania, They have, however, not been incorporated in Czecho-Slovakia, but formed into a completely autonomous province, the rights of which are protected by a special treaty with the Czecho-Slovak Government. The third part of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in fixing the boundaries of Hungary, the principle of self-determination is to be applied; whether the boundaries proposed will exclude from their own fatherland and place under Roumanian or Czecho-Slovak rule large compact populations of Magyars and other races, including some blocks numbering hundreds of thousands; and whether the wishes of these people will be ascertained by plebiscite or by any other method before such boundaries are finally determined?

As regards the first part of the question, the Peace Conference have drawn the boundaries of Hungary as closely in accordance with ethnic principles as was geographically possible. As regards the second part of the question, I would remind the hon. Member that owing to the mixed character of the population in these regions it was inevitable that large Magyar minorities should be as a result brought under Roumanian rule, just as many hundreds of thousands of Czechoslovaks, Roumanians and (Germans have still to be left under Hungarian rule. I cannot regard the proposal of a plebiscite in the third part of the question as practicable, but the Peace Conference have never lost sight of the wishes of the inhabitants.

When will the Treaty be laid before the House for discussion?

Is it not a fact that the Italian Prime Minister has been urging the Supreme Council to revise this Treaty more in the direction of national integrity?

As a matter of fact, the whole subject was very carefully considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether Roumania has under taken by treaty to give to Hungarian nationals coming under Roumanian rule the right to opt for any other nationality that may be open to them and that persons exercising such option shall be entitled to retain their immovable property in Roumanian territory; if he is aware that, in defiance of such treaty, a law has been decreed to expropriate entirely all real estate belonging to foreign subjects and enacting that Hungarian subjects who choose allegiance to any State other than Roumanian are to be treated as foreigners and thus deprived of the protection specifically provided for them in the treaty, and that this is to apply to corporate property held on behalf of co-operative societies, churches, and schools, thus violating the religious liberty promised by the Allies; whether he has protested or will protest against this action; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the oppression of transferred populations and to guarantee the execution by the Roumanian Government of their treaty obligations?

Yes, Sir; Roumania, Czecho - Slovakia, Yugo - Slavia and Austria, though not yet Hungary, have signed such treaties. With regard to the second part of the question, I am aware that a law has been introduced in Roumania and in Transylvania to expropriate big estates, though I am not in a position to state whether the details of this law are of the character alleged. The third part of the question does, therefore, not arise. With regard to the last part of the question, I may remind the hon. Member that the guarantee of these treaties rests with the League of Nations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman make enquiry with regard to the matter?

Yes. The Supreme Council will make sure that the legislation does not infringe the Treaty. So far as I am able to gather information, what happened is that those Governments are going a very long way in the direction of the land policy of the hon. Member.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there have been great complaints that religious liberty has been interfered with and is he not aware that those who are keen on the land policy are keen on religious liberty and all other forms of liberty?

There is nothing about religious liberty in the question.

Is that land policy applied to the Boyars of Roumania as well as to the landlords of Transylvania?

I told the House we have not full information as to what the legislation is but so far as information is available it applies to all estates.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government had any information last autumn with regard to a contemplated rising of the German troops stationed in East Prussia and the Baltic provinces?

The Government had information of the existence last summer of a plot to bring about a reactionary and military coup d'etat in East and West Prussia The existence of the plot was discovered by the German Government, who dismissed the ringleaders from the Government service.

Have the Government no information as regards the number of Prussian troop stationed at Dantzie and Memel?

I think we had information, I have not it in my head.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an apology has now been made to Mr. W. T. Goode for the action taken against him by the British officers in Esthonia during his passage through that country last September; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

An apology was sent to Mr. Goode on the 8th instant, and no statement therefore is required.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of the French Government has been called to the special danger threatening the Armenians in the town of Hadjin within the French zone in Cilicia; and whether he can inform the House what steps have been taken for their protection?

It has not been necessary to call the attention of the French Government to the conditions in the French zone for the reason that they are themselves in a bettor position than His Majesty's Government to judge of those conditions and the measures necessary to meet them. I have no information as to the steps which they may have taken.

Are there no means which can be taken to give protection, which the French, as a matter of fact, have not given?

I think the French are doing their best to protect these unfortunate Armenians in their zone.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonics whether the rupee current in Ceylon continues to be minted in India, and if so, has it the same fineness of silver; whether it is under contemplation to reduce the fineness of silver of the Ceylon rupee and have it minted elsewhere than in India; and if any such action is contemplated, will he assure the House that, in view of the fact that Ceylon obtains most of its food and labour from India, no action in any manner divorcing the Ceylonese currency from the Indian currency will be definitely decided upon until Parliament has had the opportunity to express its opinion?

The rupee circulating in Ceylon is the rupee of India, and there is no separate rupee of Ceylon. No action of the nature suggested is under contemplation as regards Ceylon, and the last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies whether he has yet received a copy of the Ainsworth Circular respecting forced labour in East Africa; and, if so, whether he is prepared to lay it upon the Table?

I am still awaiting the receipt of copies of the Circular from the Acting Governor and of his observations on it, and will then consider the question of laying a copy of the Circular on the Table. I must not be taken as accepting the hon. and gallant Member's description of the Circular.

When does the hon. Gentleman expect to receive this Circular, and will he let me have a copy?

I wrote for it a considerable time ago, and I expect it shortly.

Will the hon. Gentleman send me a copy?

indicated assent.

Will the hon. Gentleman see that it is published and not merely given to the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme?

I was going to consider the whole question as to whether it could be circulated amongst hon. Members, including the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on the 2nd of December, 1918, Mrs. Samuels, Voluntary Aid Detachment, Military St. John's Ambulance, was returning to England from Marseilles, where she had been sent on duty; that she registered her luggage according to the regulations; that on arrival at Boulogne two packages, the contents of which were valued at £40, were not forthcoming; that she put in a claim for compensation, first on A. F. O. 1784, to the general officer commanding Eastern Command, and later, in accordance with G. N. O. 3943; that after much correspondence she was informed by the War Office that the general officer commanding in France and Flanders had been requested to forward the registration certificate for the lost luggage, but owing to the lapse of time and rapid demobilisation of the Army the certificate was not forthcoming, and under the circumstances it was regretted that the Department was unable to take any further action in the matter; and if he will say whether, in view of the fact that Mrs. Samuels was travelling on duty, that the luggage was lost through the fault of the military authority, and that she followed the instructions to the letter in making her claim, they will compensate her for the loss she has sustained?

I will look into this case personally and communicate with the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the large number of eligible Regular officers who served overseas on a war front, he will consider the appointments that have been made to Territorial brigade and divisional commands of Regular officers who did not serve overseas in the late War?

No Regular officer who has not served overseas on a war front has been appointed to command a Territorial Force division or brigade.

Is it not a fact that an officer who has been appointed in Sussex to command a division had no service overseas, but has had all his service in this country? Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries?

If the Noble Lord will give me the name of the officer I will certainly say whether his facts are correct. I asked specifically and I was informed that it was not so. The officer about whom this was alleged has seen very hard service in the early days of the War.

Will the right hon. Gentleman allow me to give him the name privately?

Yes.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that grave dissatisfaction arises from the appointment of persons to act as old age pensions officers in essentially Welsh-speaking districts in Wales whereby claimants are seriously prejudiced by not understanding the language of inquiry into their means; whether in the Llanwrog sub-district of Carnarvonshire an English-speaking official of Irish nationality without the slightest knowledge of the Welsh-language is being employed; and if he will take steps to substitute a Welsh-speaking official as pensions officer in this district?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative, but if the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with the names and addresses of any claimants who are believed to have been prejudiced in the manner suggested, I shall be happy to have inquiries made and to communicate the result. As regards the remainder of the question, I am informed that the pension officer in charge of Carnarvon station, in which the parish of Llandwrog is situated, is Mr. John David Evans, who is a Welshman and thoroughly conversant with the Welsh language.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the pensions officer is an Irishman?

If the hon. Member will communicate with me, I will make inquiries.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the public recommendation by the Coal Controller in favour of the use of anthracite coal and his recommendation that special stoves should be provided for consumers for domestic use; whether he is aware that consumers in Essex have been unable to obtain any supplies of this coal since November last although orders have been accepted by the collieries concerned; and whether he can expedite transport so as to facilitate these deliveries and remove the hardships which have resulted from the delays?

I am aware of the recommendations to and the difficulties of the consumers mentioned by the hon. Baronet. No specific cases have been brought to my notice, but I shall be glad to look into any of which the hon. Baronet submits particulars to me. I would, however, point out that owing to diversion from sea-borne routes, the railway companies are being called upon to carry this traffic inland from South Wales in much greater volume than before the War. This not only requires the use of additional wagons when there is a general shortage, but causes additional difficulty to the railways in that the latter, generally speaking, are not laid out to deal with the volume of traffic in the direction in which it is now flowing. This is the ease throughout the Kingdom, and does not apply to anthracite coal only. The figures for anthracite traffic originating on the Great Western Railway for six months in 1914 and 1919 show that in the latter year there was an increase of 234,000 tons, or 31 per cent. in the traffic sent by rail inland, and a decrease of 528,900 tons, or 45 per cent., in the traffic shipped.

Am I to understand that 40 per cent. of the traffic which has been transferred from sea-borne traffic to rail-borne traffic applies not only to anthracite coal but to other coal and other goods, and will the hon. Gentleman say, in addition, what steps the Ministry of Transport are taking in order to re-transfer to sea-borne traffic that large proportion which is now overburdening the railways?

The latest information which the Ministry has shows that 40 per cent. does represent at present the amount of traffic which was formerly sea-borne and which was transferred to the railways. With a view to adjusting that state of affairs the coastwise Subsidy has been maintained up to the present, and the continuance of that is being considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the fact that the alterations to the conditions under which horses are transported to and from shows by rail will seriously affect country shows, and whether, in view of the importance of encouraging horse breeding, he will restore the pre-War practice of permitting an attendant to travel in the horse box free, and of providing free transport for fodder and the attendant's luggage?

The importance of encouraging horse breeding is appreciated, and the question of restoring the pre-War facilities has been under consideration, but owing to the existing position of the railways it is not practicable to restore them at present. The question is one which will receive sympathetic consideration from time to time.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will give effect to the strongly-expressed desire of the provost and citizens of Rothesay for facilities to workmen to get from Rothesay to Greenock in time for work; whether he is aware that there are 75 men drawing out-of-work benefit who could get and would be glad to get employment at Greenock; that there are besides from 150 to 200 men whose homes are in Rothesay but who are compelled to lodge in Greenock for lack of these facilities; that there is a steamer lying idle from 6.30 p.m. to 7.45 a.m. which could easily do the journey from Rothesay to Wemyss Bay, connecting with a workman's train to Greenock; and that only a slight alteration in the evening train service would be necessary in order to give the facilities desired?

This matter has already received very careful consideration in consultation with the Caledonian Railway Company, but I find that the suggested service could only be given by additional overtime on the part of the crews of the steamboats, and that the revenue which would be derived would not in any way be commensurate with the outlay involved. In these circumstances, I regret that it is not considered expedient at the present time to give the service suggested.

Does the hon. Member not think that the saving of the out-of-work benefit paid to these 75 men would compensate the Ministry for any outlay in the direction suggested?

Those are facts which necessarily have been taken into account, but it is by no means sure that all these men would use the service if it was found practicable to restore it.

Is the hardship which these men suffer not taken into consideration?

Certainly. Any case of hardship is considered, but unfortunately this Ministry, like others, has to balance matters between convenience and inconvenience, and endeavour to arrive at a just result.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the standing committee of railway general managers have been asked to confer with the accredited representatives of the railway police with respect to their conditions of service; and, if so, whether any action has been taken by the Great Northern Railway authorities to carry out these instructions by arranging for the police in their employ to nominate representatives from their number?

I am enquiring into the matters to which my hon. Friend calls attention, and will communicate with him later.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state in how many cases chairmen, directors, or officers of companies have been fined or imprisoned under Section 1 (5) of the Profiteering Act?

The reports received from local committees do not give particulars of any directors or other officers of companies having been fined or imprisoned under Section 1 (5) of the Profiteering Act.

Is it not a fact that the Profiteering Act is now a dead letter?

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the shortage of dye wares is becoming serious In the textile trade; and whether, as the French are in occupation of territory containing German dyeworks, they are getting more than their fair share of dyestuffs?

The situation m respect of dyestuffs is receiving the constant attention of the Board of Trade. As regards the second part of the question, the allocation of the stocks of dyestuffs in Germany, so tar as the Allies have a claim on them by way of reparation, is a matter for the Reparation Commission, which, I understand, has made every effort to establish a basis of allocation which is fair to all the Allied countries concerned.

Is there any prohibition or obstacle against the importation of German dyes into this country at the present time?

I had better have notice of that question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when it is intended to introduce the Anti-Dumping Bill, and whether it will include provision to prohibit the importation of dyes?

asked the Pensions Minister if medical men employed on medical boards have had their pay raised by 50 per cent., while medical men employed as assessors on sessional rates have had their pay raised by only 25 per cent.; if so, whether he will state for what reason this distinction is made?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, but the conditions of work of the medical board and the assessor are not the same, the members of the board being drawn from a panel while the assessors are continuously employed. It is not inequitable that the difference between occasional employment, which cannot be counted upon from day to day and regular employment should be marked by a difference in the rate of payment.