asked the Secretary of State for India if Lord Meston's award, granting only 28 seats out of 65 in the future Legislative Council of the Madras Presidency to the non-Brahmins, is final in view of the opposition of the non-Brahmins to the proposal?

The allocation of seats on the Madras Legislative Council will not be final until the rules in which it is embodied are approved by Parliament. But I hope that the general principle that the award of an independent arbitrator is the final (and only possible) settlement of a question on which the parties cannot agree will be accepted in this case by both parties.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he will inform the House what Indian representatives have been appointed to the Advisory Committee to discuss the arrangements for the Prince of Wales's tour to India; and if he will state whether they are Brahmins, Moslems, or non-Brahmins?

The Indian representatives are as follow:—

• H.H. the Maharaja of Gwalior (Hindu);
• H.H. the Maharaja of Bikaner (Hindu);
• H.H. the Maharaja of Patiala (Sikh); and
• Mr. Banerji (Brahman);
• Sir Umar Hyat (Moslem);
• Sir Dinsha Wacha (Parsee).

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the abnormal shortage of copper coins in the banks and in commercial circles; whether he can assign any reason for this state of things; and what course he proposes to take to remedy it?

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark, Central (Mr. Gilbert), on Wednesday the 14th instant.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government propose to introduce the Continental method of computing time into this country?

The Report of the Committee appointed to consider the 24-hour method of expressing time has now been received, and is under consideration. I hope it will be possible to announce the Government decision at an early date.

asked the Minister of Food what is the total amount of sugar which it is proposed to release for distribution during the current year to householders for the making of jam; what is the amount to be allotted for breweries and distilleries; and how much is to be given to confectioners?

The amount of sugar to be issued to householders for jam making during the current season is approximately 35,000 tons, no sugar is to be allotted to breweries and distilleries, and the confectionery trade is to receive one-half the quantity issued during 1919 which was approximately 166,000 tons.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he will say who is responsible for the supervision of the officials charged with the duty of grading hay and what care is taken to ensure that such duties are properly performed; whether he is aware that a great quantity of hay has been passed and graded which is in fact so inferior as to be worthless for the sustenance of horse and cattle although marketed at the current high prices; and if he will make inquiry and take steps to remedy this state of things in the event of his being satisfied that they exist?

I have been asked to answer this question. The grading of hay by the Government ceased with the purchase of the 1918 crop. The grading was carried out by officers of the Forage Department and by duly appointed buyers from the hay trade whose names were recommended by the Civil Supplies Central Council. I am informed that, as far as is known, there have been no complaints as to the grading.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Anti-Jewish Pogroms in Poland has yet been received at the Foreign Office; and, if so, when it will be laid upon the Table of the House of Commons?

The Report has been received and is being printed. It is hoped that it will be possible to lay it on the Table.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that the resumption of trading relations with Russia has already been encouraged by the British Government, and considering the amount of Russian indebtedness, both public and private, still outstanding under claims made by British subjects domiciled both in Russia and in this country, consideration has been given to the necessity of providing in any arrangement or understanding arrived at with any government in Russia for the inclusion of definite clauses ensuring that all debts due to British firms, companies, or individuals from Russian governments, companies, firms, or individuals shall be duly recognised and re-imbursed, and that all property rights in Russia of British firms, etc., shall be recognised, and compensation given for any damages incurred, and furthermore that the procedure to give effect to these provisoes shall be indicated by the contracting parties to such arrangement or understanding; and, in such cases, whether it is recognised that British interests cannot be properly safeguarded unless such debts are made payable at the rate of exchange ruling on 4th August, 1914, as was the case with Germany.

Both the practical and legal aspects of this question are occupying the serious attention of His Majesty's Government, but it would be premature to make any announcement until the discussions for re-opening of trade with Russia have made further progress.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that an application was made to the War Office by the hon. Member for Ealing on the 16th January last for the release on compassionate grounds, of Lance-Corporal E. S. Fielden, No. 614,545, Royal Engineers, Mearsfield Park camp, Uckfield, to which no answer was received; that a second letter was written on the 20th February which was replied to to the effect that the matter had been passed to the general Officer commanding Eastern Command who would give the necessary instructions for a reply to be sent, but that up to the moment no further communication has been received; and will he cause inquiries to be made as to the unwarrantable delay and apparent indifference displayed by the authorities in this matter?

I was not pre viously aware of this case, but I am having urgent inquiries made, and will communicate with the hon. and learned Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is in a position to give the number of promotions from the ranks during the past 12 months; how many were due to war services; how many were due to merit; and whether it is proposed to continue to give non-commissioned officers and men every facility to win commissions.

Since January, 1919, seven permanent Commissions in the Regular Army have been granted to soldiers serving in the ranks. In each case the promotion was made in respect of War services. As regards the last part of the question, the conditions under which Warrant Officers, non-Commissioned officers and men can now gain permanent Commissions were promulgated recently in Army Order 86 of 1920. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of this Order.I would add that on the occasion of the last two entries to the Royal Military College and the Royal Military Academy, namely, in September and January last, 46 cadetships were awarded to ex-soldiers, sailors and airmen.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that considerable feeling exists among the civil population of Tidworth owing to the refusal of the General Officer Commanding troops there to sanction the granting of a site for a fried-fish business; that, when an application for a site was made by a local resident, Mr. Beaver, it was refused on the grounds that there was no demand for such a business, and that thereupon a petition in favour was presented, signed by over 500 people of the neighbourhood, but that the application was refused again, no reason being as signed; and if he will inquire into the matter with a view to inducing the General Officer Commanding to reconsider his decision, and if there are valid reasons for maintaining the decision already given they may be made public?

I am making enquiries, and will let the hon. and gallant Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that notices were posted on the warships at the outbreak of the War in 1914 to the effect that war service in the case of the Royal Fleet Reserve would count towards any drills; and what action he is taking to redeem that pledge?

An Order was issued in 1914 that Royal Fleet Reserve men would be excused from the performance of Royal Fleet Reserve drills during the period of hostilities without prejudice to their claim to retainers or the Royal Fleet Reserve pension or gratuity. It is not apparent that any further action is required in the matter. By a further Order issued in 1919, all Reservists, including Royal Fleet Reserve, with not less than a fortnight's war service are excused drill for the years 1919–1920.