asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is in a position to make any statement with regard to the situation in Eastern Siberia, Vladivostok, and the Maritime Province; and whether efforts are being made to safeguard British commercial interests in that area?

With regard to the first part of the question, I can add nothing to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Hamilton (Mr. D. Graham) on 18th May. Such steps are being taken as are possible to safeguard British commercial interests in this region. As the hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware, there is a British representative at Vladivostok.

If that be the case, how is it that we can get no further information from this British representative at Vladivostok?

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller, if he can state how many former Russian merchant ships are flying the British flag and engaged in trade; how many former Russian merchant ships are trading under British control; how these ships were acquired or put under our control; and what is the future policy of His Majesty's Government with reference to these ships?

Nineteen former Russian merchant ships are at present under the British flag and under British control, but five of these are being redelivered to their owners. The vessels were acquired by requisition. It has been decided to return all privately-owned ships to their owners, but no decision has yet been arrived at with regard to the others.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the subject of trade with Russia?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can make a statement as to trade with Russia?

This matter is now being discussed with representatives from Russia now in this country. It is not yet possible to make any statement.

May we take it that this House will be informed at the earliest possible moment, and a chance of discussion given before this matter is decided?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question.

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the Government has definitely stated that it wishes to resume trade relations with Russia, trading facilities are being instituted at the various ports and trade centres; whether he is aware that a large number of ships now destined for Odessa are held up at Constantinople; and whether it is the intention of the Government to set up consular representatives at Constantinople and other places without delay?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The institution of trading facilities in Russia is dependent upon the outcome of negotiations now proceeding with the Russian delegation in London. I have not received particulars of the merchant shipping destined for Russian ports which has not proceeded beyond Constantinople, but it is unlikely that such vessels would clear until hostilities in the Black Sea have come definitely to an end. The Commander-in-Chief has been informed that there is no intrinsic objection to the shipment of goods other than arms and munitions to Bolshevik ports, but he has discretion to take such steps in restraint of trade as the military situation may require. The reply to the last part of the question is that His Majesty's Govern- ment cannot appoint consular officers to ports in Turkey until the Turkish Treaty has been ratified, nor do they propose to appoint consular officers to Russian Black Sea ports until the circumstances have changed.

Can the Hon. Gentleman say definitely whether merchant ships for Odessa not laden with munitions of war will be allowed to go there?

I have said that the Commander-in-Chief has been notified that there is no intrinsic objection to the shipment of goods other than arms and munitions to Bolshevik ports.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether British ships are still conducting operations in the Black Sea; if so, what is the nature of these operations; and, if not, when these operations ceased and what were their results?

British warships are protecting sea communications to the Crimea until an armistice is arranged between General Wrangel's army and Soviet Russia. Negotiations will commence shortly. The ships are there to prevent the attack of Soviet troops along the Black Sea coast road towards Batoum, and supporting the garrison at Batoum.

Why are we protecting these communications when there is no hostile fleet at sea in any way threatening them?

I did not suggest that the hostility came from the sea. I said we were preventing an attack on Batoum of of which there were indications. I really think the hon. and gallant Member would be of more use in this matter by advising his friends—those he represents here with so much enthusiasm and so much vigour—than by criticising those who are only doing their duty in carrying out the policy of the Allies?

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that I represent the division of Central Hull in this House? Why has he allowed himself to forget his usual courtesy in this matter?

I assure the hon. and gallant Member I was not aware I was guilty of any discourtesy. I was not speaking of representation in a Parliamentary sense. But frequently the hon. and gallant Member has pressed with great ability and great vigour the opinions of those to whom we have been opposed, and all I did was to suggest that the better way to pursue his policy was by giving them good advice rather than by attacking us.

Is it the case that the British Empire and the British Government are at war with the Soviet Government?

It is not. I have yet to learn that, by taking precautions in order to avoid attacks upon bases which the Allies have undertaken to protect, we are therefore at war.

May I ask whether the Admiralty have not now adopted the policy of the Prime Minister of making peace with these people?

I am afraid it would take more time to answer that question than I could use for the purposes of an ordinary Parliamentary reply. I have told my hon. and gallant Friend frequently that the Admiralty are carrying out strictly the policy laid down by the Prime Minister in this House. They have fulfilled all the conditions laid down with regard to the Baltic Sea, and in this particular case—in the Black Sea—they are only taking the ordinary precautionary measures which are rendered necessary by the policy of the Allies.

rose ߞ

Any further question on this subject must be deferred.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he can state the number of those receiving pensions arising out of the War in this country and in France; and if he can state the number of persons engaged in this country on the administration of such pensions, and the corresponding figure for France?

The number of persons receiving pensions in the United Kingdom in respect of disability or death in the present War is approximately 1,700,000, and, in addition, nearly 1,800,000 wives, children and other persons dependent on pensioners are receiving allowances, thus making the total number of beneficiaries approximately 3,500,000. The precise number of persons receiving similar pensions or allowances in France is not available, but I am informed that the number is in excess of 3,000,000. The number of persons engaged on the administration of pensions in the employ of the Ministry on the 1st May was 24,892. It has not been found practicable to ascertain the corresponding figure for France.

Could the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries from the pension officials to see whether the figures cannot be obtained?

Yes, my officials have been doing their very best, but my hon. and gallant Friend will realise that the conditions, social and otherwise, in France are quite different from the conditions here.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is yet in a position to inform Territorial Force associations of the extent of the grants to be allowed them in future for administrative services; and, if not, when he expects to be able to inform them?

The detailed revision of the grants to Territorial Force Associations for administrative services is proceeding as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, associations have been given provisional information as to the extent of their grants, and are making their arrangements and drawing funds on this basis.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether the final balance sheets of the Expeditionary Force Canteens have been delivered; if so, whether they can be laid upon the Table of the House; and whether a final compilation has been made of the profits of the Expeditionary Force Canteen, apart from the profits of the Navy and Army Canteen Board; and, if so, can he give the figures?

The final accounts of the Expeditionary Force Canteens will not be available until the liquidation is completed, and it is not at present possible to state when this will take place.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether British troops are still in parts of Poland and Eastern Germany for plebiscitary purposes; if so, what are their numbers; and when he expects to be able to withdraw them?

There are no British troops in Poland. As regards Eastern Germany, there is one battalion of British troops in the Allenstein Plebiscite Area and one battalion at Danzig. The total number of troops, including administrative services, is approximately 1,500. It is hoped to withdraw the battalion from Allenstein shortly after the conclusion of the plebiscite, which is to be held by the 15th July. It is not possible to say at present when the battalion at Danzig will be withdrawn.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether, in view of prospective legislation, he proposes to take any steps to ascertain what is the present value of the stipends of the Church of Scotland; and whether he will grant the Return which stands in the name of the hon. Member for the Bridgeton Division of Glasgow? [Teinds, &c. (Scotland),—Return of the rental of each county and each parish in Scotland, and of the value of the teinds appertaining thereto, and the value of such portion of them as is now appropriated to the payment of stipend and communion elements, and the value of such of them as are unexhausted by such payments, and which still remain available for the future augmentation of ministers' stipends, the information to be given under the heads of the respective presbyteries and synods.]

I regret I am unable to grant the Return asked for by my hon. Friend. Apart from rental, which is no guide to the teindable rental, no information of the nature asked for is available. I am advised that it would not be possible to obtain it without an elaborate investigation which could only give approximate results and which would not warrant the time and labour expended upon it. I may add that committees representing the Land Property Federation and the Church of Scotland, respectively, are at present in negotiation with regard to a basis for the conversion of stipend into a cash payment, and have attained a large measure of agreement in the matter.

Has my right hon. Friend not himself been negotiating with these bodies with regard to legislation affecting these funds, and is it not desirable to know the total amount of funds involved?

It is perfectly true that I have been in negotiation with the bodies to which I have referred, but, as I told my hon. Friend in the answer which I have given, it is impossible to get an accurate return of the character which he asks, and if he will be good enough to come and see me on the subject, I think I can convince him of the futility of his inquiry.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this return which I have asked for is the same as was granted a number of years ago, before the War, and if it was then possible to grant that at a time when there was no prospective legislation on the subject, why should it not be possible to grant an exactly similar return just now?

The returns to which my hon. Friend refers are, in my humble judgment, scarcely worth the paper on which they are printed, and I do not propose to incur the time and labour which would be expended upon producing a return which would be equally useless.

Is there any connection between the legislative proposals of the Government, and any Return of this sort, and is there any reason why the one should be delayed for the other?

There is no reason at all why the legislative proposals which are under consideration should be delayed for the production of a Return which I am quite satisfied would not satisfy my hon. Friend.

asked (1) the Lord Privy Seal whether the Government has received a request from the United Free Church in the matter of the Government introducing a Bill to alter the constitution of the Church of Scotland; if so, will he state its terms;

(2) whether any agreement has been intimated to the Government between representatives of the Church of Scotland and the United Free Church to the effect that the Government should be requested to introduce a measure to recognise the draft articles prepared by the Church of Scotland; and, if so, will he state its terms?

As I stated in answer to an earlier question, the Government had received intimation of an agreement between representatives of the Church of Scotland and of the United Free Church to the effect that the Government should introduce a Bill.

Have any representations been received in favour of the Bill and the articles from the United Free Church?

The Government received notice of an agreement between the representatives of these two bodies, and no doubt my hon. Friend has seen that the General Assembly have approved of them.

Has my right hon. Friend any information as to whether representatives were appointed by the United Free Church to approve of these Articles?

I hardly know what the hon. Member means by representatives. If he means delegates, there were none, but the decision of the General Assembly shows that representatives of the United Free Church were sent there.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state the number of houses which have been completed and are in actual occupation under the Housing Act of 1919, the number of houses which are in course of construction, and the number which he estimates will be completed in the course of the present year?

I am not yet in a position to give my hon. Friend the figures up to the end of May. At the end of April there were 2,054 houses in course of construction. As regards the remainder of the question, I would refer to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Bridgeton (Mr. MacCallum Scott) on the 19th ultimo.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he can state in respect of how many houses the subsidy has been paid to private builders under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919.

The subsidy has not yet been paid to any private builders. It is expected that it will be paid shortly in respect of four houses which have been completed. Plans for 217 houses in respect of which subsidy will be claimed have been approved.

Has it been made clear to the people in the crofting areas of Scotland that men who are willing to build houses for themselves will get the subsidy?

Yes, I understand that has been made quite clear.

asked the Minister of Health how many of the 1,464 houses now erected under his housing schemes are let at rents of 6s. to 12s. a week, and how many at rents of 12s. to 20s. a week; and what is the average rent of the whole of such houses?

Rents are approved for the different types of houses before they are completed. So far as rents have been approved for completed and uncompleted houses, the percentages are as follows:ߞ

asked the Prime Minister when the Rent Restriction Act Amendment Bill will be introduced?

This Bill was introduced on the 20th of May.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state what was the capital of the British Mercantile Marine when the War broke out; and if he can also state the amount of profit made by British shipowners between August, 1914, and the end of 1916, from that date to the Armistice, and from the Armistice until December, 1919?

There are no official statistics giving the precise information which the hon. Member desires, but excluding vessels under 100 tons there were 20,750,000 tons gross of shipping under the British flag when War broke out, and a rough estimate of its total value can be formed by taking an average value per ton. If the figure £8 10s. be taken, the total is about £175,000,000. An analysis of the earnings of a number of shipping companies, both passenger and cargo, over a series of years, will be found in the issue for 1st January last of the shipping paper "Fairplay." According to this analysis the average dividend in the case of cargo boats over a period of 16 years, from 1904 to 1919, was 9·15 per cent., and in the case of passenger lines over a period of 14 years, from 1906 to 1919, 9·03 per cent.

asked the Minister of Food what articles of food were under control at the date of the Armistice, and which of them have now been released from control; and what articles of imported food were mainly or wholly purchased by the Ministry at the date of the Armistice, and which of them have now been released from control?

The information asked for in the question can be conveyed more clearly by means of a tabular statement, which I am sending the hon. Member.

asked the Minister of Food whether a new Food Commissioner has been appointed for Scotland; if so, what is his name; and what are the conditions of the appointment?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The name of the new Food Commissioner for Scotland is Air John Lorne MacLeod. As regards the last part of the question, the appointment is made subject to a month's notice of termination on either side, and the salary of the post is at the rate of £1,000 per annum.

Is Air John MacLeod devoting his whole time to the duties of the office?

I should like notice of that question.

Is not that part of the question? Does it not come under the question, "What are the conditions of the appointment?"

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture (1) if he can announce the present outlook for the British wheat harvest, in view of the shortage of bread; and whether, in view of increasing wheat cultivation in this country next year, he will expedite his proposals for dealing with agricultural problems? (2) When he proposes to take the Second Reading of the Agriculture Bill; whether he has received any representations from agricultural authorities on any aspects of the measure; and, in that case, what is their nature?

asked the Prime Minister when the Second Reading of the Bill granting guaranteed prices for corn, and establishing security of tenure in agriculture, will be taken?

It is at present too early in the year for any statement to be made of the probable yield of the wheat crop in this country. I hope that it may be possible for the Second Reading of the Agriculture Bill to be taken on Monday next, the 7th inst. Representations of a general nature have been received from agricultural bodies throughout the country, urging the Government to proceed with the Bill, which since its introduction on May 20, has, so far as can be ascertained, been favourably received by the agricultural community.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture how many acres have been acquired for land settlement under the Land Settlement Act, 1919; the total cost of the land acquired; the number of ex-soldiers who have been settled on the land; and the average rental per acre at which it has been let?

The area acquired by County Councils and Councils of County Boroughs in England and Wales under the Land Settlement (Facilities) Act, 1919, is 198,500 acres. Of this area 176,660 acres have been purchased for cash at a cost of £7,514,400. Up to the 16th May last, the total number of ex-service men actually provided with holdings was 5,952, who were in occupation of 89,826 acres. As the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries explained on the 31st March last, in reply to the hon. Member for Rother Valley, it would be misleading to give any figure as representing the average rent charged for holdings. In addition to the above, the area acquired by the Ministry for the provision of farm settlements is 28,294 acres, of which 14,384 acres have been purchased for £454,200. Possession has so far been obtained of 15,662 acres, and the number of ex-Service men and women now at the settlements is 520.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that in July last advertisements were inserted in the press inviting ex-service men to apply through the Labour Exchange for free passages for themselves and their dependants to various of His Majesty's Dominions; that an applicant named W. H. Crawford, then employed at Woolwich Arsenal, who responded, was informed by the Overseas Settlement Department that he could have a free allotment of land in Queensland, an advance of capital at low interest from the Dominion savings banks, and free training at the expense of the Government; that he paid £85 for his passage to Queensland on the assurance that the money would be refunded immediately on his arrival at Brisbane; that upon reaching that port with his wife and children he found that no preparation had been made for their reception, and that nothing whatever appeared to be known of the settlement scheme; that he was refunded £35 only of his passage money, was advised to return to England, and was promised, until a vessel could be found, the sum of two guineas weekly for the maintenance of himself and family; that later, although no vessel had then been found, he was informed that even this inadequate allowance might be stopped; and that the disappointment experienced and the hardships endured in her delicate state of health caused Mrs. Crawford to die in childbirth; and whether, with a view to preventing similar cases, he will make representations to the Dominions concerned?

Some of the statements in the question appear to relate to another case which is still under investigation. It is the case that an ex-service man named W. H. Crawford, who had previously been nominated for assisted passages by relatives in Queensland, applied for passages for himself and his family under the scheme for granting free passages to ex-service men which was announced in this House on the 8th of April, 1919. Like other inquirers, this applicant was furnished with a copy of the General Handbook issued by the Oversea Settlement Office. This handbook contains a summary of the schemes for the settlement of ex-service men which have been announced by the various Oversea Governments, including the Government of Queensland.

Mr. Crawford was accepted was a settler by the Queensland Government, because he stated that he was going to assured employment as a help on a farm under his brother-in-law. He did not pay for his passages, but was provided with free passage vouchers by the Oversea Settlement Committee, and the cost was reimbursed to the shipping company in the ordinary way. I am informed that on his arrival in Queensland he did not apply to be settled on the land. Had he done so, the Queensland Government would have endeavoured to assist him. The Queensland Government, however, offered him other employment, which he refused, and subsequently gave him voluntary assistance and provided him with passages to enable him and his family to return to England. I am further informed that it is unhappily the case that Mr. Craw-ford's wife died in childbirth almost immediately after her arrival in Queensland, but that there are no grounds for supposing that her death was due to other causes than the ordinary risks of childbirth.

Is the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that Mr. Crawford is still held up in Queensland, and is he also aware of many other cases of men inveigled to Australia under false pretences?

I am not aware that he is still held up in Queensland, but I am making inquiries. I cannot agree that many men who have gone to Queensland are inveigled there under false pretences.

asked the Minister of Labour if he will consider the extension of the six weeks' disqualification in the case of an ex-Service man who voluntarily relinquishes his employment in order to put an end to the practice of men unnecessarily drawing unemployment pay?

I presume that my hon. and gallant Friend is referring to unemployment pay in connection with the out-of-work donation scheme, and not to benefit under the National Insurance (Unemployment) Acts. The Committee of Inquiry into the scheme of out-of work donation recommended that in such cases the Courts of Referees should be authorised to impose a further penalty, consisting in a reduction by not more than six weeks of the period for which donation may be drawn. Effect was given to this recommendation in July last.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether he is aware of the delay in the payment of grants to ex-Service students at present in training; and whether, in view of the inconvenience, and often distress, caused by the delay, and the consequent harmful effect on the minds of students, many of whom support a wife and family, he will do his best to speed up these payments?

I am not aware of any general delay in the. payments of grants to ex-Service students at present in training under the Board's scheme, but if any specific instance of delay be brought to my notice it will be investigated.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether official copies of the Northey-Ainsworth labour circular have been received from British East Africa, and when copies will be laid upon the Table of the House?

The official copies of the circular have not yet been received.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he can now make any statement regarding the policy of the Colonial Office in regard to the grant of responsible government in Southern Rhodesia as a result of the recent elections held in that country?

The newly elected Legislative Council of Southern Rhodesia has passed Resolutions in favour of the grant of responsible government to the territory. These Resolutions will, of course, receive the most careful consideration, but it is not possible to make any statement at present.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether he can now remove the buildings in the Victoria Embankment gardens so that these public open spaces can be used during the ensuing summer months?

I regret that it is not yet possible to state when the buildings in question can be removed.

Is it not possible to use these buildings for housing?

The buildings are still being used for the War Office staff.

asked the First Commissioner of Works whether the Government have purchased several acres of land from the Duke of Bedford in Bloomsbury; if so, what price has been paid for it; for what purpose it is to be put; whether it will incur the dishousing of any persons; and, if so, how many?

asked the President of the Board of Education what price the Government propose to pay the Duke of Bedford for the site behind the British Museum which has been offered to the University of London; how many private residences, boarding- houses, or hotels are included in the site; what is the estimated number of the population which will be displaced; what arrangements for their re-housing have been made; and whether the Government have considered the desirability of acquiring the site of the Foundling Hospital, which is in the immediate vicinity, and of approximately the same area, but has the advantage of not being intersected by roads or subject to leases, and would not involve the rendering homeless of many families, but would enable the trustees of the hospital to remove their children to the country, as they are anxious to do?

In view of the fact that the matter is still under negotiation, and the purchase is not yet actually completed, I am not in a position to make any statement as to the price proposed to be paid to the Duke of Bedford. A full description of the site, including an enumeration of the number of houses on it and the dates of the termination of leases, has already been published. As the great majority of the leases do not fall in until 1923 and after that date, no immediate provision for re-housing is necessitated. After full consideration of all the relevant circumstances, the Government decided that the foundling hospital site was less suitable for the purpose than the site behind the British Museum.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Senate of the University of London have already expressed a preference for the site of the Foundling Hospital as compared with the site behind the British Museum belonging to the Duke of Bedford, and will the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why the Government are endeavouring to force the University to accept a site more expensive and less suitable for the purpose of a university?

I am perfectly aware that many years ago, when the London University question was in an entirely different position, the Senate of the University came to that conclusion, but the Government has no doubt whatever that, as between the two sites, the site now selected and offered to the University is preferable, first of all, because of its proximity to the British Museum, the greatest depository of material for study in the world; secondly, because of its proximity to University College; and, thirdly, because of its more central position. So far as the last part of the hon. Gentleman's question goes, the Government is not attempting to force the University to accept the site. The Government offer the site to the University. The University may accept it, or decline it.

Will not the cost in either case fall on public funds, and is it absolutely necessary to incur any such charge at the present time?

It is perfectly true that the cost will fall on public funds, but it is offset, first of all, by the value of the site and buildings at present occupied by London University. The hon. Baronet must know that London University is now housed by the Government in part in the Imperial Institute, which will be liberated, and, of course, the buildings occupied by King's College will also be liberated.

Could not the Government close all universities and schools to oblige the hon. Member?

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in addition to the site of the Foundling Hospital, it is surrounded by an equivalent acreage of about 10 acres which can be obtained without additional cost? At a time when finance is of such urgent need to the State, surely it is a mistake for the Government to suggest a site to the University of London which is far more expensive than a site of which they have themselves expressed approval?

Before the hon. Member makes any observation with respect to the cost of those sites, he should know what is the price.

May I ask whether it is possible that the Duke of Bedford will give this site to the University?

Will the Minister not tell us what is the respective cost of the two sites?

That has already been answered.

asked the Minister of Transport whether an examination of the traction system of public service and other heavy industrial motor vehicles is insisted upon by the Ministry of Transport; and, if not, whether, in view of the very great extension of the numbers of public service and other heavy industrial vehicles now taking place, he will provide for such an examination to be carried out at frequent intervals by inspectors from his Department, without preliminary notice?

Public service and heavy industrial motor vehicles have to comply with the provisions of the Locomotives Acts and the Motor Car Act, 1903, and of the Orders made there under. Public service vehicles, by which I understand my Noble Friend to mean hackney and stage carriages plying for hire, are also subject to inspection by the licensing authority. The enforcement of the Regulations and Bye-laws, both as regards public service and heavy industrial motor vehicles, is a matter for the local authorities and the police. The Minister does not propose to appoint inspectors for this purpose, as suggested in the last part of the question.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Report of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic has yet been considered by the Cabinet; and, if so, whether any action is contemplated on the lines therein recommended?

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government have arrived at any decision with regard to the Report of the London Traffic Committee?

In answer to these questions, I would refer the hon. Members to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport to the hon. Member for Southwark (Central) in this House, on the 26th April. I am not in a position at present to add anything.

asked the Minister of Transport whether, having regard to the urgency of dealing with the congestion in London traffic, he can give the House an assurance that a serious attempt will be made to deal with the existing conditions before the coming winter?

The authorities and owners of undertakings concerned with London traffic are pressing on with such improvements to the services as are possible, and I hope that before winter a considerable improvement will have been effected. The Report of the Advisory Committee on London Traffic, which makes recommendations with a view to the future control of London traffic, is under consideration by the Cabinet.

asked the Minister of Transport if he will inform the House, especially in view of the coal and oil shortage of the world, what progress he is making with co-ordinated schemes for the utilisation of the water power of this country in the creation of electric power; and whether the co-operation of industrialists is being invited on practical lines?

The extent to which the water power resources of this country can be utilised for industrial purposes is the subject of an inquiry by a committee appointed by the Board of Trade in June, 1918. This committee has already issued an Interim Report, and it is understood that it has now almost completed its labours. Proposals for the co-ordination of certain water power schemes with fuel power stations have been submitted to the Electricity Commissioners and are under consideration.

Do the terms of reference to this Committee include the utilisation of tides for electrical generation?

I am afraid I cannot answer that question without notice.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what has been the average value per ton of the commodities imported during each of the following months: January, February, March, and April, 1920; and whether the decline during the last two months is due to a fall in price or to an alteration in the character of the imports?

The average value per ton of the merchandise registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the months of January, February, March, and April, 1920, has been £55·6, £59·0, £49·8, and £45·4 respectively. The lower level of the average value per unit of weight in the later months is due mainly to the fact that, in the case of certain classes of merchandise whose value per ton weight is considerably in excess of the average, the quantities imported have decreased, while in some cases in which the value per ton is considerably below the average the quantities imported have increased. Some of these changes are seasonal in character. It would appear, from such an examination of the figures as can be made without unreasonable cost, that no important part of the change shown can be attributed to a general fall in prices of imported merchandise.

asked the President of the Board of Trade when he will make an announcement of the policy of the Government with regard to import restrictions?

An announcement on the subject will be made as soon as possible, but I am not at present in a position to give an exact date.

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many Forms Z 8 have been issued this year; what action he takes with firms or persons who refuse to return them; what purpose these forms are intended to serve; and why statistics relating to labour are dealt with by his Department.

Two issues of the Forms Z 8 have been made this year, the number issued on each occasion being about 50,000. In the few cases of refusal to return forms, letters have been addressed to the firms concerned, pointing out the purpose of the inquiry, and asking them to reconsider their decision. With regard to the last two parts of the question, the Government have considered it essential that they should be adequately informed as to the volume and distribution of production and the extent to which the industries of the country have been recovering their pre-War activity. The Z 8 returns form one of the most important sources of such information, and, while the returns show numbers of persons employed and may, therefore, be said to relate to labour, these particulars afford to the Board of Trade (without imposing on manufacturers and others the more troublesome work of furnishing quarterly returns of production) a useful measure of the variation in the activities of the various industries. It is recognised that the returns obtained by the Board of Trade and the Ministry of Labour to some extent overlap, and arrangements have been made to issue a composite form which will include the information required by each Department.

asked the Prime Minister (1) when the Bill providing for the nationalisation of mineral royalties will be introduced; (2) when the Bill regulating the future organisation of the coal industry will be introduced?

I am not yet able to name a date for the introduction of these Bills.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether emergency or reserve supplies of coal are kept in each district to meet urgent requirements; and whether, if that is so, consumers are made aware of the exact localities of these supplies, so that application may be made when necessary?

Emergency stocks of coal have only been kept in distracts where the local authority has agreed to lay them down. It is not the practice to allow consumers to obtain supplies direct from these stocks. When there is a shortage of supplies merchants draw coal from these stocks to meet the urgent requirements of their house coal customers.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether there is now any maximum of coal which may be delivered in one week to any house; and whether, in that case, he will state what it is?

There is no general fixed maximum quantity of coal that may be delivered in one week to any house, but where supplies to any particular district are short the Local Fuel Overseer for the district has power to restrict deliveries to a weekly maximum fixed at his discretion.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the shortage of pig-iron in Scotland, the iron-founding industry is faced with a crisis that will necessitate a partial stoppage or entire closing down of works; and, if so, whether he will ask for an immediate return of outputs and stocks of foundry pig-iron at makers' works and meantime, while the situation is being investigated, prohibit all exports of pig-iron?

The question of the supplies of pig-iron for the iron founding industry in Scotland has been receiving the attention of my right hon. Friend for some time past, and he is in communication with the pig-iron producers and the Scottish trades concerned with a view to such improvement of the position as may be possible. As regards the second part of the question, he has already arranged for the information suggested to be furnished at an early date, and the whole position will then be reconsidered in the light of that information.

asked the Prime Minister whether it is intended to proceed with the trial of war criminals on the black list; how long it is intended to retain in the hands of the Allies those persons who feature in this list; whether they are considered to be prisoners of war or criminals against the laws of the country in whose hands they now are pending trial; and whether the Supreme Council has as yet decided whether the naval offenders will be tried under the German or British code of international law as far as maritime offences are concerned?

asked the Prime Minister whether any further arrangements have been made for the trial of the ex-Kaiser which he announced on 3rd July, 1919, would take place in London?

I have nothing to add to the statement I made in the House on this subject on 19th April.

Is there any intention of hanging this man, as we were told 18 months ago?

asked the Prime Minister what arrangements have been made by the German Government for the trial of war criminals at Leipzig?

asked the Prime Minister if he can now make any statement as to the exact procedure which will be followed in regard to the trial in Germany of Germans charged by the Allies with offences against the laws and usages of war?

I can add nothing to the statement which I made in reply to questions on this subject on the 17th May last.

asked the Prime Minister whether any part of the cost in connection with the Army of Occupation has as yet been paid by Germany; if so, what is the amount which has been paid; and what is the total sum payable to date?

Approximately £4,000,000 has been paid in supplies of local currency for the use of the occupying forces. The balance of the British claim up to the end of May, 1920, is approximately £45,000,000, to which a further sum, now estimated at £2,750,000, will be added in respect of the rest of 1920–21. The question of payment rests with the Reparation Commission.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can state which of the Treaties with enemy States have been ratified and which still remain to be ratified; and whether he can indicate when the termination of the War within the meaning of the Termination of the War Act will be reached?

Ratifications have been deposited in the case of the Treaty of Peace with Germany, but not yet in the case of the Treaties with Austria and Bulgaria. The King's ratification for the British Empire of the Treaties with Austria and Bulgaria was sent to His Majesty's Ambassador in Paris on the 5th May. The Treaties of Peace with Hungary and Turkey have not yet been signed. An Order in Council cannot be issued under the Termination of the Present War (Definition) Act, until all these Treaties have been signed and the necessary ratifications deposited.

Can my right hon. Friend say then why 30th July was the date put on the War Pensions Bill?

No, I cannot.

asked the Prime Minister whether he can now make any statement with respect to the latest negotiations with Germany on the financial and other aspects of the Peace Treaty?

No, Sir. There is no statement which can be made at present.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether any fried fish shops and any other similar industrial enterprises are now the property of or under the control of the Ministry of Munitions; if so, how many; is there a controller; is there a staff and under what Vote will it be found; and how many such institutions were set up under the Ministry during the War?

No fried fish shops are now, nor, so far as is known, were ever, conducted by the Ministry of Munitions. If my Noble Friend will inform me what class of establishment he would consider "similar industrial enterprises" I shall be happy to make inquiries.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions when the Ministry will be wound up?

I hope it may be possible to make a statement in regard to this matter shortly, but it is certain that the process of disposal cannot be completed within the present financial year.

asked the Prime Minister when the Bill for increasing postal rates will be introduced?

The Prime Minister has asked me to answer this question. I hope it will be possible to introduce this Bill next week.

Why have we got to pay two pence to-day for letters?

It is not necessary to introduce legislation to alter the penny post.

This is not an alteration of the penny post, but of the three-halfpenny post. I beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for the Adjournment.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give an approximate estimate of the saving that would likely be effected if in no part of the country the postal deliveries did not exceed three per day and if the collections were reduced to the same number?

I can give no approximate estimate without making detailed local enquiries, which would serve no useful purpose. The number of deliveries and collections only exceeds three per day in London and the larger towns, where a reduction to that number would be impracticable alike from the point of view of the Post Office and the public. I anticipate that any such measure would increase rather than reduce expenditure by spreading the work less evenly over the day, and it would necessitate the wholesale substitution of full-time by part-time labour.

asked the Postmaster-General whether he can give an approximate estimate of the saving that would be effected if the Sunday postal deliveries in England were abolished?

I have no up-to-date figures showing the cost of Sunday indoor and outdoor postal work, and I doubt whether it is at present worth while to obtain them. The question of discontinuing Sunday deliveries was considered during the War, and was negatived by the Government.

asked the Prime Minister when the Bill regulating the hours of labour in industry will be introduced?

I regret that I am unable to assign a definite date for the introduction of this Bill, but my right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make an announcement on the subject shortly.

asked the Prime Minister if the correspondence can now be laid upon the Table respecting the decision to appoint a Canadian Minister at Washington with ambassadorial powers?

asked the Prime Minister whether he will cause to be laid upon the Table of the House the correspondence between His Majesty's Government and the Canadian Government relative to the appointment of a Canadian Minister at Washington?

In reply to these questions, I have to state that His Majesty's Government and the Canadian Government are agreed that for the present it would not be in the public interest to lay the correspondence which has passed on the subject.

May I ask the Leader of the House, seeing the importance of this matter and how closely it affects the relations between the Empire and foreign countries, if he does not think it desirable that the House should have full information on this subject?

Yes, the House has full information of the fact, but I think my hon. Friend and the House will agree that we must in this matter not only consider ourselves but also what is desired by the Canadian Government.

Is it not a fact that a decision has already been taken on this matter and this House has not been informed of the full circumstances?

No. I read a statement to the House which I thought gave the decision.

Does not this matter affect the whole of our constitution and the position of our Empire as a whole?

Every new development affects the constitution.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can make any statement with regard to the present position of affairs in Persia; what steps are being taken to safeguard British interests; and whether the Bolshevik aggression has been the subject of any diplomatic representation?

asked the Prime Minister whether he has any further information regarding the situation in Persia; and whether the British Government are taking any action in that country?

The Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, who is now in London, has been in constant touch with the Foreign Office and has discussed the situation with the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. A complete understanding prevails, and it hoped that as a result both Persian and British interests will be safeguarded. In answer to the last part of the question, the Persian Government have protested against the Bolshevist action in Persia to the Soviet Government at Moscow direct.

Has the Persian Government asked that the Council of the League of Nations should be summoned, and that they should deal with this matter?

I must ask for notice of that question.

Has an embassy been sent from Teheran to Moscow?

I think not, but I should like to have notice of that question.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the yield in the year 1919–20 of each of the new import duties contained in Section 1 of the Finance Act, and the cost of collection in each case.

With the hon. Member's permission, I will publish the answer in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

The following is the answer referred to:

The approximate yield in the year 1919–20 of each of the new import duties contained in Section 1 of the Finance Bill was as follows:—

It is not possible to indicate what proportion of the total cost of collection of Customs and Excise duties is attributable to the duties in question.

asked the Prime Minister whether the Government intend to impose a tax on war-made wealth; and, if so, when the Bill for that purpose will be introduced?

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Cabinet have now come to a decision in regard to the taxation of what is called War wealth.

My right hon Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer hopes to be in a position to make a statement on this subject in the course of a few days.

Can the hon. Gentleman confirm the statement that the Finance Committee of the Cabinet turned down this idea?

I am not a Member of that Committee.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his acknowledgment of 10s. conscience money from Liverpool in the personal columns of a leading London paper on 3rd May last cost the Treasury 11s.; and, if so, will he consider means by which this burden on the taxpayer can be avoided?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the last part, under the arrangements at present in force all acknowledgments of the kind referred to are inserted in the "Times" unless the contributor specifically asks for the acknowledgment to appear in some other newspaper, and no charge is made by the "Times" unless, owing to a request of the contributor, special arrangements have to be made for the insertion of the notice in a particular column ( e.g., the Personal column), in which case the normal advertisement charge would be made. Consequently in the vast majority of cases no charge falls on the taxpayer. In this case a mistake was unfortunately made, and a charge incurred which might have been avoided.

Is it not a fact, that calling attention to this remarkable extravagance has cost the country 30s.?

asked the Minister of Health whether it is proposed to create a new hospital service to which the municipalities must co-operate with the State and what is the exact policy of the Department towards existing voluntary hospitals on the one hand, and towards general hospital provision on the other?

It is not intended, as I have stated in reply to previous questions, that the Government should take over voluntary hospitals, but I cannot undertake within the limits of a reply to a Parliamentary question, to discuss the exact relation of voluntary institutions to the general scheme of public health services.

In view of the financial position of the voluntary hospitals to-day, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of issuing a statement of policy at an early date?

We are giving this matter our attention from day to day, and I think I shall be able to make a satisfactory statement before long.

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if it is anticipated that the destruction of the Inland Revenue offices throughout Ireland will reduce the amount of taxation to be received from that country?

The damage to which my hon. Friend refers will tend to cause delay in the collection of Income Tax in Ireland, but it is not anticipated that the ultimate yield of the tax will be seriously affected by what has occurred.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount of the new Treasury Bonds which have been purchased?

The receipts into the Exchequer up to and including Saturday, May 29th, were £5,025,000. This represents, broading speaking, subscriptions up to May 22nd. The total is disappointing, though the number of individual subscribers is good.