asked the Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that the Governments of the Dominions have power to institute compulsory or any other form of military service within their respective Dominions and that India is now on an equality with the Dominions, he will state by what right he has delayed the Auxiliary Force Bill brought in by the Government of India simply on the grounds that he is opposed to compulsory military service in peace time?

As I remember the active part taken by my hon. and gallant Friend in the Debate on the Government of India Bill of last year, I cannot really believe that he now thinks the Act conferred complete Dominion Government on India. I would refer him to Sections 2 and 33 of the Government of India Act, 1915–16, which were unaffected by last year's Act.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it right that he should prohibit the Indian Government from bringing in a Bill which they think, in the interests of those concerned in India, ought to be brought in and passed?

The Secretary of State for India has the responsibility of sanctioning the introduction of Bills, and of recommending His Majesty to allow them when passed. I am with the hon. Gentleman in his desire to have an adequate Indian defence force, but I do not believe it is necessary to insult the European population of India by saying that compulsion is necessary before they will serve in that force.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that all the European populations have passed resolutions in favour of this Bill?

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has yet received details regarding the case of the British officer's wife who was carried away from Peshawar by Afridi tribesmen and what steps the Government of India proposes to take to bring them to justice?

If the House will allow me, I will read out a statement which the Government of India have published concerning this case:

As there have been exaggerated rumours regarding abduction of an English lady from Peshawar cantonment, we are authorised to state that the following are the actual facts. A gang of Afridi ruffians entered outskirts of Peshawar cantonment of Sadar Bazar late on the night of 23rd-24th March, probably with the object of theft. It happened that, contrary to usual practice, an English lady and her family were occupying the house in this exposed quarter. The gang broke into this house, and carried off the lady, dragging her in a most brutal manner with them across the border. The alarm was raised as soon as it was found what had happened, and troops, militia, constabulary, police, and villagers started in pursuit in all directions, with the result that the gang was all but intercepted, and one of them was actually arrested.

Meanwhile, Khyber authorities got into touch with the Afridis along the border, and an Afridi rescue party of over 1,000 men started within a few hours. Members of this party pushed forward, blocked passes, came into conflict with the gang more than once, and eventually rescued the lady after some sharp fighting. The lady was at once brought into Jamrud within 36 hours of her abduction—a very prompt performance, considering the nature of the country. The next day a large Afridi jirga of all sections waited spontaneously on the Political Agent at Khyber to express their abhorrence of this outrage, their sincere regrets that members of their tribe should have been guilty of such conduct, and their assurance that such acts would not be permitted in future.

Measures are in progress to ascertain the identity of the offenders, and to take further action. No ransom was paid, and no reward given to the rescue party, who were told that they had merely done their duty. The Government of India assure me that every effort is being made to secure the arrest of the offenders, and to exact reparation from the section to which they belong.

Was this English woman fairly treated during the time she was in the hands of the tribesmen?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the passage in the answer, which says, "and carried off the lady, dragging her in a most brutal manner with them across the border." I do not think it would be in the interests of the lady to give a detailed description of her treatment.

asked the Secretary of State for India if he can state the number of officers of the Indian Medical Service, native and European, in 1914 and 1919; how many of each race were gazetted in 1919; and what steps he is taking to make the Service attractive to English doctors?

In 1914 the number of officers in the Indian Medical Service was 706 Europeans and 63 Indians. In December, 1919, excluding officers holding temporary commissions, there were 650 Europeans and 80 Indians. During 1919, 25 Europeans and 21 Indians were appointed to permanent commissions.

In amplification of improvements already sanctioned, I hope to announce at an early date increased rates of pay and pension for the Indian Medical Service. I also recognise that it is essential to improve the facilities for leave and study, but no decision on these points can be effective until recruitment has brought the Service nearer to its normal strength.

If I put a question in a month's time, will the right hon. Gentleman say if he hopes to be able to give the increases and the other arrangements for improving the Service?

Yes, I hope so, and if my hon. Friend will permit me, as soon as a decision has been reached, which, I hope, will be only a matter of a few weeks, then I will let him know.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty to what use it is proposed to put the ex-enemy warships provisionally allocated to this country?

The ex-enemy warships allocated to this country will be broken up.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether it is intended to provide afloat in the "Indus" establishment an engine-room artificers' mess: if so, is he aware that it will create much unnecessary boat work and inconvenience to those concerned; and will he state why the chief and engine-room artificers belonging to the Devonport depot cannot have the same satisfactory messes provided for them as exist both at Chatham and Portsmouth?

It is regretted that the inquiries necessitated by this question are not yet complete, but I will forward the information asked for by my hon. Friend as soon as it is received.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether officers who retire voluntarily under the special scheme for retirement will be given an assurance that their pensions will be secured to them whether they return to the Fleet or not?

All officers in receipt of retired pay, whether retiring under the special scheme of retirement or under the ordinary Regulations, are liable to be called up for service in war or emergency as a condition of receiving such retired pay. Also, all officers retiring with gratuities under the special scheme of retirement must undertake to place their services at the disposal of the Admiralty in the event of war or emergency.

There is no liability on a retired officer to serve on other occasions, though he may be employed voluntarily. When re-employed, retired officers draw the full pay of their rank on the retired list, with allowances and a bonus in lieu of counting time towards increase of retired pay, but cease to draw retired pay.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether some months ago instructions were given that no action was to be taken with regard to naval deserters, and three months afterwards these instructions were withdrawn; if so, whether these instructions were intended more or less to carry out a general amnesty; and whether he can state the reason for the change in policy?

In September last the reduction of the number of men in the Fleet was an urgent economic necessity. Orders were issued to effect this; one of them in a confidential letter to flag officers was that, until further notice, deserters would not be claimed. There was no intention whatever of granting a general amnesty, the object being solely to avoid expense in recovering men who were not required. This confidential letter was improperly published in a newspaper, and an erroneous impression was thereby conveyed that desertion was no longer an offence against discipline. The order was therefore immediately cancelled; but steps were taken to mitigate the punishment of men who had been misled by the newspaper.

Is any general amnesty contemplated by the Government in these cases?

No, Sir; I do not think we have any reason to alter the decision arrived at and announced in the House some months ago.

In view of the fact that an Indemnity Bill is before the House indemnifying others, could not these men be included in that Bill?

This matter was discussed in the House some months ago, and, so far as the Admiralty are concerned, we are not aware of any cases in regard to which a general indemnity would be defensible. I am sure my hon. Friend, and the House, will realise that the first duty of the Admiralty is to see that nothing is done that will diminish discipline.

Have steps been taken to prevent the man who wrongfully published that letter from publishing other letters?

I only wish I knew who he was!

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any offers have been made by steamship companies and other firms to build, repair, or recondition ships in His Majesty's dockyards; whether any offers have been refused or have elapsed; and, if so, will he give details regarding the offers made and the reasons for their non-acceptance?

The following offers have been made by steamship companies and other firms to build, repair, or recondition ships in His Majesty's Dockyards:—

Inquiries have been made by several other firms as to the possibility of ships being built for them, but definite offers have not been received.

As regards offers No. 1 ( a ) and 4, negotiations are at present in progress with a view to undertaking at Devonport the construction of the "C" type standard steamer offered in October, 1919, and also the small collier offered in January, 1920.

As regards offers No. 1 ( b ) and 1 ( c ), the firm making the offer has been informed that should it be found possible at a later date to undertake more merchant shipbuilding at Devonport Dockyard, their offer will receive further consideration.

When offer No, 3 was made, the Admiralty were not in a position to undertake the work.

Offer No. 5 was not acceptable as the machinery had already been made, and only hulls were required. Machinery work is wanted in the dockyards as well as hull work.

With regard to offers No. 2 and No. 6, the reasons why the "Caronia" and "Saxonia" were not reconditioned in His Majesty's dockyards are fully stated in my reply to the hon. Member for Sutton (Viscountess Astor) on 5th May, a copy of which is forwarded herewith.— [See OFFICIAL REPORT, 5th May, 1920, Col. 2098, Vol. 128.]

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that naval schoolmasters have had their recently-revised rates of pay antedated only to 1st January, 1920, whereas in the case of all other officers and men of His Majesty's Navy the date was 1st February, 1919; is he aware that the naval schoolmasters are in a similar position to skippers, Royal Reserve, Voluntary Aid Detachment nurses (Q.A.N.N.S.), and lieutenants, Royal Marines, whose rates of pay were also revised subsequent to 1st July, 1919 (Cmd. 270), and that in the latter cases the revised rates were also antedated to 1st February, 1919; and why is the schoolmaster branch made the sole exception to the Jerram-Halsey Committee's approved recommendations in respect to the antedating of the revised rates of pay?

The whole matter is now under consideration, and a further announcement will be made as soon as possible.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty, inasmuch as, according to the latest regulations in the Navy List, schoolmasters are to be pensioned on the scale laid down for other warrant and commissioned officers from warrant rank, are there any other scales which may be applied to schoolmasters; and, if so, to whom and under what conditions exactly will they respectively be applied?

There are three special scales of retired pay or gratuity applicable to schoolmasters. The first applies to schoolmasters invalided with less than ten years' service. It was introduced because schoolmasters, unlike other warrant officers, do not enter the Service as ratings, and it would not be reasonable to grant them the same retired pay after short service as that accorded to warrant officers, who only attain that rank after considerable service as ratings. The second applies to schoolmasters retiring voluntarily with less than 25 years service. Schoolmasters, unlike other warrant officers, are eligible, at Admiralty discretion, to retire at any age, whereas the ordinary warrant officer is not eligible until after age 40. The third applies to schoolmasters who are found inefficient or unworthy of further employment. The scales are set out in detail on pages 2,268 and 2,269 of the Quarterly Navy List.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why no prize money has been paid in respect of the Jutland battle; and what is the explanation in regard to it?

I presume my hon. Friend refers to prize bounty, as prize money in this connection is not in question. The claim for prize bounty has not yet been considered by the Prize Court, owing, partly, to delay in ascertaining the actual losses by the enemy and the receipt of claims on behalf of the ships taking part in the fight. The total amount involved is very small compared with the number of officers and men entitled to share, and there has been reluctance on the part of several ships to advance their claim. The matter is, however, now in the hands of the ships' agents.

May I ask when the hon. and gallant Gentleman thinks it will be possible to make a further announcement?

Perhaps my hon. Friend will be good enough to put a question down immediately after the Whitsuntide Recess.

Would it not be possible to ascertain from the German authorities what their actual losses were?

We can rely upon our own information.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware of the good services performed by the Mercantile Marine ratings attached to His Majesty's ships during the War, which has been recognised from public platforms by His Majesty's Ministers on numerous occasions; whether he is aware that many of these ships were engaged in combatant service and that many Mercantile Marine ratings served on active fighting vessels; whether he can inform the House why these men have been excluded from all payment of war gratuity for active service; whether he is aware of the difference in the rates of pay which these men were receiving when enlisted under T 124 and T 124 Z articles and the corresponding rates of pay which they would have been receiving in the Mercantile Marine with the average amount of overtime?

I am aware of the good services rendered by the Mercantile Marine Reserve attached to His Majesty's ships during the War, and, as stated, these have been recognised on numerous occasions. Naval War Gratuity, however, is issuable only to naval ratings who received Naval rates of pay. The rates of pay granted to Mercantile ratings engaged under Agreement T 124 (and variants) during the War, were higher than those paid to Naval ratings, and taking into account the various increases of wages granted by the Admiralty to Mercantile ratings during the War, and the special benefits attaching to Admiralty service, namely, continuity of employment, periodical leave with full pay, free uniform and periodical gratuities for maintenance thereof, compensation on invaliding, and pensions on navy scale to many Mercantile Marine Reserve ratings invalided through injury attributable to the Service—their remuneration compared not unfavourably with that earned by men in the Mercantile Marine.

May I draw the hon. Baronet's attention specially to the services performed by the captains and men of the cross-Channel services through the whole of the War, day and night, and to the fact that they carried out their duties under conditions often of very great danger, and always with the greatest care?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether the nine motor vehicles on Admiralty charge in London are garaged in the Albany Street garage or in the garage in St. Martin's Mews, Trafalgar Square; and whether he can state the total sum paid in wages to the staff responsible for the control, care, and maintenance of these motor vehicles during the month of March, the total amount of motor spirit used, and the mileage during the same period?

The motor cars allocated for the use of the Headquarter Staff of the Admiralty are garaged at Albany Street. The total sum paid in wages to the staff, in respect of the control, care and maintenance of these vehicles for the month of March is £283. The amount of petrol used by these vehicles during that period is 425 gallons, and the total mileage run, 4,800 miles. It has been approved to reduce the number of cars from nine to six.

Is the hon. Baronet aware that this mileage works out at only about ten miles per gallon or less?

Will the hon. Baronet state what use these cars are put to?

If my hon. and gallant Friend will put down a question I will ascertain the details. I can assure him that the cars are put to a very useful purpose.

Can the hon. Baronet say what number of cars are accommodated in this garage: I under stood that it was about 40?

Notice should be given of that question.

Can the hon. Baronet state the number of men employed, the number of miles run, and the sum paid in salaries?

Every possible economy has been exercised throughout in connection with these cars. They have been reduced from nine to six, the very lowest number to which it will be possible to go. In regard to any further details, I must ask for notice.

Is it not the case that the economy now practised is less than that which was practised before the War, when no such privileges were given to Cabinet Ministers or anyone else?

Did the Admiralty possess any cars before the War?

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been called to paragraph 47 of the Jerram Report, which recommends that men partially disabled and retained in the service should be eligible for the award of disability pension, to be received in addition to active service pay; whether steps have yet been taken to put this recommendation into effect; and, if not, when this is likely to be done?

This question is awaiting the settlement of the post-War scheme of compensation which is engaging the attention of an Interdepartmental Committee appointed by the Cabinet.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Appointments Department are having great difficulty in finding work for unemployed and demobilised officers; whether he can state how many of the 6,229 officers stated by him on 28th April have since been found employment; whether many of these have been registered for a considerable time and are now in actual want; how many applications for employment are the Department receiving weekly and how many are being found employment; whether these figures are increasing or decreasing; and whether any further steps are being taken to find employment for these officers?

There is unquestionably great difficulty in finding employment for ex-service officers and men, as may be judged from the fact that on 30th April, against 12,913 ex-service applicants, officers and men, on its books, the Appointments Department had only 2,555 vacancies. I am afraid this difficulty may presently increase as the possibilities of employment have been very thoroughly explored, and it is anticipated that in some directions there is little more scope for placing officers and men. Of the 6299 ex-officers who were stated to be on the "live" register of the Department on the 16th April, 1920, 523 have been placed in employment by the Department, and 123 others are known to have obtained positions by their own efforts. Many candidates, owing to their lack of professional or commercial qualifications, remain on the register for a considerable time, and some of these are found to be in necessitous circumstances. In order to relieve cases of this kind, the Department established practical co-operation with the various voluntary associations and funds created for the benefit of ex-service officers and men, and where a candidate is known to be in need of financial assistance his case is immediately submitted to the appropriate association. Three hundred and forty-three cases have been dealt with in this way since the beginning of the year. The average number of applications for employment received by the Department weekly over the past 13 weeks is 1,059, of which 453 represent applications from ex-officers; the average number of placings per week is 644, of which 274 represent ex-officers. There is thus an excess of applications over placings, but many applicants find employment for themselves or allow their applications to drop. Compared with the figures for the latter half of 1919, there is no appreciable diminution in the number of applications received, but the weekly average of candidates placed in employment has steadily increased—

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that since I placed this question on the Paper an appeal has been made to the public by Lord Haig for funds for the Officers' Association, and that in that appeal it is stated that there are 25,000 officers who are out of employment; and can he account for the discrepancy between his figure and that given by Lord Haig?

I have no reason to doubt the correctness of the figure of 25,000, but we have only had applications from 12,913. I cordially endorse Lord Haig's appeal on behalf of these men, and I am sure everyone in the House will do the same.

May I ask whether Lord Haig has not already offered to take over, through his Officers' Association, the whole administration of the Appointments Department, and would not that save a certain amount of money to the State?

We propose to go into that matter, with other organisations, as soon as possible. It may very well be that that is a better form of finding employment, and if I come to that conclusion, I shall be very glad to enlist the good offices of anyone.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what has been the response of employers to the appeals made to them by Members of the House of Commons to find work for these men?

I should like that information. In the meantime I am, as I have said, very much obliged to those Members of this House who have written to firms in their constituencies. If there are any who have not done so, perhaps they will write and ask firms to do what they can to find employment for these men.

asked the Secretary of State for War if his attention has been called to the application of the Middlesex Training Council for the use of a portion of the Strand Union Workhouse, Silver Street, Edmonton, as a training centre for disabled men; if he is aware that 399 disabled men are awaiting training in Enfield, Wood Green, and Tottenham, and a further 240 men on the register not yet passed for training, but that nothing can be done while awaiting the necessary accommodation; that it has been stated on behalf of the War Office that the whole, of these premises are required for the military hospital; and that on 26th April these premises were visited by a deputation of Members of Parliament who found upon investigation accommodation absolutely unoccupied capable of affording facilities for training several thousand men; and whether, having regard to the strong feeling that exists and the scandal that has been occasioned, he will take steps to at once have the required accommodation placed at the disposal of those responsible for training these disabled men?

Arrangements have already been made for this institution to be specially inspected on Friday next, when a full Report will be made of the accommodation utilised and required. I will communicate further with the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the number of discharges from the Royal engineering yards and works in the Aldershot Command; whether he is aware that 70 per cent, of these men are ex-service men and that a large number have ten years or more to their service in the Royal Engineer Department; and whether, in view of the amount of distress that is being caused by these dismissals, he will have inquiries made into this matter?

I am making inquiries, and will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as possible.

asked the Minister for Labour how long it is intended to continue the Out-of-Work Donation to both men and women?

The scheme now in operation provides only for payment of donation to ex-service men and women and merchant seamen during the period up to the end of July. In the case, however, of ex-service men and women who were demobilised within 12 months prior to that date, the donation scheme will continue to apply till the expiration of 12 months from the date of their personal demobilisation.

May I ask what the right hon. Gentleman proposes to do in order to bridge the gap between the end of July and the coming into operation of the Unemployment Bill?

That is a matter to which we are bound to give the most careful consideration.

If a man obtains work in the meantime, can he leave that employment and go back to the Bureau and get out-of-work donation again?

A man is not eligible for unemployment donation if he refuses suitable work. As to whether, if he has got work, and there is still an unexpired portion of the unemployment donation, he can go back to it or not, that is a question of which I should like to have notice.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has yet considered the proposal of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Tuberculous Soldiers; and whether he can state which of these suggestions is being adopted?

The answer to the first part of the qusetion is in the affirmative. The capital Grant-in-Aid of the provision of additional sanatorium and hospital accommodation for tuberculosis has been increased to £180 per bed, and considerable extensions of the existing accommodation are being made. Facilities for the training, in suitable occupations, of ex-service men suffering from tuberculosis are in course of being provided at existing sanatoria, at an estimated cost of £250,000; and a scheme for the provision of village settlements for these men and their families has been worked out, and is now under consideration by the Departments concerned.

asked the Minister of' Health if he has now had time to consider the desirability of empowering local authorities to require property owners to let for immediate occupation all unoccupied dwelling-houses in their area, seeing that they possess no adequate powers for dealing with this particular case of house shortage in any other way?

Yes, Sir. I hope to submit proposals for dealing with this point shortly.

asked the Minister of Health whether the arrangements for the supply of building materials to local authorities have been abandoned; and, if so, on what ground?

In view of the largely increased demands for building materials which may now be expected, it has been provisionally arranged that, with certain exceptions, materials may be purchased independently of the Director of Building Materials Supply. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of a note which has been sent to local authorities on the subject.

Is any priority of building materials given to local authorities?

Priority is given in respect of housing. It may be a local authority or a public utility society scheme. I could not answer without notice whether there is any distinction as between them.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state the number of building workers of each class engaged on the construction of dwelling houses and on other building work, respectively?

I have only information as to men employed on State-aided housing schemes in progress in England and Wales. The figures for the week ending 14th April show a total of 8,138 skilled men employed on these works, and a total shortage of 8,376 skilled men of the different classes required upon them. I am sending the hon. Member a statement prepared by the Ministry of Labour showing the total numbers of the different classes of building workers in the United Kingdom insured against un- employment. I have no means of knowing upon what work the men not employed on housing are engaged. The grave feature of the situation is that there is a shortage of labour on the housing schemes.

How is it that the right hon. Gentleman's enormous staff is unable to get these very important details?

I could give the numbers of the men employed on housing, and I have done so. It is no part of the duty of my enormous staff to go outside their duties.

Is is not very important that the House should know the number of men employed on other buildings apart from dwelling-houses, in view of the great unrest in the country?

That may be so, but it does not happen to be the business of the Ministry of Health to find out.

How many of the 8,000 men are ex-service men?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should give notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state the average price per acre paid for land for housing by local authorities within the Metropolitan area of London and within the boundaries of Greater London?

The average price per acre of land for housing schemes of local authorities where the site and price have been approved by my Department is £495 within the County of London and £304 for the rest of the Metropolitan Police District.

Can the right hon. Gentleman give any idea what part of cost per house would be due to the excessive price of the land?

We have obtained land cheaper for housing than it was obtained for other purposes in the last pre-War year.

I mean due to the interest on the land. What will it work out at per house?

I will gladly give the information if the hon. Member will put a question down.

Would it be far wrong if I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he estimated it at £2 per annum?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the local authorities at Tottenham recently bought several acres of land—

Obviously the right hon. Gentleman could not answer that question without notice.

asked the Minister of Health how many districts in this country have hitherto suspended building operations on the ground that the Government's financial assistance is inadequate?

I do not know of any cases in which local authorities have suspended building operations on the ground that the Government's financial assistance is inadequate. In some cases authorities over £200,000 rateable value have been unable to enter into building contracts owing to difficulty in raising the necessary loans or have entered into contracts for only a part of what they require, and these cases are now being specially considered.

asked the Minister of Health what steps he has taken, if any, to deal with the increased cost of houses, the rise in prices of let ting, leasing, and selling, and the custom of premiums; and whether he will see his way to take action immediately under the provisions of the Profiteering Act?

The administration of the Profiteering Act falls within the province of the Board of Trade and not of my Department, but the letting of houses and the custom of premiums will be dealt with in the Bill for amending the Bent Restriction Acts which I hope to introduce shortly.

How soon will the Bill be introduced?

We are working at it every day.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities whose rateable value is under £200,000 and who borrow through the Public Works Loans Board for the purposes of the housing scheme are compelled to mortgage the whole of their common fund while their liability is limited to the produce of a penny rate and thus mortgage more than their actual assets under the housing scheme; and how does he justify their position in doing this?

Housing Loans to local authorities are made on the general security of the rates, and this is the security prescribed by the Act authorising the borrowing. Against their liability the local authorities will receive the subsidy authorised by the Housing Act, 1919.

Are not local authorities mortgaging more than their actual assets are under the housing scheme? I take it their assets only amount to a penny rate, whereas they are being compelled to mortgage the whole of their receipts.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that licence-holders, amongst others, are being given notice to leave their premises on the 28th May, and that the renewal certificates of licences are being refused, on account of the termination of the vacancies, thus throwing upon the tenants the onus of appealing to the Licence Appeal Court; and whether, in view of the fact that this Appeal Court will be held very shortly, he can state whether the Government propose to give protection to tenants of commercial premises in the forthcoming Bill to amend the Bent Restriction Acts?

I am not at present in a position to make any statement on this subject.

When will the right hon. Gentleman be in a position to make a statement?

The draft will be available, I hope, very soon.

Many people are very anxious, end they ought to know.

There is no lack of sympathy, but the subject is very complicated. We shall produce the proposals as soon as we possibly can.

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the extensive sales of building materials advertised by the Ministry of Munitions (Surplus Government Property Disposal Board) to take place during this month; and whether it is the policy of the Government to dispose of building materials to any purchaser, without regard to the needs of local authorities or to the fact that the ratepayers and taxpayers will have to pay exorbitant prices for these materials at a later time?

I have been asked to answer this question. The sales of second-hand building materials advertised to take place during this month are quite unimportant, as there are only small quantities of building materials available for disposal. In all cases the auctioneers are instructed to forward copies of catalogues to all local authorities within a radius of 50 miles from the place of sale.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that many municipal authorities find it impossible to develop the work of maternity and child welfare as it ought to be developed because of the heavy financial burden it entails; and, under such circumstances, can he make any recommendations to the Government for financial assistance to carry out a national obligation, and from which the State will benefit thereby?

The Government already distribute through my Department a grant of half the expenditure of local authorities and voluntary agencies on maternity and child welfare.

asked the Minister of Health if he will facilitate the provi- sion of willow and cane to enable the blind basket and chair makers to carry on their work?

I am not aware that any material difficulty is experienced by workshops for the blind in obtaining supplies of willow and cane. In the case of blind persons working in their own homes as basket or chair makers, such difficulty does arise and every effort is being made to have such persons attached to a workshop or other agency which will supply the materials, supervise the work, and market the finished articles. Grant is payable by the Ministry of Health in respect of each such person included in an approved scheme of assistance and such schemes are being rapidly developed.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are at present any whole-time public vaccinators in England and Wales; if so, in which unions are they to be found; how much salary is paid to each of them; and how many vaccinations were performed by them during the last year for which the figures are available?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, and the other parts do not therefore arise.

asked the Minister of Labour if he can state the constitution of local juvenile employment committees; whether he has received any complaints from Lincoln regarding inadequate representation of trade unions; and, if so, whether he will give these complaints consideration and take whatever steps are necessary to facilitate consideration of the apprenticeship scheme?

The constitution of Juvenile Employment Committees appointed by the Ministry of Labour is laid down in the special rules made under the general regulations for Employment Exchanges. The Committees are composed of persons possessing experience of education and of other conditions affecting boys and girls, together with representatives of employers and workpeople. The constitution of the Lincoln Juvenile Employment Committee was approved by the Lincoln Local Employment Committee, half the membership of which is composed of representatives of trade unions, and I am advised that no complaints have been received. The Committee are, at the suggestion of the Department, actively inquiring into the general question of apprenticeship, and all the necessary steps are being taken to facilitate their work in this connection. I ought to say generally that the whole question of the constitution and function of these Local Committees, and their relationship to the Central Departments concerned, the Board of Education and the Labour Ministry, is now engaging my attention

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the late Russian Embassy in Chesham Place is now occupied and for what purpose?

There is nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member on the 25th March.

asked the Prime Minister whether money, munitions, or stores are still being supplied to Count Wrangel's army or to any other anti-Bolshevik Russian force; and, if so, why this is being continued after 31st March, 1920, in view of the declarations in Parliament on behalf of His Majesty's Government that such assistance would cease on that date?

The only stores and munitions being supplied to General Wrangel are those which had been sent out for General Denikin's use, but which had not been actually delivered to him. No other stores and no money are being issued to any Russian anti-Bolshevik force.

Is that in accordance with the statement of the Prime Minister that this assistance would cease on the 31st March? lutely in accordance with that statement. I think it was explained in the House more than once that a definite amount had been agreed to be sent. This is being sent, and nothing more.

Why are we sending these munitions to General Wrangel at the same time that we are negotiating with the Soviet Government for his surrender?

We are not sending them. We are only delivering those that are on the way.

Is it a fact that the British Navy is co-operating with General Wrangel?

I think the House should, as far as possible, understand the position. The British Government entered into communication with the Soviet Government, in order to save the lives of the remnants of General Denikin's force. In pursuance of these negotiations, if I may call them so, intimation has been given that if, while they were proceeding, General Wrangel's force were attacked, we would then use the British fleet to defend them. So far as I know no action has taken place.

Are we making ourselves responsible that General Wrangel does not attack in his turn?

If I may say so, the hon. Member is not helping anybody by that kind of remark.

I am the judge of that.

That is quite a fair retort; but I am entitled to express my opinion. The object of our action is to save the lives of these people, that is all.

Why do you not try to save the lives of the rest?

asked the Secretary for War if the bodies of 40 British soldiers have been discovered in a cellar at Ypres during the work of clearing the ruins; whether in that case they have been identified; and when he proposes to publish the names.

I am informed that bodies are continually being found in the ruins of Ypres, where organised search is now being made. It is possible that the number of bodies stated have been located in one cellar, but very careful investigation, entailing reference to records in this country, is necessary before it would be possible to make any statement as to the identity of individuals. As soon as their identity has been established, the next-of-kin are, of course, notified.

asked the Secretary for War whether the grant of the special medal for Territorials who were not eligible for the 1914–15 Star will be allowed (under the same conditions as it is granted to Territorials) to those Regular officers who were debarred from gaining the 1914–15 Star by reason of their serving on the staff of, or as adjutants of, the Territorial Force, especially as the numbers involved would be small, and the grant of the medal would be much appreciated by those officers as a recognition of the fact that the efficiency of the Territorial Force was largely due to their good work before and during the War.

The award of this medal is confined to Territorials, and I regret I cannot adopt the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary for War whether he is aware that a number of officers and men medically boarded for transfer to the United Kingdom after several years' service abroad are being retained in Egypt because no hospital ship is available to transport them, and that owing to the hot weather prevailing in Egypt at the present time their health is suffering and some of them may die in consequence of the delay; whether, while means cannot be found to transport our British sick to the United Kingdom, a hospital ship is being used to repatriate Turkish prisoners from Egypt to Turkey, and other hospital ships to transport Russian refugees; and whether he will see that priority is given to our men suffering from the climate, and that arrangements are made for their immediate removal?

No invalids have been held back in Egypt owing to a hospital ship not being available. A hospital ship is allotted permanently for the evacuation to the United Kingdom of invalids from the Mediterranean garrisons and is despatched to the United Kingdom whenever the number of invalids warrant a sailing. This ship has been used for the conveyance of sick Turkish prisoners of war from Egypt to Turkey between its voyages to the United Kingdom, but I am advised that it has only been employed in this manner when the number of British invalids for transportation to the United Kingdom did not warrant its immediate return to the United Kingdom, and that its use on this service has in no way delayed the evacuation of British invalids.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that at present there are men urgently waiting to come home, and will he give orders for a ship to bring these men home at once?

I do not think that can be possible. Ships can only bring them home when there are enough men to form a ship load. We cannot send a ship for 20 or 30 men.

Does the right hon. Gentleman mean that men who have served four or five years should be left out there to die rather than bring them back home?

No, Sir. That would be quite an incorrect representation of the case. A ship is sent whenever there are enough men to bring home. The intervals are not so long as the hon. Member suggests.

How many dying men are enough to justify sending a ship?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are a very large number of passengers who are coming home on these ships now who could be taken off and these invalids put on board? Is he aware that men out in Egypt who have been ordered to be sent home two or three years ago, have not yet been sent home?

I am not aware that passengers are brought in hospital ships. I think the hospital ships are confined to hospital purposes. If the suggestion is that that is not so, I will inquire into the matter.

Will the right hon. Gentleman inquire into the cases of the men who are out there now?

Yes.

asked the Prime Minister if the Imperial Defence Committee is now in being; how is it constituted; whether it has held any meetings as such since the Armistice; whether it is proposed to hold any meetings in the near future; and whether the composition of the post-war Fleet, Army, and Air Force will be, or have been, considered by the Committee?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the Committee is composed of such Members as the Prime Minister decides to invite, according to the subjects to be discussed; the first meeting of the Committee since the Armistice had to be postponed owing to the Prime Minister's indisposition, but it is hoped to hold one shortly; as to the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to my reply to a similar question on the 11th March.

asked whether the League of Nations, on the invitation of the Allies, has summoned a financial conference to sit at Brussels: when the conference is expected to meet; who will be the British representatives; and whether the findings of the conference wll be made available for the consideration of the Supreme Council at Spa?

The Financial Conference summoned by the League of Nations will, I understand, meet in Brussels about the end of May or beginning of June. The British Government has invited Lord Chalmers, Lord Cullen and Mr. Henry Bell to act as British delegates, and I am glad to be able to announce that these Gentlemen have agreed to serve. As at present proposed, the Spa Conference will precede the Brussels Conference.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if the mandates recently entrusted to certain Allied Governments are to be submitted for endorsement to the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the League of Nations; if conditions of an economic character have been embodied as a condition of such mandate; and, in that event, if such conditions include provisions for an open door for trade?

The instruments defining the terms of these mandates are not yet complete, so that I can at present give no information as to what particular conditions are embodied therein, or as to the date upon which they will be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations.

Have any instructions or advice been given to our delegates?

They cannot go before the League of Nations until the mandates have been settled.

What is the policy of the Government? Is it to maintain the law in the mandated territories?

If the hon. Gentleman would read the discussions on the subject, he would obtain the information. He can hardly expect me to define the policy of the Government in answer to a question.

asked the Prime Minister whether any telegram has been sent to Marshal Pilsudski congratulating him on his recent military successes or on any other grounds?

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will say on the advice of which Minister a telegram of congratulation was recently sent to Marshal Pilsudski; and does the Government accept responsibility for this message of encouragement to the Poles?

No telegram of congratulation was sent to Marshal Pilsudski on his recent military successes. Several days before the offensive began, a telegram was prepared for despatch on the Polish National Fete Day conveying the congratulations of the King and his people. That telegram had no connection whatever with the Polish advance into Russia.

Was the telegram sent on the advice of Ministers?

Certainly. My hon. Friend, I think, does not realise that at that time, at all events, there was no question of this War. So far as we are concerned, and surely there is nothing more natural than that we should send congratulations on the National Fete Day.

Is it not a fact that the hon. Member for Central Hull (Lieut. -Commander Kenworthy) sent a telegram to Lenin and Trotsky consoling with them on their defeat?

That matter must require investigation and notice.

Arising out of the right hon. Gentleman's very important answer to my question, are we to understand that His Majesty's Government had no warning whatever of the Polish offensive when this telegram was sent? Was no warning given?

I do not know whether we should be called upon to answer a question of that kind, but I am ready to answer it. So far as the British Government were aware, they had no information that this offensive was to take place.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Poland had announced that they would enter Kieff on the same day that the telegram was to be sent?

I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment to-morrow, in order to give the right hon. Gentleman a further opportunity of explaining the position.

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he can give an assurance that the Government are in no way responsible for the attack of Polish or Ukrainian forces upon those of the Soviet Government of Russia, and that this country is in no way bound to help in such attack nor are in any way helping it?

The answer is in the affirmative.

Does that include the War Office?

Has the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been called to the fact that some dispute has arisen in the East End of London in reference to a cargo of munitions of war that is being shipped to Poland, and does he think that that is morally consistent with the neutrality of this country?

I would like notice of that. I did see something about it in the papers, but I do not know the facts.

asked the sum the British Government proposes that Ger many should be asked to pay in the shape of an indemnity; and if such an amount has been agreed to by the Allies?

His Majesty's Government has formulated no proposals in regard to reparation yet, but intends only to carry out the arrangements set forth in the Allied reply to the German Government on 16th June, 1919.

asked if any re presentations have been made to the French Government on behalf of the British Government for the removal of coloured troops from the territory now occupied by the Allies in Germany?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware of the very great uneasiness that prevails among the agricultural community owing to the de- lay in introducing the long promised Agricultural Bill; whether, in order to allay this anxiety, he can make some statement as to when the Bill will be introduced; and whether it is the intention of the Government to pass it during the present Session?

As regards the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the answers which I have already given; the answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Now that considerable time, possibly a month, will be saved over the Home Rule Bill, will the Government bring forward this Bill at an early date?

As I have mentioned to the House already there is no question whatever of the Government not carrying the Bill this Session. We will bring it forward as early as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether there are available costing statements and balance sheets of the working of the farms which make up the 35,000 acres of land in the possession of the Ministry of Agriculture, and which are being cultivated directly or indirectly by the executive committees of the various county councils; and, if so, are these accounts published in a way to arrest the attention of farmers in each locality, so that they may judge of the Value of this effort as a guide to those whose business it is to farm for a profit without the aid of State funds?

The Ministry has in its possession balance sheets showing the financial position with regard to all the farms entered upon by Agricultural Executive Committees and cultivated by those committees on behalf of the Ministry. It is not considered that there would be any advantage in publishing these accounts or that farmers would be able to draw any reliable conclusions from the figures. The business of the Agricultural Executive Committees is not to show how farms can be worked for profit, but to endeavour to remedy some of the results of long-continued neglect. In many cases this involves heavy outlay before any return appears.

Is the reason for that decision that the losses are so great?

No. I do not say that, but they are not the least difficult farms to work. They are farms which have been neglected for many years.

Do the committees grow very little wheat because they do not want to show a loss?

I have no information on that. I will inquire if the hon. Members puts down a question.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he has consulted the Law Officers to the Crown upon the following question, that is to say, whether the tenant of an agricultural holding whose contract of tenancy contains no specific provision dealing with stored-up fertility would be protected by Section 2 of the Courts (Emergency) Powers Act, 1917, in the event of his landlord making a claim at the termination of the tenancy, for the value of the stored-up fertility taken out of the land by reason of pasture having been broken up under compulsory directions issued under the Defence of the Realm Regulations?

The Law Officers have not been asked to advise on this question. If a landlord claims that a tenant is liable for breaking up pasture in compliance with an Order issued under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, notwithstanding the enactment referred to in the question, the validity of the claim will have to be decided by the Courts.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government have yet decided whether they will leave the Clause dealing with friendly societies in the Unemployment Insurance Bill to the free Vote of the House?

I think it better that the usual course in such cases should be adopted, and that the action proposed by the Government should be announced when the Bill comes before the House.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that all the great friendly societies in the country without exception are anxious and prepared to work unemployment benefit?

That is the very reason, I think, why the course we propose to take should be stated when we can discuss it.

rose —

We cannot have this debated now.

asked whether, having regard to the necessity for an instructed public opinion on the present situation in Egypt and the attitude of the Government towards the demands of the Nationalists, Lord Milner's Report may be presented to Parliament at the earliest possible moment?