asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the effect of the new taxation in the Budget on the financial proposals of the Government of Ireland Bill?

I am having a statement prepared.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, by Army Order 159, of 1918, it is intended that warrant officers who were granted temporary commissions after May, 1918, should receive considerable benefits and advantages as regards pensions over those warrant officers who were granted temporary commissions prior to May, 1918; whether, if this is so, he will state the reasons which prompted the drafting of an order making this differentiation; and whether he will take steps to amend the order so as to grant equal treatment to all warrant officers who were granted temporary commissions, whatever the date of their gazette may have been?

The suggestion, as I understand it, is that the terms on which certain officers took commissions, with full understanding at the time, should be now revised because other terms were subsequently offered to other officers. I will not refuse to consider the question, but the hon. and gallant Member must not understand me to admit the principle.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office what steps the War Office propose to take to enable the wives of soldiers serving abroad to meet the increased cost of living, as they are only receiving the same separation allowance as that granted in 1917, when the cost of living was considerably less?

I do not propose to take any further steps. The joint income of the soldier and his wife is ade- quate at the present time, and the man has ample official facilities for making remittances.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, as it is not at present made clear to officers' widows that alternative pensions are only payable from the date of claim and not from the date of eligibility for pension, and that delay in settling the flat rate, whether due to the applicant or to the delay in the Ministry, over which she has no control, coupled with no intimation to the applicant as to the date of payment of alternative pension, leads to pecuniary loss to the widow, he will cause Clause 6 on Form 543 to be altered so that widows may put in the necessary formal claim immediately on becoming eligible for pension?

In notifying an award of flat- rate pension a copy of Form 543 is sent to the widow, and if application for an alternative pension is made within three months of the date of such notification the alternative pension is payable as from the date from which the flat-rate pension took effect (which is generally the day following the death). In other cases the award has effect from the date of application. If, therefore, the widow applies within three months of notification, she is not prejudiced by any delay in the award of the flat-rate pension. The form referred to is now being reprinted, and in the revised form opportunity will be taken to make it clear that delay in applying may affect the date of commencement of the award.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Mrs. Annie Whittet, 70, Constable Street, Dundee, widow of Private William Whittet, No. 202,239, late 4th Black Watch, has been awarded a pension of 5s. 6d. weekly; whether her husband enlisted in December, 1914, and was dicharged on pension in November, 191V, as being no longer physically fit for war service; whether during his service he received a shrapnel wound in the face, a bullet wound in the thigh, was gassed, and in addition underwent three operations for deafness contracted or aggravated by service; whether the doctor who attended him in his terminal illness has certified that his previous history of wounds and of several operations for deafness had an unfavourable effect upon his recovery from pneumonia; whether Mrs. Whittet is unable to work and has been left with two young children, the elder two years and nine months and the younger nine months old, and has been forced to apply for parochial relief; and whether he purposes raising the award in this case and taking steps to deal in a more humane manner with widows of ex-service men?

Private Whittet was discharged in November, 1917, on account of deafness, the result of ear disease which had existed from boyhood, but was aggravated by military service. He died nearly two years later from acute pneumonia. There is no record in his military papers of his having been wounded or gassed, and it may further be pointed out that during the entire period between discharge and death he was regularly in work. The medical advisers of the Ministry are unable to regard the pneumonia as having been contracted or commenced on service, or aggravated on such service. In these circumstances his widow is not entitled to the award of pension under Article 11 of the Royal Warrant, and she was accordingly granted the reduced pension under Article 17. She has been informed that if she is dissatisfied with the decision she has a right of appeal through her Local War Pensions Committee to the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

asked the Secretary of State for War what is the strength of the British Force under General Champain in Northern Persia; what are its functions; and how long it will be kept there?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 4th November last to the hon. Member for Central Hull (Lieut.- Commander Kenworthy). The numbers are approximately the same as then stated.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether any man who was in the Army Reserve and who re-enlisted when War broke out was entitled to the £10 bounty mentioned in Army Form B 218 P 27/GN/4,065, irrespec- tive of what unit he joined; and, if so, why First Air-mechanic A. G. H. Roberts, No. 406,690, late Royal Air Force, has not been paid the above amount?

I presume the hon. Member refers to the National Reserve. The £10 bounty was issuable only to a National Reservist, Class I or II, who was registered as such before 11th August, 1914, and who enlisted before 1st December, 1915, in the Regular Army for general service. I am investigating the particular case mentioned, and will communicate the result to the hon. Member.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers and men of the British Army were in all the fields of operations during the War rendered totally blind?

There are no figures in the War Office which would give this information, but I would refer to the reply given to the hon. Member to-day by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he will reconsider his decision to disallow children's allowances to junior commissioned officers and warrant officers of the Navy, seeing that the lower naval ratings still get this allowance?

I regret that it is not possible to hold out any hope of a reversal of the decision arrived at, but the matter is again engaging the attention of the Board of Admiralty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what steps have been taken to sell Holton Heath factory so that private enterprise may have an opportunity of employing surplus labour in the Bournemouth and East Dorset areas?

No steps have as yet been taken to dispose of the Royal Naval Cordite Factory, Holton Heath.

asked the Attorney-General whether any money has been spent from the Naval Prize Fund in fees to counsel and other law costs; and, if so, whether he will state the amount?

With a very slight qualification the answer is in the negative, and it is deplorable that those who are responsible for making such statements do not take the trouble to ascertain either the plain law or the facts of the matter. In law, as in terms provided by the Naval Prize Act, it is precisely the legal expenses of proceedings in the Prize Court which are not chargeable against the Prize Fund. In fact, the whole of these expenses, which include counsels' fees, are borne by the Vote for Law Charges and fall upon the Exchequer. The only fees to counsel charged against the Prize Fund are those paid for representing the Fleet before the Naval Prize Tribunal. I understand that these fees do not amount to £300.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that the existing regulations with respect to the age limit for Civil Service examinations disqualify men who, having served with His Majesty's Forces for periods of two to four and a half years, are now above 25, and are therefore, even if on the temporary staff of the Civil Service, unable to sit for the examinations; and whether he will consider the advisability of raising the age limit for ex-service men who are desirous of entering the Civil Service?

I beg to refer to the answers which I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Hexham (Captain Brown) on the 10th March, and to the hon. and gallant Member for East Brad ford (Captain Loseby) on the 19th instant. For the competition referred to in the second answer the age-limits will be raised to 35. I must remind the hon. Member that the number of vacancies on the permanent establishment of Government Departments is very small as compared with the number of ex-service men who desire to enter the Civil Service, and that the acceptance of any candidates above the age-limits involves the rejection of candidates within the limits.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether grants of land have been made to officers and men who took part in the War in British East Africa; if so, how much land has been allotted and to how many persons; whether these grants are still being made; and, if not, why this is not being done?

The total number of farms allotted in East Africa to ex-service men and women under the recent Land Settlement Scheme was 1,150, and the area allotted was rather more than 2,000,000 acres. The Governor has recommended that no further allotments should be made at present, as he considers that the new settlers should first be allowed to establish their position. There are many obstacles in the way of more rapid development for the moment, and in particular, the supply of native labour, on which settlers must depend, is very uncertain. An exception is made in the case of the special terms for medical men willing to take up land and to render professional help to their neighbours. Applications of this kind are still being specially considered by the Local Government.

asked the Minister of Food the articles of food which are still

Foods Controlled as to Price with Maximum Retail Prices. Great Britain. France. Belgium. Italy. Bread … per 4 lbs. — 1s. 4 d. to 1s. 6 d. 1s.5d. to 1s. 8½ d. 1s. 5¼ d. Milk … per qt. — 10½d. 10½d. — Cheese … per lb. 1s.8 d. (Imported) — — 2s. 9½d. Butter … per 1b. 3s. (Imported) 5s. — 4s. 3½d. Margarine … per lb. — 2s. 1¾d. — — Potatoes … per 7 lbs. 1 s. 1½d. 1s. 0¼d. 6d. — Flour … per 7 1bs. — — — 2s. Sugar … per lb 10d. 1s. 1¾d. 8¾d. 1 s. 8d. Rice … per 1b. 7 d. (Burmah) — — 5¼ d. Macaroni …per 1b" — 9½d. — 5¼ d. Chocolate … per 1b." — 2s. 9½d 2s. 8¼ d. — Eggs … per doz. — 4s. 1½ d. — — Bacon (Streaky) per lb. 2s.4 id. (Imported) — — — Meat … per 1b. Varies with cuts Varies with cuts Varies with cuts. — Apples … per 1b. 9 d. — — — Wild Rabbits … per 1b. 8½d. (Imported) — — — Onions … per 1b. 4 d. (Imported) — — — Fish … Jam … Varies according to kinds Dried Fruits … Cocoa Powder … The only articles rationed in Great Britain are Sugar (8-ozs. per week) and Imported Butter (1½-ozs. per week).

controlled in Great Britain, France, Italy, and Belgium; what is the amount of the ration in each case where a ration is fixed; and what are the respective prices?

For the information of the hon. Member, a Table has been prepared, showing the articles controlled in Great Britain, France, Italy and Belgium respectively, and the maximum retail prices fixed. The absence of a price under the heading of a particular country shows that the article in question is not controlled as to price in that country. It will be noticed that no price is given for meat, the reason being that the retail prices vary with the cut and in some cases with the quality of the meat. Further, it should be borne in mind that in France a special allowance of bread can be obtained under certain conditions at a reduced price.

The retail prices ruling in foreign countries are converted at par, as any conversion at a current rate of exchange would prevent any comparison being made as to the cost of the particular food to the respective population served. In the case of certain foreign countries it has been found that the retail prices are not strictly adhered to.

In France sugar is the only food rationed at present, the allowance being for the average population 17½ ozs. per month.

In Belgium sugar again is the only rationed food, the allowance being 2 1/5 lbs. per month.

In Italy, on the other hand, all, or nearly all, controlled articles are rationed, the ration being varied from time to time and being different for different districts in the country.

In Rome the rationed allowances for April are as follows:—

Rations per day. Rations per week. Bread 8¾ ozs. Butter 1 2/5 ozs.

Other articles are rationed by the month as follows:— Macaroni 4 lbs. 6 ½ ozs. Rice 1 lb. 1 lb. 1½ ozs. Sugar 1 lb. 1 ½ ozs. Oil 7 ⅛pt. Cheese 5 ¼ozs.

In the Campagna flour for bread and maize flour are also subject to a ration, but in this case bread is omitted.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the present price which the Government is paying for wheat delivered in this country from overseas; whether this price involves the commitment of this country to a further sum this year in the form of a bread subsidy; and whether he will consider the possibility of granting to farmers a greater freedom in the selling price of wheat, in view of the fact that with a higher price to the farmer in this country for home-grown wheat the increased supply would be to the advantage of the consumer and of national finance?

The average c.i.f. cost of all wheat imported during the financial year ending 31st March last was 04s. per 480 lbs. The estimated average c.i.f. cost for the current month is 104s. per quarter of 480 lbs The estimate for the bread subsidy for the current financial year recently submitted to the House was £45,000,000. So long as the bread subsidy continues it is impossible to decontrol wheat, but it has already been announced that higher prices will be paid to farmers for home-grown wheat harvested in 1920 and 1921.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he is aware of the resentment among farmers at the delay in the introduction of the Agricultural Bill; and whether, to allay this feeling, he is able to state exactly what are the reasons which are causing the postponement of the measure and when he expects these obstacles will be surmounted?

I am aware that the agricultural industry is anxiously awaiting the introduction of the Agritural Bill and the Ministry has received a number of resolutions on the subject from local branches of the National Farmers' Union and other bodies. I hope, however, to be in a position to introduce it at an early date. The reasons for the delay are the necessary reconsideration of certain aspects of some of the Clauses of a somewhat complicated and technical Bill.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many schemes for the constitution of County Agricultural Committees have been submitted to and approved by the Ministry, respectively; in how many cases approval has been refused because of the failure to appoint, as Members of the Committee, only persons having practical knowledge of Agriculture and what agricultural organisations, if any, have been requested by the Ministry to submit the names of suitable individuals to serve as the nominees of the Ministry on county committees?

The number of schemes submitted by county agricultural committees which have been officially approved is fourteen. Twenty-four further schemes have been provisionally approved, and nine are under consideration. The lists of members submitted by the county councils are carefully examined to ensure that all members are qualified under the terms of Section 7 (4) (d) of the Act, and so far no scheme has been refused owing to failure to comply with this Regulation. While the Minister does not bind himself to give representation on the committees to agricultural organisations as such, he has promised to consider any suitable names submitted by such organisations, and also the county councils have been urged to consider the claims of the various agricultural societies existing in their areas.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the killing or maiming of ponies and other animals belonging to commoners in the New Forest owing to the reckless driving of motorists; whether it is possible to stop this cruelty, and the consequent loss to commoners, by imposing a speed limit upon motorists passing through the forest, or by placing toll-gates on the main road through the forest; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

My Noble Friend, as Commissioner of Woods and Forests, has given this matter his most careful and sympathetic consideration, but has not yet been able to reach any definite conclusion as to a practical and effective remedy. No doubt the imposition of a special speed limit would help to reduce the casualties, but he has no powers enabling him to enforce this on public highways under the control of the local authority. He has, however, made representations to the Hampshire County Council, urging them to take into their immediate consideration the possibility of dealing with the matter on these lines.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the order for plant for the sugar factory at Kelham, Notts, was placed in France in order to profit by the ruling exchange; if so, whether such profit is likely to counterbalance the resulting loss sustained by British trade, British manufacture, and British labour; and whether it is reasonably certain that in existing circumstances French manufacturers can guarantee delivery in time

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave yesterday to the hon. Member for the Springburn Division of Glasgow (Mr. Macquisten). The reply to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will communicate to this House the terms of the message received by him in June last year from the chairman of directors of the Indian Newspaper Company, Limited, disproving the allegation made by the right hon. Gentleman in his speech on the East India Revenue Accounts on 23rd May, 1919, to the effect that Mr. B. G. Horniman had distributed his paper free to British soldiers in India in the hope of exciting disaffection and insubordination among them, and also dealing with other charges made by the right hon. Gentleman against Mr. Horniman?

The hon. and gallant Member does not quote me correctly. The chairman of the board of directors of the Indian Newspaper Company certainly denied all knowledge of the free distribution of the "Bombay Chronicle" among British troops in the Bombay Presidency. I accept that denial. I never charged Mr. Horniman with being responsible for the distribution of the paper. But the paper certainly was distributed, and its contents certainly were such as to make its distribution dangerous. In view of that fact it does not seem to me to be relevant who was actually responsible for its distribution. The fact is that a dangerous situation was thereby created and the Bombay Government were compelled to take all necessary measures to meet it. The general attitude of Mr. Horniman during a time of crisis had given them much anxious consideration, and the particular fact to which the hon. and gallant Member refers was one among many which led them, with my full concurrence, to decide upon the measures which they considered essential in the public safety.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he would place before the House the materials on which the following charges made by him on 23rd May last in this House against Mr. B. G. Horniman, who was deported from India in April last, were based; that he began to use his paper in the middle of riots, resulting in loss of life, to spread and to fan the flame, he opened his columns to an accusation that British troops had been using soft-nosed bullets in the streets of Delhi, his paper was being distributed free to British troops in Bombay in the hope of exciting insubordination and disaffection, and that there was plenty of case to put before the courts; and whether he would grant an inquiry for the investigation of these charges either in India or in this country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave yesterday on this same subject to the hon. Member for Thornbury (Mr. Rendall).

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any information to give the House as to the continuance of fighting between the remains of General Denikin's army and the Russian Soviet Government?

The greater part of General Denikin's Army, now under General Wrangel, is holding the isthmuses at the north end of the Crimea against the Soviet Forces. Several attacks by the latter have been repulsed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the British Military Mission with Denikin has now been withdrawn from the area of operations between the Russian Soviet Forces and the remainder of General Denikin's Army; if not, where is it stationed; and what is the strength of the Mission still remaining there?

I would refer the hon. Member to my reply on Tuesday last to the hon. Member for Central Hull (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy). The strength of the Mission remaining in the Crimea is approximately 275 officers and 450 other ranks.

asked the President of the Board of Education what assistance he proposes to give to the existing universities, either by grants or otherwise?

The Government Grants to University Institutions are paid by the Treasury, not by the Board of Education. The hon. and gallant Member will, I think, find the information which he needs in the printed Civil Service Estimates for the current year—Class IV, Votes 10 and 10A.

asked the President to the Board of Education whether, in view of the fact that uncertificated London teachers have had extended to them the benefits of the Pensions Act, 1918, he will extend to those supplementary teachers of long service the same privileges?

I am not prepared to introduce legislation for this purpose. I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave on 31st March to the hon. Member for Henley (Captain Terrell).

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the growing practice of certain property owners in refraining from letting unoccupied houses, with a view to obtaining an excessive price for the same when sold with vacant possession; and whether he is prepared to introduce legislation at the earliest possible moment conferring on local authorities the power of requiring owners to let houses at reasonable rents after they have been vacated for a period of three months, and providing for penalties to be inflicted on owners who do not comply with such requirements.

I do not think I can add anything to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Middlesbrough (Mr. T. Thomson) yesterday.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has found the town of Bedford to be in default in housing; if so, on what grounds; and what action he is taking in the matter?

Yes, Sir. I regret that I have been compelled to find the Town Council of Bedford in default, in view of the fact that, although it is admitted by the Council that not less than 400 houses are required to meet the housing needs of the town, no practical steps have been taken by the Council to meet those needs. I have therefore decided to arrange for the carrying out of a scheme by the Ministry of Health, and negotiations for the purchase of sites are in progress and the necessary plans are being prepared. The cost of carrying out the scheme will be recoverable from the Town Council, and they are liable to lose the Exchequer subsidy which can only be claimed by local authorities who perform their statutory obligations.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many soldiers who volunteered in 1914, 1915, and 1916 gave up their homes, which were at once occupied by munition and other exempted workers; that the soldiers are still homeless and cannot find houses to rent; and whether he will consider making advances to ex-soldiers to enable them to purchase houses similar in accommodation to those they gave up to go on service, taking the title in the Government's name and holding the same for the soldiers' behoof and, on resale, dividing the selling price in proportion to the money advanced by the State and the soldier, respectively?

Local authorities are already empowered to make advances by way of a loan to persons desiring to purchase houses for their own occupation, or, in the case of houses provided by the local authority, to accept payment of the purchase price by instalments spread over a term of years. I may also refer the hon. Member to the recommendation made by the Committee on the Rent Restriction Acts, with regard to the case of owners of houses who gave up occupation in consequence of their joining the Forces during the War.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will draw the attention of local authorities to the desirability of offering new houses in the first instance to discharged soldiers and sailors, and especially to those discharged soldiers and sailors who may be suffering from some disability consequent on their service?

I have already recommended local authorities to bear in mind the special claims of ex-service men in selecting the tenants for their houses.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether the Rent Restriction Acts permit a landlord to allow tenants the statutory notice of 40 days to remove at Whitsuntide, in order that the land-lord, should he so desire, may himself gain occupation after 1st July without having to offer alternative accommodation; and whether tenants who have been served with notices to quit can be ejected after 1st July, but if the Act expires on 1st July are such notices competent to be acted on by applying to the sheriff for ejectment orders?

My hon. and gallant Friend's question appears to be based on the assumption that the security of tenure conferred by the Rent Restriction Acts will expire on 1st July next. I would refer him to the statement made by the Minister of Health in the House on the 18th March to the effect that a Bill continuing the operation of the Rent Restriction Acts for a further period will in due course be submitted to Parliament. The provisions of such a Bill are at present receiving consideration in connection with the recently issued Report of the Committee referred to in the Minister of Health's statement.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the circumstances associated with the deaths in Bermondsey of a family of three, a man named Ayles, his wife, and their infant son; whether it is alleged that they died of starvation owing to the failure of the system of Poor Law relief; and whether he will cause an inquiry to be held, with a view to making such amendment of the law as will serve to prevent the recurrence of a like tragedy?

Yes, Sir. May I refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the Noble Lord the Member for South Battersea (Viscount Curzon)?

asked the Minister of Health the approximate cost of the vaccination officers in 1913 and 1919, respectively?

The approximate cost of public vaccination in England and Wales was £168,000 in the financial year 1912–13, and £112,000 in the financial year 1918–19. I have no separate information as to the cost of the vaccination officers.

asked the Minister of Health if it is his intention to repeal the Vaccination Acts?

No, Sir.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the increasing uneasiness of trustees arising from the uncertainty of future Government policy towards railways, the time has arrived to make an announcement?

As stated in an answer to the hon. Member for Lincoln on 16th March, the Minister has been in conference with the Cabinet and is proceeding with further investigations. No premature announcement would be of advantage to the shareholders.

asked the Minister of Transport whether further steps have been taken to open a passenger station at Banton, on the Kilsyth and Bonnybridge Railway, in Stirlingshire; and whether, in view of the increasing industrial population in the district, he will authorise a station to be now opened?

This is the first intimation which this Ministry has received as to the desirability of opening a passenger station at Banton. If the hon. Member will supply me with information in support of the proposal I will see that the matter is considered.

asked the Minister of Transport how many traffic managers who were appointed during the War to take charge of large Government factories throughout the country have been appointed in similar positions in his Department; the total number of traffic managers appointed up to date; and out of that total how many have been selected from men residing in the London area?

No appointments to posts as traffic managers have been made by the Ministry of Transport, and the remainder of the question does not therefore arise.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury the amount of the temporary financial accommodation provided last autumn by the Treasury to assist the Agricultural Wholesale Society, Limited, a private trading company, which had made heavier purchases than the company could finance owing to a considerable fall in the market values; and whether the loan in question has now been repaid?

I have been asked to reply. During the summer of 1919, when a shortage of imported feeding stuffs was anticipated, the Agricultural Wholesale Society agreed, at the wish of the Government, to retain for this country certain supplies secured by them in America. When a fall of prices subsequently occurred the society claimed that these stocks should be taken over by the Government at cost price. While this claim could not be admitted, the Ministry agreed, at the request of the Board of Agriculture, and in view of the fact that the society had acted in good faith, to take up the supplies on their arrival in this country and to realise them for the account of the society. The amount of the temporary financial accommodation provided under this arrangement is, approximately, £250,000. Part of the stocks have now been realised, and the adjustment of financial liability is under consideration.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the income earned by a wife is taken into account in considering the claim of the husband to the old age pension; if so, how much of the income is taken into account; whether he is aware that claimants for the old age pension experience difficulty in ascertaining the reason for their claims being disallowed; and whether he will give instructions that in all cases the reason for disallowing the claim shall be stated?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. For Old Age Pension purposes the means of a person who is one of a married couple living together in the same house must be taken at one-half of the combined means of the couple. As regards the latter part of the question, I am not aware that any such difficulty as is suggested is experienced by claimants. In every case in which a local pension committee are not satisfied that a claimant is entitled to the maximum rate of pension they afford him an opportunity of appearing personally before them, before deciding on the claim; and if the claim is finally disallowed, the reason for disallowance is stated in the notice of the committee's decision. If the right hon. Member will furnish me with the name and address of any particular claimant that he has in mind, I shall be happy to have inquiries made.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether the Principal Probate Registry is under the control of the Treasury; and, if so, will he consider the propriety of rendering accessible to students of history and genealogy the large number of records which are classified as contentious books which are not produced to the public.

The answer to the first part is in the negative, but I am bringing the hon. Member's suggestion to the notice of the Attorney-General.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proofs and guarantees are demanded by the Customs authorities from any foreign importer of motor accessories claiming exemption from duty under Section 13 (4) of the Finance (No. 2) Act of 1915; what steps are taken to see that goods imported duty free under this Section are utilised for the purposes for which exemption was claimed; and what conditions exist to prevent goods thus imported from being sold for purposes not included in Section 13 (4) above referred to?

As regards the first part of the question, motor car parts and accessories declared at the time of importation to be intended for use for the exempt purposes specified in Section 13 (4) of the Finance (No. 2) Act, 1915, are admitted free of duty on the importer giving bond— (i) to keep proper stock accounts showing the receipt and disposal of the articles; (ii) to obtain before delivery to a customer a statement from him showing the particular exempt use to which the articles are to be put; (iii) to append to the invoice to his customer a statement to the effect— (a)that no duty has been paid on the articles; (b)that they are supplied for an exempt use which is specified; and (c)that they are not to be used for any other purpose.

As regards the second and third parts of the question, officers of Customs and Excise examine the stock accounts at the importer's premises and verify, in a number of cases, at the customer's premises and elsewhere, the use of the article. Any person using for a dutiable purpose any article exempted from duty incurs heavy penalties.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the establishment numbers of British officers in the Civil Services of the Gold Coast and Nigeria, showing the medical services separately; and what are the present numbers of officers serving?

It is not possible to give the total establishments of European officers in Nigeria and the Gold Coast, as they are under revision. The number of European officers in the Nigerian and Gold Coast services in the middle of April was: Nigeria, 1,657; Gold Coast, 673. The establishment of European medical officers and their strength in the middle of April was:—

Nigeria … Establishment … 128 Strength … 91 Gold Coast … Establishment … 67 Strength … 48

asked the Minister of Labour whether Trade Boards, when fixing minimum wages in trades where from time immemorial it has been the custom to provide board, and in many cases lodging, as part of the remuneration of the worker, were under any obligation to take this into consideration when fixing such minimum wage; and, if not, is he aware of the apprehension with which employers view the fixing of minimum wages without consideration of such value by a Board on which they have only a minority representation?

The Trade Board Acts do not prescribe the bases on which a Trade Board is to fix minimum rates, but I have no doubt that a Trade Board in considering what were appropriate minimum rates would take into consideration so important a factor as that to which my Noble Friend refers. I would add, in case there is any misapprehension, that a Trade Board is constituted of representatives of employers and of workers in equal numbers together with a small number of independent persons of standing appointed by me.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many consuls were serving in those territories previously comprised in the Russian, German, Austrian, and Turkish Empires in the years 1913–14 and 1919–20; how many of these consuls were of British nationality; whether any consuls now serving in those territories are of foreign nationality; and what steps, if any, are now being taken to instruct British ex-consuls previously holding posts in Russia to fit them to serve under the new conditions?

The following Table shows the number of salaried and unsalaried consular officers in the territories mentioned before the War. Salaried officers are invariably British subjects:—

Unsalaried. — Salaried. British Subjects. Foreigners Russia… … 13 15 19* Austria-Hungary. 5 5 7* Turkey … 25 10 15* Germany … 9 11 25* * Including Consular Agents.

The present position in the territories named is as follows:—

Russia. —At the present time there are no Consular officers in Russia proper, except for one at Sevastopol. In the Caucasus there are two salaried officers. The Consulate-General at Odessa has been reopened twice and has twice been closed on the evacuation of the city. Until recently there was a salaried officer at Novorossisk.

In Siberia there have been, until recently, several temporary salaried officers and the post of Consul at Vladivostok is filled by a salaried officer.

In the Baltic Provinces, temporary salaried officers and one officer of the permanent salaried service are being appointed to Riga, Reval, Kovno and Libau. An unsalaried officer, who is a British subject is being appointed to Memel.

Poland. —There is a salaried Consul at Warsaw, and an unsalaried British subject at Lemberg.

Dantzig. —There is a salaried consul with a salaried vice-consul.

Czecho-Slovakia. —Two salaried officers.

*Yugo-Slavia. —Two salaried officers.

*Roumania. —One salaried officer. There will shortly be two.

Finland. —There are two salaried officers and three unsalaried British subjects, and two unsalaried foreigners.

Turkey. —There are no consular officers at present.

Germany. —There are 12 salaried officers and no unsalaried.

It is not certain how many consular officers, who were serving in Russia before the War, will return there when relations are re-established with that country.

In any case, due consideration will be given in the selection of officers to the altered conditions in Russia.

* i.e., in those parts of the present Roumania and Yugo-Slavia which were formerly included in the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he will arrange for the continuance of the page containing particulars of the postal rates, etc., which has hitherto been published in the book of 3s. worth of stamps, but which has recently been omitted?

I am considering whether space can be spared in the advertisement pages of the books of stamps for an announcement of the new postage rates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions if he will expedite the destruction of explosives now being carried out at the National Filling Factory at Quedgeley, near Gloucester, in order to make this factory available for dwellings for working men who are badly wanted in the city of Gloucester; and whether he is aware that there are some 200 men employed at this factory who are proceeding with their work at the slowest rate imaginable?

The destruction of the ex- plosives is being carried out as rapidly as is consistent with the public safety. I am informed that there is no foundation in the suggestion made in the last part of the question.