asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction caused by one of the Regulations of his Department which provides that, before home treatment to disabled men recommended by the ordinary medical referee can be granted, the recommendation may be cancelled by the D.C.M.S., who does not even see the disabled men; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this?

No, Sir, I am not aware of the dissatisfaction. The Deputy-Commissioner of Medical Services may order hospital treatment instead of home treatment, but this occasions no hardship to the disabled man who receives adequate allowances while in hospital and also while awaiting admission. The Deputy-Commissioner cannot, under the terms of the revised Circular 204, refuse allowances to a man accepted for home treatment without either having the man examined or obtaining the concurrence of the Medical Referee.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether a man is entitled to make a claim under Article 9 of the Warrant on the sole ground of dental deterioration; and, if so, whether, if the claim is allowed by the medical referee, local committees are allowed to provide suitable treatment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. If the medical referee certifies that the dental defect is due to or aggravated by service, the local committee can provide treatment urgently required without waiting for the decision of the Ministry on the claim.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that soldiers wounded prior to 1914, to whom permanent pensions at the highest rate were awarded prior to that date, have in certain cases been informed that they are not entitled to any increase; and if, in view of the uncertainty that prevails in regard to their position, he will consider the advisability of giving wider publicity to the instructions recently issued which affect them s

The fact stated in the first part of this question is no doubt correct. Many men who are pensioned for disabilities incurred in former wars are now restored to health; or are so much improved that a re-assessment under present Warrants would not be to their advantage. They have, however, their rights to permanent pensions under the former Warrants, and notwithstanding their recovery they continue to draw their permanent pensions, but they are not entitled to any increase. In the notice which was issued to the Press in July last, following the announcement of the concessions in this House, it was made clear that pensions could only be granted on the basis of the existing degree of incapacity. I will, however, give further prominence to the fact by advertisement in the ex-service men's papers.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is considerable dissatisfaction with the manner that this particular class of pension has been assessed by the Medical Board, and will he consider the advisability of a personal inquiry into this particular class of case?

The hon. and gallant Member will bear in mind that he asked the Minister himself two questions on this particular complaint, and my right hon. Friend dealt very fully with them. I think, on the whole, there has been no dissatisfaction. But if my hon. and gallant Friend brings to my notice any case, harsh or in which there appears ground of complaint, I shall immediately give it my personal attention.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many murders or attempted murders have been carried out in Ireland since 1st January, 1919, on police, soldiers, and others in Government employment?

Since the 1st of January, 1919, the number of murders and attempted murders of police, soldiers and others in Government employment in Ireland is as follows:—

Can the right hon. Gentleman say in how many eases the murderers or criminals or attempted murderers have been apprehended?

I am happy to say that now we have apprehended a good many.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the military and police are searching for the hon. Members for the St. Michan's Division of Dublin, the Clontarf Division of Dublin, the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin, Cork City, South Kildare, Longford, South Meath, East Wick-low. County Waterford, North Monaghan, South Galway, West Cavan, North Kilkenny, North Cork, South Cork, West Kerry, East Kerry, North Tipperary, Mid-Tipperary, North Donegal, South Donegal, Connemara, and South Kerry with a view to their arrest; on what charge or charges is it intended to arrest these hon. Members; whether any of them are in fact under arrest; and whether it is intended to bring any of these hon. Members to trial if and when arrested?

It is obviously impossible for me to give information as to prospective arrests.

Can I have an answer to the third part of my question? Since I gave notice of this question, you, Mr. SPEAKER, have road out an account of the arrest of an hon. Member—might I therefore have an answer?

I have gone through this list very carefully this morning, and so far as I can gather it is not proposed to arrest any at the present moment. But if my hon. and gallant Friend will tell me the names probably I shall be able to identify them quicker.

asked the Chief Secretray for Ireland whether he has received particulars of the raid recently carried out on the house of Mr. Erskine Childers; and if he will state for what reasons this action was taken?

This raid was carried out in consequence of information received by the police that Sinn Fein meetings were being held at the residence of this gentleman, and that arms were concealed in store there.

Was it necessary, in order to carry out this raid, to wreck Mr. Childer's nursery and waken the children? [HON. MEMBERS: Oh! Why not?]

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received resolutions from various committees protesting against the proposed abolition of local technical instruction committees; whether he is aware that these committees have almost invariably worked with success the administrative duties necessary to ensure co-operation between the pupils, parents, and rate-payers of their respective districts and, in view of these representations, what action does he propose to take?

Representations have been made on the lines indicated in the first part of the question. I do not doubt that these committees have, as suggested, ensured a certain amount of co-operation between pupils, parents, and ratepayers, and my hon. and gallant Friend will find on examination of the Education Bill, that this principle of coordination is being developed.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that much dissatisfaction exists amongst the Irish plotholders owing to their insecurity of tenure and the absence of grants enjoyed by British plotholders; and whether he can state whether he proposes to introduce and pass the promised measure to ensure equal treatment given to those food producers in Great Britain?

The passing of the War Emergency Laws Continuance Bill will remove any ground for apprehension on the part of the plotholders as regards security of tenure during the present season. In these circumstances there appears to be no necessity for legislation at present, and when the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law the matter can be dealt with by the Irish Parliaments.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the inquiry at present being made into bank accounts in Ireland; whether he is aware of the resentment expressed by the whole commercial community at this inquiry; whether he will state by what legal power and at whose instance such an innovation has been introduced; whether this course is a breach of confidence between bankers and their customers and is strongly objected to by both; and whether he has considered the effect that such a precedent would have upon the future of banking both in Great Britain and Ireland?

An inquiry is being held by a Resident Magistrate under Section 1 of the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act, 1887, as a result of certain seizures in Dublin in the Sinn Fein Bank. Inquiries have been frequently held under this Section. I am not aware that resentment has been expressed by the commercial community, and I do not apprehend that the future of banking will be in any way affected.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the gallantry and devotion to duty which is being shown by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police will receive adequate recognition; and whether, in particular, the defence of isolated police barracks by a handful of men against overwhelming bodies of assailants wilt be recognised as equal to a defence of a post in active field operations?

Cases of gallantry and devotion to duty shown by members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police in the defence of their barracks, or otherwise, are carefully considered by the Reward Boards of the Forces, and suitably recognised in accordance with the Regulations. The rewards include special promotion, favourable records, money grants, and where pre-eminent valour in the performance of police duty is displayed the King's Police Medal may be awarded in addition.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the estimated liability of the Dublin Corporation for the outrages on members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and for injury to property; and what effect this will have upon the rates?

I understand that the estimated liability of the Dublin Corporation for the outrages on members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and for injury to property is £22,000, and that this amount would entail an addition to the rate of 5d. in the £.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether grants were recently made by the Government to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to assist in meeting the current needs of that institution; whether on the 11th of January, 1918, it was promised that the continuance of these grants would be considered in the light of circumstances prevailing at the end of the following year; and whether he is aware that in the existing circumstances a renewal of this assistance is most important to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, especially owing to the State aid given to other licensing bodies, who are naturally, by this means, in a position to educate students at a more moderate rate than the older body unless this, also, is given State aid?

The facts are as stated by my hon. and gallant Friend, with the exception that the only body which can be regarded as in State-aided opposition to the Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, is the governing body of University College, Dublin. Since the letter of January, 1918, was written, the circumstances have altered more particularly on account of the formation of the University Grants Committee. The question of a grant to the college has been considered by that Committee, and is at present the subject of correspondence between the Irish departments concerned.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Royal College of Surgeons has received an answer from the University Grants Committee that they were not empowered to give a grant; therefore, does he propose to do anything?

I was not aware of that, but I will look further into the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can now make any statement as to an increase in the salaries of resident magistrates?

A communication has been received from the Treasury on the subject of the representations made by resident magistrates respecting their remuneration. I am in correspondence with these officers in the matter.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the number of acres of land acquired in Ulster under the Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919; how many ex-service men in Ulster have already secured land; and whether facilities will be given to the ex-service men to assist in the building of their own houses?

The Irish Land (Provision for Sailors and Soldiers) Act, 1919, was passed late in December last, and, having regard to the procedure which has to be followed under it, no land has yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners under the provisions of the Act, but the Commissioners are taking the necessary steps with a view to the acquisition of land in Ulster as in the other Provinces. Thirteen ex-service men in Ulster have so far been provided by the Commissioners with land acquired under the Land Purchase Acts. Where the Commissioners build houses, they will, where practicable, give facilities to the ex-service men to assist in the building. Four schemes for providing cottages and plots for ox-service men in Ulster have been made by the Local Government Board, and the preliminaries are almost complete. The question of employing ex-service men in the erection of the cottages and fencing of plots will be sympathetically considered.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many applications he has received in respect to Ulster?

I cannot say; but the total number of applications, as I have given, is 5,700.

asked the First Commissioner of Works the number of demobilised Service men who have been found employment in his Department since His Majesty issued his appeal to employers last year; the number of male motor drivers in his Department, and the number of female drivers; and whether such drivers are paid the trade union rate of wages?

Since the 1st July last, 331 demobilised Service men, including 116 who are in receipt of disability pension or gratuity, have been appointed to the staff of this Department. 55 per cent. of the total male staff are ex-Service men, 18 per cent. being men who are in receipt of disability pension. The only motor drivers employed are five males (all ex-Service men), and they are paid the trade union rates of wages.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if under the terms of the Peace Treaty, Palestine, including Jerusalem, has been assigned to the Arab kingdom which is in course of erection.

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the Supreme Council's recommendation in favour of peace and its statement that the disbandment of the Russian armies is a primary condition of peace, negotiations for peace have yet been opened between His Majesty's Government and the Soviet Government of Russia; and, if not, whether His Majesty's Government dissents from the recommendation of the Supreme Council?

We have no armies in Russia. The reduction in Russian armaments does not therefore depend on His Majesty's Government. The question of disbandment of the Russian armies is necessarily closely connected with the progress of the negotiations for peace between Russia and Poland and other States which are now in progress.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has now received information regarding the reported mobilisation of several classes of Hungarian conscripts: and what action is contemplated by His Majesty's Government?

I am still awaiting the Report of His Majesty's High Commissioner at Budapesth.

If it be the fact that the Government in Hungary are mobilising will that not be an evasion of the Peace Treaty of a very serious nature? Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the House that this will be viewed with grave displeasure by His Majesty's Government and steps taken to prevent mobilisation in view of the unrest it causes?

Surely, if it is the fact that Hungary has broken the Peace Treaty the Government will have heard of it.

I would rather not give a further answer. We have certain information, but it is not quite enough for me to give an answer which goes beyond this House and even beyond this country. I must be very careful what I say, and I must wait until the reports come in.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can give the House any information regarding recent political or miliary developments in Syria; whether His Highness the Emir Feisul has been proclaimed king of a sovereign independent Syrian state by a Constituent. Assembly at Damascus and with the approval of the great mass of the Syrian people in the former vilayets of Syria and Aleppo; and whether the Allied and Associated Powers will recognise this independence; and, if so, within what territorial boundaries?

It appears that the Emir Feisul was proclaimed King of Syria, including apparently Palestine and Syria, by a Congress at Damascus on March 8th; but of whom this Congress was composed, or what authority it possessed, it is not yet known. As it is obvious that the future of the territories which have been conquered from the former Ottoman Empire can only properly be determined by the Allied Powers, who are at present assembled in Conference for the purpose, the Emir Feisul has been informed by the British and French Governments, acting in concert, that they cannot recognise the validity of these proceedings, and the Emir has been invited to come to Europe to state his case.

Is that the case only with regard to Palestine?

He is invited to come to Europe to state his position in regard to the whole of that territory.

Has he accepted the invitation?

Is it not a fact that he has come to an arrangement with the Palestinian authorities, and he does not claim any authority over Palestine?

That he will be able to state when he comes.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the importance of placing before the Mahomedans of India a statement of the views of His Majesty's Government upon the claims of that community in regard to the settlement with Turkey, he will consider the advisability of giving full publicity to any statement that he may make to the delegates from the Khalifat Conference who are now in this country?

I will certainly do this.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether an International Commission in Berlin has been established in accordance with Article 6 of the agreement between the British Government and the Soviet Government of Russia for the exchange of prisoners; and, if not, what is preventing its establishment?

There is no Commission at present sitting in Berlin for this purpose; the Inter-Allied Commission, which was suppressed in April last, was succeeded by an Inter-National Commission, but as this latter was never recognised by the Berlin Government it was abolished in February, I understand that the German Government has handed over to the International Red Cross the whole question of Russian prisoners in Germany.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how far the agreement between the British Government and the Russian Soviet Government for the exchange of prisoners has already been carried out; whether the Russian obligation under Article 7, for the repatriation of British prisoners, and the British obligation under Articles 1, 2, 3, and 5 have been completely discharged; and, if not, how many prisoners in each case are still detained?

The answer to the first and second parts of the hon. Member's question is that some four hundred British prisoners of war and civilians have already crossed the Russo Finnish frontier and are at present in quarantine in Finland. Two ships are at present being employed for the transport of Russian prisoners of war from Denmark and the United Kingdom, and His Majesty's Government are endeavouring to provide such further facilities as may be asked for under Paragraph 2 of Article 5. As regards the third part of the question, I regret that I am not in a position to give any figures.

I would, however, like to add that the representative of the Soviet Government who signed the Agreement in question has expressed great satisfaction with the arrangements made for repatriating the Russians from Denmark.

Have any steps been taken to make the Russian Soviet Government pay for the ruin they have brought on these people?

I must ask for notice of that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received any official information to the effect that the Soviet Government has transmitted a message to all Russian wireless stations stating that it is essential to introduce martial law into the railway workshops and impose upon the workmen guilty of wasting time the full penalty of martial law?

Recent wireless messages from Moscow have repeatedly emphasised the necessity of enforcing the strictest discipline in workshops, and of combating internal disorganisation by any available means, but I have not seen the specific statement referred to in the hon. Member's question.

Does not the right hon. Gentleman think it right that every man or woman who is able to work should be compelled to do some useful work of some kind?

Is not that the view of His Majesty's Government?

It would be very interesting for the Government to begin to know that that is the view of the trade unions.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that it has always been a principle laid down by the trade unions that every man or woman who is fit to work should be compelled to work?

Well, we shall bear that in mind.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the scope of inquiry of the Milner Mission was enlarged in order to break down the boycott of it by Egyptians; and to what extent has the enlargement proved successful in this respect?

The original terms of reference of Lord Milner's Mission have not been modified, but on the 29th December Lord Milner published a statement expressing the wish of the Mission to hear all views, and disclaiming any desire to restrict the area of discussion. Advantage was taken in many quarters of the opportunity thus offered.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, owing to the assistance of the Land Valuation Department, acting upon the information obtained by means of the Finance Act, 1909–10, and from other sources, local authorities up to the end of January had effected a saving of £876,679, or an average of £72 per acre, on their purchases of land for housing schemes; and, in view of this considerable saving to the public purse, will the Government sanction similar assistance being given by district valuers to local authorities in their purchases of land for tuberculosis hospitals, sanatoria, and other purposes where, as in the case of houses for the working classes and land settlement schemes, considerable proportions of both capital and annual charges are borne by the Treasury?

My attention has been called to the figures quoted As regards the last part of the question, I cannot add anything to the reply I gave to the question asked by the bon. Member on the 3rd instant.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this will involve little extra expense to the National Exchequer, while its refusal will throw an extra burden on local authorities? Will he reconsider the matter?

The fact is that the work being done by the Valuation Department, even in this restricted measure, involves as great a burden as it can bear, and any increase of work in the direction desired would mean a considerable increase of the expense. It therefore requires very careful consideration.

But would not a saving at the rate of £70 per acre compensate for any extra cost to the Department?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the proposed alteration of the maximum price for wheat will not help home production during this season, and whether he can take stops to stimulate early autumn sowing of British wheat with a view to reducing the price of the loaf?

I cannot agree that the decision of the Government as to wheat prices will not stimulate home production this season. The prices announced both for the 1920 and 1921 crop are such as should be sufficient to give a substantial profit to farmers and, that being so, I am confident that they will spare no effort to increase their production, and it is most important they should be stimulated to do so.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the present prices of foreign wheat are practically responsible for the whole of the additional subsidy which it is now contemplated to put on and will he consider the propriety of looking ahead to next year with a view to the early autumn sowing of a substantial increase of home-grown wheat, and thus securing a greater saving for the nation?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that notwithstanding the profits made during the War the farming interest is still in a very precarious position, and it is looking to legislation for the future? Seeing that farmers work five years ahead, will legislation try to do the same thing?

That is the general purport of the answer I gave We know that farmers make their arrangements for wheat growing five or seven years ahead. With regard to the question of my hon. and gallant Friend, the difficulty is not so much that of price as of exchange. We feel fairly sanguine that the exchange will improve considerably by 1921. But still prices are very high, and in the arrangement we have made with the farmers both those considerations have been borne in mind.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that silver coins of 500 fine are to be issued to the inhabitants of our West African Colonies, whereas silver coins of only 450 fine are being given to the inhabitants of our East African Colonies; and, in view of the fact that the British Government have never yet issued a coin for unlimited legal tender composed of more than half of base metal, he will give instructions that all sections of His Majesty's African Colonial subjects are placed on an equality as to the intrinsic value of their money?

It has now been decided for the sake of uniformity to adopt 500 as the fineness of the coin which is to replace the Indian rupee in East Africa. To emphasise this point of uniformity still more clearly the new coin will be called a florin and the coin which is to replace the half-rupee a shilling.

While thanking the hon. Gentleman for his answer, may I ask whether in view of the heavy fall in the price of silver he will endeavour to obtain for the Colonies under his administration as good money as the Indian Government have secured in their country?

The money will be equally good so long as it is procured at the same rate of exchange.

Are we to understand that the new coinage of British East Africa and the Tanganyika territory will be a florin divided into 100 cents or into 24 pence?

Into 100 cents, and the 50 cent piece will be known as a shilling.

Does my hon. and gallant Friend think a native would think a coin 500 fine as good as a rupee 916 fine?

Yes.

Is it called a florin or a rupee?

A florin.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the threat of the transport workers not to carry any excess passengers in motor omnibuses in order to enforce certain claims; whether, in view of the hardship that would be caused to the public if this threat is carried out the Government will take immediate action to legalise the carrying of excess passengers?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. My attention has been called to the matter; but I am advised that it would not be advisable at this juncture to alter the Regulations which have been in force during the War.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the prevailing ignorance on the part of the general public as to the causes for the existing high prices, resulting in national unrest, and having regard to the urgent need for the co-operation of all classes in securing frugal living and increased production, he will issue in a concise form the Report of the Supreme Council of the League of Nations on the economic conditions of the world and their recommendations as to the methods by which normal conditions may most quickly be reestablished, so that the same may be available for Members for distribution among their constituents?

There is a good deal to be said for my hon. Friend's suggestion, and I will consider it further.

asked whether the International Commission on Finance has yet been appointed by the Council of the League of Nations and of whom it consists?

asked what are to be the subjects of inquiry of the International Commission of Finance appointed by the League of Nations; and when will be its first meeting?

The International Conference in question has not yet been constituted; I cannot, therefore, state when it will hold its first meeting. The Conference will have the task of studying the financial crisis, and of looking for the means of remedying it and of mitigating the dangerous consequences arising from it.

When will this House have an opportunity of discussing the question of the finance of the British representation on the League of Nations?

That question ought to be addressed to the Leader of the House. It will arise on the Vote.

asked the Prime Minister what is to be the composition of the International Commission of the League of Nations which is to proceed to Russia, and what is to be the scope of its inquiries?

I am not yet in a position to state the composition of the Commission in question. The Commission will have for its object to obtain impartial and reliable information with regard to the conditions now prevailing in Russia.

asked the Prime Minister if it is with the consent of the Government that the Board of Liquor Control Order of 12th February last, prohibiting the formation of any clubs in Carlisle without the sanction of the Board, was made; and if he will say how many members of the Board were present when the order was made?

I have been asked to reply. I have nothing further to add to the replies that I gave on Monday to the hon. Member for Silvertown and on Wednesday to the hon. Member for West Nottingham.

Does the hon. Gentleman not know that the most sober-town in England, Coventry, has more clubs per head of the population than any town in the United Kingdom?

I did not know that.

When is the Government going to take steps to dissolve this body?

Statements have been made in this House in regard to the Government's liquor policy.

We want to know their policy in regard to this body. They want to dissolve themselves as speedily as possible.

The country wants to know what is the Government's liquor policy.

That will be reported when the Government's Bill is introduced.

Will the hon. Member consider the advisability of removing beer from their control, as the beer at present brewed is neither liquor nor alcohol?

I should be glad to discuss that with my hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the recent decision to sell all surplus aeroplanes to a private company for a fixed sum and half profits on resale, it is the intention of the Government to dispose of all other surplus war stores on a similar principle, and so terminate the cost of the Ministry of Munitions at an early date?

I have been asked to reply. The conditions of the sale referred to were exceptional in that there is not, for surplus aeroplanes, either the demand or the established market value which obtain in respect of most of the other commodities which the Ministry has to sell. It would not be in the interests of the Exchequer to apply generally to stores to which these conditions do not apply the methods and terms of disposal adopted in the sale in question.

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether the question of half profits is to be based on the difference of price paid for the aeroplanes and the price at which they were sold, or the price of sale less the expenses of this private firm? If so, what steps does he propose to take to overlook the expenses of the firm?

Does the hon. Gentleman consider that half profits will amount to more than the £27,000,000 that the Ministry of Munitions is costing the country each year?

It would be a very unfair test to take the whole expenses of the Ministry and apply it to one single question. In reply to the hon. Member (Mr. Billing) I may say that the Disposals Board will have the books and contracts before them.

Will the company be allowed their expenses from the prices paid before there is any further payment to the Government?

Of course, as to expenses, the Disposals Board will have the accounts before them.

For what purpose does the Ministry now exist except for the sale of surplus stores?

The assets of stores amount to £180,000,000. The receipts average now between £4,000,000 and £5,000,000 per week, and it is unfair to refer to one particular transaction the whole of the expense in connection with those gigantic amounts.