asked the Secretary of State for India whether any steps are being taken to grant to officers of the Indian Army an increase of pensions such as has been granted to officers of the British Army and the Royal Navy; and whether, seeing that the majority of officers in the Indian Army are men without private means and in consequence of the neglect by the Government to treat them with the same generosity as their brother officers in the British service, the Indian Army is not attracting the same class of officer as it has done hitherto, he proposes to take any action in the matter?

As has frequently been stated in reply to similar questions recently asked, the question of the revision of the scale of pensions of officers of the Indian Army is having careful consideration in communication with the Government of India, and it is hoped that a decision may shortly be come to.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether Lord Hardinge, at the request of the India Office or otherwise, sent, prior to his retirement from the Viceroyalty and Governor-Generalship of India, a despatch making important recommendations for constitutional reforms: if so, would he have any objection to the publication of that despatch to complete the series of records issued on that subject; and would he state the main recommendations contained in the despatch and the principle upon which Lord Hardinge's recommendations were based, and particularly would he indicate whether Lord Hardinge contemplated the introduction of the principle of duality or diarchy, or did Lord Hardinge elaborate the suggestion of provincial autonomy made in the despatch sent by him about the time of the last Delhi Durbar?

Though the question of constitutional reforms was, of course, under consideration before Lord Hardinge left India, his Government had not addressed any despatch on the subject to the Secretary of State.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many ships capable of launching aeroplanes from the deck are in commission; how many have platforms on which aeroplanes can land; and under which Ministry are such ships?

I have been asked to reply to this question. There are ten ships in commission in which provision is made for launching (i.e., flying off) aeroplanes from a deck or platform, apart from battleships and battle-cruisers which were mentioned in answer to the hon. and gallant Member's question of the 11th March. All ten vessels are in commission under the Admiralty. Only one of these vessels has a platform on which an aeroplane can alight.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many converted seaplane carriers are still in commission; and under which Ministry?

I have been asked to answer this question. Three converted seaplane carriers are still in commission, under the Admiralty.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he is aware that an application has been made to the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Walrus," by Reuben James Lush, engine-room artificer, M12,367, for discharge; if he is aware that since the application was made the father has died, leaving a widow, a brother who is ill at home and will be unable to do any work for a considerable time, and also a young sister; and, under these circumstances, will he favourably consider the application so as to enable the applicant to return home to help to maintain this family, which is now without means of support, his former employer being willing to re-employ him immediately after his release?

No application has been received at the Admiralty for Lush's release. If the circumstances have altered since this man first made application to his commanding officer, the proper course is for him to represent the facts to that officer, who will inquire into the facts, and, if he considers the case sufficiently urgent, forward it through the local Flag Officer to the Admiralty for special consideration. It will be understood that every such case must be dealt with on its merits—due consideration being had to the needs of the Service—and that no guarantee can be given that Lush's application will be granted.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that the men of the mercantile marine have not yet received the 1914–15 star; and when it is proposed that this honour should be given?

I assume that my hon. Friend refers to men of the mercantile marine who served under special naval engagements and have the requisite service entitling them to the 1914–15 star. The stars are now being engraved; and on completion of this work—which it is hoped will not be later than July—the distribution will be commenced.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air who is responsible for the training of pilots of machines to fly from ships' decks; and where and how is practice secured?

Responsibility for this training rests with the Air Officer Com- manding the Coastal Area of the Royal Air Force. Practice is obtained, first of all, at Leuchars Aerodrome. When the pilots are sufficiently practised, they are embarked on His Majesty's ship "Argus," and learn to fly off the deck, landing at Leuchars. Finally, when they are considered sufficiently proficient, they are taught landing on the deck of the "Argus."

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he would give an approximate estimate of the amount that has been expended in the form of pensions, grants, and gratuities on the Navy and the Army during and since the late War?

I estimate that the sums expended in the form of pensions, grants, and gratuities to the personnel of the Navy, Army, and Air Force, from August 4th, 1914, till the end of the present financial year, will amount to, approximately, £380,000,000.

asked the Pensions Minister whether a decision has yet been reached in regard to the better provision of special clothing and bedding for ex-Service men suffering with tuberculosis; and, if so, what are the concessions?

Under the present Regulations of the Ministry, underclothing and greatcoats are provided on loan for the use of men in sanatoria and other institutions, and greatcoats for the use, where necessary, of men under out-patient treatment or treatment at home. Extra blankets are also provided by local committees for men suffering from tuberculosis who are under open-air treatment at home, and for whom such extra blankets are certified to be necessary. The arrangements under which these articles are provided appear to be working satisfactorily, but if my hon. Friend has information to the contrary, my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider it.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is intended to award an increase of pension to the widows of officers and warrant officers of the Regular Army whose pre-War scale of pension does not meet the present increased cost of living?

As the noble Lord knows, this is part of a very large question now under consideration by the Cabinet. I am afraid I can say nothing further at present.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether there are a large number of ex-service men who have been certified by the local medical referee as unfit to work, and who have afterwards been informed by the district medical commissioner that the National Health Insurance benefit would cover the case; and can he take any steps to order that a man's pension shall not be prejudiced by his contributions to the National Health Insurance Act?

A disablement pension is awarded without reference to contributions levied under the National Health Insurance Acts, and is not reduced because a partially disabled man may be also receiving sickness benefit under those Acts.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the local Territorial training depôt at Kennington is still occupied by the Canadian Army Service Corps; and when he can promise that this depôt will be free for the training corps again?

A small part only of the building in question and the yard are occupied by the Canadian Royal Army Service Corps, and it is anticipated that this accommodation will be vacated about the end of May next. The Territorial Force have the use of the remainder of the building.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether it is now permissible for men to purchase discharge from the Army: and, if not, when it is proposed to restore the pre-war practice in this respect?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on the 2nd March to the hon. Member for Welling-borough (Mr. W. R. Smith).

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware that cheap certificates of birth under the Education Acts are refused to parents who wish for them in order to give evidence of age for pupils at elementary schools desiring to compete for free places in secondary schools; and whether he can arrange for cheap certificates to be issued in this connection?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am advised that the provisions of the Factory and Workshop Act, 1901, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers do not apply to the cases mentioned in the question; and legislation would accordingly be necessary to extend this application in the manner desired. I am informed, however, by my right hon. Friend that local education authorities and governors of schools can accept other evidence of age than certificates of birth, and that he is not aware that any difficulty arises in practice.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether, in view of the additional financial burden placed on local education authorities consequent on the new method in calculating the necessitous grants, he is prepared to give assistance to those heavily-rated districts so that the grants for this year will be at least equal to that of last?

The total grants for this year cannot be finally ascertained until the accounts for the year are completed and rendered to the Board, but upon such information as is at present available it is unlikely that the total grant in aid of elementary education in any area will be less than that of last year. The increased grant to highly rated areas, payable this year under Article 6 of the Substantive Grant Regulations, is not properly comparable with the grant to necessitous areas payable in previous years, as the ordinary grant to which it is related has been entirely remodelled.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his Board is able to exercise any supervision or control over the school managers appointed by the local authorities; whether he is aware that, especially in the East of London, managers are being appointed of extreme labour and revolutionary views who are using their powers to force school teachers into various trade unions and favouring teachers who are willing to allow their pupils to be taught revolutionary propaganda; and what action does he propose to take?

Managers of public elementary schools are appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Education Acts, and exercise such functions as are provided for in those Acts. I am not aware of such abuse of their position as is suggested in the question.

asked the President of the Board of Education when a national scale for the salaries of secondary schoolmasters will be adopted; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of secondary schoolmasters with their salaries; and whether this matter will be reconsidered?

I hope that a joint committee, representing associations of local education authorities and associations of teachers, will very shortly be constituted to deal with this matter.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether his attention has been directed to the absence, in the majority of elementary schools, of any mural decoration, except common small-scale maps, geometrical diagrams, or geological specimens; and whether, in view of the educational, as well as the æsthetic, value of suitable pictures, he will take steps to procure a, supply of artistically printed cartoons in colours reproducing the frescoes in the Palace of Westminster, or representing other similar historical events, to be obtainable at moderate prices for use in elementary schools?

I agree with the hon Member that there is room for considerable improvement in the nature and quality of the pictures at present provided for schools. The whole question of the selection and reproduction of school pictures is now under consideration by a special committee, appointed by the London County Council and on which the Board are represented. I understand that this committee will report very shortly, and that it is proposed to hold an exhibition of the pictures prepared under their supervision. I am hopeful that the report and exhibition will stimulate improvement in the direction which the hon. Member desires.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware of the continued refusal of the Huntingdon Education Committee to grant the recognised standard of war bonus to their administrative, technical, and clerical staff; and whether he will direct an inquiry into the causes and circumstances of the dispute under Part II. of the Industrial Courts Act, 1919?

My Department is in communication with both parties to this dispute. The hon. and gallant Member is probably aware that the local authority has full discretion in this matter, and that an arbitration under the Industrial Courts Act requires the consent of both sides. I do not think that the powers referred to in the second part of the question are appropriate to a case of this kind.

asked the Minister of Food if he has received from the Dundee Food Control Committee a suggestion that the domestic ration of six ounces of sugar should be supplied wholly in while sugar, and that the brown sugar should be reserved for manufacturing purposes; that from Lord Devonport's evidence before the Dockers' Inquiry it is shown that there is a sufficient supply to give the six ounces of white sugar; and if his Department can arrange for having this carried out in the interests of the health of the country?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Food Controller cannot agree that the quantity of white sugar available is sufficient to supply the domestic ration, which has now been raised to 8 ozs. per week. It would not in any case be practicable to reserve brown sugar solely for manufacturing purposes, as it is not suitable for all classes of manufacture.

asked the Minister of Food what arrangements are being or will be made for the supply of sugar for domestic jam making; whether provision will be made not only for fruit growers but for private individuals who purchase fruit for jam making; and whether, in the event of the sugar supply being insufficient to provide a reasonable ration for these purposes, the amount allowed to be consumed in the manufacture of confectionery will be curtailed to enable an addition to be made to the allowance for jam making?

Arrangements have been made to set aside a considerable quantity of sugar for domestic jam making during the coming season, and the public have already been informed through the Press of the procedure to be adopted in order to obtain supplies. Sugar for this purpose will be issued not only to fruit growers but to persons purchasing fruit for preserving. With regard to the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 15th March to the hon. and gallant Member for East Leyton (Lieut.-Colonel Malone).

asked the Minister of Food whether, under the recent Flour Order, retail traders are compelled to pay to wholesalers an advance of 19s. 3d. per sack of 280 lbs. on all flour bought between the 15th March and 10th April, while the retailer is prohibited from recovering this charge from the consumer; if the Order thus places retail traders and bakers at a serious disadvantage as compared with wholesale dealers, who are able to charge the higher rate for flour purchased by them at the lower price before the 15th March; and if he will take immediate steps to remedy the injustice thus inflicted on retail traders and bakers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. and gallant Member for East Newcastle (Major Barnes).

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what steps are being taken to prevent the slaughter of calves?

I would refer the hon. Member to my replies to the hon. and gallant Member for Epping (Brigadier-General Colvin) on the 1st inst., and to the hon. Member for West Bromwish (Mr. F. Roberts) on the 17th inst.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, what is the number of Judges of all kinds in Ireland, the amount of their salaries, and the additional number and cost involved in the provisions of the Government of Ireland Bill?

There are at present in Ireland fifteen Judges of the Supreme Court (including the Judicial Commissioner of the Land Commission) and one Land Comissioner having the powers of a Judicial Commissioner, with aggregate salaries of £61,000 per annum, and twenty-one Recorders and County Court Judges, with aggregate salaries and War bonus of £41,980 per annum. The last part of the question does not admit of a definite reply in view of the nature of the scheme proposed in the Bill. It can, however, be stated that this scheme contemplates that, as a normal arrangement, the future Supreme Courts of Judicature of Southern Ireland and Northern Ireland and the High Court of Appeal for Ireland should employ sixteen Judges, including the Lord Chancellor, and the Judicial Commissioner, as compared with fifteen of the present Supreme Court.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantities of beer imported into Great Britain from Ireland for each month from July, 1919, to February, 1920, both months inclusive, as compared with the imports in the months of July, 1913, to February, 1914, both months inclusive.

The Monthly Statistical Statement issued by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland furnishes, for the period July, 1919, to January, 1920, the following particulars of exports of stout, beer and porter from Ireland.

1919—			Tons.
July	…	…	23,435
August	…	…	20,505
September	…	…	18,846
October	…	…	21,705
November	…	…	24,777
December	…	…	23,482
1920—
January	…	…	26,529

The particulars for February, 1920, have not yet been received at the Board of Trade. The figures do not relate exclusively to exports to Great Britain, but exports to ports other than those of Great Britain were relatively insignificant. For 1913 and 1914 separate monthly figures are not available. The average monthly export from Ireland to Great Britain during 1913 was, approximately, 18,000 tons.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether those members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police who were serving in either force on the 1st April, 1919, and have since retired, will receive pensions under the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1919, calculated on the same basis as the pensions of those who retired prior to that date?

The question of the scales of pension for members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and Dublin Metropolitan Police who have retired since the 1st April, 1919, is now under consideration.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what was the cost per ton to the Government of the bags for and the bagging of the potash purchased from Germany, and what was the actual cost per ton of each class of German potash salts bagged, ex-ship (i.e., c.i.f.) at the chief port in the United Kingdom?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The average cost per ton to the Government of the bags was 18s. per ton; the cost of bagging is included in the price credited to Germany. The average cost per ton of each class of German potash salts (bagged) ex-ship (that is, c.i.f.) at the chief port in the United Kingdom has been:

	£	s.	d.
*Muriate, 80%	19	13	1
*Muriate, 90%–95%	21	8	8
Sulphate, 90%	22	3	11
Manure Salts, 30%	11	13	1
* On 80% basis.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether, in regard to the proposed reduction of the establishment at the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield Lock, and the large number of unemployed in the neighbourhood, and also with a view to providing work for some of the employees at the Royal Gunpowder Factory, Waltham Abbey, he will consider the provision of alternative work at Enfield Lock?

Consideration is being given to the provision of alternative work.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the Departmental Committee on pensions for men at the ordnance factories has resumed its sittings, and when its Report may be anticipated?

I am not sure what Committee my hon. Friend has in mind. If he is referring to the Committee regarding a contributory pension fund scheme for the workmen generally, I would refer him to the reply to his question of the 5th March.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions how many individuals are employed in Woolwich Arsenal and dockyard, respectively; of these, how many are men and how many are women in each case; and of the men, how many have served in the Royal Navy, Army, or Royal Air Force?

There are at present engaged at Woolwich Arsenal under the Ministry of Munitions 1,257 women and 15,049 men, and of the latter 3,834 are ex-service men. These figures do not include the employés of the Admiralty and War Office.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any discharges of disabled ex-soldiers have taken place at Woolwich Arsenal during the last seven days; and whether any arrangements have been made to obviate any further discharges of such men?

The answer to the first part of the question is "No, Sir." With regard to the last part of the question, I regret that I cannot add anything to the reply given to the hon. Member on the 17th of this month.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Evesham Town Council passed a resolution on 10th November that all future vacancies under the council should be filled by qualified ex-service men or women, if such could be found; that the post of surveyor and sanitary inspector became vacant in December last; that the corporation issued an advertisement asking for applications for the post, to which sixty-seven replies were received, fifty-nine being from ex-service men; and that the applicants were eventually reduced to four, three ex-service men and one civilian; whether he is aware that the civilian Vas appointed to the post though the technical qualification and the salary asked by one of the ex-service men were similar to the civilian; and what steps he proposes to take in order to secure that preference shall be given to ex-service men in accordance with the policy adopted by the Government?

The facts are as stated in the question, but there was an irregularity in the appointment, and I have requested the Council to re-advertise the vacancy.

asked the Postmaster-General if the telegraphic communication between Lerwick and the mainland has been suspended for some time, and if in the meantime he will sanction the use of the wireless installation by the public?

Cable communication between Lerwick and the mainland has been interrupted since the 8th instant. A cable ship is at present engaged on the repair of the cable, and it is hoped that the normal service will soon be restored. In the meantime a temporary wireless service has been established between Wick and Lerwick, and traffic for and from the Shetland Islands is being sent by this route.

saked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that dissatisfaction prevails in the village of Lyminge, Kent, and the neighbourhood, on account of the delay in carrying out the work of installing telephone facilities in that parish; and whether, in view of the inconvenience caused to the public by this delay, he will take steps to have the work immediately carried out?

I regret that pressure of work has delayed the completion of the necessary estimates of cost. It is clear that the expenses will be heavy, and it will, I fear, be necessary to ask prospective subscribers to pay rentals considerably higher than the tariff charge. The matter is being dealt with as rapidly as possible.

asked the Postmaster-General, whether he is aware of the inconvenience caused by the in-adequacy of the post office premises in Golders Green; and whether he can say when suitable accommodation will be provided?

I am aware that the postal needs of (Solders Green have outgrown the existing accommodation. Arrangements are in progress for the provision at an early date of a satisfactory new Branch Post Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether postal workers and telephonists who enlisted in the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps, and went on active service will be granted the same gratuity as men serving under the same conditions; were these women given a guarantee (Army Council Instruction) on joining up that any military service would be counted as continuous postal service; has the Postmaster-General issued a ruling that any extra service incurred through enrolling under Army Council Instruction would not count as continuous service; and were these workers by these means excluded from engaging until April, 1920, which the War Office laid down as necessary to entitle them to the Army of Occupation bonus granted under Army Council Instruction 507/1919?

As regards the first part of the question, no member of the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps is entitled to a gratuity. The remaining parts of the question should have been addressed to my right hon. Friend the Postmaster-General, but I am informed that Post Office servants who enlisted in the Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps were allowed to count their service under their original engagement as continuous Post Office service for the purpose of increments and pensions, but any voluntary extension of service for the Armies of Occupation can only be regarded as special leave without pay not counting for increment or pension. This decision is in accordance with the instructions governing the re-enlistment of civil servants generally in the Armies of Occupation. No objection has been raised to the re-engagement of such Post Office women as wished to volunteer for the Armies of Occupation on the conditions laid down.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the light railway department of his Ministry have yet decided on any system of the light railways to open out the agricultural and mineral districts of South Northumberland?

No light railway proposals for the districts referred to have been put forward to this Ministry either by promoters or by Government Departments. The reply is therefore in the negative.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the great shortage of coal in the districts of Cumberland and Westmorland lying along the line of the Eden Valley; whether during the week ending 13th March only 27 tons of coal arrived at the nine depôts supplied by the North Eastern and Midland Railways, although 1,500 households are supposed to be supplied in that district from these depôts; and whether he will give instructions to the North Eastern Railway Company to give a better supply with the wagons which have been placed at their disposal for the purpose?

From information supplied by the railway company it appears that from the 8th to the 11th March, inclusive, 84 wagons of coal were dispatched from the Lambton and Hetton Collieries for land sale in Cumberland, and from the 8th to the 12th March, inclusive, nine wagon-loads were received at Penrith from the collieries, and on the latter date three wagons were dispatched from the collieries to Penrith. The hon and gallant Member will note that there is considerable divergence between these figures and those given in his question. Everything possible is being done from the transport point of view to maintain the supply of coal for the district in question from the colliery allocated to supply it.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that at present day schools and Sunday schools are making arrangements for summer outings to the seaside and into the country; and will he grant cheap train fares and also extend the same privilege to other children having excursions?

I am afraid I canhold out very little hope that the railway companies will be in a position to run any cheap trains this summer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what steps are being taken to provide the rationed quantity of coal required at High worth, Wilts; and what is the reason for the persistent shortage which has been experienced in that locality?

Steps have been taken to supply a quantity of emergency coal to Highworth, and the question of the ordinary supplies has been taken up with the District Coal and Coke Supplies Committee responsible for the area. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 22nd March to the hon. and gallant Member for Finchley (Colonel Newman).

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Sub-committee appointed under the Profiteering Act to inquire into the cost of building materials are now in a position to report upon the question of the prices of Scottish building stone?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Air Raid Compensation Committee limit the compensation payable to owners of leases containing a repairing covenant, to the market value of their interest in such leases; whether he is aware that, as a consequence, the amount of compensation is sometimes far less than the actual loss sustained by such owners; whether his attention has been called to the case of Mrs. Gamon, the owner of 109, Parkington Street, London, to whom the Committee, owing to the said limitation, awarded £170 for the balance of admitted actual damage of £460, and who is, therefore, personally responsible for the difference of £290; and whether, in the case of Mrs. Gamon and persons similarly situated, he will take steps to ensure that compensation shall be paid by the Committee on an indemnity basis?

It was decided that the Air Raid Compensation Scheme did not extend to cover loss arising out of liabilities incurred by any person in respect of the property of others as, for example, liabilities incurred under the covenants of a lease. In the case of Mrs. Gamon the total agreed amount of the damage to the building of 109, Packing-ton Street, Islington, was £860. Mrs. Gamon had insured the property for £400 under the Government insurance scheme, and was paid £400. She then applied under the Air Raid Compensation Scheme and, the value of her leasehold interest at the time of the damage being £170, that amount was paid. The Air Raid Compensation Committee stated that they were prepared to consider a claim from the freeholders in respect of their interest, as owners, in the property, provided that they were qualified, under the conditions of the scheme, to apply for compensation, but no application was made. I am unable to agree that any further compensation under the scheme is due to Mrs. Gamon.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he will now consider the desirability of extending the export credit arrangements to Bulgaria?

The desirability of extending the Export Credits scheme to other countries is constantly under review, and my hon. and gallant Friend may rest assured that the question of including Bulgaria will not be overlooked.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ear-mark the whole of the surplus war stores, variously estimated at £500,000,000 to £600,000,000 sterling, for the immediate reduction of the floating debt; and, if not, to what purpose docs he intend to apply them?

I must ask the hon. Member to await the Budget statement.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the officials of the Inland Revenue can, at their discretion, inflict fines and penalties on individuals who have failed to comply with the Regulations of the Board of Inland Revenue; and whether those who are so penalised have any means of appeal?

Provision is made by Statute for the imposition of monetary penalties in the case of certain offences against the Revenue. The powers of the Board of Inland Revenue in respect of the imposition, recovery and mitigation of such statutory penalties are defined in the Inland Revenue Regulation Act, 1890. It is always open to the taxpayer to test in the Courts the question whether a penalty has in any particular case been incurred, but where it has been incurred, the mitigation of its amount is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Board.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, in view of the fact that a married man is entitled to abatement of income tax on behalf of his wife, a similar abatement may be extended to his widow when she is compelled to carry on the business and, at the same time, has to employ a housekeeper to take charge of her domestic duties?

I am unable to make any statement with regard to possible changes of taxation until the Budget is opened.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there are any restrictions at the present time in force with regard to the issuing of a loan in this country for a foreign government, allied or neutral; and, if not, why the Treasury are acting as if they had the power to stop such issues in their correspondence with other Departments and interested bodies?

There are no legal prohibitions on the raising of foreign loans in the London market, provided such issues do not offend against the Lottery Acts. I am not aware to what the hon. and gallant Member refers in the second part of the question, and I should be obliged if he would let me have particulars of the correspondence on which he bases his allegation.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the proprietors of patent medicines, owing to increased cost of production, have been compelled to raise the prices charged to retailers to an extent which leaves insufficient or no profit to the retailer after paying the stamp duty; and whether be will consider the question of providing a margin of profit by a rearrangement of the duties, so that articles not exceeding 1s 9d. in value may pay a stamp duty of 3d., articles not exceeding 3s. 9d. a duty of 6d., and articles not exceeding 6s. a stamp duty of 1s., in lieu of the duties payable under the existing law?

I have received representations on this subject which are being considered.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received a Report, which was adopted by the London County Council on 19th December, 1919, embodying a scheme for the better organisation of health services in London; whether he is in general agreement with the proposals of the London County Council; and, in order that the County Council may be in a position to develop its proposals in greater detail, whether he is prepared to receive at an early date the deputation suggested by the Council?

I have received the Report to which my hon. Friend refers, and it is being carefully considered, but, as my hon. Friend knows, it raises a number of most important and complicated questions, and I think it would be of advantage both to the Council and the Government that these questions should be further examined before I receive the suggested deputation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the present system of placing on the localities a large proportion of the cost of meeting the responsibilities of education, housing, maintenance of poor and infirm, unemployed relief, asylums and infectious hospitals, results in these urgent obligations being inadequately met or altogether evaded, to the detriment of the community, and whether he will consider having all these charges placed on the National Exchequer and allocated to local authorities in proportion to the need and requirements of their districts?

I am afraid I am not in a position to add to the answer which I gave on the 1st March to a similar question put by the hon. Member for the Frome Division (Mr. Hurd), of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received complaints from boards of guardians with regard to the increased cost chargeable in respect of lunatic patients, which has made the sum of 4s. per head repaid to the unions under The Local Government Act, 1888, an insufficient relief of local rates; and whether he will introduce legislation to provide for the repayment to boards of guardians of not less than one-half the actual cost of maintaining lunatic patients in county asylums?

I can only refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Cirencester and Tewkesbury (Mr. T. Davies) on the 1st instant, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction of approved friendly societies with the provisions of the Unemployment Insurance Bill as introduced, by which some millions of employed persons will be compelled to take unemployment insurance either through Employment Exchanges or trade unions, with which many of them have no connection; whether by any amendment to the Bill it is proposed to remedy this defect by enabling unemployed insurance to be effected through the approved societies by the members thereof; and, if not, whether he will undertake to propose and carry such an amendment before the Bill becomes law?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The position is that an approved society will be able to enter into an arrangement for the payment of State benefit under Clause 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Bill, subject to the required conditions being satisfied. The chief of these conditions are that the society should provide out of its own funds unemployment benefit of not less than a specified amount, and that it should have an effective system for notifying to its unemployed members particulars of employment. The latter of these conditions is applied by Regulations to the corresponding arrangements made under the Unemployment Insurance Acts, 1911 to 1919, and would be similarly applied under the Bill.

asked the Home Secretary if he will reconsider his decision of the 17th September, 1919, in letter T 190,887/88, refusing a motor licence to Mr. J. Bailey, of 1, Upper Chadwell Street, E.C.I, in view of the fact that this man has driven Dr. Crawford, a medical referee, for nine years in London, in the thickest traffic, without the slightest mishap or accident, and that evidence to that effect can be given?

I am sorry for this man, but I cannot overrule the decision of the Commissioner of Police in this matter. Mr. J. Bailey's vision is defective and falls far below the standard fixed by the Committee which recently examined the question of the employment as drivers of men suffering from injuries or physical defects.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has now considered the case of Percy Clarke, booking clerk and porter, of Burnadge, who is undergoing a sentence of three months' imprisonment in the second division for theft; whether he is aware that the accused had a clean military record and at the time of his offence was still suffering from shrapnel wounds in the head were circumstances not adduced before the magistrate; and whether, having regard to this being Clarke's first offence and to all the circumstances of the case, he will see Ms way to remit the remainder of the sentence?

I have carefully considered this case, but I regret that I should not feel justified in advising any interference with the sentence passed by the court. His previous good character was taken into consideration by the magistrates.

asked the Home Secretary what action the police are taking, in carrying out the Wild Birds' Protection Act, to stop the trapping of larks, thrushes, and other singing birds; and if he is aware that early every Sunday morning numbers of men may be seen leaving the various London stations on their way to the country carrying cages covered with cloth to capture such birds?

The police have instructions strictly to enforce the law as to the protection of wild birds, and they do their best to do so. I have no information as to the second part of the question.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether his attention has been called to the recent purchase, partly out of funds subscribed by private munificence and partly out of public moneys, of the remaining panel of the famous mediaeval tapestry to complete the panels of the seven deadly sins, now housed at Hampton Court Palace; and whether, having regard to the urgent need for rigid economy in the expenditure of public funds, and also the desirability of preventing priceless art treasures from being purchased and removed out of the country by the tempting offers of American millionaires or foreign purchasers, the Government will introduce legislation on the lines after that passed by the Italian Government prohibiting such treasures being exported from the country, at any rate until the financial position is such as to enable British subjects or the Treasury to purchase these treasures for the benefit of the community?

I am aware of the facts stated in the first part of the question. As at present advised the Government are not prepared to introduce legislation on lines of that in force in Italy to prohibit the removal of art treasures from the country. The Committee of Trustees of the National Gallery reported in 1916 that "it is inadvisable to legislate on the lines of the Italian law for the restriction or prohibition of the export of works of art from this country."

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Indian medical practitioners in British East Africa are forbidden to carry on independent medical practice; and, if so, on what grounds?

The question of medical practice in the East Africa Protectorate is governed by the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Ordinance, 1910. Under that ordinance the holder of any British Indian degree, diploma, or licence entitling him to registration in the United Kingdom is entitled to be registered as a medical practitioner in the East Africa Protectorate. Under the same ordinance the practice of systems of therapeutics according to native, Indian or other Asiatic method is permitted for persons recognised by the community to which they belong to be duly trained in such practice, subject to provisos that such systems may only be practised amongst the community to which the practitioner belongs and that no act under any such system on the part of such persons as is dangerous to life shall be permitted.