asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware of the great difference in treatment in India as compared with this country regarding the levy of Succession Duty on small estates of those killed in the war; and will he take immediate steps to remedy this grievance, and issue special instructions to secure prompt repayment to legatees who have had to pay Succession Duty in India under present regulations?

I am asking the Government of India to give me their views on the subject; on receipt of their reply, the question will be considered.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can state how many passages still remain to be provided from India to England; and what steps are being taken to enable all sick persons in India to get home before the commencement of the monsoon?

At the beginning of last month the Government of India estimated that an extra ship or ships sent to Bombay with accommodation for 500 passengers would provide for all urgent requirements for passages before the monsoon, and they also asked for an extra ship for Calcutta. I did my best in consultation with the Ministry of Shipping to meet these requests, but found that it would be impossible to send a ship in time to allow of a homeward voyage before the monsoon. I therefore had to inform the Government of India that it was impossible to supplement further the additional accommodation for civil and military passengers from India this spring, already supplied to the extent of more than 5,000 berths over and above what the liner companies have provided. But I have recently learned that the P. & O. Company intend to divert to India a vessel with accommodation for about 500 passengers which will sail from Bombay for home about the 24th July, and the Government of India have been informed of this.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the Government of India has insisted on the urgency of passing the Auxiliary Force Bill and that Europeans throughout India are practically unanimous that this Bill provides for a need and must be accepted, he will now withdraw his prohibition of this Bill on the ground that he himself is opposed to compulsory military service in peace time?

My hon. and gallant Friend must be perfectly well aware that opposition to compulsory military service in peace time is not, as his question suggests, a mere matter of personal pre- dilection on my part, but is the general policy of His Majesty's Government. I am at present not convinced of any reason for departing from that policy in the case of India.

Are the Government of India to have no voice in the legislation of India, and are British women and children in India to have their lives endangered simply because the Government at home refuses to sanction Bills brought forward by the Government of India?

My hon. and gallant Friend knows the responsibility of the Home Government. It is not at all a question of lives being in danger. We have to see whether we cannot get the necessary forces on a voluntary basis before we consider compulsory service.

asked the Secretary of State for India to state the acreage under opium cultivation in India for each year from 1914 to 1919, the amount and value of opium produced in and exported from India in each year from 1914 to 1919, which are the countries this exported opium is consigned to, and the amount and volume of opium consigned to each country, respectively?

With the hon. Member's permission I will publish the information, as far as it is available, in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the information promised :

Statistics of opium cultivation in India for 1917–18 and 1918–19 are not available. I have no figures to show the value of the Indian production.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he has received from the Lord Chancellor a Memorandum regarding the proposal for an Imperial Court of Appeal, as stated in Resolution 22 of the Imperial War Conference, 1918; and, if so, will he lay it upon the Table?

I have not received the Memorandum.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether bombs have been dropped upon villages in Mesopotamia in order to compel the villagers to pay revenue; if not, will he immediately publish, as widely as possible, an authoritative denial; and, if such action has been taken, will he immediately remove from office the individual or individuals who issued orders and commit them to trial?

No, Sir. The Civil Commissioner informs me that no bombs have been dropped upon villages in Mesopotamia for failure to pay revenue.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he can give the House any information regarding the strike in the cotton mills at Ahmedabad?

I have received no report on the circumstances of this strike, but have information that there are 25,000 workers out.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he is aware that during the last Sessions of the Imperial Legislative Council, the Honourable Mr. Patel and the Honourable Mr. Chanda were not included on any Select Committee on Government Bills or any other Committee appointed by Government during the Sessions; that during the whole Session the Honourable Pt. Madam Mohan Malaviya and the Honourable Mr. Khaparde were taken only on one Committee; and whether the Government of India have of late adopted a policy of excluding as far as possible prominent Congress men from all Committees?

I do not know whether the statements are correct; I would deprecate discussion in this House as to the personnel of the Committees of the Legislative Council in India.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India have given, or propose to give, to the Savaskar brothers of the Bombay Presidency the benefit of the Royal amnesty; whether one of the brothers had submitted two petitions, one in 1914 and another in 1917, offering his services to the Government during the War, and praying that a general amnesty be granted to all political prisoners?

The answer to the first part is in the negative; to the second, in the affirmative.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will state the different posts and places to which General Dyer was appointed after the Jallianwalla Bagh firing; what was his remuneration before the firing; and what was his remuneration at the date of his resignation?

Brigadier-General Dyer was in command of the 45th (Jullundur) Brigade prior to the disturbances at Amritsar, and this was his substantive appointment up to the time when he returned to this country. He served with this brigade during the Afghan operations, and on its return from field service he was posted to officiate in command of the 5th Infantry Brigade in the Khyber Pass, and this was his actual command when he left India. His pay throughout has been that of a brigade-commander.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is aware that representations on behalf of the men employed in the dockyards were made to the Admiralty, before the War, to take steps to set up a Demarcation Board for the purpose of dealing with demarcation disputes which may arise; that the matter was allowed to lie in abeyance owing to the War; and whether he will now consider the desirability of appointing such a board in the interests of increased production in the dockyards?

Representations were made before the War, and the matter was held in abeyance during the War, as stated by the hon. Member. Steps are now being taken, at the instance of the Dockyard Committee of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers, with a view to the formation of committees to deal with demarcation questions in the dockyards.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, in view of the fact that Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander Lloyd Hirst is Assistant Naval Attaché accredited to all the South American Republics and Mexico, he will state what useful purpose this officer serves as regards the Republics of Bolivia and Paraguay which have no Sea Board, the Republic of Colombia which has no navy, and the Republic of Mexico which he has never visited?

The title borne by Paymaster Lieut.-Commander Lloyd Hirst was intended to infer that this officer was accredited to Central and South America in order to cover all those Central and South American Republics which have naval interests. As regards the last part of the question, Mexico will be visited as considered necessary, and when convenient opportunity offers.

Why was no executive officer appointed for this work, as it is a task for which such an officer is particularly suited?

I must have notice of that question. I do not know whether the allegation of my hon. and gallant Friend is founded on fact or not. I should have to make inquiries.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what types of cars are being used by the Admiralty at the Albany Street garage; and if he can explain why the mileage per gallon of Admiralty cars is less than 10 miles, while those in the Ministry of Transport pool show a mileage of about 14 miles per gallon?

The types of cars used by the Admiralty are Lancias and Fords. The correct figures of the mileage per gallon of Admiralty cars are:

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's answer is in keeping with the answer the other day, which gave a mileage of slightly over 10 miles per gallon, and whether the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that 11.4 miles per gallon compares favourably with 14 miles per gallon?

As to the first question, I think my Noble Friend is really as good a judge as I am. As to the second question, I am not as great an authority as he is on the consumption of petrol.

asked the Secretary to the Admiralty whether the 12s. per week increase in wages recently granted by the Engineering and Shipbuilding Employers' Federation to the joiners in their employ will be paid to the joiners employed at Rosyth Dockyard; and, if so, from what date will it be paid?

The Admiralty are not prepared to extend to the workmen employed in the Royal Dockyards the advance in wages referred to by the hon. Member.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he has anything to report as to the action of the British Navy in evacuating Russian refugees; whether they assisted in their removal from Novorossisk; and if, and how far, they assisted in evacuating Russian troops belonging to Denikin's forces from the same neighbourhood?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to a question on this subject on the 20th April last. As regards Novorossisk, during February, and up to the 25th March, 10,000 refugees and 3,000 sick and wounded were evacuated. On the night of the 26th/27th March, His Majesty's ships, together with British transports, under the command of Rear-Admiral Seymour, succeeded in evacuating over 8,000 troops and 2,000 sick and wounded. From the 25th to the 28th March over 60,000 persons were evacuated in Russian ships.

During this period His Majesty's ships at Novorossisk were continually employed in coaling and loading the transports and embarking stores and war material. The weather conditions throughout were very severe. The work of the British Navy in saving the lives of thousands of refugees, and in assisting the transport of General Denikin's army to the Crimea, was splendidly performed.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of these so-called refugees formed a fresh army under General Wrangel, and is this the work of humanity?

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty why a naval mission was at Baku when the recent change of government took place in Azerbaijan; what other naval missions are there in former parts of the Russian Empire; and what are their duties?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to a question on this subject by the hon. Member for Barnard Castle on the 11th May last. The recent change of Azerbaijan Government had no connection with the presence of the naval mission at Baku. With regard to the last part of the question, there are two naval missions—one in the Crimea to advise the head of the military mission on naval matters; and one to Poland acting in an advisory capacity on naval and mercantile marine matters to the Polish Government.

Is it intended to withdraw all these missions in view of the Government's change of policy towards Russia?

No, Sir, there is no intention of withdrawing them.

Why is the Admiralty not carrying out the change of policy announced by the Prime Minister?

The hon. Member is not asking a question, but making an assertion.

I am asking a question.

He is making an assertion for which there is not the smallest foundation.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state the number of men and women now unemployed as compared with three months ago; and whether he will give the number of these drawing out-of-work donation, and also the number of ex-service men among them?

The numbers on the Live Registers of Employment Exchanges at 30th April, 1920, were 276,939 men and 48,976 women, compared with 478,173 men and 52,479 women at 30th January, 1920. The numbers claiming donation at 7th May were 206,650 men and 1,762 women, as compared with 372,173 men and 4,943 women at 30th January, 1920: all those claiming donation were ex-service men or women, with the exception of about 1,000 merchant seamen.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state the number of building workers of each class engaged on the construction of buildings other than dwelling houses?

No information is available as to the number of building workers of each class engaged on the construction of buildings other than dwelling-houses, but I am sending my hon. and gallant Friend a statement of the number of workpeople engaged in all branches of the building trade. I may add that I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that the number of skilled men working on State-aided housing schemes in England and Wales increased from 8,138 at 14th April to 9,116 at 30th April.

May I ask what Department will have this information. I put a question to the Minister of Health and was referred to the right hon. Gentleman's Department?

The hon. Gentleman will see from the statement the total number of persons employed in the building trade, and I have also told him in the reply of the number of skilled men engaged on State-aided houses.

asked the Minister of Health if he can state how many of the men now actually building houses are ex-service men; how many more ex-service men it will be possible to employ in three months' time if trade union restrictions were relaxed; what would be the rate of wages paid; is the present attitude of trade unions definitely preventing or delaying the erection of working-class houses; and, if so, to what extent?

I have no information as to the number of ex-service men at present employed on housing schemes. The latest returns show that there is a shortage of 8,000 skilled workers on contracts on which work has started. It is manifest that grave delays are being caused by the shortage of skilled labour, and that a large number of ex-service men could be employed, and the delays materially reduced, if trade union regulations could be modified so as to allow the admission to the ranks of skilled labour of ex-service men and others who had not formerly served their apprenticeship to the trade, or if the rules relating to apprenticeship could be relaxed. The rates of wages at present in operation in the building trade vary very widely in different districts and with different classes of workmen. Speaking generally, the rates for skilled workers vary from about 1s. 7d. up to 2s. 4d. per hour, and for labourers from 1s. 3d. to 2s. per hour.

Will the Minister of Health agree that less than two months ago there were 49,000 fewer bricklayers and stonemasons at work in the building industry than were so engaged at that period in 1914?

Without notice, I should think the figure was about that—about 50,000 less in the trade now than before the War—and that makes the difficulty all the greater and the necessity for recruits all the more.

Is it not a fact that many men are prepared to go back to the trade if and when employment offers?

There is no question about employment offering; we are clamouring for men all over the country.

Is it not a fact that in this industry there are ex-service men, and skilled men, who cannot get work at the present time, and will he go into the matter for the information of hon. Members of this House who have recently learned that there is such a person as a bricklayer?

May ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, considering that there is a very great deal of real reason for the attitude taken up by the trade unions in this matter, he is consulting the leaders of the trade unions concerned and is trying really to get a solution of this problem?

We are, and my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour is, too. We have been consulting the unions and employers since June last.

asked the Minister of Health if he can now say what further steps he proposes to take to enable local authorities to at once secure the immediate use as domestic dwellings of those houses in their areas which are being withheld from occupation in order that the owners may ultimately obtain a higher sale price?

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been called to the extending practice of house owners to refuse to let, but to insist on the purchase of empty houses as a condition of their occupation; whether he is aware that such practices extend to houses of rental value not included in present or contemplated legislation; and whether, seeing that such practices penalise persons of small means and give an undue preference to the housing of persons controlling capital, he will state what legislation the Government propose to stop this form of profiteering?

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that many owners of unoccupied houses, with a view to converting the same into shops or business premises immediately the restrictions against such conversions are removed, or with a view to obtaining an excessive price therefor when sold with vacant possession, are refraining from letting the same; and whether it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to introduce legislation conferring on local authorities the power of prohibiting the owners of dwelling-houses from allowing the same to remain unoccupied beyond a reasonable period from their becoming vacant, provided a prospective tenant be available?

As I have previously stated, I hope to submit proposals on this subject shortly.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the shortage of housing accommodation due to this particular cause is growing more acute every day, and that questions asking for remedial measures have been put down from different parts of the House for the past two months, and is it not really possible for the Minister to announce that some definite action is being taken?

I do not agree with the first part of the question. I think, so far as this particular cause of shortage is concerned, it is not becoming greater, because houses are gradually coming into occupation. So far as the authority are concerned, I can assure my hon. Friend we have lost no time. It is all mixed up with the intricate questions arising out of the Rent Restriction Act, and I am giving notice of the introduction of a Bill to-day.

Will the right hon. Gentleman answer the point in my question as to whether or not there should be a time limit during which a landlord may keep a house vacant or empty for the purpose of increasing the price of sale?

Perhaps my hon. Friend had better wait until the draft of the Bill is laid.

asked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the satellite towns for London now being created, respectively, by private enterprise at Welwyn and by the London County Council at Dagenham; what importance he attaches to these ventures as opening a new chapter in the housing, industrial, and social development; and what steps he proposes to take to facilitate the adoption of similar methods in future?

I am following with much interest the two schemes to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers, and, as he is aware, I am actively co-operating with the London County Council in regard to the Dagenham scheme. I am satisfied that the solution of the housing problem, particularly in the case of London, will be materially assisted by schemes of this kind, and I shall do all I can to encourage their development.

Will not that require Ministerial legislation on the subject, and, if so, will the right hon. Gentleman give some idea as to when that will be?

No fresh legislation is required, but I will look into it.

In view of the need for encouraging this and similar schemes, will the right hon. Gentleman advise the Government to reduce the bank rate to 6 per cent?

That is not in my province.

asked the Prime Minister if this House will have an opportunity to discuss the policy of giving an additional grant of £100 per house to encourage building before such grant becomes effective?

Opportunity for this discussion will be afforded upon the Estimates of the Ministry of Health.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Treasury have ruled that a local authority must pay out of its rates the whole ex- penses of sewerage and water supply outside the actual limits of the houses and lay-out of a scheme, and that as long as a local authority's arrangements for the disposal of sewerage and obtaining of water are situate within the limits of the lay-out the expenses do not come upon the rates; whether he is aware that there is accordingly a growing tendency on the part of the local authorities to substitute earth-closets and wells for piped-sewers and piped-water in order to keep the expenses off the rates; and whether, in view of the undesirability of permitting inferior systems of drainage and water supply for the new housing schemes, he will approach the Treasury with the object of getting permission to subsidise all works in connection with the present housing schemes from the Exchequer instead of those only which are situated within the actual layout?

A local authority may charge to its housing account all expenses which a private owner developing an estate could be required to pay and such expenses will rank for financial assistance. The expenses which the local authority has to bear in carrying out its ordinary obligations under the Public Health Acts in regard to water supply and sewage disposal, which would be the same if the estate were developed by a private person, cannot be charged to housing account, and in view of the heavy expenditure to which the Treasury is already committed in respect of housing, I do not think I should be justified in suggesting that this expenditure should be transferred to the Exchequer.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that if a house is built by private enterprise the rating value would be very much higher; while the rents at which it is proposed these houses shall be let means that the rateable value will be very low?

I do not think that the rating values affect at all the obligations of the authorities.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can make any statement with regard to the strike of shop assistants at Messrs. Lewis's; whether he has attempted to arbitrate between the parties in the dispute; and, if so, what was the result?

This strike began on 26th April, the Shop Assistants' Union alleging that the firm were not complying with certain details of an agreement and were refusing to recognise the Union or to allow new employees to join the Union. Officers of my Department were in touch with the parties, but it was not found possible to bring about negotiations. A few days ago I received from the Union a communication setting forth the terms on which the employees were prepared to resume work, I at once sent a copy of this communication to the firm for their observations. They have informed that the communication is noted, but they make no observations.

From which side was the opposition to arbitration?

I have sent a communication setting forth the terms on which the employees are prepared to resume work with the firm, and the firm have replied that they have noted it, but made no observations on it.

What is the concern of the right hon. Gentleman's Department with this dispute. Why is not this matter left between these employees and their employers?

Is it not as much concern as the question put down by the hon. Gentleman as to a strike in India?

Is not the right hon. Gentleman's Department perfectly competent to interfere in all trade disputes, large or small?

I have no power really to force arbitration. Under Section 4 of the Industrial Courts Act I can cause an inquiry to be held, but I have not been so advised up to the present in this case.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he can state, with regard to Wales, how many ex-service men were undergoing training when the matter of training was transferred to the Ministry of Labour at the end of last July; the number who have completed their training since that date, the number at present undergoing training, and the number now on the waiting list; and whether any provision is being made to provide training for those men now on the waiting list?

When the training of ex-service men was transferred to the Ministry of Labour there were 537 men in training in Wales; 595 men have since finished their training in this division, 1,600 are at present under training, and 687 are on the waiting list. In reference to the latter part of the question, provision is being made in the Government instructional factories at Cardiff and Newtown, which, it is hoped, will more than absorb all the men on the waiting list. We have at present in these two factories 265 men under training, and I should like to assure my hon. and gallant Friend that every effort possible will be made, not only in Wales, but throughout the United Kingdom, to make good our obligations in the matter of affording the training facilities required.

May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman receives adequate assistance in this direction from other Government Departments?

asked the Minister of Labour whether the Amalgamated Society of Engineers have expressed their readiness to co-operate in the training of discharged and disabled soldiers and sailors if the full apprenticeship term of seven years is provided for; whether, owing to the age of most of such applicants, this provision would, in practice, mean their exclusion from the benefits of the scheme; and whether he will seek to obtain a substitution of four years for the seven proposed, as is done in other professions or trades?

There is no reason to doubt that the Amalgamated Society of Engineers recognise that insistence on the full apprenticeship term of seven years would, in practice, make it impossible for most ex-service men to qualify for membership to their Society. The scheme of training for disabled ex-service men which they have been asked to accept provides for a shortened course of inten sive training on the lines which have been agreed to by a number of other skilled trades.

Does that mean four years?

I should like notice.

It is in the question.

I am sorry the point was overlooked. I will send a statement to the hon. Member as to the term.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that a number of ex-service men who are also skilled men in the engineering and other industries and who are unemployed at the present time?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether the National Ex-Service Men's Union of Temporary Civil Servants has no representation on the National Whitley Council, to which they have been referred for consideration of their claims; whether a deputation was received by the Prime Minister of the association representing female staffs employed by the Government; and, if so, will he accord the same privilege to the representatives of the ex-service men's union?

The National Ex-Service Men's Union of Temporary Civil servants which, I understand, claims as its members only about one-eighth of the total number of ex-Service men in the Civil Service, is not represented as such on the Staff side of the National Whitley Council. It is, of course, for the staff themselves to decide how their representation shall be distributed, but the Federations and Associations responsible for the appointment of representatives to the Council embrace all grades of the Civil Service whether permanent or temporary, and I am informed that a very large number of temporary ex-service Civil servants have in fact joined such Associations. In these circumstances I do not think that there should be any need to arrange for the reception of a deputation as proposed by the hon. Gentleman.

asked the Secretary of State for War why there is so much delay in providing passages to the River Plate for the B 45 men of the River Plate Volunteers who are waiting and anxious to return to their homes?

I am not aware of any delay in the repatriation of men of the River Plate who claim repatriation under Group 45 (b). Claims have been received from about 12 men who re-enlisted for short periods, but their repatriation cannot be dealt with until they complete their engagements. If the hon. Member will furnish me with a list of the men he refers to, I will inform him how they are situated.

I will.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that the naval authorities employ unenlisted dental mechanics at trade rates; and is he prepared to employ discharged soldiers, dental mechanics, at trade rates in order to obviate the necessity of these men drawing unemplyoment pay, and thereby to do for them what the Government is urging private firms to do for discharged soldiers?

The Military Commands at Home have been authorised to employ civilian dental mechanics at local rates where the services of such are necessary and where no enlisted dental mechanics of the Royal Army Medical Corps are available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether he is aware that badly made, ill-fitting, and useless teeth made by untrained mechanics are driving the serving soldiers to the civil practitioners at. their own expense; and will he discharge the women who, with a few months' training, are paid high rates of pay to do work which exacts years of training?

No complaints of the nature suggested in the first part of the question have been received, but if the hon. Member will furnish more specific particulars I will have further inquiry made. As regards the last part of the question, as I explained in my answer on the 4th May, women dental mechanics are being employed as a temporary measure and will be replaced as soon as enlisted dental mechanics become available.

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office whether, in view of the number of unemployed discharged soldiers who are dental mechanics, it is necessary to inaugurate a costly scheme of training for this purpose?

As already explained in my previous answer to the hon. Member on 4th May, in spite of special efforts which have been made to recruit dental mechanics, the numbers that have come forward are inadequate to meet the needs of the Army. The course of training for recruits which has been instituted is carried out at the dental workshops already in existence, and there is no intention of inaugurating a costly scheme.

asked the Minister of Labour what steps he has taken to prevent the unnecessary competition between officials of the Employment Exchanges and committees set up by educational authorities for advising juveniles in their choice of occupation?

My hon. and gallant Friend is no doubt aware that Advisory Committees for Juvenile Employment may be established either by the Ministry of Labour under the Labour Exchanges Act, 1909, or by local education authorities under the Education (Choice of Employment) Act, 1910, and that in order to prevent overlapping the Board of Education and the Board of Trade issued in 1911 a joint memorandum with a view to securing close co-operation between the respective parties. I am advised that, with the exception of three cases, the required measure of co-operation has been secured in all areas where provision has been made. The three exceptions have been specially dealt with on lines laid down by a Committee of the Cabinet in November, 1918, but the arrangements in these cases cannot be regarded as satisfactory and are not intended to be permanent. I should like to add that, as has been indicated in answers to previous questions on the same subject, the wider issues affecting this branch of administration are now receiving the careful consideration of the President of the Board of Education and myself.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that there is great dissatisfaction in the borough of Macclesfield at the proposed expenditure of £20,000 on a new Employment Exchange; and whether he will appoint a local committee, under the chairmanship of the Mayor of Macclesfield, to inquire whether this is really necessary, and if premises of a suitable nature can be found elsewhere?

I would explain to my hon. Friend that the lease of the premises hitherto occupied by the Employment Exchange at Macclesfield expired last Christmas, and the temporary building at Brocklehurst in which the Exchange is now housed is required by the owners. The Office of Works have made an exhaustive search for suitable premises, but without success. A site for new premises has, therefore, been leased. As a result, however, of inquiries which I have made personally into the whole position, it is not at present proposed to proceed with the erection of a permanent building, but to provide instead temporary huts. The second part of the question therefore does not arise.

Is it not the fact that the right hon. Gentleman's predecessor at the Ministry of Labour gave the House an assurance that no new employment exchanges would be commenced without the matter being brought before the House?

When the Office of Works Estimates were before the Committee an undertaking was given and they were referred back to have these undertakings carefully reviewed. At the end of last week I made myself a review of the Estimates for all these new buildings, and this is one of the results of that review.

Is the right hon. Gentleman in a position to confirm the recently published figures that every single engagement made through the employment exchanges has cost in current expenses £3, and will he consider the matter?

The hon. Member should give notice of that question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the position in the Scottish building trades dispute is again critical; and whether, in view of the fact that a national stoppage is threatened, he is prepared to take steps to bring the parties together immediately for fresh arbitration?

My hon. Friend has no doubt read the answer which I gave yesterday to the hon. and gallant Member for Leith Burghs (Captain W. Benn). As my hon. Friend is aware, the difficulty in the Scottish building trade arises from the dissatisfaction of the trade with the recent awards of the Industrial Court issued on 30th March, which decided that the claim of the operatives for an advance of wages of 6d. an hour was not established. My hon. Friend will appreciate that the success of voluntary arbitration depends on the firm and loyal adherence on the part of all parties to the decisions of the Court of Arbitration. I realise that the position is serious, and I will not fail to take advantage of any suitable opportunity for terminating the dispute which does not prejudice the cause of industrial arbitration.

In view of the fact that since the decision of the Court of Arbitration the parties have practically agreed upon a fresh proposal, is it not possible to arrange some special day for consideration of these new circumstances, without in any way undermining the authority of the Court, especially having regard to the fact that a stoppage is certain unless some steps are taken?

I fully realise how serious the position is, but I think it would be most inexpedient and ill-advised to sit as a court of appeal in respect of awards of industrial arbitration. That would open the door to all sorts of difficulties on both sides, and I hesitate very much indeed, although I recognise the seriousness of the situation, to take up that position.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will state what services are being rendered to the nation by the increased staff of 7,886 persons since 1st December, 1918; and whether he will take steps to abolish this swollen staff in the interests of economy?

The increase of the staff of the Ministry of Labour has been due entirely to the immense volume of work involved in the demobilisation and resettlement of more than 6,000,000 men and women from War service and War work and in the general industrial transition from war to peace conditions. The staff of the Ministry has necessarily varied in size according to the pressure of this work. At the time when this pressure was at its highest, in June, 1919, the staff total rose to 28,000 (including part-time officers) as against the total of 18,429 on 1st May last. At the time of the maximum pressure there were no less than 1,228,000 persons registered at the employment exchanges as unemployed. I can, however, assure my hon. Friend that the staff of the Ministry of Labour is kept under constant and detailed review, and that no opportunity is lost of effecting every economy which is compatible with efficiency.

asked the Minister of Health whether he can state how many cases of alleged insanitary theatres have been brought to the notice of his Department by the secretary of the Actors' Association; and in how many cases have steps been taken to investigate the complaints?

During the past six or seven months, 19 such cases have been brought to the notice of my Department. In 3 of these cases the complaints have been investigated by the Department, while in 4 cases the complaints had already been dealt with by the local authority concerned, and steps taken to remedy the conditions complained of. In the remaining 12 cases the complaints were sent to the Department either before the local authority of the district had been asked by the Actors' Association to intervene, or before the local authority had had a reasonable opportunity of investigating the complaint. I have informed the Association that complaints as to the alleged insanitary condition of theatres should be addressed in the first instance to the local authority of the district, and that the intervention of my Department should only be sought if the local authority fail to get such conditions remedied.

asked the Minister of Health if he will state what steps are being undertaken in his Department as to research on the problem of the economical consumption and elimination of black smoke arising on coal consumption in industrial workshops and premises?

A Departmental Committee has been appointed to consider and advise what steps are desirable and practicable to diminish the evils arising from pollution of the atmosphere by smoke and other noxious vapours. The responsibility for Government research in connection with fuel rests with the Fuel Research Board, under the Chairmanship of Sir George Beilby, and I would refer my hon. Friend to the Annual Report which that Board has recently issued.

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his Department is in touch with the Smoke Abatement League, which has rendered very excellent service in the past in connection with this matter?

A Special Committee sits daily almost in our Office; they are working at it now.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is now in a position to make some definite statement regarding the steps he is taking to meet the difficulty that has arisen in connection with the finance of London hospitals; whether he is aware that some hospitals are even now unable to meet their current liabilities, and that, unless relief by grant in aid is immediate, they will have no alternative but to curtail their beneficent work and possibly close down altogether?

I am in consultation with the various authorities concerned, but I am not yet in a position to make any definite statement.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the pressing nature of the case, and can he say when the statement will be made?

I am well aware of it. I hope it will not be long.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the unanimous judgment delivered by the House of Lords against the Crown in the appeal case, Attorney-General v. De Keyser's Royal Hotel, Limited, it is proposed to proceed any further with the present Indemnity Bill?

The Bill will be proceeded with, and the Amendments indicated by the Attorney-General on the Second Reading will be proposed by the Government.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what will be the effect on the figures of the Memorandum?

The hon. and gallant Gentleman must not expect me to have a very capacious memory about that.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the learned Solicitor-General, in moving the Second Reading of the Indemnity Bill, gave an assurance to the House that he had no doubt the decision of the Court of Appeal in De Keyser's case would be reversed by the House of Lords?

I do not recollect the exact terms of the speech, but the Amendments will be tabled, and my hon. and gallant Friend will be able to judge from them.

asked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to a circular letter recently issued by Field-Marshal Lord Haig, stating that there are to-day 33,000 disabled officers, 10,000 officers' widows, 8,000 officers' orphans, 15,000 children of disabled officers, and 25,000 unemployed officers who are hopelessly endeavouring to live upon the grants made by the Government and asking for an additional sum of £5,000,000; and whether funds will be placed at his disposal for special administration in conjunction with the Ministry of Pensions?

I have seen the circular to which my hon. Friend refers. His Majesty's Government have spared neither expense nor effort in making the best possible provision for the families of killed and disabled officers, and also for the training, and maintenance during training, of unemployed officers, in accordance with recommendations by Select Committees of this House, which have been substantially accepted by the Government. My hon. Friend seems to suggest in the last part of the Question that public funds should be administered under a system of dual management by public Departments and unofficial organisations, but I do not think that such an arrangement, even if practicable, would commend itself to the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Poles recently asked the advice of the Government as to whether they should make peace with the Bolshevists; whether the Government refused to offer them advice, but told them that they must choose between peace or war on their own responsibility; and whether this represents the settled policy of the Government in dealing with other Powers with which it may have influence and which are hesitating between peace and war?

The answer to the first part of the question is that the Polish Government asked for the views of His Majesty's Government in regard to the Bolshevik peace proposals; as regards the second part, His Majesty's Government made it clear to the Polish Government that full responsibility must devolve upon them in deciding whether or not they should accept these proposals; the answer to the third part of the question is that the action of His Majesty's Government must depend upon the circumstances in any particular case.

May I ask whether, in giving advice, the Government took into consideration the fact that at the present time Poland is raging with typhus, and the consequent danger of typhus spreading throughout Europe?

What we said to them was, "It is a question of responsibility which must rest upon you, and not upon us."

Why was not this referred to the Council of the League of Nations?

Has my right hon. Friend's attention been drawn to the statement in the "Times" that the Poles are washing their Bolshevik prisoners, and, if so, can we use all our efforts and those of our Allies to stop a repetition of that atrocity?

asked the Secretary of State for War whether trainloads of Austrian munitions, handed over by Austria to the Entente Commission, have recently been sent into Poland under Allied protection?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the English diplomatic representative in Vienna visited the War Minister Deutsch on Friday, 14th May, and announced that all military stores in Austria must immediately be placed under the control of the Entente Commission; and whether it is intended to supply Poland with these stores or with any part of them?

I have no information as to any interview between His Majesty's High Commissioner in Vienna and the Austrian War Minister in this matter. Mr. Lindley did, however, on the 13th instant, make representations to the Austrian State Chancellor on the subject of the sale of war material. These representations were the outcome of a decision of the Allied and Associated Governments that the disposal by Austria of any of her war material is contrary to Articles 133 and 134 of the Treaty of Peace, under which such material must be delivered to the Allied and Associated Governments. Those Governments do not intend to hand over any of this material to Poland.

May I ask what were the effect of those representations, because it is important that they should be given effect to?

Yes, the effect is that this matter is now in the hands of the Allied Commission.

Can the hon. Gentleman say what will be done with this war material?

No, I cannot say that.

( by Private Notice ) asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give the House any information as to the reported Polish reverse and the statement of the Polish Minister that the Entente Powers consider the Polish offensive a necessary measure and approve of Poland's attitude?

We have no information beyond what has appeared in the Press, and I have not seen the statement attributed to the Polish Minister.

Will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the statement that the Polish offensive is a necessary measure and that the Entente Powers approved of it is accurate?

Certainly not. I have said so in the House more than once. We gave the Polish Government no encouragement whatever and we have expressed no opinion upon it.

asked the Prime Minister whether, instead of a Motion to suspend Standing Orders on days when it is considered unlikely that the business will be got through by 11 o'clock, he will consider putting the question on the previous day, asking leave to suspend Standing Orders so as to commence at 12 o'clock on the following day, and thus dispense with the necessity for taking any business after 11 p.m.?

I do not think that the hon. Member's proposal would meet the general convenience of the House.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the suffering in rural districts owing to the increase in the price of the necessaries of life; whether he is aware that many workmen in rural districts are still receiving wages of less than 40s. a week, especially those on large estates; and whether the Government intend to carry into law this Session the Minimum Wage Bill as promised in the King's Speech?

I have been asked to answer this question. I am afraid that I am unable at the present stage to say whether the state of public business will permit of the Minimum Rates of Wages Commission Bill, which was introduced last Session, being passed into law this Session. I may, however, be permitted to say that steps are being taken to apply the Trade Boards Acts to a great number of trades in which it is desirable that legal minimum rates of wages should be fixed. Since the Amending Act of 1918 there have been established 37 new Trade Boards, affecting 1,500,000 workers, and it is estimated that 2,000,000 workers are now covered by Trade Boards. I hope that during the next twelve months 2,500,000 more workers will be brought under the operation of the Acts.

Is it still the intention of the Government to introduce this Bill?

My hon. Friend should read the earlier part of my answer, which covers that point.

asked the Prime Minister what is the total amount of French indebtedness to this country in respect of loans; whether, as reported in the Press, an arrangement has been come to with France that she shall repay her loan to this country when she receives her share of the indemnity to be paid by Germany; and, if so, whether it would be possible for Great Britain to pay the amount borrowed by her from America on the same conditions, namely, when this country receives her share of the indemnity to be paid by Germany?

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether it was decided at the Folkestone Conference that the payment of the French debt to Great Britain would be contingent upon the payment of Germany's debt to France?

The nominal value of the French Government Treasury Bills at present held by the British Government in respect of advances made to the former Government since 1914 is £518,440,000, but there are considerable adjustments still to be made before the figure of France's net debt to the British Government can be arrived at, which will probably bring the total below £500,000,000. No definite arrangement of any kind was arrived at at Lympne in regard to repayment by France of this debt, but it was recognised that it was desirable to reach a solution of the problems arising out of the existence of this and similar debts due by one Ally to another at the same time as the problem of fixing the total and the method of payment of Germany's liabilities for reparation was being settled. The question of the debt of the British Government to the American Government is being dealt with independently of any question of this country's share in German reparation.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the French Debt to us is mentioned in sterling, and what rate of exchange is taken?

It is a sterling debt. There is no question of exchange.

Will my right hon. Friend give the House some assurance that when Germany does pay her War Indemnity to France she will also be forced to pay it to this country, even if we allow our gallant ally France to defer payment with regard to her loan?

It is agreed between the two Governments that the payments are to be made in the terms of the Treaty. The costs of the Army of Occupation come first, and any sums allowed to Germany for maintenance and food and raw material come next; but there shall be no question of priorities among the Allies in regard to the distribution of the sums which are available in payment of reparation.

What effect will that arrangement have on the Budget of a normal year in which France's debt was set off against our debt to America?

What arrangement?

The new arrangement made at Lympne.

There was no new arrangement made at Lympne.

asked the Lord Privy Seal, whether at the Folkestone conference it was decided to set up a new commission to investigate Germany's capacity to pay and to determine the method of payment and the capitalisation of Germany's debts; and whether this commission supersedes the Reparation Commission set up under the Treaty of Versailles?

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

asked the Lord Privy Seal the number of commissions, both British and international, upon which the British Government has been represented which have investigated Germany's capacity to pay; and whether he can state the Report of these commissions, respectively?

In November, 1918, Germany's capacity to pay an indemnity was investigated by a British Committee appointed by the War Cabinet. The Report of the Committee was summarised by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in a speech at Bristol on the 11th December, 1918. During the Peace Conference in Paris the question was further investigated by an International Committee, on whose Report the Reparation Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles were based. The Reparation Commission has since given considerable study to this question which is among its most important functions.

Has Germany paid anything yet towards the cost of the Army of Occupation? [HON. MEMBERS: "No."]

I think I ought to have notice of a question of that kind. It is surely desirable that I should not speak from memory? But I believe I have already answered it.