asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that at Northampton a meeting is being called to protest against the treatment of invalided ex-service men not covered by the Pensions Warrant; and whether he can institute any temporary measure of relief pending a revision of the existing warrant?

I am not clear as to the class of case which the hon. Member has in mind; but I am causing inquiry into the matter.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what authority and by whose signature the Brighouse Local Pensions Committee was transferred to the West Riding authorities at Wakefield?

I must refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which was given him in reply to a similar question on the 7th June. The town of Brighouse had, under the provisions of the War Pensions Act, 1915, to be included in the area of the local committee for the West Riding, because it was not a district for which a separate local committee could at that time be appointed.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether treatment allowances can be withdrawn from a disabled man who, owing to his disability, is unable to follow his present occupation, and who is receiving outpatient treatment but is certified fit for easy light work, or whether he is entitled to receive full-treatment allowances pending his return to his own employment?

For cases of out-patient treatment special provision is made by Article 6 of the Royal Warrant in the form of an allowance for loss of remunerative time. Full allowances at the maximum rate of pension (to which the hon. Member appears to refer) are only payable where a pensioner who is certified to need a course of treatment is judged to be unable in consequence to provide for his own support and that of his family. The question whether in any given case the time occupied in or other circumstances attending the course of treatment prescribed are such to entitle the man to the maximum allowances must be decided on the facts of the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether, under the present system of payments of soldiers, sailors, widows, and dependants' pensions by the Pension Issue Office, it would be possible for members of the staff employed to take paybooks or identity certificates and thereby illegally appropriate money from the pensions fund; what is the check upon possible misappropriation; and, in the event of a deficit being discovered, what means has the Ministry of finding the culprit?

Effective precautions are taken at Pension Issue Office to prevent the misappropriation of public moneys, but I am afraid that if I were to state publicly the nature of these precautions their value would be very much lessened.

asked the Minister of Pensions what is the principle upon which the awards made to pensioners are registered; is there any check on the record of payments except that on the awards card; and what is the extent of over-payments so far discovered?

Awards of pension are recorded at the awarding branches on an awards sheet placed in a file registered in the name of the pensioner and containing the relative documents. Authority for payment of first awards and each subsequent renewal of pension is forwarded to Pension Issue Office and there recorded on an award card. There is thus a duplicate record of the award made in all cases. Apart from comparison of these separate records a test comparison is made periodically in a number of cases between paid Post Office allowance forms and the authority to pay. Overpayments, arising chiefly from miscalculations, amount to about £3,000 a year.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether secretaries of local war pensions sub-committees and other persons appointed to the service of such sub-committees, and whose salaries were fixed by the Treasury and sanctioned by the Ministry of Pensions, are to be deemed persons in the employment of the Ministry?

The answer is in the negative.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade the amount paid out by the Gas Light and Coke Company in Excess Profits Duty during each of the years 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919; and whether he can give an early date for the publication of returns of gas undertakings, both public and private, in continuation of Parliamentary Papers, H.C. 311, 312, of 1915, in view of the fact that no returns have been published for any of the years since 1914?

I am informed by the Gas Light and Coke Company that they have at no time been liable for Excess Profits Duty. The dividends which they have paid to their ordinary shareholders during the War have been on a considerably lower scale than those for some years prior to 1914. Returns for the year 1919 relating to all statutory gas undertakings in the United Kingdom are now being compiled and will be published as soon as practicable.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the recent increase in the price of bunker coal applies to fishing trawlers; whether the price of fish has greatly declined while the cost of trawling have increased; and whether there are any figures to show the numbers of trawlers which have been withdrawn recently from service and the number of men thus thrown out of work?

The answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the last part of the question, I cannot give the hon. Member precise figures, but the number of trawlers laid up is large. This is partly to be attributed to the fall in the price of fish and the increase of running expenses, and partly to provision for the annual refit, which is normally timed to take place in the summer.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is prepared to take steps to prohibit the registration of companies bearing the word "British" or "English" as part of their titles in cases where the capital is held mainly by foreigners?

The question of prohibiting the registration of a company with a name which conveys expressly or by implication British nationality, unless the Articles of Association contain clauses providing that the new company will in fact be British, will be borne in mind when legislation is introduced to amend the Companies Acts.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has any information showing the effect which the decision to reclothe the Army will have on the price of cloth for civilian use?

No, Sir. It would be impracticable to frame an estimate of the kind suggested by the right hon. Member, in view of the uncertainty of the factors to be taken into account, including the length of time over which the operation will be spread, and the course of wool prices and freights.

asked the Secretary of State for War why Private Hugh Kerr, No. 10,719, 16th Platoon, D Company, 1st Royal Scots, at present stationed at Andaman Island, Port Blair, Burma, India, and residing at 14, Tower Street, Blochairn, Glasgow, whose period of service as an old regular expired during the War, and who was demobilised in February, 1919, was recalled to the Army to finish his time, he having already finished it; and whether he can now discharge him and return him to his wife and family?

I am not aware of this case, but I am making inquiries, and will write to the hon. Member as soon as I am in a position to do so.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether he will ascertain from the D.M.S., Egyptian Expeditionary Force, why in some cases after a medical board has been applied for by an officer commanding hospital in Egypt, the board has not been convened until several weeks after the application, and, in consequence, the sick in question could not be sent to the United Kingdom by hospital ships sailing during that period; and how many officers and other ranks boarded or recommended for transfer to the United Kingdom were left in Egypt on 13th May after the "Glengorm Castle" had sailed?

A Report is being obtained, and I will communicate with the hon. Member as soon as it is received.

asked the Secretary of State for War what are the subjects being considered by the 52 War Office Committees now sitting; how is it proposed to constitute on a permanent basis the 21 Standing Committees; what are the names of the chairmen of these 52 Committees; and whether they are working in co-operation with similar Committees at the Admiralty or the Air Ministry?

The Committees are considering a variety of subjects of technical and departmental interest on which they have been asked by the Army Council to advise. The Standing Committees appear in the Monthly Army List and in the War Office List. Their personnel is, as a rule, derived from officers whose duties are concerned with the subjects with which the Committees deal and others whose special knowledge and experience qualify them to advise on such subjects. It is not considered desirable to give publicity, beyond that which already obtains to Committees which the Army Council may appoint to advise them on specific matters. The Admiralty, Air Ministry and other public Departments are represented on Committees where their interests are involved.

asked the Secretary of State for Air why the airship station at Polegate has not yet been closed down in view of the fact that it was stated in the House in October last that it was then in the course of being evacuated; whether his Department intend to retain it permanently; what is the cost of maintaining it; how many men are employed there; and with what object?

The airship station at Polegate was disbanded on the 6th February, 1920, and has been in the hands of two caretakers until recently. It is not intended to retain this station permanently. The cost of maintenance, therefore, includes nothing but the pay of the two caretakers, that is, a sum of £5 10s. per week. A working party of 45 men and 2 officers has, however, recently been sent there (as I have already explained in my answer to my hon. Friend at Question Time to-day) to pack and dispatch certain airships and stores, a part of a gift to Colonial and Dominion Governments, the cost of the work being charged to the Governments concerned. When this work is completed the station will be handed over to the Disposal Board.

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the present rate allowed for men who are compulsorily billeted?

The new rate as fixed by the Army and Air Force (Annual) Act, 1920, for accommodation provided by the keeper of a victualling house is 4s. 2d. a day, made up as follows: Lodging and attendance 10d. Breakfast 10d. Dinner 2s. 0d. Supper 6d.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether it is the intention of the Government to retain Lee-on-Solent as an air station; how long this aerodrome has been in a state of disuse; what is the cost of its retention in its present condition; what has been the cost to the State of retaining this aerodrome from 1st January, 1919, to the present date; what sum of money will be required to restore it to a serviceable condition; whether the inhabitants who have been turned out of their homes have received full compensation; on what scale such compensation has been paid, whether by way of rent or purchase; and the names of such inhabitants?

It is intended to maintain a seaplane station at Lee-on-Solent. Flying has not been going on there since February, 1919, but the station has not been in a state of disuse and flying will shortly recommence. The structural upkeep of the station in its present condition is estimated to cost about £2,500 per annum. The buildings are already in serviceable condition, but structural alterations to improve and extend the accommodation are being considered. Payments have been made in respect of the following properties requisitioned under the Defence of the Realm Act, and proposals for the final purchase of these properties are receiving close attention with a view to an early settlement:— Norbury.—£3 3s. 4d. per month, paid up to 5th May, 1920, to Mrs. M. H. Haynes. Brambles.—£9 4s. 8d. per month, paid up to 5th May, 1920, to Lieut.-Colonel Douglas. Westcliffe.—£317 18s. 4d. per annum, paid up to 1st May, 1920, to Mrs. L. J. Jewell.

No claim has yet been received in respect of Wykeham Hall from the owner, Mr. Webb. With regard to the fourth part of the question, the total cost to the State from 1st January, 1919, is being worked out, and I will communicate the figures to my hon. and gallant Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour whether it has been brought to his notice that members of the disabled soldiers' and sailors' commercial class at the Municipal College, Portsmouth, when applying for employment are experiencing great difficulty through being unable to produce references showing their previous experience; and whether it is possible for some arrangements to be made for them to obtain experience in Government or local public offices to enable them to compete with other clerks in civil life?

My attention has already been called to this matter, and I am enquiring whether arrangements of the kind suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend can be made. I will let my hon. and gallant Friend know with what success.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the inquiry which he promised into allegations which had been made in regard to the administration of the training school for ex-soldiers in the City of Bristol has yet been held; and, if so, with what result?

The inquiry into allegations which have been made in regard to the administration of the training school for ex-soldiers was held at my request by the hon. and gallant Member for Bradford East (Capt. Loseby), to whom I am greatly indebted for his assistance in this matter. The hon. and gallant Member's report is contained in a letter, dated 24th May, addressed to my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Labour (Sir M. Barlow), and is as follows:—In accordance with your request I visited Bristol on Friday the 21st inst., for the purpose of holding an inquiry into the allegations made against the management of the Radnor Road Industrial Training Centre for Disabled Soldiers, Bristol. The allegations are summarised in two documents. 1. A memorandum prepared by your Private Secretary, Mr. Bevan, of allegations made to him verbally by Mr. E. M. Rickard, of Bristol, on 5th May. These allegations were read over to Mr. Rickard at the inquiry and repeated by him. The memorandum is addressed to Sir James Currie, and dated May 6th, 1920. 2. A letter addressed to Sir Montague Barlow by Mr. Rickard, dated May 18th, 1920. Before holding the inquiry I satisfied myself that due notice had been given to Mr. Rickard of the time and place of the inquiry, and that he had been invited to substantiate his allegations before an independent investigator. A shorthand note of the proceedings is forwarded to you herewith. I propose, therefore, to confine myself to my conclusions. Evidence was given by Mr. Rickard, Mr. King, the manager, and Mr. Birchall, at the Divisional Headquarters in the morning. In the afternoon I visited the factory and made a close inspection, during the course of which the books were examined and some dozen or so of the trainees were privately interrogated. As a result of this inquiry and inspection I find no difficulty in expressing my opinion that the allegations made in the documents referred to were not and cannot be substantiated. I find in particular that:— 1. Mr. King, the manager, has done and is doing everything in his power to employ ex-soldiers on his staff. Under any circumstances he is not a free agent in the matter, as his hands are tied by the Local Technical Advisory Committee, who, however, appear quite alive to the importance of employing ex-service men wherever possible. The allegation that 'no ex-service man is employed on the Training Staff of the Training Centre in any of the more responsible positions' is not true. The attached list of employés* proves the contrary to be the case. 2. Neither King nor Birchall have private businesses. 3. There are two and not eight instructors for the engineering trainees. The work could not possibly be adequately superintended with less. 4. None of the charges of irregularity in regard to dealings with stores were substantiated. The books were in a satisfactory condition and the method of checking stores appeared complete. I believe that Mr. King is a man of high character who would not for a moment tolerate any loose dealings with Government property. 5. My investigations did not bear out the suggestion of incompetence upon the part of the management generally. I was, on the contrary, much impressed by the apparent excellenece of the arrangements. I believe that the institution is thoroughly well conducted, and reflects real credit upon those responsible for the management. I am sure that Mr. Rickard, in making his allegations, acted in a bonâ fide manner. *Not printed. It is most unfortunate, however, that his informants did not take adequate steps to verify these allegations before giving publicity to charges which cannot be substantiated and must have caused pain to persons clearly actuated by high principles and apparently imbued with a deep desire to adequately carry on their mission of helping disabled men. In carrying out the inquiry I was greatly assisted by Mr. Baillie, C.T.A., Mr. Anderson, A.L.A.M.A., and Sir James Currie's Private Secretary, to whom I express my thanks.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the recent awards 180 and 181 issued on the 10th March, 1920, being decisions arrived at by the industrial court between certain trade federations and certain employers' federations, are applicable to all employers employing workmen in the various classes of work to which the awards apply?

The award of the Industrial Court affect directly only the parties to the arbitration proceedings. The question of the extension of the terms of the awards to persons not directly covered by them is a matter for discussion between the employers and the representatives of the workpeople concerned.

asked the Minister of Food whether white sugar can be bought at £145 per ton landed duty paid; and, if so, why the Government are charging £160 per ton for the same shipment?

The hon. Member does not state at what date the sugar referred to in the first part of the question can be delivered. If he will supply me with further details I shall be glad to inquire into the matter and to furnish him with a detailed reply.

asked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the fact that last year thousands of tons of sugar left Natal in Japanese boats for Buenos Ayres at the price of 2d. per lb. and that the price of sugar in Natal to-day is about 3¼d. per lb.; whether he has noticed that consignments of sugar are being shipped from Buenos Ayres to this country at inflated prices; and what steps does he intend to take in the future to regulate the supply and demand of sugar from our colonies direct to this country so that it can be purchased at a reasonable price?

I am not aware that thousands of tons of sugar left Natal last year for Buenos Ayres at 2d. per lb., but I am informed that the wholesale price fixed for sugar produced in Natal is approximately as stated. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative; the last part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Minister of Food whether, during the railway strike last autumn, the Ministry of Food appealed to dairy farmers through the Press to send their milk to London by motor transport, the expenses being defrayed by the Government; and, if so, why the claim of Mr. J. Crumpler, of Longlands, North Coker, Yeovil, which was sent in some months ago, both to the local Food Office and to the Divisional Commissioner for the London and Home Counties Division, has not yet been paid?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. No milk was brought to London by road from Yeovil under the London Milk Scheme. Certain milk was received by rail from Mr. J. Crumpler during the strike and was paid for on the 10th December last.

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the complaints of allotment holders that the allowance of sugar for preserving of home-grown fruit is inadequate, and that if the allowance is strictly enforced a considerable waste of fruit may result; and whether he will take steps to increase the allowance to allotment holders to half a pound of sugar for each pound of fruit grown on allotments?

I am aware that the allowance of sugar for preserving homegrown fruit is regrettably small, but the state of supplies does not allow of any increase on the scale authorised for this summer.

asked the Minister of Food if his attention has been called to the fact that, despite the reduction in the price of meat, milk, vegetables, etc., the prices at many restaurants patronised by professional, business, and working people still remain at the same high figure as when these commodities were rationed and excessively dear; and what steps he is taking to protect the public from such profiteering?

The Profiteering Acts have ben applied to all the principal articles of food which are not controlled, and also to ready cooked or prepared food. It is open to any person who considers that he has been charged an excessive price in a restaurant for any article of food to which the Profiteering Acts have been applied to lodge a complaint with the local committees established under the Acts for the purpose of hearing and determining complaints of alleged profiteering.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a case at Laugharne, Carmarthen, on 12th May, where a farmer was prosecuted for continuing to underpay a worker in his employ after having been convicted of paying him at less than the minimum rate, when the Bench inflicted a fine of 5s.; and if he will consider the advisability of amending the Corn Production Act so that more adequate penalties may be inflicted?

The attention of the Minister has been called to the case referred to. The Corn Production Act provides adequate penalties, but the amount of the penalty imposed in any particular case rests in the discretion of the magistrates.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether 14,384 acres of land have been purchased for the provision of farm settlements for £454,200; and, if so, what was the aggregate net rateable value of this land in the year preceding purchase?

Of the 14,284 acres purchased by the Ministry for the sum mentioned by the hon. Member, I have particulars of the net rateable value of 11,692 acres, which amounts to £9,840 1s. 9d. The purchase of the remaining property, comprising 2,592 acres, has not yet been formally completed, and particulars are not at present available.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether 176,660 acres of land have been purchased for land settlements by county councils and councils of county boroughs in England and Wales for cash at a cost of £7,514,400; and, if so, what was the aggregate net rateable value attributed to that land during the year immediately preceding purchase?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, the Ministry is not in possession of information as to the rateable value of the land prior to purchase, and it would be necessary to circularise every local authority in England and Wales in order to obtain it. In view of the pressure of work on those bodies, and of the fact that the information when obtained would afford no reliable criterion of the value of the land, I am satisfied that the labour involved in obtaining a return would not be justified.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether the Councils of Agriculture for England and Wales have been formed; if so, whether he will make a return showing the names of the members and the agricultural organisations they represent or with which they are associated; and, if the councils have not been formed, when it is expected they will be formed?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The Councils of Agriculture will be established as soon as possible after the County Agricultural Committees now being set up by each County Council in England and Wales have appointed their two representatives. It is hoped that this will be done at the first meeting of each Committee, but as in many instances the County Committee has not yet been fully constituted, it is impossible to say definitely when the Agricultural Councils will be formed. It is hoped, however, that the Councils will be constituted in time for the first meetings to be held next November.

asked the Minister of Health whether the attention of the Ministry of Health has been called to the state of the water supply in the borough of Southend; and, if so, whether any steps are being taken to increase the supply, which is already insufficient for the resident population before the influx of summer visitors?

The Ministry have conferred with representatives of the Town Council of Southend-on-Sea and the water companies concerned, and arrangements have been made which, it is anticipated, will ensure an increased supply of water for the borough during the summer months.

asked the Minister of Health which are the local authorities who have applied and received sanction to build houses by direct labour; and what is the proposed number of houses and the estimated cost per house in each case?

I will send the hon. member a statement on this subject.

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the Southgate Urban District Council have built houses at less than two-thirds of the standard cost; and that this result has been achieved by eliminating contractors' profits and by buying materials in the cheapest market; and if he will recommend the scheme of the Southgate Council to all local authorities throughout the country?

There is, unfortunately, no standard cost for houses. The cost of the erection of the houses at Southgate which have already been built appears to be very favourable. The conditions at Southgate were in some respects exceptional. The work was carried out, under the supervision of an officer of the council, by sub-contractors. As explained in my reply on the 3rd instant to the hon. Member for Bedwellty, I do not think that under present conditions it is generally advisable to dispense with tenders, but I am prepared to consent to proposals for building without first advertising for tenders where there is a reasonable assurance that this course will be advantageous.

asked the Minister of Health whether the grants to private builders of houses apply equally to houses built in Ireland with those built in Great Britain?

Grants under the Housing (Additional Powers) Act, 1919, are available for builders both in Great Britain and Ireland, but in the latter country, houses to qualify for grants must be built in municipal areas.

asked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, in connection with the housing schemes being undertaken by the Lasswade and Gala Water District Committees of Midlothian, the Scottish Board of Health have determined that walls of only 11-inch hollow brick or 9-inch solid brick will be permitted, and have declined to reconsider this decision, notwithstanding that the local authorities concerned are unanimously of opinion that 15½-inch hollow-brick walls are the minimum con- struction advisable, in view of the Scottish climate and the exposed sites on which the majority of the houses are to be erected; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the unanimous opinion of the local authorities, who are best qualified to judge of the requirements of the district, will be given effect to?

I am aware that the Scottish Board of Health have refused to allow the local authorities of Lasswade and Gala Water districts to erect houses with brick walls of a thickness of 15½ inches. In Scotland the practice is to construct the walls in 11-inch hollow brick or 9-inch solid brick strapped and lathed. The question of the thickness of walls necessary in the districts referred to received the careful consideration of the Board, who are quite satisfied that the climatic conditions in those districts are not such as to warrant any departure from the usual practice. Further, the proposals of the local authority involve considerable unnecessary expense.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what is the total expense of the publicity arrangements for advertising the exhibition of war souvenirs at the Crystal Palace, respectively, for newspaper advertising, posters, and publicity staff?

No expenditure has been incurred out of funds administered by Parliament.

asked the First Commissioner of Works, in view of the apparently permanent character of many of the Government erections in Regent's Park, when it is proposed to remove such buildings and to restore to the people their rights over the Royal Parks; and by whose authority were such open public spaces permanently divorced from their legitimate purpose?

I am not prepared at present to state when it will be possible to dispense with the accommodation afforded by the buildings in question which were erected during the War on my authority, as the Minister responsible, to meet an urgent public need which still exists.

asked the Minister of Food what is the object in trying to arrange for a further tenancy of the offices now occupied in Bradford by the Ministry of Food; what will be the number of the staff employed there and the cost, and what will be the specific duties they will perform; and, in view of the decontrol of most articles of food, can this matter be reconsidered?

As my hon. Friend is aware, a complete re-organisation of regional administration takes effect on 30th June. This re-organisation will have the result that the work hitherto done by 1,848 Local Food Control Committees will be carried on by about 490 Local Food Offices. The number of staff to be employed in the Bradford office is 14 at an approximate annual cost of £2,000. This office will do the work hitherto performed by six separate offices involving a staff of 24 at a cost of about £5,000. The specific duties to be performed will be the issue and cancellation of the consumers' registration documents for sugar, the adjustment of traders' supplies for that commodity, the registration of retailers in certain commodities where maximum prices must remain in force, the enforcement of Orders, general questions arising out of the administration of the bread subsidy, the provision at an accessible centre of information to the public, and other miscellaneous matters. As the whole question of local organisation has been the subject of the most careful consideration, and as a very large economy estimated at a rate of about £600,000 a year is being effected on the 30th June, the Minister of Food is not prepared at the moment to reconsider the proposed arrangements.

asked the Minister of Food what is the cost per cent. of administering the food control, excluding the Wheat Commission?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on Wednesday, 19th May, with regard to the administrative cost of the Ministry of Food and Wheat Commission. On the basis therein given the administrative cost of the Ministry of Food, excluding the Wheat Commission, amounts to 7s. 6d. per £100.

asked the Minister of Food whether the pre-War commissions allowed to wheat brokers was 2s. 6d. to 5s. per cent., and out of this profit the broker had to stand the risk of del credere, the deterioration of quality, and fluctuation of the market, none of which are included in his estimate of administrative expenses; and whether, under these circumstances, the administrative charges are not excessive?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the housing capacity of the Archery Road hostel, Eltham; what is the number of men at present resident there; and to what use is the hostel to be put in the future?

The men's hostel at Archery Road, Eltham, was originally designed to provide accommodation for 1,000, but part of the buildings have now been converted into cottages, thereby reducing the accommodation to 570. It was decided to dispose of this property, and notices were accordingly given to the occupiers, for whom alternative accommodation is available in another hostel in the neighbourhood. These notices expired on the 29th of last month, but some 150 persons are still in occupation of the building. The London Housing Board have so far been unable to induce the local authority to take over the premises.

asked the Minister of Health whether, before investing the Office of Works with compulsory powers for the temporary acquisition of the Buttrills Recreation Ground, Barry, as a centre for the treatment and training of discharged disabled soldiers, he made full inquiry and gave the local authority opportunity to make representations on the matter; whether he is aware that this ground before the War was used for recreative purposes, and its diversion for other uses has been a great hardship to the 40,000 inhabitants in the district; that the local authority's claim made to the War Department for the cost of reinstatement and for payment of the interest on the capital borrowed for the purchase and fencing of the ground has not yet been made; and whether he will review this matter with a view to considering any alternative sites for the establishment of the treatment and training centre?

I would refer my right hon. Friend to the answer which I gave in regard to this subject on the 20th ultimo. The question whether alternative sites should be considered is not for me.

asked the Secretary of State for India what action has been taken by the Government of India in the case of the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Gujranwalla, who is reported in the Majority Report of the Hunter Commission, to have committed an error of judgment in refusing to give the police liberty to fire upon and disperse the mob engaged in burning the post office there?

The Government of India, in paragraph 25 of their despatch, accept the opinion of the majority of the Committee. As stated in paragraph 44 of the despatch, they are asking the Local Government to take such action as may be necessary to mark their disapprobation.

asked the Secretary of State for India what is the number of Indian native troops employed away from India; where they are stationed; whether the cost is defrayed out of Indian, Imperial, or other revenue; and whether any negotiations have taken place between the Government of India and the Government as to the expenses of the occupation of Mesopotamia?

The approximate strength of Indian troops of all ranks serving outside India is 138,800; for the theatres in which they are serving, I would refer the hon. Member to the Secretary of State for War. The cost of these troops is defrayed from Imperial revenues. There has been no suggestion that India should bear any part of the cost of the military occupation of Mesopotamia.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering the complaints from India regarding the treatment meted out to applicants for passages, he will state what steps have been taken by the Government of India to insure the proper allocation of passages to sick people invalided home under medical certificates?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given to a somewhat similar question which he asked on the 19th May. While the Government of India exercised control over passages, sick persons invalided home under medical certificate were given priority over all other cases and I have no doubt that the principle has been followed in allocating the passages in the extra ships which have been provided this season.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether, considering that the appeals of the five men sentenced to death for the murder of five British men, including three bank managers, at Amritsar, on 10th April, 1919, were rejected by the Privy Council, he will state on what grounds the sentences of three of these men were commuted by the Government of India?

It was not the Government of India, but His Excellency the Viceroy in the exercise of the Royal prerogative of mercy, which has been entrusted to him, who commuted the death sentences upon three of the five persons whose appeals had been rejected by the Privy Council in the case of the murder of the manager of the National Bank.

asked the Secretary of State for India whether any punishment has yet been inflicted on the Afridis who abducted the wife of an English officer from Peshawar two months ago?

The member of the gang who was arrested by the Militia has been tried and sentenced to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment under the Frontier Crimes Regulation. The identity of the remaining 17 members has now been ascertained, but as they belong to remote and inaccessible sections of the Afridi tribe residing in Tirah and the Bazar Valley, it has not yet been found possible to arrest them, or to bring adequate pressure to bear upon their sections. I can assure the House that the matter is ever present in the minds of the local authorities, who will not rest until they have exacted full reparation for the outrage. I am sure that hon. Members will appreciate the difficulties that have to be overcome.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to deal officially with the barrister of the High Court and the solicitors who took part in the illegal Sinn Fein Court held at the Town Hall, Ballinasloe, under the Republican Flag on 27th May?

As I have already stated, if evidence can be procured that any person was intimidated into submitting his case to this so-called court, those responsible for the intimidation will be prosecuted. No complaint has been received up to the present.

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps have been taken to deal officially with the members of the Cork Harbour Board who adopted a resolution on 26th May that in future the Republican Flag should be floated from Admiralty Pier, Queenstown, and other buildings under their control; and have appropriate measures been taken to stop this treasonable proceeding?

I have nothing to add to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the question asked on this subject on Thursday last.

asked the Home Secretary if it is the intention of the Government to include Ireland in the Shops (Early Closing) Bill?

The answer is in the negative. Compulsory early closing of shops on the lines proposed in the Bill ceased to be in force in Ireland early last year, and the Government are not satisfied that there is any general desire in Ireland for its re-introduction on a permanent basis. In any case it would be inopportune, in view of the proposals in the Government of Ireland Bill, to legislate for Ireland in this matter at the present time.

asked the Minister of Transport (1) whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by the National Foremen's Association of Engineering and Allied Trades protesting against the delay shown by the Ministry of Transport in opening negotiations on the national programme submitted by the foremen's association in September of last year on behalf of the railway members; and whether the Ministry intends to open negotiations on the programme submitted;

(2) whether he is aware that the foremen of the North Staffordshire Railway have been pressing for an advance in salaries for the last two and a half years; whether they are under Government control; whether the Ministry's delay in negotiating on their claims is causing unrest among the foremen in question; and whether the Ministry intends taking any steps in this matter in the near future?

The National Foremen's Association submitted to the railway companies in September last proposals for the revision of the conditions of service of all foremen employed on railways. This association were signatories to an agreement come to in April in regard to certain sections of the men concerned. It was found impossible, owing to the number of unions and associations concerned, to arrange for negotiations in regard to the remaining sections, and the railway companies have now been authorised to revise the salaries of the men in these sections on a scale similar to that provided for in the April agreement. The new salaries for supervisory grades will in all cases date from 1st August, 1919, and the foremen employed by the North Staffordshire Railway Company will come under the new arrangements, which are now being put into operation.

asked the Minister of Transport whether he is aware that, in pursuance of the reply to a question asked by the hon. Member for the East Grinstead Division of Sussex (Mr. Cautley) on 15th May, 1919, the President of the Board of Trade announced that facilities would be given in June and July, 1920, for the carriage by railways of Sunday school children on their annual outings and of other children on kindred outings at reduced fares; that the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway Company accordingly advertised at Burgess Hill station that such reduced fares and facilities were in force for school and kindred outings; but that, when application is now made to this railway company for such cheap fares, the superintendent of the line declines to grant any such facilities or fares; and whether he can see his way to give instructions that such facilities be accorded and that large numbers of children have an opportunity of again enoying their annual holiday treat?

I cannot find that the President of the Board of Trade made any such announcement. The railway companies generally have granted this year reduced fare facilities, so far as their traffic situation permits, for recognised school outings, subject to certain conditions of which I am sending a copy to the hon. Member. I am not aware of the particular action taken by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company at Burgess Hill, but I am making inquiry.

asked the Minister of Transport whether his attention has been called to the waste of fish due to inadequate transport facilities; and whether he will take steps to conserve this important source of food supply?

As stated in the reply given to the hon. and gallant Member for Hull, Central (Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy), on the 2nd instant, the conditions affecting the transport and distribution of fish are being examined in consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Trade Associations. The Conference mentioned in that reply is to be held on the 15th instant. I cannot, however, agree that there is any general waste of fish owing to inadequate transport facilities.

asked the Minister of Transport whether the Government paid for work in connection with munitions carried out by the railway companies for the Government at their various engineering shops; if so, at what rates; and, if not, was the amount so spent charged by the railway companies against the cost of working the railways?

I would refer the hon. Member to the memorandum on charges for services rendered by railway companies to the Government, which is printed on page 24 of Command Paper 654. For all work in connection with the manufacture of munitions performed in railway shops, direct cash payments were made by the Department concerned, and the amounts are not included in the compensation paid under the Railway Agreements. The payments were based on the cost of labour and material with necessary additions for workshop expenses and supervision.

asked the Minister of Transport what is the Government pool of motor passenger cars mentioned on page 3, Command Paper 654, Ministry of Transport's Estimates, 1920–21?

The Government pool of passenger motor cars was instituted in January last to meet the requirements of Civil Departments, which had previously been met by the Ministry of Munitions and by cars maintained by individual Departments, thus reducing as far us possible the number of cars required.

asked the Postmaster-General what steps his Department takes to protect mail bags on arriving at the London railway termini where they are left for varying periods; if the railway companies are responsible for their safe custody and transport; what steps he has taken to see that such companies perform their duty in this matter; and whether a number of heavy mail bags have been stolen from one of the termini in question during the last few months?

It is not possible to give a general reply as the local arrangements and the duties and responsibilities of the railway companies, as defined in their contracts, differ at the various termini, and are not the same as regards parcel mails and letter mails respectively. At most of the important London termini Post Office Mailguards are stationed whose duty it is to safeguard the mails pending their removal by the mail vans. There are occasional losses of mail bags by theft, but they are of comparatively rare occurrence, and I am not aware of any considerable loss during the last few months.

asked the Postmaster-General how he is getting on with the extension of the telephone service to the farming districts of this country; and what arrangements are now available for the use of telephones by farmers?

The Rural Party Line service introduced before the War to afford telephonic facilities at low rates to residents in rural districts is still in operation and additional subscribers are accepted, subject to payment of the usual £4 surcharge in the first year, unless a considerable amount of work is involved. During the last 12 months over 500 new call offices have been approved in rural districts and some of these will be of benefit to farmers. I hope that when more progress has been made in overtaking the arrears of work which accumulated during the War, it may be possible more freely to extend telephone facilities in rural areas.

asked the Postmaster-General how much is at present being paid for glass and china insulators, telegraph and telephone cable, and the telegraph poles in ordinary use?

During the financial year end d the 31st March last the Post Office paid £76,000 for insulators; approximately £660,000 for telegraph and telephone cables and £37,000 for poles. I regret that I am unable to furnish prices of individual items as contract prices are regarded as confidential.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether the Board of Education pay their grants to local authorities for evening classes or schools on the number of classes held, without regard to the number of students present; and what steps they take if the class falls below a certain number?

The majority of local education authorities now receive, under Article 34 of the Regulations for Technical Schools, an inclusive grant for the evening schools and classes working under their direction, excepting those which are conducted in the more important technical schools. The unit for the calculation of this grant is an hour of instruction by a teacher to a class as a whole, but the Board may leave out of account all or some of the hours of any course which they consider to have been arranged for an unreasonably small number of eligible students. A minority of the authorities continue to receive grant under Article 32 at varying rates based on the number of hours of instruction received by individual students. Separate block grants are paid under Article 33 to local education authorities for the more important technical schools. These are assessed on consideration of the cost, volume, and merit of the whole of the work of the institution, including that done in evening classes. I hope that revised regulations providing for a less complicated method of paying grants in respect of evening classes will become operative before long.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if the Colonial Office has been able to confer with the Governor and the Attorney-General of Ceylon on matters pertaining to the reform of the Ceylon constitution; and when the proposals will be ready to go before the House?

The question is still under the Secretary of State's consideration, and he proposes shortly to receive several deputations from Ceylon. In the meantime it is impossible to make any further statement to the House in the matter.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in the event of any rebate being granted to medical men whose work necessitates them running a motor-car, the same privilege will be extended to county coroners?

As I stated on 3rd June, in reply to the hon. and gallant Member for Knutsford (Sir A. Sykes), the Minister of Transport is unable to recommend a rebate of the proposed taxation of motor vehicles in the case of those used by medical practitioners.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Soviet detachment has left, or is preparing to leave, Persian territory?

So far as I am aware, the reply is in the negative.

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the case of Superintendent Davies and Inspector Price, of the Cardiff City Police Force; whether he is aware that the local authority are anxious to reinstate these officers and reassess their pensions; and whether, in view of the council's decision he will reconsider this matter?

This case has been frequently brought to my notice. The police authority desire to increase the pensions beyond the amount allowed by law, and I have no power to authorise such an application of public funds. When the police authority concerned put the question to me, I pointed out that the action they proposed would be ultra vires, and I see no reason to depart from this view.