asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the members and chairmen of the pensions board at Cheltenham Terrace have been cut down to about one-third of their previous service; what is the cause for this reduction; is it in the best interest of the Pensions Ministry to dispense with the services of men who know the work; will it be in the interests of men who apply for pensions; is the policy of short time for doctors likely to obtain the best class of men for the work; and does the arrangement lead to grave delay in dealing with cases submitted?

There is at present a considerable decrease in the amount of work available for the Medical Boards at Cheltenham Terrace, the chief reason being that the examinations for the renewal of pensions granted early in 1919 to demobilised men have been cleared off. It has not, therefore, been necessary to employ doctors to the same extent as was done some little time ago. I may say, however, that the whole question of the distribution of cases among the various Boards is under careful consideration. I am not aware that there has been grave delay in dealing with cases.

If I bring cases of delay to the attention of the right hon. Gentleman, will he inquire into the whole matter and see whether the present system does not need revision?

I shall be very glad to receive any cases of delay, either from my Noble and gallant Friend or from any other Members of the House.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Captain W. Campbell Shearer, 4th King's Shropshire Light Infantry, was discharged from the Army with severe injury to the right hand, and has been awarded 30 per cent. pension; and whether, in view of the fact that before the War his occupation was that of a dentist for which he is now almost wholly incapacitated, he can hold out hopes that the amount of pension can be reconsidered?

The award made to this officer at the scale rate for 30 per cent. disablement was superseded by alternative retired pay which was based on prewar earnings. The Medical Board, however, by whom he was last examined have assessed his disablement at under 20 per cent., and his retired pay has therefore had to cease. He has appealed against this assessment, and his appeal is to be heard very shortly by an Appeal Board, on whose report his case will be further considered.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether Mrs. Isabel May Hibbert enlisted in the Women's Royal Air Force (Salvage Section) on the 25th July, 1918, and was discharged on the 3rd February, 1919, during which period she developed valvular disease of the heart; whether she has been refused any pension or gratuity; and whether he will undertake that the matter shall be again investigated?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Mrs. Hibbert enrolled in the immobile division of the Women's Royal Air Force, as a general unskilled worker, and was discharged on medical grounds, on the dates mentioned. Members of the W.R.A.F. were civilians, and under Regulations no pension is payable to them in any circumstances, but compensation is payable in respect of accident arising out of and in course of employment within the meaning of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1906. Compensation to Mrs. Hibbert was refused, as, in the view of the Department's medical officers, there was no reason to suppose that her complaint was due to injury or otherwise attributable to her service in the W.R.A.F. With regard to the last part of the question, as no evidence has been adduced to prove such injury by accident, I am not prepared to call for the further investigation which the hon. Member has suggested.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the cause of the delay in terminating the employment of female clerks in the Pensions Ministry who are supernumerary to the requirements of the Department: and if he can see his way to instant notice being given to such clerks, so as to save further unwarrantable expenditure?

It is only within the last few days that female staff has become surplus to requirements at Chelsea, and, in connection with the demobilisation of that surplus staff, the opportunity is being taken to review the qualifications of each individual member of the female staff, so that the least effi- cient members may be selected for discharge. Notices have already been served on number of such officers.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Lieutenant Acton, late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, was examined by a medical board on the 5th September, 1919, with a view to the continuance of his temporary disability pension which expired on that date; that no award was made until 9th January, 1920, and being at a reduced rate was appealed against, with the result that on the 16th March he was notified that sanction had been given for an increase to the maximum rate; whether, in spite of repeated applications to the Pensions Office, he has been unable to obtain a statement of the amount of the grant and cannot get payment of it; will he say what is the cause of this delay; and will he take steps to have the necessary notifications made forthwith, seeing that eight months' pension is now due?

There was, I regret to say, some delay in awarding the retired pay in this case. The award was, however, made and notified at the beginning of January, and the subsequent delay must be attributed to the failure of Lieutenant Acton to apply to the Paymaster-General (as he was instructed to do) for payment. The additional retired pay awarded under Article 6 of the Warrant in respect of treatment is issuable by the Ministry, and payment has now been made for the certified period of eight weeks expiring 28th February. I am immediately considering whether payment for a further period can be made.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that several months' delay sometimes takes place after the authorisation of a pension before the ring paper is issued; and whether, in view of the hardship caused to pensioners and their families after the cessation of the provisional pension, he will arrange for ring papers always to be issued simultaneously with the notification of pension

The arrangements made are designed to secure that the dispatch of the ring paper shall follow without delay upon the notification of the award. I am aware that in some cases delay occurs, and I am doing all in my power to remove the causes of these delays and to prevent their recurrence. I may, perhaps, inform my hon. and gallant Friend that an award is notified to the man's Local Committee at the same time as to the man himself, and that if any serious delay occurs in payment, and the man is suffering hardship, the Local Committee can make advances of pension on application being made to them.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that considerable disorganisation appears to exist in the Pensions Issue Office, and that letters addressed to Baker Street on matters relating to ring papers and so forth apparently produce no result?

If my hon. and gallant Friend can produce any cases to me I will have them immediately looked into.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, having regard to the statement that the staff at Burton Court, Chelsea, is in excess of requirements, he will state why the case of Peter C. Burns, late private, No. 33,089, Middlesex Regiment, of 40, Woollier Road, Edmonton, has been delayed since February and no settlement yet arrived at?

Pension was refused to Mr. Burns on 19th February last on the ground that his disability was neither due to nor aggravated by service. He has appealed against that decision, and the papers are being now despatched to the Appeal Tribunal. The delay in putting forward the appeal has been due to the conflict of medical opinion, a matter in which the surplus female staff could render very little assistance.

If the pensions staff at Burton Court is in excess of requirements, as stated in the question, can the right hon. Gentleman say what accommodation is being given up there?

I cannot say, but my hon. and gallant Friend might put down a question as to that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in numbers of cases land has been taken under compulsion from owners and farmers in the west of Ireland, and that in other cases land which had been purchased for demobilised soldiers has been forcibly occupied and stocked by young men, who threaten with death anyone, including the soldiers, who may interfere with them; and whether the Government will forthwith take steps to make it known that no lands so taken contrary to law will be allowed to be retained, but that all such lands will be restored to the lawful owners?

There have been a number of cases in which lands have been taken under compulsion in the west of Ireland, and in one case land which had been purchased for demobilised soldiers has been forcibly occupied. In all these cases every assistance will be given to have the land returned.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps, through the Publicity Department at Dublin Castle, to make this known to these wretched people in Ireland, as they do not make a habit of reading Parliamentary Debates?

Certainly.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Irish Land Commission has been endeavouring to acquire land for settlement by ex-members of His Majesty's forces; whether any land has been so acquire; whether letters have been received by Government officials threatening them with violence if they attempt to acquire land for ex-members of His Majesty's forces; whether landowners have been deterred from completing negotiations with the Land Commission by similar means; and what steps the Government propose taking to carry out their pledge to provide land for those who have served their country in the War?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given by the Leader of the House on Tuesday to a similar question asked by my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Fylde Division of Lancaster.

Is there any scheme by which when land cannot be got for these men in Ireland they can be helped out to the Colonies?

No, I do not think the recent Act provides for placing men in the Colonies.

asked the Secretary for Scotland (1) whether he is aware that negotiations were so far advanced between ex-service applicants for small holdings upon the farm of Maryfield and the local commissioner that one of the applicants has given up his house and purchased equipment and stock preparatory to entry on 28th May; whether this man will be compensated;

(2) whether he is aware that the farm of Maryfield, upon the Terregles estate, was recently visited by the local commissioner, accompanied by ex-service applicants, for the purpose of arranging the establishment of the latter upon the farm; whether this farm is the only farm upon the estate available for small holdings at Whit Sunday, 1920; whether the Scottish Board of Agriculture are in course of acquiring a farm in Ayrshire now tenanted by the gentleman to whom it is proposed to sell Maryfield; whether the proposed sale of Maryfield is part of an arrangement by which the Board will acquire the Ayrshire farm referred to in 1921; and whether, in view of the delay in settling smallholders which this transaction involves, he will decline to sanction it

I am in communication with the Scottish Board of Agriculture, but am not yet in full possession of the facts. When I have obtained them, I shall communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland the amount of funds accumulated in the Irish teachers' pension fund, including the £1,300,000 from the Irish Church Fund; and whether he will state why the Irish pensioned teachers, some of whom are paupers in the work- house, have not received the same benefits from these accumulated funds as have been given to pensioned teachers in Scotland?

to the TREASURY (Mr. Baldwin): It has been decided that pensioned Irish teachers shall be eligible for the benefits recommended by the Cabinet Committee for pre-War State pensioners generally. The amount accumulated in the Irish Teachers' Pensions Fund, including the £1,300,000 from the Irish Church Fund, is £3,018,833. Having regard to the future liabilities of the fund, it is clear that it cannot at present bear the increased burden placed en it by this decision. The method of meeting the situation which has arisen is under consideration.

Will these increases be retrospective?

I have not the date in my mind, but the additions to pre-War pensions will be all paid as from the same date.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state if any, and, if so, how many, of the prisoners recently released from Mount-joy Prison, Dublin, had been arrested on suspicion of being implicated in murder: and for what terms they were released?

In one case a prisoner on hunger strike was released who had been arrested on suspicion of being implicated in murder, owing to a misunderstanding. Steps are being taken to have him re-arrested.

Was there only one case?

Yes, Sir, that is my information.

Have any steps been taken to bring him to trial?

Yes.

Before what tribunal? Mr. HENRY: Before a jury.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether all or any of the convicted prisoners released from Mountjoy Prison, Dublin, are now under police custody or supervision; and, if not, how is it proposed to secure their rearrest?

I have already stated, in reply to the hon. Member for the Wrekin Division on Thursday last, that a number of convicted prisoners on hunger strike were released under a misunderstanding. They were not discharged under the provisions of the Temporary Discharge of Prisoners Act, 1918, and they are not legally liable to re-arrest.

If these men were discharged from prison by a pure blunder, and were convicted of crime, is it not right that the Executive should take immediate steps to re-arrest them'?

It was necessary to pass the Act to which I referred to enable persons discharged during the time of their sentence to be re-arrested. These prisoners were not discharged under that Act.

But inasmuch as they were discharged by a mistake, and, as I think the hon. Gentleman informed me, it is proposed to re-arrest them, when are they to be re-arrested?

I have already said they cannot be re-arrested once they are free.

Was it not understood these men were liberated on parole?

Is not the real reason why you cannot re-arrest them because they are not sentenced?

No, these are convicted cases.

asked whether the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland sent verbal instructions to the Governor of Mountjoy on the occasion of the release of the Sinn Fein hunger strikers through the Lord Mayor of Dublin; whether, the Governor refusing to accept them, the Lord Mayor returned to the Viceregal Lodge, secured from the Lord Lieutenant written instructions to the effect that all Sinn Fein prisoners were to be released, and that it was through acting strictly on those instructions that 34 convicted prisoners were liberated; and whether any steps have been taker, to secure the re-arrest of the prisoners set free in error?

I beg to refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a similar question addressed by him to the Prime Minister on Thursday, 6th instant. As to the last part of the question, I have already dealt with it to-day in reply to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for York.

Were we not given to understand that the Sinn Fein hunger strikers were released on parole, and are we to understand that convicted criminals were released without any conditions?

I have already said so.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he is aware that Henry Johnston, of Augnagallop, in the parish of Drumshambo, county Leitrim, was left a farm in Drumkeelin by an uncle who died in 1910, and has farmed it since without claim or dispute, but desiring to purchase a farm adjoining his own residence he put up the farm bequeathed to him by his uncle 10 years ago for sale; if on the day of the sale a mob gathered and prevented Mr. Johnston selling unless he paid £200 to a Mrs. Flynn, a niece of his late uncle, but who has no claim nor ever made any on the land, which he was forced to do, and also to obtain much less than he otherwise would for the farm: and whether there is any prospect of any protection for law-abiding people or prospects of enforcement of the law of the land in County Leitrim?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the owner of a farm of 12 acres in County Leitrim recently put this farm up for sale; that 150 to 200 men came to the sale and forbade the owner to sell the farm unless he agreed to pay £200 to a person named by them, who had no interest whatever in the farm; whether the owner was compelled to comply with this request and sell the farm at a price far below its value; and what steps His Majesty's Government propose to take to put a stop to proceedings of this kind; which are now of constant occurrence in. Ireland?

The facts stated in the first part of the questions are correct. On the day of the sale a Mrs. Flynn, Mohill, who is a relative of Johnston, attended the sale, and made a claim for £200. A number of persons in the crowd supported her, and in the end he gave her a cheque for this sum. He has since stopped the cheque, and is again in possession of his farm. He will not prosecute.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the car conveying the mails from Nenagh to Thurles was stopped on the night of 8th May and police correspondence stolen; and whether the precautions recently announced for guarding the mails while in transit by mail car had been taken in this instance?

The facts are as stated. It is probable that some police correspondence was seized. I am informed that police are not available for the purpose of affording special protection in all cases.

What is the exact position at present as regards martial law? When is it going to be put in force?

Has crime in Ireland increased by 1,000 per cent. since the Home Rule Bill was introduced?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been directed to the proceedings of the Claremorris District Council at the meeting of that body on 5th May, when the Council demanded from Mr. Martin Curran, J.P., a farmer in the district, the withdrawal of claims lodged by him for compensation for cattle drives and personal injuries, and a refund, less five per cent. of his profits, from the grazing lands he had held; whether he is aware that Mr. Curran refused to do so, and the Chairman of the Council stated at the meeting that the matter would now be referred to a higher tribunal which would be able to give effect to the wishes of the Council; that it was decided not to state definitely the methods of the higher tribunal in the enforcement of its decrees; that the Chairman announced that those grazers who refused to obey would be responsible for the consequences to themselves: and whether the Government are prepared to allow local authorities to be used as part of the terrorist machinery in Ireland?

I have seen a newspaper report to the effect stated by the hon. and gallant Member. The official record of the meeting of the District Council does not show any resolution. I am having inquiries made, and if evidence is available anyone guilty of intimidation will be prosecuted. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative

Will the Government direct a prosecution of any members of this District Council if they took part in illegal action?

When people are compelled through terror to withdraw their claim for compensation for malicious injuries can the time be afterwards extended so that the claim may come up at a later date?

I am considering that very question at the present moment.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that various candidates for election to county local authorities who are standing in opposition to Sinn Fein have been compelled to withdraw their candidature by acts and threats of violence; and what steps does he propose to take to protect these candidates in the exercise of their rights?

A number of such cases of intimidation have been reported. Police are not available to protect all candidates. Many of them live at considerable distances from police barracks, and would not desire protection. If any candidate asks for protection, it will be given as far as possible.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the Government proposes to take the Second Reading of the Irish Education Bill; and whether it is the intention of the Government, in order to relieve the financial difficulties now pressing on secondary and primary teachers, to grant immediate increases to these deserving people?

It is not possible at present to name a date for the Second Reading, or to grant immediate increases, but the matter of poorly paid teachers is under sympathetic consideration by the Chief Secretary and the Treasury, and an early decision is expected.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the Union of Assistant Mistresses in Irish Secondary Schools stating that they view with alarm the damage done to the teaching profession by the failure of the Government to keep its promise that an increased grant would be paid before the end of March last; and whether the Government intends to do anything to relieve the financial difficulties now pressing on all secondary teachers in Ireland?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The question of providing further funds depends on the passing of the Education Bill now before Parliament.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will take steps to expedite consideration by the Arbitration Board of grievances submitted by the Irish prison staff, in view of the fact that the matter was submitted in February last, and since that date no more has been heard of it?

A report was called for by the Lord Lieutenant from the General Prisons Board on several of the points raised by the Prison Officers Representative Council. This report was received on 12th instant, and is being at once examined with a view to deciding on subsequent action.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will reconsider his decision against granting 3s. pensionable allowance to the prison staff at Maryborough, in view of the fact that this amount has been granted in England, Wales, and Scotland; and that at Mary-borough the price of coal is 30s. per ton above that of Belfast, and exceeds the prices at Londonderry and Dublin by 21s. and 12s. per ton, respectively?

The introduction of the new scales of salaries for Irish prison officers which took effect as from 1st April, 1919, involved the withdrawal of the special allowance previously paid to the subordinate officers of the convict prison at Maryborough. I understand that a small weekly allowance has been granted to the officers of the English and Scottish convict prisons as a compensation for the inconvenience caused by the remote localities in which these prisons are situated. No reason is seen, however, to differentiate service at Maryborough convict prison from service at Irish local prisons on these grounds.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how long the public have been excluded from the quay at Queenstown; why they are still excluded;, whether he is aware that this is the only promenade and place of recreation on the sea-front for the inhabitants of Queenstown; and whether the quay will be reconditioned as a public promenade by the Young Men's Christian Association, who have had the use of it?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. I am informed that the Promenade Quay at Queenstown is private property, and since 1914 has been leased free of rent to the Young Men's Christian Association who erected a hut on it for the exclusive use of sailors and soldiers. The Association has, I understand, recently disposed of this hut and is now restoring the site and will presumably hand it back to the owner.

Is it a fact that the owner of this quay is quite willing that it should be again used by the townspeople, and why is it that there is all this delay so long after the Armistice?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman should address that question to the owner of the land.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will institute an immediate impartial inquiry into conditions in Wormwood Scrubs Prison, in view of the allegations made by Irish hunger-strikers that they have been assaulted and ill-treated by the warders?

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. No, Sir. All necessary inquiries regarding the allegations have been made by the Prison Authorities. The warders appear to have done their duty well and quietly in very trying circumstances.

Have any of these men who complain of ill-treatment been charged or tried with any offence under the law?

My hon. Friend knows that quite well.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the widespread publicity given to the definite charges of ill-treatment that these men make, and is he in a position to deny that there was no sort of brutality or ill-usage of these men?

Yes, I have done so.

asked whether the Government still adhere to their determination to complete land purchase in Ireland concurrently with the passing into law of the Government of Ireland Bill!

The answer is in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of their proposed legislation to complete the policy of land purchase in Ireland and for the convenience of Members of both Houses of Parliament and the public, he will reprint as a separate Paper those portions of the Report of the proceedings of the Irish Convention of 1918 (Paper Cd. 9,019) which refer to or embody the land purchase scheme recommended by that Convention, namely, his letter of the 25th February, 1918, to Sir Horace Plunket (Cd. 9,019, pp. 20–22) and Appendix IX. with its schedules and tables (Cd. 9,019, pp. 86–107)?

In view of the need for economy, I am not prepared to adopt my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion.

asked whether, on the passing of the Government of Ireland Bill into law, the Irish representatives in this House will receive a salary out of Irish or Imperial funds?

The salaries of Irish representatives in this House would be paid out of Imperial funds.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can state the Government's intentions regarding Alderman O'Brien, who was released from Wormwood Scrubs prison in order to enter a nursing home for treatment; whether Alderman O'Brien has been requested to sign a parole to the effect that, if released from custody, he will take Lo part in politics, either directly or indirectly, and will return to Wormwood Scrubs when asked to do so; whether he can explain why the suggested parole should seek to bind Alderman O'Brien to abstain from politics; and whether, in view of Alderman O'Brien's position as secretary of the Irish Labour party and Trade Union Congress, he w ill be granted unconditional release and allowed to return to his work in Ireland?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the right hon. Member to the answer given on Monday by my right hon. Friend the Attorney-General for Ireland to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for the Seaham Division of Durham. The answer to the last part of the question is that the Chief Secretary has personally gone into the question of the continuance of Alderman William O'Brien's internment, and has ordered his release.

Does the right hon. Gentleman think that there is any use whatever in laying down as a condition for any Irishman that he shall take no part in politics?

That does not arise. The answer to that part of the question was given by my right hon. Friend.

If Alderman O'Brien is released unconditionally now, why was he originally arrested?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the organisations referred to in the question are "purely political and do not represent the organised labour of Ireland?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has any information to the effect that Southpark House and Roundmoat House, County Roscommon, were burnt to the ground because the Government were making inquiries about the taking of these houses for the purpose of quartering the military?

Southpark House, Castlerea, was burnt because military occupation was suspected. Roundmoat House was not burnt.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that at a recent meeting of the Listowel Urban District Council the Chairman, Dr. O'Connor, stated that he had received a notice from Dail Eireann, which he read to the Council, to the effect that no more extracts from the Council's books were to be sent to the British Surveyor of Taxes or any information whatsoever given; that the Council made an order accordingly; that the Chairman produced a form which had been filled up to be sent to the Surveyor in Tralee, and that the Council cancelled it; and whether His Majesty's Government will permit the law of the land to be defied in this manner?

I have seen a statement in the public Press to the effect stated in the question, but the Local Government Board have received no official information from the Urban District Council on the subject. If the Council neglect or refuse to give any information required by law, proceedings will be taken.

Is there any change of policy proposed, or are matters to be allowed to drift and the intolerable situation in Ireland to continue?

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, at a recent meeting of the Dublin Corporation, a resolution was passed to the effect that this council of the elected representatives of the City of Dublin hereby acknowledges the authority of Dail Eireann as the duly elected Government of the Irish people, and undertakes to give effect to all decrees duly promulgated by the said Dail Eireann in so far as the same affects this council, and that copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Republican Minister for Foreign Affairs for transmission to the Governments of Europe and to the President and Chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

I am aware that the Dublin Corporation have passed a resolution as stated in the question. If any attempt is made to employ public money illegally proceedings will be taken.

May I ask the Leader of the House whether he would give the House a statement showing in how many parts of Ireland de facto government by His Majesty's Government has ceased to exist?

I do not think it would be easy to give such a statement. We do intend to give the House regularly a full account of the condition of Ireland.

Can the right hon. Gentleman now say when that will be produced?

I am sorry I cannot do that.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the present position with regard to the bakers' strike in Londonderry, and whether schools, hospitals and orphanages homes have been without bread for clays owing to bread supplies being held up at the railways, and if it is the intention of the Government to see that these institutions as well as the poor people do not suffer?

I regret that I am unable at short notice to give a detailed reply to this question, but I am making inquiries, and will write to my hon. Friend as soon as I am able.

asked the Prime Minister if he is now in a position to state the policy of the Government with regard to legislation to deal with cases of hardship arising from tenants of shops and business premises being deprived of their livelihood by these premises being sold over their heads, or by the demand of an excessive increase of rent on renewal of lease?

I regret that I am unable to add anything to the answer which I gave to my hon. and gallant Friend on the 22nd April.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that as far back as December last the Prime Minister, in answer to a question, said the matter was under consideration? Is there no prospect of the matter being settled after five months?

As the hon. And gallant Gentleman probably knows, the Government thought that must be dealt with by the Committee set up in regard to rents, but they decided that was outside the scope of their reference. It is now being considered by the Home Affairs Committee of the Cabinet.

Will my right hon. Friend consider it advisable to leave these matters to the ordinary law of supply and demand?

It was just because of the difficulty of finding a solution of this that we have been so long in coming to a decision. I cannot say more than that.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the railways which in August, 1918, were stated to be in construction at Castlecomer are now completed and in use; what was the cost of construction of each; to what Vote has it been charged; what are the receipts and working expenses; and what tonnage of coal has been carried by each of them from the collieries they serve

I have been asked to answer this question. The whole of the works in connection with the Castlecomer Colliery Railway is not yet completed. The line, however, has been in use for coal traffic since 15th September last. From that date to the end of February, 1920, 9,857 tons of coal passed over the railway. Definite figures in regard to receipts and expenditure are not yet available. The cost of construction has been borne on the Vote of Credit and (since 1st April, 1919) on the Railway Agreements Vote. Sums amounting to £123,807 have been paid, up to the 31st March, 1920, in monthly instalments to the contractor.

On what ground was this expenditure placed on a Vote of Credit? Is it a military operation?

That was before the coming into existence of the Ministry of Transport. All such matters were carried on Votes of Credit by the Board of Trade at the time.

Whose property will the line be when it is constructed?

I should like to have notice.

Who will defray the cost eventually? Will the owners defray the whole of the cost of getting the railway to the colliery?

Notice must be given of that question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, with a view of encouraging the development of pedigree stock, he will consider the desirability of granting to breeders special cheap return railway facilities to and from the various agricultural exhibitions.

When the deputation from the Royal Agricultural Society waited upon the Minister recently on the subject, a promise was given to them that the matter should be referred to the Rates Advisory Committee. That Committee has reported and acting upon their advice, a direction is being issued to-day to the railway companies to the effect that the concessions which were formerly granted in respect of the conveyance of livestock to and from agricultural shows are to be restored on and from next Monday. These concessions generally provide that livestock returning from a show unsold is conveyed at half rate and that attendants accompanying the livestock to the show, and the necessary provender for consumption on the journey, are conveyed free. The rates charged will be the increased rates which came into operation on the 15th January, 1920.

Will this concession apply also to stock conveyed by steamboat, and if not, why not?

This is simply the restoration of a concession and I cannot answer the question further.

asked the Prime Minister if the details of the provisional allocation of the ex-Austrian warships and ex-German destroyers can now be given; and whether the Government have any information as to what use is likely to be made of ex-enemy warships provisionally allocated to our Allies.

I have been asked to answer this question. As regards the first portion of the question, the whole matter has not been finally settled and is still under discussion. As regards the latter portion of the question, all ex-enemy men-of-war will be broken up except the five light cruisers and 10 destroyers, which will be incorporated in the French and Italian Fleets respectively, and six torpedo boats to Poland and six to Brazil for police purposes.

Will the Allies permit the Poles to use these torpedo boats in their offensive operations?

( by Private Notice ) asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if it is the case that Great Britain, France, Japan, United States and Italy are the only Powers that will have ex-enemy vessels allocated to them?

No. Other Powers, e.g., Portugal, Greece, Brazil, will receive some, but the names of the vessels cannot yet be given.

asked whether the prices of coal and bread are soon to be increased; and what is the estimated consequent rise in the cost of living?

I have been asked to answer this question. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given yesterday to a similar question by the hon. Member for the Western Isles, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government is now prepared to decide that the system of placing motors at the service of members of the Government and of officials shall definitely cease and that we shall revert to the pre-war custom by which Ministers provided their own means of locomotion, and the necessities of the service were met by hiring public vehicles when occasion demanded and charging the fare among incidental expenses; and whether, in view of the present unprecedented pressure of taxation, the taxpayer will be granted the benefit of this economy

No motor cars are now at the disposal of any Minister. A very limited number is available for use of Government Departments solely on public business, and a careful check is kept on the use made of each car. Economies have already been effected, and every care will be exercised to realise further economies as found practicable. The number and the use being made of them was recently examined by the Cabinet, which is satisfied that a greater reduction could not now be made without detriment to the public service.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the arrangement as to Ministers not being allowed to use motor cars refers to the War Office?

Yes, certainly. I am speaking from memory, but I believe a voucher has to be given for the use in every case of every car.

For the purpose of economy, would it not be possible to use cars of rather lower horse-power?

I think that is being done.

Could we not revert to the pre-war practice?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Admiralty have their own fleet of motor cars, and do not use the pool which has been organised by the Ministry of Transport?

It has been carefully considered as to whether an economy would arise by putting them into the pool. The number of cars is very small, and we came to the conclusion that there would be no economy in putting them into the pool.

How did they get on before the War without cars?

It is very natural to take that view, but the conditions have greatly changed since the War. It is our view that there is actual saving of time to be put against the additional cost.

Why should the one Department that deals with matters on the sea be the only one to keep its own cars on the land?

Can the right hon. Gentleman give a list of the cars used and state the expense to which the country is put by continuing them?

I hope the House will be satisfied with the answer I have given. We have looked closely into this matter, and it has been examined by the Treasury. The House might accept that.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the possibility that the British mandatory for Palestine and the resettlement of the Jews may involve future liabilities, both financial and military, upon the British taxpayer, no definite acceptance of the mandatory will be taken without the assent of Parliament?

The assent of Parliament is not required for the acceptance of a mandate, but the opportunities for discussing the position in Palestine will doubtless occur in connection with the Turkish Peace Treaty, out of which the proposal arises.

Must not the expenses in connection with the mandate come before Parliament, and therefore does not that, in fact, give us the right to decide?

Very likely, but there were no expenses in connection with the matter.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the reduced output of coal, high price of hunker coal, and greatly diminished export of coal are in a large measure responsible for the high price of food and other commodities in this country; that, owing to the reduced export of coal from this country to our former purchasers, coal is being brought from Australia to Continental ports at a freight of about £7 10s. per ton; that coal is being carried from the United States to Continental ports at £5 to £6 per ton freight, using vessels for the carriage of coal which otherwise would be engaged in carrying cargoes of wheat or other supplies; that the export of coal from the United Kingdom to the Argentine has practically ceased and that Argentina now obtains its supplies from the United States and South Africa; that, prior to the War, our exports *of coal to the Argentine practically paid for our imports of wheat from that country; that, owing to the cessation of exports of coal to the Argentine, tramp steamers directed by the Ministry of Shipping have now to proceed to that country in ballast, with the result that homeward freights must be higher than if they carried outward cargoes of coal, and that we have to remit gold to the Argentine in payment for foodstuffs; that, owing to shortage of coal at British coaling depots, steamers have to wait for bunkers and to pay enhanced prices; that all these delays and increased prices add to the expenses of voyages; that more men are now engaged in coal mining than in the year before the War, but that the output of coal during the past 12 months was some 50,000,000 tons less than in the year before the War; that if the output of coal could be increased to the pre-War quantity an immediate reduction in the price of food and other commodities would be obtained; and can he state what measures are being adopted to obtain this increase in the output of coal?

I have been asked to reply. I am not unmindful of the points raised by my hon. Friend which are in a large measure to be attributed to the shortage of coal in this and other countries. As I stated, in reply to a similar question by the hon. Member on Monday last, so far as it is within the power of the Government to overcome any impediment to increased output, everything possible is being done; but it is obvious that output depends primarily, not on the Government, but on the enterprise and exertions of owners and men.

Is the hon. Member not aware that an abundant supply of cheap coal is essential to the national prosperity, and will the Government do something towards obtaining that?

I am aware of that.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the Ministry of Labour propose to erect a new Employment Exchanges in Hanover Street, Liverpool, and that the City Council has protested against the same as being useless and a waste of public money, more especially at a time when labour and materials are so urgently required for building dwelling houses; whether he is aware that Employment Exchanges generally have proved practically useless and a needless waste of public money; and whether he will, in the interests of national economy, which is so urgently needed, consider the abolition of all Employment Exchanges and their costly staffs?

I received this morning a communication from my hon. Friend the Member for the Edgehill Division conveying to me the view of the Health Committee of the City Council of Liverpool in opposition to the erection of I this building.

It is the undoubted fact that the existing accommodation is unsuitable and inadequate, and I gather that strong representations have been made to us on several occasions upon the matter by the local Employment Committee. However, I had already arranged to go personally through all these proposals for new buildings and extensions of existing buildings, set forth in the Estimates for 1920–21 before the close of the present week.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the views expressed in this question are generally held, and is he also aware that some of his colleagues on the Bench agree with them?

Was it not understood that before any of these Labour Exchanges were built the subject would come up for discussion?

Yes, that will be carried out. I have said that I will personally examine the proposals.

asked the Prime Minister what are the principles -that have influenced the Supreme Council in refusing to allow homogeneous areas in Hungary to have a voice in their future?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to his question on the same subject of the 6th May.

asked whether America has yet replied to the invitation of the Supreme Council to her to accept a mandatory for Armenia?

The answer is in the negative.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can make any statement as to the arrangements for the meeting of the Spa Conference; and whether it has been decided to fix the date of the meeting at a time subsequent to the forthcoming German elections?

A final decision has not been taken, and I understand that the subject will be discussed by M. Millerand and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister.

asked whether Great Britain has any consular representative in Montenegro or Albania; and, if not, whether it is possible to obtain any reliable information with regard to events in those countries?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative, but I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given on the 10th instant to a question asked by the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley.

Why is it that in view of the fact that we have consular representatives in small countries like Latvia and Lithuania, there are no consular representatives in Albania or Montenegro?

In view of the fact that we kept representatives in Albania when there was nothing of importance being done, why should we withdraw them in the present very critical conditions?

There was no sinister purpose in doing it. They were withdrawn automatically.

Were they not withdrawn by the Foreign Office?

I should like notice of that question.

What is there for a consul to do in this liliputian principality

asked the Prime Minister whether His Majesty's Government has reached a decision regarding the ownership of and royalties on oil deposits in Great Britain; whether he proposes to permit fresh vested interests to be created in favour of landowners below whose land oil may be discovered; and when he intends to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative and to the second in the negative. With regard to the third part, a Bill has been drafted and is at the moment receiving the consideration of His Majesty's Government.

asked the Prime Minister whether the British naval and military mission in the Caspian and Caucasus area has fallen into the hands of the Soviet forces; and whether he can give the House any information as to the present position of affairs in this area?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer my Noble Friend to the answers given on this subject on Tuesday last. As regards the general situation in the Caucasus, the Azerbaijan Soviet Government is in touch with the Russian Soviet and the Turkish Nationalists. It is not clear to what extent it represents the population of the country.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether we are in diplomatic relations with this Republic, and, if so, whether it is in our power to do anything on behalf of the naval or military officers?

I understand my Noble Friend put a question to the Admiralty as to the facts. Perhaps he will put another question down.

Is it proposed to commence hostilities against Azerbijan, and, if so, will this House be consulted?

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will say if the missions to Russia and Hungary, composed of representatives of organised labour, to inquire into the working of communist and collectivist forms of government receive no financial or other assistance from the Government, and are under taken at the expense and on the responsibility of the British trades union movement alone?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative and to the second in the affirmative.

asked the Prime Minister if cases of malpractice, or of undesirable circumstances in the administration of the State, should be brought to the notice of the Government by hon. Members when there are strong grounds for believing in their existence; and will he state what steps hon. Members can take to get their representations in such cases proved to be true or false?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the last that the first step would naturally be to obtain from the Government Department concerned a statement as to the facts.

In dealing with the heads of a Government Department what can be done to make sure that a decision given on the facts is really impartial? How can we make sure that an adjudication is given on the basis that the whole facts are dispassionately examined?

What I suggested—and I think it a natural course to advise—was that before questions are put in this House, hon. Members should ask the Department what the facts are.

asked whether any deaths have occurred among persons imprisoned by the Government without charge or trial either before or after release; and whether the Government have decided to have the circumstances of such arrests examined by any independent judicial body?

No case has occurred of a death in consequence of imprisonment by the Government without charge or trial. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that a death occurred recently in Ireland which was almost directly caused by imprisonment, and was so found by the verdict of a coroner's jury?

The man in question died after an operation for appendicitis. In any case he was a convicted prisoner.

Was not he a perfectly healthy man when arrested?

Does the Government intend to have an investigation by independent judges, and, if so, when?

As soon as it can be arranged we shall give the names of the judges.

asked on what date the Financial and Economic Conference summoned by the League of Nations is to meet?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave on this subject yesterday. The exact date has not yet been communicated to His Majesty's Government.

Is it the intention to use the influence of the Government to have this Financial Conference postponed until the Spa Conference has met?

We will take no action of the kind.