asked the Prime Minister whether pre-War pensioners who have lost their wives are entitled to rank as married men for claiming increase of their pensions; and whether these widowers are usually obliged to employ a paid housekeeper, with the result that their household expenses are as great as, or greater than, if their wives were living?

It is intended that widowers with dependent children under the age of 16 shall rank as married men under the scheme for increasing the pensions of pre-war pensioners. I do not think it could fairly be urged that a widower without such dependents is normally obliged to incur household expenditure from which the unmarried pensioner is immune, or that it is necessary to treat him as a married man for the purposes of them scheme.

asked the Prime Minister whether he will give facilities for the further stages of the Plumage Bill, which received a Second Reading on Fridays last by 61 votes against eight?

I regret that in the present congested state of the Order Paper, I can hold out little hope of facilities being given for Private Bills.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether the Military Service Acts, 1916 to 1918, have lapsed or have been repealed; and, if not, whether the Government will introduce immediately a Bill for their repeal?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the latter part, it is not considered necessary to introduce a Bill repealing the Military Service Acts, as orders have been issued for all conscripts to be released, and the Military Service Acts will automatically lapse on the official termination of the War.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the relative wear that was obtained from the old pattern stand-up collar British type of mess-jacket and of the more modern and foreign pattern roll-collar jacket, introduced into the Army about 1902, before he comes to any decisions in regard to the pattern mess-jacket to be adopted by the Army for the future?

In accordance with the recommendation of the recent Committee on Army Dress, it was decided, after much evidence had been taken, to introduce the pre-War pattern of mess dress which generally had been in use since 1902 and in many cases from a much earlier date. The initial cost of the old pattern mess-jacket, with its gold lace, would at present-day prices be very high, and it is not considered that any useful purpose would be served by instituting the inquiry suggested.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether a young soldier, Private Mathew Lowe, late Norfolk Regiment, at present undergoing a long sentence of imprisonment for desertion during the War, is about to be released; and, if so, whether his release or that of any other ex-soldier is affected by the action of any organisations, political or semi-political?

As stated yesterday in answer to questions, full inquiries are being made into this case. I will inform the hon. and gallant Member of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the case of the late Gunner W. G. Gilbey, No. 284,161, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed on the 30th October, 1917; whether he is aware that his widow has made repeated applications for this deceased soldier's gratuity, and has been unable to obtain any information on the subject; and, in view of the length of time that has elapsed since this soldier's death, if he will have inquiries made into the cause of this delay?

The amount due to this estate on account of war gratuity has now been paid to the widow.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office the reason for the long delay in obtaining soldiers' accounts from India; and what is now considered a sufficient period of time in which to obtain these accounts of demobilised men?

The work of preparing and sending home accounts of soldiers who have returned from India has been exceedingly heavy, and the skilled staffs available were not able to despatch these documents as quickly as desirable. The bulk of the work is, however, now completed, and special steps have been taken to expedite the settlement of cases which still remain to be disposed of.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether it is intended to grant the wives and families of soldiers now stationed in Egypt the same allowance as they received in England to enable them to meet the prices now prevailing in Egypt?

I will see that this question is considered.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he is aware that troops at Woolwich are being threatened with unpleasant consequences if they refuse to undergo revaccination; that many soldiers who greatly object to the operation have been intimidated into submission, and that others who refuse to submit are in a state of considerable anxiety as to the position; and whether he will inform the officers concerned that no pressure of any kind is to be put on men who exercise their legal right to object to vaccination or re-vaccination?

I am not aware of any undue pressure or intimidation being exercised to compel soldiers to submit to vaccination. If the hon. Member will furnish me with specific details of the cases he has in mind I will have further inquiry made.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether artificers in the Royal Garrison Artillery, who received temporary promotion while serving in this country during the War, are being deprived of their promotion, whilst men who were given temporary promotion during service abroad are being given substantive rank; and, if so, whether in view of the fact that many of the men who were promoted while serving in this country were retained here in consequence of the importance of their duty, and that their reversion to their old rank will put them below men of much less service, he will have the matter considered?

Temporary rank for warrant officers, Class II., and noncommissioned officers in the Royal Artillery was not given during the War and has only been authorised since 20th June, 1920. During the period from 2nd September, 1916, to 1st January, 1919, substantive promotion was granted only to soldiers serving abroad or with an expeditionary force, and those serving at home were eligible only for acting rank. Since 1st January, 1919, no authority has been given for substantative promotions to be made either at home or abroad to fill vacancies that have arisen since that date. The conditions governing promotion are the same for all classes of non-commissioned officers in the Royal Artillery and no distinction has been made in the case of artificers.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether the administration and payment of retired pay earned by officers previous to 1914 has, in the case of those who were mobilised for the Great War and disabled therein, been handed over to the Ministry of Pensions or whether the War Office still deals with questions on the subject?

If the officer is in receipt of disability retired pay from the Ministry of Pensions, that Department also pays the pre-War service pension. With this exception, payment and administration of such pensions remains with the War Office.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether an officer who retired in 1913 and received retired pay of£200 per annum, was mobilised in 1914 and disabled on account of wounds, and was then compulsorily retired, receiving£100 per annum wound pension, is eligible for the re-assessment of his original retired pay of£200 in accordance with the Royal Warrant of September, 1919?

Yes, Sir; he is eligible, but I am unable to say, without having the particular case before me, whether the retired pay would in fact be increased or, if increased, what would be the effect on the Ministry of Pensions' award.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he can give the case-rate per 1,000 of venereal disease amongst the British Army in the United Kingdom, France and Flanders, and Germany (occupied territory), in the years 1918, 1919, and the first quarter of 1920?

The approximate ratios per 1,000 of admissions for venereal disease are as follow:—

The ratios for 1919 and 1920 are to a large extent fallacious owing to rapid demobilisation. As I stated in my answer on the 11th May, there has been a rise in the incidence of venereal disease amongst the troops in France and Germany, but I am glad to say that the latest information shows some improvement.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether his attention has been drawn to the remarks of the Chairman of the Central Profiteering Tribunal with respect to the Navy and Army Canteen Board, indicating that a public inquiry was desirable as to the manner in which the Board had disposed of their surplus war stocks and pointing out that it had only been possible for the Central Profiteering Committee to ascertain the required information by threatening the Canteen Board with powers conferred by the Act; that the evidence when supplied revealed that goods had been disposed of by private treaty sales at little more than half the price at which similar goods could be sold at public auction, and that, in the case of paraffin wax candles, one firm admitted paying 11d. per lb. at a public auction while buying by private treaty at 6d. per lb.; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?

My attention has been drawn to the remarks referred to and I have obtained a full report on the matter. By an error of judgment the information required by the Central Profiteering Committee was refused in the first instance under a misapprehension, for which the Navy and Army Canteen Board have since recorded their regret.

With regard to the latter part of the question, the difference in the respective prices obtained for the candles was due to the fact that those sold by private treaty at 6d. per lb. were odd assortments of inferior condition and quality sold ex wharf, with all faults, at a time when the market was a poor one, while those sold at d. per lb. were of superior condition and quality sold to sample by public auction at a later date when the market had improved. I am satisfied that the Navy and Army Canteen Board are exercising all reasonable precautions, including the obtaining of competitive bids, in disposing of their surplus stocks, and I do not think that any further action can usefully be taken.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether pre-War service pensioners who happened to be in Canada, unable to return to Great Britain, and therefore enlisted in the Canadian forces, and as such took part in the War, are ineligible for re-assessment of pension under Army Order 325 of 1919; and, if so, whether he will remedy this injustice?

Pension from Imperial Funds is generally given for service in the Imperial forces only. I understand the question to refer to men who were at one time unable to leave Canada but who subsequently came over to Europe as Canadian soldiers. If the hon. Member has a particular case in mind, I should be glad to consider it if he will furnish me with details.

asked the Minister of Pensions why the gratuity due to G. Colon, late corporal, No. 23,543, Royal Air Force, 63rd squadron, English Expeditionary Force, who was demobilised on 29th October, 1919, has not yet been paid?

The gratuity due to this man has now been paid. The delay in payment was due to difficulty in obtaining the necessary documents relating to service in India.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to a communication re A. J. Goodall, No. S. C. L. 945, of 75, Longport Road, Burslem, that he is unable to draw his weekly allowance from the Post Office because his book of allowance forms has not been received at Longport post office; that he wrote to the pensions authority and they asked for his ring paper, which he forwarded, but he is still without pension; that he has written repeatedly to Baker Street but can get no satisfaction; and that he has been without pension eight weeks; and whether he will inquire into the matter with a view to its adjustment as early as possible?

I am having inquiries made into this case, and will let my hon. Friend know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions what steps he is taking to remove the grievance felt by ex-soldier pensioners in respect of delays in the re-issue of quarterly pension books at post offices; whether he is aware that in some cases a delay arises of from three to six weeks, during which time the only means the pensioner has of obtaining relief is to attend the local pensions committee, often at some miles from home, thus causing loss of work-time as well as unnecessary expense?

Adequate arrangements have been completed to ensure the despatch in good time to the post offices of quarterly renewal pension books, and I am not aware that this system has proved defective. In dealing with vast numbers of pensioners, it is possible that isolated cases of delay, due to neglect on the part of the pensioner or to accidental circumstances, may occur, and I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that this is a risk which cannot wholly be eliminated. If my hon. Friend has any case in mind, I shall be happy to have it investigated at once.

asked the Minister of Pensions why, in view of the facts that the late Private Albert Lowman, No. 189,934, Labour Corps, and his wife, Mrs. Lowman, of 11, Hermitage Street, Crewkerne, Somerset, adopted Harold John Denning, Mrs. Lowman's nephew, in August, 1917, and that separation allowance was received by Mrs. Lowman for him from August, 1917, until January, 1919, six months after the death of Private Lowman, a pension can be granted to her in respect of this child?

I must refer my hon. Friend to the answer which was given him in reply to a similar question on the 15th March last, of which I am sending him a copy.

asked the Minister of Pensions how many limbless soldiers have already been provided with their second artificial limb; and how many such soldiers are still waiting for the said limb?

It was not found possible to commence the supply of duplicate artificial limbs until last October, when the supply of first limbs had been practically completed; but, on the 16th April, 5,213 limbless soldiers had been supplied with duplicate limbs. There are in all about 32,000 men not provided with duplicate limbs, but not the whole of this number can be stated to be "waiting."

The large majority of men are in employment and will only attend fitting centres at a time convenient to themselves. Moreover, in a large number of short stump arm cases, the men prefer not to wear an artificial limb; and there are cases of recent amputation not yet ready for fitting.

Unless there is special urgency, cases are dealt with in rotation according to the date of supply of the first limb.

asked the Minister of Pensions, whether it is his intention to provide boots free of charge in perpetuity to fit the artificial limbs of legless soldiers?

As the artificial legs supplied by the Ministry are so made that an ordinary boot can be comfortably worn, I am not clear that there is any reason why boots should be supplied at the public cost.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether in the case of. ex-soldiers suffering from nerve strain, who are considered to require institutional treatment, any part of their pension goes to the institution providing the treatment; if so, how much; and, if the patient refuses treatment, will any portion of the pension be forfeited?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The charges made by the institution are defrayed by the Ministry. I may, however, explain that a discharged soldier under institutional treatment does not draw pension, but is maintained free of charge and receives allowances which are generally at the rate of 21s. a week, with additions for rank and dependants. As regards the second part of the question, pension may be reduced by one-half or less if treatment, certified to be necessary in a man's interests, is unreasonably refused. Every such case is considered on its individual merits.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether the largest sum in compensation for the ruin of a business owing to its owner being away on active service that can be awarded by the Civil Liabilities Department to an ex-officer is £104?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The Civil Liabilities Department is not empowered to make grants by way of compensation, but the maximum grant which can be given for the purpose of assisting in re-settling an ex-officer in civil life is the sum mentioned by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether applications for civil liabilities grants that have been refused on the grounds of being too late will be reviewed if recommended by the local war pensions committees; and, it not, how he proposes to deal with such cases?

It has been decided to grant discretionary power to the Civil Liabilities Department to make grants in hard cases without regard to the Regulations concerning the last date of application, provided that

(a) The applications are considered by a Special Panel to be appointed within the Department, upon which the Finance Department are represented.

(b) The discretion is limited to applications made not later than 31st December, 1920.

(c) The Department is satisfied in cases where the applicant was in employment before the War that he has been unable to obtain and retain employment since leaving the Army that would place him in substantially as good a position as he was before the War.

(d) The Department is satisfied in the case of a man having a business before the War, who entered into employment, such as is described in (c), on demobilisation that there are adequate grounds for his desiring to return to business.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is now in a position to state the result of his consideration of the principle upon which the Ministry proceeds in cases of application for grants awarded by the Civil Liabilities Committee to discharged disabled soldiers who have undergone training in other than the pre-War occupation?

It has been decided to grant discretionary power to make Civil Liability Grants in hard cases to men who have been trained after leaving the Army by the Ministry of Pensions or Ministry of Labour, provided that such trainees—

(a) shall not receive a grant to establish them in any trade except that for which they were trained.

(b) are certified by the local officers of the Ministry of Labour to be unable by reason of their disability or of local conditions to obtain suitable employment.

(c) are recommended for a grant by the local technical advisory committee of the trade concerned where such a committee has been formed, or if there is no such committee, by the Divisional Director of Industrial Training.

asked whether, in view of the fact that the question of Commutation of Pensions has been before Admiral Jerram's Committee in 1919 and the Welfare Committee in 1919–20, and that naval officers are allowed to commute their pensions, as well as all ranks of the Army, it is not possible to grant that same concession to petty officers and men of the Navy?

The question is under consideration. In view of the necessity of co-ordinating the commutation scales for all three Services, it has been proposed to refer the matter to the Inter-Departmental Committee on Post War Pensions now sitting.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether his attention has been drawn to a conference that was held on the 15th January last at the Royal Naval Hospital, Great Yarmouth, respecting the rates of pay of the male attendants; whether he is aware that an agreement was arrived at for an increased scale of wages; and, in view of the length of time since this agreement was arrived at, if he can state when it is proposed to sanction the payment of this increase?

The arrangements tentatively agreed upon at the conference referred to have, with one exception, now been approved; and a communication to this effect was sent to Yarmouth Hospital on the 19th instant.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether any informa- tion has been received by the Department since the 8th instant relative to the small party of naval ratings belonging to H.M.S. "Resolution," detained under surveillance by the local Bolsheviks at Baku; and, if so, the nature of the information?

There has been no further news.

asked the Minister of Labour how many ex-service men were in receipt of Out-of-Work Donation at 1st May; and if he will prepare a table showing the duration of unemployment?

The number of men claiming Out-of-Work Donation at 7th May was 206,650, of whom all but about 1,000 merchant seamen were ex-service men. A complete analysis of the duration of unemployment of all these applicants could not be obtained without great labour, but the following information is available in regard to the ex service men, numbering 149,923, who, on the 7th May, were in receipt of the Donation which is applicable to all ex-service men within the year following discharge. In 12,309 cases no donation had yet become due because the waiting period of three days had not been completed; the amount of donation paid in the remaining cases were as follow:—

It should be understood that the duration represents the total period in respect of which Out-of-Work Donation has been paid in each case. It does not necessarily imply continuous unemployment, but may cover recurring periods of unemployment.

^* The maximum duration which non-disabled ex-service men may draw apart from Special Extension Scheme.

†The maximum duration which disabled ex-service men may draw apart from Special Extension Scheme.

The remaining men, numbering 56,727, are in receipt of donation under the Special Extension Scheme applying during the period 1st April to 31st July. A number of these had previously exhausted the maximum amount of donation allowable in the year following discharge, but details of these are not available.

asked the Minister of Labour if he is aware that there has been considerable delay in providing tools, equipment, and materials for disabled soldiers' training classes in vehicle building and bricklaying; that these classes were opened several weeks ago, and that the work has been held up owing to non-delivery of the necessary tools and equipment; and when this lack of equipment will be remedied?

I should doubt whether there has been much delay in the provision of tools, equipment, and material for the training of disabled soldiers in bricklaying. But great difficulty has been experienced in obtaining the necessary woodworking machines for the establishment of classes in vehicle making. I am glad to say that the position in regard to the latter has now been materially eased, and I hope that no further delays will be experienced. If my hon. and gallant Friend, or indeed any other hon. Member, will forward me details of any particular instances of delay, I will at once deal with them.

asked the Secretary of State for War and Air whether he is now in a position to state the result of his inquiries into the subject of the discharges from the royal engineering yards and works in the Aldershot command; whether 70 per cent. of these men are ex-service men, and that a large number have 10 years or more to their service in the Royal Engineer Department; and whether these discharges have been made owing to the lack of funds in the hands of the heads of the Departments and not from lack of work in maintenance and repairs to buildings in the area?

In peace-time the normal procedure is for the mainten- ance and repair of military buildings, wherever possible, to be done by contract and not by direct labour. In consequence of the reversion to this procedure in North Aldershot, the number of men employed in the Royal Engineer Department has been considerably reduced. In carrying out such discharges as are necessary, the record of service of each man concerned is taken into consideration.

asked the Minister of Food the total tonnage of potatoes in Scotland at 1st November, 1918, according to returns furnished to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland or the Ministry of Food by grocers; the tonnage, etc., in hand at 30th June, 1919; the tonnage at these two dates, respectively, and also at 10th July, 1919, held by members of the Potato Allocation Authority; the tonnage in respect of which compensation was paid to growers by the Government and the total amount so paid; the tonnage in respect of which compensation was paid and the amount paid to members of the Allocation Authority; and the total cost of controlling the distribution of the 1918 crop?

The estimated tonnage of potatoes in Scotland at the 1st November, 1918, according to returns furnished to the Board of Agriculture for Scotland by growers was 819,683 tons. The estimated tonnage in hand at the 30th June, 1919, was 66,255 tons. No particulars are available of the tonnage held by members of the Potato Allocation Authority at 1st November, 1918, or at 10th July, 1919, but they held 984 tons at the 30th June. Compensation amounting to £278,137 was paid by the Government to growers in respect of 40,687 tons. Compensation amounting to £5,100 was paid in respect of claims made by members of the Allocation Authority. Exact figures as to the cost of controlling the distribution of the 1918 crop in Scotlaid are not yet available, but the approximate cost was 21¼. per ton.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that the quality and colour of the flour at present being milled and supplied under the Ministry's instructions to retail bakers for bread baking are causing serious dissatisfaction to master bakers, their operatives, and the general public; and, if so, whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made into the matter with a view to an improvement in the respects mentioned in the flour supplied to bakers?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer already given on this subject on Monday, 26th April, to the hon. Baronet the Member for Nottingham East (Sir J. D. Rees).

asked the Minister of Food the number of sacks of 280 lbs. of flour milled annually in Great Britain and Ireland?

The average number of sacks of 280 lbs. of flour milled in the United Kingdom during 1918 and 1919 was approximately 36,500,000 per annum.

asked the Minister of Food whether he will give a return of the prices paid month by month for wheat imported into the United Kingdom, distinguishing between the several countries of origin, since control was first introduced?

The amount of work involved in the preparation of this return would be so great that I do not feel justified in placing such a burden on the staff of the Statistical Section of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies. I hope, therefore, that my hon. Friend will not press his request.

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that an allocation of sugar ex store Cork was made to Belfast distributors on 25th April, and that, owing to the shortage of wagons, most of the firms concerned had not received any of this sugar on 11th May; that 2,900 tons of sugar are at present in a Government store at Belfast, and that, notwithstanding, many consumers in Belfast and its surrounding districts have been without sugar for the last ten days; and whether, in arranging for the distribution of sugar to the North of Ireland in future, he will give consideration to the geographical position of Belfast in relation to the cost and difficulties of transport from the South of Ireland?

I am aware that a quantity of sugar was recently allocated ex Cork warehouse to Belfast merchants. This was done because it was decided to reduce the stocks of sugar held in Cork. Had it not been for this fact, supplies of sugar for Belfast would have been sent from Liverpool or Greenock. The sugar stored in Belfast is an emergency reserve of imported refined sugar, the ration being supplied from the output of British refineries. I regret that a certain delay has been occasioned owing to a shortage of railway wagons, to which the attention of the Ministry of Transport (Ireland) has already been drawn. In the meantime, further supplies have been allocated to Belfast.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the percentage of foodstuffs exported from Smyrna in 1919 as compared with the amount exported in 1913?

I will see whether it is possible to give the information desired by my hon. and gallant Friend, and will communicate with him again.

asked the Minister of Food (1) why the present part-time executive officers in the Chichester, Westhampnett, and Westbourne food control districts cannot continue to act in their present capacity, but without a staff allowance; whether the abolition of a staff allowance would mean that the total staff expenditure would not exceed £300 per annum; whether this would be a considerable saving over the scheme proposed by the Government by which a full-time executive officer for the district in question is to be appointed;

(2) whether he has received a resolution of a general meeting of the Chichester, Westhampnett, and Westbourne food control committees protesting against the proposal to set up a new district food office in Chichester, and stating that, as the present executive officers in the district have carried out food control satis- factorily in the most difficult period of the War, the meeting sees no reason for the appointment of a full-time executive officer; and what steps he proposes to take in the matter?

The Minister of Food has received the resolution referred to. The amalgamation of the districts of Chichester, Westhampnett and Westbourne will effect a very considerable economy in administrative expenditure, and it not considered necessary to maintain separate food offices for the three districts. It is not proposed to appoint a full-time district food officer for the amalgamated district. The present Executive Officer of the Chichester Food Control Committee, who is a part-time officer, has been asked to continue to serve in a similar capacity for the enlarged area.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, in view of the fact that the railway companies are considering the re-introduction of the system of passengers' luggage in advance, he will endeavour to expedite their decision, in the interests of holiday-makers this summer and autumn?

I am asking the railway companies to let me have their opinion at the earliest possible date.

asked the Minister of Transport whether reduced fare railway facilities will be granted this year to members of Sunday schools for their annual day excursion trip to the seaside?

The railway companies are granting (so far as their traffic position permits) reduced fare facilities in connection with the annual day outings for recognised school treats. Certain general conditions have been made, of which I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will give an assurance that the half-fares issued to fruit-pickers leaving Glasgow and other Scotch cities for the fruit-growing districts of Scotland will be maintained, as great alarm is being caused by the rumoured withdrawal of a long-established custom, which has brought holiday and health to many poor people, who will be excluded if full fare is insisted on?

I would refer the hon Member to the replies given to the hon. Member for Govan (Mr. Maclean) on the 10th and 17th instants.

asked the Prime Minister what are the relations of the Allies with the government of the Ukraine; whether the question of recognition has been considered; and, if not, when a definite understanding will be arrived at?

The reply to the first two parts of the question is that conditions in the Ukraine have not so far been settled enough to warrant the recognition by the principal Allied Powers of any Government set up there. It is not at present possible to say when a decision will be come to on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister, in view of the number of British refugees still returning from Russia, he will arrange to have some certified statement of their experiences issued for the information of the public, and for its guidance on Bolshevist methods in that country?

A Committee is being set up by His Majesty's Government to collect statements from the British refugees who have recently returned to this country. I am glad to be able to inform the House that Lord Emmott has consented to act as Chairman, and that the hon. Members for Bassetlaw (Sir E. Hume-Williams) and Middleton (Sir W. Ryland Adkins) and the right hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr. Brace) have accepted His Majesty's Government's invitation to assist him. I am unable at present to say how soon or in what form the Committee will be able to make a statement on the result of its investigations.

asked the Prime Minister whether the assent of the House of Commons is to be asked before further credits are granted to foreign Governments?

It is contrary to the declared policy of His Majesty`s Government that there should be any further advances made by Government to Government, and His Majesty's Government have no present intention of proposing to Parliament the grant of further credits to foreign Governments.

asked the President of the Board of Trade why, in view of the promise made that the Report of the Non-Ferrous Metals Committee would be published at an early date, it is not even yet forthcoming; and whether he can name a date by which it will be published?

The revised proofs were returned to the printers some time ago and the final printing of the Report is now proceeding. It will be published as speedily as possible, but I regret that I cannot give the exact date.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that business men complain that the frequent demands made by Government Departments for elaborate statistics occupy much valuable time; and whether he has taken steps in his Department to restrict these demands to essential matters?

I am aware that valuable time must frequently be occupied in supplying statistical informations to Government Departments, and every endeavour is made in the Ministry of Labour to restrict the applications for such statistics to essential matters. My hon. Friend will, of course, realise the importance of full and accurate information on labour subjects. I may add that the trouble which is taken by large numbers of employers and other business men and by trade unions, in supplying such statistics, is very greatly appreciated by The Ministry. I am all in favour of simplicity and brevity, and certainly do not desire that in this or any other connection our requests for information should be unnecessarily elaborate.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether business firms complain that the frequent demands made by Government Departments for elaborate statistical and other information occupy much valuable time; and whether he has taken steps in his Department to restrict these demands to essential matters?

There have been a few complaints from time to time of the nature referred to by the hon. Member, but as a rule business firms have furnished without demur such returns and information as they have been asked for, recognising as they do the desirability of the Government being adequately informed,

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can bring up to date the detailed figures set forth in the statement given to the House of Commons on 11th August, 1919, relating to the distribution of coal among the principal industrial and other users for the last year for which returns are available; and whether estimates can be prepared bringing the figures for distribution up to date?

I will have the information desired by my hon. and

and appreciating the value to themselves of the published results of inquiries. Care is taken to insure that demands for statistical and other information are restricted to essential matters.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the imports and exports of this country with Japan for the year 1919, the quantities or values of our trade with Japan in cotton, silk, and other textiles, also of iron, steel, copper, and other metals, as well as of manufactured articles, and the corresponding figures for the first three months of the present year?

The following statistical table shows the trade of the United Kingdom with Japan during the year 1919 and the first three months of 1920:—

gallant Friend circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT when the figures have been prepared.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the figures and districts showing the amount of coal which goes free to the miners; and whether he proposes to publish a White Paper explanatory of the fluctuations in the price of coal since the Armistice?

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I gave on 18th May to a question by the hon. and gallant Member for Gateshead (Brigadier-General Surtees). As regards the second part, my hon. Friend will find that the variations in price which were effected in July and December of last year are fully dealt with in Command Paper 555, a copy of which I am sending him, and which contains the report of Messrs. Alfred Tongue and Company, the independent chartered accountants appointed by the Government. The reason for the recent increase was explained in the statements made on the 10th May, and in the Debate which followed on the 12th May.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the comparative retail prices of standard house coal (best Derby) in London on, say, 16th May, 1913, and the present date, with the detailed analysis prepared in the same way as given to the House on 14th July, 1919?

My hon. Friend will understand that the costs of raising coal at the present date could only be estimated from those of past periods, and that, in view of the changes in wages which have recently taken place, such estimates could only be approximate, especially as the figures relating to the quarter ended 31st March, 1920, are not yet available. The present maximum retail price of best Derby coal in Central London is 57s. 2d. per ton as compared with 27s. per ton in 1913. An analysis of these prices is appended:—

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will consider, in view of the present low prices of fish and in the interests of fishermen, the advisability of selling bunker coal for fishing craft at a reduced price?

The needs of the fishing industry in the matter of the price of bunker coal have already received careful consideration, and an arrangement was made last December under which the price of coal for fishing trawlers was reduced to a level which corresponds with the prices for industrial coal. It is not practicable further to reduce the price without in effects subsidising the fishing industry at the expense of other portions of the community. In the circumstances I regret that it is not possible to adopt the course suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give any information as to how far increases in wages have kept pace with increases in the cost of living in this country?

I have been asked to reply. The increases in recognised rates of wages since July, 1914, have varied widely in different industries and, in many cases, in different occupations and districts within the same industry. For some classes of workpeople, rates of wages have been approximately doubled since 1914. Skilled men in certain trades have had increases of about 110 to 120 per cent. Some unskilled grades have received advances averaging nearly 200 per cent., while classes of men in a few industries have had even greater advances.

Owing to the great diversity both in the amounts of increase and in the form which the increases have taken in different industries and to the absence of complete information as to the increases granted in industries in which employers and workpeople are unorganised (the advances in these cases being arranged between individual employers and their workpeople), the average increase in all industries, taken together, cannot be calculated precisely; but from, such information as is available it would appear that the average increase over pre-War recognised rates now lies between 130 and 150 per cent.

If, however, present-day earnings as distinct from rates of wages are compared with pre-war earnings, it is necessary to take into account certain other considerations. Actual earnings, especially family earnings, have probably risen more than nominal rates of wages owing to greater regularity of employment at the present time, the increase of overtime rates and other factors, such as development of machinery, which have operated in the direction of raising earnings as distinct from rates of wages. Moreover, hours of labour, have been materially reduced during the past 18 months. If the percentage figure above given were quoted on hourly rates, it would, I am advised, be considerably higher.

The cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-war standard of living of the working classes is estimated to have increased about 141 per cent. on the average between July, 1914, and the beginning of May, and the figure for the present date would be somewhat higher (probably little short of 150 per cent.) owing to the recent increases in coal and sugar prices.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to an official-paid circular issued by His Majesty's Stationery Office, with an order form attached, relating to a publication entitled Alchol: its Action on the Human Organism, issued by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) under the chairmanship of Lord d'Abernon; why this publication is advertised at the public expense; whether he can point to any other official publications with regard to which similar methods of advertisement have been adopted; and will he state the number of these circulars that have been sent out?

My attention has been called to the circular to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers. The publication in question is advertised at the public expense because it is a Government public- cation; and the method of advertisement used in this and similar instances to which I could refer has been adopted as being in certain cases the most effective means of calling public attention to official publications. In this case about 40,000 circulars were sent out to all British medical practitioners, the total cost for the printing, address and despatch of the circulars amounting to about £60. The receipts already exceed this sum.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would happen to a co-operative society under the Corporation Profits Tax if on one half-year's working a loss was incurred, but on the following half-year a gain was shown, seeing that the first claim on the surplus in a co-operative society is interest on the share capital; is this interest subject to the Corporation Profits Tax; and, if profits or surplus is voted by members of a co-operative society to go to reserve, is such amount subject to the Corporation Profits Tax even if it is the money of members not liable to pay Income Tax?

Under the provisions contained in the Finance Bill, the accounting period for purposes of the Corporation Profits Tax is normally the period of a year, and, generally speaking, in a case such as that referred to by the hon. Member, the results of the two half-yearly periods would be aggregated so as to ascertain the results of a year's trading. It is provided in the Bill that the surplus of a co-operative society is subect to the charge of the tax, except such portion thereof as is paid out by way of bonus or dividends on purchases, and it consequently follows that the portion of the surplus applied in payment of interest on share capital or placed to reserve would be chargeable to the tax.

asked the Prime Minister what is the total amount received by the Exchequer from the land taxes and increment duties since their inception, exclusive of mineral rights duties; and what is the total cost of collection?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Sir E. Nicholl) on the 26th ultimo. Any attempt to separate the cost of collection from the cost of the initial valuation which was carried on concurrently would be certain to produce a misleading result and the figure asked for is therefore not available.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Victory Bonds, issued last year at 85, are quoted 10 points higher than the Funding Loan, issued simultaneously at 80; and, if so, whether, having regard to the comparative success and popularity of these Victory Bonds, he will now reconsider the desirability of giving a wider extension in any future issue to the principle of premium bonds?

I am not prepared to ask the House to reverse its decision with regard to premium bonds. Apart from the drawings, Victory Bonds have the substantial privilege of being accepted for Death Duties at par.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether in the weekly Revenue and Expenditure Return in respect of war saving certificates the issues represent the actual amount paid out, and the receipts the actual amount received?

The receipts represent the actual amount paid during the week into the Exchequer by the Post Office in respect of certificates sold and the issues represent the disbursements from the Exchequer in repaymnt of principal (at 15s. 6d. per certificate). The accumulated interest on certificates repaid is included in the general interest charges shown under the head of Interest on War Debt.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the public interest taken in the success of the present issue of Treasury bonds and of its bearing upon the financial position, he will reconsider his decision not to issue earlier information with regard to subscriptions than that contained in the Revenue and Expenditure Return published in the Gazette, which deals only with the subscriptions received in the week preceding the week covered by the Return?

The footnote to the "Gazette" Return (to which I would draw my hon. Friend's attention) will show the amount received to date from the beginning by the Exchequer. As applications and subscriptions are received at the branches of a large number of banks all over the country, and the proceeds are not immediately paid over to the Bank of England, it is not practicable to give absolutely up-to-date information as to the amounts applied for.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the new Five-Fifteen-Year Treasury Bonds are trustee securities?

Yes, Sir. I am advised that these Bonds, like previous War Issues, are securities in which, under the general provisions of the Statutes authorising Trustee investments and Section 35 of the Finance Act, 1917, as amended by Section 39 of the Finance Act, 1918, trustees may invest.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the French Government have given an assurance that steps will be taken by them to pay off their share of the Anglo-French Loan in the United States of America in accordance with the statement made by him on 8th March; and, if not, whether it is still the intention of the British Government to pay off their share of the Loan?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have already stated that we have taken steps to pay off our half.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why the position of cathedral bodies was omitted from consideration for relief under the proposals stated in the Report of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation, 1899; whether he is aware of the severe loss suffered by many cathedral chapters as a result of The Tithe Rentcharge (Rates) Act, 1918; and whether he will cause such inquiry to be made in order to amend the present Bill on that matter to include cathedral bodies in the relief suggested to be granted to other incumbents, in view of the specially heavy charges falling on cathedral chapters?

I cannot supplement the information afforded by the Report of the Commissioners as to their reason for their recommendations. The question raised in the latter part of the question will be dealt with when the Ecclesiastical Tithe Rent Charge (Rates) Bill is discussed on Report.

asked the Prime Minister whether the French authorities recognised Koritza as being purely Albanian; and whether a plebiscite will be allowed in the area of Argyrocastro?

As to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Prime Minister to the hon. and gallant Member for Bromley (Lieut.-Colonel James) on the 29th March last. The future Argyrocastro must necessarily be decided by the Supreme Council in connection with the Adriatic settlement.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether it is the intention of the Government to recognise as valid in this country sales made in Belgium by the Belgian Government (under the liquidation Clauses of the Treaty of Peace with Germany, Section 297) of assets situated in England belonging to German nationals such as the goodwill of businesses.

Under Article 297 (b) of the Treaty of Peace with Germany the Belgian Government has the right to retain and liquidate the property, rights, and interests belonging to German nationals which were situated within Belgian territory on the date when the Treaty of Peace came into force, but I am not aware of any claim by the Belgian Government to sell assets situated in England. If my hon. Friend will furnish me with details of any case which he has in mind I will cause inquiries to be made.

asked the Under-Secretary for State for Foreign Affairs what will be the composition of the international police force which will maintain order in Constantinople?

The question of the composition of the International Police Force, which will be maintained not only in Constantinople, but throughout Turkey, is one which will be decided by the Military International Commission of Control after the coming into force of the Treaty.

asked the Prime Minister if he is still a position to state that no munitions of war are being supplied to the Polish Government from this country?

I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I gave to questions on this subject on the 17th May.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the result of the vote in Switzerland on the proposed adhesion to the League of Nations, and at the same time specify the relative result of the voting in the German, French, and Italian speaking cantons, respectively.

According to my present information, the first published figures of the referendum, taken on 16th May, give 413,478 individual votes for accession to the League of Nations, and 320,592 against. Eleven and a half cantons voted for accession to the League, and ten and a half against. I am not in a position to reply to the second part of the question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Hunter Report will be issued with the evidence; and whether, in view of the desirability' of giving ample time for the perusal and study of the evidence, there is any objection to the immediate issue of the Report with the evidence, in order that it may be available before the Whitsuntide Recess?

The evidence will be made available to Members who wish to study it as soon as the Report is presented. No effort is being spared to minimise delay, but I fear it will not be possible to present the Report before the early part of next week.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any vacancies have occurred, or are likely to occur, in the Executive Council of the Viceroy during the course of the year; and, if so, whether it is proposed to appoint Indians to such vacancies?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. Under the Act of last year, it is proposed that when the relevant Section comes into force (some time this year), there will be three Indian members of the Viceroy's Executive Council.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether public meetings are not allowed to be held in any public place in Delhi, tinder an Order issued since 1886, except under a licence obtained from the police or a magistrate; and, if so, whether he will ask the Government of India to revoke that Order in the year 1920?

The hon. Member doubtless refers to the Police Act of 1861, which relates to the whole of India, and not merely to Delhi. The repeal of this Act is not in contemplation.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether the director of public instruction, Burma, has issued a circular under which no newspapers pub- lished in Burma or India, other than the "Times of India," the "Rangoon Gazette," and the "Rangoon Times," may be read in Government schools in Burma; if so, whether this involves the exclusion of the whole of the native Press; what are the reasons for the issue of this order; and whether he will cause instructions to be issued revoking the order, and allow the same freedom as has existed hitherto in the circulation in Indian and Burmese papers in these schools?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which the President of the Board of Education gave to an identical question asked by the hon. Member for Bishop Auckland (Mr. Swan) on the 25th February, of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India in what class of case it is intended to use the power contained in II. (4) of the Resolution sanctioning the recommendation in regard to the pensions of gazetted officers of certain services, dated 15th November, 1919, whereby the Government will have an absolute right to retire any officer after he has completed 25 years' service without necessity to give reasons and without any claim for compensation, and for what purpose the Clause was inserted; and whether, having regard to the natural feeling of insecurity felt by officers required to sign this condition and to the small amount of good accruing to the Government by insisting on this drastic provision, as the Government already has full power to retire an officer for incompetence or misconduct, he will see his way to withdraw this novel condition?

The new pension rules offer certain advantages, including, in addition to improved maxima, permission to officers of certain services who have hitherto been required to serve for 30 years before qualifying for pension, to retire voluntarily at 25 years, subject to the right of Government to retain their services if necessary, while in other cases in which the officer was already able to retire voluntarily after the shorter period of service, the rates of pension admissible after that period have been improved. In view of these and other advantages in the new rules, it has been considered reasonable to impose the condition referred to by the hon. Member. To officers in the service on 29th August, 1919, the option was given of accepting the new rules or remaining under the old.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether he will explain the reason for Paragraph 4 of the new Pension Rules, which compels senior civil servants, as a condition of acceptance of improved pensions, to acquiesce in the possibility of summary dismissal from the service without reasons being given; and whether he is aware of the anxiety felt by senior officers now left in the service that such dismissals may be general, on the ground of economy?

I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to a question on the same subject by the hon. Member for Cambridge University (Mr. Rawlinson), of which I will send him a copy.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether it is proposed to include women graduates of seven years' standing in the electoral rolls for university seats in the local legislative councils; and whether Lord Selborne's Committee has recommended the giving of the vote in the University constituencies to all graduates of seven years' standing irrespective of sex.

I give the hon. Member the reply which was made on behalf of the Government of India to this same question when it was put in the Indian Legislative Council during the last session—

" (a) No. As recommended by the Joint Committee, provision will be made in the rules under Section 7 (4) (c) of the Government of India Act, 1919, for their inclusion in any province in which the Legislative Council may by Resolution so recommend.

" (b) The Joint Committee recommended that the franchise for the University seats should be extended to all graduates of over seven years' standing, but the Government of India understand that this recommendation, which does not include the last three words in the hon. Member's question, is subject to the general proposal of the Committee in regard to the admission of women to the franchise."

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether Civil servants who, during the War, left their posts with permission from their departments in order to take up war service are entitled to resume their former employment in their departments in the absence of special reason to the contrary; and, if so, whether the rule applies to service under the Government of India equally with departments at Home?

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

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution unanimously passed by the Liverpool branch of the Comrades of the Great War, on Wednesday the 5th May, expressing their concern at the news which reaches them from many parts of Ireland as to the conditions under which ex-service men are living, the persecution which they are suffering, and the danger to their wives and families; and what steps, if any, the Government propose to take to give protection to these men?

I can add nothing to what has already been said on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that in some cases insurance offices are refusing to insure, or increase the insurance of, persons serving the Government in certain capacities in Ireland; and whether the Government will assist such persons either by themselves insuring them or by indemnifying insurance offices against the risk?

I have received no information to the effect stated in the question, but I do not think it would be possible to adopt my hon. Friend's suggestion. Compensation is payable under existing statutory provisions to the dependants of civil servants who lose their lives in the execution of their duty.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the maximum weekly salary of Class 1 chief warders in the English Prison Service, located in prisons with a population exceeding 500 is 90s., and that of Class 2 chief warders in the same service, in prisons with a population of from one to 500, 76s.; whether the same rates apply to corresponding ranks in the Scottish service; whether the maximum salaries of chief warders, Classes 1 and 2, in the Irish Prison Service are 6s. per week less than their corresponding ranks in England and Scotland; why the Irish chief warders are placed on a lower rate of pay; and whether, considering that the duties of the Irish officers are more severe and impose a greater strain owing to the special classes of prisoners confined in Irish prisons, he will take immediate steps toe have the pay of these officers revised and placed on the same maximum as their corresponding ranks in England and Scotland?

The maximum salaries of chief warders, Classes 1 and 2, are less than the salaries of the corresponding classes in England and Scotland by 6s. per week. There are no prisons in Ireland fulfilling the condition as to population which would entitle them to the Class 1 scale as in England, and, accordingly, a special scale had to be devised for the two classes of chief warders in Ireland. Had the Class 2 chief warders been placed on the same maximum as the corresponding warders in England, they would, on promotion to Class 1, suffer a loss of pay. In devising a scale of pay it is, on general grounds, necessary to take prison population into account, questions of payment for specially onerous duty being left for settlement as they arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he is aware that George Willis and William Tibbles, of Ramsey St. Mary's, Huntingdonshire, have worked for upwards of 30 years on Mr. Corney's farm in St. Mary's, which is to be taken at Michaelmas for small holdings; that these two men not only lose employment as labourers in the locality, but will be turned out of the houses which they have occupied for a score of years; that they have applied for a small piece of land to enable them to get a living; and that they have each of them sufficient money to make a small holding a success; and whether, in view of the fact that a landlord is paid for the land taken from him and a farmer compensated for disturbance, he will allow these two men land such as they ask for under the Act in spite of the fact that they may be civilians?

The cases of these two men have not previously been brought to the notice of the Ministry. I am, however, having inquiries made and will communicate with my hon. and gallant Friend as soon as possible.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture if he intends to ask the Law Officers of the Crown whether in their opinion an action would lie against the tenant of an agricultural holding, whose contract of tenancy contains no specific provision dealing with stored-up fertility, for the value of stored-up fertility taken out of the land by reason of pasture having been broken up under compulsory directions issued under the Defence of the Realm Regulations; and, if the opinion of the Law Officers be that such an action would lie against the tenant, whether it is the intention of the Government to insert in the forthcoming Agricultural Bill a provision indemnifying tenants against such claims?

I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by obtaining the opinion of the Law Officers on this matter. Unless the Courts decide that Section 2 of the Courts (Emergency Powers) Act, 1917, does not protect the tenant in the case referred to legislation appears to be unnecessary.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the figures recently published of Agricultural Statistics [Cmd. 680] are based upon complete returns from all occupiers of land, including small holders; whether such returns were compulsory; and on what date they were made?

The figures published in Part I. of the Agricultural Statistics, 1919 [Cmd. 680], are based on returns from all occupiers of agricultural holdings above one acre in extent, and therefore include small holdings; the returns were compulsory; and they were made on 4th June last.

asked the Minister of Health whether there are, approximately, 600 housing schemes which have been submitted to his Department and are now awaiting his decision?

I presume that the hon. and gallant Member is referring to the figures in the White Paper as to housing schemes submitted to the Ministry of Health, showing the number of schemes in respect of which applications have been received and the number to which approval has been given. Only a small proportion of the difference represents schemes awaiting decision by the Ministry. In the majority of cases either provisional approval has been given, subject to the submission of details, or the schemes are before the local authorities for amendment.

asked the Minister of Health whether he has received from the Lancashire County Council a resolution urging the need of legislation to enable county councils to pay the railway fares of their members when engaged away from home on business for the council; and whether the matter has received his consideration and a decision arrived at?

I have received the resolution to which the hon. Member refers, and I am considering the possibility of introducing legislation dealing with the subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that two men doctors have been appointed to the posts of medical officer and assistant medi- cal officer, respectively, of the Sheffield Street Hospital for Women, Clare Market, W.C.2; whether one of these doctors is only 24 years of age; and whether steps can be taken to appoint women doctors to posts of this kind?

I understand that the facts are as stated in the first part of the question. I will bring to the notice of the authorities of the hospital the desirability of appointing women doctors to posts of this kind.

asked the Minister of Health what number of new electors it is estimated that the Representation of the People Bill, if passed as a measure enfranchising women between 21 years and 50 years, will add to the electorate; what is the additional estimated cost to public funds of this increase; what was the total amount of expenses borne by candidates, successful and unsuccessful, at the General Election of 1918; and what was the average cost to candidates of each elector on the roll at such election?

It is estimated that over 5,000,000 new electors would be added to the register if women between 21 and 30 years of age were enfranchised as proposed by the Representation of the People Bill and that the additional cost to public funds in the preparation and printing of the register would be about £300,000 a year, of which one half would be borne by the Treasury. I am unable to give particulars as to the amount of the expenses of candidates at the General Election of 1918.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the statistics recorded by Dr. James Wheatley, county and school medical officer for Shropshire, that since the War there has been a very pronounced decrease in the number of children suffering from decayed teeth, the average percentage of children with teeth free from decay at the age of five being recorded as five per cent. during the years 1910 to 1914, inclusive, and 44 per cent. during the last six months, at the age of 12 the figures being 2·9 and 27·1, respectively; whether he is aware that the opinion has been expressed that this improvement in the condition of the teeth of the children is due to the modifications of the food supply during the War, and especially to the extraction of wheat for use in bread being increased from about 68 per cent. to 80 per cent., and also to the lessened consumption of sugar; whether he is aware that in those countries where the principal food of the people consists of cereals of high extraction, such as in the. northern provinces of India, decay of the teeth is rarely met with; and, considering the national importance of this subject, Bill he take the measures necessary for its close investigation by his Department?

My attention has been drawn to the statement referred to, and the subject of dental caries and its prevention is receiving the careful consideration of my medical advisers.

asked the Minister of Health how many women have been appointed to administrative posts in his Department at salaries of £500 and over; and how this compares with the number of appointments given to men?

No women have so far been appointed to administrative posts in the Ministry of Health at salaries of£500 and over. There are seven women officers in the Department in technical branches who are receiving a salary of over£500.

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what provisions are being made, in accordance with the recommendations of the Whitley Committee, for the admission of women to the higher executive and administrative posts in the Civil Service; and what numbers of women of those grades it is proposed to admit into each separate Department?

The detailed steps to be taken for the admission of women to the higher executive and administrative posts in the Civil Service are still under consideration.

asked the Minister of Pensions the hours of employment of the 4,000 women and the 10 ex-service men employed at Regent's Park hutments; whether a time-book is kept; and what percentage of the employees habitually arrive late?

The hours of attendance of the staff at Pension Issue Office are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. except on Saturdays, when the hours are fro 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. The typing staff, however, attend from 9.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., Saturdays 9.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Time books are kept which show the percentage of late attendances to be almost negligible.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is satisfied that the results achieved by the Employment Exchanges justify the cost of their establishment; and whether he will consider the appointment of a Committee to inquire into this matter?

My hon. Friend will appreciate that I have not yet been able to make myself thoroughly familiar with the present workers of the Employment Exchanges, but I am satisfied that a reasonable expenditure on a system of Exchanges is unavoidable, and, indeed, an essential part of the State machinery for dealing with unemployment. The cost of the Exchanges at the present time is largely governed by the great, though temporary, increase of work occasioned by the out-of-work donation scheme, and other measures designed particularly for the benefit of ex-service men. I had already decided to appoint a Committee to inquire into the working of the Exchanges, and I propose to invite some Members of the House to serve upon this Committee. I hope to be able to announce shortly that the Committee has started its work.

asked the Minister of Labour whether he is aware that a typist employed in the Inland Revenue was attracted away from her employment by the extra pay offered for typists in the Ministry under his control; whether he is aware that this particular typist to whom this question refers has not done two hours' work, beyond making tea for the staff, since her appointment two months ago; and whether he will take steps to prevent such occurrences and the competition between Government Departments in the matter of salaries?

I have made inquiries, and can find no case corresponding to that alleged in the question. Perhaps my hon. Friend will furnish me with further particulars. I may further say that I am having inquiries made as to the pay of typists in the Board of Inland Revenue.

asked the Postmaster-General on what date the increased Post Office rates will come into operation?

The new rates for inland letters, for inland parcels, and for letters to British possessions and the United States will come into operation on the 1st June. The increase in the rates of commission on postal orders and money orders will take effect from the same date. The rates for newspapers and telegrams will remain unchanged pending the passing of the Bill, which I am about to introduce, to authorise increased charges. It is not proposed to alter the rates for postcards or printed papers till after the conclusion of the Postal Union Congress, which is to be held in October. Meanwhile printed papers may be sent at the charges at present applicable to them—i.e., not exceeding 1 oz.,½d; not exceeding 2 oz., ld; with an extra½d. for each additional 2 oz. up to 2 lbs.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware that it is the practice of the Paris Telephone Exchange to decline to connect English subscribers with Paris numbers if, when ultimately getting through, such numbers are found to be engaged on a local call; and, if so, whether he will make a representation to the French telephone authorities upon the matter, with a view to securing, as in England, priority for trunk and Foreign calls?

I will approach the French administration as to the possibility of meeting the wishes of the hon. Member.

asked the Home Secretary whether he will state for the year 1919 the number of children and young persons brought before the juvenile courts; the number of boys and girls, respectively, between the ages of 14 and 16 who were sent to prison either under sentence or on remand or to await removal to other institutions; the number of juvenile adults, boys and girls respectively, sent to prison; the number of juvenile adults, boys and girls respectively, committed to prison for a period of one month or under; and the number of boys and girls who, having been committed to reformatories or industrial schools, were charged during the year with fresh offences, either on absconding from the schools or when placed out on licence?

The number of children and young persons brought before Juvenile Courts in England and Wales in 1918 was 49,915. The figures for 1919 are not yet available. The. figures relating to reception into prisons in England and Wales can only be given for the year ending the 31st March last, and are as follows:—

(1) The number of boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 who were sent to prison, either under sentence or on remand or to await removal to other institutions, was 85 and 4 respectively.

(2) The number of juvenile adults (persons between 16 and 21) sent to prison on conviction was 4,079 males and 1,098 females.

(3) The number of juvenile adults committed to prison for a period of one month or under was 1,609 males and 852 females.

The information asked for in the last part of the question is not available.

asked the Home Secretary the number of boys sentenced by the juvenile courts to be birched during the year 1919?

The figures for 1919 are not yet available, but for the previous year the number was 3,593.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the increasing practice of carrying revolvers; whether fresh legislation is necessary to increase his powers in dealing with this practice; and, if so, whether the Government will consider its introduction?

I would refer my hon. Friend to the Fire Arms Bill, brought from the Lords on the 6th instant.