asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to issue the Reports of the British military commissioners in Berlin as a Parliamentary Paper in view of the present situation in Germany?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. There are at present in Berlin a British Military Mission under Major-General Malcolm and an Armament Sub-Commission of the Inter-Allied Commission of Control under Major-General Bingham. The former is concerned in assisting the German Government with shipping arrangements for the repatriation of Russian prisoners of war and continuing the search for missing British prisoners of war. Major-General Malcolm also acts as an assistant to His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires in Berlin. The latter is concerned with the reduction and surrender of, German armament and material under the terms of the Peace Treaty, and is working under a French General, who is President of the whole Commission. It is not proposed to publish General Bingham's Reports as Parliamentary Papers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Bulgarian Government has asked that a plébiscite should be taken in Western Thrace under the League of Nations; whether His Majesty's Government is aware that, in the present state of Græco-Bulgarian relations, the possession of Western Thrace by Greece would render a commercial outlet for Bulgaria through that territory of no value; and whether His Majesty's Government has abandoned the policy arrived at in consultation with President Wilson, and announced in the Press, whereby Western Thrace was to remain under international control?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the remainder of the question, until a general settlement of the terms to be imposed on Turkey has been agreed upon, I cannot make any announcement in regard to particular points arising in connection therewith.

asked the Minister of Food why, when the sugar is so short in supply that the ration is a small one, large quantities are allocated to condensed milk companies for the preservation of milk, for which purpose it is unnecessary?

Condensed milk, especially in its sweetened form, is a most important item in the diet of infants and young children, and although it is possible to preserve condensed milk without sugar, the process requires special plant and machinery with which the majority of factories in this country are not equipped.

asked the Minister of Food how many national kitchen restaurants his Department are responsible for in London and the country; if all of them are run at a profit or if any of them lose money; and, if so, how much is the estimated loss for this year?

The Ministry of Food is responsible for three national kitchens, all of which are in London The Department has succeeded in running these on a self-supporting basis.

asked the Minister of Food what reason retailers are called upon to advance money for one month for the increased price of flour whilst wholesalers have no such obligation; whether he is aware that retailers do not regard the receiving of a credit note instead of cash at the end of such period as a satisfactory arrangement; and whether he can see his way to alter the regulations in these respects?

Owing to the enormous number of bakers and retailers, amounting to upwards of 140,000, and the relatively insignificant number of wholesale dealers, it is not considered administratively desirable to adopt in the case of the retail trade the procedure which is essential in dealing with the wholesale trade. The method of reimbursing retailers by a system of credits in the books of their suppliers is precisely the same as that adopted when the price of flour was reduced on the introduction of the Bread Subsidy in September, 1917, when it evidently met with the entire approval of the traders affected.

asked the Minister of Food whether the restrictions on the re-export of tea from this country have been limited to 7,000,000 lbs. per year on the recommendation of the Consumers' Council; whether, as a result, we have now far more tea than we know what to do with; and whether it is possible to relieve the congestion of the warehouses in this country by permitting the re-export of tea on a free and unfettered scale?

The re-export of tea from this country was limited to 7,000,000 lbs. per month after consultation with all sections of the tea trade. Shipments of tea during the next few months are likely to be on a largely reduced scale, and in view of the increased demand the present stock will certainly not prove too large. The monthly amount of tea allowed to be re-exported each month is cumulative, and since 1st June, 1919, only 25,906,346 lbs. of tea has been re-exported against 63,000,000 lbs. available under the restrictions, leaving a balance of 37,093,654 lbs. Still available for export in addition to this month's allowance. The present restrictions, therefore, cannot be considered unduly vigorous, and it is not clear that their removal would materially assist in relieving the congestion of the warehouses in this country.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the traction engines, balers, living vans, trailer wagons, transporter weighers, baling wire, and spare parts, lately the property of his Department in the north-eastern area, have been disposed of; and, if so, to whom, and in what manner?

I have been asked to answer this question. The traction engines and other articles mentioned were handed over to the Disposal Board for disposal, but I cannot say in what manner they were disposed of by the Board. Perhaps the hon. Member will address a question regarding the latter point to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Post Office servants who enlisted in K Company, Royal Engineers, were required to pass a trade test; that these men were invited to enlist on the invitation of the Postmaster-General and the Secretary of State for War for special employment in the Post Office; that the allowance which was paid to these men was provided out of the Post Office Vote; and whether, seeing that certain men in the Royal dockyards are allowed to count naval service for civil pension on the ground that they were employed on the same work in the Navy that they were engaged on afterwards, he will recommend a reconsideration of the decision which deprives the K Company men of part of their pensionable service?

The decision to which the hon. Member refers did not deprive those Post Office telegraphists who had previously served in K Company of part of their pensionable service. It was a refusal to introduce legislation so as to allow military service in K Company to count for civil pension, and, as I have frequently explained, this decision was reached after the fullest consideration, and I can hold out no hope that it will be reversed. I may add that the dockyard classes referred to are not pensioned under the Civil Superannuation Acts.

asked the Postmaster-General whether it is proposed to resume for international postcards the former limits adopted by the Berne International Postal Bureau?

So far as cards of private manufacture are concerned, the limits of size for cards sent abroad or at home are the same as they were before the War. During the War the size of the stamped postcards sold at post offices for transmission abroad was reduced from 5½ inches by 3½inches to 4½ inches by 3½ inches. I will consider whether the pre-war size can be restored.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the existence of a classified commercial telephone directory containing 200 pages of classified trades; that all those engaged in its publication are ex-soldiers, some of whom have invested their pension money in this enterprise; and, under these circumstances, does he still contemplate issuing an official directory in competition and at the public expense?

The Post Office does not propose to publish a classified trades list of telephone subscribers in London at the public expense; but competitive tenders for the right to publish an authorised list have been received, although the contract has not yet been placed. The company referred to by the hon. Member is amongst those who have tendered. That company were fully aware when they started operations that, in order to safeguard the position of the Post Office as to revenue derivable from advertisements in the official Telephone Directory, full liberty of action was reserved as regards the issue of a classified trades list as an adjunct to the telephone service.

asked the Minister of Transport how many claims in respect of pilferage on the railways have been submitted from the town and neighbourhood of Ballymena, County Antrim?

No particulars are at present available as to' the number of claims in respect of pilferage on the railway submitted from the town and neighbourhood of Ballymena, County Antrim, but if the hon. and gallant Member will see me and explain his point, I will endeavour to give him any assistance in my power.

asked the Homo Secretary whether, in order to resolve doubts, he will cause action to be taken by Order in Council under the Defence of the Realm Act to authorise the tramway and omnibus traffic to carry standing passengers until further orders?

The question of excess passengers in public vehicles is receiving my consideration. It would not be possible to make such an Order as is suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether any gas company in the country is unable to extract benzole in the process of the manufacture of gas owing to the fact that it does not possess specific statutory powers for that purpose?

I am not aware of any such case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the exports, in yards, of cotton-piece goods to China for the first and last quarters of 1913–19, respectively; and will he give the average rates of exchange for the Shanghai Tael for each of the periods named?

The following statement shows the quantity of cotton-piece goods exported from the United Kingdom to China (including Hong Kong), together with the exchange value of the Haikwan Tacl, during the periods specified. (The Tael used by the Imperial Chinese Customs for trade statistical purposes is the Haikwan, and not the Shanghai, Tael. The average rates of exchange of the former are accordingly given in the statement; the Board of Trade are not in possession of precise information as to the exchange rates of the latter.)

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the inadequate supply of coal received in the district of Willesden for domestic use; whether he is aware that a number of coal depots have been closed down for days owing to the whole of their stocks having been exhausted; that this district has a population of over 170,000, and that a large number of families are suffering hardship even with the favourable climatic conditions; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to the necessary supplies being forwarded to this area?

I am aware that difficulties have been experienced in providing adequate supplies of coal to Willesden, but arrangements have now been made to supplement the ordinary supplies.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in view of the large amount of unemployment existing in Dumfriesshire and the number of ex-service men out of work there, he can now employ more persons at His Majesty's factory at Gretna?

A start has now been made at Gretna with the repair of railway wagons, but, owing to the cessation of the work on cordite production, I am unable to promise that it will be possible to employ additional labour.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Committee representing the disabled men in the Ministry establishment at Woolwich Arsenal has had any sittings; whether consultation has taken place with the Committee concerning contemplated discharges of such men at the Arsenal; and whether any uniformity of action has been secured?

The answer to all three parts of this question is yes, Sir. As the result of difficulties that recently arose at Woolwich Arsenal, owing to the necessity of considering the discharge of ex-service men, I met representatives of the ex-service men employed at Woolwich and suggested that they should appoint a committee with which the Arsenal officials should confer, I gave an undertaking that no disabled ex-service men should be given notice of discharge without prior consultation with such a committee on the part of the responsible officials at Woolwich. The ex-service men have formed the committee suggested, and the present procedure provides that before any substantial releases are decided upon the officials at the Arsenal will consult with the men's committee with a view to securing that necessary releases are carried out with the minimum of hardship. I am glad to say that the Secretary of State for War and the First Lord of the Admiralty have issued orders for the adoption of this procedure, so far as the staffs of the Arsenal and dockyards for which they are responsible are concerned. In the event of a deadlock being reached in any consultation between the ex-service men's committee and the officials of the Arsenal on the question of discharges, both sides will be free to place the question in dispute before an advisory committee. The members of this committee, who are not associated with either the officials or the men, are:—

• Sir Thomas Munro,
• Mr. Button,
• Sir James Marshall.

asked the Minister of Labour how many factories he has established or taken over for the purpose of giving direct instructional training to ex-service men; and whether this policy is capable of further development?

The number of Government Instructional Factories in operation or in process of being equipped is 38. The total number of centres at which disabled men are being trained, including the above factories but excluding private employers' works, exceeds 300. Additional factories and training centres are being acquired as rapidly as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether warrant officer instructors of the Territorial Force who were eligible under the King's Regulations to continue their service up to 50 years of age, and in special cases to 52 years, but were discharged to pension during the War, may be given the option of reinstatement as instructors in their old units until attaining the age laid down?

The question of appointing suitable warrant officers and non-commissioned officers as instructors in the Territorial Force is under consideration.

asked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether the Reference Committee for Ireland under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, have made rules under that Act; and whether such rules differ in any respect from those made by the Reference Committee for England and Wales and published as Statutory Rules, 1919?

The Reference Committee in Ireland have made rules under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, and they do not differ substantially from the English rules. One arbitrator is only provided for in Ireland where in England there is a panel of arbitrators.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the salary, including pay and allowances, recommended by the Viceregal Commission recently for district inspectors of the Royal Irish Constabulary of 22 years' service; is it from district inspectors of that service that one-third of the resident magistrates are appointed; and what is the salary, including pay and allowances, of a resident magistrate, exclusive of war bonus, on appointment?

The pay of district inspectors in the Royal Irish Constabulary is regulated, not by length of service in the force, but by length of service in each class. There are three classes of district inspectors, and those of the first class, to which officers of 22 years' service in the force usually belong, will receive under the new pay order £560 per annum as pay on appointment to this class, rising after two years to £590, after four years to £620, and after six years to the maximum pay of £650 First-class district inspectors will receive a rent allowance of £60 a year, except in certain cities, where the allowance will be £80 a year; they will get a locomotion allowance of £120 a year and a uniform allowance of £15 a year. Officers of the Royal Irish Constabulary appointed as resident magistrates are usually selected from the first class. The salary of a resident magistrate on appointment is £425 per annum, and in addition he is allowed £100 per annum for upkeep of a horse or motor. These amounts are fixed by Statute. In addition, mileage is paid for journeys in excess of ten miles from their headquarters and £8 a year for postage and stationery, also subsistence allowance if absent from headquarters. The question of an improvement in their pay is at present the subject of correspondence between the Irish Government and the Treasury.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether a grant of £10 per annum in lieu of local aid is made to head teachers of Irish model schools who were appointed after 31st March, 1900; whether this grant was made on the ground that such teachers appointed before the date mentioned had received a special supplemental salary which was continued to them only as included in the subsequent salaries calculated on the basis of the three years ending 31st March, 1900, whether in most cases even the inclusion of this suplemental salary failed to raise the average salary to the maximum grade; whether it is thus possible for a head teacher appointed after 31st March, 1900, to obtain the maximum grade in addition to the local aid grant, whereas a head teacher appointed before that date can only obtain the maximum grade salary without the grant; whether consequently there are any such teachers who would actually be receiving better remuneration if they had been appointed at a later date than they were appointed; and, if so, will he take steps to have this position rectified?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that up to the year 1905 a system had been in operation for many years whereby £2,000 of the fees collected in model schools were appropriated in aid of the Parliamentary Vote for National Education. The residue of the fees, if any such existed, was distributable among the teachers of the model schools; but for some years prior to 1905, as the total amount of fees collected fell short of £2,000, the teachers received no share whatever of these school fees. In the year 1905 the Treasury agreed to forgo their claim to any share of these school fees in consideration of the fact that model school teachers appointed since 1st April, 1900, laboured under disadvantages, as regards emoluments, not only in comparison with model school teachers appointed prior to that date, but also in comparison with teachers of ordinary national schools, and they agreed to a scheme for the distribution of the fees amongst the teachers of model schools which provided, inter alia, that each principal teacher of a model school appointed in that capacity since 31st March, 1900, should receive £10 per annum to stand in the place of local aid. By subsequent Regulations, approved by the Treasury, principal teachers of model schools appointed since 31st December, 1917, do not share in this grant.Principal teachers appointed to model schools before 1st April, 1900, were entitled to special salaries which were in excess of those available up to that time for the principal teachers of ordinary schools, and it was in consideration of this circumstance and of the fact that the privilege in question was withdrawn from principal teachers appointed to the model schools on and after 1st April, 1900, that the model school principal teachers who held office as such before the latter date were excluded from the benefit of the payment out of the school fees of £10 per annum for local aid. It is a fact that a large number of model school principal teachers were not placed in the highest grade of teachers as a result of the consolidation of salaries which was effected in 1900, even although the consolidation was on the basis of the special salaries which they had been in receipt of up to that date. It is also a fact that it is possible for a head teacher appointed between 1st April, 1900, and 31st December, 1917, to obtain the highest grade salary in addition to the grant of £10 in lieu of local aid, whereas a head teacher appointed prior to 1st April, 1900, can obtain only the maximum salary of the highest grade. As against this it is to be noted that the latter class of teachers were in receipt of much higher salaries in the earlier years of their career than was the case with the former. The Commissioners are unable to say, without further investigation, whether there is at present any case in which a principal teacher of a model school appointed prior to 1st April, 1900, is actually receiving less salary than he would be receiving if he had been appointed as such after that date.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the officers of His Majesty's Customs and Excise are now allowed to estimate their retiring allowances on the average of salaries received during the last two years' service; whether teachers under the Superannuation Act which came into force in April, 1919, are compelled to estimate their pensions upon the average of salaries of the last five years of their service; whether this latter custom is compulsory under the Act; and whether he will consider the possibility of altering the system of calculating the retiring pensions of teachers so as to conform to that customary with officers of His Majesty's Customs and Excise?

The retiring allowances of pensionable officers of the Board of Customs and Excise are assessed in accordance with Section 12 of the Superannuation Act, 1834. As regards the second and third parts of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the definition of the expression "average salary" in Section 18 of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918. In view of the liberality of the provisions of that Act, particularly as regards discontinuity of service and qualifying service, I see no ground for its amendment in the direction suggested.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether school teachers who obtained special leave of absence without salary and took service in offices of Government Departments during the War are liable to suffer in their ultimate pension after superannuation; and what steps are proposed to enable teachers to obtain the full pension to which they would have been entitled had they not undertaken War service?

The Board have no power to treat service other than service in the Forces or service in connection with naval or military operations as teaching service for the purposes of the School Teachers (Superannuation) Act, 1918. It does not appear to be possible to treat the service referred to as falling within the latter category.

asked the President of the Board of Education the policy of his Department with respect to the establishment of nursery schools; and how, if he approves them, he proposes to stimulate the movement?

The policy of the Board with respect to the establishment of nursery schools has been set out in some detail in the Prefatory Memorandum to the Regulations for Nursery Schools which were issued in March, 1919. The Board have made it clear in this Memorandum that they, attach the greatest value to these schools, and they have endeavoured to stimulate their provision and development by the institution of grants in aid of the expenditure incurred thereon. Local education authorities and all voluntary bodies known by the Board to be interested in the provision of nursery schools have been supplied with copies of the Regulations, and the Board's inspectors have also been instructed to bring the Regulations to the notice of local education authorities.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he can see his way to consolidate the various Education Acts into one Act?

I hope it may be found possible to give effect to the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether it is the intention of the Government to raise the prescribed amount under Sub-section (ii), paragraph (6), of the Draft Statutory Rules and Orders, 1920 (Grant Regulations, No. 1), from, 27d. to 48d.; and whether such an addition would impede educational efficiency?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 9th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Carnarvonshire (Major Breese).

asked the Home Secretary whether, seeing that if a dog attacks a human being the owner is not responsible for the first offence and is responsible if the dog attacks a chicken, he will propose an amendment of the law to remove this anomaly?

I am afraid that in the present state of pressure upon Parliamentary time I cannot undertake to introduce legislation on this subject.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the sentence of six months' imprisonment passed upon Mr. Arthur Barker at the recent Stafford Assizes; and whether, in view of the good services rendered to the community in the past by this unofficial doctor, he can see his way to have the sentence reviewed?

I have received representations on this man's behalf, but they show no sufficient ground for recommending any reduction of the sentence of four months' imprisonment. However, I have asked for a copy of the shorthand notes of the trial, and will consider them.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Regulation closing temperance refreshment houses at 8 o'clock is still being put in force; and, if so, for what reason, seeing that the licensed houses in close proximity are allowed to sell intoxicating liquor until 9 or 10 o'clock?

I am not aware of any Regulation to the eflect suggested. If the hon. Member refers to the General Early 'Closing Order under No. 10B of the Defence of the Realm Regulations, I would point out that the sale of refreshments for consumption on the premises is expressly exempted from the operation of that Order.

asked the Minister of Labour whether any decision has yet been reached to introduce a Bill to give legislative effect to the recommendations of the Committee of Inquiry into Night Work in the Baking Trade.

asked the Minister of Labour when legislation will be introduced to give effect to the promise made by the Ministry, on behalf of the Cabinet, prohibiting night baking, in accordance with the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Night Work in the Baking Trade?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to these questions. It is the intention of the Government to introduce Legislation for this purpose during the present Session, but I cannot fix a date at the present moment. A general Bill for the Amendment of the Factory Acts is in course of preparation by the Home Office, and it may be convenient to include the provisions in regard to night work in bakehouses in that Bill.

asked the Minister of Labour the official estimate of the increase of staff his Department necessary to administer the Unemployment Insurance Bill?

I am unable to frame an estimate until the House has decided upon the form in which the Bill will become law and until I am aware of the number and character of the industries for which special schemes will be established under the Bill. I may add that it is proposed that the administrative expenses of the new Act should be met from the income of the Unemployment Fund up to one-tenth of the income of that fund.

asked the Secretary of State for India if the concessions granted to retired members of the Indian Civil Service in India Office Circulars F 691, of the 30th January, 1920, and AG 116F, of the 2nd February, 1920, which have the effect of increasing their sterling pension in proportion to the appreciation of the rupee, are applicable to retired officers of the Indian Army; and, if not, can he give the reason?

The answer is in the negative. Retired Indian Civil Servants entitled to full annuity have for nearly half a century had the right either to draw the sterling annuity in this country or a certain fixed number of rupees in India. The concession made to them is, now that it has become to the advantage to adopt the latter alternative, that instead of having to make their own private arrangements for remittance they are allowed to draw the sterling equivalent at current rates of exchange from the India Office. The case of Indian Army Officers is not parallel, as their pensions have always been fixed in sterling only.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it would be possible to reduce the existing high prices for tobacco without loss to the revenue by readjusting the actual payment of duty from the date of taking the raw material out of bond to a later stage of the process of manufacture and distribution, so that this unnecessary burden of interest may be removed from the consumer?

This question is at present under consideration.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he' is aware that the maximum output of artificial silk by the British Cellulose Company in any one week was 1¼ lbs. of very poor quality; and whether, in view of the highly speculative nature of this business, it would be desirable to sell these shares on the market even at a substantial loss and thus obviate the possibility of the Treasury making a total loss?

I have been asked to reply. The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative

asked (1) the First Commissioner of Works whether notices to quit at Midsummer have been given to the tenants of Lancaster Place, Strand, some of whom have been in occupation for 40 years and over and are unable to obtain other accommodation; whether he proposes to find suitable accommodation for them: whether the premises are in good condition and calculated to last for another century; and what is the reason for demolishing the property; (2) the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is intended to erect new buildings on the site of Lancaster Place, Strand, for use by the Inland Revenue officials in addition to the accommodation at Somerset House; and what is the estimated amount of the expenditure involved in the demolition of the existing buildings and erection of new premises?

The property in question is being leased by my Department from the Duchy of Lancaster on the expiry of the existing lease, for the purpose of providing additional accommodation which is badly required for the overcrowded staffs of the Inland Revenue now in Somerset House and in hired buildings in the neighbourhood. The Duchy of Lancaster have given the existing tenants-formal notice to quit, but I regret that it is impossible for my Department to guarantee to find suitable accommodation for them, though any advice and assistance which my officers can afford them in this respect will be gladly given. The property is in fairly good condition, but the erection of a modern building will enable a very much larger staff to be accommodated on this valuable site. The cost of the demolition of the existing building and the erection of the new building is estimated at £320,000.