asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if any representation has been made to the Dutch Government in regard to the transfer of the ex-Hamburg-American ss. "Johann Heinrich Buchart" to the Royal Holland-Lloyd Line, which ship is advertised to sail from Plymouth on the 21st instant under the name of "Lim burgia"?

His Majesty's Minister at the Hague informed the Netherlands Government on 15th March, 1919, that His Majesty's Government did not recognise the validity of the sale of this vessel to Holland, and on 4th November, 1919, a Note was addressed by the Supreme Council to the Netherland Government stating that the principal Allied and Associated Powers could not recognise the property right to this vessel by the Dutch company interested. As the hon. Member is aware, the case is under the consideration of the Reparation Commission.

Can the British Government take any action to see that this vessel is not lost to this country?

That matter has been considered, but the question is now in charge of the Reparation Commission, and I do not think that His Majesty's Government can take any independent action.

When will the Report be ready, and can no action be taken meanwhile by the British Government?

I should not like to answer that offhand, but I think not.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can issue a White Paper showing the best available information as to the effect of the War upon the populations of the various European countries, showing particularly the numbers of war casualties and other deaths, and the decline in the number of births?

I understand from the authorities in this country who study these matters, that there is not yet sufficient information available to render it possible to contemplate the issue of a White Paper on the subject. A series of publications have, I believe, been pre- pared by a Danish writer, Mr. C. Doring, and copies have been obtained by the Royal Statistical Society, who would doubtless be pleased to permit the hon. Member to consult them, on application.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information regarding the situation at Moscow and Kieff.

His Majesty's Government have received no information beyond that which has been published in the Press.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state the present position in Eastern Siberia and the relations between the Japanese and Russian Soviet Governments?

With regard to the first part of the question, the withdrawal of British officials, civil and military, from the interior, has rendered us dependent for information upon the British Consul-General at Vladivostock. It appears that, owing to collisions between Japanese and Russians, Japanese troops have been sent to reinforce their garrisons in Eastern Siberia; and that in certain towns the Japanese military authorities are in partial control. The Zemstvo Government, however, is still in power at Vladivostock, and, so far as we are aware, no change has been made in the civil administration of the country. What the exact relations are between the Japanese and Russian Soviet Governments at this moment, we have no means of knowing.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, considering that officers of the Indian Army were deprived by the War Office of half their staff allowance after the first two months of captivity as prisoners of war solely on the ground that they received a higher rate of pay than British service officers, and that it has now been proved that these Indian Army officers did not receive a higher rate of pay than British service officers, he will cancel the Order issued under misapprehension and give the Indian Army officer prisoners of war the full pay that they are entitled to?

As I informed the hon. and gallant Member on the 9th March, I can add nothing to the previous replies on this subject.

Does that mean that the War Office, with premeditation, are trying to deprive these officers of the pay to which they are entitled?

I cannot add anything to the answer.

asked whether the King's Regulations, Paragraph 133, Subparagraph 7, is still in force and was so during the War; and, if so, why did the Army Council refuse promotion to an officer in whose case that Regulation had not been complied with?

Sub-paragraph 7 of Paragraph 133, King's Regulations, was still in force during the War. In the case of the officer referred to promotion was not refused on account of any specific adverse report. His qualifications for promotion were carefully considered along with those of other officers in the Army Medical Service and Royal Army Medical Corps, by a selection board on two occasions, who arrived at the decision that this officer could not be promoted to higher rank.

asked the Secretery of State for War whether he has received a request to receive a deputation from over GO chambers of commerce, municipalities, and local authorities in connection with the activities of the Navy and Army Canteens Board; and whether he can state what reply he proposes to make to this request?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and I have already written to the Noble Lord suggesting a date for the deputation.

asked what financial assistance the Navy and Army Canteens Board has received from the Government since its inauguration in the way of loans, bank guarantees, or monetary advances.

Loans to the extent of £3,000,000 at interest were issued to the Navy and Army Canteens Board. These loans were temporary and have since been repaid.

At what rate of interest were these loans made?

I cannot say without notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War the names of the persons constituting the Committee appointed to inquire into the operation of the Navy and Army Canteen Board; what is the scope of their reference; are they confining their inquiries to official sources of information; and, pending the Report of this Committee, will he give instructions to the Canteen Board to prevent any further extension of their activities in the direction of Government trading?

The Committee consists of the Financial Secretary to the War Office, the Quartermaster-General, the Deputy-Chief of the Imperial General Staff, and the Suveyor-General of Supply, and representatives of the Navy and the Air Force. It has been appointed to consider what are the best arrangements for the conduct of canteen business in the future and does not propose to limit itself to official sources of information. There is no intention of extending the scope of canteen trading pending the Committee's Report.

Are we to understand that it is not the intention of the War Office to compete in any way with private traders?

I do not know that that would be quite correct. There is a certain competition so far as soldiers are concerned. It is intended to supply the soldiers.

But not civilians?

Only civilians on the approved list.

As this reference to the Committee involves a very important question of State trading, could not the right hon. Gentleman improve the basis of the Committee by adding some Members of this House with business training?

The hon. Member must give notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the Navy and Army Canteen Board use Government motor lorries for the despatch of their goods; and, if so, whether a similar privilege will be accorded to the trades with which they are in competition?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative and the second part does not therefore arise.

asked what plans are contemplated for marking and tending the graves of British soldiers who died in captivity in Germany during the War?

The Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries have an organisation in Germany which is inquiring into the condition of British graves in that country. They report that, as far as their experience goes, the graves are well cared for. The work of registration, identification ands marking is proceeding in accordance with the universal system of the Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries, but is necessarily somewhat retarded by the conditions prevailing in Germany.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that, notwithstanding the repeated promises made by the War Office that permission to purchase discharge would be granted from the 1st of this month, the Northern Command had not on the 8th instant received the necessary orders to proceed with the granting of such discharges; and will he state how soon such orders will reach the various depots?

Orders were issued by telegram to all Commands on the 1st instant that discharge by purchase was re-opened from that date, and the Royal Warrant fixing the amounts to be paid was issued on the 5th May.

Seeing that the regimental depot had not received them on the 15th inst., will it be possible to issue the orders so that discharges may take place?

The orders have been issued. If the hon. Gentleman will give me any information as to the orders being delayed I will be obliged to him.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a letter from the Commandant of the Richmond depot dated the 8th, stating that he had not received the order?

It will greatly facilitate the matter if the hon. Gentleman will put himself into communication with the War Office on the subject.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that I have written him on the subject, and I have not had a reply?

No. I hope that my hon. Friend will bear with me, and I will endeavour to reply to him.

asked the Secretary of State for War how long it takes for an enlisted man to obtain his discharge by purchase; and if he is aware that Roy Vernon F. Balten, No. 622,011, 1st Reserve Battalion Royal Engineers, Chatham, on the 28th April applied for his discharge by purchase, having enlisted under a misunderstanding as to the conditions, and that no notice has up to now been taken of such application, and in consequence of the condition and the cold in the barracks he has been in hospital for the last fortnight?

There should be no undue delay now that the necessary orders have been issued. I am inquiring into the particular case which the hon. and gallant Member has brought to my notice.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that on 29th June last L.R. No. 9,385, Dennis Stevens, whilst in a drunken state driving an Army motor lorry at Ramsgate, col- lided with a motor cycle and sidecar driven by Mr. W. J. Hitchman, of Thornton Heath; that owing to his injuries Mr. Hitchman was unable to attend to business for nearly eight months and is still suffering from the effects of a compound fracture of the leg; and that his wife sustained the permanent loss of sight in her left eye and is still suffering from injuries to the head, while his child, also a passenger, has had the use of both hands impaired; whether he is aware that Stevens was subsequently sentenced at the Sandwich quarter sessions to nine months' imprisonment and that, on the ground that at the time of the accident the Army lorry was being joy-ridden, the authorities have hitherto refused any compensation to Mr. Hitchman; and whether, in the circumstances, he can see his way to recommend an ex gratia payment to this family?

The hon. Member no doubt refers to an accident caused by a Dennis-Stevens lorry, driven by a Private Morrison who took out the lorry in contravention of orders. The question is under consideration, and I regret I am unable to make any statement at present.

asked the Secretary of State for War if a fan for dispersing poison gas, invented by Mrs. Ayrton, was offered by her to the War Office in May, 1915; if it was rejected without having been seen by the Experiments Committee; when was it approved and adopted by the War Office; and how many had been supplied at the date of the Armistice?

In May, 1915, Mrs. Ayrton offered to the War Office a fan which she had specially designed for the purpose of repelling gas attacks. She was given every facility for demonstrating the efficacy of her invention, though the opinion was expressed by the scientific advisors of the War Office that the fan was not likely to prove of value for the purpose suggested. The proposal was brought to the notice of the Experiments Committee in France in an indirect manner in the beginning of August, 1915, and this committee, being quite unaware that a sample fan existed, or that it was being tested in this country, expressed an unfavourable opinion on it.

Subsequently trials under service conditions proved conclusively that the fan was worse than useless against a gas attack. It was found, however, that the invention might be useful at the front for a secondary and less important purpose not originally intended of clearing dugouts and trenches after a gas-cloud had passed, and it was accordingly adopted in February of 1916. The first issues to the service were made on 6th April, 1916. The total number supplied was 104,000.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all Regular officers retired on account of wounds received during the present War are entitled to a minimum retired pay equal to the half-pay of their rank in accordance with Royal Warrant 1914, paragraph 564; and, if so, whether this half-pay is reckoned in accordance with Army Order 324, Table XV., of September, 1919?

I have been asked to reply. The Government accepted the recommendation of the Select Committee on Pensions that officers retired on account of wounds, or their disabilities due to service in the Great War, should be entitled to draw, as minimum retired pay, the half-pay of their rank, without any additions. Half-pay will be reckoned in accordance with the scale laid down in the Army Order referred to, and (in accordance with the recommendation of the Select Committee) officers drawing wound pensions will, under the revised Warrant which will shortly be issued, receive the 1914 Warrant rates plus wound pension, or such rate as, when added to the wound pension, will make up the new rate of half-pay or any higher rate of retired pay for which they may be eligible.

Are we to understand that the intention of the Government is altered and that the Ministry of Pensions deals with the retired pay of officers and not the War Office? Cannot I have a suitable answer, "Yes" or "No," to both parts of my question, either from the War Office or the Ministry of Pensions?

The answer given is an absolute statement of facts. If there is any point about which my hon. and gallant Friend is not clear perhaps he will inform me.

May I have an answer, "Yes" or "No," to the first part of the question?

All questions cannot be answered "Yes" or "No."

asked the Secretary of State for War when he intends, in accordance with his promise, to circulate to the House information as to the schemes in operation for education in the Army at Home and the Army of Occupation?

A Report is being prepared, and I hope shortly to lay it upon the Table of the House.

asked the Secretary of State for War the number of officers, with their respective ranks, above the rank of colonel who have been demobilised since the Armistice, also the number of officers below that rank who have been demobilised in the same period?

Since the Armistice the following officers above the rank of colonel have been retired: 6 Generals, 18 Lieut.-Generals, 73 Major-Generals, and, in addition, 2 Major-Generals have died. The total number of officers released from the Army up to the 15th May was 162,453.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will give the number of officers, with their respective ranks, above the rank of colonel employed at the War Office; and the total annual amount of their pay and allowances?

The number of officers employed at the War Office in posts above those pertaining to the rank of colonel is:

asked the Secretary of State for War why, in view of the fact that all conscripts have now been demobilised, men who voluntarily enlisted are still retained in the Army?

Orders were issued in March for the despatch from their station or theatre of war by 31st March for demobilisation of all men serving on duration of War engagements, subject to the necessary transport being available, with the exception of those who:

asked the Secretary of State for War if steps will be taken by granting pensions either after slightly reduced length of service or at a somewhat earlier age to induce the retirement of senior officers whose chances of further promotion are extremely slight, and thus absorb a considerable number of those junior to them who are at present surplus to the establishment?

This question is receiving full consideration.

asked the Secretary of State for War how many officers of the Regular Army there are surplus to the establishment; how many of them are on half-pay; whether he can say how many retired, Special Reserve, Territorial, and temporary officers are still being employed; what is the approximate annual cost of such officers; and whether, in view of the fact that over 18 months have elapsed since the Armistice, drastic steps will be taken to reduce such employed officers?

I am having this information prepared, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as I am in a position to give him a detailed answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the special demands on our consideration of the ex-service men, he will reconsider his decision as to the pay of ex-service clerks in the War Office who are under 21 and who have fought in the War, and will give them the same rate of pay as if they were over 21?

As I explained in the answer I gave my hon. Friend on the 11th of this month, the War Office in this matter follows the rule prescribed for the public service generally, and I am afraid I am not in a position to depart from it.

Would it not be possible to treat these men who have fought in the War on a somewhat different footing from civilians who have never fought?

Any question regarding that should be addressed to the Treasury.

Will my right hon. Friend bring the case of these ex-service men to the notice of the Treasury?

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he can state how many women and how many discharged soldiers are being employed in the offices of the Ministry of Pensions in the Regent's Park hutments?

The total number of women and ex-service men employed in the Regent's Park huts is 4,368 and 10, respectively. It should be explained that the Pension Issue Office, which is partly accommodated at Regent's Park, is, in the main, a woman's branch of the Ministry.

Will my hon. and gallant Friend say why it is not possible to give employment to some of the thousands of ex-service men who are now out of work, in place of these women?

Preference is given in all male employments to ex-service men, and the number on the male staff of the Ministry of Pensions who are ex-service men is 91 per cent.

Is there any particular work that these women do that ex-service men could not equally well do?

I will consider that.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any ex-service men have been promised small holdings on the farm of Maryfield, upon the Terregles estate; and whether, in the event of this particular farm not being available for small holdings, adequate compensation will be paid to these applicants for any loss they may sustain owing to the purchase of equipment and stock preparatory to entry on the 28th May?

The reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. I am informed that one of the applicants, through some misunderstanding, made certain arrangements involving vacation of his present house at this term in anticipation of his selection by the Board of Agriculture for Scotland. While no responsibility attaches to the Board, I understand that they are in a position to obviate any inconvenience to the applicant on account of his action by offering him a house and holding on Maryfield.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state for what reason it is necessary that British troops should be kept in touch with the Armenian Republic in the Caucasus; whether the camp at Bakouba, in Asia Minor, is still maintained; and, if so, for how long it is intended that Great Britain should be protector-general of the Armenians, wherever dwelling, and for whatever reason at variance with their neighbours?

As regards the first part of the question, according to Clause 11 of the Turkish Armistice, which still obtains, Turkish troops had to withdraw behind the pre-war Russo-Turkish frontier. Recent information shows that the Turks are infringing this Clause of the Armistice, and it is necessary that the Allies should be kept informed of the movement of Turkish troops towards Persia. There are no Allied troops in Caucasian Armenia. As regards the remainder of the question, I have nothing to add to the answer given to the hon. Member yesterday on this subject.

What prospect is there of this continuous expenditure, coming to an end? Is not the position being established that the Armenians are perpetual protégés of the British taxpayer?

No one is more anxious to be lightened of this burden, which adds nothing to the strength of the British Army and comes on the War Office Estimates to a very large extent, than I am.

Do I understand from the right hon Gentleman that our troops are under an obligation to maintain the integrity of the Persian frontier?

I cannot he expected to answer a question like that without notice. Full notice should be given and the question should be addressed to my right hon. Friend.

asked the Prime Minister if he will state when the present military administration in Palestine will be superseded by civil administration; and when the publication of the name of the new High Commissioner in Palestine may be expected.

I cannot give any precise date in answer to the hon. Member, but a civil administration will be set up as soon as possible. It must be remembered that the exact form of mandate for Palestine has not yet been approved.

Am I to understand from that Civil Administration will not come into operation until the mandate has actually been drafted and agreed upon?

I think not. Obviously we cannot take definite steps until the Treaty has been accepted.

asked the Prime Minister whether the terms of the mandates for Tanganyika territory, Togoland, and Cameroons will be decided by the next meeting of the Supreme Council of the Allies at Spa, and then submitted forthwith to the Council of the League of Nations, in order that the civil administration and commercial development of these territories may be commenced without further delay?

I hope that it may be possible to decide this question at one of the forthcoming meetings of the Supreme Council. The instruments defining the terms of these mandates would then be submitted to the Council of the League of Nations with as little delay as possible.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Supreme Council, and not the League, is the proper authority for drafting these mandates?

That is in the Treaty.

Have any steps been taken to ascertain the view of the notables as to their wishes in accordance with the pledges of the Prime Minister in January last?

Will arrangements be made for a representative of the Foreign Office to attend the next meting of the Supreme Council?

That does not arise out of the question.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will state what is the estimated cost of the removal of the necessary machinery from the Royal Gunpowder Factory to Gretna, the instalment of this machinery at Gretna, and the necessary alterations of buildings to receive this machinery?

I would refer the hon. Member to my written reply on the 5th instant to the hon. and gallant Member for Epping.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will state the rate of pay and allowances to an adjutant of the Territorial Army; whether it varies according to rank; and whether officers of the Regular Army and officers of the Territorial Army are treated on the same footing in this respect?

Regular officers appointed adjutants of the Territorial Force receive the ordinary pay and allowances of their substantive rank with additional pay at the rate of 2s. 6d. a day where provided in the pay warrant. The rate of pay and allowances varies with the rank held. Territorial Force officers duly appointed to the full-time appointment of adjutant receive the same emoluments as Regular officers so appointed.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been drawn to the position of certain tenants, some of whom are ex-service men, of houses at Georgetown, Renfrew-shire, and who are under notice to quit on the 28th May; and will he state what action he proposes to take in these cases?

I am calling for a report and will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to a case of business premises in Glasgow where 24 tenants have received notice of an increase in rent ranging from 100 per cent. to over 300 per cent., the tenants being required to do all repairs; whether he is aware that such increases are often preceded by the sale of the property at greatly inflated values, the vendor escaping all Excess Profits Duty and Unearned Increment Duty; whether he is aware that this practice is producing a crisis in the business world, and is driving out of business many of the smaller men to the advantage of firms which command large capital; and whether the Government proposes to take any steps to bring such cases within the scope either of the Rent Restriction Act or the Profiteering Act?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, I regret that it is not yet possible to make any statement.

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered that as these instances are not isolated, but represent a general practice, such general practice constitutes a special emergency?

I am sorry I cannot add anything to what I said before. As regard this question, there are great difficulties, and we are considering them.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to a case in Cambuslang in which a tenant has received notice to quit a house containing a sitting-room, two bedrooms, and a, kitchen, occupied by himself and his wife and three children, in order to admit a new tenant with his wife and no children, and in which the alternative accommodation offered is a sitting-room, one bedroom, and a kitchen in a tenement in the city; whether the tenant is protected by existing legislation; and, if not, whether a Clause to protect the tenant in such a case will be included in the forthcoming Rent Restriction Bill?

The case referred to has been brought to the notice of my right hon. Friend, but there is nothing in the information received to show that the protection afforded by the existing Statutes has proved inadequate.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware of the consternation that has been created in the business centre of Glasgow in consequence of the action of owners of business properties having increased rents varying in some cases from 100 to 400 per cent.; whether he is aware that these increases are general, and that many of the tenants of these premises have been in occupancy during the past 40 or 50 years, and are now threatened with extinction; whether it is the intention of his Department of the Government to allow this system to continue; and, if not, whether he will introduce legislation immediately, limiting the power of owners of this class of property to either sell or increase the rents of these busi- ness premises, in the same manner as is provided in the Rent Restrictions Act applying to occupants of dwelling-houses?

Cases of the kind referred to have been brought to the notice of the Scottish Office. I regret I am not in a position as yet to supplement the statements made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary for Scotland in the course of Debate on Friday last.

Would it not have been better that these men should have been here on Thursday night to have dealt with it, instead of taking up the time of the Rouse now?

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, excluding the burghs of Peebles and Innerleithen, out of a total of 1,043 working-class houses in the County of Peebles, 57 are let to people who occupy them as summer quarters only, these houses being closed during the winter months; whether he can give the figures for South Midlothian; and whether the Government will take immediate steps to secure that these houses will be available for working people until the requisite number of houses are built?

I understand that the position in the County of Peebles is substantially as stated in the first part of the question. As regards South Midlothian, I have not exact figures, but am informed that out of approximately 4,800 working-class houses about 86 are occupied only during the summer months. I may remind my right hon. Friend that local authorities have power under Sections 11 and 29 of the Rousing and Town Planning (Scotland) Act, 1919, to acquire such houses. The Scottish Board of Health are prepared to consider any proposals put before them by local authorities for this purpose.

Will my hon. Friend give directions to the local authorities where similar conditions obtain to those indicated in the question—and is he not aware that there are many such—to take action under the Act that he has suggested?

I am aware there is a number of cases, and I will bring the right hon. Gentleman's question to the notice of my right hon. Friend.

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that it is a crying evil in other parts of Scotland too, and will he issue similar instructions in every case?

asked the Minister of Health whether, for the past 30 years, it has been the invariable practice in London to bed sewers in concrete, both above and below; and whether, on the ground of economy, he is objecting to, this necessary precaution being taken on the housing estate of the London County Council at Roehampton?

My right hon. Friend the Minister of Health is advised that the bedding of sewers in concrete is only necessary, in special circumstances, and he has therefore suggested that it should be dispensed with, except when these special circumstances exist.

Have the London County Council made any representations upon this matter, and do you still ignore them?

The question is still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Health what has been the cost of the editorial and clerical work upon the 21 numbers issued of the fortnightly official journal, "Housing," and the cost of the paper used, in addition to the £1,110 spent upon printing; how many persons are engaged upon this editorial and clerical work, whole or part time; and what are they paid?

It is difficult to arrive at a definite figure for the editorial and clerical work in connection with "Housing," as this is carried out by officials, all of whom, with the exception of one clerk at 59s. a week, are engaged for most of their time on other work. Including a proportion of the salaries of other officials, an outside figure for the cost of editorial and clerical work would be £28 per issue for the first six issues, when the editorial work was much heavier until the preparation of the journal had been well established, and £10 per issue for the subsequent issues. My right hon. Friend is informed that the total cost of the paper for the 21 issues was £440.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say who is responsible for the expressions of opinion which are made in these journals issued by Government Departments?

No, Sir, I am afraid I cannot.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman inform the Rouse what is the circulation of these publications?

I must have notice of that.

Can the hon. and gallant Gentleman say the number employed in producing it?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he can state why a conference recently took place in Berlin between General Mannerheim and the British Military Mission; and whether any arrangement, official or unofficial, has been made by the Government or officers of this Majesty's Army as a result of this conference?

No such conference has taken place, and the last part of the question does not therefore arise.

May I ask whether, when General Mannerheim arrives here, there will be any conference with him at the War Office?

I have no idea of the course that will be followed in future. It would be impossible to attempt to forecast it in any way.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what arrangements have been made in accordance with promises given to enable the wives of non-commis- sioned officers and men serving in the Royal Air Force in Egypt to join their husbands; and whether accommodation is provided in that country?

As stated in the reply given on the 9th March (OFFICIAL REPORT, Col. 1080) to the hon. and gallant Member for North Bradford, the question of a Married Establishment for the Royal Air Force is under consideration, and efforts are being made to obtain a decision as soon as possible.

The matter has already been a very long time under consideration, and the delay is causing very great inconvenience to those concerned. Will the right hon. Gentleman hasten things?

I will do my best.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether there is any intention on the part of the Government to observe secrecy in the matter of the Handley-Page wing improvement, or whether any facts in possession of the Government will be made public for the benefit of aviation in all countries?

The invention in question is a private one, and is the property of the Handley-Page Company. Such information regarding the design as is in the possession of the Air Ministry was communicated by the firm confidentially, and I am not prepared to take the step which the hon. and gallant Member suggests.

asked the Home Secretary how many convictions have taken place in the Metropolitan police area for infringement of the Motor Car Acts, when no danger was alleged, during the period January to the end of April, 1920; how many in which danger was alleged; and how many cases of murder, assault, and theft have been brought to the notice of the police in the same area during the same period in which the criminals have not been apprehended and brought to justice?

During the four months there were 5,511 prosecutions under the Motor Car Acts and Orders. It is impossible without reviewing the evidence in each case to say how many were cases of actual and how many of only possible danger, but I may say that 362 were charges of reckless, negligent, or dangerous driving or of failing to stop at the request of a police officer in uniform. In the same period there was only one case of murder in which no arrest has been made, besides three cases of death caused in procuring abortion. There were 414 cases of larceny in which no arrest has been made. I am sorry I can give no figures of assaults not followed by prosecution.

How many convictions have been recorded against the hon. and gallant Member who put the question?

I require notice of that question.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how many murders have been committed by motorists exceeding the speed limit in the area and during the period mentioned?

I do not know.

asked the Rome Secretary whether the police force are employed outside the Metropolitan area in endeavouring to time the speed of motor vehicles; and, if so, if he can state how many were so employed on Saturday the 8th instant?

All police forces are concerned in enforcing the law limiting the speed of motor vehicles, but I am quite unable to say how many of them were specially engaged on this duty at a particular time.

asked the Home Secretary whether he has received a letter addressed to him by the hon. Member for North Tipperary complaining of the ill-treatment of certain of the Irish prisoners in Wormwood Scrubs prison on the 26th and 27th April, 1920; whether he has investigated the complaints; and whether he has any statement to make?

I have received the letter to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The allegations it contained have been inquired into by the prison authorities. I have nothing to add to my reply of last Thursday to the hon. Member for the Hemsworth Division.

Are we to understand that the allegations made by the hon. Member for North Tipperary (Mr. J. MacDonagh) are without foundation?

I told my hon. and gallant Friend' that on Thursday last.

Have the Government yet decided when the judicial inquiry into the circumstances of these arrests will take place?

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the report of the hon. and gallant Gentleman opposite to the Member for North Tipperary about these prisoners when they were playing billiards in the prison?

In reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith, I cannot give a definite answer, but we are taking immediate steps to set up the court.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is acquainted with the constitution, objects, and organisation of the Irish Republican Brotherhood; whether he can state who is the president of that body and who are the members of its Supreme Council; and what action has been taken by the Government to prevent the carrying out of its murderous designs?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not in a position to state who is at present the head of the organisation, or who are the Supreme Council. The police authorities both in England and Ireland are taking all steps in their power to prevent the carrying out of their designs.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the attention of the Government has been called to an article by Dr. Daniel Cohalan, Roman Catholic bishop of Cork in the "Cork Examiner" newspaper, of 30th April; and whether, seeing that it is in effect an appeal to Sinn Fein to stop murdering policemen and to devote attention to prominent Unionists, he will say what action is to be taken in regard to this incitement to crime?

I have read the article referred to. It was a very direct and sincere denunciation of the murders of policemen, and I do not think that the reference in it to Unionists suggests the sinister motive which my hon. Friend sees in it.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is now in a position to state the result of the further correspondence regarding 11 first-class warders in the Irish prison service who have been without any increase in pay since April, 1916, and whose case, it was stated by the General Prisons Board, was under consideration in April, 1919?

The Treasury have ruled that they are unable to modify their decision in regard to the authorised scale for Class I. Warders (Grade II.), 48s. by Is. to 56s. per week, as they cannot agree to a higher maximum being assigned than that granted to officers employed on ' similar duties in the English Prisons Service. The Treasury agree to officers now in the grade retaining their present scales with allowances on re-grading under the new scales in any case in which the officer's present remuneration exceeds that to which he would be entitled under the new scheme.

asked the Rome Secretary whether he will ascertain from the Advisory Committee appointed under the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act, 1919, the principles on which they act in granting or refusing applications from deported Germans with British-born wives or children to return to this country; whether, in considering these applications, they take into account the probability of the returned Germans competing in business and employment with British-born subjects and ex-service men; and whether he will inform the Rouse of the results of his inquiries?

I have consulted the Advisory Committee on this question and the Chairman permits me to say that the answer to the second paragraph is in the affirmative, and that the Committee consider also all the merits of the cases, including such questions as the present means of livelihood of the British-born wives and children and the risk of their falling on the rates if the husband and father cannot return to support them.

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell me that the return to this country of hundreds of these deported Germans will not interfere with the business or employment of British-born persons?

The Chairman authorises me to say that he is doing his best to pre, vent anything of the kind.

asked the Prime Minister, (1) whether the Government has yet decided what action it will take against those Germans now in its hands and charged with adopting methods contrary to the usages of war;

(2) whether he can now make any further statement as to the trial of those German camp commandants charged with brutality to our prisoners of war?

asked the Prime Minister what progress has been made in the arrangements for the trial at Leipzig of the German war criminals; and when those trials are likely to commence.

I can add nothing to replies which I gave yesterday to similar questions.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has received a resolution from the directors of the Carlisle Central Conservative Club Company, Limited, calling upon the Government to take whatever steps are necessary for the cancellation of the order of 12th February, 1920, issued by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), and to see that in the contemplated Licensing Act the people of Carlisle and district are not subjected to any restrictions that do not apply to the rest of the United Kingdom, and repudiating the statement made to the effect that the people of Carlisle are on the whole very well satisfied with the action of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), as unjustified and based upon the reports and opinions of interested parties and not upon the true facts; and, if so, what has been the disposal of such resolution?

The answer is in the affirmative.

What was the disposal of it?

The disposal of it was that it was carefully read.

asked the Prime Minister why the restrictions, imposed as a war-time measure, forbidding delivery of beer, wines, or spirits before 12 noon by means of a basket or truck, but permitting delivery by motor or horse-drawn vehicle during that time, forbidding family brewers and wine merchants to collect cash from customers for excisable liquors supplied, forbidding them to accept cash on delivery for excisable liquors supplied, forbidding them to despatch any excisable liquors unless they have been previously ordered at the licensed premises only, forbidding them to take from a customer a repeat order When delivering excisable liquors to him, forbidding them to call upon customers to obtain orders or to collect cash for excisable liquors sold, and forbidding them to supply customers with order forms are still in existence; and when are they going to be removed?

I cannot, add anything to previous answers on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any knowledge of a convention signed between Poland and the Ukraine under which, as a basis for joint action against the Bolsheviks, Poland is to have an outlet to the Black Sea and virtual control of the railroads through the wheat country, and in return she pledges military support to the Ukraine for a period of 10 years; and whether the Government can accordingly see its way to instructing the British representative on the Council of the League of Nations to refer the matter to the Council at its next meeting, in view of the menace to the peace of the world?

The terms of the agreement which has been signed between Poland and the Ukraine have not been communicated to His Majesty's Government, who are not, therefore, in a position to take a decision in the sense suggested.

May I ask whether His Majesty's diplomatic representatives in Poland are not provided with the information, and how is it that the Government is so ignorant of the position of affairs there?

That is hardly fair to His Majesty's representative in Poland, as the two countries have declined to make it public.

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any knowledge of a Treaty between the Border States from the Arctic Ocean to the Black Sea under which Poland, as a compensation for her help, is to receive East Galicia; and whether the Government can accordingly see its way to instructing the British representative on the Council of the League of Nations to refer the matter to the Council at its next meeting, in view of the menace to the peace of the world involved in this proposed breach of the rights of nationality?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether any surplus stores or munitions have been disposed of to the Polish Government; and, if so, how and in what form payment is being made for them?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House on this subject yesterday.

May I ask a reply to the very simple question, "how and in what form payment is being made for them"?

I have already told the hon. Gentleman I can add nothing to the reply given by the Leader of the House.

Yes, but may I ask why the right hon. Gentleman refuses; as it is, I do not think it is against the public interest?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his statement that he is adopting the Report of the Income Tax Commission means that the new provisions, or any of them, are to take effect in this present financial year ending March, 1921?

The recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax, which are embodied in the Finance Bill now before Parliament, are intended to take effect for the present Income Tax year of assessment commencing on the 6th April, 1920. These recommendations deal with the system of differentiation and graduation, of the Income Tax and the question of Double Income Tax within the Empire. As regards the various other recommendations of the Royal Commission which it has not been possible to deal with in the Bill, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply (a copy of which I am sending him) which I gave on this subject to the hon. Member for the Wallasey Division on the 6th instant.

Is a Bill to be introduced on the subject this year?

I have answered that.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of paragraph 308 of the Report of the Royal Commission on Income Tax which recommends that premises owned and occupied by a charitable body be exempt from taxation, he can see his way to give immediate effect to this recommendation, and thereby relieve many struggling charitable institutions from a very heavy burden?

I cannot see my way to deal in advance of the Revenue Bill, which it is proposed to submit to Parliament at a later stage, with the particular recommendation to which my hon. Friend refers or with other recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Income Tax which are not already being dealt with in the Budget. In this connection I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer (a copy of which I am sending him) which I gave on the 6th instant to the hon. Member for Wallasey.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the official estimate of the yield for Income Tax purposes from the taxation of the profits of the co-operative societies after deduction of all dividends and bonuses?

I assume that by dividends and bonuses the hon. Member means dividends and bonuses on purchases and not dividends on share capital. On this basis, and assuming that the present Budget proposals were otherwise unaltered, the increased yield of Income Tax which would result from the taxation of the profits of co-operative societies in the manner suggested is estimated at £125,000 a year.

Will the right hon. Gentleman take into account the very large number of claims which Bill be sent in by members of co-operative societies who are under the Income Tax limit?

Yes. I think that must Le taken into accounts in the estimate.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to a speech at Man- chester by Dr. Sim Wallace, late lecturer on dental surgery and pathology at the London hospitals, declaring that while cocoa and chocolate were not beverages for cleansing the mouth, tea, coffee and beer were, and that dry champagne was an excellent mouth wash; and whether, in the interests of public health, he will reconsider his excise proposals affecting beer and champagne, with a view to a reduction in duties?

The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative.

May I ask whether lysol would not be an effective substitute for beer and champagne as a mouth-wash, and whether it would not be equally effective for cleansing writing material?

I deprecate turning Question Time into an advertising medium.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount by which he estimates the expenditure of the year will be increased by the De Keyser judgment and the Government's Amendments to the Indemnity Bill?

It is not possible at present to give any estimate of the extra expenditure which would be incurred during the current financial year, but the best information available will be given during the Committee stage to the Select Committee dealing with the Bill.

Seeing that the memorandum which prefaced the Indemnity Bill purports to give an estimate of this particular sum, why not have some revision in face of this judgment?

I think the hon. Gentleman is inaccurate in his premises.