asked the Minister of Health whether purchasers of houses far their own occupation can certainly count on obtaining possession after March, 1921?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I have made to-day with regard to the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts.

asked the Minister of Health if any evidence has been called from Ireland by the committee set up to consider the Rent Restrictions Act; and, if not, whether it is the intention of this committee to call evidence from Ireland before concluding their proceedings?

I will bring the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the War Restrictions Mortgages Interest Act, 1915, will be repealed or amended so as to enable mortgages to be called in?

The operation of the Act of 1915, and of the Acts amending the same, is at present under consideration by the Committee which has been appointed for this purpose, and I am not at present in a position to amplify the statement which I have made to-day in answer to the question by the hon. and gallant Member for Hendon (Major W. Lloyd-Greame).

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that there are in the burgh of Girvan, Ayrshire, upwards of 80 houses rented by residents in Glasgow and elsewhere who only occupy them for two months in the year; that there is a great dearth of housing accommodation in Girvan; and if there is any method whereby the town council of Girvan can acquire those houses for the use of the people resident there?

I am aware that a number of houses in Girvan are rented by summer residents, and that there is a shortage of houses there estimated at 60 by the local authority, who are proceeding with the preparation of a scheme for that number of houses. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the hon. Member for Stirling and Clackmannan (Mr. H. Hope) on the 9th instant.

asked the Minister of Health if he has any information in respect of the erection of a distillery at Dalnaine, in Scotland; whether he is aware that such undertaking is in course of construction; that 200 men are employed upon the building, and have been" since May, 1919; that the men thus employed are being housed in Army huts adjacent to the site, and that another distillery owned by the same company is in existence close at hand and not working; and if he will take ail necessary steps to ensure that the men and materials now being utilised in the erection of the distillery are diverted to the erection of houses?

According to the information before me, the re-erection of Dalnaine Distillery, which was burnt down, was practically finished in November last only 20 men are now employed on engineering work, and the Army hut have been removed. The other distillery referred to is stated to be working. In these circumstances, the last part of the question does not arise.

asked the Minister of Health if in many parts of the country unoccupied dwelling-houses are being acquired for conversion into clubs, hotels, and purposes other than that of ordinary dwelling-houses; and what steps local authorities should take in order to secure the immediate use of such houses as ordinary dwellings?

Under Section 6 of the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, a local authority can secure the conviction of any person who, without the written permission of the local authority, uses such houses otherwise than as dwelling-houses, provided that they were, on the 3rd December last, reasonably fit or reasonably capable of being made fit for human habitation. Further, if the houses to which the hon. Member refers are or can be made reasonably fit as dwellings for the working classes, local authorities have power to acquire them, if necessary, by compulsion under the Housing, Town Planning, &c., Act, 1919, and, in suitable cases, I am recommending them to take this course.

asked the Minister of Health whether application has been made by the Manchester City Council for sanction for a housing scheme involving the building of 500 houses by direct labour; on what date the application was made; whether any reply has been sent; if so, on what date; and in what terms?

The Manchester City Council applied on 21st November for permission to build 100 to 150 houses by direct labour, and after conference with them, permission was granted on the 6th December to proceed with 100 houses subject to a detailed system of costing being adopted in connection with this work. The question of extending the number of houses to be built by direct labour to 500 was discussed between representatives of the Housing Committee and the Ministry on the 19th February, and it was agreed that the extension might be made provided that the Council agreed to a maximum being fixed for the cost per house.

asked the Minister of Health whether sanction has been refused to housing schemes submitted by the Manchester City Council; whether the schemes were based on types of houses in respect of which plans had already been approved; and whether the rejection of the schemes at this late stage will involve considerable delay in the solution of the acute house famine in Manchester?

Sanction has not been refused to the housing schemes of the Manchester City Council, but it has been found impossible to secure a reasonable price for houses to be built according to the plans which were adopted by the Council and approved. The Council have been assisted in the preparation of alternative plans on which a satisfactory price has been arranged and a contract made for 1,000 houses. All plans for houses should be complete by the time the contractor has finished the preliminary work as to site, and no delay should result from the adoption of the new plans which will effect a considerable saving in cost.

asked the Minister of Health whether a site, known as the Burrows site, was submitted for his approval under the housing and town planning scheme by the Corporation of Aberavon; whether approval of the site has been refused; and, if so, whether upon what grounds the site has been considered unsuitable?

Yes, Sir. I am advised that the use of this site involves grave risk of substantial and extensive subsidence In view of this fact and the probability that the purchase price of the minerals would be prohibitive the local authority have been advised to select another site.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has further considered the hardship caused to leaseholders who are called upon to carry out dilapidations and repairs at the present high prices existing in the building trade; whether he is aware how unfairly this affects holders of a private residence or a shop; and whether the Government propose to deal with the matter in any way or by legislation?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The materials which are accessible to me are not such as to enable me to form an opinion as to the extent or the gravity of the hardship referred to in the question. I am not aware that it is at present proposed to deal with the matter.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a resolution passed by the Staffordshire County Council, calling upon the Government to take more drastic and effective measures to reduce the cost of building materials by the prevention of profiteering by producers, manufacturers, or others or of the holding up of commodities; and, if so, what action, if any, does he propose to take?

Yes, Sir. I have received the resolution in question. The whole question of the cost and profits made in the production of building materials is now being inquired into by a Committee appointed under the Profiteering Act by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether the disabled soldiers employed as Grade IIIa clerks or the provincial pensions staff at Manchester at 56s. per week are receiving the Same standard of pay as clerks employed on the same work in London?

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply my right hon. Friend gave on the 10th instant to a question put to him by the hon. Member for East Cardiff (Sir W. Seager), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst pensioners caused by the long delay in re-issuing new draft payment books; whether John Hodgkin-son, 22, Harcourt Road, Blackburn, Identity Certificate No. S.B.L. 1,071, has made repeated applications during the last month for the same but without avail; and whether he will have inquiries made with a view to expediting the issue of these draft books without delay?

There is no question of a delay in issuing a new pension Draft Book in this case. The Special Medical Board who last examined Mr. Hodgkinson recommended a pension for 6 months final, and the award was made accordingly. It expired on 17th February, 1920, after which no further payments were due. If Mr. Hodgkinson claims that he has been inadequately compensated he should apply to his Local War Pensions Committee who will instruct him how to proceed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that, under the present Regulations concerning disablement pensions, officers of the Reserve are classified as Regular officers in that they receive £100 per annum for 100 per cent. disability, plus their retired pay, but, unlike Regular officers, are not entitled to count their war service towards their retired pay; and whether it is proposed to revise the Regulations with a view to placing officers of the Reserve on a similar standing to that of officers of similar rank in the Regular forces, seeing that the cost of living applies equally in both cases?

The hon. and gallant Member is mistaken in thinking that, under the existing Warrant, these officers do not, if disabled through war service, reckon their whole service, including service in the War. Their retired pay is re-assessed on their whole service, and the disablement addition at the rate of £100 for 100 per cent. disablement is added; but, if disablement ceases, they revert to the service retired pay of which they were formerly in receipt. Under the Army Order 324, of 13th September, 1919, such officers, if in receipt of service retired pay, have it re-assessed by the War Office on the new scale therein laid down, but only previous service reckons, and, under the proposals of the Select Committee as approved by the Government, this re-assessed retired pay will form the basis of assessment for disability retired pay, with an addition at the increased rate of £150 for 100 per cent. disablement. The method of calculation under the 1917 Warrant will, however, be substituted in any case in which it is found to be more favourable.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, whereas a police constable at Chatham Dockyard leaves after 26 years' service" with a pension of £3 3s. a week, assistant draughtsmen, whose work is of a highly technical character, for which they have had to qualify by passing an examination and serving an apprenticeship, serve 39 years for a pension of £1 5s., towards which they have had to contribute 2s. a week, and whether any action in the matter is being taken or contemplated in the near future?

The pensions of assistant draughtsmen borne on the established list are assessed in the same manner as the pensions of other civil servants, in accordance with the Superannuation Acts. There is no proposal before us to deal with this class on any different basis.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps have been taken to ascertain the condition of property owned by British nationals and situated in Austria and Hungary respectively, and what amount of reparation will be due in this respect?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given on the 19th February to my hon. Friend the Member for Coventry (Mr. (Manville), in which it was stated that British owners of property in Austria should themselves take steps to ascertain its condition upon restoration to them. It is not possible to estimate the total amount required to compensate British nationals for damage to their property in Austria. This amount will have to be fixed by the Mixed Arbitral Tribunal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now-state the advice of the Committee set up to consider what steps can be taken to make Austrian assets in this country available to meet the claims of British nationals; and how much of the sum of £17,693,807 registered with the Public Trustee will be available and required to meet such claims and to meet claims for reparation in regard to British property held by Austria and Hungary?

The Committee has advised that an Administrator, to be assisted by an Advisory Committee, should be appointed, and that he should be given full powers to ascertain and verify as far as possible the claims of British nationals against Austria, and to collect and realise for purposes of distribution all the avail able Austrian property which has been vested or is capable of being vested in the Custodian, and that the proceeds of the liquidation of such property should be placed at the disposal of the Administrator for that purpose. That the necessary arrangements should be made for the Administrator to obtain the assistance of the Austrian Government for the purpose of verifying the claims of British nationals in Austria. The Committee have also advised that British debtors should be required to pay to the Administrator the amount of their debts (with the addition of interest at 5 per cent. per annum, except in cases where a different rate of interest is provided for by contract law or custom), and that British creditors, after satisfying the Administrator that they have made all reasonable efforts to obtain payment from their Austrian debtors, should be entitled to prove in accordance with the practice in bankruptcy for the unpaid balances of their debts. I am dealing with the inquiry as to the sum of £17,693,807 in the answer to the further question of my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how much of the £17,693,807, belonging to nationals of Austria and Hungary and now registered with the Public Trustee, belongs to Austrians, to Hungarians, and to Czecho-Slovakians or to former Austro-Hungarian subjects who have become allies respectively?

I have obtained a report from the Public Trustee as custodian stating that it has not yet been possible to complete the analysis of the figures referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend, but he has furnished the following rough estimate from the information at present in his possession:—

Austria	£12,500,000
Hungary	£1,400,000
Jugo-Slavia	£400,000
Czecho-Slovakia	£2,050,000
Trieste	£1,150,000
Trentino	£190,000

These figures must be treated as only approximate and subject to modification.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, pending the settlement of debts due from Austrian, Hungarian and Czecho-Slovakian creditors to British firms, the grant of £26,000,000 for the purpose of stimulating the export trade of this country can be utilised so as to enable a portion of it to be advanced to British traders who are creditors of these debts, in view of the fact that they are now crippled by inability, caused by the rates of exchange, to bring money to this country and in view of the serious hardship entailed in the consequent shortage of working capital; and, if not, how does the Government propose to help these firms?

The object of the Export Credits Fund is to assist in the re-establishment of our export trade and I regret that there are no funds available for purposes such as those referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of trade the number of tons of coal per annum which have been allocated to gas undertakings and the pits from which this coal has been drawn, showing the quantity allocated from each pit?

The quantity of coal used for gas-making in the United Kingdom during the year 1919 was about 17¾ million tons. Allocations of coal are made by the District Committees dealing with coal and coke supplies. To give the information asked for in the latter part of the question would entail a considerable amount of investigation, which I do not feel justified in authorising at the present time.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantity of coal for industrial purposes which the Coal Mines Department have ordered to be taken by sea instead of by rail; what proportion of this coal gas undertakings are compelled to take; whether coal is being or has been sent by rail to electricity undertakings situated in towns or districts where gas undertakings have been or are being compelled to take sea-borne coal; and what is the maximum amount per ton of coal which is being paid by way of subsidy upon sea-borne domestic coal?

The provision of the detailed information asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend would entail so much labour that I am afraid I cannot undertake to supply it.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if there are any mechanicians at present being messed with the engine-room artificers in the engine-room artificers messes on destroyers; and if it is the intention of the Admiralty, now that peace has been declared, to revert to the custom of allowing the engine-room artificers to mess by themselves?

Orders were given in August, 1919, that the custom of allowing engine-room artificers to mess by themselves was to be reverted to. There may, however, still be a few cases in which it has not been practicable to relieve mechanicians drafted in place of engine-room artificers during the War.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty if it is the intention of the Admiralty to speed up promotion to boys now in training for engine-room artificers who may, at the end of three years' training, volunteer to become ordnance artificers; and for how long it is intended to keep the boys under training who may volunteer for the rating of ordnance artificers?

The course for boys' training for engine-room artificer has now been extended to the pre-War duration of 4½ years, and, similarly, boys training for ordnance artificer will undergo a course of 4½ years, the last 12 months of which will be spent in a gunnery school. Boy ordnance artificers are entered as such, and as a general rule there is no question of boys training for engine-room artificer volunteering for ordnance artificer, after undergoing any particular period of training. A certain number of boys under training for engine-room artificer have been permitted to transfer to the ordnance artificer branch, but any such transfers in future would be dependent upon the requirements for the latter branch. I am advised that it is not the intention that either boys allowed to transfer to the ordnance artificer branch, or boys entered specifically for training as ordnance artificers, should undergo less than the full period of their course, and no reason is seen for any departure from this procedure.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the grant of £10 per annum in lieu of local aid made to certain head teachers in Irish model schools is a first charge on the total amount of school fees paid by pupils in model schools; whether the effect of this practice is to penalise those who do not receive the grant in favour of those who do; and whether there are any other schools besides model schools, where the fees paid by pupils in one school go to benefit the teachers in other schools?

The Commissioners of National Education inform me that under the Regulations for the distribution of the school fees collected in model schools as sanctioned by the Treasury, the provision of £10 in lieu of local aid for each principal teacher of a model school appointed as such between 1st April, 1900, and 31st December, 1917, is a first charge on the total amount of school fees collected in all model schools. The Commissioners are not aware of any other schools except model schools, where the fees collected from pupils in one school may be utilised for the benefit of teachers in another school.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the position of secretary to the General Prisons Board, Dublin Castle, is at present vacant; if so, will he see that, in the interests of economy, the position is amalgamated with that of inspector as indicated in the Annual Estimates for the Irish Prisons Service for the past three or four years?

The office of secretary to the General Prisons Board is now vacant. The question of re-organisation of the Board's staff is before the Treasury, and an inquiry into the matter is about to take place.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland on what grounds the hon. Member for North-East Cork has been arrested; whereabouts the hon. Member now is; and whether it is intended to bring him to trial?

The hon. Member has been arrested under the Defence of the Realm Act Regulations. He is now in Mountjoy Prison and his case is under consideration.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware of the very serious damage done to farmers by flooding in the Lough Neagh district, and if the Government will consider the advisability of applying a portion of the reconstruction grant towards remedial and preventive measures in the district?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the question on this subject asked by my hon. and gallant Friend, the Member for North Armagh (Lieut.-Colonel Allen), on the 19th February, and to which I have nothing to add at present.

asked the Prime Minister how the 56 per cent. and the 44 per cent. basis of apportionment in the Government of Ireland Bill, Clause 21, Sub-section (4), paragraph (a), was arrived at?

A Paper will shortly be presented to Parliament explaining this, as well as other financial provisions of the Bill.

asked the Minister of Food whether the Ministry of Food has, during the last two or three years, paid sums of money as compensation to shipowners, brokers, or chartering agents in London who have rendered no service in exchange for such money; and, if so, how much money has already been paid?

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

asked the Minister of Food to what body or Department has accrued the benefit of the differential milk rate of 2d. levied upon the four western counties?

It is proposed to apply the amount received in respect of the differential milk rate in reduction of the loss incurred by the Department on the sale below cost of British hard cheese.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that thousands of eggs which have been in cold storage at Newport, Monmouthshire, have been destroyed; that many of them were good for cooking purposes and that many cases in the consignment were sold to local shopkeepers; can he give any reason why the eggs were not sold to the general public instead of being destroyed; and what he intends doing in the matter?

I am making inquiries into this matter and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Food whether it is possible to reduce the amount of sugar allowed to manufacturers for the purpose of making sweets, etc., until normal supplies of sugar are to hand, thus enabling the domestic sugar ration to be increased forthwith or at least in a very short time?

As I have already frequently stated, I do not consider that the benefits resulting from any further reduction of the amount of sugar issued to manufacturers would be commensurate with the distress and unemployment which this action would cause. The domestic sugar ration will be increased from 6 to 8 ozs. as from Monday, 22nd March.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he has received notice of various consignments of hard fruit, apples and pears, from Kent which were not delivered by the railway companies to the consignees during the last week in September, 1919, but were sold, at a great loss to the consignor, by order of the Food Ministry; whether he is aware that in one case the consignor has not even received an offer of compensation; and what action does he propose to take in these cases?

The fruit in question was held up on the railway in consequence of the strike of September, 1919, and, as delivery was impossible, was sold by the Ministry of Food acting as agent for the railway companies in order that it should not be wasted. Claims for compensation should be made to the railway companies concerned, but I am having inquiry made into the particular case referred to in the second part of the question.

asked the Minister of Food why it is necessary to restrict freedom of import and sale of dried figs from Algiers, and whether the French Embassy are also desirous of the removal of these restrictions which they consider harmful to trade?

It was decided that it was necessary, in the interests of the consumer, that all dried fruits of the 1919 crop required for the United Kingdom should be purchased by the Ministry of Food, and in these circumstances an Order was issued in August, 1919, prohibiting all persons from taking delivery of dried fruits in the United Kingdom except under the authority of the Food Controller. Control will be removed from dried fruits as soon as existing stocks have been disposed of, provided that arrangements can be made to safeguard the interests of the consumer. No communication expressing the views of the French Embassy on this subject has been received by the Ministry of Food.

asked the Minister of Food if permission will be granted to import chilled pigs from North America to traders who can arrange for cold storage this side, as, unless these chilled pigs are brought in quickly, there will be a great scarcity of pork and consequent hardship upon the public?

As any arrangements made by private importers for refrigerated tonnage and cold storage for frozen pigs must necessarily reduce the amount of accommodation available for other imported supplies of a more essential nature arriving under Government contracts, I regret that it is impossible for the Ministry of Food to grant this permission.

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) the approximate stocks of potatoes in Ireland on the 1st March in the years 1918, 1919, and 1920 respectively?

The total estimated production of the potato crop in Ireland during the years 1917, 1918 and 1919 were as follows:—

	Tons.
1917	4,152,740
1918	3,863,334
1919	2,746,588

The proportion of the stock estimated as remaining on farms was as follows on the dates indicated:—

	Per cent.
9th February, 1918	56·8
1st February, 1919	56·5
1st February, 1920	50·0

The final figures for 1st March, 1920, are not available, and the Department of Agriculture have accordingly supplied estimated figures for the month of February in each year.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions (1) if he will see that no man who is a servant of the Ministry is victimised for having served his country; whether he is aware that cases have arisen where ex-service men in the Disposal Board have had obstacles placed in their way by the Establishment Department to prevent them continuing medical treatment requisite upon disability contracted on active service; and if he can see his way to arrange for matters of this sort to be impartially investigated by representatives of both ex-service men and Civil Servants? (2) Whether ex-service men in the Disposal Board of the Ministry of Munitions have been penalised on account of their ill-health due to disability contracted while serving their country overseas; whether these men have been asked either to resign or accept a smaller salary: and whether they have had their cases investigated?

The ex-service men in the Ministry of Munitions have an organisation which works in the closest co-operation with the Establishment Department, and this organisation has a Committee in each group of the Ministry. I am advised by the Chief Officer of the organisation that should any grievances, such as suggested by my hon and gallant Friend, exist, they would in the ordinary way, be brought to the notice of this association, who, through their executive, would at once make representations to the Establishment Department. No such cases have been reporterd to the ex-service men's organisation. The practice of the Ministry in reducing staff is to give preference in retention, wherever possible, to ex-service men in the best paid posts still available which they are qualified to fill. No disabled ex-service man is penalised on account of his physical disability. On the contrary, disabled men are given preference over all others in any suitable employment available. In actual practice every facility is afforded to disabled men on the staff to obtain any special medical treatment they require. Committees composed of Civil Servants and representatives of the ex-service men are already in existence for dealing with questions affecting the position of ex-service men in the Ministry, and any case in which investigation is asked for would be inquired into by one of these Committees.

asked the Minister of Health what is the recognised standard of ability which enables a man to be classed as a skilled bricklayer whether a man who can lay 300, 400, or 500 bricks per day would be entitled to this description; and whether he has any cases within his knowledge where discharged soldiers who can lay as many bricks per day have been refused employment by the unions?

I am not aware that there is any recognised standard based on the number of bricks per day which a man can lay.

asked the Minister of Labour whether Mr. H. G. Gallop, residing at Avington village, near Winchester, has had his unemployment pay stopped in consequence of his refusing to accept a situation as a labourer in a brewery for a weekly wage of £2 1s. 8d. for a 50-hour week; if he is aware that the man in question would be called upon to walk five miles every night and morning; that Mr. Gallop is an engine and crane driver; that before he joined His Majesty's Forces he was working for a wage of £2 10s. per week; that the rate of pay for crane drivers and stationary-engine men is now about £5 per week; and if, in view of the low rate of pay and the long hours, and that he would be called upon to walk five miles every night and morning, he will take action in the matter?

I am causing enquiries to be made and will communicate the result to the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it has been laid down that the Civil Liabilities Committee have no power to make grants to ex-service men who have received a course of training at the public expense; and the rule or regulation which prohibits the Committee from considering such applications?

It is the fact that under the rules governing the administration of the Civil Liabilities Fund, the Department are precluded, with certain limited exceptions, from making grants to ex-service men who have been trained at the public expense, in connection with the occupation for which they have been trained. I have previously explained, in answer to similar questions asked in this House, that lump sum grants are primarily intended to assist men to re-establish businesses which they have lost owing to being called to serve in the Forces. In the case of a man undertaking a course of training, it must be presumed that it is in an occupation which he did not previously carry on, and which he intends to enter as an employee.

asked the Minister of Labour if his attention has been drawn to the great delay which is taking place in the settlement by the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee of applications for grants for resettlement by disabled men; is he aware that the Wigan Committee complain that the delay is inimical to the work of the Pensions Committee, as it causes profound dissatisfaction, and, in many cases, the disabled man's opportunity to earn his living is lost owing to non-settlement; and that, after thorough investigation by the local committee and recommendations made by them to the Military Service (Civil Liabilities) Committee, several months elapse before a settlement is reached?

I have recently received a resolution from the Wigan War Pensions Committee, dealing with the points raised in the hon. Member's question. I am inviting the Committee to visit the Department to discuss the questions at issue, and I should be happy if the hon. Member would care to accompany the Committee when a date has been fixed.

asked the Minister of Transport whether ex-service men and others, many of whom are married with families, are employed as clerks by the Port of London Authority at the weekly rate of 34s., plus 9s. War bonus; whether these men have to serve a probationary period of one month, and often, more, and pass severe medical and swimming tests before they can secure 56s. per week; whether, as a result of these tests, men who had passed into and been demobilised from the Army as A 1 men, and had served the country in the field for several years, have been medically rejected after employment by the Authority at 36s., 40s., and 43s. per week; and whether he can take steps to ensure the abolition of these obnoxious tests?

I have been asked to reply to this question. No representations on this matter have been received by my Department, but inquiry will be made into the position if the hon. Member will furnish further particulars of the classes of men concerned and the work upon which they are engaged.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount available each month for the Depreciation Fund for the 4 per cent. and 5 per cent. War Loan; how much has been issued to the fund during the current financial year; how much has been invested for the fund during the same period; how much is available for investment up to the end of the financial year; and whether the price has ever been long enough over the issue price to allow of the limit of £10,000,000 being reached?

The sum issuable to the Depreciation Fund for the 4 per cent. and 5 per cent. War Loans in respect of each month is £2,660,022 6s. Issues are, however, suspended temporarily whenever the unapplied balance of the fund reaches £10,000,000. The total sums issued to the fund during the current financial year to 17th March, 1920, amount to £25,440,200 14s., apart from which (and from the unapplied balance of £10,009,014 19s. 2d. held by the fund at 31st March, 1919) the fund has been credited during the same period with £218,120 10s. 10d. for interest on temporary investments. The, total sums applied from the fund during the period to the purchase of War Loan for cancellation amount to £26,423,484 7s. 6d. The unapplied balance of the Depreciation Fund at 17th March, 1920, was thus £9,243,851 16s. 6d. Further sums are issuable to the fund in the present financial year in respect of the instalment for the month ending 16th March, 1920. No issues were made to the fund in respect of the months ending 16th March, 16th April, and 16th November, 1919, in consequence of the unapplied balance of the fund having reached, for the time being, the sum of £10,000,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the future Returns of public expenditure under various Acts of Parliament, which he has promised to issue annually in continuance of Parliamentary Paper No. 218, of 1919, he will give directions that administrative expenditure shall be given separately so that comparisons may be instituted between different areas; and that capital and current expenditure shall be shown separately, so that for instance the proportion of salaries to upkeep should be made clear?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on the 23rd February to which I am not yet able to add anything.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what war savings certificates were sold up to the end of February, and the number of people who had purchased war savings certificates during the same period?

The total amount subscribed to War Savings Certificates down to the 29th February last was approximately £306,000,000, representing about 395,000,000 certificates. As many persons hold more than one certificate, it is not possible to say how many individual persons have bought certificates.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Committee of Inventions has ceased to exist, and, if so, when?

I have been asked to reply. The Munitions Inventions Panel, to which it is presumed my hon. Friend refers, was dissolved in December, 1918.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what are the prices of the various classes of wagons built in railway shops and in Woolwich Arsenal; and what are the prices asked by outside firms for the same Class of wagons?

I have no information of the prices of the various classes of wagons built in railway shops, nor of the prices asked for by outside firms for the same class of wagons, other than the figures contained in the Report of the Statement by the right hon. Gentleman, the Minister of Transport, at the Conference held by hon. Members of this House on the 10th December last. The classes of wagons now being built at Woolwich are:

(1) Twelve-ton high wagons with wood underframes. Price £170, exclusive of the cost of certain materials and components which are being supplied by the railway company.

(2) Twelve-ton open goods wagons with iron underframes. Price £297.

asked the Secretary for Scotland if the mail contractor making use of the Durness-Lexford Road, Sutherland, has felt himself compelled to issue a notice that, owing to the dangerous condition of the road, he cannot be responsible for accidents involving injury to or loss of life or damage to goods; and whether he can see his way to make representations to the Road Board to make a special grant for placing this road in a permanently sound condition?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am in communication with the Ministry of Transport on the subject.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Port of London Authority have recently opposed a project to build deep-water wharves and provide facilities for development of the port of London at Canvey Island; whether the absence of such facilities at the mouth of the river aggravates congestion and help increased prices; whether such an undertaking is necessary for an adequate development of the port in order to meet the needs of London and the home market if so, whether this need arises because of the failure of the authority to pursue a policy consistent with public requirements; whether the attitude of the authority has been brought to his notice; and, if so, whether he proposes to take action under Section 4 of the Ministry of Transport Act, 1919?

The Port of London Authority opposed the Thames Ocean Wharf and Railway Bill which was deposited in the Session of 1919, and which contained proposals of the nature indicated. A similar Bill which was deposited in this Session was withdrawn by the promoters before any petitions against it were lodged. As regards the remainder of the question, I am unable to add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member on the subject of facilities in the Port of London on the 11th March.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been called to the action of certain local education committees in discharging women teachers immediately on their marriage, regardless of their fitness to teach and of the special circumstances of each case; and whether he will take some action to suppress it?

My attention has been called to certain cases of the kind referred to; but the Board have no authority to give general directions in this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education what are the lowest salaries at present paid to men and women teachers in public elementary schools?

The latest tabulated figures on this subject which are available are those contained in the White Paper presented to Parliament last January [Cmd. 513]. I am asking local education authorities for a Return of the salaries in force on the 1st April next.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps are being taken to consolidate the Education Acts, 1870 to 1918; and, if so, when the Consolidating Bill will be introduced?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Cirencester and Tewkesbury Division of Gloucestershire (Mr. T. Davies). I cannot yet say when a Bill will be introduced.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the disparity in the rates of pay for Government clerks which exists between permanent and temporary staffs; whether the provincial staffs of the Ministry of Pensions and local war pensions committees are paid on the temporary scale; and whether he can adopt the policy of equal pay for equal work without distinction between permanent and temporary staffs?

The rates of pay of temporary clerks in Government service are at present in process of revision. The revised rates, which will shortly be promulgated, will be generally applicable to the provincial staffs of the Ministry of Pensions and of local war pensions committees, and take full account of the scales of remuneration now in force and proposed to be fixed for the permanent clerical classes.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction existing amongst the temporary clerks employed by the Ministry at Ashton-under-Lyne owing to the great difference of pay received by the permanent staff and the temporary clerks; whether he is aware that two-thirds of the temporary staff are receiving the lowest rate, although doing the same work as the higher grades; and whether he will have inquiries made into these men's grievances?

I am not aware that there is dissatisfaction among the temporary clerks at the Ashton-under-Lyne Employment Exchange. The rates of pay applicable to the permanent clerks in the employment exchanges are those awarded by the Civil Service Arbitration Board and approved by His Majesty's Treasury. The rates of pay applicable to temporary clerks were arrived at by agreement with the staff associations concerned. A claim for the revision of these rates has been received and is under consideration. With regard to the second part of the hon. Member's question, I am having inquiries made into the position at Ashton-under-Lyne Employment Exchange.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that, in connection with a recent vacancy in the assistant superintendents' class in the sorting office at the General Post Office, Edinburgh, a junior overseer was selected for promotion; and that this involved passing over the claims of three assistant superintendents, Class 11, and 27 officers senior to him in the overseers' class; and whether, in view of the manner in which this method of selection is resented by the staff, he will cause full inquiry to be made into the circumstances of this appointment?

I am asked to answer this question. The circumstances of the case are known. The officer promoted to the assistant superintendents' class was considered to be of outstanding ability and the best qualified for the successful performance of the higher duties. The case has already been fully considered or more than one occasion, and I cannot agree to re-open it.

asked the Secretary of State for War if four temporary officers of the Army Pay Department have been brought permanently into the Department as staff paymasters over the heads of 33 officers; and, if so, what special qualifications have they which would make them after four years' service experience superior to officers with 20 years.

Yes, Sir. These four officers, owing to their abilities and their business experience, have proved themselves, by responsible work in the Department during the War, to be best fitted for the posts in question.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer in the Army Pay Department, lately employed in a subordinate position at the War Office, is to be made staff paymaster over the head of 27 officers of much greater experience in regimental offices, notwithstanding the practice of the last four years for promotion by selection for good work in regimental offices?

My hon. Friend may rest assured that there is no intention of departing from the practice of promotion by selection followed for years past.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office why retired Regular officers appointed during the War for duty with the Territorial Force were granted only £20 outfit allowance while officers similarly employed in the Regular Forces were granted £100.

The hon. and gallant Member is under a misapprehension. Retired officers appointed during the War for duty with the Territorial Force were granted the outfit allowance appropriate to their appointment. If required for combatant service they received £50; if required for sedentary work, when fighting kit need not be provided, £20. Retired officers re-employed with the Regular forces before 5th December, 1914, drew £100 as laid down in the Allowance Regulations, but those appointed from that date onwards drew the allowance appropriate to the appointment exactly as did retired officers reemployed with the Territorial Force.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state the reason why men, civilians and ex-service men,

Country.				Peace strength of Army.	Cost.	Remarks.
Austria	…	…	…	30,000	—	Treaty strength.
Belgium	…	…	…	100,000	—
Bulgaria	…	…	…	44,000	—
Czecho-Slovakia		…	…	150,000	Not announced.
China	…	…	…	Not available	—
Denmark	…	…	…	86,400	£3,500,000
France	…	…	…	350,000	—
Germany	…	…	…	200,000	—	100,000 by 10th July, 1920
Greece	…	…	…	200,000	—
Hungary	…	…	…	35,000	—	Treaty strength.
Italy	…	…	…	250,000	—
Japan	…	…	…	Not available	—
Netherlands	…	…	…	137,600	£5,250,000
Norway	…	…	…	138,500	£2,470,000
Portugal	…	…	…	35,000	—
Roumania	…	…	…	230,000	—
Siam	…	…	…	10 Divisions	£1,000,000	This figure is approximate.
Spain	…	…	…	190,000	—
Sweden	…	…	…	328,000	£6,871,000
Switzerland	…	…	…	140,000	£1,930,989
United States of America			…	242,000	—
Yugo-Slavia	…	…	…	170,000	—

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty the size of the navies which foreign Powers propose to maintain, together with the estimated annual cost of each?

I think my hon. Friend will find he is misinformed. Since the period of notice was extended to one month, no one has been discharged at a week's notice.