asked the Secretary of State for India whether retired Indian Army officers re-employed in India during the War have been allowed to reckon such period of re-employment for higher pen- sion under the Indian Army pension time-scale, the pension during that period to which they had previously been admitted being suspended; whether officers on the active list of the Indian Army lent during the War by the India Office to the War Office received their full Indian Army pay both in England and France; whether the re-employed retired Indian Army officers who served under the War Office were invited in August and September, 1914, 'by circular letter from the India Office to serve under the War Office; whether many of them applied to be allowed to count their re-employed service towards a higher pension under the Indian Army time-scale; whether they have been differentiated from those who served under the India Office by not being allowed to reckon their re-employed service towards a higher pension on the grounds that this has been disallowed in the British service; and would he consider the question of treating all retired Indian Army officers re-employed in the War on the same equal footing, and allow those who served under the War Office to refund the pension they drew during their re-employment and count their re-employed service towards higher pension under the Indian Army pension time-scale like those who served in India.

Retired officers of the Indian Army who entered the Indian Army after 9th January, 1892, are liable to be re-called for further service in India in time of emergency, and when so re-called are entitled to count the period of such re-employment in India as service for a higher pension, their pension being suspended during any period during which they are in receipt of full Indian pay and allowances. Officers on the active list of the Indian Army who left India for service in Europe or other theatres of war outside India, continued to draw the full pay and allowances of their Indian appointments. Retired officers of the Indian Army were invited at the beginning of August, 1914, to offer their services for employment under the War Office in the United Kingdom. While so employed retired officers continued to draw their pensions in full, in addition to the pay of the appointment held under the War Office, this arrangement being in accordance with Article 496 of the Pay Warrant, as the rule permitting re-called officers to count service for a higher pension only applies to those who are recalled to Army service in India. The service of retired British officers who were re-employed during the War does not reckon for higher pension, and there is no reason why Indian Army retired officers should be treated differently where they were not employed with Indian troops in India, and their employment was not in pursuance of their original contract of service. Although such re-employed service cannot be counted for higher pension, it has been decided that it shall render the officers concerned eligible to have their pensions re-assessed at the new rates on the length of service rendered by them at the time of original retirement.

asked the Secretary of State for India when and where the court of inquiry is to meet that has been ordered to deal with the case of Colonel Fordyce, of the Indian supply and transport corps?

A passage was arranged for Colonel Fordyce on 22nd May, and the court of inquiry would have been assembled in India as soon as possible after his arrival. A telegram however has just been received from India stating that one of the chief witnesses in the case has been invalided and ordered to proceed to England at once. This will necessitate the postponement of the court of inquiry.

asked the Secretary of State for India the quantity and value of potable spirits imported into India during the year 1918–19, and the amount of revenue derived there from; and the countries from which the spirits imported into India were exported?

The following statement gives the information asked for:

(1) Imports into India in 1918–19 of potable spirits, distinguishing countries of origin.

(2) Revenue from potable spirits, including duty on spirits present in drugs, medicines or chemicals.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if it is possible for a prison officer to be punished on secret evidence against him; and whether he will take steps to abolish the confidential report in the Irish prisons, as has been done in the prison service of England and Wales?

A prison officer charged with an offence is now allowed to see all the evidence against him, and confidential reports in reference to such charges have been abolished since 5th March, 1920.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether married prison officers in Ireland who do sleeping-in duty are entitled to a payment of 2s. 6d. per night, as in England and Wales; if so, whether he is aware that the officers have not yet been paid; and whether he will take steps to have prison officers in Ireland paid from the date of the revision of pay, namely, 1st April, 1919?

A sleeping-in allowance of 2s. 6d. a night is payable to married prison warders required to sleep in the prison as reserve guards and for other duties, as from 13th November, 1919. Officers have been so informed and claims have been paid in several instances. Other claims are pending, and will be disposed of as soon as pressure of work in the Department permits.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether arrangements are being made for pensions for the staff of the Congested Districts Board for Ireland, in view of the contemplated changes in the Government of that country, and considering that Section 52 of the Irish Land Act of 1909 made provision for pensions under the Superannuation Acts for officers employed by that Board?

The necessary arrangements to give effect to Section 52, Subsection 2, of the Irish Land Act, 1909, in regard to a pension scheme for the Congested Districts Board staff are being pressed forward.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether William O'Brien, who was imprisoned without trial and afterwards released to enter a nursing home, has been threatened with reimprisonment unless he gives a written undertaking to take no part in politics, either directly or indirectly, and to reside at a stated place; and, if so, what is the authority for demanding such an undertaking?

The form of parole on which Irish prisoners in this country were released in 1918 required them to take no part in politics, and this has been followed in the case of Irish prisoners released on parole from Wormwood Scrubs. It seems to me right that a prisoner temporarily released to recover from illness or to visit a sick wife or child should engage not to use his liberty for any other purpose. William O'Brien, after he had been removed to a nursing home, applied for permission to go to the house of a relative near London, and the Irish Government agreed on condition that he signed the usual parole. He refused to sign and still remains in the nursing home. There was no question of threatening him in any way.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether a local education authority in Scotland has power, due regard being had to the need for economy, to make arrangements for the conveyance of children to and from school in outlying districts; and whether he has any reason to believe that such authorities fail to discharge their duties in this respect?

With regard to the first part of the question, an education authority has power under paragraph 5 ( a ) of the Fifth Schedule to the Education (Scotland) Act, 1918, to make such arrangements. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Secretary for Scotland how many persons were convicted for drunkenness in each town of over 50,000 inhabitants in Scotland for the first quarter of this year as compared with the first quarter of 1913, 1914, 1918, and 1919, respectively?

The following figures give the convictions for offences involving drunkenness in each town of over 50,000 inhabitants in Scotland for the first quarter of each of the years in question: —

These figures are exclusive of convictions for breach of the peace.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the whole of the proceeds of indirect taxation for the financial year 1919–20, with the exception of the taxation on beer and spirits, is equalled by the amount of the bread subsidy?

The proceeds of indirect taxation in 1919–20, less beer and spirits, amounted to £150,000,000. The estimated cost of the bread subsidy in the same year was £56,500,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that it is not the custom in the payment of dividends to comply with the law by stamping the receipt for any sum over £2, the recipient simply signing the dividend warrant as payee; and whether, in view of the consequent loss to the Exchequer, he will have inquiries made in order to secure compliance with the law?

The mere endorsement of a dividend warrant by the payee does not constitute a receipt chargeable with Stamp Duty; if in any case a receipt for a dividend of £2 or upwards is given it is liable to Stamp Duty, and I am not aware that such liability is being evaded.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can see his way to grant that, in computing net incomes, there shall be allowed as deductions contributions made within the taxable year to corporations organised and operating exclusively for charitable, scientific, or education purposes to an amount not in excess of one per cent. of the taxpayer's net income?

Where subscriptions of the characters indicated in the question are given by traders in such circumstances that they may fairly be regarded as money wholly and exclusively expended for the purposes of the trade, they are admissible as expenses in the computation of profits for Income Tax purposes. I am not prepared to extend the relief from Income Tax to charitable and other contributions which do not satisfy this condition.

asked the Attorney-General if he is aware of the decision of the Court of Appeal given on Monday, 3rd May, in connection with Super-tax on bonus shares; that over £100,000,000 has been distributed in shares of that kind since the War began; that Mr. J. Blott, the shareholder in Messrs Hepburn, Gale and Ross, Limited, received bonus shares to the face value of £500 for the year ending 5th April, 1916, and similar shares valued at £750 for the year ending 5th April, 1917; of the far-reaching effect of the decision of the Court of Appeal; and if the Government intends taking any action in the matter?

I am aware of the decision referred to and also of some of the allegations of fact contained in the question. It is proposed to appeal from the decision.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if he is aware that Private Thomas Wheatcroft, No. 38,408, 2/5th Gloucester Regiment, son of sub-postmaster E. Wheatcroft, of 8, Kent Road, Southsea, joined September, 1914, was wounded and sent home, sent out again to France and served till February, 1919, when he died in hospital and his personal effects were forwarded to headquarters; if he is aware that Private T. Wheatcroft left no will, but that an undated and unsigned paper was found disposing of some £3,000, and that this paper ran as follows:— "In the event of my death I will give £1,000 to my friend, J. Ward, of Stanford, near Wolverhampton, Staffs, and £2,000 to my friend Miss Sarah Atkins, and the remaining part I will keep myself "; and if, in face of this document, the name of Miss Sarah Atkins being taken from the specimen will on Army Form W. 3,297, he will say on what principle the parents have been given one-third of the reserve pay and gratuity which, with the effects, represent Private Wheatcroft's estate only?

The document referred to constitutes a valid military will, but the amounts are francs, not pounds. In accordance with the terms of the will, one-third of the amount due to the estate from Army funds has been paid to Mr. J. Ward. It was understood that the father proposed to apply for letters of administration, but these have not yet been produced. The soldier's personal effects, if any, will be sent to the father.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller whether any demobilised officers returning from Egypt are required to accept steerage passages?

I have been asked to reply to this question. All officers are entitled to first class accommodation, and no instance has been reported where the Regulations have been contravened.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he is aware that Private J. T. Gray, No. 98,504, Machine Gun Corps, who was due for dispersal not later than 1st March last, is still in Egypt; and, seeing that Private Gray is 20 years of age and a bound apprentice, in whose case the delay will. cause serious hardship in his training as a tradesman, will he take steps to expedite his release?

Inquiries are already being made in this case, and the hon. and gallant Member will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether it is a fact that a large number of civilian employés of the Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Department, and other Departments at Aldershot have been discharged without notice; if so, how many; why sufficient notice was not given to these men to enable them to obtain other employment; and whether, in view of the circumstances of the case, he will give directions that the matter be reconsidered?

I am having inquiry made, and will let the noble Member know the result in due course.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether No. 15, Marlborough Place, Brighton, which since 1915 has been used as the headquarters of the Army Service Corps, can now be relinquished to its owner in view of the scarcity of housing accommodation in the district?

I am making inquiries, and will let the hon. Member know the result in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether the conditions' of pay laid down in the national Wages agreement for the printing industry concluded last November between the Master Printers' Association and the Typographical Association have been granted to men working at the Headquarters' Printing Works, Aldershot; and, if not, whether he will state on what grounds the terms have been rejected?

Instructions have been issued under which the employés referred to will be paid the rates stated in the agreement, with effect from the date at which they became operative in the trade.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air if he is aware that in October, 1919, the War Office purchased from Mr. R. J. Partridge, of Badnocks, Asheldham, Southminster, Essex, 121 tons of straw; that this straw still remains in the farmyard, obstructing the farm business and the cultivation of food; that the straw is yet unbaled and cannot therefore be moved; that the farmer still remains unpaid the balance of the purchase price due to him; and whether the War Office will, after this long delay of one and a half years, now have the straw baled and removed to make room for the coming harvest, which would otherwise be seriously injured?

Seventy-four tons of straw were purchased from Mr. Partridge by the Central Council for Civil Supplies, and ultimately transferred to the Army. The straw will be taken as soon as possible, but it is impossible to pay the balance of the money due until the straw is actually baled, as the weight can only be estimated in stock. He will, however, receive additional payment at the rate of 15 per cent. per annum to compensate him for loss of weight of straw and inconvenience until the straw is finally lifted.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what salary is given to the Charge des Archives in Mexico City; and whether this gentleman takes precedence on ceremonial occasions of His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General in Mexico City?

Mr. Cummins, the Chargé des Archives, receives a salary of £3,000, tax free. A Charge des Archives has no precedence as such, but Mr. Cummins, having formerly been Commercial Attaché in Mexico, retains the diplomatic rank assigned to a Commercial Attaché and therefore takes precedence of the Acting Consul-General.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the considerable British interests involved, he will make inquiries of the British representative in Mexico City and give to the House a detailed statement of the position of affairs in Mexico; and what railways, where British shareholders are largely interested, have been returned by the Mexican Government to their owners?

A report has been received from His Majesty's Consul at Salina Cruz that the majority of the garrisons on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and all the Federal troops in the State of Chiapas have revolted. Apart from this information, I have nothing to add to the answers I returned to my hon. and gallant Friend on 4th May regarding the situation in Mexico. In regard to the British owned railways in Mexico, His Majesty's Charge des Archives at Mexico City reported on 24th March that the Mexican Government had declared their willingness to return the Mexican Railway at an early date, provided that the management would not dismiss their present employés at a moment inconvenient to the Government in connection with the forthcoming elections. It is understood that negotiations are at present in progress between the Mexican Government and the Board of Directors in London through the medium of the Company's manager in Mexico. There appears to be no immediate prospect of any of the other British owned railways in Mexico being returned to their owners.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Egyptian Budget during the financial year just ended, reached about 40,000,000 Egyptian pounds and is being expended without the approval of the Egyptian people or their elected representatives in the Legislative Assembly?

The hon. and gallant Member is misinformed; it is the Budget for the current financial year which has just begun that is estimated at about £40,000,000. It has been approved by the Egyptian Council of Ministers.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether His Majesty's Government intend to honour British pledges in regard to the independence of Egypt?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on this subect to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull (Lieut. -Commander Kenworthy) on May 5th.

asked the Under- Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is intended to take any action based upon the Report of the Foreign Office Committee on British communities abroad?

There has not yet been sufficient time for the various Departments of His Majesty's Government concerned fully to consider the Report of the Committee, and to decide how far its recommendations can be carried out, but I can assure the hon. Member that the matter is receiving every attention.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Lord Curzon recently addressed a communication to M. Tchitcherin, people's commissary for Foreign Affairs, Moscow, asking the Bolsheviks to cease hostilities and guarantee the inviolability of the Crimea with a view to saving further bloodshed; and whether General Wrangel agreed to abstain from further offensive measures before this appeal was made?

In reply to the first part of the question, a communication has been addressed to Monsieur Tchitcherin asking him to communicate direct with General Wrangel for the purpose of initiating negotiations, with a view-to the cessation of hostilities and the granting of a general amnesty to General Wrangel's followers and to the population of the Crimea. The answer to the second part of the question is that, before this communication was made, General Wrangel had placed himself unreservedly in the hands of His Majesty's Government for mediation with the Soviet Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the warships of the Allies in territorial waters of the Black Sea continue to bombard the Russian coast; and is the exportation of raw materials from Russia thereby prevented?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As regards the first portion of the question, the answer is in the affirmative, until such time as the Bolsheviks cease hostilities with General Wrangel's Crimean Army, with a view to discussing terms for an armistice. With regard to the second portion of the question, the answer is also in the affirmative, but it only due to the Soviet Government persisting in hostilities.

asked the Prime Minister whether M. Litvinoff, with whom the Allies are now unwilling to negotiate, is the same M. Litvinoff with whom the British, French, and Italian Governments have recently concluded agreements for the exchange of prisoners; and, if so, whether he will take disciplinary action against the officials who were responsible for not bringing M. Litvinoff's record to the notice of the Cabinet at an earlier date, in order to avoid the indignity of treating with him on the question of prisoners?

There is, so far as we are aware, only one Monsier Litvinoff. It is not true to say that the Allied Governments are unwilling to negotiate with him, because they have already done so. As far as His Majesty's Government are concerned, he has merely been refused admission to this country, in view of his previous activities here. The reply to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Report of the Anglo-Persian Military Commission has been published in Teheran; and, if so, whether he will give instructions that it also be published in this country?

I have no reason to think that the Report has been published in Teheran. In any case, it will not be possible to publish it in this country until the text has been received and considered.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government, having accepted the mandate for Mesopotamia, will undertake that no part of the method of transport by river, rail, or road shall be allowed to fall into the control of one or more strong groups of financiers who already have large interests in that territory; whether, with the exception of less than one-fifth, all the river craft have passed under the control of the largest ocean steamship company trading in the Persian Gulf; and whether attempts are being made by influential groups interested in some particular development of the country that the railways should be laid to suit their advantage, rather than the general development of the whole country?

The policy of His Majesty's Government is to secure so far as possible that the development of transportation in Mesopotamia proceeds in accordance with local interest, and does not favour any attempt to create a monopoly. The suggestion contained in the second part of the question is not in accordance with my information; and as regards the third part, railway policy has been determined by considerations of public and not private advantage.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many applications have been received from ex-service men to be placed on the land; and how many have been placed?

The total number of applications received from ex-service men is 37,204. Of these 21,218 have been approved. Since the beginning of 1919, 7,413 persons have been settled, of whom 6,178 are ex-service men. As explained in the answer I gave on the 28th ult. (of which a copy is being sent to the hon. Member), sufficient land has been acquired to satisfy the requirements of practically all the approved applicants on the normal scale of accommodation.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the London Insurance Committee have not given any War bonus to a member of their permanent staff who served as an officer and was seriously wounded during the War and is now acting as registrar to the Committee; and whether he can take any steps to ensure that this man shall receive a War bonus?

I am informed that the question of the remuneration of this official is under inquiry by a Special Sub-Committee appointed by the London Insurance Committee to report on this and other matters.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that ex-soldiers employed at collieries are being asked by colliery officials whether they are in receipt of disability pensions, the amount of their pensions, and to bring their ring-paper for inspection; that this apparently official systematic examination of ex-service men respecting their pensions is causing them considerable anxiety; are these inquiries made under order of the Government; can he state the object of the inquiries; and what steps does he propose to take to re-assure the workmen concerned?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question, as it appears to relate to the Home Office Scheme under the Disabled Men (Facilities for Employment) Act, 1919. The object of that Scheme, particulars of which I will forward to the hon. Member, is to facilitate the employment of disabled men by relieving their employers of any increased liability under the Workmen's Compensation Act which is attributable to their employment. The receipt of a disability pension is taken as; the test of disablement. For the purposes of this Scheme, employers necessarily have to ascertain what disabled men are in their employment, and they are instructed that they can do this by asking a man to produce his ring-paper. They are, however, expressly enjoined that when asking for the production of the paper they must explain the reasons why the information is required. No inquiry is authorised as to the amount of a man's pension. If any cases have come to the knowledge of the hon. Member where the matter has not been properly explained, I shall be glad to have the particulars so that the matter may be taken up with the employers concerned.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a letter was sent by the Assistant Controller of his Department to Private D. T. Howells,. 23, Empress Road, Wrexham, who served in His Majesty's Forces, informing him that State assistance will not be given until he attains the age of 21 years, namely, on the 15th April, 1921; whether he is aware that Howells is a poor boy and that his parents are unable to keep him; and whether he will reconsider this, and similar cases?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Under the Scheme prepared by representatives of the industry to which Howells is apprenticed, the employer agrees to pay to the apprentice, on his return and until he reaches the age of 21, or the age when his original apprenticeship would have terminated, whichever date is the earlier, the wages he would have been receiving had his apprenticeship never been broken. Howells is not, therefore, losing at present anything in wages by reason of enlistment. I agree with my hon. Friend that the case is a hard one, but the hardship does not arise out of war service, and is incidental to all systems of training for a trade or profession where a lad serves for relatively low wages, and is, therefore, not self-supporting, before he reaches the age of 21.

asked the Postmaster-General how many women have been taken into Post Office employment during the War to fill the places of men joining the fighting forces; and how many of these women have been discharged or have given up their positions in order to provide work for those whom they originally replaced or for other ex-service men?

At the time of the Armistice there were in the employment of the Post Office 56,000 temporary women, including girl telegraph messengers. Of these, some 30,000 have been discharged. As regards the remainder, a large number are employed on additional work arising out of the War, such as the payment of allowances and pensions, War Loan, and War Savings work. Some 60,000 Post Office servants have been demobilised from the Army and returned to their civil duties, and, in addition, 20,000 ex-soldiers are employed either in a permanent or temporary capacity.

asked the Minister of Labour with reference to the appointment of the head of the training centre for demobilised soldiers at Derby, whether the position was advertised; whether inquiries were made at the district directorate of the Appointments Department in Nottingham for any ex-officers suitable for the post; whether an ex-officer, provided he had also the technical qualifications, would be the best man to be in charge of 600 ex-soldiers; and whether the civilian who is receiving the appointment is already satisfactorily employed?

The post to which my Noble Friend refers was not advertised because the Department already had available a long list of possible candidates, including a number whose names were supplied by the Appointments Department. The present Manager was selected on the ground of his high technical qualifications, his experience in training, his knowledge of local conditions, and his special experience as manager of this particular factory during the War, which has already proved most valuable in carrying out the somewhat complicated arrangements for the transfer of the factory and part of the plant from the Ministry of Munitions to the Office of Works and Ministry of Labour. These special considerations were held to justify an exception to the general rule that ex-Service men should be appointed to such posts. Only one of the ex-Service candidates considered possessed qualifications at all equal to those of the candidate appointed. This gentleman did not desire a post at Derby, and has since been appointed elsewhere. As regards the last part of the question, I believe that the present Manager has a private consulting practice, but his services are available for the Training Centre during the whole of the working hours.

asked the Minister of Labour, whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. W. C. Digby, of 66, Park Grove Road, Leytonstone, who was in the Royal Naval Air Service but was subsequently transferred to the Royal Air Force, in which he was a first-class air mechanic (official number 216,330), and who, as a result of his war activities, suffers from varicose veins in both legs, but does not enjoy a pension; whether he is aware that, as a result of his not enjoying a pension, he is debarred from obtaining practical training in electrical engineering, at which he is only half proficient; and, if this is so, whether something will be done to ensure that this man may complete his training so that he may earn a living?

If Mr. W. C. Digby was discharged from the Colours with a disability which renders it impossible for him to return to his pre-war occupation, or to return to that occupation without a substantial loss of earning capacity, he is eligible for training even although he may not be in receipt of a pension. Enquiries are being made and I will communicate the result to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty whether ex-Service men of pre-war days who are now employed in the naval ordnance depot at Woolwich are classed as non-Service men; and whether this is so despite the fact that some of these men have fought in previous campaigns?

Ex-Service men who have served in the Forces during the late War and have subsequently entered civil employment under the Admiralty are given preference for retention over other entrants who have gone into the same civil employment since the outbreak of the late War. Men who formerly served in the Army or Navy and finally returned to civil life before the outbreak of this War are not given the same preference, except for retention in their pre-war civil employment.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that there is a large number of civilians of military age employed by the Board of Works, Dublin, as park-keepers, time-keepers, etc., in the Phoenix Park, Dublin, whilst many ex-service men, competent to do this work, are idle in Dublin; how many service men and non-service men, respectively, are now employed by the Board of Works, Dublin; and will he see that the Board of Works, Dublin, observe the Government's recommendations as to the substitution of ex-service men now idle and available for civilians of military age?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The number of men of the classes mentioned in the question employed by the Commissioners of Public Works in the Phoenix Park is twenty-one, and of these 15 have served in the Army or Navy, The Commissioners strictly observe the Government instructions with regard to the employment of ex-service men, and have filled all recent vacancies in the above classes by the appointment of such men. I should, however, point out that the Government substitution scheme does not contemplate the dismissal of permanent employés to make room for ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, in view of the increased cost of living since the last revision of pensions and allowances to disabled soldiers and sailors, it is his in- tention to make an increase at least equal to the increased cost of living?

I must refer the hon. Member to the reply which my right hon. Friend gave to the hon. Member for East Edinburgh (Mr. Hogge) on the 27th ultimo, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty why engineers, second class, War Department Fleet, were not admitted to pension rights in 1917 when masters, second class, were so admitted, although both classes of officers necessarily hold Board of Trade certificates of corresponding qualifications and both ratings receive similar rates of pay; whether this omission was due to there being one grade only of engineers in certain dockyard craft with which the War Department vessels were compared; and, if he cannot secure the extension of pension rights to the small number of engineers, second class, as at present graded, whether he will have all certificated engineers of the first and second classes grouped in one grade as engineers, War Department vessels, as there are engineers, second class, whose certificates will cover any such steamers in home or foreign waters who are now in sole charge of the machinery of high-speed target towers, although the vessels carry masters of the first class who have pension rights?

The question of the classes to be admitted to pension was fully considered when pensions for this establishment were introduced in 1917, and it is not now proposed to re-open it. The scale of pay and duties of the rating of second engineer are not the same as those of first engineer.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when it is intended to pay to the clerks in the Naval Ordnance Depot at Woolwich the award which was the subject of agreement between the Treasury and the Civil Service trade unions on the 19th March last?

The award referred to does not apply to temporary staffs in industrial establishments nor to temporary staff employed at rates other than those laid down in Treasury Circular 21992/19 of 12th June, 1919. I understand, however, that negotiations are in progress with a view to an increase in the present minimum pay of temporary staffs employed in Admiralty outport establishments and corresponding establishments under the War Office and Air Ministry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that Edmundson's Electricity Statutory Charges Bill failed to become law, he will take immediate steps to arrange relief for certain electricity supply companies which are unable properly to make their companies pay under the present restricted scales of statutory charges, since failing such relief these companies will shortly be unable to fulfil their statutory obligations?

; The subject is receiving my consideration, and the result will be communicated to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as a decision has been arrived at.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that for the last 14 years a scheme has been in operation for sending large numbers of working women and girls from the big towns in Scotland to the raspberry harvest in Perthshire; that the railway companies have always provided return tickets at reduced fares, but are now considering the withdrawal of this privilege and charging the full fare; that if this is done the cost will be prohibitive; and whether, in view of the fact that the scheme has been the means of providing these town people with a change of air whilst at the same time doing useful work, and that if the reduced fares are not continued the fruit will probably be lost, he will make representation to the railway companies on this matter?

The whole question of granting reduced fares to seasonal workers proceeding on harvest work, fruit picking, etc., has recently been under consideration by the railway com- panies. When all excursion tickets are suspended, I regret that I can find no sufficient justification for making an exception in the present case.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he can make any statement as to the effect that the increased charges for the detention of railway wagons has had; whether it has released many wagons; and, if so, has he considered whether it is advisable to still further increase the charges for extra detention so as to secure the release of more wagons?

The average number of wagons standing under demurrage per working day during March was 9,179, compared with 14,621 last December, showing a decrease of 37 per cent. In view of this improvement, the question of still further increasing the charges for detention need hardly arise at present.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the great irritation occasioned by enforcing the railway bye-law requiring holders of season-tickets who have accidentally left them behind to pay twice over for the same journey, he will so modify the bye-law as to prevent this, and at the same time prevent fraud, by taking the name and address of the traveller and insisting on the full fare being paid, and if the traveller be found to be a bonâ fide season-ticket holder, refunding him the fare he has paid?

As I informed the hon. Member in reply to his questions on the 28th April and 3rd May, I consider the present practice of the railway companies in this matter to be both necessary and entirely justifiable, in view of the reduced cost of travel by season-ticket, and the extensive frauds which, I regret to say, were prevalent under the less stringent conditions which once obtained. To adopt the suggestion made by the hon. Member would again leave the way open to fraud.

asked the Minister of Transport whether many long-distance signals have been removed on railways in Great Britain, especially on the North Eastern and North British railways; and whether it is due to the difficulty of obtaining suitable timber to replace the sleepers under the points in the through junctions for which these long-distance signals operate?

I am not aware of cases in which "distant" signals have been removed owing to difficulties connected with the supply of timber.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he will consider the desirability of granting to breeders of pedigree cattle special railway facilities for sending their cattle to and from agricultural exhibitions and revive the breeders' rate?

I recently received a deputation from the Royal Agricultural Society, with regard to the question of restoring railway facilities granted in connection with the conveyance of live stock to and from agricultural and similar exhibitions, and since then the matter has received the consideration of the Rates Advisory Committee, set up under Section 21 of the Ministry of Transport Act. Their Report has now been received. I am in consultation with the railway companies on the matter, and hope to be in a position to announce a decision very shortly.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, as the tax upon motor omnibuses under the Budget Resolution will not be imposed until 1st January, 1921, the Government will make a sufficient grant to county councils to cover the cost of road maintenance caused by excessive omnibus traffic until the receipt of the proposed tax?

In making grants to highway authorities out of the special road fund of £10,500,000, due regard was had to the importance of the roads to which the grants were allocated and to the amount and character of the traffic upon them. Highway authorities are now engaged in expending the moneys thus made available, mainly on the improvement of roads subject to heavy mechanically propelled traffic. In allocating further grants from the funds which will be made available for road improvement between the present date and January 1st, 1921, special consideration will be given to roads not already provided for, which have to bear exceptional traffic.

asked the Minister of Transport if his attention has been called to the overcrowding of the steamers on the Channel service between Boulogne and Folkestone; if any limit is now placed on the number of passengers carried on such steamers, or if it is limited only by the standing room on the decks of the steamers; and why two services by this route are not run daily to provide decent comfort and accommodation for the passengers crossing and likely to cross this year?

No complaints of overcrowding on the cross channel steamers between Boulogne and Folkestone have been received in the Ministry of Transport, and I am informed that none have been made to the railway company. The two steamers employed on this service are certificated to carry 1,290 and 1,268 passengers, respectively, and during the month of April (when the service was being temporarily conducted from Dover) the full number of passengers was only carried on one occasion, namely, on the Thursday before Good Friday. The average number conveyed from Dover to Boulogne was 369, and from Boulogne to Dover, 524. Several of the railway company's steamers which have been employed on war service have not yet been reconditioned and returned to home ports; but when some of these are available the question of running an additional day service either between Dover and Calais or Folkestone and Boulogne will be considered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that the railway rates upon consignments of less than two tons have been increased by 60 per cent. as against 25 per cent. upon larger consignments; that to this must be added 3s. per ton for cartage and delivery, plus 1s. per ton flat rate; that the rates upon returned empties have been increased by 100 per cent.; that the net result is an increase of 100 per cent, in railway rates upon such small consignments; and that this increase makes it impossible for the smallholder to compete with larger farmers, especially in the fruit and vegetable markets; and whether he will reconsider the matter?

The increases made in the goods train rates for the conveyance of fruit and vegetables are in accordance with the report of the Rates Advisory Committee, who specially recommended in the interest of agriculture that lots of two tons and upwards should only bear an increase of 25 per cent. instead of the 50 per cent. or 60 per cent. which would otherwise have obtained. The flat rate addition and the extra charge for collection and delivery are at the same tonnage rate whether the consignment is over or under two tons. It is always open to the smallholders to combine and send their traffic as one consignment, so as to obtain the advantage of the lower rate of increase for two ton lots. The increase in the charges for returned empties is also in accordance with the recommendation of the Committee. Small lots of traffic and empties are expensive to handle, and I regret that I cannot see my way to modify the existing rates, which will, however, come under review in connection with the systematic revision of railway rates now being undertaken.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will say how many new departments were created by him since the passing of the Ministry of Transport Act, and the precise duties of these departments; whether any of them are to be closed down forthwith in the interest of economy; and whether he has reduced any of his staffs created solely for war purposes?

The organisation of the Department was fully described on the presentation of the supplementary estimates by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry, to whose speech and the White Paper subsequently issued I must refer the hon. Member. As the Ministry was created by the Ministry of Transport Act passed by Parliament last Session after the Armistice, I do not understand the latter part of the question, which suggests that part of the Ministry was constituted for war purposes.

asked the Minister of Transport what offices are occupied by his Department and the addresses in each case?

The London Offices occupied by the staff of the Ministry of Transport are in Whitehall Gardens and adjacent thereto. In Ireland and the provinces there are others, and I will circulate a detailed list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the list mentioned:

Headquarters.

5, 6, 7 & 8, Whitehall Gardens.

3 & 4, Whitehall Gardens (part). Gwydyr House, Whitehall (part)

1, Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall.

Irish Branch.

Oriel House, Westland Row, Dublin.

Area Transport Commissioners.

Area and Address of Office.

London.—12a, Charles Street, London.

Eastern and Home Counties.—12a, Charles Street, London.

Northern.—2, Park Place, Leeds.

Midlands.—19, Guildhall Buildings,

Navigation Street, Birmingham.

South and South Western.—3, Unity Street, Bristol.

Wales and Monmouth.—18, Dumfries Place, Cardiff.

Not more than three rooms are occupied by each Area Transport Commissioner and his staff.

asked the Minister of Transport how many messages per week are carried by the 117 messengers in his employment; and how many letters per week are typed by the 123 typists in his employment?

The duties of the messenger and typing staff are far more varied than suggested in the question, and the figures asked for would afford no indication of the work done. The Select Committee on National Expenditure is at present investigating the cost of staff of the Department, and it will, I think, be the best way to satisfy my hon. Friend's natural anxiety if I specially invite that Committee's attention to his question. I have therefore done so.

asked the First Commissioner of Works if any hotels have been taken over by his Department since the beginning of this year; and, if so, will he state the names, and the towns where they are situated?

No buildings in use as hotels have been taken by my Department since the beginning of this year. The Hotel Petrograd, in London, and the Criterion Hotel, Liverpool, which were advertised for disposal in the open market, have been hired by my Department, but in neither of these cases was there any intention to use the buildings as hotels.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether the heads of the Disposal Board are asking certain of their officials if they are prepared to re-engage for another 12 months; and is any reversal of the policy recently announced to close down the Department at the earliest possible moment intended?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. It has never been announced that the Disposal Board will be dissolved before its work is finished.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what reductions have been made in the staff of the Ministry of Munitions and the Disposals Board during the last month?

The total headquarters staff of the Ministry of Munitions, including the staff engaged under the Disposals Board, was reduced during the period from 1st April to 1st May from 5,854 persons to 5,546. The staff of the Disposals Board during this period was reduced from 1,486 to 1,457, though the work of the Board is not decreasing.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that it takes a period of 14 to 21 days to move coal by rail from the mines of Derbyshire to Stockport, a distance of 30 miles, definite instances of this having teen supplied to his Department; whether he is aware that, owing to this delay, over a thousand homes in Stockport have been for three week-ends without coal; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of affairs?

The hon. Member has furnished my Department with a statement showing 22 instances of wagon delay of which he complains. Fifteen of these instances may be attributable to railways or the facts stated. The average time of transit in these instances, calculated from the day on which the information is given, is nine days. The tonnage represented by the wagons delayed may be taken as 150 tons, and the average receipts of coal at Stockport for domestic consumption, according to the information given in the statement referred to, is for eight weeks ending 24th April 2,196 tons per week, which period includes the Easter holidays. There is nothing to show that the particular cases of delays as given by the hon. Member are other than isolated instances, but I have given the particulars as supplied to me to the railway company concerned, with a request that the matter shall receive investigation, and that everything possible shall be done to expedite the movement of household coal from Derbyshire to the Stockport area.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if coal, known as Welsh household coal, is now being shipped to London; if such coal is of a very inferior quality and crumbles into dust in transit; why the supplies of Midland, Nottingham and Yorkshire coal have failed to arrive in the London market; if the supply of household coal in London is as poor in quality and quantity as at any time during the War; and what is the reason for this?

I am not aware that Welsh household coal is being shipped to London or that supplies of Midland, Nottingham and Yorkshire coal have failed to arrive in the London market. Supplies of house coal to London are fairly adequate. The receipts of house coal by merchants in the metropolitan area for the first 16 weeks of 1920 considerably exceed the amount received in the corresponding period of 1919, and everything possible is done to ensure, so far as is practicable, good quality coal is supplied.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that there is a shortage of house coal in High Wycombe; and whether he will take steps to secure a better and more equitable supply?

The question of shortage of supplies of house coal to High Wycombe is receiving close attention, and everything possible is being done to increase supplies. Emergency coal is being sent to relieve the present situation.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Stoke-on-Trent pottery works are suffering severely from shortage of coals; that substantial orders for ware have been lost and the workers put on short time owing to lack of fuel; and that, though collieries and coal supplies are near the pottery works, they are not allowed sufficient supplies to carry on, the coals being taken elsewhere outside the district; and whether he can arrange that the local pottery works shall be served with sufficient supplies of suitable coals before sending the coals out of the district?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the pottery trade of North Staffs is put on short time as the result of the shortage of coal; whether he is aware that many large orders for export trade are having to be cancelled; whether this shortage of coal is due to the fact that the export of coal is unduly stimulated by the higher prices prevailing for export; and whether he will consider the advisability of revising the system of coal control so as to remedy the unemployment in the Potteries and other districts in which the main industry is dependent upon a sufficient supply of coal?

I am aware of the present shortage of coal in the North Staffordshire Pottery area, and efforts are being made to remedy the position. No coal is being sent out of the Staffordshire district except to meet urgent public demands elsewhere; but for the past few months supplies have been curtailed to some extent owing to the large demands of users of household coal, of public utility undertakings and of railways. Export of coal is being carefully watched and-has been restricted in order to assist the growing inland demands.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when it will be possible to make an announcement in regard to the Government's decision on the recommendations contained in the Report of the Empire Cotton Growing Committee?

The Government has already announced its decision to make a grant to the Empire Cotton Growing Committee of £10,000 a year for five years for administrative and other expenses in connection with its work. The question of the precise nature and extent of any further State financial assistance towards the promotion of cotton growing in the Empire is still under consideration.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether aliens are being allowed to sit for the examination for Board of Trade fishing certificates; and, if so, why is this allowed in view of the provisions of the Aliens Act, 1919, preventing aliens from acting as skippers or second hands of British fishing vessels?

The present examination Regulations do not prevent aliens from being examined for fishing certificates, and in view of the exceptions allowed by Section 5 of the Aliens Restrictions Act, 1919, aliens cannot be entirely excluded from these examinations. The Regulations are, however, being revised having regard to the provisions of the Aliens Restriction Act.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the nationality of Mr. Andrew Mortissen, commanding the steam trawler "Cadet," of Hull, belonging to Storr and Company?

I am informed that the skipper of the steam trawler "Cadet" is Niel Andreas Frost Mortensen, and that he is of Danish nationality. I am having inquiries made into his case.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Committee appointed to inquire into the working of the Merchandise Marks Act has completed the taking of evidence; and, if so, when the Report is likely to be presented?

The Committee have finished taking evidence, and the Chairman of the Committee, my hon. Friend the Member for the Wells Division of Somerset (Mr. Greer), informs me that the Committee hope to present their Report within the time mentioned in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Finsbury (Lieut.-Colonel Archer-Shee) on the 19th April, that is to say, in about three weeks.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has received a protest from the Nottingham Chamber of Commerce against the embargo imposed by the French Government upon imports into France of all lace goods other than plain nets, lace curtains, plain cotton hosiery, and cotton glove fabrics; and, if so, what action he proposes to take thereon?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The French Order, prohibiting the importation of a number of luxury and fancy articles, was issued, according to the Report which is appended to it, with the object of reducing the adverse trade balance of France, improving the exchange, and checking the increase in the cost of living. I do not see, in these circumstances, what action can usefully be taken in the matter.

asked the Minister of Labour whether a trade union which has not hitherto paid unemployment pay as one of the benefits provided by the union will be entitled to be regarded as an association under Clause 17 of the Unemployment Insurance Bill upon its complying on and after 1st October next with the conditions set out in the proviso to that Clause; and whether a trade union now in process of formation would have the same right, subject to its being in actual operation by 1st October next, and to its complying, as regards unemployment benefit, with the conditions in the before-mentioned proviso?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for the Cirencester and Tewkesbury Division (Mr. T. Davies) on 19th April last, a copy of which I am sending him.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that serious trouble is threatened by the action of the Western Union Company in dismissing a member of the Cable Telegraph Operators' Association for expressing his view concerning the cause of death of a fellow worker; whether the action of the company is regarded as victimisation, and is aggravated by the Company declining the proposal of the Ministry of Labour for a conference regarding the matter; and whether he will take steps to secure an amicable arrangement, and thus prevent a strike having serious effect upon the Atlantic cable service of the country?

I understand that two members of the staff of the Western Union Cable Company were dismissed for publishing in a journal of which they were the editors a statement which the company regarded as libellous and disloyal, but that one of them subsequently disclaimed any knowledge of or responsibility for the statement in question, and has been reinstated. The company state that the two employés were not dismissed on account of their membership of the Cable Telegraph Operators' Association.

asked the Minister of Food whether he has received protests from associations of master bakers in Kent against the poor quality of flour now supplied to the trade, such protests alleging that it is impossible to make good bread from this flour, which is dark and unpalatable, and does not yield the full quantity of bread by four or five loaves per sack; and whether steps will be taken to remove the cause of complaint?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer already given on this subject on Monday, 26th April, to the hon. Baronet the Member for Nottingham East (Sir J. D. Rees). The final decision of the Government in this matter was taken only after full consideration of all the relevant circumstances.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the North Staffordshire Trades and Labour Council, representing 80,000 organised workers, protesting against the continued rises in the prices of essential foods, and asking the Government to take steps to bring about a substantial reduction; and whether he can indicate the intentions of the Government respecting the same?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, I would refer the hon. Member to the first part of the answer given by the Prime Minister on 11th March to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Colonel Lowther).

asked the Minister of Food the price at which the Sugar Commission is at the present time buying sugar and the price at which it is being sold by the Commission; and what is the present controlled price which retailers are permitted to charge to consumers per pound for the various qualities?

The sugar now being retailed at 10d. per lb. has been purchased in many different consignments at prices which have varied considerably from time to time. It is therefore impossible to give any precise figure of cost price. I may, however, state that the present price of Cuban raw sugar is 18½ cents. per lb., or 109s. per cwt., if the rate of exchange is taken at 3 dollars 80 cents. This figure is approximately equivalent to 150s. per cwt. duty paid in London. With regard to the remaining parts of the question, I am sending the hon. Member a table showing the present wholesale and retail prices of sugar.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture for what reason the Botanic Gardens at Kew are closed to the public on Sundays till 1 p.m.; and whether, in view of the very large number of persons who are unable, owing to their employment, to visit (he gardens during the week and would like to visit them on Sunday mornings, he can make such arrangements with regard to the weekly holidays of the garden staff as will enable taxpayers to enjoy the full benefit of this national institution?

The Royal Botanic Gardens are a scientific institution in the administration of which regard must be had to other considerations than those that apply in the case of parks and public recreation grounds. Much work has to be carried out every day before the public can be admitted, and any extension of the hours on Sunday would involve the performance of extra duty on the part of a large number of men, together with an additional charge upon public funds. The Ministry regrets, therefore, that for reasons of public policy and expense, it does not see its way to alter the existing arrangements.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Board has refused to pay interest upon a sum of over £421 2s. 3d. owing to Mr. W. Fisher, of Althorne, Essex, for a period of over a year, in respect of the taking over by the Agricultural Committee of his farm, although the man was prevented from formulating his claim by service abroad and notwithstanding that the claim for interest was supported by the Agricultural Executive Committee; and whether, if such refusal is pursuant to a rule of the Board, exception can be made in this case owing to the special circumstances prevailing?

The facts are as stated in the first part of my hon. Friend's question. Mr. Fisher made his claim on September 3rd, 1919, and authority to settle it was given to the Agricultural Executive Committee on 11th November. I am advised that interest is not payable on compensation until the amount of the compensation is ascertained, and the Ministry cannot make any payment in this respect which they are not legally liable to pay.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture the present position with regard to the communications that are passing between the Ministry and the local authority anent the New Forest pony question?

The position in this matter has not changed since my reply to the hon. Member for York (Sir J. Butcher) on 22nd April. I understand the matter is now under the consideration of the Hampshire County Council.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that great discontent exists in Wales owing to the delay in introducing the promised Agricultural Bill; and whether he can now give an approximate date when the Bill will be introduced?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the statement made by the Leader of the House on the 6th inst.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he can give the number of labourers over the age of 70 who are employed in agriculture, as com- pared with the number of the same age employed in other industries?

I regret that I am unable to supply this information. The census returns do not distinguish the number of agricultural labourers over 70, as they are included in the age group of 65 or over. Moreover, the last census was taken in 1911, and no later figures are available.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, when agricultural labourers of over 70 years of age are employed, they are prohibited from receiving, or suffer reduction in the amount of, the old age pension?

In calculating a person's means for old age pension purposes, account must be taken of the means from every source, including the earnings of his employment, whether as an agricultural labourer or otherwise. The question whether a person's title to an old age pension is affected by his employment depends on whether his earnings raise his means above the statutory limits.

asked the Minister of Health whether the subsidy to be paid to persons who build workmen's dwelling-houses which comply with the requirements of the Ministry of Health will be paid in cases where the construction of such dwelling-houses was commenced, though not finished, prior to the 23rd December last?

This question was very fully considered when the Housing (Additional Powers) Bill was before Parliament, and I have no power to vary the terms of the Act.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that notices to quit have now been served on some 60 tenants in Lever Street and 12 tenants in Aytoun Street, Manchester, and of the impossibility of finding alternative business premises in that city; and whether he is now able to hold out any hopes that tenants of such premises will receive protection in the promised Rents Restriction Bill?

My hon. and learned Friend has been good enough to show me letters he has himself had about this property, but I regret I am not at the moment in a position to add to the answer I gave him last Monday.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware of any considered policy on the part of London banks to refuse advances in connection with municipal housing schemes; whether he is aware that a small builder who has entered into contracts with one or two local authorities was refused an advance of a few hundreds on the security of his plant, worth several thousands, and on asking the reason was informed that instructions had been received from headquarters that no money was to be advanced in connection with municipal housing schemes; and whether he will make inquiries into this matter?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Any action which the banks are taking at the present time in the direction of curtailing advances is directed to the general and necessary purpose of checking further credit inflation, and the suggestion that advances for housing purposes are being specially discriminated against is entirely unfounded.

asked the Minister of Health whether he will grant a return showing the funds, bequests, and legacies left for the benefit of the blind, the institutions which have participated in these moneys, and the cost of maintenance, including the salaries of the managers or other head officials of these institutions?

I am not in a position at present to give the information indicated in the question, but I will consider whether and in what form such a return could be made and will confer with the hon. Member in due course.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what are the intentions of the Government as to the future of the Barn-bow Filling Factory, near Leeds; and whether he is satisfied with the progress made in dismantling and disposing of the contents of the factory?

The Barnbow Filling Factory is at present being used to a large extent as a depot for the collection of surplus materials from other depots which have been, or are being, evacuated. It is the present intention of the Government to dispose of this factory when it is no longer required for storage purposes.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what kinds and quantities of building materials are being disposed of this month by public auction by the Surplus Government Property Disposal Board; and what is the total quantity on hand?

Forty auction sales of building materials are being held during the present month in various parts of the country. These sales will mainly be composed of oddments of second-hand building materials, and it is impracticable to differentiate the various items in order to show the total quantity of each class of material. The chief items on hand for sale are as follow:—

asked the President of the Board of Education when he will be in a position to make a statement in regard to the Report issued in July, 1919, by the Committee appointed to prepare a scheme of national training for the sea service?

After very careful consideration and consultation with the other Departments concerned, I have come to the conclusion that I should not be justified in asking the Chancellor of the Exchequer to finance such a scheme as is recommended by the Committee, especially in view of the small proportion of the cost which would be met from sources other than public funds.

asked the Home Secretary whether he can see his way to recommend a reduction in the sentence passed upon Mr. Charles Diamond?

I have made inquiry into the facts of this case, and regret that I do not feel justified in advising interference with the sentence.

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that the general register of aliens has been transferred to the Home Office and that all initiative arises from the Inspector under the Aliens Act, and that head office instructions can be issued to the divisional superintendents of police direct, it is his intention to close down the redundant aliens registry at New Scotland Yard and thus effect a corresponding saving in public expenditure?

The hon. Member is, I think, under some misapprehension. The central registers in the Home Office serve as an index to the names on the various local registers, but does not supersede them. The Chief Inspector under the Act, whose main duty is the control of aliens entering the country, is not directly concerned with the police registration of resident aliens, and I learn from the Commissioner of Police that he cannot dispense with any part of his recently re-organised machinery in connection with aliens.

asked the Home Secretary whether women who hold the position of assistant overseer and clerk to parish councils will be qualified and recognised as fit and proper people to undertake the local Census, since this work is generally given to assistant overseers?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Women holding the offices mentioned would be eligible for appointment as Census enumerators It is not, however, customary to appoint any particular class of officers as such.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that Mrs. Monger, of Caerleon, Newport, has written to her husband, a British subject now residing at Mockba, Memirureckar Zabog, Bheu Tyncon, Poisieckae Zaemoba, Russia; that the letter has been returned marked service suspended; whether he can explain the reason; and whether any steps can be taken whereby Mrs. Monger can get into communication with her husband?

There is no postal service from this country to Moscow, or to any other place in Soviet Russia; and any letters posted in the United Kingdom for Soviet Russia are returned to the senders. If a telegram were sent it might possibly reach its destination; but there is no regular cable service with Russia, and the telegram would have to be forwarded entirely at the sender's risk.

asked the Postmaster-General whether his attention has been drawn to the serious telephonic delays between Hull and London, and Hull and other provincial towns; whether he is aware that the delays during the business period of the day for the week ending 29th April, 1920, between London and Hull, and Liverpool and Hull, were 1¾ hours each; and what steps are being taken to improve the service, in view of the serious inconvenience and loss caused to business interests by this state of affairs?

The delays referred to have been mainly due to extensive damage done to the trunk lines by storms and high winds. I am having inquiry made as to the possibility of affording relief at times of pressure by diverting calls more freely to alternative routes. Extensive schemes of underground cable construction are in hand which will ultimately give relief to both the routes in question.

asked the Postmaster-General if, before the amended scale of postal rates is settled, he will consider the propriety of reverting to the ancient practice of franking the correspondence of Members of this House, this right or privilege to be restricted to letters written in pursuance of their duties as Members of Parliament and not to apply to correspondence of a private or personal character?

:The system of franking of letters by Members of Parliament, which prevailed in the eighteenth century and the earlier part of the nineteenth century, was swept away by the Penny Postage Act of 1840. The system led to many abuses which it was impossible to control, and there is no intention of reviving this system.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether a draft Ordinance for the incorporation of the British Guiana Labour Union has been submitted to him; whether he is aware that the Ordinance is promoted by the union in question; and whether he will intimate his approval in order that the Ordinance may be submitted to the British Guiana Court of Policy?

The answer to the two first parts of the hon. Member's question are in the affirmative. The draft Ordinance is still under consideration. There would appear to be objections to the incorporation of a single Labour Union, but the Secretary of State pro poses to approve of the introduction of legislation of a general character similar to trade union legislation in this country.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he is aware that numbers of the public visiting Hampton Court on Sundays suffer disappointment and inconvenience owing to the fact that the royal apartments are not open to the public until after 2 p.m. and that the fountains do not start playing until after that hour; whether, in view of the fact that Sunday is the only day in the week when it is possible for the great majority of the sight-seeing public to visit Hampton Court and other places of interest of a national character, arrangements will be made for the royal apartments to be open and for the fountains to play on Sunday mornings as well as during the afternoon, if necessary at the expense of some other day in the week; and whether, in the case of all places of national interest which are at any time open to the public, arrangements will be made for such places to be open the whole of Sundays, such arrangements to include provision, by double shifts or otherwise, to enable the caretakers and others in charge of such places to attend divine service if they wish?

I am informed that there is not sufficient public demand to justify the expenditure and labour involved in opening the State apartments at Hampton Court on Sunday mornings, and the same applies to other places under my charge. The question of the times of opening of museums and public galleries is one for the trustees concerned. I will, however, consider whether it is possible to meet my hon. Friend's wishes in regard to the fountains at Hampton Court, subject to a sufficient supply and pressure of water.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether any steps are being taken to induce local autho- rities to provide more secondary school accommodation where existing schools are full and no other facilities available; whether the Board has powers to reduce or withhold grants payable to local authorities which are not providing sufficient secondary education facilities; and, if so, whether these powers have been or will be exercised?

In considering schemes submitted by local education authorities under the Education Act, 1918, the Board will, amongst other things, have regard to the adequacy of the proposed provision of secondary school accommodation. Meanwhile, the Board and their inspectors are in constant communication with local education authorities and with governors of schools as to the best means of securing increased accommodation. The provision of additional buildings presents grave difficulties at the present time, but there is a very general recognition of the urgency of the problem, and a large amount of temporary accommodation is being provided. Under the