asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the exact work which the Land Valuation Department will carry out in future?

The following is a summary of work which the Inland Revenue Valuation Department has still to undertake, now that the three Land Values Duties are repealed:— 1. Valuation of all real estate passing on death, for purposes of the Death Duties. 2. Valuations of real estate comprised in voluntary conveyances, for purposes of Stamp Duty. 3. Valuations of real estate in connection with old age pensions. 4. Determination of compensation for the extinction of redundant liquor licences in certain cases. 5. Determination of annual licence value and monopoly value in certain cases. 6. Valuation of minerals in connection with Mineral Rights Duty. 1052 7. Compilation of register of lands acquired out of moneys provided by Parliament. 8. Work for other Government Departments. In addition, the Valuation Department performs work of a very varied character, and the opinion of the Department on questions of the value of real estate is constantly being asked for by many of the Government Departments. Special reference may be made to the work being done in connection with housing (for the Ministry of Health), land settlement (for the Ministry of Agriculture), and for the Admiralty. In the case of housing, the Department frequently undertakes negotiation (as well as giving an opinion of value) on behalf of the local authority, when purchasing land. 9. Work under the Acquisition of Land Act, 1919. 10. Should it be decided that the original valuation (as at 30th April, 1909) is to be made available for public information in some form or other, a considerable amount of work will be required in connection with the arrangement and tabulation of the existing figures.

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

I understand that some of the Departments concerned are conferring with my right hon. Friend with regard to the particulars to be given in the return.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware that the provisional estimates for road maintenance in the county of Montgomery for the year 1920–21 amount to £64,588, of which, on the basis of former distributions of

road grants, only £425 will be received from the Transport Ministry; and whether, in these circumstances, it will be possible to make further provision in order that the necessary road work may be undertaken?

I am unable to understand the basis of my hon. and gallant Friend's estimate of £425, as the amount likely to be contributed by the Ministry of Transport to the county of Montgomery towards the cost of road improvement during the coming year. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his Budget statement on April 19th, estimated that, if his proposals were adopted, there would be a net revenue for the Road Fund during the financial year 1920–21 of £6,650,000. If this provision be made by Parliament, it will be possible to make further grants to highway authorities towards the cost of road improvement during the current financial year.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air how many mental cases passed through Warrington and Whitchurch Hospitals; how many mental cases have been reported to his Department since 4th August, 1914; how many have recovered; how many died; and the disposition of the remainder?

The number of mental cases which passed through the two hospitals mentioned were—

Warrington.—8,410. (Numbers up to 31st March, 1920, the date of the latest report.)

Whitchurch.—1,862. (Numbers up to 2nd January, 1920, the date on which the hospital was closed.)

The figures asked for in the remainder of the question will not be available until the Medical History of the War is published, which will not be for some two or three years. The following details, however, are available with regard to the patients treated in the two hospitals referred to in the question: Warrington. —(From date of opening to 31st December, 1919.) Number of cases treated 8,127 Discharged to their homes recovered 3,657

Discharged to asylums 1,026 Transferred to other military mental hospitals or repatriated overseas 2,433 Died 108 Remaining in hospital 903

Whitchurch. —(From date of opening to 31st October, 1919.) Number of cases treated 1,862 Discharged to their homes recovered 1,102 Discharged to asylums 446 Died 33 Remaining in hospital 281

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether the Royal Engineers' Experimental Department, Regency Street, Westminster, is on the same footing regarding wage conditions as Woolwich Arsenal; whether the decisions of the late committee on production were given effect to for all skilled civilian mechanics in the employ of the Royal Engineers' Experimental Department; and, if not, will he say why?

The skilled engineering tradesmen employed in this establishment are paid the basic rates of the same classes of tradesmen employed in Woolwich Arsenal, and have received the engineering trade advances of 33s. 6d. plus 12½ per cent. The application to them of Award 180 of the Court of Arbitration is under consideration, and it is hoped to make an announcement on the subject at an early date.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air if considerable sums of money are being expended on advertising for recruits; and, if so, the total amount of such sums?

There is provision in Army Estimates of £5,000 for advertisements in connection with recruiting for the Regular Army and in the Air Estimates of £13,000 for similar purposes. Expenditure is also being incurred in connection with the organisation of the Territorial Army. I am not able to say at present what the total sum will be.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air if he is aware that since the Armistice Private H. A. Woods, No. 338568, Royal Army Service Corps, B.M.T.D., France, was sentenced by a field court-martial to six months' hard labour for overstaying his leave, and is now serving this sentence in France; that this man was not represented at the court-martial; that the facts in regard to his case were not brought before the attention of the court-martial; and that if it were not for this sentence this man would now be demobilised from the Army; and whether, seeing that in this case the man's business will be gone by the time he has served his sentence, and in view of the suffering imposed on his wife and children, he can see his way to immediately investigate the matter in order that the sentence may, if possible, be minimised?

Private Woods deserted when on leave and remained absent for ten months. He was tried by field general court-martial on a charge of desertion and sentenced to six months' imprisonment with hard labour. The sentence was commuted to one of detention, and Private Woods was transferred to Stafford detention barracks, where he is now serving his sentence. It is correct that Private Woods was not represented by counsel at the court-martial, but he made no complaint, and all the facts were before the court. I regret that I am unable to interfere with the sentence, but I may say that by good conduct he will be able to earn a substantial remission.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether it is proposed to introduce into His Majesty's Army or Air Force organisations analogous to the welfare committees set up by the Admiralty, to deal with suggestions, grievances, and other similar matters directly affecting the welfare and conditions of service of the rank and file in these services?

No, Sir. One of the duties that is performed by all officers is the superintendence of the welfare of the rank and file. The manner in which a soldier or airman should proceed to obtain redress for any grievance under which he conceives himself to be suffering is prescribed in the Army Act and Air Force Act.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air what is the present strength of the military forces in Ireland; and what is the number of tanks there?

The number of troops at present in Ireland is 36,847, of which 34,382 are effectives. As regards the last part of the question, there are 40 tanks, including four which have been notified to the Disposal Board for disposal.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air if ex-soldiers stationed in India and Mesopotamia prior to demobilisation are experiencing considerable difficulty in obtaining gratuities and back pay due to them; and if he is in a position to expedite the matter?

The accounts of the majority of ex-soldiers who have arrived from India and Mesopotamia have been finally closed, and special steps have been taken, by use of the cable in urgent cases, to expedite the settlement of cases still outstanding.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether any report has yet been received from the British military mission in Germany in reference to British prisoners of war still unaccounted for; and whether there is any similar body charged with the search for British prisoners in Turkey?

A report has been received from the British military mission in Berlin from which it appears that only 222 prisoners of the large number of prisoners in Germany were still unaccounted for at the time the Inquiry Department of the mission closed. All possible inquiries have been made by the mission. No similar body has been searching for records of death of British prisoners in Turkey. The list of unaccounted-for prisoners was, however, presented to the Turkish Government by the British authorities in Constantinople and statements referring to a few men have been received. These are of small value, and it is feared that the Turkish records are so imperfect that there is practically no chance of obtaining further information. Information has been received from various sources, principally from repatriated prisoners, which has enabled a considerable number of cases to be settled.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he has come to any decision respecting the full-dress uniform of the future; whether the Royal Scots Greys are to revert to their pre-War uniform with bear-skin helmets; and whether the officers themselves are to bear the cost incidental to these changes?

I can add nothing at present to my reply on Tuesday last to the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley (Lieut.-Colonel James). The matter is not yet decided.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether Article 516 of the Royal Warrant, 1914, has not been amended by the Royal Warrant of 13th September, 1919; whether by the latter retired officers re-employed in the War are allowed to have their pensions re-assessed at the new rates based on their original pre-retirement service; and whether he will now amend Article 516 so as to enable retired officers to count their re-employed War services in addition to their pre-retirement service in the assessment of their pensions?

Article 516 bars the re-assessment of retired pay in respect of the period of an officer's reemployment. It is not affected by the Warrant of 13th September, 1919, and there is no intention of altering it.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the serious increase in the cost of living and the policy of His Majesty's Government towards railwaymen and miners, he is prepared to increase the flat-rate pension rates by 20 per cent.?

The Royal Warrant of 6th December last provides that the present rates of pension, which were fixed in July, 1919, shall not be re-adjusted with reference to the cost of living until 1922. This period was fixed with the general approval of the House, and I do not think that the increase in the cost of living which has taken place since last year has been such as would justify a revision of that arrangement.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the serious unrest existing among the employees of the Ministry of Pensions; whether this is due to the responsibility of the heads of branches in respect of staff arrangements being concentrated in one individual; whether the abnormal increase of staff may be attributed to dissatisfaction with administrative detail in the Ministry; whether the unrest is responsible for a renewal of delays in the award and assessment of pensions; and whether, in view of the prevailing unrest, he is prepared to institute an inquiry into the whole question of staff administration within the Ministry?

I am aware that there has recently been a certain amount of dissatisfaction among a section of the women employed by the Ministry in connection with a transfer of staff from one branch to another which is now in progress, and the arrangements for the demobilisation of surplus staff consequent on the decreasing volume of work in London. It was not attributable to any undue concentration of the responsibility for staff arrangements which is exercised by the Chief Establishment Officer acting under the Permanent Secretary, in the manner usual throughout the public service. Such increases of staff as have been necessary have had no connection with any dissatisfaction with administrative detail. I am glad to say that there are now no serious delays in the award and assessment of pensions as suggested by my hon. Friend, and I can find no ground for instituting the inquiry which he suggests.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many homes of recovery are under his control, how many mental cases have passed through, and how many are receiving treatment?

There are now 20 such institutions under the control of the Ministry, and 2,383 men are at present under treatment. I am making inquiry with regard to the second part of the question, and will inform my hon. and gallant Friend of the result.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Private William Whittet, No. 202,239, 4th Black Watch, who enlisted in December, 1914, and was wounded twice and gassed in 1915, was discharged on 8th November, 1917, as no longer physically fit for war service, and died of pneumonia on 31st July, 1919; whether his widow is in receipt of a pension of 5s. 6d. a week under Article 17 of the Royal Warrant, with no provision for her two children; whether this means that her right to a full pension is denied on the ground that her husband's death was not due to, or accelerated by war service; and whether he will have special inquiries made into the case?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the question put to me on the 22nd instant by my hon. Friend the Member for Dundee (Mr. Wilkie), of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether the scale of pensions to dependants of Regular Army officers admissible under Royal Warrant has been revised; and, if so, when the result will be made known?

I presume the question refers to pensions and allowances payable to dependents from Army Funds, not to pensions payable from the funds of the Ministry of Pensions. A general revision of the former took place in 1916.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office the number of Army service pensions in issue in August, 1914; the number of such service pensions which have been re-assessed under Army Order 325, of 1919; and how many of these have received an increase of more than 1s. a week?

About 75,000 Army service pensions were in issue in August, 1914, and about 15,000 of the pre-War pensions have been re-assessed. Practically all of them have received an increase of more than 1s. a week.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if a Territorial soldier who joined in 1910 for four years, and who continued to serve until march, 1920, although over 42 years of age, is entitled to the bounty?

If the hon. and gallant Member will furnish me with particulars of the specific case he has in mind, I will have an answer sent to him.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that many thousands of pounds are being paid out in Out-of-Work Donation in Bourne-mouth and East Dorset, and that there is acute distress owing to the stoppage of work in Government factories, immediate steps can be taken to offer the Holton Heath factory, or such portions of it as the Admiralty may not require, for development by private enterprise in the production of alcohol, or for any other purpose which would increase national production and at the same time give employment to large numbers of workers in this area?

The general question of the future utilisation of Government propellant factories is receiving careful consideration. For the present there is no intention of disposing of any part of Holton Heath factory, nor, I am advised, would such a step be likely to have any immediate effect on unemployment in the Bournemouth district.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Shipping what progress has been made in the removal of Government stores, at Bromley-le-Bow?

All the bedding and part of the lifebelts have been removed. The remainder of the lifebelts and the horse stall fittings are in course of removal. It is expected that the store will be entirely cleared of all Ministry of Shipping stores by the end of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air if he has any information as to how Germany maintains such large military forces if Germany is so poor in financial resources; and, if Germany has still money to spend on military organisation, can any steps be taken to remind her that it would be better applied in paying the War debts?

These are matters for the Supreme Council, and I cannot undertake to discuss them within the limits of question and answer.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what body is responsible for enforcing the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Austria and, in particular, the provisions of Article 224; and what action is being taken with regard to Article 224?

As the hon. and gallant Member is aware, the Treaty of Peace with Austria is not yet in force, the Treaty having not yet been ratified. In general, its enforcement will be guaranteed by the Allied and Associated Powers. As regards Article 224, the hon. and gallant Member will see, from Section 5 of that article, that the Reparation Commission is entrusted with special responsibilities in connection with its execution. With regard to the last part of the question, action does not become obligatory until the ratification of the Treaty. Nevertheless, commercial agreements for the supply of coal and oil-fuel have been concluded with Austria by Czecho-Slovakia and Poland. It is true that these agreements have not been fully carried out. But His Majesty's Government have done and will continue to do everything in their power to promote and encourage the execution of such agreements and to mitigate the difficulties that stand in their way.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made to-wards the resumption of trade relations with Soviet Russia?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday on the same subject to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme (Colonel Wedgwood).

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Russian Soviet, in replying to the British Government-s request for the protection of the volunteer army in the Crimea, stated that they would agree to this request if members of the former Hungarian Soviet government were released and permitted to travel to Russia; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?

The reply of the Soviet Government to His Majesty's Government's proposals for a settlement in South Russia raised various extraneous questions, including that of Bela Kun and the other ex-members of the Hungarian Soviet. His Majesty's Government are not in a position to take any initiative in a matter which is clearly within the sole jurisdiction of the Austrian Government.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of the Milner Commission on Egypt has yet been received; and, if so, when the Report will be available for Members of the House?

I have nothing to add to the statement which I made to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith (Captain W. Benn) on 24th March.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that Mrs. Hamper, wife of Farrier-sergeant J. E. Hamper, No. 200,037, 40th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers, Lahore, has not yet been granted a passage to India to join her husband, although the attention of the India Office has already been drawn to the case by the hon. Member for Eastbourne; and whether, in view of the fact that other wives of soldiers who have recently gone to India have been sent to join them a few weeks later, and that Mrs. Hamper's husband left for the East nearly six years ago and has another four years to serve, he will take immediate steps to secure her a passage forthwith?

Passage has been provisionally arranged for Mrs. Hamper in a transport sailing on the 3rd May. The grant of passage is subject to the concurrence of the Government of India, which I hope to receive by telegraph in time to allow of Mrs. Hamper sailing by this transport.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether many retired officers of the Indian Army re-employed during the War applied to the India Office to be allowed to count their re-employed service towards increase of pensions under the time scale of the Indian Army Regulations; whether he will cause steps to be taken to allow such officers as are desirous of doing so to refund the pensions they received during the War, either by commuting under the commutation table a portion of their pension at the new rates or by other means most convenient, and to have their re-employment War service counted towards increase of pension by re-assessment of their combined pre-retirement and re-employment service; and, if not, will he state the reason?

Officers who have been recalled for further duty in India have been allowed to reckon such period of re-employment for additional pension, the pension to which they had previously been admitted being suspended; in all other cases, including all those of retired Indian Army officers who have been employed under the War Office during the War, the rule laid down in Article 496 of the Pay Warrant has been followed, the officers being granted the pay of their appointments in addition to their pensions, but their re-employed service does not reckon for higher pension. This rule has also been acted on in the British Service and I see no sufficient reason for setting it aside.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governor of British East Africa has reversed the instructions of the Secretary of State, issued in 1908, by the new Order to the District Commissioners wherein they are informed to urge native chiefs and headmen to procure native labour to work on plantations; whether such instructions are tantamount to an Order whereby forced labour will be secured by tribal compulsion; whether he is aware that the Bishop of Mombasa and others have issued a public letter of protest against the introduction of compulsory labour; and whether steps will be taken to instruct native chiefs that it is not part of their official duty to induce able-bodied natives against their will to work for white settlers on the plantations?

I would refer the hon. Member to the statement which I made on this subject yesterday in the discussion on the Colonial Office Vote.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies what are the numbers of Ceylonese and non-Ceylonese in the civil service of Ceylon; and what are the total salaries of each class?

If the hon. Member refers to the civil service in its limited meaning as applied to those appointments usually filled through cadetships, the numbers in 1919 were 28 Ceylonese and 80 non-Ceylonese. The total salaries, so far as they can be calculated in this Office, are roughly £16,800 and £67,700 respectively. If the reference is to the public service as a whole, it will be understood that the vast proportion of the subordinate posts and many of the higher posts are filled by Ceylonese, and the precise figures of each class could not be' given without considerable research.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air how many new or second-hand aeroplanes are stored at East Fortune, Edinburgh; how they are stored; when they were used last; whether they are rapidly deteriorating; whether it is intended to use them again or dispose of them; and what action is likely to be taken in the matter?

At East Fortune there are at present two seaplanes and 84 aeroplanes, 33 of which are in good condition, the remainder consisting of machines which require considerable overhaul, and crashed machines. They are stored in sheds which are in good condition, the wings of the machines being removed and placed alongside the fuselages in each case. The machines were last used about 18 months ago and the rate of deterioration is normal. They will all shortly be handed over to the Disposal Board.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether authority has been given to any firm engaged in the wholesale disposal of surplus Army suits to use the phrase Government suit department, without simultaneously disclosing its own name, thereby creating the impression among purchasers of such garments that they are dealing with a Government department or its accredited representatives; and whether such firm can be required to gives its own name in its announcements of these sales in conformity with the provisions of the Registration of Business Names Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The firm in question have been communicated with and state that they acted in ignorance of the Statute referred to. They have promised to remedy the error in future advertisements which they may publish.

asked the Minister of Food the amount of loss the Govern- ment incurred through the taking over from the Agricultural Wholesale Society the £30,000, approximate, worth of feeding stuffs some six months ago or thereabouts?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer on this subject given to the hon. Member for North East Derbyshire (Mr. Holmes) on Thursday, the 22nd April.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the new order increasing by 3 per cent the amount of offal in the flour supplied to bakers is causing general dissatisfaction among consumers, and that associations of master bakers are protesting against bread being debased in appearance and quality at the very time when the price has been raised by 1¾d. per loaf; and if he will reconsider the matter with a view to withdrawing or modifying the order?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Monday, 26th April, to the hon. Member for East Nottingham (Sir J. D. Rees).

asked the Minister of Food if he has received any complaints as to the poor quality of flour now being supplied to the trade; and if he will take steps to prevent the increased extraction, which is unfair and unsatisfactory to the consuming public?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given yesterday on this subject to the hon. Baronet the Member for East Nottingham (Sir J. D. Rees).

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the Government has decided to terminate the functions of all Food Committees upon the 30th of June next; if, in view of the experience gained and the interest shown by Committees and the continual necessity to protect consumers from exorbitant charges, he will consider the desirability of not dissolving local bodies who have successfully administered the orders of the Ministry of Food from its inception and who have gained the confidence of consumers and of all law-abiding traders; if he is aware that their abolition in South Wales will lead to dissatisfaction, as the consumers have learned to look with confidence to such Committees for protection; and if the Government will reconsider its decision in this matter?

I have been asked to reply. With regard to the first part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Wednesday, 14th April, to a question put by the hon. Member for Wednesbury (Mr. A. Short). The advisability of continuing Local Food Control Committees has received very careful consideration, but I feel that, in view of the large saving in expenditure which will be effected by the proposed re-organisation, the continuance of the Committees for the local work which remains to be done would not be justified. I do not anticipate that there will be any difficulty in maintaining the enforcement of maximum prices under the new system, or that the consumer will suffer in any way. I am not aware that the proposed arrangements will cause dissatisfaction either in South Wales or elsewhere.

asked the Prime Minister whether it can be arranged that the control of imported frozen meat can be transferred from the Board of Trade to the Minister of Food.

This matter has been under the consideration of the Government, who came to the conclusion that it would be better not to make such a transfer at the present time.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he will publish the evidence as to farmers' profits which the Agricultural Wages Board had before it when it fixed the general minimum for agricultural workers at 42s. per week; and whether such evidence contained particulars of the estimated profits of farmers after the increase of wheat prices from 76s. to 95s. per quarter?

No complete and reliable documentary evidence is available as to farmers' profits at present, and it is impossible, therefore, for me to comply with the hon. Member's request that I should publish it.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will incorporate in the forthcoming Rents Restriction Bill a Clause empowering local authorities to take over on lease any houses kept vacant by property owners with a view to obtaining an excessive price on sale with vacant possession, in view of the fact that the power which local authorities have to purchase property is often not applicable to such cases for the reason that the houses are unsuitable for permanent housing schemes?

I will consider the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the Bromley (Kent) Council have decided to suspend all building operations on the garden city suburb on 1st May, unless the Government can see their way clear to finance the scheme; that at the meeting of the council it was stated that the council were unable to proceed with the housing scheme because only £75,000 had been subscribed out of the £350,000 required in housing bonds; and if he will take action in the matter?

I see no reason why the Bromley Council should not proceed with their scheme, as I have no reason to think that they will not be able, with the help, if necessary, of the County Council, to obtain the money they require.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of the large number of individuals and business firms in the City of London whose leases are about to expire and who have been given notice to quit without option of extending their lease on equitable or inequitable terms; whether he is aware of the impossibility of their obtaining similar or any accommodation where they may continue their business; and what action does he propose to take?

My attention has been called to certain cases of this kind, but I cannot add anything to the reply which the Leader of the House gave on the 22nd of this month to the question put by the hon. and gallant Member for South-port (Lieut.-Colonel White).

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether it is a fact that Government House, Plymouth, is at present unoccupied and that the War Office do not propose to use it; and, if so, whether in view of the housing shortage, he will consider the possibility of making arrangements with the Minister of Health for the conversion of the house into apartments, which could be available either for married officers or for inhabitants of Plymouth?

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

asked the Minister of Health whether, in the event of the change contemplated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer becoming law, which will have the effect of increasing the postal rates for printed matter, he will consider the desirability of introducing legislation whereby the scale of maximum expenditure per elector, as provided by the Fourth Schedule of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, may be increased in order to meet the further charges?

A candidate at a Parliamentary election is entitled to send to each elector free of postage one communication not exceeding 2 oz. in weight. This provision would not appear to be affected by any proposals for the increase of postal rates, and I see no reason for taking the steps suggested in the question.

asked the Minister of Health what arrangements are being made to provide the money for sanatorium benefit which, under the National Health Insurance Bill, 1920, it is proposed to take out of the hands of the Insurance Committees?

The financial arrangements which will be necessary on the termination of sanatorium benefit are under consideration, and I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this subject at an early date.

asked the Minister of Health (1) the number of old age pensioners for the years ending March, 1918, 1919, and 1920;

(2) the death rate of old age pensioners for the years ending March, 1918, 1919, and 1920?

The number of old age pensions payable on the last Friday in the year ended the 31st March, 1918, was 943,077, and in the year ended the 31st March, 1919, 920,198. The number for the year ended March, 1920, is not yet available, but the number payable on the last Friday in December, 1919, was 926,631. The corresponding figures of the pensioners of whose death information has reached the pension officer are as follow:— In the year ended 31st March, 1918 94,478 In the year ended 31st March, 1919 105,746 In nine months ended 31st December, 1919 68,550

asked the Postmaster General whether, in view of the importance to the community, and especially to business people, of the reliability of the postal service and the availability of correct information, he will state if arrangements can now be made that the times of collections stated on letter and pillar boxes shall be correct, and that the tablets showing the time of the next collection shall be correctly inserted therein, seeing that the lists of deliveries shown on many boxes are those of pre-war days, and have been incorrect for years and remain so; and that the tablets showing the time of the next collection are very frequently omitted to be shown, with the consequence that people posting letters do not know when their letters will be collected?

It is the intention to provide new notice plates and tablets showing the lists of collections and indicating the time of the next collection, as soon as the revised services in the various localities are permanently settled. It is the practice at present to paint out the incorrect lists and to show the time of the next collection on a piece of paper gummed over the tablet; but these pieces of paper are sometimes washed off by rain. I hope that the new plates and tablets will be available before very long.

asked the Postmaster-General if he will give facilities for private contractors to put in proper order and repair those telephone and telegraphic services which for many months have been out of service because of weather strains and storms?

The work in question cannot with advantage be placed in the hands of private contractors. If the hon. Member will give me particulars of any cases in which there appears to have been undue delay in carrying out repairs, I will enquire into them.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Georges Coders, convicted of murdering a Canadian sergeant at Bramshott camp on the 8th December, 1915, who was afterwards found to be insane and was ordered to be detained during His Majesty's pleasure; whether His Majesty's pleasure could be exercised in ordering the transfer of this young man to an asylum in Quebec, where his parents, Monsieur and Madam Codere, now far advanced in years, might have an opportunity of seeing their son; and whether, if it were found impossible to transfer Codere to an asylum, he could advise His Majesty to grant the release of the man on condition that his parents undertook to place him in some asylum in Quebec?

This case has received my careful consideration. Codere was not found to be insane, but was convicted and sentenced to death. The sentence was commuted to penal servitude for life, and, having regard to all the facts of the case, I regret that I do not feel able to recommend any further intervention in the convict's favour.

asked the Home Secretary what basis is employed in deciding the per article rates applied to the labour of prisoners confined in His Majesty's prisons and convict prisons; and how a comparison is made with the value of work performed outside prisons?

As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, articles are made in prison only for Government Departments, and it is not, therefore, necessary to fix sale prices. For the purpose of the annual statistics the value of prisoners' labour is reckoned on a basis settled some time ago by a Departmental Committee, and revised from time to time by comparison with outside rates.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the observations of the Thames Police Court magistrate as to the character of the aliens who have migrated into his district, possessing no loyalty to the flag under which they enjoy comforts and liberties not known in their own countries, and who habitually lie and suborn to perjury in Court, whilst at the same time following occupations which would be better filled by British subjects and occupying houses sorely needed by British workers; and what action, if any, he proposes to take?

Yes, Sir. I have seen the newspaper paragraphs referred to. There does not appear to be any action for me to take. If a magistrate, when convicting an alien, recommends him for deportation, I shall, in the absence of very strong reasons to the contrary, give effect to the recommendation. But I understand that in the case reported as the occasion for the magistrate's remarks the three defendants, though of alien origin, were British subjects—two British-born and one naturalised in 1913.