asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any arrests have yet been made of persons concerned in the recent attack on the police barracks at Crossgar, county Down; and whether any additional precautions for the protection of Crossgar have been taken since such attack?

No arrests have been made. Extra precautions have been taken.

asked the Minister of Pensions if he is aware that Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant Lindell, No. 105,463, W. C. Herts Yeomanry, was discharged from the Army on the 8th of April with a 20 per cent. disability pension; if he will say why the grant of this pension has not yet been confirmed, as in other cases discharged at the same time, in some of which payment of arrears has beer already made; and if he will give attention to this case, with a view to expediting the payment to Lindell of the pension awarded with the arrears now due?

I understand that doubt has arisen as to whether the disabilities (defective vision and corns) for which Quartermaster-Sergeant Lindell claims pension can be accepted as due to or aggravated by service, and it has, therefore, been necessary, in the first place, to arrange for his examination by a Medical Board. The examination is being expedited and Quartermaster-Sergeant Lindell will be informed of the result as soon as possible.

asked the Minister of Pensions on what grounds are mobilised Army Reservists (Regular Army) in receipt of disability pensions awarded during or after the War and with 18 or more years of colour and Reserve service debarred from receiving the increase of service pensions as stated by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Pensions on 5th May, 1920; and, seeing that these men are in receipt of modified pensions (old scale), will he consider the possibility of bringing them under the new scale according to their length of service, whether continuous or not, provided that such service has been for not less than 10 years' colour service?

This is mainly a question for the Service Departments, but I would point out that the scheme referred to, which defined the classes of men to whom it applied, was framed for the purpose of compensating men who had entered the Army on terms which would entitle them to expect to be able to remain in the service long enough to qualify for the full service pension, but who were discharged, before they had qualified, on account of a disability caused or aggravated by war service. The class of man referred to in the question does not, I am informed, come within that category.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been called to the case of ex-Lieutenant Lionel Robertson, Royal Field Artillery, and the circumstances in which the Ministry of Pensions refuse to admit aggravation of disability on account of service as a commissioned officer; whether he is aware that Robertson, after service in France in the ranks, was discharged on account of wounds on the 26th of March, 1916; that he re-enlisted and was passed for general service in November, 1916; and that after obtaining his commission he was demobilised with the rank of lieutenant on the 26th of October, 1920, being then assessed by a medical board at 30 per cent. disability; if he will explain how, under these circumstances, this disability was not caused or aggravated by service as a commissioned officer; on what evidence or by what process of reasoning such a finding was arrived at; and whether it is his intention to permit such a finding to deprive a soldier of the officer's rate of pension to which he is entitled?

I understand that the facts are generally as stated by my hon. Friend. There is no medical evidence that the wounds which Lieutenant Robertson sustained while serving in the ranks were aggravated by his subsequent service as an officer; indeed the information before me goes to show that his condition was actually improved by medical treatment during his later service. I am, however, prepared to consider any further evidence that may be submitted to me in the case.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether his attention has been drawn to the difficulty experienced by soldiers' widows with large families in making both ends meet, owing to the high cost of living; and whether he will consider an increase of pension or special allowances in such proved cases of hardship?

The rate of pension for widows with children was specially increased in order to meet the higher cost of living, from 13s. 9d. a week, the rate allowed by the Royal Warrant of 1918, to 26s. 8d. a week under the Royal Warrant of 1919 and the allowances for children were also increased.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he will consider the necessity of so extending the provisions of Section 9 of the War Pensions (Administrative Provisions) Act, 1918, Sub-Section 1, as to make the grants provided for in Regulation 23 under that Act available in the case of children placed in the charge of relatives, without limiting the grants to children suffering from neglect or want of proper care as stipulated in the above-named section?

The Regulations Part III. of the Special Grants Committee (to which no doubt my hon. Friend refers) were framed to carry out the provisions made by Parliament in favour of a special and small class of the children of service men, whose circumstances rendered it necessary that they should be brought under the full care and control of the Ministry. As at present advised, I do not see sufficient reason for extending the provision made for neglected children to other classes of children, who are at present provided for by the Royal Warrant.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether officers of British and Indian military services serving in Mesopotamia and the Mesopotamian Expeditionary Forces in the capacity of political officers have been refused a war gratuity for such services; and, if this is so, what are the reasons for this differential treatment of officers of the Mesopotamia political services as compared with officers fulfilling similar functions in the occupied enemy territories administration (Palestine) under the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces who have received their gratuity?

I should be glad if the hon. and gallant Member would address this question to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for India, who, I understand, will be prepared to give him an answer.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware of the hardship caused to officers who became entitled to pensions during the War, but who were held to serve until demobilisation by the non-payment of these pensions; and whether, insomuch as their pensions have been earned by service according to the terms of their engagement, the arrears of these pensions will be paid as it has been to retired officers who re-enlisted under Table XVI., Paragraph 5, of Army Order 324 of 1919, whose cases are exactly similar?

I am not in a position at present to add anything to the answer which I gave to the Noble Member on the 28th April last.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if the cost of repairing the "Vindictive," in the harbour of Ostend, is borne by the British or by the Belgian Governments; and what is the amount of expense incurred?

The cost is being borne by the Belgian Government. The latter part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will reconsider the decision to re-clothe the Army in view of the need for national economy and abandon the proposal to spend £3,000,000 until the country has recovered from the enormous cost of the War?

I made a full statement on this subject on Tuesday last, and shall be glad to send a copy to my hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for War the total cost of maintaining the British forces in Egypt and the Sudan; and from what sources the cost is defrayed?

The amount provided for the British forces in Egypt and the Sudan under all heads of Army Estimates for the current financial year, exclusive of pension charges, is £7,543,000. Towards this sum Egypt pays an annual contribution of £150,000, fixed in 1907; but the amount of this contribution is under review.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. G. E. King, of 34, The Grove, Aldershot, who was employed as timekeeper and wages clerk at the Royal Engineers' Office, Wellington Lines, Aldershot, has not yet received the full arrears of pay due to him, although it is nearly 12 months ago since he was discharged; and whether steps can be taken to have the matter inquired into without further delay?

Mr. King was paid as a timekeeper at Aldershot from the 30th September, 1914, until the termination of his service on 12th June, 1919. In February, 1919, he was offered the pay and grading of a clerk, but this did not entitle him to payment as a clerk with retrospective effect. Mr. King did not, in fact, accept this offer, but elected to remain on his existing rate of remuneration. His claim has been carefully considered, and I cannot agree that any arrears of pay are due to him. I regret that this information has not been communicated to the Noble Member at an earlier date.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is now in a position to state his decision as to the claim of Thomas Gibson for a refund of passage money, about which the hon. Member for East Donegal (Mr. E. Kelly) wrote him about the 16th December last and on the 19th ultimo?

A letter regarding this claim has been addressed to the hon. Member to-day. The claim has been carefully considered, but it is regretted that a refund of passage money cannot be sanctioned.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office if Sapper Elridge, No. 574,539, Field Searchlight Company, Royal Engineers, who was demobilised in October, 1919, has never yet been able to obtain a final settlement of his accounts from the War Office: and if he will give instructions that the gratuity and credits due to this ex-soldier, of which he is in urgent need, shall be paid to him without further delay?

The balance of the account and war gratuity of No. 574,539, Sapper Elridge, Royal Engineers, were paid on the 9th instant. His last pay certificate has only very recently been received from India, and it was therefore not possible finally to settle his account before.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been called to the case of Miss Riding, a masseuse working in the Mill Road Auxiliary Hospital, Liverpool, who early in 1919 contracted septic pneumonia from the patients among whom she was working and incurred during her illness expenses amounting to £22, and who, being taken ill suddenly, failed to apply for an order from her commanding officer for her removal (under Army Council Instruction 65, of 1919), and consequently has been refused any compensation by the War Office; and whether, having regard to the peculiar circumstances of the case, that decision will be reconsidered?

The circumstances of this case have been fully considered, and I regret that I cannot accept the hon. Member's suggestion.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Private J. M'Dermott, No. 32,947, 2nd battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, gave a wrong age on enlisting; that his father has applied for his release and has submitted the birth certificate, proving that this soldier was under 18 years at the time of enlistment and is still under that age; and will he order the release of M'Dermott?

I am not aware of this case, but inquiries are being made, and I will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Private Samuel Rowe, No. 51,977, King's Own Regiment, Lancaster Regiment, Richmond Barracks, Dublin, who enlisted before he was 18 years of age, has twice applied to purchase his discharge since 1st May, 1920; that a money order for the full amount of his discharge has been forwarded twice to his commanding officer, but each time returned, on the last occasion accompanied by a letter stating that no further action can be taken until his application has been approved of through the usual channels; and if he will have inquiries made why the purchase of his discharge is so long delayed?

I am not aware of this case, but inquiries are being made, and I will let the hon. Member know the result as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to why the agreed damages of £665 due to Mr. Stuart Ogilvie, of Sizewell Hall, Leiston, Suffolk, under the Defence of the Realm Act, the claim for which was noted as quite in order as long ago as 11th November, 1919, have not yet been paid?

The full particulars respecting this claim were received in the War Office at the end of March last. The claim was submitted to the Royal Commission who have made their award, and instructions for payment accordingly were sent to the local military authorities on the 3rd instant.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether all officers who served in the new Army during the War for a period of three or four years are entitled to the rank which they held at the time of demobilisation, provided that they had held the same for 12 or 18 months previously?

The existing regulations regarding the retention of rank by officers on demobilisation are more favourable than those suggested by the hon. and gallant Member. An officer is entitled to retain any substantive rank held by him on demobilisation, irrespective of the length of time he has held the substantive rank, provided that his services have been satisfactory throughout. He is also entitled to any higher acting or temporary rank he may have held for an aggregate minimum period of six months.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether an officer is entitled to see all reports made on him; and whether they will be shown or communicated to him on application?

An officer is entitled to see all reports made on him, and these are shown or communicated to him when they are first made. If by inadvertence they have not been so communicated, copies will be sent to him on application.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether, in connection with the general policy of reconstruction and settlement of post-war establishment in the Army Ordnance Department, Woolwich, he will give instructions that representatives of the employés shall be consulted in view of the fact that there is as yet no Whitley Council, and there are men who have been in the service of the Department for many years whose experience and general knowledge would be of value in dealing with this question?

A Whitley Council for War Department establishments has been formed, and held its first meeting on the 12th May.

asked the Secretary of State for War when it is proposed to take down the various erections on Blackheath recently used by the Royal Army Service Corps?

I am making enquiries, and will write to the hon. and gallant Member as soon as possible.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether Mr. Jabotinsky, who did service for this country during the War, was marched to gaol in company with Arabs who were sentenced for violating Jewish girls; and whether he is still confined in the gaol at Acre?

According to the latest information in my possession, Mr. Jabotinsky is still confined at Acre. I will inquire of Lord Allenby the exact conditions of his imprisonment.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the War Office whether his attention has been drawn to the discharges of men who have worked for the last two or three years in No. 5 Munitions Stores, Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, whether he is aware that other men have recently been engaged; and whether he will have inquiries made into this matter?

Some 14 or 15 men were recently discharged from this depot in order to make room for ex-service men belonging to the same department who were employed at other depots which were closing down. This is in accordance with the general policy of the Ministry whereby non-service men are in the ordinary course discharged before ex-service men.

asked the Minister of Labour whether, in the London area, only 22 disabled sailors and soldiers are being trained for the plumbing trade; how long the full course of training, with and without maintenance, lasts; what are the conditions laid down by the local technical advisory committee for training in this trade; whether the smallness of the number of men being trained is due to such conditions; and what is the estimated total cost to the country per man for the whole course of training?

The number of ex-service men being trained as plumbers in the London area is at the moment 48. The full course of training is for five years, and maintenance allowances are paid during 1½ years. The local technical advisory committee concerned require, I understand, that applicants for training should not be more than 30 years of age. The comparatively small number of men in training in the trade in London is not, however, due to this requirement, but to the view expressed by the representatives of the operative plumbers, sitting upon the local technical advisory committee, that the absorp- tive capacity of the trade in London has now been exhausted; for this reason they are not prepared at the moment to accept more men for training. Inquiries are being made as to the prospects of employment in this trade, and should it appear that vacancies exist, the local technical advisory committee will be requested to admit further ex-service men for training. In view of the different conditions under which training is being given in technical institutes, in Government instructional factories, and with private employers, it is difficult to give a general figure as to the cost. The cost per trainee per week whilst in an instructional factory is, however, approximately £2 per week, excluding the amount of the man's training allowance.

asked the Minister of Labour whether no disabled sailor or soldier was admitted to training for the boot and shoe trade in the London area during the month of May; whether he proposes to take any action to alter this state of affairs, seeing that this trade is particularly suitable for men only capable of sedentary work; and how many disabled sailors and soldiers have been trained for the boot and shoe trade since the Ministry of Labour took over the training of disabled sailors and soldiers.

It is correct that on account of recent decisions of the Boot and Shoe Trade Board—who have expressed the opinion that, in view of the number of ex-service men already trained, there is a serious risk of overcrowding—no disabled ex-service man was admitted for training in this trade in the London area during the month of May. This Department have been in communication with the Trade Board on the matter, and the Board have now agreed to the training of some additional men, provided that each case has been approved by them in the first instance. The number of ex-service men who have completed training, or are now in training, for the boot and shoe trade, either under the Pensions Ministry, or with us, down to date is 4,100.

asked the Minister of Labour what has been the total cost of each of the Government instructional factories at Cricklewood and Camden Town; what is the total accommodation provided in each of these factories for the training of disabled sailors and soldiers; what is the actual number of trainees now under instruction thereat; and what is the total cost, including sinking fund, interest, and all other charges whatsoever, per man per month?

The total cost of the Cricklewood Factory, including land, buildings, adaptation of premises and equipment, is approximately £58,000. The total accommodation provided is 600 places, and there were 410 men in training there on 9th June. The total cost per man on the basis set out in my hon. Friend's question is approximately £9 10s. per month, but this figure will be reduced as the number of men in training increases.

With regard to the Camden Town Factory, the premises have not yet been taken over by the Ministry of Labour. A rent of £5,000 per annum, exclusive of rates and taxes, will be paid for the buildings, and the present occupiers have undertaken to give the Ministry of Labour complete possession by 5th July. Accommodation for 400 trainees will be provided in this factory. While I shall of course take every care to see that public expenditure on the training of disabled ex-service men is wisely and prudently dispensed, I am quite sure my hon. Friend, the House, and the country will gladly endorse every effort we may make to requite the obligation under which we rest to these men to the full limit of the State's capacity.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the new joint local committee for London for the engineering and electricity trades, which was set up to inquire into the whole matter of the removal of unreasonable restrictions upon the training of disabled sailors and soldiers for the engineering and electricity (power and light) industry, has come to any decision; whether, as a result of these restrictions, no men were placed in training for these trades during the month of May; and whether he is taking any steps to prevent trades being practically closed to discharged sailors and soldiers?

The local technical advisory committee for the engineering and electricity trades respectively were amalgamated, upon the recommendation of the National Trade Advisory Committees concerned, in order to prevent overlapping, and not for the reason suggested by my hon. Friend. Difficulties have unfortunately arisen with the trade interests concerned in the amalgamation, and on this account the Joint Committee has not yet been able to meet. As under existing arrangements no ex-service man can be accepted for training in either trade until he has been passed by the Committee, it is correct that no men were placed in training in these trades in London during the month of May. Every endeavour is being made to bring the negotiations with the trades concerned to a successful conclusion with the least possible delay, so that the Joint Committee may assume its functions at the earliest possible moment.

asked the Minister of Labour how many discharged and demobilised soldiers in Nottingham are unable to find employment?

The number of ex-service men claiming out-of-work donation at Nottingham at 4th June was 1,804, of whom 230 were classified under the engineering trades, 508 under transport trades, 152 under commercial and clerical occupations, 106 under textile trades, and 452 as general labourers.

asked the Minister of Pensions whether he is aware that the delay in the provision of vocational training for discharged disabled men is causing great dissatisfaction throughout the country; and what steps he proposes to take to remedy this state of things?

I have been asked to reply to this question. As I mentioned yesterday, in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden Division (Sir A. Beck), the waiting list is, I am sorry to say, a long one, although it has been reduced during the present year from 27,000 to 24,000. My hon. Friend will readily understand the nature of the difficulties which we have to overcome. Questions of premises, equipment and tools arise, and then there is the discus- sion with the Local Technical Advisory Committee as to whether trainees should be added to the numbers already included in the respective crafts. I explained that there had been much greater expedition in most of these matters recently, and I repeat that, so far as I am concerned, my aim is to secure still more.

asked the Minister of Pensions if Circular 735, issued on 18th March, prevents disabled men from making applications for grants to start in business through the Civil Liabilities Department if they have been demobilised for more than 12 months; and, if so, will he give instructions that applications which were accepted by the local committee before the date of this circular shall be eligible?

I have been asked to reply to this question. I have been in communication with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Pensions, and am informed that it is not clear to what Circular 735 refers. With regard to the concessions concerning the last date of application, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for the Clitheroe Division (Mr. A. Davies) on 20th May last, in which I said that it, had been decided to grant discretionary power to the Civil Liabilities' Department, under conditions set out in that answer, to make grants in hard cases without regard to the regulations concerning the last date of application. Instructions dealing with this matter are in course of preparation, and I understand that they will be issued shortly to Local War Pensions Committees by my right hon. Friend.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Air Force was created during the War and that decisions as to the peace-time uniform are now being taken for the first time, he will reconsider the order by which the Royal Air Force officers are compelled to equip themselves with swords?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer given yesterday in reply to a question on this subject.

asked the Prime Minister whether the negotiations between the representatives of Danzig and the Polish delegates in connection with Article 104 of the Peace Treaty have broken down because the two parties were unable to agree on the proper interpretation of any Clauses of the Treaty of Versailles; and if any superior authority exists which can give the proper interpretation of the Clauses?

As regards the first part of the question, it is unfortunately the case that the views held respectively by the Polish Government and the citizens of Danzig concerning the proper interpretation of Articles 100-108 are widely different. Sir Reginald Tower is, however, endeavouring to secure some agreed basis for the conversations now taking place. As regards the second part of the question, the negotiations of the Treaty between Danzig and Poland has, by Article 104 of the Treaty of Versailles, been undertaken by the principal Allied and Associated Powers, who will settle any questions of the correct interpretation of the Treaty.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller (1) what was the number of German and Austrian ships lying in the ports of the United States of America at the date of the Armistice; whether these ships have been taken possession of by the United States Government; and, if so, on what grounds;

(2) whether it was decided during the Peace Conference that the German and Austrian ships lying in the ports of the United States at the date of the Armistice, as well as the other ships belonging to our former enemies, were to be divided between the Allies according to the losses sustained by each country; and, if so, what action has been taken by the Government to see that proper division has been made of these ships;

(3) whether the United States Government have taken possession of the ships which were not lying in the ports of the United States of America, but which were lent to them for the conveying of their troops back to America?

101 German vessels of 643,412 gross tons and 14 Austrian steamers aggregating 68,206 gross tons were taken over in United States ports in 1917 by the United States Government (8 of the German steamers referred to aggregating 64,456 gross tons have since been sunk). These detained vessels were taken over by the American Government under a Resolution of the Congress. When this matter was discussed at the Peace Conference President Wilson agreed that America should pay for that part of this detained tonnage which was in excess of the amount to which America was entitled on a basis of proportional losses. This Agreement now awaits the ratification of the Senate. With regard to the passenger steamers which were delivered by Germany under the Armistice arrangements, and which were allocated to America for trooping, these vessels were all returned by America after the completion of that service and have been re-allocated to the temporary management of Great Britain and France pending the decision of the Reparation Commission as to final ownership.

asked the Prime Minister whether the cession of North Schleswig is to be arranged by a trilateral treaty between the Entente, Germany, and Denmark; whether the matter has been or will be referred to the League of Nations; and whether any modification has been made in the arrangements agreed to by Germany as to this area on the signature of the Peace Treaty, 1919?

A Treaty is being negotiated whereby that part of Schleswig, which voted in favour of Denmark at the recent plebiscite, will be transferred to Denmark, and various subsidiary questions arising out of the transfer will be regulated. It is proposed that this Treaty should be signed by representatives of the principal Allied Powers, of Denmark and of Germany. This transfer of territory does not involve any modification of the provisions of Articles 109-114 of the Treaty of Versailles, to which effect is being given. As the Treaty of Versailles makes no provision for the reference of this question to the League of Nations, and as there is no scope for any action by the League, it is not proposed to refer it.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that incumbents are legally compelled to reside in their benefice house and to keep the same in repair under the Ecclesiastical Dilapidations Act, 1871, whether they are married or not; and whether, in view of this fact, he will consider the advisability of allowing the same abatement for Income Tax to incumbents who are bachelors as it is proposed to allow to married men?

The statutory allowances for repairs were increased by Section 19 of the Finance Act, 1919, and are, of course, available to the bachelor equally with the married incumbent. The increased personal allowance proposed in the Finance Bill in the case of a married couple is given solely by reference to the fact that there are two persons in question—the husband and wife living together; and the circumstances suggested in the question would afford no possible ground for extending that allowance to a bachelor incumbent.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that, by reason of the reluctance of an employing company to take advantage of the right of recovery from individual servants of Excess Profits Duty assessed in respect of such increases of remuneration as may have been disallowed either in full or in part, which reluctance is attributable to the desire of the company to honour its engagements with its servants, the State has actually been paid in Excess Profits Duty a sum bearing a higher proportion to the profits made than is provided by the provisions of the Finance Acts relating to Excess Profits Duty; and whether he proposes to continue a practice which results in such inequality of taxation?

Provision was made by Parliament in the Finance Act, 1916, enabling a company, if it so desired, to recover from a director or manager the Excess Profits Duty charged in respect of any increased remuneration paid to him, which had been disallowed as a deduction in computing liability to that duty. It is obvious, therefore, that Parliament contemplated the taxation of increased remuneration paid to a director or manager, and I cannot agree to the suggestion implied in my hon. Friend's question, that the State is taking a higher rate of tax than the law requires, merely because a company refrains from exercising its statutory right of recovery.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total amount derived in 1919–20 from the duty on sea policy stamps?

The amount of duty derived from stamps on sea policies in the year 1919–20 was £649,000.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what would be the increased annual cost if old age pensions were given to all British citizens of 70 years irrespective of their means?

The estimated increased cost of giving old age pensions of 10s. weekly to all British citizens of 70 years of age in the United Kingdom irrespective of their means would be £15,100,000 a year.

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the widow of a Civil Service pensioner who retired from the Civil Service in 1910 and died in 1919 will derive any benefit from the revised scale of pre-War pensions lately introduced?

No, Sir.

asked the President of the Board of Education whether teachers in receipt of breakdown pensions awarded on a pre-War basis will come under the proposed scheme of 50 per cent. increases recently announced?

I would ask the hon. Member to await the terms of the Bill which it is proposed to introduce to give effect to the proposals.

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he can give an assurance that the Bill to be introduced in connec- tion with the concessions to pre-War pensioners will cover pensioners under the Metropolitan Water Board?

The Bill will contain a provision enabling local and public authorities to grant increases of pension similar to those for which State pensioners will be eligible.

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the National Debt Commissioners for the Unemployment Fund hold £495,000 of 2½ per cent. Consols for which they paid the sum of £376,653; and, having regard to the fact that the present market price of the stock is approximately 46¾, what steps it is proposed to make up the loss to the Fund?

The holding of Consols for the Unemployment Fund is less than 3 per cent. of the total investments of the Fund, and it is not necessary to take any special action to deal with this small temporary paper loss, which may never in fact be realised.

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many merchant ships have been examined during this year by the British Fleet in the Baltic; in how many cases such ships have been allowed to proceed to ports in Soviet Russia; in how many cases they have been detained or turned back; and for what reasons?

Soviet Russia has only one port in the Baltic, namely, Petrograd. Petrograd has only become ice-free recently. No information has been received of any ships being detained or turned back by the British Fleet.

asked the Prime Minister whether any steps have been taken by the Government or any instructions issued calculated to prevent the sailing of ships from Russian ports in the Baltic or the Black Sea?

No, Sir. No orders have been issued calculated to prevent the sailing of ships, to and from Russian ports, which are laden with cargoes other than arms and munitions.

(Clithero) asked the Prime Minister whether any instructions have been issued to naval officers, or whether any steps have been taken by the Government, which would prevent neutrals from trading with Soviet Russia?

The answer is in the negative, excepting that precautions have been taken against the delivery of arms or munitions consigned to the Russian Soviet Government or its agents.

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the Serbian authorities in Montenegro have recently been organising a series of assemblies in that country designed to give an appearance of popular hostility to the sovereign and Government of Montenegro; whether these meetings have been attended by a Mr. Lester as a special delegate of the British Government; and, if so, in view of the fact that the king and royal Government of Montenegro are still recognised by the Allies as the constitutional authorities of Montenegro, why a delegate of His Majesty's Government attended the meetings referred to?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. I have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the second part of the question, or of the personality of Mr. Lester. The last part of the question, therefore, does not arise.

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he has any information in regard to the progress of the war in Montenegro; and whether the Montenegrins have recently achieved any success in their efforts to drive out the Serbian invaders of their country?

I think my hon. Friend's question should more properly be addressed to the Foreign Office, but, so far as my information goes, there is no war in progress in Montenegro.

asked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the subcommittee of the health committee of the Bradford Corporation has fixed the rents of houses costing £780 each at 10s. per week, inclusive of rates, which are now 16s. 8d. in the pound, and water charges in addition; whether he is satisfied that such rents are sufficient for such a capital cost; and whether he will consider the desirability of fixing all rents exclusive of rates and water, which are a fluctuating amount from year to year?

I have received no communication as regards these proposals, which do not appear to have been adopted yet by the council.

asked the Minister of Health upon what grounds the housing inspector refused to look at semi-detached houses in course of construction at Keswick Avenue, Portsmouth, these houses having been constructed under the sanction of the Local Health and Housing Committee; is he aware that these houses afford greater accommodation than those in the plan suggested by the Ministry of Health, having a cubical content of over 16,000 feet against 9,500 to 11,500 feet in the Ministry's houses; that these houses are roofed with asbestos slates instead of tiling, as specified in the Ministry's houses, thus effecting a saving of £60 per house, which would mean (assuming that the Government are erecting 500,000 houses, and if asbestos slates were substituted for tiles in the roofing) a total saving of £30,000,000.

The Portsmouth Corporation submitted a scheme for the purchase of a number of houses, of which those referred to by the hon. and gallant Member were a sample. An inspector visited the site of the proposed scheme, but he was not asked by the builder to inspect these houses. As the plans of the houses were not altogether satisfactory the builder was asked to make the modifications necessary to render them acceptable; but this he refused to do. Owing to the attitude adopted by the builder the use of asbestos roofing in this particular case was not discussed. Subject to proper safeguard no objection will be taken to the use of asbestos slates instead of tiles or other types of slates.

asked the Minister of Health when the promised Government legislation with regard to the subsidence of house property in mining districts will be introduced; why it has not been introduced already; and whether his attention has been called to the extreme importance of this matter in connection with the provisions contained in the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest (Restrictions) Bill as to the fitness of houses for habitation?

I would refer the hon. Member to the discussion which took place in the House on 30th April during the Debate upon the Second Reading of the Compensation for Subsidence Bill, in which the Parliamentary Secretary stated that the Government are fully alive to the extreme importance of this matter; but the difficulties of time make it impossible to introduce a Bill during this Session.

asked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that there is no legal authority for incurring expenditure on providing hospitality for children of foreign nations, County Councils which have incurred such expenditure will make refunds on behalf of the ratepayers; and, if so, on whom the charge will finally fall?

I am not aware that any county council has incurred expenditure of the kind referred to in the question. If any such expenditure is charged in the accounts of a county council, it will come before the district auditor at the audit, whose duty it is to take such action as the law requires.

asked the Minister of Health whether local authorities are under any obligation to adopt in regard to their employés the scale of bonus and pension applicable in the case of Civil servants; and, if not, whether it is in contemplation to impose any such obligation upon them by legislation?

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. With regard to the second part, I am considering the question of pensions, in connection with the Report of the Interdepartmental Committee on Superannuation.

asked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the dispute that has been in progress for some months between the Kingston-on-Thames guardians and its employés; whether he is aware that the guardians refuse to pay the War bonus as sanctioned by the Ministry; and whether he will have enquiries made into this matter?

I will have inquiries made, and will inform the hon. Member of the result.

asked the Minister of Transport if he is aware of the many delays on the railways recently in the transport of fresh fish from Hull to London and other towns; that fish sometimes takes more than 48 hours to travel from Hull to London, and three days to the Welsh towns; that many complaints have been made to his Department, but the delays still continue; the causes of these delays; and whether steps are being taken to bring about an improvement?

Complaints of a general nature regarding the transport of fish have been received, but the only specific complaints relating to rail conveyance of fish from Hull of which I am aware, are the six cases, none of which refer to London, which were received within the last few days from the Hull Fishing Vessel Owners' Association, through the hon. and gallant Member and the hon. Member for East Hull. These cases are now under investigation with the railway companies, and the result will be communicated to the hon. and gallant Member. The conditions of transit of fish by rail are to be discussed with the trade associations at a conference with the Ministries of Agriculture and Fisheries and Transport, on 15th June, at which conference my hon. Friend and other hon. Members interested are invited to be present. As I stated on the 2nd June, an inspector from the Ministry of Fisheries is examining the situation at Hull regarding fish.

asked the Minister of Transport the amount of receipts by the railways of Great Britain from passenger traffic for the week ended 30th May, 1914, and 22nd May, 1920, and for the weeks ended 6th June, 1914, and 29th May, 1920?

I regret that the information is not available. I would, however, refer the hon. Member to the reply given on the 7th June to the hon. and gallant Member for Newcastle East (Major Barnes), in which the amounts received by controlled railways in Great Britain from passenger train traffic in 1913 and 1919 are given. I am sending my hon. Friend a copy.

asked the Minister of Transport whether it is proposed to make an order prohibiting the transit of plants in flower-pots by rail; if so, whether such an order will entail serious hardship on people engaged in flower-pot making, and on nurserymen; and whether he will give the matter very careful consideration before sanctioning such an order?

It is not proposed to make any such order. The railway companies have, however, given notice that, as from the 1st July, 1920, plants in soil for conveyance by rail, other than in truck-loads, will only be accepted if packed in substantial crates or wooden boxes admitting of traffic being loaded on the top of them. It is essential that the luggage van capacity should be utilised as fully as possible, and this cannot be done if plants are conveyed in shallow boxes without any form of protection. I may add that the railway companies contemplated bringing this regulation into operation on the 1st March last, but postponed action for three months, with a view to affording the traders an opportunity of finding some solution of the difficulty, but I understand they have been unable to make any practicable proposals.

(Clitheroe) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Central Profiteering Committee have noticed the excessive difference between the wholesale and retail price of fish; and, if so, whether they are satisfied that there is no profiteering in this article of food?

The Standing Committee on Trusts of the Central Committee recently investigated the fish trade in order to inquire into allegations of the retail price being unnecessarily enhanced by rings or combinations at the landing place, wholesale market, or by the retailer. The Committee, after hearing witnesses representing the fishermen and every phase of the trade, expressed the opinion that no evidence was forthcoming to justify the allegation that fish rings or combinations existed to force up prices to the public or to depress them to the producer. I would remind the hon. Member that the Profiteering Act has now been applied to all kinds of fish, and it is open to any member of the public who is dissatisfied with the price he is asked to pay for any kind of fish to complain to the local committees established for that purpose.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate monthly exportation of sugar to the United States of America from the British Colonies, and the approximate consequent monthly diminution of such supplies to the United Kingdom, during the past 12 months; and whether any attempts have been made by His Majesty's Government to induce the Commonwealth of Australia, and any other exporting country allied to Great Britain by blood, to consider first the requirements of the home country for this commodity, notwithstanding the higher prices obtained for imported sugar in the United States?

I have been asked to reply. The total imports into America of sugar from British colonies during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1920, were negligible, amounting, in fact, to some 6,172 tons, or an average of 514 tons per month, as compared with a total importation during the same period of approximately 300,000 tons into this country from those sources. The Commonwealth of Australia is itself a sugar-importing country. I may remind the hon. Member that under the fiscal arrangements contained in the Budget of 1919, which have been in operation since September, 1919, sugar from British sources enjoys a rebate of one-sixth of the duty payable on importation into this country.

asked the Minister of Food if in some of the large towns in the West Riding of Yorkshire milk distributors are charging 2s. 8d. per gallon for milk which is delivered carriage paid to those towns at 1s. 6d. per gallon; and whether he is prepared to take steps to secure more equity between the profits to the producer and the distributor, who is charging over 75 per cent. for distribution alone and with very little expenditure of capital and labour as compared with the producer?

The maximum margin allowed in the control period between the price received by the producer for milk and that paid by the consumer was 1s. 1d. per gallon. Since that time wages have increased. I may, however, point out that milk has now been scheduled under the Profiteering Act, and if it is considered that excessive prices are being charged in any area the matter might suitably be referred to the local profiteering committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the index figure of the cost of living on the 6th December, 1919; and what is the figure at the present time?

I have been asked to reply to this question. The statistics prepared by the Ministry of Labour, which show the average increase in the cost of maintaining unchanged the pre-War standard of living of the working-classes, relate to the first day of each month. At 1st December, 1919, the index figures for all items included in the statistics (food, rent, clothing, fuel and light), and miscellaneous items showed an increase of 125 per cent. over the level of July, 1914. At 1st May, 1920, the increase was 141 per cent. The figure for 1st June is not yet available, but it will certainly be higher (probably little short of 150 per cent.) owing to the recent increase in the prices of coal and sugar.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture what rate of wages was taken to arrive at the figure of 68s. per quarter of wheat as the basis mentioned in Section 2, Sub-section (1), of the Agriculture Bill?

The figure of 68s. a quarter for wheat is the amount which in the opinion of the Royal Commission on Agriculture represented the average bare cost, of production in 1919, excluding interest on capital or remuneration to the farmer himself. The Commission in their Report state that they arrived at their figure after considering a large body of evidence as to the actual cost of production in 1918, and then applying to their estimate of the average cost in that year, the increase which their evidence indicated to have taken place between 1918 and 1919, disregarding any variation in rent. The Report of the Commission does not give detailed figures distinguishing the various items in the cost of production, such as labour, but it refers to the fact that wages had advanced in most parts of the country beyond the minimum rate of 36s. 6d., and that the hours in respect of which the minimum rates were payable had been reduced.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that certain British tyre manufacturers are closing down the working time in their establishments to two shifts of four days per week owing to the competition of foreign cheap tyre manufacturers who send their tyres into this country duty-free while British manufacturers are so heavily taxed that they cannot compete with them and maintain the present rates of wages and hours of labour; whether this unfair competition is akin to dumping, seeing that it has the same effect by reducing wages and causing unemploy- ment; and whether he can see his way to take immediate action so as to prevent further unemployment and lowering of wages in the British rubber industry?

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for the Wrekin Division of Shropshire (Mr. Palmer) yesterday.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the approximate proportion of motor vehicles for purposes of touring and private pleasure generally now being manufactured by makers of such means of locomotion in the United Kingdom as compared with the building of vehicles for transport and commercial purposes; and whether His Majesty's Government has made any request to manufacturers to give preference to the latter, having regard to the insistent national requirements for such vehicles for industrial and business purposes generally?

As to the first part of the question, I regret that I have no information. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the hardship that the Tyne Dock trimmers are suffering due to short-time work; what steps are being taken to abate this suffering; and if efforts have yet been made to get a fair balance of shipments on the Tyne so as to give equal employment to all trimmers?

The improvement in the Tyne Dock position to which the Parliamentary Secretary referred in his reply of 6th May has been maintained, and there has been a further improvement during the past four weeks. Shipments have averaged 10,000 to 11,000 tons daily. Having regard to the diminution of exports which is due to the quantity of coal railed inland and which affects other shipping centres besides Tyne Dock, the Dock authorities consider the position satisfactory. Coastwise shipment has fallen off to some extent; but the principal firms concerned are being urged to put in further tonnage.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the serious effect of the reduction of the export of coal and appropriation of colliery profits on the mining industries of the country; that colliery owners are discouraged from sinking new pits; that certain collieries now producing coal are nearly worked out and will not be replaced by the sinking of new shafts under existing conditions; and whether he will state what steps he intends to take to induce colliery owners to sink more pits and develop their present underground working?

I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the statement of the Government's policy that I made in the House on the 12th May. I hope that the action which the Government is taking will get rid of the impediments to enterprise which the hon. and gallant Member describes.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that steam trawlers are being laid up at Hull, and other fishing ports, because it does not pay to send these ships to sea since the recent increases in the price of their bunker coal; and whether he is examining the situation with a view to finding a remedy?

A certain number of steam trawlers have recently been laid up; not, however, so far as I am aware, as a result of the recent increase of 4s. 2d. a ton in the price of bunker coal. This increase was due to the necessity of putting the price of coal on an economic basis, and while it affects the fishing industry in common with all other industries, the extra expense in the case of a trawler does not amount to more than some 25s. a working day. The price of bunker coal is only one of many factors which have brought about the present position in the fishing industry.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the representations addressed to him by all local government authorities in the North of Scotland by the Scottish Divisional Council for Demobilisation and Resettlement, as well as by the Highlands Reconstruction Committee, as to the serious disadvantage resulting from the absence of telephonic communication in Northern Scotland to the agricultural and fishing interests, in connection especially with the settlement in industry of ex-service men, he will consider the possibility of extending the telephone system northwards from Tain to Wick on the North Coast?

The question of extending the trunk telephone system northwards beyond Tain has been given close consideration. The expense of such an undertaking would be very heavy, and I regret that it cannot be proceeded with unless a guarantee be forthcoming on the lines already communicated to the local authorities.

asked the Postmaster-General whether, in view of the recent representations made to him in this connection, he is able to contemplate an improvement in the postal arrangements in Sutherland and Caithness, with special reference to the villages and centres on the East Coast north of Helmsdale, whereby, at least, postal facilities approximating to pre-War conditions may be restored.

A road mail service between Wick and Helmsdale has recently been authorised, and will considerably improve the postal facilities in the district referred to.

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions what is the amount, if any, and value of Govern- ment stocks of wool, cotton, copper, lead, and tin; whether the Disposal Board have withdrawn any of these stores from sale owing to the recent fall in prices; and whether the policy of the Disposal Board is to maintain prices at their present level?

It would not be in the interest of the Revenue to give the information asked for in the first part of the question, except that I may say that no stocks of tin are now held by the Disposal Board. The buying demand for the materials in question has temporarily decreased, owing largely to the fact that users are already holding considerable stocks; and, while it is not proposed to sell further stocks to speculative buyers at the present prices, there is no intention on the part of His Majesty's Government to keep back supplies from actual consumers. It is the policy of the Board to follow the market, and neither to raise nor depress it.

asked the Home Secretary if, in view of the number of industrial accidents at docks and harbours, which in many cases are some considerable distance from hospitals and are often of a very serious character, he will consider favourably the application of that section of the Factories Act dealing with First-Aid to injured workmen as applied to certain other industries?

I am considering at the earliest opportunity the introduction of legislation to extend the powers in the Police, Factories, &c. (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1916, in regard to First-Aid and Ambulance arrangements, to docks and quays. A circular letter has been recently issued to dock and harbour authorities drawing attention to the importance of providing for the immediate treatment of injured persons and asking them to consider how far their existing arrangements for this purpose are adequate. Replies so far received indicate that authorities generally recognise the importance of the question, and would be prepared to take any further steps necessary.

asked the Home Secretary whether Goetz Mertens, a German officer, has recently become naturalised as a British subject, and whether he is resident in South-West Africa?

Goetz Mertens has not been naturalised in the United Kingdom. I have no responsibility as regards the naturalisation of individuals outside the United Kingdom, and no information as Goetz Mertens' whereabouts.

asked the Minister of Labour whether the cost of finding employment by the Employment Exchanges for every person placed is £27; and if these payments or charges come within the scope of the inquiry by the Committee just about to be set up?

As the number of persons for whom employment is found is over 1,000,000 a year, and the total cost of the Employment Exchanges for all purposes during the financial year 1919–20 was a little over £3,000,000, my hon. Friend will readily recognise that the figure mentioned by him is inaccurate. When allowance is made for the cost of administering out-of-work donation and unemployment benefit and other items of work performed by the Exchanges, the cost properly attributable to the finding of employment works out at somewhere between 5s. and 10s. per head. The question of cost will be considered by the Committee referred to by my hon. Friend.

asked the Minister of Labour what was the cost during the year 1919–20 of administering the Employment Exchanges, including a proper proportion of head office charges; what was the number of cases in which employment was found for men and women through the Exchanges in the same period, and the average weekly wage of each job so provided; and how many of the positions thus found are still held by the persons appointed to them through the Exchanges?

The cost during the year 1919–20 of administering the Employment Exchanges, Branch Employment Offices, and Divisional Offices, including a proportion of head office charges, was approximately £3,200,000. This includes the cost of administration of out-of-work donation and unemployment insurance, as well as a great variety of other matters, and takes into account charges (including capital expenditure) borne on the Votes of Departments other than the Ministry of Labour. The number of vacancies filled was 1,184,569, of which 711,873 were filled by men and boys and 472,696 by women and girls. I regret that information is not available with regard to the other parts of my hon. and gallant Friend's question.

asked the Minister of Labour whether his attention has been called to the fact that the Scottish Bankers' Association, representing the great majority of the employés of the Scottish banks, has at present under consideration the question of a strike ballot; whether he is aware that the association has exhausted all peaceful means in trying to secure from Scottish bank directors either recognition of the association, consideration of the scale of salaries proposed in view of the great increase in the cost of living, or the establishment of a Whitley Council for the profession in Scotland; and whether, having regard to the fact that it is now the policy of the Government not to ignore representative associations of employés and also to promote the establishment of Whitley Councils, he will use his influence with Scottish bank directors to secure arbitration in the present dispute, with a view to avoiding a stoppage of work in the Scottish banks?

My attention has been called to the resolution of the Scottish Bankers' Association on the subject of a strike. I am instructing my local officer in Scotland to inquire into the position, in order to try to avoid any development of the difference.

asked the First Commissioner of Works what steps he has taken to compel the Regent's Canal Company to re-fence that part of the towpath which adjoins the Regent's Park; whether the public has now been deprived for more than three years of the use and enjoyment of two considerable sections of the park by the neglect of the canal company to fulfil its obligations; and, if so, whether this state of things is to be indefinitely prolonged?

The fence is now being erected, and will shortly be completed.