asked the Secretary of State for India if he has received representations of the position of the civil veterinary service of India owing to the inadequate salaries of its officers and the impossibility of retaining men of ability; if he will say what increase in pay has been generally made in this service since 1914; and if he can announce the intentions of the Government of India on this matter?

Proposals for improving the pay and prospects of the Indian Veterinary Service have recently been received from the Government of India, and these are now being examined-An announcement will be made as early as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he has received any intimation that a representative provincial conference held early this month at Jullundur, in the Punjab, protested against what it considered to be an attempt to deprive the Punjabis of the opportunity of getting the utmost out of the Government of India Act by so framing rules under that Act as to keep the Punjab Legislative Council small, pack it with landed aristocracy and other conservative elements, and otherwise keep, as far as possible, educated Punjabis out of that Council; and whether he would give an assurance that consideration of the Punjab rules will be postponed until detailed representation of the conference's wishes is received in England?

I have seen a telegram, the general purport of which, though less specific, is of the kind indicated in the question. If the complaints are well-founded, I have no doubt that the Government of India and their non-official Adivisory Committee (on which the Punjab is represented) will pay due attention to them in considering the draft rules, which will eventually come before Parliament.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to Army Instruction (India) No. 99, of 1920, whether he is aware that this instruction, which authorises the combination of privilege leave with field service concessions, is being construed as applicable only to officers who have been struck off duty since 1st May, 1919, with the result that officers incapacitated during the War, including even those still sick on 1st May, 1919, are deprived of any privilege leave accruing to them since 4th August, 1914; whether it is his intention so to discriminate against officers incapacitated during the War; and, if not, whether he will consider, in conjunction with the Finance Department of the War Office, the issue of an amended Order?

I will communicate with the War Office regarding the matter.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether rouble notes to the approximate value of £2,662,500 at the present rate of exchange have recently been deposited in the Government treasuries, and whether he has any information to the effect that a very large proportion of this sum represents funds paid in by propagandists of the Bolshevist régime in Russia; and, if the answer is in the affirmative, whether any action has been taken in the matter?

I have no official information as to the value of the rouble notes deposited at Government Treasuries in India under the terms of the recent Ordinance. The Government of India are taking active steps to counteract Bolshevik propaganda in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Sheikh-ul-Islam, of the Deobund Arabic School, in the Saharunpur district, has recently been arrested and deported from India on account of the subversive and anti-Government propaganda in which he has been engaged; whether, for many years past, the Deobund Arabic School, originally inaugurated with the intention of grounding trans-frontier Pathans in the principles of Islam, has, in fact, been a centre of seditious propaganda; and whether, in view of this, the school will now be closed?

I presume the hon. Member refers to one of the doctors of the school in question, who had mixed himself up in seditious intrigues before leaving for Mecca in September, 1915. His conduct in Arabia led to his arrest by the Hedjaz authorities. He was removed to Egypt and eventually interned at Malta. Neither before these intrigues nor since the departure of the particular doctor has there been, to my knowledge, complaint of seditious propaganda at Deobund, and there appears to be no reason for the suggestion that the school should be closed.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he is aware that a representative provincial conference that met on 2nd April at Jullundur, the Punjab, expressed great concern at conditions of insecurity of life and property in border districts and in the North-West Frontier Province; and if he will enlighten the House as to the steps that he is taking to protect life and property in those districts?

I have received no report of the proceedings at the conference referred to. The hon. Member is aware that military operations are in progress for the purpose of restoring order, and he may rest assured that conditions on the border are engaging the active attention of the Government of India.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this question refers also to Baluchistan, where, apparently, Indian life and property are not safe at the present time?

I was not aware of the geographical area to which it refers.

I have sent the right hon. Gentleman a letter about it today.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he proposes to issue a Return showing the comparative strengths of the navies of the principal Powers and the strength of the Royal Navy?

It is not proposed to issue this Return for some time yet.

Will the Admiralty give the House an undertaking that none of our vessels will be disposed of to foreign Powers by the Ministry of Munitions?

That hardly arises on this question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty when the official account of the Battle of Jutland will be published?

The official record is now in the hands of the printers, but I understand that technicalities connected with the production make it improbable that publication can take place in much less than three months from now.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the First Lord of the Admiralty stated that this account of the Battle of Jutland would be published about a month after the first volume of the History of the War?

I went into the matter very carefully, and I understand it is purely a technical difficulty. It would be impossible to hold out any hopes before three months.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to station any destroyers on the China Station, as in the case of the pre-War Fleet?

It is not the intention at present to station torpedo-boat destroyers on the China Station.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is in a position to make any statement as to how it is proposed to deal with the reduction of the number of officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines?

My Noble and gallant Friend has, no doubt, seen the particulars of the scheme of retirement which have appeared in the Press, and instructions have also been issued to the Fleet. I am forwarding him a copy of the Fleet Order.

Is it intended to retire any officers compulsorily, and, if so, how will they be informed of the intention of the Admiralty?

Perhaps my Noble Friend will kindly withhold his second fire for a day or two.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is proposed to carry out naval manœuvres this year?

It is not proposed to carry out naval manœuvres this year. It is in contemplation, however, to commission certain vessels in Reserve for a short period.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is able to report any progress in the negotiations with trade unions for the admission of ex-soldiers who are not disabled to training facilities in suitable occupations of their own choice?

The training facilities under the training schemes administered by my Department are designed for disabled ex-service men (except in the case of the Interrupted Apprenticeship Schemes). In these circumstances no negotiations are being conducted with the trade unions regarding the inclusion in these schemes, in organised trades, of fit ex-service men. On the general question, however, after discussion with the parties, a Committee has been set up "to consider the best means of facilitating the re-employment of ex-service men, and to make recommendations to the Minister of Labour with regard thereto." On this Committee, which recently held its first meeting, there are representatives of the Ex-Service Men's Associations, the Parliamentary Committee of the Trade Union Congress, the National Confederation of Employers' Organisations, and of my Department.

May I ask whether it is not a fact that further summonses have been taken out against a certain Member of this House for employing disabled men, and what action is being taken in regard to that?

I was not aware of that. If my noble and gallant Friend will put down a question I will deal with it.

Can the hon. Gentle-mean state the names of this Committee which has been set up, and whether all parties are represented upon it?

I have not the names in front of me. I do not know whether there is any difficulty about stating them, but if my hon. Friend will put down a question I shall be very glad to deal with it. I can say at once that, as far as I am aware, all parties are represented on the Committee.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the acreage of land included in the Titchfield, Hants, settlement for ex-service men and the price paid for it; the acreage let to individual settlers; the maximum and minimum rents charged per acre and the rents paid by the previous tenants for the same land; whether the rent includes any other charge besides the bare rent of the land; and, if so, what is the purpose and the amount of the extra charge in each case?

The Titchfield Farm Settlement is 1,392 acres in extent, and the purchase price was £55,800. At present 230 acres are let to 76 ex-service men, the rent being per £4 acre for the first year and £5 per acre subsequently. The rents paid by smallholders previous to the property being purchased by the Ministry varied in amount, but averaged about £3 per acre. This rent was paid for the bare land which the tenants had themselves to clear, and get into good order. The Ministry are getting the land into thoroughly good order before letting it, they are providing facilities for the hire of horses, implements, etc., and demonstration plots are being established. In view of these advantages and the increased rate of interest now existing, it has been necessary to fix a higher standard of rent.

Can the right hon. Gentleman state the actual cost?

I have told the hon. Member the cost of the land. I can send him a complete account of the whole cost of the estate if he wishes.

asked the Minister of Labour the number of firms in each great centre of industry who have signed the King's circular to employ their quota of disabled soldiers, and if he can state the number of disabled soldiers still unprovided for?

The total number of establishments on the King's National Roll at present is 14,144. The names of the firms up to 31st December, 1919, are given in the first edition of the Roll, which has been published, and copies of which have been sent to hon. Members. An analysis of the Roll by centres of industry could not be made without great labour, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the number of firms on the Roll for each county. The number of ex-service disabled men on the live registers of Employment Exchanges at 1st April was 25,700, as compared with 30,000 at 5th March and 39,600 at 9th January.

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the second edition of this revised Roll will be published?

I am not in a position to say when it will be published, but I understand that it is being undertaken.

Would the hon. Gentleman show specially in his analysis how the local authorities and Government Departments have adopted this Roll?

I am not quite certain on what basis the analysis is being prepared, but perhaps, if it does not satisfy my hon. Friends opposite, they will put a question down about it, and we will endeavour to satisfy them.

Will this revised Roll be published according to towns and districts?

I was not aware that any promise had been given to that effect, but, of course, if it has been given, it will be carried out.

asked the Minister of Health the total number of dwelling houses built or acquired under the Housing Acts of last year which are now in occupation, the number actually under construction, and also the number for which plans have been finally approved and building contracts let; and whether he is satisfied that everything possible is being done to secure the completion of an adequate number of houses by the end of this year?

According to returns received on the 1st April, 1920, 1,346 houses and flats were completed with the exception, in some cases, of painting. In addition 12,138 houses were in various stages of construction at that date. Tenders have been approved for 92,080 houses and contracts signed for the erection of 40,292 of these. The plans of 164,157 houses have been approved. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative, so far as matters over which I have any control are concerned.

asked the Minister of Health (1) whether his attention has been drawn to a decision of the judge of the Marylebone County Court upon an application to convert a large private dwelling house in Porchester Gate into two or more tenements, that Section 27 of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, referred only to houses for the working classes; can he take steps to alter this; (2) whether, in view of the shortage of housing accommodation for all classes of the community and the number of large houses unoccupied, he will introduce an amending Act so as to extend the benefits of Section 27 of The Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, to all classes?

My attention had not been previously drawn to the case referred to by my hon. and gallant Friend. I will endeavour to obtain a report of the case, and will then consider whether it is necessary or desirable to take any action in regard to it.

Will the right hon. Gentleman read the judgment if I send it to him, and will he receive a deputation with a view to putting all classes on more or less the same basis?

I shall be glad to read the judgment. With regard to a deputation, I should like to consider precisely what the subject is. It may be one on which I have already received deputations.

Having regard to the fact that the word "working classes" is frequently employed in legislative measures, will the right hon. Gentleman lay down who are the working classes? Is he aware that the type of people who are penalised under this question are infinitely more impecunious than the usual recognised working classes?

That may be, but I entirely decline to attempt to define them.

Is it a fact that when these large houses are cut up into two or three dwellings they are very unsatisfactory, and it is far better to go on with the new building programme than tinker about with old houses.

That may be true, but at the same time a certain amount of additional accommodation has been provided in this way.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state the number of cases in which his Department has decided that a non-economic rent is being charged by local authorities for new dwellings; what action he has taken in these cases; what is the lowest rent and the highest rent charged respectively; and if he will give the names of the places concerned?

Houses erected by 30 local authorities are occupied by tenants. The rents obtained—which vary according to the locality and the size of the house—range from 7s. per week (exclusive of rates) in rural areas to 17s. 6d. per week (exclusive of rates) in the neighbourhood of London and the large towns. In no case does the rent obtained represent an economic return on the capital cost. The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Housing Acts contemplate that the loss, arising from the fact that the best rents obtainable may not be sufficient to meet the annual charges, should be borne by the Exchequer, and, to a limited extent, by local authorities.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware of the scarcity of houses in the district of Middleton-in-Teesdale and the resentment caused to the people of that district by people who possess two houses or more letting them to visitors, whilst many who live there are overcrowded and cannot get a house; and if he will take steps to prevent this abuse and communicate with the local authority in order to find out how far the abuse exists?

Local authorities have power under Section 12 of the Housing, Town Planning, etc., Act., 1919, to acquire houses which might be made suitable for the working classes. I have called for a report on the position in the district to which the hon. Member refers.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether all the black troops have been withdrawn from the newly occupied areas of Germany; and, if not, how many are remaining, and where?

I must point out to my hon. and gallant Friend that answers to questions such as these cannot be given by a Member of His Majesty's Government. The publication of information of this character is entirely a matter for the French Government.

Is it impossible for this Government to indicate to the French Government that we do not consider Senegalese proper troops to garrison German towns?

asked the Prime Minister whether, to avoid misconceptions and erroneous inferences, he can see his way to publishing the Notes exchanged with France on the occasion of the recent operations on the right bank of the Rhine?

asked the Prime Minister if the occupation by Prussian troops of the Ruhr district in contravention of the terms of the Peace Treaty was supported by President Wilson in Notes to Great Britain and France, while at the same time he opposed any measures being taken by France to safeguard her position; and, if so, will he state whether, as America has refused to become a party to the Peace Treaty, it is competent for President Wilson to intervene in matters with which he is not in practical touch?

For the reasons stated on Monday, I hope that my hon. Friends will not press for an answer to questions on this subject.

Have the British Government yet consulted the French Government as to the advisability of publishing these Notes?

There have been discussions between the Governments. They have not been published in France, and I do not think that it is desirable to publish them here.

Was not a statement made yesterday in France on this very point?

No. I have read as carefully as I could the reports that have been received of the statement of the French Prime Minister, and there was no reference to this in it.

Are the relations between this country and France now harmonious?

Yes, and I hope that they always will be as they have been.

Would my right hon. Friend object to my putting down the question in a week or fortnight?

I have looked into the question carefully, and I do not think that it is one that I should feel justified at any time in answering.

Is it not a fact that an agreement already exists between the British and the French Governments?

I shave already answered on this matter. I have taken the view that the place where a discussion ought to take place on this matter is at San Remo between the representatives of the two Governments. I am perfectly convinced that the discussion on this question had better be conducted at such a conference than in public.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether Lord Kilmarnock has lodged a protest against the action of the Baltic troops, and especially of Lieutenant Linsenmeyer, in arresting and ill-treating the newspaper correspondents at Essen; whether an apology has been made; and what action is to be taken regarding this Lieutenant Linsenmeyer?

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that certain British journalists have recently been subjected to indignities and maltreatment by order of Prussian officers; and if he will say what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?

Yes, Sir; Lord Kilmarnock has, on the instructions of the Foreign Secretary, made a protest, and demanded an apology and adequate punishment of the guilty parties. The German Government have expressed their regret to Mr. Voigt direct at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Berlin, and have ordered an immediate, strict inquiry to be instituted.

Is it likely that the German Government can carry out disciplinary action with regard to this Lieutenant Linsenmeyer?

I should think so, certainly.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if Germany has delivered to France the coal to which she is entitled under the provisions of the Peace Treaty; and, if not, will he state the extent of such non-compliance?

I am asking the British Delegate to the Reparation Commission for the most recent particulars, and will communicate again with my hon. and gallant Friend.

I will put down a question on this day week.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that persons holding Indian university medical and law degrees, such as L.M. and S. and B.A.B.L., who are eligible to practise medicine and law, respectively, in India, are not allowed to so practise in British East Africa; and, if so, will he state why in British East Africa, where the Protectorate was first established with the object of safeguarding the interests of His Majesty's Indian subjects in that country, where Indian law is to-day administered, and where Indians preponderate both in point of numbers and vested interests, the said Indian university medical and law degrees are not recognised?

I explained to the hon. Member in my answer to his question on the 24th of March that Indian medical degrees or diplomas are recognised in the East Africa Protectorate, provided that they entitle the holder to registration in the United Kingdom. Advocates who have been admitted and are entitled to practise before one of the High Courts in British India are entitled to practise in the East African Courts.

The general question of the position of Indians in East Africa is under consideration between the Secretary of State and the Governor of the Protectorate.

asked the Secretary of State for War when the large acreage of Wimbledon Common, now used as a military camp, will be restored to the use of the public?

I regret that it is not possible at present to give an indication of the date when the land in question will be surrendered.

Why is it necessary to have a large military camp there?

I am not aware of the reasons. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put down a question, I will find out.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the wives and families of soldiers serving in Germany who may wish to join their husbands and fathers are required to pay the whole cost of their journey from this country and to find and pay for accommodation in Germany at their own expense; and whether, looking to the impossibility of many women with young children undertaking such a journey, he is satisfied that an equitable system of leave has beep established in the Army in Germany and is being carried out in the ease of married men?

One of the conditions under which wives and families' may join their husbands who are serving with the Army of Occupation in Germany is that they pay the whole cost of the journey from this country. At present they also have to find and pay for their accommodation in Germany, but the question of the provision of accommodation by the Government is now under consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I am afraid I can add nothing to the written answer given yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the statement to the effect that two British officers were recently captured by the Bolshevists, brutally tortured, and then murdered; whether this statement has been verified; and if he will inform the House what is the latest information on the subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. As regards the last part, urgent inquiries are now being made to ascertain the truth of the statements.

Is the right hon. Baronet aware that the Prime Minister assured the House that it was only on the understanding that these murders and outrages ceased that any negotiations would be entered into at all, and is it proposed to take any action in this matter at all?

That is a question for the Prime Minister.

Will the right hon. Baronet explain what these officers were doing in Russia at all?

asked the Food Controller whether the accounts of the three national kitchens in London which he controls, which are running on a self-supporting basis, include expenses on account of establishment charges, rent, and furniture; and is the food which is consumed charged up in these accounts at the current market prices which the general public has to pay?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Food Controller whether it is proposed to sell the National Kitchen Restaurant in New Bridge Street, E.C., which is now managed by his Department; if so, who are the buyers and what are the price and conditions of sale, and what is the reason for the disposal?

The National Restaurant at New Bridge Street is being transferred to the Veterans' Commerce, Limited (a body representing ex-Service men), who will pay for the plant and loose equipment at valuation.

The reason for its disposal is that it is thought inadvisable for a Government Department to continue a commercial undertaking which involves entering into a lease over a period of years.

asked the Food Controller whether, when bacon was re-controlled on the 9th August, 1919, the amount of bacon then requisitioned by the Ministry, bacon here and to arrive, was about 100,000 tons, at an average cost to the Ministry of about £180 per ton; whether several thousand tons of the Ministry's requisitioned bacon and hams have been sold by the authority of the Ministry for boiling down and other purposes at varying prices from £8 to £25 per ton; several thousand tons sold to the Continent at varying prices from £80 to £140 per ton; and whether allowances have had to be made on many thousands of tons of bacon and hams of anything varying from £5 to £50 per ton to get these goods into circulation in this country?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on this subject to the hon. Member for Plaistow on 22nd March.

asked whether at least 50 per cent. of the bacon and hams requisitioned by the Government on the 9th August last were consigned to this market at the packer's risk; and, if so, would the loss which the Ministry of Food have sustained on these goods have been the liability of the packers and not, as is now stated, the liability of the Ministry of Food.

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Negotiations as to the price to be paid for the requisitioned bacon are proceeding on the basis that the packer should bear such losses as would have been borne by him had the goods not been requisitioned.

asked whether on the 9th August, when the Ministry brought their requisitioning order in, the cost of hogs in Chicago was round about 23 cents per lb., and has since then been down to round about 13 cents per lb., and notwithstanding this reduction in the price of hogs the Ministry of Food have not seen fit to reduce the price of American bacon, hams, and lard.

On 9th August, when control of bacon was resumed, the cost of hogs in Chicago was approximately 23 cents per lb. It fell as low as 13 cents for a short period when the Ministry of Food withheld buying orders, and was last week about 16½ cents per lb. Since the date of re-control the fall in exchange has varied from 9 per cent. to 25 per cent. Other costs borne by the Ministry, such as railway carriage to the retailer in this country, have also increased; and at the present time the principal cuts of bacon are being sold at or below the cost of replacement. In the circumstances it has not been possible to effect a general reduction in the price of bacon.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that since bacon has been decontrolled the price has jumped up by about 50 per cent.?

I daresay that is true; but that rise is not commensurate with some other things that have jumped up—wages, for instance.

Would it not be better to control it again?

asked whether instructions have been issued to food control committees to give three months' notice to their staffs; whether the Food Ministry is to be abolished; and, if so, when.

Under the current Food Control Committees (Constitution) Order the term of office of members of these committees will expire on the 30th June, 1920. It is proposed after that date to substitute for the existing committees a reduced system of district food offices, and thereby to effect a substantial reduction in expenditure. As a precautionary measure the necessary warning notices to the staffs have been issued, though the services of a considerable number of the present staff will probably be retained. The question of the future of the Ministry of Food has been under the consideration of the Government, and it is hoped to make a statement shortly.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say when that statement will be made?

I am afraid I cannot. The hon. Member had better put the question to the Minister of Food when he is in his place.

Has the Leader of the House any information on the point?

No. I cannot give any time. It has been considered, and is still under the consideration of the Government.

Is it the intention of the Government to abolish the Food Ministry?

Not at present.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that the Newcastle-on-Tyne Co-operative Society has about 40,000 members; is he aware that they have been short of flour by 340 sacks, and that the largest ships go up into the higher reaches of the Tyne; and, if so, will he see that the people of this area get a fair supply of flour?

The Food Controller is not aware of any shortage of flour in Newcastle-on-Tyne. It is recognised, however, that anticipation of the recent advance in the retail price of flour led to an abnormal demand by customers in this part of the country who are to a large extent home-bakers. On inquiry the Food Controller is satisfied that all mills in the Northern and North-Eastern Areas, some of which are not at present working full time, have adequate supplies of wheat, and that any further demands for flour can be met.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Shotton mill has been closed down for several hours a day owing to the lack of a full supply, and can he see his way to keep this mill going on three shifts in order to meet the requirements of the country?

Is the hon. Member aware that other flour mills are suffering in the same way and that shareholders of a cooperative society are only getting 80 per cent. of the flour which they got before the War, and will he take steps to have this regulation removed?

I will bring the matter to the attention of the Food Controller.